Abandoned BC: Exploring Sooke

[@lifeofluke]

NOTE: I have been made well aware that I mispronounced SOOKE throughout the video and am forever sorry. I will never live it down! SORRY TO EVERYONE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD

[@frankandrews2810]

that doesn't take away from the videos love your dog.

[@seanhollandcanada]

I scrolled down from the video to tell you just this thing, but it looks like you got the news. I've noticed that a lot of non-locals pronounce it to rhyme with "book," and it is slightly disconcerting to us Sooke people.

[@bignateliving4056]

All g man, you made a mistake. Don’t see any of the critics commenting making an awesome content like you are. Keep it up!

[@Silver_Sun5]

lol I live very near Sooke, and it prickled me every time you said it wrong, but that's okay! Some of these names out here are hard to know unless someone tells you!

[@thenaturalconnection2771]

Better than "Soukie"... I grew up here and run tours in the area, hit me up for a tour next time you're here.

[@nami-vlog]

This video beautifully captures the intriguing and varied landscapes of the area. From lush forests to rugged coastlines, it offers a captivating glimpse into the region's rich history. Thanks for sharing this fascinating journey! 🌍💜💜💜👍

[@darrylmcleman6456]

I moved out to Sooke City from Victoria on April fools day of 1981 and been here ever since.I earned a living as a baker in the grocery store . Enjoyed fenominal salmon fishing! CHEERS

[@PillSharks]

Hull made from wood because some mines are magnetic!

[@lifeofluke]

good point!

[@pchampagne63]

Yeah, you want to sweep more than one mine with a naval vessel!

[@MrSketchyCharacter]

Lots of mice in the Mt Quimper lookout cabin. Good thing you brought the dog. Great Mt Biking trails from there. Welcome to Van Isle!

[@cooperbee408]

Hey This is where I grew up! cool video. It's not Called Suhk its pronounced T'sou-ke, come from the coastal salish word for stikle back fish or fish with spines. There's a endless amount of cool stuff there. There's actaully a bunker from ww2 in East Sooke that was part of the costal defense against Japan.

[@jillwarne4571]

you said "a bunker from ww2"and i thought WHERE!! than i remembered that it is called fort rod hill.

[@crush42mash6]

Wow what a beautiful spot! I haven’t been to BC since I was about 10 years old, a trip to go out west soon for sure. 🇨🇦

[@DannyFratella]

This is sick. I moved away from Bellingham to LA almost two years ago now for work, but I can't wait to move back and be close to BC again.

[@lifeofluke]

Nice. I'm biased but BC is the best!

[@gregpittman1700]

I remember the Canadian princess Warship in Ucluelet growing up in the 90s there, it Was a restaurant. Me and my childhood friend would go into the bar and get NA Shirley temples. Back when ur parents gave you 10$ to get them smokes, and you get to keep the change for candy.

[@adamw8001]

Good work on this! My family settled there in the late 1800's. I grew up there and still got family there. Will always call it home.

[@mmareviewer.2372]

"Sook you did not suck" is sure not the best quote pick up line for giving respect to such a beautiful place haha. great video.

[@AutoBrawn]

I sure do miss living on the island. A beautiful place indeed

[@cinthiafraser4533]

I am an island girl. I moved to Tofino, British Columbia Canada in Dec 1993. I live in Vancouver now but I love the island, and think about going back ofter. It's just so beautiful.

[@alexbritch02]

I've lived in BC my whole life, 18 years. Never knew about your channel until tonight. Amazing stuff! Been wanting to visit the queen of sidney boat for years aha, definitely going too.

[@FarquharC123]

Recently discovered your channel I didn't realize how big this province is and all the treasures and history it holds. A unique look at relationship with the land and how we inhabit and live in these places.

[@adkkev]

Luke, you manage to discover some of the most unique places to document on "film". The photography from the fire lookout is outstanding. Again, thank you for sharing.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Kevin, I love to research unique places and then seeing them in person is even better, I appreciate your comment!

[@locksand45]

I spent my childhood there. Tons of underground tunnels under cfb rocky point in the pedder bay area

[@TattooedRobot]

Underground tunnels? In/near Pedder Bay? Do you mean under the Ammo Depot? Is there a "public access"?

