Hot Long Weekend

It's the Canada Day Long Weekend

once again.

Tomorrow our town will be hosting 

it's annual Canada Day Parade

As with most community parades

there will be 

horses

seniors

flags

And kids on bikes.

Looking forward to tomorrow.

I think we might need to find a different spot on the route

as each years pictures

look much

like the

year before

Home Again

All great adventures must come to a close.

After a brief delay in Vancouver

Hannah and I arrived home very early Friday morning.

I'm still feeling a little punch drunk from the time change

and two weeks of constant movement,

but I still wanted to share these last three images from

Gabriola Island

The beach at Sandwell Provincial Park

Shells on a long, Drumbeg Provincial Park

This most lovely dedication of a bench, obviously for

a couple who admired the peace, view and calm of this place

as much as they loved each other.

Vancouver in the rain

It seems to rain in Vancouver.

hahaha

I got the guided tour to some of the more

interesting locations by my personal guide

Adam.

Green Green Vancouver

My tour guide (a.k.a. my son Adam)

took me for a tour of the Gastown area of Vancouver.

I have many pictures of the city but I was very

impressed with this community urban garden.

The garden is in what appears to be a former parking lot or perhaps a 

building lot that was demolished

Three cheers for Hastings

On the Road Again

Travels from Victoria B.C. to Vancouver.

As you can see, it was a perfect day for the crossing

I saw seals and a whale.

I hope the return is as eventful

Beach Cruising on Gabriola Island

Cruising around Descanso Bay Regional Park

Still no whales or sea lions.

I've got my eyes pealed, and I'm ready

But, in the meantime

Check out the beach here at Descanso Bay.

Right out of a BC Tourism ad.

I love love love tidal pools.

This one (they all do) has lots of tiny crabs and fish.

the water in them is very warm. 

No sea stars yet.

Exploring the beaches on Gabriola Island

pathway to the public access

north shore looking towards Nanaimo

I thought this looked like a skull

North shore facing east

What water can do to rock.  Amazing

Ferry heading to Vancouver

Half the fun is getting there

Gabriola Island is a 20 minute ferry ride

from Nanaimo.

Part of the fun is the getting there.

As you can imagine, you can't take pictures and drive at the same time.

I did well and got to the dock 25 minutes 

before the ferry departed.

Once you have your post in line, people get out of there cars

and visit with neighbours

walk there dogs

or rush across the street to London Drugs

and pick up last minute items

I ended up at the front on the ferry and watched the big BC Ferry heading to Vancouver 

cross my path.

I managed to drive off the boat and not run over anyone's toes

or end up in the harbour.

I tried to act like and islander, but I'm

not sure I was able to pull off that act.

Sights and wanderings

In Ontario, we see to do battle with colour.

Oh yes, it can be achieved it you are prepared to ensure

your pots and gardens get enough water, 

not so much sun that they shrivel.

Beds need to be prepared and cared for.

not in Victoria.

These icelandic poppies where growing in mass, in the lawn, just were they grew

These just grew in some space in the rock

along a driveway, next to a wooden fence

Along the sidewalk

Along the roof of the porch

Under a veranda

garden pots and wind chimes

And,  It seem that VW van never rust 

or go out of style.

these are only two of many I've seen.

Sadly, these two didn't have Kayak racks.

There are alot of paddlers in BC