Skookumchuck Narrows

The Sechelt Rapids, created by the Skookumchuck Narrows, is a natural phenomenon occurring in an inlet on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia (located a couple of hours from Vancouver).

Twice a day, as the tide changes, water flows between two inlets creating rapids (i.e. tidal rapids*) as the water rushes through the constriction. The resulting wave is a playground for kayakers and surfers alike. Why ride a river one way, or have to continually paddle out to try and catch a wave breaking, when you can ride one continuing wave? Boaters and surfers take turns in the wave before kicking out (voluntarily or not), riding a short way down the inlet and back to shore where they walk back and do it again. 

Below are photos from the Roland Point Viewing Area, a short hike from a nearby trailhead in the Provencial Park. For more information, visit the Sunshine Coast’s tourism website. 

And for more photos of the Sunshine Coast, check out my separate blog post.

* This is different than a tidal bore. I actually thought it was essentially the same thing when first learning about this place, but a tidal bore is when the leading edge of a tide creates a wave. It’s one wave, or a couple of waves, that are moving with the tide, not a continuous wave in one spot.

Sunshine Coast BC

Photos from along the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia. Taken over a long weekend in September 2022.

The district, only accessed via boat (including car ferry) and plane, is lightly populated and a popular destination for outdoor activities (like Skookumchuck Narrows).

Slovenia Part 3 – Around Slovenia

In between Ljubljana and Bled, and between Bled and returning to Ljubljana I stopped in two smaller towns for a couple of nights. These alpine valleys were just beautiful. I’d be driving up a very winding road, through a forest, not sure the GPS was actually taking me to the right place, only to then round a final corner and break out into a wide expanse of a valley.

The views, the light, and the history all combined for a great road trip with chances for photos at every turn.

Slovenia Part 2 – Lake Bled

I almost didn’t go to Bled. It’s the most touristy spot in the country with crowds to prove it, at least during peak tourist season. Not having gone, however, would have been a huge mistake. Bled lived up to the reviews and more. In trying to avoid crowds sometimes, it’s easy to forget that popular tourist spots are popular for a reason. It would have been like going to Rocky Mountain National Park for my first visit and not going to Bear Lake.

I was, to be fair, fortunate to be there before peak season, plus, as is true in most places, if you’re up early or out late, you can still feel like you have it to yourself.

It’s a beautiful area in general, but the church, Assumption of Maria, on Lake Bled really does feel like something out of a fairytale. I almost didn’t go, and I left having wanted to have stayed longer. 

Slovenia Part 1 – Ljubljana

Remember those photos from Istanbul earlier this year? I mentioned that I was en route but never said to where. That “where” was Slovenia and I spent considerably more time there than Istanbul, starting off with a few days in the capital, Ljubljana, and then doing a driving trip around the country. More on the latter in future weeks, but first, Ljubljana. 

I really love the smaller capitals of Europe. Yes, Paris and London are great, but their size makes it hard to take it all in, in my opinion. But the small capitals? They’re easier to navigate, have a calmer atmosphere (at least in my experience), and still have much of the art, culture, and attractions of their bigger relatives.