My challenge started later than normal as I was on a kayak trip in the Broughton Archipelago, that started off with a Tsunami warning. Next natural disaster was the Wesley Ridge wildfire, was I going to have to take a 3 hour detour to get home to Port Alberni. I had guests from out of town, so of course the host I like to be, I took my guests on day trips to Tofino, Bamfield and my favourite local spots around town. Finally, on my way home from the Vancouver Mainland on August 11th, the Mountain Underwood wildfire, did exactly that, spread like a wildfire. The fire evacuated guests from China Creek Marina and Campground, of which me and my husband were seasonal guests up to 2024. Our family has many memories of China Creek having spent holidays there since 1994. With our trailer and boat safely at home, my thoughts were with all those that had to evacuate and leave everything behind. Thankfully at this time the campground has been spared. I assisted my sister in protecting her home, cleaning debris and setting up sprinklers on her roof. Her husband is battling cancer and does not have the strength to do some of these activities. Precious items were moved from her house to mine for safekeeping as I am on the other side of the Alberni Inlet from the fire, and not in imminent danger. She on the other hand is only a couple of kilometres from a neighborhood under evacuation alert. With the smoke and particulate so thick in the air, it was not save to ride in town. Knowing I was going to be heading to the West Kootenay’s for a friend’s biannual gathering, this has and will become my main destination to cycle for this worthwhile challenge. Along the way, I’ll ride in towns I stop at visiting friends along the way. Ride on!