How
to Get to Tahsis
From
Seattle: Drive North on I-5 to the US/Canadian border.
Continue North towards Vancouver, BC. Turn West on Hwy. 17 to Tsawwassen
Ferry Terminal, (Watch for the signs). Take the Ferry to Duke Point
(Nanaimo). If you like, you can also drive through Vancouver to
North Vancouver at Horseshoe Bay, and take the ferry from there
to Nanaimo.
From
Nanaimo, drive North on Hwy. 19 (the Island Highway)
to Campbell River. Campbell River is a great place to do any last
minute shopping and have a meal. If you can't live without something,
this is the place to get it.
From
Campbell River, take Hwy. 28 West (on the North end of
town before you cross the Campbell River). Follow the signs to Gold
River. Don't forget to check your fuel - next available gas station
is in Gold River, and closes at 10 PM.
Head
Bay Station is now CLOSED in Tahsis.
Ocean View Cafe now has fuel. Also a full line of groceries and beer, wine and liquor, in addition to full service cafe for eating in or taking out.
From
Gold River, take the road to Tahsis, cross the bridge over the
Gold River, turn left at the "T" intersection, cross another
bridge, and then turn right, up the hill toward Tahsis. The road
turns to gravel at the top of the hill. Normal driving time takes
about an hour and a half (I've done it in an hour-in a '79 Pinto!).
The
Tahsis Road. Now then, if you have heard anything about Tahsis,
you have probably heard stories about "the road". Let
me reassure you, it is a good gravel road. There is no reason to
be afraid of it. There are two graders that work the road daily
and keep it in good shape. Many of the stories you may have heard
come from some years back, before the road was widened, (back in
the '70's it was only wide enough for one car). If you have ever
driven gravel roads before, this one is one of the better ones.
The only things I would caution you on is to watch your speed, and
keep to the right when rounding corners. There are many spots where
you can build up more speed than is wise. Some corners come up a
little too fast, and the hills are a good place to gear down and
keep your speed to a minimum, especially if you are towing a trailer
or have a heavy load. If you are coming in at night, be sure that
both your headlights are working and properly aimed, there are no
streetlights on this road until you get to Tahsis.
Enjoy
your trip, and keep a camera handy. On your drive in there is
a good chance at seeing some of the local wildlife. There are Black
Bears, Elk, Columbia Blacktail Deer, Swans, Geese, Ducks, and Grouse
in the area, and I have seen them all at one time or another during
drives over the Tahsis road.
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