The Adventures of Luna & Grace: Tofino and Ucluelet, Day 3

The first day and half of our visit was spent right near the campground. We were basically right in the middle of the national park, a short walk from an incredible stretch of beach, as I hope you've seen in the previous pictures. This is such a special place. I think it's going to become a regular trip for us over the next several years. It's a great way to decompress after the school year, to get reacquainted with each other, and to have our senses jolted awake. So much beauty to behold, the constant roar of the surf and chatter of countless creatures, salt spray in the air, the smell of the earth.

I woke up early on Day 3 to head in to town so I could get a little work done. I'm helping with transition to new math standards in our district and it turned out to be a much larger job than I expected. Still south of Tofino, I turned off the road and got this shot at the northern end of Long Beach.

I returned to the campsite to find Grace following Luna through the trees again.

This is a hug, I think.

Day 3 was an opportunity to drive south to Ucluelet (you - clue - let), also known as Ukee. We were happily surprised to see the new aquarium had been finished. The Ucluelet Aquarium is small, but unique. They are one of the few aquariums in the world that take their creatures from the local waters and then RETURN them at the end of the season. Of course, Miss Luna was STOKED to get to go to the aquarium.

So much to TOUCH!

Grace doesn't quite get "gentle." We had to keep a close watch on her.

Sunflower sea star!

Look at that star wrapped around the pipe.

There is even a little craft and coloring room.

I want to go touch some more!

Wolf eel. So cute.

It was a lot of work touching all those sea creatures. Time for some Ukee Dogs!

and more silliness

if Luna does it...

Playground!

I. Want. This. Bus.

Back from a long day in Ucluelet, it was time to go back to the beach to see if we could catch the sunset.

Someone was t-i-r-e-d.

This was still here from the day before.

Special times.

Daddy loves you, mommy.

First the shoes. Then of course, the pants!

And if the pants are off, we MUST get in the water. Good thing Oma is a good sport. We tried to get her to take her pants off, but she decided against it.