Sunshine Coast BC ~ British Columbia Travel Pictures

Seymour Narrows ~ Ripple Rock

About 14.5km (9 miles) north of Campbell River (still 58 km or 36 miles north of Comox), we stopped at the Seymour Narrows lookout. It's been nearly 50 years since Ripple Rock, an infamous shipping hazard in this channel, was blown away. The strong currents still evident here are enough of a hazard on their own. The Campbell River Museum has an account of the Ripple Rock explosion.

Comox Vancouver Island ferry to Powell River

For current information, pick up a print ferry schedule at your first opportunity. With just four ferry crossings a day from Comox to Powell River, we didn't have much time at Seymour Narrows. Times and fares are subject to change, so check with B.C. Ferries. The ferry dock is actually 13 km (8 miles) north of Comox, so watch for highway signs. We were aiming to make the 80 minute crossing in mid-afternoon. (Find hotels in Comox here).

Forbidden Plateau Vancouver Island

As the ferry left the Comox dock, I tired to get a photo of Forbidden Plateau, in Strathcona Provincial Park, about 250,000 hectares -- nearly a thousand square miles -- most of it wilderness park.

The Golden Hinde (at 2,200 meters or 7218 feet, the highest point on Vancouver Island ) is near the centre of the park. I thought a large, flattened mountain with a sun-reflecting glacier 'saddle' (just out of view to the right in this photo) might be Forbidden Plateau.

Powell River B.C. Sunshine Coast Mainland

The day was calm and sunny, and I spent most of the crossing on an outside deck, hoping to see whales or dolphins. No luck. Whales elude me (see Telegraph Cove). We drove through neatly-laid grid of the old residential section of Powell River that's now designated a National Historic District. The Powell River area was once one of the largest lumber producing areas, and site of the area's first pulp and paper mill. The surviving paper mill can be seen from the ferry.

Powell River north to Lund by road

We were heading 27 km (17 miles) north of Powell River, to the end of Hwy. 101 (Sunshine Coast Highway) and the historic village of Lund. Northeast from Lund is the Desolation Sound [Provincial] Marine Park, just over 20,000 acres of shore, land and water. This entire area is full of seriously scenic wilderness. We had picked up brochures in Powell River warning about cougar, black bear and grizzly bear encounters. But for fearless optimists, there's also a Powell River Canoe Route map and a topographic Duck Lake/Mud Lake trail map.

Savary Island Water Taxi to Beaches

A water taxi heads out from Lund, taking day trippers across 6 km (4 miles) to Savary Island's (pop.100) sandy beaches and warm waters. You can board water taxis from the marina in front of the Lund hotel. At the time I was there, the return trip per person was $15 CAD, but that was before gas costs skyrocketed.

Nancy's Bakery at Lund, B.C.

Nancy's is a Lund institution, renowned for breads, blackberry sticky buns and cinnamon buns. There's an outdoor patio area with tables.

This picture shows the new bakery, about 300 metres (330 yards) from the original site. Check out Flo's Starboard Cafe, too, on the other side of the marina, a short walk from here.

Lund Marina Popular Port

Although road trippers may not know this 'off the beaten track' area well, it's a great favourite with yachties. These boats (like the low white vessel, photo center) are chartered from Vancouver by boaters from eastern Canada and the eastern U.S. One captain told me that each year, several families leave their own boats at home in Ontario, fly to Vancouver, rent several boats, and cruise the west coast for most of the month.

Helicopter transit to Lund from Vancouver

For a spot that's a tad remote, there's a number of ways to get to Lund.

There's daily service via Malaspina Coach direct from Vancouver airport.

Car and ferry via Hwy. 101. Fly a half-hour to Powell River (scheduled or charter) on Pacific Coastal Airlines.

Come by boat -- you're on your own, here -- or helicopter -- Airspan Helicopters are but one operation.

Historic Lund Hotel

I stayed at the historic Lund Hotel. The old section of the hotel (c1905) was rebuilt following a fire, and refurbished in 1999 (see all Lund BC Hotels).

The lobby more than met my lifetime pine paneling needs. The halls in the old section were just over a yard wide. My front-facing room was comfortably roomy, with access to the balcony. Lund is apparently popular with motorcyclists, especiially around 6 p.m., when many roared up and down the little hill street to the marina. Dinner was good, the service and upscale menu befitting the yachting clientele.

Church at Sliammon between Powell River and Lund

On the highway from Powell River north to Lund, we found the sign marking the road leading into the Coast Salish village of Sliammon, settled early in the 20th century. The village church looks out over Georgia Strait. In late afternoon, there was no one about. My guidebook mentioned that cultural tours are available.

Saltery Bay Ferry to Earl's Cove

This is what the 11:30 a.m. Wednesday ferry to Earl's Cove -- the Saltery Bay ferry -- looks like five minutes after its scheduled departure, and you are not on it. Pretty, isn't it? So picturesque.

This is the view you are sure to have should you misjudge travel time on the 34 km (22 mile) drive south from Powell River AND MISS THE FERRY! Since on Wednesdays, the midday sailings are replaced by dangerous cargo sailings, the next passenger ferry wouldn't leave for another four hours. We headed back to Powell River, where we had a lovely, leisurely lunch and browsed the shops.

You may also like to see:

• Canada Main Page
• Port Hardy B.C.
• Telegraph Cove B.C.
• Sechelt - B.C. Lower Sunshine Coast