travel

On our way to Vancouver Island

October 16, 2017 — Leave a comment

October 12, 2017

After a short visit in Airdrie AB with John we once again packed up our pets and headed out on the last leg of our journey to Vancouver Island. I wasn’t too keen on driving thru the mountains (and the city of Vancouver at night) so John graciously helped us out by driving my car. The trip was long and it was good I was not driving as it freed me up to navigate. We caught the 8:15 ferry at Tsawwassen arriving at Duke Point just 15 minutes north of Chemainus at 10:15.  We were all pretty happy to reach our destination.

 

October 13, 2017

We started the day visiting the building site and giving John the opportunity to meet our builder Dan and check out the new neighbourhood.  We then took John on a whirlwind tour of the area. We ended the evening with supper, some laughs and a few brews at the Saltair Pub which is an old English style pub nearby.

On October 14 we said goodbye to John at the Nanaimo Airport.  I am so glad John was with us to witness the arrival to our new home, this made it even more special! Thanks John for being there with us and we can’t wait until you can come back to spend a bit more time on the Island.

Building a Basement/Trip to the Coast

October 10, 2017 — 1 Comment

Journalizing the Build

Week of October 1 to 9, 2017

This week basement work continued on the site, the forms should be finished next week with the concrete poured Friday or the following Monday.

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Saturday October 7, 2017

Said goodbye to Regina, packed up both cars with luggage and pets and headed for Airdrie AB. The drive was long as we made a few more stops for the pets. Both the cat and dog travelled very well, in fact I think Kitty actually enjoyed it! When we got to John’s she settled right in like it was home.

 

Sunday October 9, 2017

Happy Thanksgiving!
What a great Thanksgiving this year! Thanks for an amazing evening and delicious roast beef supper with Kyla, Andre and his Mom Joanne on Friday, and lunch along with multiple visits with Matthew. Then off to Airdrie for supper (and a stay over) with John and Caleb. Thanks to John for making the best turkey I have ever tasted. Thanks also to Sheila Melnyk for the tasty cabbage roll dish and Kim for the beautiful pie. Jim and I are so thankful (and lucky) to have such a wonderful family!

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Heading for the Island!

March 26, 2017 — 7 Comments

Posted by Wanda

Jim and I are flying out next Wednesday (March 29th) to Vancouver Island to meet with the builder and the designer. We have been working with the designer (long distance, via email) and we believe we are getting pretty close to nailing down the final design. I bought this amazing design software (which Kyla found online, thanks Kyla!) and have been able to send them fairly detailed and accurate plan ideas. I do however rely on the designer and builder to ensure they meet code, the island is in an earthquake zone so they have stringent building requirements.

Here’s what we have come up with so far. Included with the floor plan are just a few 3D screenshots, and yes I know there is no ceiling on them :).

 

Upstairs Floor plan.
Living dining area (front of house)
Sunroom off the master bedroom.
Master bedroom.
View of sunroom from master bedroom door.
Kitchen with pantry (sliding door, left wall).
Laundry room.

West Coast Motorcycle Rides – The Circle Route

August 28, 2016 — Leave a comment

By Wanda and Jim

West Coast Rides! So many places to explore on and off a bike. Both Wanda and myself are looking forward to doing Vancouver Island and the coast on a motorcycle. One of the first routes that comes to mind is one we took in our car with the kids about 10 years back.

The Circle Route

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The Circle Route takes us from our starting point near Chemainus, north to Courtenay/Comox Terminal, a ferry trip across the Salish sea to the Powell River on the mainland.

Powell River
Sunshine Coast

Travelling south on the beautiful Sunshine Coast highway you hug the coastline taking in the stunning views.  At Saltery Bay Terminal you catch a second ferry which takes you across the inlet to land at the Earls Cove Terminal. Hop on the Sunshine Coast highway again going through Sechelt and Gibsons (where the Beachcombers series was filmed, stop an have a coffee or lunch at Molly’s Reach, it’s still there).

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Molly’s Reach at Gibsons BC

After hanging out with “Relic” for awhile you make your way to the third ferry crossing at Langdale Terminal and land at Horseshoe Bay Terminal. Highway #1 will take you into West Vancouver (if you take a short detour at this point you can also check out the Capilano Suspension Bridge).

