September 12, 2020
On the move again. It’s Saturday and we’re headed to a first come first serve campground north of Powell River called Okeover Arm Provincial Park Campground. 8:15 and we’re on the road. Boy are we getting good at this morning routine!
An hour’s drive to Earl’s Cove. We are 4th in line for the Saltery Bay ferry. There are only 18 campsites at Okeover so we want to ensure we get a spot. As we disembark the ferry, the ferry person points at the row beside us and lets three cars go. Then the finger is aimed in our direction, 4th off the boat. With only one road for 99% of the trip is is easy for navigator Debbie to get us right to the campground. The driving is another motorcyclist’s dream and although it took a lot of concentration, Murray has fun.
We drive through Powell River and wonder what keeps the city going. Before too long we see a large paper mill on the water’s edge. Powell River has become a vibrant outdoor center with communities of kayakers, hikers, bikers, boaters.
With 400 meters to go before the campground and just down the road Mama Bear and Baby Bear lope across the road. Black bears, not too big, but very bearish.
We arrive at our destination shortly after noon and half the campground is available. We choose a site, set up, reorganize our gear and double check our lists for tomorrow we are starting a 6 day kayak adventure into Desolation Sound.
The campground is very basic, not quite as fancy as our previous day’s accommodation. Out houses, no showers and an old fashioned pump for water which discharges the clearest water I have seen out of a pump.
The park is heavily treed with evergreens. The giant cedars reach to the sky and block out much sunlight. We see some trees have their bark stripped off. We learn later that the indigenous folks strip the bark to use for making watertight baskets. Once the bark has been stripped, the tree is designated as CMT (Culturally Modified Tree) and cannot be cut down.
We wander down to the boat dock and spy some kayakers coming in and also amuse ourselves by watching the jelly fish float by the pier. To kill time we walk up the road to see what’s there….not much. Back at the campsite, a teeny tiny vole, or mouse, scurries on the edge of our campsite looking for its supper. Cute guy.
As soon as it gets dark we, once again, retreat into the tent to read and try to stay awake. Big day tomorrow!
I just learned that Powell River’s city center is designated as a National Historic District. It’s an example of early modern town planning and has 4oo original buildings within its 1910 town borders. That would be cool to see!
Thank you for sharing this. Next time, we will have to stop and take a look around.