Hi!

April, I thought you'd like to see this as well...

Will stay the first three nights in Vancouver at the Pan Pacific - Harbor View! a gorgeous hotel.

http://vancouver.panpacific.com/

I'm flying to Tofino on Craig Air, and have been in correspondence with one of the pilots there several times. They have friends in Tofino who fly float planes so they are going to hook me up. very cool!

I'm staying at the Crab Dock B&B for two nights and at least plan to go to Hot Springs Cove and also hike part of the Pac Rim park.

http://www.crabdock.com

Then, taking Craig Air to Victoria where I'll stay at Dreemskerry for 3 nights.

http://www.dreemskerry.bc.ca/

while there, not 100% sure yet of all activities but flying and going to at least one island figure into it. I'll also meet up with a friend of mine while I am there.

I'll fly to Seattle on my next to last day, visit Boeing Field Museum and that evening have dinner with a friend.

I'm staying at the Hotel Andra in Seattle one night.

http://www.hotelandra.com/

the next day, flying home!

there you have it! QED.

I have only one comment.
The pacific Rim NP is splitted into different independend units (long beach unit, brocken Island goup unit, west coast trail units).

From Tofino you can access the long beach unit, where you can do some beach walks and only minor hiking. Tofono does not allow good access to the other units of the Pacific Rim NP. I recommend Bamfield, if you are looking for more advanced hikes. From Bamfield you can access the west cost trail unit.

Glad to see it's all coming together, Flygirl. I'm looking forward to reading your reviews of Dreemskerry and of Craig Air since I have never flown with them. I thought they might fly float planes but it looks like you will be landing at Victoria Airport. If you're not renting a car right away, you can catch the AKAL bus from there into town for $14.

http://www.akalairporter.travel.bc.ca/

ps. definitely getting a car in Victoria at least. haven't decided about the other places, I may not need it and it also seems silly to have 3 rentals of a few days each. Once I get going on the nitty gritty planning of Vancouver I might decide I have to.

I live here in Victoria right now, and have been a resident of Vancouver in the past ~ welcome to my end of the world!

Good move coming out to Tofino. I have travelled far & wide in this world, and much as I have seen it remains one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It is truly God's own peice of paradise on earth, and I visit every chance I get. Most people coming to the West Coast miss the experience of it since it is a little remote, but you are one of the wise and lucky ones.

I have done the Hot Springs Cove jaunt twice now, and it is worth every penny! I know you will love it. Other things not to miss in Tofino:
* try surfing ~ there are tons of great beginner-oriented surf schools, and the waves are some of the best in the world here. lessons include wetsuits & board rentals, and you will have the time of your life. Surf Sister is a great school, girl-run.
* eat! some amazing restaurants up here... the Pointe at Wickininish is outstanding - pricy but worth it; Tough City has some of the best sushi anywhere (the dock is right out front, how much fresher could it be?); and I hear Shelter is fabu too.
* go up to Radar Hill at the end of the day to watch the sun set. It's an easy walk from the parking lot, and you get the most amazing panoramic view of the coast, the ocean, all the islands... talk about getting close to heaven.

As you may gather, I am a HUGE fan!

Victoria is beautiful also. It is my home, and I truly believe the best place in this country and possibly the world to call home. Gorgeous seascapes all around, old Victorian architecture, warm people, excellent cuisine, and mild lovely weather all year around. Just put your walking shoes on, and trot around ~ it's a compact little harbour city, and you can see all you could want to see this way.

As to Vancouver, you can see my post in the thread about places to eat in Vancouver for some ideas, cuisine-wise. That is one fun city, and I am sure you will have a great time discovering it. Some great things to do there: hike Grouse Mountain, explore Granville Island, shopping on Robson Street, play in Stanley Park, take the seabus to Lonsdale Quay & see North Van, go to Chinatown (largest in N. America after San Fran)... the list is long and distinguished.

Hope you have a wonderful time in my little paradise. You can email me at [email protected] if you have any questions or want any more info.

wow, thank you! I may never want to come back. I'll leave a forwarding address then.

If you live in a hot, dry climate maybe we could switch addresses. Too bad you can't visit now though when everything is so green.

hot climate - in summer. dry - not at all. metro DC!

I may have already said this but have no fear of repeating myself-<u>you are spending two too many nights in Victoria</u>.
After Vancouver and WCVI you're sure to be let down.

Sam - even if I get a car and see all the Victoria area and close-in islands have to offer?

I guess I see this as a reconnaissance trip - I'll be back!

I could see that you might wish you'd had longer in Tofino. But I disagree that three days in Victoria is too long given your busy schedule. One day could get eaten up with, say, flying and Butchart Gardens, another on Saltspring (or other island). That really only leaves one day for downtown Victoria. I think you should spend some time at the inner harbour and, even if you had to race through it, don't miss the museum. It's a good overview of what this area is all about.
http://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/visit...galleries.html