Today we went to two popular sites in the area, Goats on the Roof and Cathedral Grove. The two locations couldn’t be more different. Cathedral Grove is a protected enclave of old growth forest on the road to Port Alberni, while Goats on the Roof is actually … a store.

Between the two sites is Cameron Lake a beautiful mountain lake that has its start in the old growth forests of Cathedral Grove. As often happens in BC, the road is carved out of a narrow space between the mountains and the lake. In the photo on the left, showing the lakeside and the whimsically placed Canadian flag, the road is hidden between the shorter trees and the ones that climb the mountain behind.

Cathedral Grove is a stand of Douglas Fir and Red Cedar trees that are estimated to be from 350 to 800 years old. While many of the trees are enormous and obviously very ancient, it is also a living forest, with new growth throughout. We wandered the paths for two or more hours. It was busy, and the day was hot, but I enjoy walking in Cathedral Grove. The size of the trees, the feeling of being in the primordial forest, is intense. It is a place I love and I am forever grateful that it has been saved to show us what BC looked like for most of the last 5,000 years.

After we left Cathedral Grove, feeling hot, bedraggled, and very tired, we headed back toward Parksville and stopped for a visit to the Coombs Trading Store, also known as Goats on the Roof. More whimsy and a fun way to cap a delightful BC day.