If It's Monday, We Went Hiking - Biggs Point Park

Happy Campers or is that Happy Hikers?

Arbutus Tree

Wooden Sculpture entitled "Bliss"

Stone etching

Logs washed ashore by high tides

Wayne, Colin and Bev

Gabriola Island in background

Nanaimo

Anchored freighter

Gabriola Island Ferry

Duke Point Ferry Dock

Today's hike followed a trail along the Nanaimo River Estuary.  At one point we were directly across from the campground.  Totally new perspective.  We hiked for over two hours and covered more than 10 kilometres.  Each day I strive to walk 10,000 steps.  This hike was over 12,000.  I'm ready for a nap.

Marilyn came to visit. We went out for lunch at Swiss Chalet before Marilyn had to go to an appointment. Lots of laughs. Marilyn and I got lost on way to restaurant. Wayne beat us there. If I'm not careful I'll lose my job as chief navigator.

Thursday morning at our weekly coffee klatch, some of the ladies had crafts, baking and other items for sale. I bought a cute Santa decoration and also some Avon stuff.

Today, Wayne and I headed downtown to the harbour.  We decided to hike around Cameron Island.  It's not really an island anymore.  Long ago rock from the mines was dumped in the harbour joining several small islets into one promontory.  Cameron Island has a beautiful condo complex built on it.  Boy, would I love to have enough money live there.  A Heritage Trail passes around the island.

Contemplating life on a beautiful day

The tiny ferry that travels to Protection Island

Tug boat towing a log boom.

Freighter coming into port around Protection Island

After our short hike, we drove down the road to Muddy Waters Pub near the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal.  We were meeting Janet and Terry for our biweekly pub lunch.  The Muddy Waters Pub is located beside the water and a marina with a boat works and a very tightly packed group of trailers.  I don't think it is much of a campground, more like a parking lot over taken by trailers.  People seem to live there.  We were wondering if the trailers belonged to the people who own the boats in the marina.  Maybe they live on the boats during the summer and the trailers in the winter.

View near Muddy Waters Pub

Another shot of marina

Janet and Wayne enjoying their lunch.

After lunch, Wayne and I continued our day out.  We headed up the island highway to Parksville.  We went to the Kris Kringle Craft Show.  It was a very big show at the community centre both indoors and out.  This craft show was different from others in that they encourage children to attend.  The kids decorated large gingerbread people up on the stage which was converted to a beautiful winter wonderland with craft stations, Santa and Mrs. Claus.    We bought a couple of Xmas items and even ran into some fellow Living Forest Rving friends.  This was a great day.

Next week, we are going to see Stewart Mclean of the Vinyl Cafe with Marilyn and Tom.  Should be another fun time.

It's Official - Winter has Arrived

Thursday morning we awoke to this:

Light dusting of the white stuff

What's with this? The temperatures aren't too bad.  About -4C.  Curious, I went through last year's blogs to see when the snow arrived.  Funnily enough it was the same week.  However last year the windchill was -19C and it snowed about 4 inches.  So I guess this isn't so bad.

By the time I was dressed and ready to venture outside the snow had melted and everything was back to normal.

Wayne and I have been battling over the furnace controls.  I used to always be hot and didn't mind  how low he kept the thermostat.  (64F in the day and 62F at night)  With my blood pressure levels going down, I am cold a lot of the time.  I turn up the temp and he turns it down.  Last evening, he got sick of my whining and looking like a mummy all wrapped up.  We reached a compromise.  Basically I turned up the thermostat to a whopping 66F.  Whoo Hoo!  I can shed one layer of blanket.  lol

Christmas activities abound.  Next week we are going to a craft fair in Parksville.  I think it is quite a big deal.  Wanted to go last year, but they had a bad storm so we didn't go.  Should be okay as the weather is forecasted to be 10C and rainy.  Ladysmith (small town just south of us) decorates the town with thousands of lights for the season.  They are having the grand lighting ceremony on Thursday.  We are going to go down one night to ooh and ahh with Janet and Terry.

Until next time ttfn.

Nanaimo River Regional Park Hike

I'm turning over a new leaf.  Trying to update blog immediately after activities.

Today we went on a hike organized by "Scott of the Forest".  He is a member of the family that operates Living Forest Campground.  Thank you Scott.

We met at the clubhouse and then drove in a convoy to Nanaimo River Regional Park.  The trail was nice and level for the most part.  No hills.  However, Scott's dog, Ben fell into the river and Scott fell in trying to haul him out.  Pretty funny.  I thought that would be the end of the hike, but Scott squelched onward.  Hope he doesn't catch a cold.

We hiked just over 4 km with sunny skies and cool temperatures.  Lots of fun with another hike planned for next week.

Group photo with Wayne in silhouette

Salmon are still running.   Seagulls really well fed.

Wooden water pipe

Pipeline travels for miles

This pipeline is constructed of wooden staves. It moves water from the river to the pulp mill to be used processing the lumber. Apparently wooden pipes are relatively uncommon. Quite interesting. The trail followed the pipeline for about a kilometer or so.

Stay tuned for the continuing adventures of our wayside wanderings.

OK - We're Still Here - Alive and Well

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile.  Been too busy having fun.  Let's see.  In the past couple of weeks we have hiked, joined some clubs, went out for  a Chinese lunch with other snowbirds and continued our visits to local pubs.

First up - hiking along the waterfront downtown.  The Bastion was a guard and trading post built by the Hudson Bay Company in the 1800's.

Later in November we're going to see a performance by Stewart Maclean of the Vinyl Cafe. Wayne loves his radio show.   Friends Marilyn and Tom are joining us.  It will be our first visit to the Arts Centre.  Should be a fun night.

Orca sculpture created from motor cycle parts

Heron sculpture with Arts Centre in background

The Bastion

Harbour scene between Protection and Newcastle Islands

We also hike regularly in the campground.  In fact, Wayne walks most evenings after supper with our neighbour, Terry.  I don't like to hike in the dark.  I much prefer daytime.  Lots to see.

Looking towards river estuary

Pileated Woodpecker

Trail along cliff face

Trail hugs cliff edge

Eagle waiting for a salmon lunch at low tide

Salmon who have spawned and then died

Seagulls at the salmon buffet

Saw this tiny little mushroom along the trail.  So delicate.

Every day we enjoy our park.  It is so beautiful and interesting.  The woodpecker was so intent on the hunt for bugs that Wayne was able to get within three feet to take pictures.  This was a large woodpecker.

Our social life has been pretty busy too.  It's a standing joke that the women join together to do various activities and the men just stand out on the street talking.  While we were enjoying our Chinese buffet lunch, the guys decided they needed to come in out of the rain.  So they formed their own club.  The Men's Breakfast Club.  The guys met at Smitty's Restaurant for the early bird special.  Breakfast was enjoyable and the club is going to meet once a month.  So far, no girls allowed!

While the guys were dining out, the girls were quilting. We are learning to sew a variety of  blocks.  I am going to make toss cushions for our bed with my squares.

My first quilt square

Wayne's new sleep pants

I made Wayne a pair of cosy flannel sleep pants.

 

Living Forest Book Club

I am enjoying spending time with other campers.  We sew, read, visit craft shows and of course chit chat.  Coming soon - a day trip to Vancouver.  We are going to cross over to the main land on the ferry and visit a large fabric store.  Should be fun.

I'm going to sign off with two last photos.  Peace and beauty.