Another 2 weeks have gone by and it's time for an update! For the most part, we've had fairly nice weather...blue sky and sunshine with some clouds thrown in on some days but little rain.
Saturday morning (May 16) we had a beautiful walk at the Courtenay Airpark/Riverway...the rhododendron garden is in full bloom and absolutely gorgeous!
A very interesting airplane from Whitehorse, Yukon is visiting...nomad air is a Yukon based air charter company that operates Shorts Skyvans and Dornier 228 throughout the territory including the NWT, BC and lower parts of Canada.
We woke to clear blue sky Sunday morning (May 17) but it was chilly at 3C/34F. Luckily it warmed up quickly and by 12:30 when we met Rob, Angie and the boys, along with friends Emery and Glenda at Saratoga Raceway...it was quite warm.
Rob, Angie, Conner and Bryce are visiting Angie's "island parents" in Campbell River for the long weekend and invited us to join them to watch the Monster Trucks at Saratoga Speedway about 20 minutes north of us.
A 6 minute compilation video Steve put together of Monster Truck rides, Monster Trucks on two wheels, Car eating Dinosaur, and a Monster Truck roll over...
After the event was over, we went to Emery and Glenda's place for drinks, pizza...and conversation. It was great seeing them and catching up! Thanks so much Emery and Glenda for treating us!
The next few days we kept busy with the usual stuff...Steve washed the car Monday (May 18) in preparation for taking it in for a service on Tuesday (May 19). On Wednesday (May 20) we walked at Nymph Falls Nature Park and then Steve got his fishing gear ready for our visit to Lake Cowichan. It has also been one year since I had my right knee replacement surgery...amazing! Both knees are great (left on was done October 8, 2019).
Thursday morning (May 21) we packed up the car and headed down island. We are going to visit our friends, Ray and Deb, at their beautiful home on Cowichan Lake for 4 days and then continue down to Rob and Angie's in North Saanich (Sidney) for a couple of nights. On our way, we stopped for a quick visit with Don and Rhonda (my brother and SIL) in Deep Bay (Bowser).
After a great 'catch-up' with them, we continued to Qualicum Beach where we stopped at our favourite lunch spot...Shady Rest Restaurant and Pub. While we were waiting for our lunch, we saw a pod of White Sided Dolphins out in the bay in front of us a couple of hundred yards away. Steve took a 44 second video...
Steve had his drone but wasn't sure if it was legal. so he looked it up. You must be at least 1000' feet in elevation and half a mile away so he didn't bother as his drone doesn't have a telephoto lens.
Apparently the Dolphins had been trapped in shallow channels during low tide in Qualicum and Parksville recently. Check out the link for an aerial view...Chek TV Drone video of trapped Dolphins
Friday (May 22) and our 44th wedding anniversary! And such a special place to be celebrating! After morning coffee, Ray and Steve went out fishing for a few hours. The lake was so calm and beautiful.
Over to Steve...
A 2:51minute drone video fishing near Goat Island...
Fishing was a bust but a great day to be on the water! I guess there's a reason it's called fishing and not catching. 😏That evening, Ray and Deb treated us to a lovely anniversary dinner at The Old Firehouse Wine and Cocktail Bar. Thanks so much guys!
Saturday morning (May 23), after Ray and Deb attended their annual strata meeting, everyone at the meeting came over to their dock for a fire pump demonstration. One of their neighbour's son-in-law is a firefighter and gave some tips for firefighting. Ray and Deb purchased a fire pump and hose several years ago and offered the use of it to the strata in case of a wildfire coming close to their property.
Deb's photos...
Ray and Steve had the pump going earlier before their neighbours arrived. Steve said there is so much pressure it almost knocks you over if you're not prepared. Firefighter Andrew is ready with the hose...
One of the neighbours is taking his turn...
They're now connecting all of Ray's hoses to see how far they'll reach and what kind of pressure drop there will be...
Up to the house... and to the front yard...
Mike on the nozzle with Daryl watching...
After the water pump demonstration, we went to Jake's at the Lake and treated Ray and Deb to lunch and then spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing outside. It was a little breezy so Ray set up chairs in the backyard behind the hedge.
Sunday (May 24) was a pretty relaxing day. We sat down on the dock until it just got too windy, so we moved up to the gazebo on the deck. Oh, and Ray treated us to an ice cream cone in town at Mountain Man Ice Cream Company...yummy, thanks Ray! On our way back, Ray stopped for a picture at Kaatza Station Museum beside the Lake Cowichan Visitor Centre...the flowers were beautiful...
When we got back, Deb was preparing a whole chicken for the barbecue rotisserie. It smelled amazing as it cooked on the barbeque beside us on the deck. Again, another delicious dinner!
Monday morning (May 25) we woke to a major down pour! By the time we left at 9:30, the rain had subsided to only a sprinkle and the roads were dry when we reached Duncan. Thanks so very much for a fabulous 4 days, Ray and Deb! It was great spending time with you both!
We arrived at Moore's Clothing for Men store at the Uptown Mall in Victoria where Steve was successful in finding pants and a shirt to wear to a wedding we will be attending next month. After a quick bite to eat at Mayfair Mall (Steve ate, I checked out some shoe stores), we headed out to Rob and Angie's place.
Rob was the first to get home, followed by Angie and the boys a little while later. We enjoyed catching up while Rob and Angie prepared dinner...a delicious dinner but no pictures.
Steve and I both had eye appointments on Tuesday (May 26). We had a relaxing morning and then headed into Sidney at 10:30 to Peninsula Lifetime Eyecare for our appointments. After "10 million" tests and almost 2 hours later, we were done. We had thought that we would go for a walk along the Sidney waterfront but after receiving drops in our eyes to dilate them, we were light sensitive...thank goodness for sunglasses! Plus I found my eyes very tired after all the testing...so we just went back to Rob's to chill for the rest of the afternoon.
Wednesday morning (May 27) we had the car packed up and ready to go shortly after 8:30. We had said goodbye to Rob, Angie and the boys as they all headed off to work/school...thanks for your hospitality! Now, we were meeting longtime friends, Rob and Nancy for breakfast at Mary's Bleue Moon Cafe for breakfast. As always, so good seeing and catching up with them!
It was after 12 noon when we hit the highway north...amazing how much Scotch Broom is spreading on the Malahat...The Malahat refers to a 25 km mountainous stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) on southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, connecting Greater Victoria to the Cowichan Valley. Named after the indigenous Malahat First Nation, the area is renowned for stunning scenic views, challenging driving conditions, and popular outdoor attractions.
Now that we are home, it was time to start focusing on our next adventure! We have camping reservations booked for next Monday (June 1), so time to get ourselves organized. And that is how the next 4 days were spent.
Thursday (May 28) I had to go grocery shopping...not only because the fridge was empty but also to start preparing for next week. Steve also had picture editing to do so that we could get our blog caught up before we head off again.
Friday (May 29) we picked up the little trailer up from storage...and so began many trips back and forth from the big trailer as we packed it up. Steve also had the truck to pack. He is finding the truck box a little short and a challenge to get everything needed into it. This trip we will be taking the boat, so all fishing paraphernalia must be packed too!
That kept us busy Saturday (May 30) and Sunday (May 31)....but we're pretty well ready to go tomorrow morning!
