Family adventures in Uclulet!

My sister celebrated her 60th birthday this September and after having to cancel her dream trip to Greece she invited my parents and myself to go to Uclulet for four days. It was so much fun being together again and going on a road trip. As children our family did lots of camping and traveling - once spending five weeks camping all across Canada going to every province except for NewFoundland. We were pretty lucky to see so much of this beautiful country of ours. 

The west coast is my favourite place to go but for some reason I hadn't made it out there in the last two years so I was so thankful to be given this time to be out by the open water and the sound of the crashing waves. 

We heading out fairly early in the morning stopping at a few of the places we did years ago. It was fun to drive along sharing memories and making new ones. I love stopping at river and walking out on the rocks. As a child I was always off exploring and earned the nickname of Simon Fraser so of course as I headed off across the rocks they were once again calling me Simon. 

One must make the most of every stop and check it out as nature is constantly changing and it is never the same year from year. 

As we arrived an hour before check in we headed to the Lighthouse to sit and watch the waves crash against the rocks. The strength in the waves is just amazing. The power they have as they hit the rocks wearing them away wave after wave, year after year. There were benches to sit on which as great for my parents as my Dad can't walk far these days so we just enjoyed sitting and watching for the big waves to come. 

We checked in to our home away from home, The Cabins at Terrace Beach and found our beds and settled in. Shared in a meal and then my sister and I wandered down to the beach which is a little protected bay. It was quiet and peaceful place to sit and get caught up with each other. We don't see each other a lot as she lives on the mainland and only comes over three or four times a year when able. 

The next morning after a great breakfast we left Dad at the cabin and headed out to do the loop of the Wild Pacific Trail at the Lighthouse. The trail is one way due to Covid so we headed off and looped through the Bog area where there were lots of little plants and many cool trees growing on the soft squishy soil. Even the trail was a bit bouncy. 

Back on the mail trail we headed towards the water. There are many lookout and benches along the trail and a great place to bring the kids to. 

Our west coast can be pretty rugged in places but thankfully there are trails where all people can stroll along and enjoy the views.

 It was great that my Mom of 85 years is still able to get out on the trails and take in all the views. I think it helps to keep a person young if they are able to be out in the woods and by the waters. 

Returning to the cabin a couple of hours later we had lunch and then headed out to tour the area. Ucluclet, although not as well known as Tofino has a higher population and hosts the schools for both towns. We drove down the the marina on the inlet side of the town.

 Then crossed back over to the outer coast stopping at Brown's beach. A beautiful park that made us think we were in Hawaii and not Canada. LOL Lots of interactive items for children to enjoy and learn about nature. I would definitely  love to bring my grandchildren out here. 

That evening we headed out and went chasing the sunset ending up at the Lighthouse again where there was the best view. My sister and I headed down the trail taking loads of pictures. 

When we returned to the lighthouse my parents were standing at the best place of all. They had the sun setting on their right and the moon rising on their left. It was a magical evening and one I will treasure. 

The following morning was my sister's birthday and we headed off to Tofino to the very popular Long Beach. This stretch of the coast is long sandy beaches, not the rocky coast of Uclulet. 

Many surfers come here to try their skill on the waves. We walked along the beach and just watched the waves. Not as much action of course as when they are crashing up along the rocks but peaceful. 

There were so many beautiful artworks created by nature along the walk. We are so blessed in nature on this island. 

After the beach walk we headed in to the town and found a lovely park over looking the marina on the inside waters. We had our lunch here and then headed back to our cabin in the woods. 

Dropping off our parents my sister and her husband headed to the other end of the Wild Pacific trail and wandered to through the Cedar forest and then went out to the bluffs on the end of the trail. 

It was a great trail and we should have taken more time to sit and enjoy the views but didn't want to be gone too long. We stopped on the way home at a park so that I could grab one cache to mark the trip. 

We did a short walk to Jeff's bench, nabbed the cache and returned home. 

That night we picked up a cake and some Fish n Chips from Howlers Family restaurant and celebrated by sister's 60 years of life. As our family is big on card playing the evening was spent playing Wicked and sharing in lots of laughs. 

The following morning we packed up our belongings and headed for home along the same highway. Did make a lunch stop in Port Alberni for a picnic lunch and then we were home by mid afternoon.

It was a great family vacation. We hadn't gone on a trip like that together in years so it was a very special time and one we can treasure in the years to come. Family is so important and we are all so thankful that we are a close family and can still have fun together after all these years. 

Celebrating Milestones

This August we celebrated! We had hoped to have a big gathering of family and friends but due to Covid we had to change our plans so only the immediate family gathered. Even that brought us to 18 people which is over the limit that is suggested by Dr. Bonnie Henry but we are a close family and sometimes mental health over rides physical health. Besides here on the Island our numbers are so much lower than the mainland that as long as we do all that we can to stay safe we should be fine. 

It was my parents 65th wedding anniversary plus my Mom's 85th birthday all with in the week. My parents have been together since forever. Their care and love for each other has grown and changed as they have but one thing they have always done is put us kids first. 

