My eyes scanned the densely wooded and rocky shoreline of the Orford River, squinting through the dripping rain to spot any type of movement. Perched high on a wooden outpost, I felt safe, but my heartbeat quickened in anticipation of sighting a grizzly bear in the wild.
“I think I see something,” gasped a fellow traveler, tightly clutching the binoculars she was peering through.
We all turned to look in the direction she had pointed. Sure enough, a lone scraggly grizzly was slowly tromping through the shallow river, its dark brown coat camouflaging it against the tree trunks. It was on a mission to catch one of the thousands of salmon fighting their way upstream.
This thrilling bear sighting was just one of many adventures I had while visiting Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The island — located on the traditional territories of the Kwakwaka’wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth and Coast Salish people — offers a scenic, rugged landscape; outdoor adventures on land and water; and insight into Indigenous cultures. Some 285 miles long, Vancouver Island is made up of pristine beaches, dense forests, winding waterways, charming port towns, sparsely inhabited islands and the vibrant capital city of Victoria. While visiting, I was moved by the stunning beauty, rich Indigenous history and majestic, abundant wildlife.
Read full article on TravelAgeWest.com.