Vancouver Island

 We are in Port Hardy at the end of a beautiful sunset and tip of a beautiful island that we couldn't begin to do justice to.
We had a bumpy time of it. Right from the drive off the ferry. We had to go through inspection (but luckily the veggie oil stuff on the outside of the truck wasn't even noticed!) Next, the traffic was impossible... turning magical Victoria into a tourist log jam.
Hwy 19, the only road that spans the island was crowded and we were relieved to get to Nanaimo where our friends Tom and Lucia welcomed us. We stayed in Nanaimo a couple of days but the last day was the kicker. We both ended up with health problems and actually had to engage with the Canadian health care system (60$ for the visit was quite fair and we got to watch the Olympics on T.V. probably for the only time of these summer games.)

 As a result of our maladies, I had to drive the first day we left Nanaimo and it made me even more aware of what Michael has taken on with this clunky old truck. We really appreciated the hospitality and support of our friends from Pueblo Partisans though--- really made us aware of our fragility and how important it is to have friends and made me realize AGAIN how dependent on Michael I am.

 Last night we stayed at this Lake Roberts... a very relaxing place to be and to recover more. Then today we stopped at Lake Nimpkish where Michael used to wind surf before finally getting to Port Hardy at the end of the island.

 It's beautiful here and we are very lucky with good weather and even a backpackers hostel here where we can use internet. Whew! I wish we could stay to explore this end of the island where there are very few people visiting for the Canadian long weekend but we are off on the ferry tomorrow morning for our 15 hour trip to Prince Rupert. (Read this enigmatic sign about the trans-Vancouver Hwy 19 if you get a chance...  and click on the photo below so you can see the mountain chain in the distance, with snow in the peaks.)