Tofino

We are so lucky to have a place to stay in Tofino.  Right on Chesterman Beach, just down from the Wickaninish Inn.  Miles and MILES of beach.  Monkey thinks he owns the beach - other dogs beware.  He gets decked out in his little wet suit, and off he goes.  This year, he learned to body surf.   However, in October, the ocean is a bit cold, and small schnauzers start to shiver after about 10 minutes in the surf.  

However, they are happy (?) to pose for some photos when dry...... (clearly, I'm lucky I have a day job to fall back on, photography was not my first calling). 

They are both employing their driftwood cloaking device.  Just try to find the grey schnauzers in the drift wood or sand.  Not easy.

Oh, and did I mention the ball thrower?  Just one glimpse of that stupid piece of blue plastic and the barking begins.  From the door to the beach, BARK BARK BARK BARK. How is it possible to be so little and have such a loud shrill bark?
 

There are so many reasons to I like going to Tofino apart from the beach, and the peace and quiet.  Two others high on my list are Goats on the Roof in Coombs (yes, there are goats, and yes, they are on the roof... but I have never seen them there). But they have great shopping, goats or not.

The other thing I love is the tradition of putting Hallowe'en pumpkins in the forest at Cathedral Grove.  What I discovered is that it doesn't happen until after Hallowe'en has passed.  Then, everyone from Port Alberni, I guess, takes their carved pumpkin and displays it along the road.  Usually, we go to Tofino late in November, and the pumpkins are mostly mush.  This year, we caught them on November 2nd, in all their glory: 

Ah, Tofino.  Thanks to Rim Cottage for another wonderful weekend.