Here we are 11 days later and on our third campsite since I last checked in.
From Miracle Beach we headed up the Coastal Highway towards Campbell River and onto Quadra Island. The Coastal Highway is more scenic but slow as you go from one small settlement to the next.
We arrived in Campbell River and got stocked up on groceries, found a BMO that I could walk to while Anne shopped. Good Canadian Tire there also so bought a new campchair. Caught the ferry from Campbell River to Quadra Island which takes all of about 8-10 minutes and cost us $60. The 1hr40min ride from Twassen to Swartz Bay was only $120. We happily found out later from some islanders that this included the return trip on the small islands so only $30 each way.
We got to our site at the Heriot Bay Inn and shortly after we met up with Mal and Nancy who live on Quadra. We had met them at Neys Provincial Park on Lake Superior last year when they were doing a big trip to the Maritimes from Quadra.
We joined them and some of their friends from Quadra for a beer in the Inn`s pub then went and settled into our site which backed onto the Heriot Bay Marina. It was a really nice site and interesting watching the coming and going of boats including the ferry to Cortez Island as well as watching the tide rise and fall. The next day Nancy and Mal came over in their truck and took Anne, Cash and I on a tour of the island then to their house for dinner. They have a drop dead gorgeous view off their deck. We spent 5 days on Quadra, did some hikes, did some bike rides and toured the First Nations Cultural Centre at Cape Mudge.  I was amazed when I saw a pamphlet on a house for sale. 5 acres, 1400 sq foot house, orchard, workshop , garage with two doors, one oversized that you could put a motorhome in, all for $385,000. Mal said that was that great a deal and that there were some really nice homes on the island in the $250,000 range.
From Quadra we headed 10 min n.w. of Campbell River to Elk Falls Provincial park where we were in the opposite if Heriot Bay. Big campsite, lots of trees, small river behind our site and no services so we were running on water tank and batteries for three nights. On our first walk through the campground I thought we were in the land of Pitbulls which seemed to be the dog of choice, not my favourite.
The first full day we decided we would hike from out site to Elk Falls which did not look that far. We find that hiking trails are not all that well marked in BC. Anyway after walking close to two hours we finally came to Elk Falls parking lot where it indicated another 1/2 km to the falls and down hill. What goes down must come up and we were both getting pretty tired and had not packed a lunch. Anne thankfully had brought some trail mix and apples which we ate.We decided we would drive back another day to see the falls and turned around and headed back down the trail to our campsite. Part of the trail runs along the Campbell River and at one point where there was a little pool Anne asked if I wanted to let Cash in for a splash. I agreed tossed a stick in which he went after, on his flex leash. Well he almost had the stick up the current was moving a bit fast, I was maxed out on my toes to let him grab it. One last lunge and I ended up in the river also. My Keen hiking boots are waterproof but not when water is pouring in the tops. I had to do the last hour back with water sloshing around in my boots.
From Elk Falls we heading south to Nanaimo Ferry dock so that we could pick up our daughter Kim who was coming over from Vancouver for the day to see us. Got to Living Forest Oceanside Campground , got checked in then headed back downtown to walk the ocean side walkways. This happens to be the weekend of the bathtub races so it was a zoo for parking and people. Anyway had a good walk took Cash to where we had parked the Hippyhome and then went out for a nice dinner. Took Kim back to the ferry and back to the site for the night. Big campground and being a weekend there are tons of kids here as well so a bit noisy. Lots of people pulling out today so maybe tonight will be quieter. Today is a laundry and chill day. We are here for 7 nights so we will do some day trips.
That is is for now. Hope all who read this are enjoying summer wherever you are.

Rich, Anne and Cash