mj

My husband & I had a trip planned to the Canadian Rockies for Sept. 18, but our dog suddenly became ill. And, unfortunately, we lost her last Monday. <BR><BR>Now, we are trying to see if we might still get a little getaway to Canada this Fall, as we need it more than ever! However, the soonest we could leave would be Oct. 11. Would this be too late in the season to do Tofino & the West Coast & the Telegraph Cover area justice?? <BR><BR>Is the weather likely to be grey & rainy? (heard it's been nice recently, but things change quickly come October?) Many activities probably aren't 'doable' in October...guess the grey whales aren't really present along the West Coast then, or outings to see black bears. <BR>Do you think there's still enough to do in the Tofino area this late in the season? <BR><BR>Re: Telegraph Cove...sounds like the last orca outings are Sept. 15 or so, so we might be able to sneak in one water outing. But, if the seas are more rough by then, who knows? If you've been to Telegraph Cove, any other recommendations for activities/hikes in the area? <BR><BR>Please help us out, if you have some advice, as we're just about to give up taking any vacation this Fall! :-{ <BR>(We didn't have a summer one.) <BR><BR>We're still considering the Rockies, too, but not sure which region (Rockies vs. Vancouver Island's wilder areas) is more likely to be better this late in the season. Or, should we forego both until next summer?? <BR><BR>We'll need to get tickets really soon, if this is to become a reality...<BR>Thank you so much for any help you might offer!

Thor

mj: Lots of people come to the West Coast of Vancouver Island at this time of year, specifically to see the North Pacific Storms!! The middle of October is the time when the weather usually changes, and we start to get regular rain and wind. However, it is early in this season, and you can still get nice warm, sunny days. The other bonus is that the area is quieter than the summer, and that has obvious advantages. You can take a boat ride from Tofino to a great hot spring, and you may even have the place to yourself, although this is unlikely. The walks along Chesterman, and Long Beach are spectacular. There is good accomodation, and restaurants in Tofino, so I would still recommend that you come. You may want to combine the West Coast with a stop in Victoria. It's weather is usually more benign than the West Coast. A little heads up: October 14 is Canadian Thanksgiving, ( a long weekend), and a lot of people hit the road, making accomodation sometimes difficult. By Tuesday, everything will be very quiet again.

mj

Thank you so much, Thor, for the info/advice. <BR><BR>Was also considering the Washington Cascades for some Fall color, but am finding better airline rates to Vancouver, right now, so think that may be a 'sign.' ;-) (Since Seattle should be less expensive, but for some reason isn't in mid-October.)<BR>Think we'll gamble on the West Coast of Vancouver Island's weather....will keep our fingers crossed. <BR><BR>I appreciate you taking the time to answer my query. Have a great week!

Wendy

"There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing"! That is a west coast saying. You could get rain any time of the year. Locals come in the winter because it's a special time and they know it. There might be fog or rain but Tofino is a magical place. Have you ever walked through the rain forest when the fog is whirling? Magical! Grey Whales are still here in October. Give it a try!

Robyn

I totally agree with the other posters - BC thrives in the winter because of its rain. That's what gives the coast its lush green! And while summer activities such as outdoor swimming may be over, there *is* quite a tourist industry for storm watching... and surfing!! (I kid you not! Tofino has a growing winter surf scene).<BR><BR>Another thing about coastal BC... the seasons change more gradually than they do if you were further east (ie: once you get to the eastern side of the Cascades in BC). That is to say, there's no real sharp change in when fall ends and winter begins. It's not too late. It's just kind of like wet season/dry season. Keep in mind that Vancouver Island is a rain forest zone, and you are getting into the rainy season... but as Wendy said, you could get rain at any time of the year. Rain is a fact of life on the coast... life doesn't stop, even outdoor activities continue. But that's half the excitement when you're on Vancouver Island, especially on the west coast. <BR><BR>Quick story - My parents took me and my sister to Tofino back in August of 1993. Most of the time we were there, it was cloudy and rainy... but it was so magical and mystical. Moreso than had it been sunny the entire time. There was really a sense of atmopshere I long to experience again. It's almost spiritual... and I'm sure you'll understand when you get there. <BR><BR>Also, in response to some of your older posts about the change in leave colours (I believe that was you who posted that), I go to school at UBC where there are groves of oak and Japanese maple trees lining the walkways. The leaves are all beautiful shades of orange and red. Unlike in the east where the leaves change colour and drop immediately... autumn lasts a bit longer on the coast. I'm sure you'll get a bit of both worlds while visiting. <BR><BR>If you haven't seen this already, go to http://www.vancouverisland.com or http://www.britishcolumbia.com <BR><BR>They're truly the best websites out there for the region, especially if you click on the link called "Regions & Towns". Everything you could ever know about each region/town in BC is found on those websites. It'll give you some good starting points anyway!

mj

Thanks to everyone for your wonderfully, helpful posts...and inspiring ones. <BR><BR>I *so* wish that we could get away to any part of of the Pacific Northwest/ Canada. It's all so lovely up your way!<BR><BR>Unfortunately, life is handing us trouble after trouble. I, unfortunately, was just diagnosed with an unruptured brain aneurysm last week -on Oct 1. "An incidental finding", as they called it, unrelated to the symptoms which caused me to have a MRI in the first place.<BR><BR>Now, my (& my husband's) world has been turned upside down, & the idea of getting away from all of this worry & horrible options facing me for surgery, would be like a total dream come true!! <BR><BR>Instead, I'm left worrying that I may never see again, such beauties as we have discovered up in Canada...or, never again, <BR>feeling the way I should - fairly pain-free, with no headaches. <BR><BR>I'm grateful that for our anniversary in May, we *did* get to see Salt Spring again & Galiano for the 1st time. Guess we'll just have to keep hoping...<BR><BR>I'm only 35, so the idea of them messing me up permanently, in order to "fix" an unruptured brain aneurysm *before* it ruptures is pretty terrifying. :'-{ <BR><BR>Thanks again for all your <BR>help & advice, Rosemary