So we were at the end of the road. Our last episode took us to British Columbia’s capital, Victoria, at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. We’d been on the road filming for a month and working from north to south it was only natural to finish off the series in our Province’s capital. We checked in at Swans Hotel and Brewpub, very nice digs by the way, and grabbed a bite to eat before catching an early night for we had a busy couple of days lined up.

This was my first trip to Carmanah, Dominik had been there before and was so impressed by it he thought it should be included in the series, so it was. From Salt Spring we ferried back to Crofton, rode up to Lake Cowichan, then hit gravel for 85 kms. The trip up was in the dry which was a blessing, the only thing worse than logging roads on a big bike are wet logging roads. The ride was very telling with regards the forestry industry on Vancouver Island. I still don’t understand the industry if I’m to be honest. Obviously I understand the harvesting of lumber and the replanting practices but the overall ‘cycle’ of the industry in a sustainable light still escapes me.

Next up was another Gulf Island. We'd covered art on Gabriola and now we were going to cover entrepreneurialism on Salt Spring Island. Yes they have a plethora of artists as well, all the Gulf Islands do for that matter, but they also boast a number of unique businesses with grass routes on Salt Spring. We settled on two, the Salt Spring Island Cheese Company and Mistaken Identity Vineyards, but first we had to check in and for Salt Spring we chose to camp at Ruckle Provincial Park, one of my favourite campgrounds around.

Nanaimo, Dominik's home and my frequent port of call will have to wait until I get back from Sri Lanka. It will be episode 10 and we have some great things lined up but because it's on our doorstep it became our 'variable' episode, ie. no travel involved so we can film anytime. For that reason we'll pick it up in the New Year and slot it in.

So, we slipped through the intersection, rode by the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and headed for Tofino. We got hung up in some gnarly rain but as we arrived in town the rain faded and the sun began to punch its way through. We were lucky, end of October and the sun was sporting its colours, highly unusual for Tofino. If there's one thing you can count on in Tofino heading into the off season was unpredictable weather.

Ucluelet...turn left at the junction most folks turn right at. The route from Port Alberni took us across the islands spine over a road that was built for motorcyclists. Even though the rain had set in it was still a pleasure, then we arrived at the aforementioned intersection.

So, from Port Alberni it was off down the Barkley Sound on the MV Francis Barkley, a converted Norwegian car ferry built in 1958. We departed in mist but the sun soon burned it off and before long we had blue skies and were accompanied by humpback whales, sea lions and sea otters.

From Gabriola it was off on a jaunt of the mid west coast area, one well known to travelers, Port Alberni, Bamfield, Ucluelet and Tofino. Port Alberni was our first stop. As it wasn't a long haul from Nanaimo we took our time and made an unscheduled stop at Cathedral Grove, an ancient stand of western red cedars that flank the main road just before Port Alberni. It's always a nice stop and the giants didn't disappoint.

So it was home sweet home, well for me at any rate. Gabriola Island, or 'Gabe,' is known as the 'Isle of the Arts,' and for good reason. Because of that and the timing of the Thanksgiving Studio Tour we decided to make art the focus of this episode, I mean let's face it, as Carol at Twin Beaches Gallery likes to say:

From Coal Harbour it was off to Campbell River, another port town with a big heart. The weather was gnarly but the road was beautiful with little traffic. We were on a deadline as we were going Grizzly Bear viewing with Discovery Marine Safari and they were leaving the dock at 11:30am. We arrived in time and met the owner, Geord, in the office and were treated to some great Campbell River hospitality.

I guess when you live on an island there will always be a certain maritime ambiance prevalent. We started our adventure off with an authentic walk, or passage, down memory lane. Take a Second World War Yard Mine Sweeper, convert her to a coastal freighter, send her to the West Coast of Canada and what do you have...the Uchuck III, the last wooden hulled coastal freighter in Canada.

As you may or not know we are undertaking the filming of Changing Landscapes Vancouver Island under our own steam. Yes, Shaw television are going to air the series once it is completed but there is no financial compensation involved. Instead, to make this series a reality we have approached certain businesses to help offset the costs which are carried by myself and Dominik. The fact is the series wouldn't be possible without the support of those businesses. Whether they be hotels, B&Bs, organizations, or activity based businesses, they have all committed to help us realize our adventure.