Sept 5: Drive to Telegraph Cove and ferry to Alert Bay

Another beautiful morning, glorious sunrise and cruise ship in the distance.

Today we drove about 125 mi north on Vancouver Island to Telegraph Cove. The Cove is just a small town of 20 people and is a tourist spot for fishing expeditions. From there we continued our drive north to Port McNeill where we boarded a ferry to Alert Bay.

While waiting for the ferry to arrive in Port McNeill, we spotted an eagle sunning himself on a lamp post.

We visited the Cultural Center on Alert Bay. No photos were allowed inside the Center. But there were many totems outside on the grounds. The First Nation people are famous for preserving their totems. In addition, many artisans are now beginning to create totems in the same spirit of their ancestors.  Some of these were on display in the gift shop of the Center.

Painting on side of building next to Cultural Center.

As we drove around town, we found a cemetary where totems were placed at the grave sites of the deceased.  It appeared that the totems were meant to honor the image and life of the person.

I loved the character of this old ship resting in the grass.

The ferry coming in to the Alert Bay dock to take us back to Port McNeill.