[@locksand45]

@@TattooedRobot yes, all under that area. No public access that I'm aware of. I lived at one of the houses at the base. Entered in one of the old bunkers that line the coast of peder Bay. Reptilian access point bring firstb--

[@brustar5152]

That beach you were on was where I, as an RCN Able Seaman once woke up in 1963 after an all night booze fest with a bunch of fellow shipmates. We hauled coolers and 24's onto that beach and partied into the wee hours only to wake up and find seal lions had come ashore to snooze within yards of where we were sleeping off our bender. On the way out, one of our number slipped off a fallen log traversing a deep ditch and landed on his back over a huge rock. Picture a bunch of drunks manhandling a guy with a suspected broken back into the back of a 54 Ford and beating feet back to HMCS Naden base hospital. He was admitted and slept off the booze with no more damage than a huge bruise. God looks after fools an drunken sailors.

[@lifeofluke]

Haha, nice!

[@PabloGonzalez-hv3td]

Did 13 years in the RCN nothing's changed

[@KenAustin-i4x]

good thing the sea lions didn't want to mate with you !

[@davidmacmahon7964]

Great video Luke! I live in sooke and also just bought an HS 510 - all I have to do now is unbox it and Try it out!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks David, enjoy!

[@cheezBurger420]

Hope I run into you in BC one day, you videos are awesome! All the love from the Kootenays! Keep em' coming

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks dude! You never know, it could happen

[@OutlastOverland]

I love your channel man I follow it on my personal account as well. I love your style and cinimatic storytelling. I grew up in sooke as well and still live near by!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Dylan!

[@Shadowkey392]

You should hike the West Coast Trail sometime. There are some REALLY beautiful sight to see along there!

[@lifeofluke]

Yep it's on the list!

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

Closed for the foreseeable future.. 😕

[@johnf1781]

I'm a Sooke resident and happened to stumble across your video. Very nice. I kind'a feel proud to be living here. FYI the old HMCS Cowichan was towed out of Coopers Cove around a year ago. | I Don't know what became of it. Anyone know??

[@lifeofluke]

Yeah I don't know what happened to it but would also be interested to know!

[@stevenplaskett7728]

I have only seen the ocean once when I travelled to Tofino so to see a storm would be so awesome the weather was clear and calm but the sea still felt so powerful

[@youraverageegg3930]

The storms in tofino are crazy. I went up there one during a storm and they suspected waves of 7 meters high.

[@rowens_el_terricola]

What a beautiful place, thanks for this video. You have a follower in South America

[@lifeofluke]

gracias Rowens!

[@rowens_el_terricola]

@@lifeofluke con mucho gusto

[@CoopMauKona]

Yeah nice, I was there a few years ago. I live across the water in Washington State. Vancouver Island is heaven on Earth. I walked the pipeline trail too. I love how dog friendly BC is. I climbed Mt. Olympus. Thanks for sharing my corner of the world.

[@lifeofluke]

Oh shoot, I was mentioning at the fire lookout that I'd love to climb Mt Olympus... I bet it's an adventure!

[@CoopMauKona]

@@lifeofluke Yeah man. 50 mile round trip. Crevassed glacier to cross, rock climbing at the end. Harder than Rainier. Amazing!

[@PumpkinQueen1393]

BC is dog friendly until you decide to rent an apartment 🙃

[@mandynicholls9195]

The beach with the old boats is right where my old house is! Miss it there. Live behind parliament buildings downtown Victoria now.

[@SlickWorks]

Very cool video! Im from Langley BC. Ive been visiting Cortes Island my whole life at family properties. BC's coast is just gorgeous!

[@Vegiterra]

That pipeline trail is stunning! The lush green moss makes me want to move back to BC. Great video Luke!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Kristofir! The moss was one of the best parts!

[@davemexico260]

Hunted off that pipe many times.

[@Dan-nt2yb]

I moved to Victoria from Toronto 4 years and know how lucky I am to be here. It’s paradise. I’ve travelled extensively in my life and feel East Sooke (not suck) Park to be in my top 10.....right up there with New Zealand. We’re lucky indeed!😊👍🏾👍🏾

[@NOAH-gy4zz]

Anybody else hate the way he pronounces “sooke” as “suk”

[@jack.hh99]

learn the native tongue bud

[@ryanhobbs3362]

haha, everyone has issues saying place names out here. How many people who aren't from here can properly pronounce Esquimalt. I am a bit surprised about Sooke though, didn't think that was a hard one.

