Update just before Leaving Vancouver Island for the past 6 days: Wow, what a country I live in. The vastness of this land is truly amazing. After leaving my friends in Calgary, I rode southwest through the Crowsnest Pass on Hwy #3 and it was a delight. Also did Banff, Lake Louise, Yoho and Revelstoke. Jumped off the Vee to take in a 30 min hike through the top of Mt. Revelstoke and boy, I wanted to stop there for at least 5 hrs. But I had to head out and get some miles behind me....Some pictures: 

After crossing into BC, I decided to ride about 4 hrs and get an early night before tackling the Ferry to Vancouver Island. Long weekend, so no camp site for me...But they did let me pitch my tent in the parking lot!!! Nice view also ;)

Packing a snack for the trip :) Bananas, peaches and water....don't forget the Timmies run in the water bottle which I can drink while driving (kids, don't try that at home ;)~  )

Off to put the miles behind me:

Ohhhhh, a little dirt trail....I wounder where this leads to....

A park complete with camping spots, ATV/Dirt Bike trails, Horses and cowboys (and a cowgirl) and cattle herding...Nice!!

Ops...the Vee wanted to rest... ( I stopped to take a picture and did not notice where I stopped the bike. On a little divot which the kickstand could not hold the 850+ lbs. I was unloading the side bags to take some weight off, but a nice guy and girl helped me lift her back up!! )

Ferry ride into Vancouver Island (Nanaimo) and then to the scariest part of the trip so far.

I wanted to meet up with a friend of mine Pete, to stay with him for a couple days and this is what I found at the end of his street:

The road was blocked up to Pete's place and I could not cross the highway...There was an accident where a motorcycle rider and his passenger hit a lady walking her dog. Tragically, the only survivor was the female passenger on the bike as the driver and the lady walking her dog (and her dog) passed away.

My heart goes out to their families and loved ones. 

This happened right at the end of Pete's street and he heard the crash, poor guy thought it was me that was in an accident and he rushed down to the street to try and find me. I was trying to find a way around the closed streets and finally, I was able to call him and tell him that I was ok. What a way to start my stay on the island. I did not touch my bike for 3 days after that.

Pete, Charlie and Tie: 

Charlie after rolling in the sand dripping wet!

Tie 'Domi'

Pete

Thanks Pete for letting me stay with you and thanks for the hospitality you gave me, I really am grateful to have friends like you.

MEGWICH

Some random pics I like:

  

And one of the reasons I wanted to come out west......TO DIVE INTO THE PACIFIC OCEAN!!!! COLD COLD COLD....BUT ALIVE :)

Now....which way home??? oh yea, East......to be continued.