An Adventure the back way which led to an amazing textured image. June 2024

I had recently returned from a trip in Europe, having discovered that going on a cruise amongst wealthy people, far above the land and sea , is not for me. And so I packed up my faithful car ‘Fern’ and decided to go the back route to Pachena Bay.

I live in Shawnigan Lake and wanted to discover relatively close camping spots to save on the ridiculous price of fuel this summer. I had heard of Pachena Bay and was longing for a rough ride away from lots of people. So I booked a spot at their campground( not normal for me, I usually just look for free spots and let the wind take me away) It was a beach front site which excited me. People had told me is was possible to get there the back way, on forestry roads from Lake Cowichan all the way to Bamfield. It was the route people took the year before when the road to Ucluelet and Tofino was temporarily closed.

So I left and used my trusty BRMB ( Back Road Map Book )App where you can have the map downloaded and don’t need wi-fi. The road was VERY rough and I realised, I had taken the same road (Much to the horror of my brother whose sports car I had borrowed.) when I travelled B.C. the summer after I graduated looking for teaching positions. On this trip I had to slow down around many curves and bumped along the washboard. It reminded me of Highway 20 and my driveway to Little Goose in the Chilcotin. But that’s another story. Spring Arrival with Red Winged Blackbirds (to be posted soon)

When I arrived three hours later I was greeted by sun and sand and a welcoming tree. As I walked the beach there were whales in the bay!! I saw the spray from their blow holes and couldn’t believe that no-one else on the beach as as excited as I was. A lady nearby said they had been here all week. I hadn’t brought my telephoto and SLR so I have no photos to share. There was a pod of at least 3 grey whales for the two days I was there. I also saw a bear on the other side of the river but once again he was too far to catch a photo.

On the last day I went to the end of the beach and saw the image that inspired my painting. There was something about the draw of the tide , like a road less travelled to entice me in for a cold swim and capture The Draw of Pachena Bay.

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