[@Kerfufflekitten]

No unless you’re a liberal

[@terryjp3050]

America is filled with small minded people that must complain about everything.

[@KevintheRhea]

@@terryjp3050 idk it sounds like the sooke locals are being the whiney ones

[@Matt-hw6so]

great video you inspired me to explore my province more with these videos!

[@MikeHcan2]

I love Vancouver Island and definitely want to spend more time there. Your camera work is amazing, you keep making videos and I'll keep watching.

[@lifeofluke]

I appreciate that, thanks Mike!

[@khawajaabdullateef5098]

Best video I have ever watched. Keep up the good work.

[@kainingzhu9646]

Welcome back Luke! great video! Having wathced your video, I would love to visit Vancouver Island one more time!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Kai, the Island is definitely worth returning to!

[@schajter42]

Its ok I love you and this video!!!! It was the best thing that I ever watched since moving here in August. Eff the haters you are a dear one

[@Chris-up2ro]

I feel blessed everyday to be born and raised on this amazing island

[@firstchoicelastchoice28]

Wait for the ring of fire earthquake ha ha ha

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

@@firstchoicelastchoice28 we’ve been waiting for a long time.

[@PawanYadav-mz7fv]

nice video! I've been to Sooke. it's beautiful

[@lifeofluke]

definitely!

[@cinthiafraser4533]

Look at that view WOW, I LOVE IT!

[@Larpy1933]

Phenomenal videography! Thanks.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Larry!

[@Laurent312]

9:49 is there an eagle there looking up at the drone on the nest? 🙂

[@lifeofluke]

Yes, I think it is

[@jamiemccolm5737]

No one on the island says “Suk” lmao

[@IainMacaulayce]

yep, it is pronounced Sooke

[@donnyl3336]

@@IainMacaulayce like “boot”

[@79gsonethousand]

Sooooke!

[@spitfireaace]

@@79gsonethousand it's like sue not suck.

[@79gsonethousand]

@@spitfireaace your spot on👌

[@pchampagne63]

It definitely did not suck. Excellent music as well.

[@captainkaleb204]

I remember back in the day when that was sitting in cowichan bay

[@coryhobbs5386]

Great video great location thanks

[@straightstreetdesign]

you missed buzzing the big nest in top rigging with your drone

[@SailingMagicCarpet]

Such nice videos, thank you! Making me miss my home!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Maya & Aladino!

[@jillwarne4571]

1:24 that is alared farms.(i might have spelled alared wrong)

[@masterofsnatch1645]

Excellent

[@9087125498172345]

This channel is solid gold. I’m blown away that you only have 11k subs. Keep up the amazing work.

[@lifeofluke]

Much appreciated JR!

[@91lilfrozone23]

love your channel, found your channel through your Yellowknife video. I so wanna do that trip myself, cheers bud

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Mario!

[@fogduker3131]

At the beginning of your video who singing the first song 🎵 great video thanks for sharing 👍

[@lifeofluke]

That's "Please Tell Me" by Jon Worthy

[@gracewang5962]

Amazing video guys! Im going to Sook!

[@vivgleeson8057]

After the pandemic, right? ;)

[@eeltenaj19]

As long as you pronounce it correctly! 😆 🤣

[@robertmuckle2985]

Beautifully shot, and the soundtrack is appropo🤙

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Robert!

[@chhhhhris]

You guys shared a tent! Aww very cute :D

[@grayman618]

Luke, I've said it before you live in a beautiful part of the world I only wish I could visit it so thanks for sharing. Also thanks for sharing the music - Jon Worthy is awesome. What's happening with your little cabin? We want to see more.

[@lifeofluke]

Ya absolutely, Jon Worthy is great! I'm still working on the tiny cabin video, I want it to be the best it possibly can be so that's why it's taking longer, it will be finished soon!

[@The_JEB]

If you ever get the chance to, not sure if you have, but go for a little adventure around Haida Gwai, quite a nice place.

[@lifeofluke]

Haida Gwaii is on my list, and a place I'd love to see for sure!

