We were up early and on the road in good time and at this time in the morning the traffic was light on the Island Hwy. As we approached Parksville and the turn to head across the island on highway #4, a large overhead sign proclaimed that Hwy #4 was closed! It was 8:30 am. and we pulled into the Info Centre parking lot for a conference. Jon and Meg decided to head up to the barricade which was only 15 kms away and see what they could find out. We would wait for the info centre to open.
So then several things happened all at once. I discovered the young attendant at the info centre knew no more than we did, in fact she didn’t know the highway had been closed. While we were talking to her Jon called and said there had been a rock fall overnight with the rain. The highway would be closed until at least 5:00 PM. Meg in the mean time had been searching for alternative camping spots. There were 2 sites available in Cedar Grove Campground at Qualicum Beach, we jumped on them.
The campground turned out to be a hidden little gem. While similar to almost all private campgrounds, the serviced sites had you packed like sardines, everything else was well kept. Inexpensive showers and laundry, a swimming hole on the Little Qualicum River and close to town. We settled in and quickly decided to stay here instead of trying to move again if the highway opened. The road over is just too difficult for 1 night of camping, IF the highway opened! We would make a day trip instead.
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| James "cliff jumping" right behind our campsite |
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| Our Cedar Cove Campground sites, sides by side |
We had all day so we explored town, the beach, campground and surrounding lakes.
We drove up to Spider Lake for a swim and then checked out Horne Lake campground. Horne Lake was gorgeous. The problem with all the campgrounds on the island was the were booked. Without reservations you needed to be lucky with a cancellation to find 1 or 2 nights, usually during the week. Weekends were impossible. Horne Lake was no exception, it was full right through to the Labour Day weekend.
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| Horne Lake, we would return here several times to swim and snorkel in the clear water |
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| Horne Lake |
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| James and Rick helping to keep the Horne Lake Road open! |
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