Wednesday, December 20 to Thursday, December 21, 2023 (Kyle's Kottage, Lake Cowichan, BC)

We had the car packed and were on the road by 10:00 Wednesday (Dec. 20) morning. We are heading down island...with a stop for 2 nights at Ray and Deb's in Lake Cowichan. They have been "down south" since late September and have flown home for the Christmas Season, leaving their motorhome in Mesa. 

They absolutely love Christmas and their home is beautifully decorated. I had seen pictures before, but seeing it in person was jaw-dropping! Every time I looked around, I found something that I hadn't seen before...so much to take in! A lot of work for them, but they really enjoy it...

Ray loves Christmas Villages and has two set up...

Steve took a 33 second video of the other one...amazing!

Steve took this picture from the upper loft, looking down...

Deb had made a charcuterie board, along with a few appetizers for lunch...which was perfect because she has a turkey smoking on the Traeger for dinner tonight!

After munching and chatting for awhile, Ray, Steve and I went out for a walk in the campground next door to their community...nice to get a little exercise! Poor Deb has been battling a bad cold and although she is mostly over it, she is not yet "up to snuff", so she stayed behind.

Turkey is ready...just needs to rest for a bit...

...while I give Deb a hand getting the sides ready...

Time to sit down to a turkey dinner with all the trimmings...delicious!

Thursday (Dec. 21) we all piled into Ray and Deb's rental car and headed to Chemainus, a community about 30 minutes east of here on the coast. Founded as an unincorporated logging town in 1858, Chemainus is now famous for its 53 outdoor murals. This outdoor gallery has given birth to many businesses, including a theatre, antiques dealers, and eateries. The tourist industry stemming from the murals helped rejuvenate the town after its large sawmill closed in the early 1980s and was replaced by a smaller, more efficient, mill.

We wandered up and down the main street of this quaint little town, checking out various stores and of course, some of the many murals.

Chemainus Theatre on the far left...

Beautiful waterwheel...

Getting a new roof...

After about an hour and a half wandering around, we were back at the car. I don't think we have ever stopped in Chemainus and just wandered the streets...they've done a great job making it quite a tourist hotspot in summertime. We will have to return at some point as that was only 11 of the 53 murals!

Lunch was at the Sawmill Taphouse...

A good meal with great company!

That evening, Deb and Ray introduced us to a new game called 'Mille Bornes'. It took a little for Steve and I to get the hang of it but once we did, it was fun!

It has been a wonderful 2 days with Deb and Ray...but tomorrow it's time to continue down island to Rob and Angie's place where we will be celebrating Christmas. Chris, Angela and Isaac are coming over from Vancouver too. It will be the first time our whole family will be together for Christmas since 2016...before Isaac was born! So looking forward to it! 

Thanks for your hospitality once again Ray and Deb...always great getting together! Enjoy the sunshine and save travels on your return to Mesa.