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If ever you’ve made the trip to the west coast by car, you’ve passed by Kennedy Lake. After all, it’s hard to miss the largest lake on Vancouver Island.

Photo: Shayne Kaye on Flickr

Located 16 kilometres east of the town of Ucluelet, Kennedy Lake hugs part of the Island’s mountain range in a distinct horseshoe shape. Fed by the Clayoquot River and the Kennedy River, it has become a popular stop for those trekking Highway 4.

Map © Google Maps

Photo: Unknown Photographer – Wikipedia

The area surrounding Kennedy Lake has been settled by the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation for thousands of years and forms part of the ancestral lands of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. Following European settlement of Vancouver Island, the lake was named for a former governor of Vancouver Island, Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy. Despite popular misconception, Kennedy Lake does not form part of Pacific Rim National Park. Instead it is adjacent to it, being Kennedy Lake Provincial Park and falling under BC’s umbrella. [source]

Also adjacent to Kennedy Lake are Clayoquot Plateau Provincial Park, Clayoquot Arm Provincial Park and Kennedy River Bog Provincial Park.

Photo: Myles Green on Flickr

The Kennedy Lake area was largely settled and populated based on the very active logging opportunities presented by the surrounding forest. Today it’s a popular stop-off for tourists and recreational enthusiasts.

Photo: Scott Hadfield on Flickr

Photo: Chris Morisawa on Flickr

While Kennedy Lake doesn’t provide designated camping spots, it’s not uncommon to see tents dotted at various points around the lake. It’s also a haven for freshwater fishing, canoeing, picnicking and swimming. Budding photographers will find unending inspiration in the panoramas across the lake.

Photo: Matthew Parkes on Flickr

Photos: Magalie L’Abbé on Flickr

As with most parts of Vancouver Island, Kennedy Lake is also home to its fair share of wildlife. It’s not uncommon to spot eagles, deer, bears, wolves or cougars. Always exercise caution when in these animals’ backyard: leave pets at home and keep children close by.

Photo: Jo Salkey on Flickr

Kennedy Lake is as rustic as they come. Potable water is not available on site so bring your own and be sure to take any garbage with you when you leave.

Kennedy Lake and its respective provincial parks are located on Highway 4, about eight kilometres east of the Tofino/Ucluelet junction. Day-use areas include picnic facilities, pit toilets, a boat launch and wheelchair access. For more information about visiting Kennedy Lake, please visit BC Parks online.

Summer’s days may be fading fast but that doesn’t mean there’s any shortage of things to see at the water’s edge in Tofino and Ucluelet. From September 15th to the 25th, the Island’s west coast is home to the Carving On The Edge Festival.

Wood carving is an artistic tradition with deep roots on Vancouver Island. For 10 days, both traditional and contemporary wood carvers will be celebrated through a series of fine art wood carving shows, traditional canoe-building demonstrations and workshops, tool-making & design workshops, storytelling events and hands-on wood carving events.

Perhaps of particular interest is the 10-day-long workshop with acclaimed canoe builders Joe Martin and Carl Martin. The building of a traditional sea-faring dugout canoe will be the highlight of this workshop.

Photo: Sam Beebe on Flickr

All events during Carving On The Edge are free and open to the public at various locations throughout Ucluelet and Tofino. You can pick up a “Carving Map” at any number of local retailers. The festival is proudly presented by the Pacific Rim Arts Society and sponsored by a number of fantastic area businesses.

For more information and a full line-up of events, please visit Carving On The Edge Festival online. There you’ll also fine more information about the various artists participating in the festival.

For more than two decades, tourists and locals have been celebrating the annual migration of grey whales off the coast of Ucluelet and Tofino. Each year, close to 20,000 of them make their way from the Baja Peninsula in Mexico and past the West Coast en route to Alaska.

Photo: Creestof14 on Flickr

Now in its 25th year, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival promises that 2011 will be the biggest year yet in the festival’s colourful history.

From March 19 – 27, 2011, the festival will present a week chalked full of events in both Tofino and Ucluelet, including speakers, storytelling, performances, education initiatives and delicious dining opportunities all designed to pay homage to this yearly natural phenomenon. While some may choose to simply stroll the beaches of the Pacific Rim, others may wish to take part in interpretive walks and learn the history of the importance of grey whales to BC’s coastal region.

For more information on area accommodations, volunteer opportunities, sponsorship and a full list of events, visit the Pacific Rim Whale Festival online. You can also “like” the Festival on Facebook or follow Tofino Festivals on Twitter to stay in-the-know on the comings and goings of the whales.

Weeks ago as I researched unique and interesting things to do in Ucluelet, I came across stories of a supposed blowhole on one of Ukee’s isolated stretches of shoreline.

Always looking for adventure, we zipped up our rain jackets, pulled on sturdy boots and set foot through the forest. Before long, we found ourselves on gritty sand and jagged rocks.

As we cut through the trees and could see ocean in the distance, a deep, eerie sound filled the air and shook from under the ground and through our feet. Not unlike the vibrating thuds Tyrannosaurus rex made in Jurrasic Park as he was nearing, we were suddenly excited at the sound, knowing that the blowhole was near. Nothing could have prepared us for what we saw!

