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Feb 7 - 2012

The weather has been so glorious I’ve been going for walks along the river or around the campground if we don’t get out and about.  Today, Jack came back from the old farts motorcycle coffee meet, cooked up cornbeef hash and eggs on the barbecue and (once fueling was completed) we set out in search of Crescent Beach.  

It long intrigued me.  Juts out into the water on the northeast end of the bump of land that is White Rock.  Tom and Joan recommended it so off we went.  To avoid traffic we took to the country roads and ended up coming into White Rock from the south.  This town is actually at the border with the U.S. and has water on three sides. The waterfront area is basically salt water, beach or rocks, park and walking area, parking, street, dozens of eateries of huge variety.  It’s a popular touristy spot but we had no idea.  Now it is a lovely day 13 c and sunny so you expect to see people walking here.  There is a great pier to walk out on, and loads of places to soak up the sun.  But it was packed.  Bumper to bumper traffic, very few parking spots left.  Man it was crowded.  On a Tuesday afternoon on February 7th.  Old folks, folks with dogs, moms with kids and babies strapped front or back.

Was tempted by the pier, but we kept going, following Marine Drive to its end, then heading north to Crescent Beach. It’s a little forgotten end of town that obviously was once cottage heaven.  Today many of the cottages are being replaced by houses, but it still retains a sort of ramshackle look.  These homes/cottages are so tightly together than many are only reachable by alleys, but they are all well looked after.  Obviously loved.

We basically followed the road to the end and found ourselves at a lovely area - park and walkways along the shore.  From where we stood we could see across a bay to Delta, and beyond that the city of Vancouver, backed by the snow-topped mountains.  Sheer beauty.  There was a dog beach here, being used.  I think it is so civilized here, they don’t ban dogs.  Hey provide special areas for them to enjoy - thus keeping them on leashes and controlled in other areas. We spent a couple of delightful hours talking to a crab fisherman on a short wharf, walking on the beach, taking photos, watching the seabirds and trying to figure out just what we could see across the water. We found a take out/restaurant/bar on the beach.  A glass walled patio was perfect for coffee and Key Lime Cheesecake.

The temperatures are supposed to drop and the rains return tomorrow, so we delighted in today. Tomorrow we pack for our trip to Seattle with John and Chrissy.  Our motto: Seize the Moment - For Tomorrow it Could Snow!

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Feb 6 -2012

The last few days have been great fun.  John came out and had lunch with us, then we all ventured off to the big RV show in Abbotsford.  Had a lovely time picking our favourites from the amazing rigs. Some are like palaces on wheels - a little to pretentious for this chick.  The shows they put on in Abbotsford and great because they are easy to get to and bring together a big variety under one roof.  It was a fun day with John.

We thought about going back the next day, but it was so nice we opted for a drive in the country instead.  Packed a picnic, headed for Mission and then ventured a bit north of the populated areas to explore.  First stop was the Mission Golf and Country Club.  Whoeee!  So lush and green..  Next, found an area with several dams and resulting lakes and a power generating station with a lovely park area below them.  Had our picnic, strolled along the beach and just kept savouring the outdoors. I have a love of the mountains and rocks and trees and mosses and ferns (probably said that many times before).  It was quite a shock to end up back in the noisy bumper to bumper traffic of Maple Ridge, but necessary. 

You see there are only so many ways to cross the Fraser River.  A tunnel close to the coast, a couple of bridges in south Vancouver, then the Golden Ears Bridge at Maple Ridge, which takes one to Walnut Grove, which is just west of Fort Langley.  The next is further up the Fraser Valley - east of us by 45 minutes on the four-lane - at Mission.  I think the next one is at Chilliwack.  So, if you cross the Fraser you have to know how to get back to your side.  Sometimes that means heavy traffic.  Actually most of the time the bridges near Vancouver are bumper to bumper traffic - traveling at 80 to 100 km/hr.

On Saturday Sandy, our sister-in-law from Victoria came for a visit so after lunch in the RV we strolled the village of Fort Langley.  It was fun to have someone to explore the little shops with.  We really played tourist.  Poked around in antique shops, gift shops and such before heading in to Langley for supper at a Portugese restaurant.  Sunday we did a buffet breakfast, then a country drive and a lovely couple of hours wandering the Fort Langley National Historic Site.  This fort is the birthplace of British Columbia.  It was a Hudson Bay Company outpost in the 1800s.  Set up by the British for fur trading and laying claim to the land that was to become British Columbia. French voyageurs, native peoples and Hawaiians (yup really) all played roles in the settlement.  Fascinating history all interpreted by costumed players.  This Historic Site is the only one open 365 days a year and there is something going on all the time.  It’s a real part of the community.  We wrapped up Sandy’s visit with ice cream at the local 50s diner.  One of our favourite places.