[@The_JEB]

@@lifeofluke it was quite the experience when I went, i was more interested in the basalt rock and what not because that kind of stuff interests me, but bonanza beach was quite nice, if you get the chance I suggest going, the people there are really nice.

[@lifeofluke]

Unfortunately covid fears have really closed off all First Nations at the moment, cooperation between indigenous and non-indigenous people is at a very low point... which applies to Haida Gwaii

[@The_JEB]

@@lifeofluke We went in 2016, if you are able to go there is a little bakery in a bus that is between Masset and Agate Beach called Moon Over Naikoon Bakery. Their Cinemon buns are worth the diabetes.

[@The_JEB]

@@lifeofluke I definitely understand why they would want to close off the island to tourists though.

[@cinthiafraser4533]

Oh man the sky at night, magical!!

[@seansteede]

The nightshot at 5:53 is epic! So amazing.

[@seansteede]

And my former GF's family from Victoria used to give me such a bad time about my pronunciation of Soooooke as well...I've never got that hang of it!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Sean! Ya, I haven't heard the end of it on here, I won't make that mistake again

[@ksimpp]

Sooke is one of my favorite places :) your videos keep getting better! Keep it up

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Kelsey!

[@deanpratley125]

Ive been there before years and years ago. Back then it was called “Sooke” Maybe they’ve changed it to Suk, who knows. LMAO

[@wylatron]

Yah totally annoyed by the way he’s saying it... it’s like sue-k not suck dude... holy shit it’s not hard to ask anyone who lives there. And while there is some abandoned stuff, Sooke itself isn’t.

[@garthkelly1668]

I lived around Sooke. It is the west coast, not Pacific Northwest. Pacific Southwest British Columbia......"The Island." Islanders refer to Vancouver area, and the Interior as the "Mainland." "Up Island" is northern Vancouver Island, to locals, and mainlanders.

[@davemexico260]

Memories off home. Thanks

[@theoturner9327]

Man what a great video! Great to see this amount of such interesting spots in only 10 minutes!

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

Wish I had known about these places when I was young enough to hike that area.

[@marianfrances4959]

Best part of Canada, once you get past the Vancouver monster.

[@tummytalk605]

It's beautiful but too much rain

[@trevorsowers]

@@tummytalk605 There are much wetter places in BC

[@firstchoicelastchoice28]

Wait until I gets hit with the ring of fire earthquake

[@ahill4642]

Well said.

[@communismman1471]

Soooo does this mean the boats are free to take?

[@jaygray7102]

Sooke - FOG. We saw a man in an early British naval costume near the harbour one year, bit of a stroke of luck, we had no idea tall ships were arriving that day. To see the masts and ships appear slowly through the fog gave us just a tiny feeling of what Natives must have thought (what the 'bleep' is that....)

[@marilynnandbobseifert3986]

Yes, Canadian pronounce it Soooke. However this is a beautiful part of our coastline and beautiful photography. I live in Victoria but I never New about the aqueduct. Congratulations on this incredible video with storms included.

[@normanmallory2055]

This too is excellent and very well done .. I live across the straits on the Olympic Peninsula from where you are filming this ..What a find for sure , i really enjoyed this one .. Do more like this if you can..

[@lifeofluke]

I will definitely do more like this!

[@carloslzrn]

Great video as always Luke, I loved being part of it. It was a long weekend I won't forget.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks also for some of the video shots!

[@dukeallen6562]

Nice job on the video guys.

[@ericlakota6512]

Your dog is loving it even has its own gear and loves it great dog i had a dog growing up as a boy that went every where i went last big dog ive had

[@deathvalley1592]

GREAT VIDEO AND PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPOSITIONS 👍👍👍👍👍

[@MeowgiMan]

Hope you enjoyed your Time here on van isle, love your channel

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks man! We did, and it was too short!

[@abhaysidhu57]

Excellent drone shots man

[@matthewschulz7395]

Stoked on a new year of videos.

[@ls6-ss413]

I'd love to convert that fire lookout into a home.... Great video, new sub here.👊🏼

[@vivgleeson8057]

Nice idea! Unfortunately it's a regional park, and you shouldn't even be camping in there. :)

[@yetitpa2029]

You inspired me. Looks beautiful and I love Canadian history! Is it a busy trail?

[@vivgleeson8057]

Quimper is very busy these days, many people have discovered it and come to enjoy it's beauty thanks to videos like this one!