Created by a vertical rock crevass that forms from sea caves, the Ucluelet blowhole is a phenomenal and rare sight in nature. When wind and water are sucked into the crevasse, the force of the pressure sends water and air thrusting upwards. [source]

Those lucky enough to visit the blowhole on a stormy day – and preferably when the tide is low – will experience something that is nothing short of the most incredible thing I have ever seen occur in nature. It’s difficult to put into words just how amazing a simple force of nature can be, but it’s well worth the trek and you’ll encounter more than just water sprays. Tidal pools are always fascinating to explore and we were even lucky enough to spot a mother eagle protecting her mammoth-sized nest.

Want to see the Ucluelet blowhole for yourself? Traveling south from the junction into Ucluelet, park at the side of the road a few metres south of Lee Street. The path entrance is marked by a concrete divider, opposite Hardy Road, though Hardy Road is unmarked. [map] The path is a bit more than a kilometre to the beach and when it forks, head to the right. Once you reach Fletcher’s Beach, veer left and look for a hard-to-find path cutting into the headland. The path entrance is illustrated below and once you’re on it, it’s marked with little orange flags. Listen for the blowhole and you’ll find it in no time. It’s about a 60-minute round trip.

Things To Remember: If you visit the blowhole, bear in mind that it’s on a fairly deserted beach and it’s important to let someone know your plans before heading out. There are no safety fences between you and the ocean and Mother Nature doesn’t discriminate, so consider leaving your pets and small kids at home. The Ukee blowhole is a protected favourite spot for locals, so please show the land respect – take any garbage with you and leave the beach exactly as you found it.

While many may head north when greeted by the Highway 4 junction, turning the wheels south instead will find you at one of Vancouver Island’s most elegant and breathtaking resorts on the West Coast. The views aren’t too shabby either.

My partner in crime and I made our way into Ucluelet just a few hours before sunset and found ourselves at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort. Aptly named for the jagged shore it’s perched on, visitors to Black Rock are instantly greeted by a sky-high lobby and warm smiles.

No guest suite at Black Rock is without the natural beauty that creates the uniqueness that surrounds Ucluelet. Featuring either ocean or forest views, each room is flooded with natural light.

At over 700 square feet, our one-bedroom suite included a comfortable living room with big screen TV, dining area and a fully-stocked kitchen with more than just coffee and wine. Including dishes, cooking utensils, a dishwasher, fridge and oven, preparing a feast-pour-deux was a task made simple.

Luxury in our bathroom was not at all overlooked. We were treated to a rain shower, heated tile flooring and an enormous soaker tub that I couldn’t resist test-driving at least once.

Accommodation away from home is really about one thing: sleep. The king-sized platform bed with lavish sheets certainly lent to blissful slumbering for us both, enhanced only by the lullaby of crashing waves right outside our window.

However, the undisputed gem in the crown of our room was the sweeping terrace with an unending view of the horizon. Quite possibly larger than my apartment, it was the perfect place to take in the first sunset I’d seen in Ucluelet in more than a decade with a glass of red wine and a few cuddles.

With some sunlight to spare, we had time to explore the property around Black Rock on our first day there. Conveniently situated on the Wild Pacific Trail, guests of the Black Rock are steps away from world famous panoramas and a seascape that will take your breath away.

The rays of a West Coast sunset are nothing short of inspiring.

Quickly apparent to me was the fact that one could spend their entire retreat at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort without the need to leave the property at all. Fetch is the resort’s acclaimed restaurant with its impressive wine selection, locally sourced seafood and sustainable dishes. Serving up incredible creations from Executive Chef Andrew Springett and his team, Fetch is simply a culinary delight and filled my tummy with one of the best eggs Benny breakfasts I’ve had in a long while.

With its wave-inspired bar, Float – the adjacent lounge – was where we found ourselves each evening. Shaking up tasty cocktails, brewing unbelievable coffee and dishing out delicious desserts and appetizers, Float was the perfect way to end each day. Our server, Julie, was attentive and full of fun.

While most of our time in Ucluelet was spent beachcombing, relaxing and getting drenched in liquid sunshine, Black Rock also offers up indoor facilities for its guests. With a complete fitness centre, luxe spa facilities at Drift (I hear their massages are to die for!) and a toasty hot tub, it’s impossible to escape the paradise that Black Rock creates.

Part of staying grounded in the everyday is taking time to recharge. With hectic work schedules and a lot on the go all the time, Black Rock provided the most incredible getaway for both of us. With storm season at its peak, now would be the ideal time to experience it for yourself.

Black Rock Oceanfront Resort is located at 596 Marine Drive in Ucleluet. You can contact the resort at 1-877-762-5011 or by e-mail. You can also find Black Rock Oceanfront Resort on Facebook or follow their updates on Twitter.

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By the time you read this, I’ll be en route to an extended – and snowy – weekend getaway to two of the most beautiful places Vancouver Island has to offer with one of the best people Vancouver has to offer.

Tonight I’ll be at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria judging the Shaken and Stirred culinary competition, pitting two amazing chefs from the Fairmont family against each other. I’m looking forward to amazing dishes and fantastic cocktails in what promises to be one delicious evening, so feel free to follow my updates and pictures on Twitter.

Photo: John Biehler on Flickr

Tomorrow we’re pointing the wheels northwest and, after a quick bite in Nanaimo, will be spending the rest of the weekend comfy and cozy at the Black Rock Resort in Ucluelet. A few days of nothing more than sunshine, crashing waves and crisp air is exactly what I need. I hope to have stunning photos and charming stories to tell next week, so stay tuned…