Oct 16, 2010 Vancouver BC

Took the 8:30 ferry to Vancouver. Met Daryl at Canada Place. Went to lunch at the Elephant and Castle Pub in the Marine Building. Last feed of west coast fish and chips before heading back to the prairies for beef.

Oct 15, 2010 Cowichan Bay

After Chemainus we went down the road and took a short detour on to a Native Reserve. We found a Fish Hatchery. The people running it had gone for lunch. I went into the office and meet Florence Elliot. She is an elder and both her sons run the place. One of them takes care of the hatchery. The other one has started a business with indigeous plants. He is gathering plants in the forest that are difficult to find. Deni would have been in her glory there. We went out to the river where the fish count is happening at night. It was a beautiful tranquil spot.

We then headed out to Cowichan Bay. It has really changed a huge resort has been built there. It was a tiny little place that we got cheap fish and chips at. Not any more. The docks are still the same. Some things don't change.

That night we headed to my favorite Mexican Restuarant, Gina's to meet up with Ross and Bonnie for supper. It was a great way to end the trip.

Oct 15, 2010 Chemainus BC

It was another beautiful day so we headed down to see the murals in Chemainus. I remember in 1982 when this town decide it might be a good idea to paint a couple of murals as a tourist attraction. They have done OK with the idea. The first one was the native faces rather plain in comparison to the ones to follow.

Then there was the library branch. Shauna thinks this is the perfect setup for us. I'll run the library and she'll work at the booze store. I'll forgive her fines and she sell me wine cheap. Perfect Mom, daughter business!

Oct 14, 2010 The cloudy day

Went for an early morning walk with Kevin to the Namaimo shipyards. Saw a family of 5 otters swimming in the harbour. Also saw the baot that the refugees came across the Pacific Ocean in. Can't believe it was such a small ship. Looked like a rust bucket. They were also moving a small BC ferry into dry dock. It was an eventful morning on the water.

Oct 13, 2010 The hiking day

Kathryn had to head into a meeting so Kevin and I hiked up the Millstream River into Bolen Park. I had hoped to see the salmon running. Apparently I was a couple of weeks early.

It was another beautiful sunny day. The dew was so heavy that my jeans got soaking wet to my knees. I hadn't waterproofed my new Merrells either so feet also got very wet. Lucky it was so warm.

They truly do live in a beautiful spot.

Oct 12, 2010 Victoria BC

Drove down to Victoria for the day. Had a great lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory. I haven't eaten there for years. I had to have spaghetti and meatballs. Same thing I always ate there. It was still good food.

Then we took a tour of the downtown core. The tourist stuff has been left the same but many of the businesses are very different from 30 years ago. Rogers is still there and Murchies Tea. Went to buy some of the special paint that K & K paint their house with. We went to a shopping area that was run down back in the day, but has been renovated and is now upscale. It was good to see.

We attempted to drive to the old Russell place but I couldn't seem to navigate through to Langford from downtown. I ended up sending poor Kevin in a scenic circle. I take it as a sign that I am not meant to go back and see it. So much development has happened that it will not be the same place. It would make me sad or mad if the plants and trees that Rose and Tom planted were gone. It was like a mini Buchart Gardens in the backyard.

We drove back to Nanaimo in a bit of rush hour traffic. By the time we hit Goldstream Park it was done.

Oct 11, 2010 Thanksgiving Day

I never know how to load pictures on blogger. I can't figure out how to manage more than 4 on a page.

This is of our early morning walk around the Inner Harbour. The sun was rising and it was crisp and damp. I knew what I was Thankful for on Thanksgiving morning.

Here is one of the floating eating establishments that has now closed for the season. The tourist season that is. I love the way they have stored the boats, a red kayak and a blue row boat inside where the tables are.

The other picture is Kathryn standing beside one of her favorite photo subjects. I call it the smiley boat. I remember fishing in one many years ago on Brentwood Bay. I got so sick and it wasn't just sea sickness it was from the engine fumes coming into the little cabin.

Cute little boat when it is tied up to the dock!