[@sailingokasolo6801]

Have you heard of Ocean falls bc?

[@PabloGonzalez-hv3td]

Ocean Falls is another world!

[@sailingokasolo6801]

sailed there a couple years ago fucking epic

[@murrayhiggins3061]

that beach is in Shriley

[@Chantwizzle]

As someone who lives on a boat, the derelict and abandoned boat situation on this island is disgusting. There are a dozen sinking/sunken boats where we are docked. But a diver friend told us there is at least 3 layers of boats in our area. People would just open the through hulls and let them sink, leaking fuel and oil into the ocean.

[@ahill4642]

Chantal Said - Aww damn, that's just so wrong and sad.

[@tjm3900]

As I remember HMCS Cowichan sold at auction for just a few thousand dollars. It looked quite presentable back then. Very sad !

[@brucemckean2848]

It spent some time at Fisherman's Wharf in Victoria where its pennant number '162' could still be made out. Also sad was the miserable summer I spent on her as a trainee navigator: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMCS_Cowichan_(MCB_162)

[@1Pudz1]

It's still privately owned and not abandoned

[@yonathoalexanderhunter4546]

FYI that Minesweeper HMCS Cowichan is not entirely wooden, her hull is concrete

[@joeydepalmer4457]

is that 1 halve sunken boat, the boat of the tv show Beachcombers? That navy boat would make a cool floating restaurant. making and selling sea food. put out tables and chairs on the deck. That or restore it for the navy cadets.

[@phangrrl]

There used to be a ship in Sooke that was a small restaurant called Sushi on the Sea. It was a wonderful experience with a charming man called Captain Ralph and a cook (I can't recall her name) who made awesome sushi. We used to bring our friends there when they came to visit us.

[@markthomas3730]

there's a long history of Sasquatch reports in and around Sooke...

[@happyhermit2022]

Excellent thank you really interesting 👍

[@scallywag6768]

Concerning the pipeline, what was not mentioned is that there are no pumps. Water flowed by gravity only. Makes for a great walk in the wilderness.

[@1Pudz1]

Just like the Roman aqueduct he refers it too

[@glennsankey8186]

I remember going their when I was a kid.

[@BB-tm7gx]

another great video Ta

[@alisaculley603]

What song is that at beginning of video? Great video also

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Alisa! The song is listed in the description, it’s Please Tell Me by Jon Worthy

[@Joefred77]

I subscribed this channel is awesome 😎

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Joefred!

[@jaecarter503]

What's the song in the beginning? Btw nice video Proud to Be Canadian

[@vivgleeson8057]

Okay so a couple of things.... You're not supposed to be camping on Mount Quimper for starters, it says that right on the signs in the parking lot you went through to go up there. Also, the Sooke Hills, the park where you found Mount Maunel Quimper and the Sooke flow line is a leashed park for dogs. This is to protect the sensitive ecological habitat in the area that is still home to many species of plants, birds, insects, and wild animals. We welcome people into our little town, (when it's not in the middle of a pandemic) but we do ask kindly that they kindly follow the posted rules of our parks. They are available both online, and in person in the multiple entrance areas to the park.

[@louiselloyd1523]

Re: the abandoned naval vessel - it's such an eyesore. I sure wish someone would clean up Coopers Cove - it could be a pretty place without those derelict boats.

[@1Pudz1]

It's actually privately owned to this day

[@MOTOMINING]

The hulls of minesweepers were wood so mines wouldn't be set off by magnets on a steel hull.

[@lifeofluke]

ah, that adds up

[@jodiejamie4025]

Great video.. Thank you

[@bikebloggerhn837]

great video my friend

[@TattooedRobot]

Unfortunately, The Cowichan is on private property and belongs to someone. You used to be able to go check it out. But like most things on the island, someone owns it now and it's not as much fun anymore.

[@billl605]

Beautiful country but we got some picking up to do!

[@bruth3659]

I really liked this vid. I was born in Vic and have lived here for most my 60 years. The abandon navy ship... I told someone once that some of the old Ships were made of wood. He made it clear to me he knew that was not true, lol. Thank you, I wish I could remember who it was ;) BTW, Sooke is a Native word, "we" all say it wrong :) Except the ppls that named it ?