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Strait of Georgia Cycling Loop

The initial ‘plan’ for getting away from Vancouver after months of the COVID-19 pandemic was a solo bicycle trip to Quadra or Cortes Island and back by way of Vancouver Island. Plans shifted before and during the trip. By the time it was over, I met up with friends to camp at the Hollyhock Centre on Cortes for five nights, took a water taxi from Cortes to Lund, and cycled the Sunshine Coast back to Vancouver.

The weather was great during travel times. Cycling enabled me to avoid the ferry lineups. With travel restrictions in place, a lot of BCers were travelling within the province. Options for accommodations when booking the night before were limited.

Hanging out with friends on Cortes Island and cycling to new places left me refreshed. Memorable highlights: Sitting on a beach to view a full moon rising over Qualicum Bay; The tailwind on day two; Star/planet/Perseids/satellite watching on the beach; Evening meals at Hollyhock; Water taxi to Lund; The tree house cabin at Strongwater in Egmont.

West Knob, Donut Rock & Eagle Bluff

After a week of unsettled weather, Saturday appeared to be a lovely sunny day in the Lower Mainland. So off for great hike on the North Shore. Not long after hiking up from the western Baden Powell trail head, we were back in the clouds.

It was damp hike up, water dripping from verdant rock faces. A mucky mess and hordes of hikers greeted us on the main trail to Black Mountain above Eagle Bluff. Someone there unfortunately had a very bad day. Along the way we heard grouse, pikas, owls and many songbirds. We returned to the sun in the last 45 minutes of the trek.