This is a very pleasant way to spend life.  Went for a lovely walk along the river today. Met a fellow camper and got to talking about birds.  The jays were kicking up a racket this am when I went for my bathroom run.  We got to talk about the Blue Jays of home, compared to the Stellar Jays here.  Turns out he and his wife are from Scott’s Bay, Nova Scotia doing the same thing as we are - wintering in this milder climate.  We have a mutual friend.  They are heading back about the same time as we will.

We’ve met a real variety of people here and had lots of discussions about the Rving life.  Enlightening!

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Feb 6 -2012

The last few days have been great fun.  John came out and had lunch with us, then we all ventured off to the big RV show in Abbotsford.  Had a lovely time picking our favourites from the amazing rigs. Some are like palaces on wheels - a little to pretentious for this chick.  The shows they put on in Abbotsford and great because they are easy to get to and bring together a big variety under one roof.  It was a fun day with John.

We thought about going back the next day, but it was so nice we opted for a drive in the country instead.  Packed a picnic, headed for Mission and then ventured a bit north of the populated areas to explore.  First stop was the Mission Golf and Country Club.  Whoeee!  So lush and green..  Next, found an area with several dams and resulting lakes and a power generating station with a lovely park area below them.  Had our picnic, strolled along the beach and just kept savouring the outdoors. I have a love of the mountains and rocks and trees and mosses and ferns (probably said that many times before).  It was quite a shock to end up back in the noisy bumper to bumper traffic of Maple Ridge, but necessary. 

You see there are only so many ways to cross the Fraser River.  A tunnel close to the coast, a couple of bridges in south Vancouver, then the Golden Ears Bridge at Maple Ridge, which takes one to Walnut Grove, which is just west of Fort Langley.  The next is further up the Fraser Valley - east of us by 45 minutes on the four-lane - at Mission.  I think the next one is at Chilliwack.  So, if you cross the Fraser you have to know how to get back to your side.  Sometimes that means heavy traffic.  Actually most of the time the bridges near Vancouver are bumper to bumper traffic - traveling at 80 to 100 km/hr.

On Saturday Sandy, our sister-in-law from Victoria came for a visit so after lunch in the RV we strolled the village of Fort Langley.  It was fun to have someone to explore the little shops with.  We really played tourist.  Poked around in antique shops, gift shops and such before heading in to Langley for supper at a Portugese restaurant.  Sunday we did a buffet breakfast, then a country drive and a lovely couple of hours wandering the Fort Langley National Historic Site.  This fort is the birthplace of British Columbia.  It was a Hudson Bay Company outpost in the 1800s.  Set up by the British for fur trading and laying claim to the land that was to become British Columbia. French voyageurs, native peoples and Hawaiians (yup really) all played roles in the settlement.  Fascinating history all interpreted by costumed players.  This Historic Site is the only one open 365 days a year and there is something going on all the time.  It’s a real part of the community.  We wrapped up Sandy’s visit with ice cream at the local 50s diner.  One of our favourite places.

This is a very pleasant way to spend life.  Went for a lovely walk along the river today. Met a fellow camper and got to talking about birds.  The jays were kicking up a racket this am when I went for my bathroom run.  We got to talk about the Blue Jays of home, compared to the Stellar Jays here.  Turns out he and his wife are from Scott’s Bay, Nova Scotia doing the same thing as we are - wintering in this milder climate.  We have a mutual friend.  They are heading back about the same time as we will.

We’ve met a real variety of people here and had lots of discussions about the Rving life.  Enlightening!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Feb 6 -2012

The last few days have been great fun.  John came out and had lunch with us, then we all ventured off to the big RV show in Abbotsford.  Had a lovely time picking our favourites from the amazing rigs. Some are like palaces on wheels - a little to pretentious for this chick.  The shows they put on in Abbotsford and great because they are easy to get to and bring together a big variety under one roof.  It was a fun day with John.

