Earlier this May, my husband and I took a week long vacation to explore Vancouver Island. We wanted some time in our favorite habitat, the evergreen trees and wild coastlines of the Pacific NW, before our baby girl comes in late June. Our adventure began with a ferry from Anacortes, Washington, through the San Juan Islands, to Sidney on Vancouver Island.

San Juan Islands, 8" x 8" sketchbook, ink and watercolor
Quick ferry sketches, San Juan Islands, 8″ x 8″ sketchbook, ink and watercolor

From Sidney, we made a long drive about halfway up and across Vancouver Island to Tofino, a small town on the west coast, bordering Pacific Rim National Park.

Tonquin Beach, photo by Darin Reid
Tonquin Beach, Tofino, photo by Darin Reid

It’s a gorgeous region with a friendly town, beaches, and rocky, windswept islands.

Tonquin Beach, Tofino, 3.5" x 5.5" ink and watercolor
Tonquin Beach, Tofino, 3.5″ x 5.5″ ink and watercolor
Exploring Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park. Photo by Darin Reid
Exploring Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park. Photo by Darin Reid

In between hiking, I found spots to put my feet up and sketch.

Driftwood studio on Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park
Driftwood studio on Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park
Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park, 6.5" x 15" watercolor and gouache
Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park, 6.5″ x 15″ watercolor and gouache on Arches Cover cream paper
Long Beach, Pacific Rim Park, 5.5" x 7.5" watercolor and gouache
Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park, 5.5″ x 7.5″ watercolor and gouache on Arches Cover cream paper

I love exploring beaches, both macro and micro!

Beach finds! Velella velella "by the wind sailors", bottle (no message), Dungeness crab shell
Beach finds! Velella velella “by the wind sailors”, bottle (no message), Dungeness crab shell

Stay tuned for Part II!