We have a reservation on the 1:00 p.m. sailing from the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal today but we wanted to leave early so that Steve could stop at the Bass Pro Shop located near the terminal. So with the car jammed packed, we were off before 10:00.
I ended up dropping Steve off at Bass Pro and heading back home. We forgot to turn off the hot water tank and to pick up Steve's hats that he had left behind. It's only about a 20 minute drive, so by the time I returned he had finished his shopping and was waiting for me. Unfortunately, he didn't find what he wanted for salmon fishing he'll be doing in a couple of weeks...but he did find a new fishing rod!
Here we are at the BC Ferry Terminal waiting for our sailing...as you can see our little car is jammed. We will be spending almost 3 weeks on Vancouver Island this time, visiting family and friends the first 2 weeks and then spending the final week at Cluxewe Resort, about 10 minutes north of Port McNeil (north Vancouver Island, about 6 hours north of Victoria). We will be tent camping...our son, Rob, is supplying the tent and port-a-potty...along with a camp stove so we can make our morning coffee. We have our own queen double-high air mattress, sleeping bags, pillows, suitcases...not to mention all of Steve's fishing paraphernalia. But we managed to get it all in!
View of Mount Baker in Washington State as we near the Swartz Bay Terminal...
Before docking, we headed down to our car a little early. We're on the top car deck and since it is open air, you are allowed to stay in your vehicle on that deck...the lower deck where the much larger vehicles go, has no openings once the gates are closed, so you cannot be down there during the sailings.
Mount Maxwell on Salt Spring Island in the distance, (You'll see it from the opposite direction later in this post.) Piers and Portland Islands in the foreground...
When we disembarked from the ferry, we headed into Sidney to pick up a few things before going to Rob and Angie's. Angie and the boys have been visiting family in Winnipeg, Manitoba for the last few weeks and arrive home later today. Rob will pick them up at the airport on his way home from work.
We didn't even hear the car pull in...but instead, a big "Gramma...Grampa!!" from Bryce as he burst into the house! They're home!
After unloading their suitcases, we sat out on the sundeck catching up...
Bryce and I...
A little picnic at Sea Glass Beach...
This is one of Bryce's favourite beaches...he loves to search for all the colourful glass and rocks.
Next was my dentist appointment. While I was gone, Steve and the boys went out for a hike on the trails around the house. Pine cone fight!
And then played a game of darts in the yard...
Tourist season is in full swing in Victoria...
We managed to get a parking spot on the street next to the IMAX theatre where we have tickets to watch Top Gun, Maverick at 7:15 p.m. We walked along the Inner Harbour, taking a few pictures. The Legislative Buildings...
The majestic Empress Hotel...
View of the lower causeway...
Royal BC Museum and IMAX Theatre...
A very busy harbour...
Must be nice!
We have dinner reservations at Milestones...just above the orange umbrellas...
Great view of Victoria's Inner Harbour from our table...
Late Wednesday (July 20) morning Steve had a dentist appointment. He has developed a terrible tooth-ache over the last few days. So when he left, Angie, Conner, Bryce and I went into Sidney to walk the waterfront.
Bad news for Steve at the dentist...he has to return at 4:30 to have his tooth extracted. Another implant added to our trip to Los Algodones, MX this winter!
Thursday (July 21) was a busy day! It started out with meeting good friends, Rob and Nancy, for breakfast at Mary's Bleue Moon Café. Steve and Rob have been buds since grade 8...
Mid afternoon, Steve and I drove into Victoria. We drove along the waterfront and saw 2 cruise ships in port...
Date night!...
The Victoria IMAX Theatre has the largest IMAX screen in BC measuring 61' high x 85' wide...and it was a great place to watch the movie. (IMAX began when a small group of Canadian experimental filmmakers came together to produce a multi-screen film installation at Expo 67 in Montreal by syncing 9 projectors together.) I was a little concerned because usually with all the hype about a movie, it ends up not being that great...well, Top Gun Maverick did not disappoint! It was great! We both really enjoyed it! We highly recommend it if you haven't already seen it.
Friday (July 22) morning we were happy to finally get together with Steve's sister, Nadine, and her husband, Mike. Last April when we were over, they were just heading out on a cruise, so it has been awhile since we have seen them. We met them for coffee at Francelli's Coffee House at Royal Oak, on the outskirts of Victoria and a good halfway point between their house and Rob's to meet.
We had a wonderful time catching up with them...
Saturday (July 23) everyone was up early...Rob, Angie and the boys doing their final pack-up as they head out on vacation for 2 weeks. We saw them off and then finished our own pack-up as we are going up to "Kyle's Cottage" at Cowichan Lake to visit good friends, Ray and Deb.
Across the road at the bottom of Rob's driveway, as we were leaving, these guys were there to wish us farewell...
We arrived at Ray and Deb's at about 12:30...plenty of time to get settled in "our" bedroom before all the guests arrive. Our room, officially known as the "Princess Room" is beautiful and always has chocolates on the pillows 😃...
Ray and daughter, Kristi, have planned a big birthday celebration for Deb's 65th birthday! Thankfully, the weather was perfect! Lots of blue sky and sunshine...
...and tents set up for shade!
All the food and drinks were set up on the patio under the deck...