We thought about going back the next day, but it was so nice we opted for a drive in the country instead.  Packed a picnic, headed for Mission and then ventured a bit north of the populated areas to explore.  First stop was the Mission Golf and Country Club.  Whoeee!  So lush and green..  Next, found an area with several dams and resulting lakes and a power generating station with a lovely park area below them.  Had our picnic, strolled along the beach and just kept savouring the outdoors. I have a love of the mountains and rocks and trees and mosses and ferns (probably said that many times before).  It was quite a shock to end up back in the noisy bumper to bumper traffic of Maple Ridge, but necessary. 

You see there are only so many ways to cross the Fraser River.  A tunnel close to the coast, a couple of bridges in south Vancouver, then the Golden Ears Bridge at Maple Ridge, which takes one to Walnut Grove, which is just west of Fort Langley.  The next is further up the Fraser Valley - east of us by 45 minutes on the four-lane - at Mission.  I think the next one is at Chilliwack.  So, if you cross the Fraser you have to know how to get back to your side.  Sometimes that means heavy traffic.  Actually most of the time the bridges near Vancouver are bumper to bumper traffic - traveling at 80 to 100 km/hr.

On Saturday Sandy, our sister-in-law from Victoria came for a visit so after lunch in the RV we strolled the village of Fort Langley.  It was fun to have someone to explore the little shops with.  We really played tourist.  Poked around in antique shops, gift shops and such before heading in to Langley for supper at a Portugese restaurant.  Sunday we did a buffet breakfast, then a country drive and a lovely couple of hours wandering the Fort Langley National Historic Site.  This fort is the birthplace of British Columbia.  It was a Hudson Bay Company outpost in the 1800s.  Set up by the British for fur trading and laying claim to the land that was to become British Columbia. French voyageurs, native peoples and Hawaiians (yup really) all played roles in the settlement.  Fascinating history all interpreted by costumed players.  This Historic Site is the only one open 365 days a year and there is something going on all the time.  It’s a real part of the community.  We wrapped up Sandy’s visit with ice cream at the local 50s diner.  One of our favourite places.

This is a very pleasant way to spend life.  Went for a lovely walk along the river today. Met a fellow camper and got to talking about birds.  The jays were kicking up a racket this am when I went for my bathroom run.  We got to talk about the Blue Jays of home, compared to the Stellar Jays here.  Turns out he and his wife are from Scott’s Bay, Nova Scotia doing the same thing as we are - wintering in this milder climate.  We have a mutual friend.  They are heading back about the same time as we will.

We’ve met a real variety of people here and had lots of discussions about the Rving life.  Enlightening!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Feb 6 -2012

The last few days have been great fun.  John came out and had lunch with us, then we all ventured off to the big RV show in Abbotsford.  Had a lovely time picking our favourites from the amazing rigs. Some are like palaces on wheels - a little to pretentious for this chick.  The shows they put on in Abbotsford and great because they are easy to get to and bring together a big variety under one roof.  It was a fun day with John.

We thought about going back the next day, but it was so nice we opted for a drive in the country instead.  Packed a picnic, headed for Mission and then ventured a bit north of the populated areas to explore.  First stop was the Mission Golf and Country Club.  Whoeee!  So lush and green..  Next, found an area with several dams and resulting lakes and a power generating station with a lovely park area below them.  Had our picnic, strolled along the beach and just kept savouring the outdoors. I have a love of the mountains and rocks and trees and mosses and ferns (probably said that many times before).  It was quite a shock to end up back in the noisy bumper to bumper traffic of Maple Ridge, but necessary. 

You see there are only so many ways to cross the Fraser River.  A tunnel close to the coast, a couple of bridges in south Vancouver, then the Golden Ears Bridge at Maple Ridge, which takes one to Walnut Grove, which is just west of Fort Langley.  The next is further up the Fraser Valley - east of us by 45 minutes on the four-lane - at Mission.  I think the next one is at Chilliwack.  So, if you cross the Fraser you have to know how to get back to your side.  Sometimes that means heavy traffic.  Actually most of the time the bridges near Vancouver are bumper to bumper traffic - traveling at 80 to 100 km/hr.

On Saturday Sandy, our sister-in-law from Victoria came for a visit so after lunch in the RV we strolled the village of Fort Langley.  It was fun to have someone to explore the little shops with.  We really played tourist.  Poked around in antique shops, gift shops and such before heading in to Langley for supper at a Portugese restaurant.  Sunday we did a buffet breakfast, then a country drive and a lovely couple of hours wandering the Fort Langley National Historic Site.  This fort is the birthplace of British Columbia.  It was a Hudson Bay Company outpost in the 1800s.  Set up by the British for fur trading and laying claim to the land that was to become British Columbia. French voyageurs, native peoples and Hawaiians (yup really) all played roles in the settlement.  Fascinating history all interpreted by costumed players.  This Historic Site is the only one open 365 days a year and there is something going on all the time.  It’s a real part of the community.  We wrapped up Sandy’s visit with ice cream at the local 50s diner.  One of our favourite places.

