We’re noticing an increase in leisure travel around the north end of the island and in our neck of the woods. Passenger cars, minivans, trucks with campers and enduro motorbikes. They all have two things in common; excitement and the distinct “Holberg Paint Job” - a lower body smeared with dirt and mud! It warms our hearts. We’d like to take an opportunity and provide a refresher on what to expect when travelling around the active logging roads that are the gateways for many of Vancouver Islands West Coast beaches and playgrounds. As you proceed off Highway 19 and onto the Holberg road take a moment to stop and walk around your vehicle. Do a quick safety check of your tires, wipers, lights and smiles. Being visible on the roadways is encouraged - so flick those headlights on and buckle up! Maintenance work is being completed at the Cape Scott Windfarm which will increase field work vehicle traffic to some extent over the summer. A quick reminder of the road ahead occurs right at the 1KM mark by way of a large dip in the road that’s sure to clack your jaws together if you hit it with too much speed. It can be a rather fair warning of the road to come and not to carry too much speed through the blind turns and loose gravel. Prepare to disconnect as cellular service becomes absent at KM6 so let your people know when to expect you back. If you’re carrying a VHF radio you’ll want to be on Channel 5 for this section of road. Keep your ears perked for any incoming transmission and don’t be shy to call out your location! This gives any traffic on the sometimes narrow road advanced notice of your position while travelling the road. Sharing is caring. As you come up to KM13 the majestic shoe tree appears on the right. Stop and have a gander at the 100s of shoes that have become an iconic shrine on the Holberg Road. The road here and further along have been graded down to deadpan rock which translates to a rough, bumpy ride for a couple of KMS but nothing too dramatic if a reasonable speed is maintained. The Nahwitti Lake Recreation site is up ahead at KM26. You’ll notice a pull in parking area that has a bathroom and nature trail through some old growth Spruce trees. There is also a Campground and Recreation Site a little further along Nahwitti Lake. Continuing on to KM28 merge left onto North East 60RD and switch to Channel 36. Call out your location and prepare for another photo op!! Just up the hill there is a late model Meteor Rideau car that has been squashed by a GIANT log. It’s a nod to safety and warns to “expect the unexpected” while travelling remotely in active logging areas. NE60 is generally maintained 24/7 by grader so prepare to act accordingly if you come across the workers. As a side note it’s important to remember that any logging trucks, rock trucks, low beds or graders maintain the right of way in any instance on these roads. So pull over, smile and give a wave. Proceed when safe to do so. North East 60 can be unpredictable. There are pot holes, washboard sections and field workers around any corner. Drive cautiously but with confidence. This section of road carries you into Holberg - home to The Scarlet Ibis. Dare I say Vancouver Islands most remote pub? I do. The road is paved through Holberg but this luxury ends again as you leave town past the WFP camp and onto San Josef Main. After crossing the Goodspeed River a section of road is prone to washout. If it has been raining heavily there may be a detour which has adequate signage otherwise carry on to the Elephant Crossing and hang right. Logging is being completed along this portion of SJ Main be advised and pay attention to your radio. We noted that the innumerable amount of small bridges can suffer from deep potholes where they meet the gravel hard pack on either side. Further along SJ Main is Ronnings Garden and the Cape Scott Provincial Park parking lot. The final 4KM of road here is quite rugged and jittery but don’t worry, it’s worth it. Take a sigh of accomplishment! You made it and are in for a spectacular outing! Turn your lights off and shut the radio down, it’s time for solitude.