Day 2.....Campbell River to Port Hardy

Today the weather was great...starting at about 14C and rising to about 17C during the trip. We got onto the road at about 10am and ambled through to Port Hardy which we got to at about 2pm. Most of the way was through thickly treed rugged terrain with clear rivers and rocky canyons. Not much happens up here apart from logging and some recreational stuff. We stopped in at Port McNeill since they touted it as an Orca watching capital of the world. Maybe if you catch a boat out to the sea that is the case but otherwise it is a fairly depressing place with too many churches and not enough mirth.We did however marvel at the World's largest cedar burl before scurrying off to Port Hardy. The setting for this town is very lovely with inlets and small rugged hills that remind me of Mayne Island back home. The problem is that it must be hell to live here. There is quite obviously nothing to do but hang around the Thunderbird Mall and shop for chips and pop at the local Overwaitee Store or browse the Dollar Store for bargains. The main street could be quaint and vibey but it certainly ain't. All the hotels were full since today is a big ferry day where bus loads of people pour into town going to and coming from the Haida Gwaai, Prince Rupert and Bella Coola so we  had to scavenge and make do with a rather depressing 70's block (The Port Hardy Inn) with the expected furnishing for more money that we paid last night. This is the price you pay when the last town on the Northern tip of the Island has you by the short and curlies......and they know it.

Tomorrow we are off early to be two hours ahead of sailing for the Queen of Chilliwack to take us off to Bella Coola.........I can't wait since even though the place will be smaller it can only be more uplifting than here. I think this will have to be a pizza and lots of beer evening or maybe Mum and I can just become crack addicts instead.

That said and looking beyond the development and the general first impression this is a very pretty location that really deserves better.