This is a very pleasant way to spend life.  Went for a lovely walk along the river today. Met a fellow camper and got to talking about birds.  The jays were kicking up a racket this am when I went for my bathroom run.  We got to talk about the Blue Jays of home, compared to the Stellar Jays here.  Turns out he and his wife are from Scott’s Bay, Nova Scotia doing the same thing as we are - wintering in this milder climate.  We have a mutual friend.  They are heading back about the same time as we will.

We’ve met a real variety of people here and had lots of discussions about the Rving life.  Enlightening!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Feb 6 -2012

The last few days have been great fun.  John came out and had lunch with us, then we all ventured off to the big RV show in Abbotsford.  Had a lovely time picking our favourites from the amazing rigs. Some are like palaces on wheels - a little to pretentious for this chick.  The shows they put on in Abbotsford and great because they are easy to get to and bring together a big variety under one roof.  It was a fun day with John.

We thought about going back the next day, but it was so nice we opted for a drive in the country instead.  Packed a picnic, headed for Mission and then ventured a bit north of the populated areas to explore.  First stop was the Mission Golf and Country Club.  Whoeee!  So lush and green..  Next, found an area with several dams and resulting lakes and a power generating station with a lovely park area below them.  Had our picnic, strolled along the beach and just kept savouring the outdoors. I have a love of the mountains and rocks and trees and mosses and ferns (probably said that many times before).  It was quite a shock to end up back in the noisy bumper to bumper traffic of Maple Ridge, but necessary. 

You see there are only so many ways to cross the Fraser River.  A tunnel close to the coast, a couple of bridges in south Vancouver, then the Golden Ears Bridge at Maple Ridge, which takes one to Walnut Grove, which is just west of Fort Langley.  The next is further up the Fraser Valley - east of us by 45 minutes on the four-lane - at Mission.  I think the next one is at Chilliwack.  So, if you cross the Fraser you have to know how to get back to your side.  Sometimes that means heavy traffic.  Actually most of the time the bridges near Vancouver are bumper to bumper traffic - traveling at 80 to 100 km/hr.

On Saturday Sandy, our sister-in-law from Victoria came for a visit so after lunch in the RV we strolled the village of Fort Langley.  It was fun to have someone to explore the little shops with.  We really played tourist.  Poked around in antique shops, gift shops and such before heading in to Langley for supper at a Portugese restaurant.  Sunday we did a buffet breakfast, then a country drive and a lovely couple of hours wandering the Fort Langley National Historic Site.  This fort is the birthplace of British Columbia.  It was a Hudson Bay Company outpost in the 1800s.  Set up by the British for fur trading and laying claim to the land that was to become British Columbia. French voyageurs, native peoples and Hawaiians (yup really) all played roles in the settlement.  Fascinating history all interpreted by costumed players.  This Historic Site is the only one open 365 days a year and there is something going on all the time.  It’s a real part of the community.  We wrapped up Sandy’s visit with ice cream at the local 50s diner.  One of our favourite places.

This is a very pleasant way to spend life.  Went for a lovely walk along the river today. Met a fellow camper and got to talking about birds.  The jays were kicking up a racket this am when I went for my bathroom run.  We got to talk about the Blue Jays of home, compared to the Stellar Jays here.  Turns out he and his wife are from Scott’s Bay, Nova Scotia doing the same thing as we are - wintering in this milder climate.  We have a mutual friend.  They are heading back about the same time as we will.

We’ve met a real variety of people here and had lots of discussions about the Rving life.  Enlightening!

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Hard to believe its been almost 3 weeks since I posted onto this blog.  Amazing how day after day passes by.  Yet, a lot has been happening.

Just days after my last post Jack and I went to the big Motorcycle Show held each year in Abbotsford.  He was in seventh heaven.  Met our friend Rob there, a couple of other people he knows and got to pretend he was shopping for a new bike, or the various bits and pieces that seem to be necessary to enjoy riding a motorcycle.  He managed to leave with a fancy, smantzy new riding jacket.  I gave the show a quick walk through, then found a quiet corner and read my book.

