Sooke is a lovely little coastal town that sits about a thirty minute drive from the capital city of Victoria. On the outside it might seem un-eventful, but if you look a little closer, and stare just a little bit deeper, you will actually find a huge amount of interesting people, places, things to do, and discover. Here are just a few of them.
The Sooke Potholes
A legendary yet well kept wonder. Now, don’t let the name put you off, the Sooke Potholes are much more than holes in a poorly maintained road.. They are a series of pools, streams, and rapids formed fifteen thousand years ago in the last ice age! It was formed when melting ice packs moved across the surface of the land, and stripped it down to bedrock. Under these hundreds of metres of melting ice lay pressurized cascades of melt water, which, over thousands of years, carved great ravines and swirling pools into the bedrock. That’s not the best part, The best part of the potholes is that if you look you will find that there is a place for everyone there.
Do you want beaches next to slow moving, warm, almost lake-like water to soak, and relax in? There’s a spot for you. Do you want high cliffs and deep pools to jump, and dive from? There are plenty to go around. Do you want rapids, and waterfalls that dazzle your senses, and make some of the most wonderful sights, and photographs you can find on Vancouver Island? The Sooke Potholes is the place to be. The variety of the landscape is truly astonishing, and no matter how many times I go, it always feels like there is more to explore. There is also plenty more to do around the Sooke Potholes than just swimming.
Running alongside the Potholes you will find Galloping Goose, a one hundred year old rail which has had the tracks removed and is now a dedicated horseback riding, biking, and walking trail. This grants easy access to the entirety of the river and beyond as well as just being an excellent trail to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the Sooke Potholes Provincial Park. Since it was intended for use by trains it very rarely exceeds a five percent grade, and is wide enough to allow two horses to comfortably pass each other. In other words it is an easy enough trail to walk even for the inexperienced among us. Don’t be intimidated, try it out some time if you are planning a trip into the area. Nearby, in the Sooke River proper, you can fish for Salmon, Cutthroat Trout Steelhead, Rainbow, and Brown Trout. So there is good fishing too if that’s more your cup of tea.
All of that leads to the Sooke Potholes being one of the most breathtaking, interesting, and luxurious swimming, biking, fishing, and hiking spots you will ever have the pleasure of experiencing.
If your stomach is begging you for a meal after a day of enjoying the Sooke Potholes Provincial Park then why don’t you try any of the wonderful eateries that can be found in the nearby town of Sooke. Just over a bridge from the entrance to the Sooke Potholes is a castle shaped building that just so happens to be a popular spot for the many food trucks that make Sooke their home. If you want street food, it’s less than a five minute drive away. If you are looking for something a little fancier than Sooke has that as well. You could try West Coast Grill which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week from 8am to 9 pm. Its menu is designed with mostly seafood dishes in mind, and is made with many fresh, locally sourced, delicious ingredients. Enjoy your food on the patio as you look out over the Sooke Basin, and into the Olympic Mountains. Hey, seafood isn’t always the right fit for your stomach, perhaps you’re looking for something with more inland flavors. Wild Mountain Food and Drink sports a wide array of different dishes from wood fired pizza, to hand made ricotta and scallion gnocchi. They also have plenty of vegetarian, and vegan options which would be perfect for anyone with any dietary restrictions, as well as a black current lemonade which is to die for.
Maybe you aren’t even hungry though, maybe you’re thirsty instead. If that’s the case then why not make your way to the Sheringham Distillery, a locally-owned, locally-ran, and locally inspired distillery which provides a taste of the land that it springs from distilled into unique, sustainable, and delicious spirits. Once you’re done talking with the knowledgeable staff about their award winning product, why not head down to the Sooke Regional Museum, and learn a little bit about the history of this historical town. It has an impressive physical collection of seven thousand authentic photographs, and two thousand digital photographs. This collection was started almost fifty years ago, and has pieces that date back to the early 1900s! That’s not all they have though. They have plenty of other interesting historical artifacts, and lectures. Also, if you go a little bit later in the day you could find yourself in the Sooke Night Market which has many local foods, and goods makers for you to support.
All in all Sooke boasts some of the most amazing nature, food, and drink on the Island. So, if you are in the proverbial neighborhood, come on down and see the sights, smell the smells, and experience the experiences.