Back on route takes you to Stanley Park, leaving the park by Burrand St Bridge you can stop at the Grandville Island Public Market and once you’ve stocked up on fresh fruit and veggies or maybe stopped to have a great meal on the wharf, make your way to Tsawwassan Terminal.

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Stanley Park Seawall.

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Granville Public Market

Here you have a choice to go back to Chemainus via Duke Point or check out the Gulf  Islands by landing instead at Long Harbour on Salt Spring Island.  Head home via your final ferry ride from the Vesuvius Terminal to Crofton Vancouver Island and the short ride home.

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Back to Chemainus

bestbikingroads.com

“Winters on the island”

July 25, 2016 — Leave a comment

Posted by Jim

We spent January 2016 on the Island enjoying the hospitality of our good friends Carl and Janine and their lovely suite. Although we were greeted by a wet snowfall on arrival, it was minor in volume and only lasted a day or two before the green grass became fully visible again. It was unusual to see Palm trees (which grow here) weighted down with the wet snow. This was the only snowfall we experienced during our stay here.

The climate is quite temperate here with the temperature range quite narrow in the winter. We experienced high temperatures of 5-10 degrees C in January, but the lows rarely went below 0.

While many days were cloudy and drizzly, the scenery was so different than what we are used to at this time of year. I have a simple saying to describe it: green and clean, vibrant and alive! With the wetter conditions, the flora and fauna always looks its best, giving everything an effervescence that’s a joy to experience over the winter season. The roads and vehicles are always clean, and with the mild weather people are out and about, compared to the hibernation effect provided by a Prairie winter. In Sask. I don’t see my neighbours for 4 months!

As we mentioned earlier snowfall is rare in the low coastal areas of the island, so driving is seldom inhibited by road conditions, or visibility concerns, except for, at times, some foggy conditions. Winter travelling in most of Canada usually requires caution and pre-planning, along with a winter survival kit on the Prairies. On the island we found that we were able to enjoy the outdoors or travel in the dead of winter without the typical concerns of driving on dangerous roads, or being subjected to freezing conditions. “Bundling up” on VI is simply putting on a sweater or rain jacket.

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Winter activities are much easier in the mild climate. Walking and hiking are possible every day, and on sunny days we saw people golfing in shorts. Cycling, motorcycling, sailing and boating are year-round pleasures.

Cycling is especially prevalent on the island as in can be done year around. This also applies to motorcycling too so Wanda and I really look forward to an extended season of riding.

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If I could only use one word to describe winters in VI, it would be “gentle”. While we may get nostalgic and miss the beauty of a fresh snowfall, an enjoyable Christmas trip back to the prairies or a short trek to the mountains will remedy that.

Chemainus – Summer Time (Part One)

July 23, 2016 — Leave a comment

Posted by Wanda

Most of our time on the island we found ourselves touring, trying to find that perfect place to spend our retirement years. There are so many beautiful places on VI, but the more we explored the more our thoughts kept coming back to Chemainus. We found ourselves always comparing the places we explored across the island to Chemainus. Once we realized this, the decision was made. I would like to share with you the first in a series of posts featuring just a few of the highlights attracting us to the area and this wonderful community .

The Summer season and Canada Day!

In the summer this town is abuzz with tourists and Chemainus welcomes them with open arms. The season is full of events attended by both locals and their tourist guests. On our last visit we were lucky enough to be here to participate in the July 1st Canada Day celebrations. It was well attended by young and old alike!

Chemainus Events 2016

Interesting VI Facts: “A Divers Dream”

July 22, 2016 — Leave a comment

Posted by Wanda

January 14th, 2006 a retired Canadian Airlines Boeing 737 200 was sunk in Stuart Channel just off the coast of Chemainus, British Columbia. It is now an artificial reef for marine life and in use for divers to enjoy. Rescue teams are also seen practicing at the site.

Links:

Boeing 737 Artificial Reef

Artificial Reef Society of BC

Divemaster.ca

 

Video Links:

You tube 2006 News story

2010 Dive showing the marine life inhabiting the plane