Where the ocean rules

On Vancouver Island’s Pacific Rim, the ocean dominates
everything. It has shaped both landscape and the lifestyle,
and the immensity and magnificence of it is awe-inspiring.
Ic’sa view you will never tire of, and one you will certainly
never forget.

From Port Alberni, the region's commercial centre and
a year-round saltwater fishing mecca, to. the coastal villages
of Bamfield, Ucluelet and Tofino, the Pacific Rim region is
popular with all sorts of travellers.

Qutdoor adventurers looking for the ultimate challenge

hike the West Coast Trail, kayak among the Broken Group
” ‘Islands, or ride the waves on a surfboard. Wiildlife-watch-
ers from all over the world come to see the multitude of
marine mammals and birds that thrive in this natural par-
adise.

‘Coombs

highways 4 and 4A wind through the pastoral Coombs

district toward Port Alberni, travellers will notice the land-

~ scape becoming progressively more rugged and the forest
_ increasingly dense.

- In the village of Coombs (on Hwy. 4A just south of its

ntersection with Hwy. 4), goats graze on the roof of the

- Old Country Market which displays produce and gifts in a

; downright * “down home” atmosphere.

Area artisans frequently open their doors to studio tours,
~ and those:planning to linger should inquire about local
Tousical or ther cultural events.

Port Alberni

: Port Alberni in the Alberni Valley is the gateway to Van-

‘ couver Island’s Pacific Rim region. With the increased
popularity of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Barkiey

Sound and Clayoquot Sound, many visitors are basing their

“vacations in Port Alberni and taking erips to a variety of

Po Alberni is renowned’ as a fishing destination and,
although all five species of Pacific salmon are caught here,
: Most sought-after prize is the chinock salmon.

vo This yeas, Port Alberni opens a new chapter with the
offi pening july. 1 of the Mclean Mill National His-
tic Site. The mill — at the centre of which is Canada’s
“only! remaining steam-powered saw — was operated by the
~R-BiMcLean family between 1926 and 1965. A work in
Progress. it features restored building and equipment and
: ing examples of life in the remote forests. A restored
uls visitors the 10 kilometres from downtown.

tical troupe will be move around the site, per-

in; ‘vignettes in period costumes, to help visitors

understand what it was like to live and work in a family-
owned sawmilling operation on the edge of the world.

While in Port Alberni, visit Harbour Quay, a focal point
for visitors to the Alberni Valley. [t-has a clock tower with
observation decks, several shops and eating places and green
spaces for relaxing beside picturesque Alberni Inlct.

At the visitor information centre (Pacific Rim Highway
junction at the eastern entrance to the city) pick up
brochures for self-guided walking tours of the historic South-
port and Northport districts of town. While you're at the
centre, also pick up the Alberni Valley Trail Guide which dis-
cusses regional trails from easy to challenging, complete
with maps.

Bamfield

At the turn of the century, the British needed to form a
telegraphic link between South Pacific countries such as

Australia and New Zealand, and Britain. A cable station .

was established here and Bamfieid became the most strate-
gic location on Canada’s West Coast, particularly during
both world wars. The station;s gone now, but the charming
village of 500 people, situated on both sides of an inlet that
serves as its main street, lives on. Water taxis shuttle visi-
tors and locals back and forth between art galleries and
supply shops, lodges and bed and breakfasts.

The simplest and most scenic way to get to Bamfield is
on board the MV Lady Rose or the MV Frances Barkley
from Port Alberni. These passenger and cargo vessels offer
aunique taste of West Coast life as they make stops at various
outposts to deliver mail and supplies. Bamfield is also acces-
sible via gravel road from Port Alberni and Lake Cowichan.

Botanical Garden is .
Tofino’s newest attraction

Tofino Botanical Gardens, located ona picturesque inlet
overlooking Browning Passage and Meares Island, reflect the
geology, eco-system and West Coast climate and gardening
practices of early settlers. i
Set on a seven-hectare site, the ‘gardens are adjacent to 49 ha
of protected wildlife forest and overlook 2,00 ha of migratory
bird habitat.
Plantings include wisteria, azaleas, thadodendrons, iris,
lowering cherries, annuals, perennials and grape vines.
About 2.5 ha have been left in their natural state and featue
boardwalks and trails that meander among old-growth cedar,
hemlock and spruce. This area will ultimately highlight 100
native plants.
The gardens are located at 1084 Pacific Rim Hwy., about a mile
from Tofine. For more information, call 250-725-1237.

Sept. 1-9

Coming Events —— |
The Pacific Rim:

july 4 ) Openin,

Celebrate the official < opening f this”

‘steam-powered sawm

, July!
Canada Day Celebration.
, Wickaninnish Beach.

july 21-23°

“.. UIKEE days. A weekend of family fun
- with a salmon and oyster barbecue, kids
“games, entertainment, logger sports and.
~.more, Uciuelet. :

' Sept. 2-4

Salmon Festival, Clutesi Haven

, Marina, Port Alberni.

Fall Fair. Animais, exhibits, food and
more, ra Fair Grounds, Port Alberni.

Sept. I

Loprer Sports. Fall Fair Grounds. Port ;

Alberni.

Oct. 15

Robertson Creek Hatchery Open
House. See the salmon run, canoes,
food and mere. Port Alberni. 1-250-724-
65: ;

Tofino

The picture-perfect village of Tofi ino sits perched on the
tip of a narrow peninsula jurting out into Clayoquot Sound,
surrounded by densely forested islands and the ever-churn-
ing waters of the Pacific. Marking the northern boundary
of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Tofino has grown
from an isolated fishing village into a tourist mecca renowned
fori its rich Native heritage, art galleries, world-class i inns,

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