Summer Season over, Winter storms, Whale Season coming
With the summer season being done and many locals having had a chance to relax and reflect on the summer, Ucluelet is now looking forward to the winter and springs seasons.
If you haven’t done so, spend some time looking out towards the harbour where you can see the mist rising so many days early in the morning or on rainy days as the moisture rises from the mountain.
During the busy season it can be easy to spend most of your day working in the grind and forget to take a 20 minute hike on some of the most break taking beach trails in the world.
Yes this is west coast and people don’t grind as hard as Toronto or New York.
But some of us forget to take that daily walk in the place that isn’t crowded with cars, smog and business. Instead we get to hear the crashing surf, watch the chimp monks busy themselves in the tree tops or kayak in serenity.
So good bye to the busy season of 2023 and welcome to the time we get to reflect on what went right or wrong, listen to smart advice from those we admire, and implement a plan making simple habits carry us to a fulfilled life.
Some beaches are not traveled much and some are almost always frequented by surfers so there is always an adventure whether small or big.
Storm watching has long been promoted to attract winter vacationers and there is good reason. With more Ucluelet properties installing saunas and having the option at your door step for a cold plunge, Ucluelet can advertise that the west coast is a destination of longevity.
The west coast rain forest is beautiful in all conditions including wet and the rugged backdrop to the pounding surf sets the scene for great meditation, yoga sessions or just enjoying a romantic walk on the beach.
The west coast of Vancouver Island is a great place to clear your mind from whatever stresses you have gone through recently and for me Ucluelet tops the list of places to be.
Tofino is still busy no matter when you go there. The small town to the south has the local feel that so many of us crave.
Fire and road construction done
The summer season proved to be quite eventful with the fire at Cameron lake causing accommodation and service providers alike many headaches to overcome. Hopefully the next fire will be taken care of with a greater level of urgency.
And the Kennedy Lake project is finally over so lets look forward to clear driving back and forth from the West coast to Nanaimo.
I like to say that elections have consequences so let make sure we have input into electing people that know how to get things done like the past mayor Mayco.
The best trail on Vancouver Island
I can’t finish an article without giving some appreciation for the most spectacular trail on Vancouver Island. Call me biased but I have been on many Vancouver Island trails. I wrote many of the blog posts for DiscoverVancouverIsland.com and I still think Ucluelet has the prettiest running trail in BC and its so close that you just have to get out there.
The Wild Pacific Trail is always at the top of the list for tourist recommendations but this is a reminder for locals that we can run on it too. Take a breath of fresh winter air and remind yourself why you live 2.5 hours from the nearest larger city.
Written by Sam Vandervalk, 11/10/2-23
