A Weekend at Sproat Lake
The end of Summer already, feels like it gets more sudden every year. The back to school sales start earlier, Halloween costumes appear overnight replacing the patio and garden displays and the one summer vacation you managed to steal away for feels like eons ago. Is your tan actually fading already or is it your imagination?
Routine. The word that gets thrown around with some positivity attached to it. Can’t wait to get back into the routine. As if sitting with your feet in the water and a book in your hands was a horrible disruption to your life. It is a better way to look at it though. You’re not hunting for activities for the kids to do, you’re not trying to make the most out of every weekend or scrambling to get the yard in shape. There is school, work, sports, order. Routine is fantastic. Right up until you need to take a break from the monotony.
The good news is we live in one of the most beautiful, pristine and exciting corners of the world and the break from routine is never hard to come by. Whether it’s one last trip before you’re “back to the grind” or a goal to look forward to, autumn getaways on Vancouver Island provide the best medicine for monotony.
Travel Tip
“Books. Bring them. Maybe it’s juuuuust to wet to go out and do what you want to do or maybe you’re too tired to head into town after a long day of fun. Bring a book so that you can enjoy the quiet moments together. Even when the weather is perfect, a post picnic lounge with a good book is unbeatable when you’re immersed in the West Coast scenery.
Exploring Sproat Lake in the Fall
Summer time Sproat lake is phenomenal. It’s hot, the lake is cool (So clear and refreshing) and while it gets busier, it’s nowhere near as busy as it could be if more people knew how beautiful it was. We don’t mind that. In the fall? A little cooler, swimming is certainly still possible but a post swim sauna is encouraged, but nonetheless stunning. The changing leaves, the morning mist over the water, and the dewy rainforests create an entirely different feeling than the summer but equally as beautiful.
Bail out of work on a Friday, the kids won’t be laden with homework yet anyways. Explore the middle of everywhere for a few days with us. Grab a Latte from Della’s and make your way down to the dock at Sproat Lake Landing to watch the stars come out. The perfect time to reminisce on summer and all the things you are excited to get back to doing, just not quiiiite yet.
After a well needed rest, wake up to the morning fog on the water, grab an Americano and step into the day. There is something about the smell in fall, an evolutionary biologist could probably tell you what it does to you at chemical level but for us it’s just something you love but can’t articulate exactly why. Your socked feet might get wet on the damp deck but you walk out there anyways just to drink it in.
Stamp River: The Fall Salmon Run
Iconic to Port Alberni, Stamp River is the best place to go and experience the Salmon run. Hardwired to return to the place of their birth, the salmon can be seen headed up stream in large numbers. Quite the spectacle in itself but with the salmon come the opportunistic hunters, the eagles in particular but also the bears. You’ll want to keep your distance but the salmon make for a far easier meal than those on two legs. Get your pictures, there will be some beautiful ones and the excitement from the kids is a real treat.
Stamp River is also an ideal spot because you can come watch the salmon easily, or you can continue on for a longer hike, the trail network spans some 14km so there is something for everyone at all activity level. The bonus is that it is a better view than Goldstream with half the crowd.
Travel Tip
“Seasonal businesses have seasonal times, make sure to check multiple sources when planning your trip. Google Business, social media etc. A small business website may not always be up to date and you don’t want to be left out in the cold.”
Cathedral Grove: A Rainforest Walk
Ok everyone, back to the car. With the morning viewing of the salmon complete it’s time to find a spot in town for lunch and recouperation. Next stop is Cathedral Grove. Don’t worry, you’ve accomplished your hike for the day, Cathedral Grove is built to stroll casually and crane your neck up at the immense Douglas Firs.
Don’t stress one bit if it’s raining. Under the immense canopy it won’t feel nearly so wet and it really is the best way to get a feel for the West Coast. Take lots of pictures, stroll the boardwalks (You don’t even have to get muddy) and learn all about the ecosystem and what makes this place truly magnificent.
Head back to basecamp at the lake and get yourself a Chai Tea Latte from Della’s to warm up and some fresh pastries. You’ve more than earned that!
Travel Tip
“It is the West or “Wet” Coast, we live in a beautiful rainforest which is both beautiful and aptly named. Bring rain gear and be prepared, a walk through the woods in the rain is an incredible experience but not quite as enjoyable when you’re in a sweatshirt. Della’s has some great options if you are in a pinch!”
Fall Swimming at Sproat Lake
Travel Tip
“Bring a bathing suit!!!! Nobody thinks of swimming in the fall but you’ll be shocked at how many people feel the urge to go for an invigorating swim. Not to mention you may find yourself staring at a hot tub or outside a sauna wildly underprepared.”
There are a ton of health benefits to cold plunging but there is an added element when you are connected to nature while you do it. Honestly, forget the health benefits, see if your kids will jump in, is mom too scared to or was she the only one to jump on the count of 3? Some of the loudest laughs carrying across the water are accompanied by splashes in the lake in the middle of fall. Have a dip in the lake at the end of the day and you will have the best sleep of your life. You can always warm up with our friends at Triple Peak Saunas on site afterwards to take the edge off.
Exploring Central Lake Near Port Alberni
Sproat Lakes wild neighbour. Drive over to Central Lake and take in the raw beauty of it. Untamed, a launching point to some of the wilder and most scenic hikes on the island available primarily by boat, the perfect place to stretch your legs and take photos where you don’t have to imagine what this place would have looked like 500 years ago.
Travel Tip
“Type A type of traveller? Don’t over-plan! Or, plan to have extra time/be flexible. You are going to want to spend more time at certain places and you don’t want to be rushed. A hike may take more out of you than you were anticipating, make room to relax, read a book and recover!”
Fishing in Port Alberni and Sproat Lake
Angler? There are world class fishing opportunities in port Alberni, both fresh and salt water and some amazing guides to work with. Can’t recommend checking out all your options, especially if you are looking for a fishing specific getaway. Better still, set an alarm early, take a rod, your coffee, and wander down to the water to cast a line and sit until the sun rises and everyone else is awake. Bring the kids down and give mom a break. Even if you don’t manage to catch a trout, the fun they’ll have baiting the hook and watching the fish jump “That one was huge did you see that Dad!?!?” is pretty tough to beat and a high bar to set for the rest of the day. Some of the best memories are of fishing with people you love and you hardly recall even catching a fish over all those years.
Cozy Fall Evenings at Sproat Lake Landing
Exploring really tuckers you out. Have you ever stayed somewhere, finished a meal together, realized you’ve enjoyed the day immensely and nobody has even reached for a screen except to take a picture? Normally eyes return to screens at this point, but there is an undefeated aspect of family trips and that is playing games together. Maybe you’ve brought a deck of cards, maybe you’ve found an obscure game nobody has heard of with half the pieces missing that somehow Dad manages to win. Doesn’t really matter, you’ve got hot chocolate, WITH marshmallows, Mom has somehow become super competitive and has everyone laughing as she hoards the green pieces that these set of instructions in another language don’t really seem to reference. You make up rules, you talk about jumping in the water, about how all of you had to link arms to circle around that tree. You don’t talk about work, you don’t talk about the routine, that will come, and it will be comforting to do it on the ride home, fully recharged and reconnected.
Travel Tip
“Find a fire pit! There are lots around and having a spot with a fire to make smores is the perfect way to wrap up your day. Especially when you don’t have to crawl into a tent later. Bonus tip, Della’s carries everything you need to enjoy smores!”
Looking for the right place to stay to explore the Island this fall? We’ve got you covered.