Day 24: Sooke River Campground

Jorden River is one of the top surf spots in our area, the sign says.

This is one of the gravel bars that create the reliable breaks.

The breaks to the east is called “sewer pipes”. I’m not drawn to surf here.

We launch and paddle close to the coast. Porpoise, river otters and some big sea lions accompany us. The shore has changed. Yesterday bears. Today a road, houses, and industrial noise. We have moved from the wild (Hesquiat and north) to the semi wild (Clayocot to Jorden River) to the urban. This is the same journey the earth is going through, from the wild to small settlements, to cities, to industry, to now. As our trip has become less wild, the world has and will continue to become less wild.

We paddle into Sooke harbor. It is several miles into the river and our camp. The Sooke River campground is run by a Sooke community organization and is quite nice. Not the tight money making machine of a Tofino campground. Here, sites are not cramped, there is open space, and facilities accommodate human powered travelers who show up when travel conditions allow. Showers are clean and run for 5 minutes. A person answered when I called and guided me to choose a shaded site.

So we land, set up tents, and book into town. It is a hot, noisy, uncomfortable walk. We start in the brewery, which makes a fine IPA.

We move to the Indian restaurant and have a fantastic meal.

We find an alternate route back to camp along quiet roads and trails, passing the community center which has a wading pool, a small river pool, a lap pool with play toys, hot tub, and sauna. $5.50 for senior. (I’m the only senior in our group). We don’t go there, I’m just calling out Canada’s fine community centers. Thugs the US could spend our tax money