Chris, Angela and Isaac won't get here until tonight, but we pretty well had everything ready yesterday. So today, it was just odds and ends...and other routine stuff. Luckily the hot spell has broken and cooler temperatures are coming in today. It will still be warm, though...with cooler night temps which will make sleeping in the tent nicer.
They were taking the 3:15 p.m. ferry from the mainland (Vancouver) to Duke Point (Nanaimo) ...unfortunately, it was 45 minutes late leaving, and with the hour and a half drive up to Courtenay, it was 7:40 when they pulled in.
After big hugs, we got right to work setting up their tent before it got dark. I must say it has to be one of the most difficult tents to put together! But we did it and then got our double-high queen bed inflated and made up. Unfortunately, the air mattress they brought for Isaac didn't hold air, so Steve and Chris had to make a quick trip to Walmart for a new one. Here is Isaac testing out his new bed for the next 4 nights...
Angela's aunt is in Campbell River, so Friday (Aug. 18) afternoon they were going to stop by for a visit. We all decided to go up there, go to Elk Falls...then out for lunch. After that, the kids can go visiting and we will go home. We took both cars...the guys with Chris and Angela with me. It was such a beautiful day! Steve took this shot of a whale made from driftwood as they drove along the waterfront near Campbell River...
Looking back at the first set of stairs we came down...
One final picture...
On our way to lunch, we stopped and went for a short walk on Thunderbird Spit. This is Chadwick the Cougar made from driftwood...
Smoke from the wildfire in Strathcona Provincial Park...
We wanted to go to the Riptide Marine Pub, our favourite waterfront restaurant in Campbell River, but unfortunately Isaac could not go in (have to be 19 or over), so we went next door to Moxie's...still on the waterfront and they welcome kids. We enjoyed a delicious early birthday lunch for Steve...thanks so much, Chris and Angela! Unfortunately, no picture taken.
After lunch, we left Chris, Angela and Isaac to go visit Angela's aunt and we headed home. It gave me time to make lasagne for dinner.
Saturday (August 19) was another busy day! We started off with a hike to Nymph Falls. Another bench for Isaac (too funny!)...
...and then it was S'mores time!
Sunday (August 20) morning we started off with a walk down to the river. The number of salmon we saw absolutely blew us away! These are Pinks or Humpbacks.
A 1:04 minute video of the swirling schools of fish...
There's Isaac trying to escape the picture again...too funny!
Isaac trying out the hanging lounge chair...
Don and Isaac "striking the pose" LOL...
There's that view again...it certainly isn't as smokey here!
Back home, the folks across the road from us had left, so Steve set up the Core Crash game while Angela and I made a quick trip into town for a couple of groceries.
Angela and I joined them and we enjoyed a couple of games. Here is Isaac taking his turn (he got to stand much closer to the pegs 😊)...
Hot shot Angela was amazing at the game for a first timer, after nailing the '10' peg in the distance, three times in a row then the '11' to win!
Monday (August 21) morning and time to pack up the tent and car. Chris made reservations on the 3:15 ferry back to the mainland...plenty of time to check out Coombs on the way.
The cornerstone of Coombs is the famous Old Country Market with goats on the roof...
The Old Country Market started as a roadside stand providing fresh produce to travellers heading to the west coast of Vancouver Island. Over the years it has evolved and grown into a landmark of Coombs, with gifts, groceries, great food, and goats… on the roof!
Steve and I wandered down the road a little way to see what there was...this beautiful mural is on the side of The Coombs Dutch Wooden Shoe Import Store...
Tuesday (Aug. 22)...and time to get back into our usual routine. We did our usual resistance exercises, a walk around the airpark...and then Steve edited pictures while I did a load of laundry. When he was done, I started working on blog updates while he headed out for a walk to find a trail that goes along the river on the other side of the bridge.
Steve here: I came back after quite a long hike, having checked out the many fishing areas with plans to try my luck fishing in the morning. No matter where you look there are salmon everywhere!
Wednesday (Aug. 23) morning, as planned, I headed out just before 8:00 over the bridge to the other side of the river with my fishing gear, including my GoPro camera. It was frustrating for the first 15 minutes with so many fish swimming by and not a bite. Then I got my first fish on! Ten minutes later I got my second fish, but it broke my rod so I was done by 8:50. Still a great morning though! My trout nets are too small for these fish so I think it's time to get a larger one for salmon.
A 4:36 minute video...
Later on I decided to take my GoPro to where the Tsolum River meets with the Puntledge River to get some underwater video...1:36 minutes
After lunch we did a hike at Nymph Falls to see if the salmon were jumping up the fish ladders. We never saw a fish so I guess they aren't this far up the river yet.
And that concludes a very busy couple of weeks!
