Concert on Saltspring

On Saturday I caught the ferry to Saltspring to stay at Richard's and Susan's.

Susan and Rich at the Pitchfork Social

Great outdoor venue

 

Danny Schmidt and Carrie Elkington - American Folk music

Yummy desserts

And back home the next day.  Quick turn around.

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

The little people in my life

Dinner at Jan's for Richard's birthday.  So much fun to get the grandkids together.

Harper, Landon and Jamie pose for a picture.  A rare moment of quiet :)

 

 

Blue Frog

The girls got together and went out to the Blue Frog to listen to Byrd Dawg.

They played the Everly Brothers and Simon & Garfunkel.  They were so good.

 

Canada 150 in White Rock

White Rock is celebrating Canada 150.  Marlene and I head down to the water to see the Snow Birds fly over.

And then the music starts...some great country.

The pilots of the Snow Birds parading down the lower road.

 
 

 

Last day of the trip

We wake to a beautiful day and head to Cowichan Bay to kayak.

Our kayaks await!

Perfect conditions.

Harbour seals were popping up all around us.  Also lots of osprey.

After two hours of paddling we earned ourselves a great fish and chip lunch.

Then we stopped in Ladysmith for ice cream.  We had trouble finding a place but this place was worth the trouble.

What a charming garden!

Next door is the pizza place....so colourful.  Now we're on our way to Nanaimo to catch the ferry home.  What a great trip!
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

Day 6

Well we're up and ready to head to the Sunshine Coast this morning.  Weather is warm and sunny.

As we wait to load the ferry an announcement is made and there are mechanical issues and the sailing is cancelled!  What to do now?

We decide to head south and go to Lake Cowichan since we can't get to the Sunshire Coast.  We stop in Chemanius for lunch.

After driving to Lake Cowichan we try to find a place to kayak.  This is Gordon Bay.

It's nice but not what we're looking for.  Since Cowichan Bay is only 30 mins. away we decide to drive there.

Smooth as glass.  This is the place I remember.  I got mixed up between Lake Cowichan and Cowichan Bay.

We stop at the Cow Cafe after walking around town and booking a kayaking trip for tomorrow.

Another great meal over looking the water.

 

 

 
 

 
 

Day 5

Heading south on Hwy 19 we reach Campbell River in a couple of hours.

On our way to Comox we pass Merville where a garlic festival is taking place.

Live entertainment.

Lots of garlic.

Then on to Courtenay and Comox.  Lots to see in this area.

After checking in to our hotel the Black Fin pub was recommended to us.  It's on the water and very popular.

Fish tacos are amazing!

This is Kye Beach.  Nice place to come in Comox.  Vacation cottages are available.

And another day comes to a close.

 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 

 

Day 4

We leave Quadra Island and head north on Hwy 19. The road is good with thick forest on both sides of the road.  The first town after Campbell River is Sayward.  We take a side road which only takes us about 15 minutes off the main route.

Nice totem but not much else here.  Most of these communities offer fishing, whale watching or bear watching.  Back on Hwy 19.  Next stop Telegraph Cove. 

Loved this little community.
 

Have to come back and do a three day kayak trip before I'm too old.

Lightly raining and a little cool.

Beautiful and so peaceful.

 

Lunch at the pub.

Most places offer seafood chowder and it's so good!

A quick look through the General Store and we're on our way.

We do a quick drive through Port McNeil and then arrive at Port Hardy.

This is as far north as we are going.

After a night in a hotel that felt like it was frozen in time (and we're talking the 60's) we have a great breakfast.  The rain has passed and the sun is trying to break out.  It's time to hit the road.