Sunday (July 24) was a relaxing day. Some of the overnight guests left...and others were leaving later in the day. Laurel, Steve, Deb and I...(thanks for the photo Ray)
Captain Ray took Laurel, Steve and I out for a boat ride...
Arriving back at Ray and Deb's, the middle house...
By mid afternoon, everyone had left leaving just the 4 of us to enjoy some dock time...and a swim! We are going through quite a heat-wave and the lake is a welcome reprieve!...as is the air-conditioned house!
By late afternoon, it was time to retreat up to the deck while Deb prepared dinner...
Monday (July 25) morning the guys decided to head out fishing...while Deb and I continued to relax on the deck with our coffee.
This is the first time Ray has used his new electric downriggers...
Tuesday (July 26) morning the guys headed out fishing again...
Over to Steve again...
Ray and Deb live on the south arm of Cowichan Lake which I'm not familiar with as I've always fished the opposite end of the lake where we used to camp at the Heather Campground before full-timing in a huge rig, not conducive to rough logging roads and small sites. The lake is 30 km/19 miles long. I've often told Ray that the mouth of Shaw Creek was a great spot but it's a long way to go. Well today was the day Ray wanted to give it a try. It's close to the far end of the lake and took us about 40 minutes to get there in calm water...
Ray thought it was about 16"...
Unfortunately it shook the hook before we could net it...
Thanks for the photo Ray!
Heather Campground would be in the distance, Shaw Creek behind our wake...
Such a beautiful setting! Although they had a deck, we chose a waterfront window table inside where it was a tad bit cooler even though it wasn't air conditioned...
After lunch we drove to Maple Bay Marina. Steve and I had never been there, so it was nice to check it out.
Thankful to be back in the air-conditioned car, we headed home, stopping in town (Lake Cowichan) to check out the tubers on Cowichan River...a very popular activity in the summer time! The lake is in the distance...
Steve took a kayak out for a little paddle....
Wednesday (July 27)...and alas, time to leave this little piece of paradise! While the rest of us were enjoying our morning coffee on the deck, Steve took his drone out to capture a picture...and video of the area.
Here is the early morning 360 degree 1:22 minute video tour...
With that done, we had a quick breakfast and got ready to leave. Steve managed to get our suitcases back into the car and after big hugs, we said goodbye to Ray and Deb. Thanks so much for a fabulous time!
Our travels today are taking us further north up Vancouver Island to Royston and a visit with good friends Earl and Allison. We stopped for a break in Qualicum Beach...
The weather continues to be a scorcher...perhaps not as hot as the 'heat dome' BC experienced last summer, but still hot. However, we found some shade on Earl and Allison's front deck where it was still hot but bearable...
Remember little Cedar who we introduced last April while here? She is now 5 months old and looks totally different having had her first clipping. She's so soft and cuddly! And a real sweetheart!
Thursday (July 28) we thought we'd head up to Mt. Washington for a hike at Paradise Meadows before it got too hot. That didn't really work because it ended up still being a hot hike! Not too many pictures were taken today because we had been here last August. We did the same hike then...except today because of the heat we didn't go all the way to Battleship Lake. If interested in viewing that beautiful scenic hike, click here.
Getting back into the air-conditioned car was welcomed after our hike! We headed back down the mountain and after a brief stop at Earl and Allison's to drop Cedar off, we headed to Comox and the Blackfin Pub for lunch. It's a very popular spot overlooking the marina with distant views of the Comox Glacier. Consequently, we were unable to get a window table, but still enjoyed a great lunch in the air-conditioned restaurant! No pictures....sheesh!
That evening Earl and Steve brought the patio table from outside and set it up in the basement where it was cooler. We played a bunch of games of Rummikub...if memory serves me correctly, Earl was the big winner.
Friday (July 29) was a pretty "chill" day as we mainly stayed in the basement trying to stay cool. Allison and I did go out to do a little shopping, leaving the guys to do some computer stuff...I believe Steve showed Earl the free Video Proc video editing program he uses to edit his Go Pro/drone videos.
That evening we played more Rummikub...even letting Steve win a game or 2 LOL!
Tomorrow, we continue further up north Island for our week of tent camping with Rob, Angie, Conner and Bryce. They have been camping for the past week at a great "Pinks" Salmon fishing spot...a place that Steve is really looking forward to! So stay tuned as our vacation continues!
So glad you were able to come and spend some time with us at the lake and attend my birthday bash. Cheers with another margarita. :)
ReplyDeleteAlways a good time at Kyle's Kottage! We had a blast...thanks so much for your hospitality! Cheers!
DeleteThank you for sharing. Love Angie
ReplyDeleteOur pleasure...Stay tuned for Part 2 ❤️
DeleteWow, what a good time! The weather looks like it cooperated with you and all that water activity had to be refreshing.
ReplyDeleteThe weather was fabulous! Just thankful for the lake to jump into and the air conditioned house!
DeleteDo much fun with family ! Bummer about Steve’s tooth. What a gorgeous place your friends have on the lake!!
ReplyDeleteIt truly is a beautiful spot!
DeleteLooks like you had a wonderful time with family and friends.
ReplyDeleteA great time and the weather was fabulous!
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