Wilson

Day 2 = Church in Duncan and day of rest.

Day 3: Lake Cowichan to Port Alberni. 79.2 MI. 3721 feet elevation.

Today started much like I expected everyday to be on Vancouver island. It was raining. Fortunately it was just a drizzle so it wasn’t soaking but it made for a very muddy ride. When I got to Port Alberni and showered tonight most of my “tan” went down the drain.

I’ve been alone now for almost 30 hours. The route today was quite isolated. Once I left Lake Cowichan there wasn’t another store until I reached Port Alberni. My best friend is now Gumby as he rides Faithfully along smiling. Even though I know his name’s Gumby I keep referring to him as Wilson for some reason. I’ve also started talking out loud to myself. However, so far I’m not hearing anyone answer,  which I think is a good sign.

Writing for many miles along a road barely traveled, surrounded by a forest that looks prehistoric, was beautiful but it does further the sense of being alone.

Despite the relative Solitude of the day, I was able to make a man smile by saying good morning to him as I was leaving Lake Cowichan. At the laundromat, I engaged in a conversation with a couple from California living out of their Westfalia van and travelingthe coast. And on my way to the grocery store tonight, there was a lady in a wheelchair stuck on the road unable to get over the edge of the curb. I guess I could have called 911 after she got hit but I decided to push her up over the curb.

The blue dot is my location at Port Albernie. The hotel was cheap but the neighborhood a bit sketchy . As I was unpacking my bike , the hotel owner came over and told me to put my bike inside the room. It made me feel right at home away from pueblo.

Despite being almost to the east coast of Vancouver Island Port Alberni a Pacific port with a long inlet. It’s a beautiful area with snowy mountains and many tree covered Hills. I’ll continue northward up the island again tomorrow.