a visit to Sheringham Point Lighthouse on Vancouver Island

Took a drive out to Shirley today to take a close look at Sheringham Lighthouse.
It is not functioning as a real lighthouse anymore but a society has been fixing up and maintaining the park lands around it. There is quite a hill to walk down to it, especially in the hot sun of today. Felt like it was over 30C .

There was a forest fire over on the Olympic Peninsula clearly visible from here.





A Mink came for a visit as well, It was curious when it heard me squeak like a mouse, and came closer to investigate.

You get a couple of coast views from the walkway, but it looks quite hard to get down to the water anywhere near the lighthouse...

Below Holmes peak

Hiked from Caleb Pike parking lot a long the ridge top trail and then dropped down a narrow trail to the water and back up to the top of Holmes peak.

This photo is from a small look out at the beginning of the narrow trail to the water. The trail is gradual decline but the terrain is very steep and the trail is covered with fallen dried Arbutus leaves, that when piled on top of each other makes for a surface as slippery as ice. So getting the correct footing is essential. No good can come from falling off this trail, believe me. Alot of the trail you can see the water directly 500 feet below through the trees. At one point
there is an old car body that was shoved off the

top of the mountain, it is hanging on for dear life part way down the steep slope.

There are some view points on the way down but not many .

Once you get to the bottom you have clear views of the inlet from the shadows of the hill. Looking across at the Malahat ridge .

Jelly Fish , Large ones , 2 feet across

There was a couple of River Otters up in the woods a few yards from the water, but they quickly discovered me and took off to the safety of the water.

The old sign marks the trail to the top of the ridge, which I was glad to partake. Not wanting to go back the slippery trail I had just come down. This is a steep trail also, but is quicker.

No mountain lions seen but Ant lions have taken up shop on the trail. several of their little cone shaped traps are visible in the photo.

 This 3d Photo , if you cross your eyes , is from the top of the narrow path just before it joins the main Ridge Top trail.

From here you hike on the large trail up to the top of Holmes peak which reaches nearly 1100 feet.

The Vultures are constantly surveying the area for food and using the great thermals that they enjoy soaring around in.

on the way back this little European Green Wall lizard caught my eye as it ran down the path ahead of me... it must have been only 2 inches long, so I assume it is baby from this year. 

I left the peak with the Turkey Vulture standing guard and headed back to the parking lot on the well used Trail . 

Painter's lodge for 3 nights stay

Celebrating my 60th , we ventured to Painter's lodge for a few nights stay. thought we would explore the mid island somewhat since I haven't been up passed Campbell river for many years . We visited Elk River Falls and the suspension bridge on the first day. Lots of people visiting those two things.

25 metres that look like 50 meters..

the water flow lines to the power station

later we went on a water taxi over to the sister resort, April Point. Smaller but more remote location, however there are still houses next door along the coast line

 this is April Point restaurant and there is a spa in the pond out front..








We took a cruise in the passage out front , around Gowlland island and up to Ripple Rock in Discovery channel and back past Menzies bay.

a Bonapartes Gull

We then headed up towards Sawyard and stopped at the base of Mt Kusam and drove up a logging road towards the Kusam Klimb trail head, A place I would like to hike one day soon. maybe next summer if I can talk people into it.

 After the Mountain we drove to Sayward and Kesley Bay to the end of the road.. it was really quite windy on the johnstone strait, blowing the clouds up and over the mountain range

Had lunch on the way back on the Salmon river , a nice spot to cool the feet.