Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Where Solitude Meets the Ocean



Remember my post about the road to Cape Scott? So, here we are in the parking lot at the end of the 63 km long gravel road. We put on our hiking boots, take some water, our cameras and whatever else we need with us and walk 2.5 km through the rain forest to get to this deserted, empty and wide beach at San Josef Bay in the very north of Vancouver Island.


It's as if you have stepped into another world. Except for a few other people there is no one there, it is absolutely quiet with the exception of the wind and the sound of the relatively small waves crashing onshore. A tame Pacific, enclosed by the beautiful bay with its hilly forests.



The beach is not all sand - there are quite some plants that peek through as well as some driftwood.


please notice the flip flops...

Each of us enjoyed this heavenly place in his or her own way. Kaefer sat in the sand, drawing the bay and some little animal that she had discovered in the sand.




All of us at some point or other took pictures - each of us with their very own point of view. Kaefer was fascinated by the little waves, the Geek by some pattern in the sand and I just took pictures of both of them (beside all the other photos, of course).





I loved the solitude at this beach. You can actually camp here if you bring everything you need and are willing to carry it through the rain forest. There is a pit toilet here, but no drinking water; however, there is a waterfall at the far end of the beach which you can use if you bring a water filter. The Geek and I are already talking of coming here again and staying for two nights in our tent. There were just a few people camping here, it's not for everyone hauling all your stuff out here. The price is quietness and peacefulness amongst natural beauty.



If you want to know what the hike through the rain forest was like - that will be a future post.









11 comments:

Kay L. Davies said...

Your photos are wonderful, Carola. It's almost like being there, for which I'm ever so grateful.
I think I like the first photo best, with the small trees growing out of the driftwood trunk of a big old tree, the way the young trees grow in the middle of the west coast rainforest.
My parents, and many of my friends, have been to the north of The Island, but I never did get there. Nor did I ever get to the islands north of there, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, but now restored to their native name Haida G'waii.
I hope you do return to San Josef Bay with your tent some day. I can't imagine any other place in Canada that would be as peaceful.
K

Elephant's Child said...

Thank you. The serenity and beauty you have captured here has soothed my soul this afternoon.

Cheri said...

I can literally feel the peace and solitude emanating from that first photo. The old driftwood with new growth is absolutely beautiful. What a place! I'm not a fan of camping, but I can see the allure.

gina said...

Lovely outing, Carola! Thanks for taking us along with you. I like the old log with the flip flops in it, and all the shots of your family enjoying this special place.

Sally H said...

Wow! What a wonderful place! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful photos x

Magdalena said...

Da werden Sehnsüchte geweckt.Wunderbare Bilder. Angesichts des Überwachungswahnsinns überlege ich oft mit der Bloggerei aufzuhören, aber solche Bilder führen dann wieder in Versuchung.
LG
Magdalena

LONDONLULU said...

Gasp, these are just beautiful! There is something about our basic nature that wants to see sand and water and growing green things:)

Orsolina said...

Wunderschöne Aufnahmen, ich bin ganz fasziniert von dem Treibholz. Es hat diese typische silbrige Farbe.

Die Gegend muss in natura traumhaft sein.

Schönes Wochenende.

Biggi

Maria Ontiveros said...

Gorgeous photos - especially that third one. And how cool is it that your daughter sketches.
Rinda

Magic Love Crow said...

Amazing photos! Very calming and peaceful!

patty said...

Wow - my kinda place for sure.... And I hafta say, quite Oregon-like!