One of the other things on our agenda for this time in BC was to check out the living situation.  For several years we have been dithering between going Rving full time which means buying a bigger RV, or keeping the Rialta and keeping a home base.  The question is PEI or BC?  Apartment or buy a place? What are our options?  So we devoted some time to doing some research into what housing options there are.  And whether we could live 12 months a year in an RV.

There are so many things to consider that the research is quite time concerning. We have visited many RV dealers, and gone out with real estate agents. We have also checked in to things like insurance, medical and taxes.  The cost of things here vs PEI.   Amazingly we have found an option that might work for us.  Haven’t made any firm decisions yet.  Need to finish this trip, figure out medical stuff and not make a rush decision about anything.

The research has been fun.  We have explored the Fraser Valley and discovered some wonderful places.  Among my favourite discoveries:

- River road - west out of Fort Langley it follows the river, passing through blue berry fields, cranberry bogs and vineyards to an area that is a linear park alongside the Fraser River.  Last week we spotted at least 6 beautiful eagles in the trees right above us.  Also saw a stork up top of a big old dead tree.  The land is flat along the river, with numerous and varied farms, but to the south rises abruptly to another plateau of sorts.  The up road is steep and twisty, wild with beautiful trees and plants.  Its quite a transition.  Across the river the mountains rise up, appearing closer than they are.  The snow caped mountains are beautiful.

- ‘0' road.  This road runs right along the border with Washington State. I get a kick out of the fact that there is a road, 10-12' with a ditch in the middle and another road.  One road is Canada, the other the U.S.A.  No fences, just a market every mile or two and every so often a border crossing. Again some of the scenery is fantastic.

In the course of all of this we have enjoyed a stint of wonderful weather.  Sun shining, temperature creeping up so that it is now 10-13 degrees in the afternoons.  We visited friends the other day in Langley.  She is an avid gardener - he is a 75+ motorcycle enthusiast. They have a lovely home where spring was evident.  Two flowering shrubs/trees were in flower so she had sprigs on the table in her sun room.  One was an olive bush - smelled divine, the other an ornamental tree that looked like it had been transplanted from Japan.  The yellow flowers were beautiful.  Pussy Willows are out. But best of all - the grass is green.  It has been green since we got here in November but now it’s a lush spring, vibrant green.  I love green.

On that happy note, its time to say bye for now.  Hope everyone is having as enjoyable winter as we are.

Julie

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Remember the old adage, be careful what you wish for?  Well I used to say I wanted to experience winter camping.  Well, I have.  And I must say, go ahead a wish.  This ain’t half bad.  In fact its kind of neat.  Of course defining living in an RV - even a small one like ours - can hardly be defined as camping.  So here are our observations:

- thank heavens Jack decided to insulate the bottom of the RV and we have a skirt all the way round. It went down to -11 C last night. The floors are chilly, but none of the pipes froze.  John and Chrissy gave us some carpeting which helps our feet.  We do get cold feet sitting at the table, but is usually one foot and redirecting the heat from small heater usually fixes it.

- Having a supply of easy to prepare food on hand is smart, but most easy store foods create a lot of garbage: jars, boxes, tins, plastic tubs. Figure out a storing garbage for a few days plan.

- When stocking up before a storm think about nourishing he brain as much as the belly.  Reading material, some movies, supplies for your hobby.

- Clear your calendar.  If you don’t feel like you should be somewhere it’s a lot easier to sit back and enjoy.

- Have an alternate to electricity to keep you warm and to cook with.  We have propane for both if we need it.  Sure takes the worry element out of things.

- buy several pairs of cheap gloves.  It didn’t seem to matter where we were the gloves were somewhere else.  Keep some in the RV, by the dooras well as in the car.  When I head out at 6:30 am, I truly appreciate gloves.  You will be thankful when the time comes when you have to scrap the snow and ice off the car.

- If you don’t have winter boots then think which shoes you can afford to get wet, which ones will have some traction on the ice, and which will keep your feet warm.  Jack and I usually wear rubber clog things to shower but he quickly learned snow comes through the cut outs and is COLD!!

- Ice collects where you step out of your RV.  Its whereyou step, pack down snow, polish it and then water collects there and freezes.  Just is.  Having something to melt it or chip it with is a good thing.

Aside from all that - take joy in the beauty of a snowfall.  Savour the relax/down time.  How rare it is to have time to read, watch a daytime movie, or just gaze out of the window.

