Sunday Jun 26, Quatse River Campground, Port Hardy BC

Woke to clear blue skies, sun and no wind. Lots of activity on the water with a large Carnival cruise ship heading north about 7.30, just looks so impressive. Had a slow start, sitting outside in the sun having breakfast and didn’t really feel like moving.

Finally on the road and headed north, great highway and not too much traffic. Somehow felt a bit like being back in Alaska, high snow peaked mountains rising up beside the highway and trees ..and more trees.

The lupins made a real picture lining the road in places.

Took a side road into the small town of Sayward on the coast, quite fascinating. Not a lot happening there, except for a large depot sorting logs on the water. We spent ages watching little tug boats moving the logs around into different areas ready to be rafted down the coast to various sawmills. The manoeuvrability of these boats was amazing, they looked as though they were doing ballet on water.

Then back on the road north for several hours before arriving at Telegraph Cove, a very small historic harbour. Had read about the buildings being built out over the water, but somehow the commercialism has taken over the quaintness. It appeared that two enterprises controlled the area requiring payments to park anywhere. Thought we might overnight there but the campground had no character, so opted out and continued up to Port Hardy.

Lois and Rex had recommended a camp beside the salmon hatchery just out of town, and once again they gave us a good lead.

Will go into Port Hardy to explore in the morning, in the meantime it is nice to relax beside the river with a campfire.