Bike
Trip
Day 5
The bright morning sunrays woke me up. It was around 7:00. It was already like the one in summer. The ferry to Denman was supposed to arrive at 9:50. I had enough time to dry my sleeping bag and tent. Since a human sweats, it seems to be unavoidable to wet sleeping bag. Every morning I find my sleeping somewhat wet.
Left Hornby Island by ferry. Farewell, Hornby. You were wonderful. Back to Denman, I used Mc Farlane Rd. taking to the ferry port located on north part of the island. This course was fun to ride. More shaded by the forest than Denman Rd. A number of small hills, but no nasty ones.
I enjoyed bike ride and the scenery of beautiful mountains in The Island. I really liked this island as well as Hornby Island.
Two ferries finally took me from Hornby to the main island. As I noticed on board, it was very windy. Unfortunately it was south wind, which means I would have to pedal against the wind.
Nothing is like a bike ride against wind! I pedaled as hard as I could. But the wind killed all my efforts. Once I stopped pedaling, the bike would stop immediately. It was like going up hill, although the road was flat. Stopped by a grocery store to buy KitKat in Qualicum Beach. A lady in the store said, "They say a storm is coming". That's what I was afraid of.
Non-stop strong head wind was tiring me so much that I didn't enjoy bike ride at all. Although I saw a restaurant Mr. Mikes, which Darren, Dave's and Lucy's second son, runs, I didn't have enough energy to stop by and to check what is like inside the restaurant (Mr. Mikes in Parksville, however, doesn't exist any more, according to Darren. I saw only a sign left behind). I remembered being offered to stay overnight by a kind couple at Horseshoe Bay on the first day. But no, I was too tired to reach Nanaimo today.
Managed to reach Rathrevor Beach Provincial Park Campsite in Parksville at 5:00 p.m. This is a huge park. I chose one campsite (half already occupied by RV campers), and set up my tent. Despite its size the site has enough private and was cleaned carefully. What's more, it's treed so much that I felt almost no wind in the site.
Rathrevor was named from an Irish family who lived around here. A gold prospector William Rath arrived in the late 19th century and one of his daughters Elizabeth was successful in running farm and campground. The campground eventually became a provincial park.
Had free hot shower and made a cup of tee. Little while later I started cooking pasta, campsite manager showed up to collect camping fee. Paid $18! I found it expensive for a public campsite.
Made a phone call to Dave & Lucy, my home stay parents. I chatted with Dave imaging him watching TV on the couch with Teddy, the wander dog. I'd been enjoying my trip, but at the same time I missed everybody at home. Made another phone call to my parents in Japan using a long distance phone card. They both were home. Chatted with them for 5 minutes and disconnected the line. I missed them so much.
At 9:00 p.m. It was completely overcast. I was listening to the sound of wind roaring for a while and I fell asleep. I was very tired.