Once packed up I rode down down the hill to a nice little cafe in the centre of the town for breakfast and coffee. On paper, the ride to Campbell River looked great - through Strathcona Park and along the banks of Upper Campbell Lake - but it did not live up to expectations. The highway was busy and winding with virtually no shoulder, meaning much of the day was spent being close-passed by trucks and rental RVs. I was at least grateful that the last 10 miles were downhill back towards the coast. 

 

The motel quirks continued as I arrived at the place I’d booked that morning only to be told they’d double booked the room but that another place across town would be able to accommodate me. I wasn’t hugely pleased with having to ride further but I stocked up on bland snacks for dinner and headed to the second motel. Everything turned out fine as it was a nice room overlooking the Georgia Strait. 

 

It also facilitated one of the more bizarre interactions of the whole trip. Gazing out of the patio doors over the water, I was beckoned outside by a woman who was sitting at one of the picnic tables with her dogs. At first she wanted to know if I was intending to use the nearby barbeque but then invited me to join her. I explained how I’d ridden here the long way from San Diego and she said she was staying at the motel as her house had been flooded. We then established we had similar work backgrounds that included her working with a couple of US Presidents. I was slightly sceptical of some of her more elaborate claims but a later Google found that it was at least plausible. Over the course of this conversation she’d seen off the best part of two bottles of white wine (I politely declined) which was now beginning to have an effect. I’d only come outside to answer a question about a barbeque and I was now attempting to comfort this complete stranger as she emotionally discussed her divorce. Without wanting to appear rude I tried to make my excuses about needing to eat and retreated to my room feeling slightly shellshocked - although despite the weirdness, she was very kind and full of encouragement.