Julie

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January 17th - Fort Langley, BC

Just opened the door on the RV to take some pictures of the beautiful snow covered landscape.  Didn’t put my foot down though.  We have several inches of new snow, just came down over the past hour, on top of the six or so inches that we already had.  Yup, winter has hit Fort Langley, and it ain’t finished yet.  Forecast is snow, or at least flurries at least till the weekend.

The difference between snow here and home is basically the temperature.  Here in the Fraser Valley, aka, lower mainland of British Columbia, the temperature hovers between -3 and +8 C at this time of year.  Now, when the media is rattling on about the “frigid temperatures and terrible conditions” it is +2 during the day and drops to -2 at night.  So its lovely to be outside.  People here don’t prepare for snow, and frankly haven’t got a clue how to drive in it.  So it is safest to stay off the roads.  Or, drive very defensively.

Jack and I are enjoying this as a quiet time.  We knew the storm was coming.  This is the Pacific coast where they see weather patterns developing and give lots of warning.  We came back to Fort Langley on Thursday.  Stocked the fridge and cupboards on Friday and ensured we have lots to do.  I came home with lots of reading material courtesy of my sister-in-law and her family. Fourth reader of pocket novels which I will pass along to the fifth readers when I am done with them. 

Have also had some work (articles to write) come in which I need to do, emails to catch up on, bookkeeping stuff to do.............the list of chores needing to be done multiplies to fill available time.

Being in an RV during a winter snow dump in BC is as satisfying to the soul as being storm-stayed back in PEI.  There are no expectations that you go anywhere or do anything. Keeping warm and cozy, relaxing, veging out; are the expected order of the day.  Lovely as long as the bread and water hold out.

One of my most exciting events this week is getting new software for photo handling, and putting my photos onto an external hard drive.  John came out and gave me lessons on Sunday and helped both myself and Jack with some upgrading.  I went from having no available space on my computer to the point where it struggled to shut down to having 53 free space.  Computer works so much better.  It is wonderful.

On that note, its time to shut out the world.  Once its dark the inside lights put us on display like a TV in the woods!  I hate to close the blinds because it is like a Christmas card out there. Lights in the little buildings are glowing gold against the freshly fallen snow.  Beautiful. And the dark skies are a reminder to go get supper.

Till next time!

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January 10th - Jack went off to meet with the historical fire fighters engine restoration enthusiasts and Sandy and I did the tour of Victoria and the southern coast of the Island that is such a popular driving tour.  This route takes one along Marine and Beach drives, right along the rocky shore and popular beach areas.  Lovely with the views of Washington State across the water, dozens of people out enjoying the sun shine and such.  And, of course, the fabulous millionaire homes and gardens.  We spent the entire day out playing sightseeing tourist.

Highlight of my day was the daffodils and gerber daisies out in full bloom, the sun shine and driving the beautiful areas with the windows down.  Took loads of photos so if it turns grey and dismal, or snows or whatever, I can just sit and gaze at my pictures.  There is a storm building off-shore so we will be heading back to the mainland soon.  Can’t take a chance on missing the big motorcycle show in Abbotsford next week.

More next time

January 9th and the magnolia trees are almost in bloom.  The buds are fat and pink, looking like a warm day will see them burst into full flower.  Victoria, and Vancouver Island, are among my favourite places.  I always feel at home here. Jack is out and about with his buddy Bob a lot.  I spend time with Sandy, but find myself longing to get out to explore and enjoy nature.

Today I finally got for my visit to the beach. The Lagoon near the Fort Rodd historical site is popular place. Ocean on one side then a narrow beach backed by piles of logs and driftwood, a parking area, road and the lagoon - a small lake? - on the other.  People come here for a taste of nature, a walk, to feed the birds and, I swear, to breath the salty moist air.  Its wonderful. Our visit was, as usual a short one. Jack pulled to the side of the road so I could take pictures of ducks, geese. Didn’t turn the car off.  Then we went a bit further and he pulled onto the other side, near the logs.  Got out an actually walked down to the beach (maybe 20 feet) for a few “I was here” photos, then back in the car.  I called for a stop a bit further on to photograph some swans and we were off.  It was chilly, so I let that happen, but really regretted not spending more time just enjoying the place.

Oh, before the beach I finally got to check my emails - at McDonalds.  We also lunched at 6-Mile Pub today.  Something I’ve wanted to do for years.  It’s the oldest pub in British Columbia and a wonderful place in its own right.  Food was a bit ho-hum - bad choices I think. But the ambiance is worth the visit.  Mark 6-Mile off my list.  List of places I want to experience is long!!!