They have done so very much for my sister and I plus our families. Here they are 85 years old and still babysitting little ones, now great grandchildren. They are just amazing. Mom still bakes the cookies for everyone to enjoy. Dad still grows his big beautiful garden for us to enjoy the all the veggies from. I hope at 85 I am still as fit as they are and am able to care for all of my children.

 

So we had a dinner outside in the carport. It was great. Outside is safest these days so lots of outside eating has been happening which just happens to be my favourite place to eat. 

The young ones played on the bouncy castle and had a blast running around with balloons.

One always needs to look for the good in the bad and I must say the one good thing that has come out of this Covid time is family. We have spent much more time together as we all bubble up. It makes one appreciate the family that sometimes you can take for granted. 

It's hard to believe that two people falling in love can create so many more lives. The love just continues to grow and spread. I am so thankful and blessed to have a family that is close by and who all get along. It isn't always that way with families but we were raised by good people and love shall continue to flow down from generation to generation.

Nile Creek - Awesome hike!

 Each year for the past four years my friends have invited me to join them on their family overnight hike and camp. We've explored some great places, Cape Scott, Mount Albert Edward, Landslide Lake and last year our goal was Cream Lake but due to weather we stopped at Bedwell. Each hike has had it's challenges but taken us to some amazing places. 

Due to the fact that our trails and camping areas are over crowded this year on our island because of the covid pandemic we opted not to overnight this year. There have been reports of over 100 hikers on trails and beaches and tent pads crowded with people causing damage to our wonderful island parks. So instead we did a day hike. 

We chose Nile Creek which is a 12km hike in and back. It is now one of my favourite hikes. The trail for the first 3kms is well maintained, easy to follow and peacefully quiet among the trees. It felt so good to be out in nature and just leave the troubles of our world behind. 

The next three km's were more active with people as it passes under the 19A highway so many just hike from here. It followed along the Nile Creek where there are at least 8 - 10 waterfalls along the trail. 

The trail is muddy is places but still could be done at any age. We saw many people with young children swimming in the creek along the way. 

We climbed up the rope cliff and came to a huge lovely pool of water with a small hidden waterfall. 

No one was there so we went swimming. 

For years I have hiked to waterfalls and always wanted to swim in their lovely pools but never really had the opportunity but today it was absolutely perfect.

The water was clear and a bit cold but my body quickly adjusted and it was so beautiful. I could have stayed in there for some time and did while I waited for my fellow hikers to join me. There is something life giving about being in cool or cold water. It just renews a person's spirit allowing us to feel refreshed and energized to face whatever life throws at us. 

After our swim we chose to head back. There could have been one or two more waterfalls further up the hill but it was very warm out and we were ready to head for home.

The hike out went quite quickly and we managed to return to the vehicle with very little mud left on our shoes.

I will definitely need to do this hike again...maybe even this year!

Eastwood Park and Rosewall Creek

This past weekend I was back up in Comox again to dog sit while the kids all went camping. They do this yearly and I am glad they all enjoying getting together and having fun. I am glad I am able to help them out by looking after their dogs but I must say I do miss being there camping. 

Thankfully I had a good friend to come along with me and others to join us for the day. We did a 7km hike in the Eastwoods park not far from their home.

It is a wonderful forested area that is full of trails for folks to walk their dogs and explore. Every time I am in Comox I realize how much our valley is missing when it comes to forested trails that are accessible for all and close to home. 

On the way home we did a 10 km hike along Rosewall Creek which is another wonderful park that follows a stream. 

There is a nice waterfall at the end and lots of other small beaches that people can swim in. 

A good place to bring the young kids one day and let them get hiking and then enjoy a swim. It was nice to wade in the water as it was 30 degrees and a little warm for hiking. 

Took us around 2.5 hours with a few little stops. One day I need to return to do some caching ;). A great family trail or a place to just go and stroll and get away from it all. 

July Adventures

July started off with a few small adventures with the grandkids and friends. Always a good time to be with them especially over the summer when we can swim and go to the parks. 

Canada Day was of course rather quiet with no parade and no gatherings due to Covid but we made the most of it and went to feed the ducks and play at the park all dressed in our Canada Day shirts. 

We ended the day with a weiner roast over the fire. Sure missed the boys this year but they were unable to come. 

The next day we went down to the spit and had fun playing with the gooey ducks...very smelly creatures I found out afterwards. 

The kids had a great time watching them squirt up at us. Lots of laughter and squeals. 

Following that we were treated to a ride in Papa's boat which he sold to Garret and Sara this year.

 We went over to Tree Island just across from Union Bay. A lovely little island beach which was covered in sea shells. Lots of explore and enjoy. 

The tide went out rather quickly but thankfully we were able to move the boat further out and didn't get trapped there for the day. 

I really enjoyed being out in the boat again. I started riding around in my Dad's boats when I was around 2years old and I do love being on the water. 

I did a road trip with my parents to Lizard Lake to go and see the boys who were camping there. Was fun to see the little lizards in the water and in the bucket.   

It's a beautiful campsite and the perfect place for families to come and stay. 

Another hotdog roast was enjoyed around the campfire. 

The a few days later I took them up to Comox to visit with my daughter and family. It is good at 85 that they are both able to still get out and come on small adventures.

Then mid month my youngest daughter turned 30! It was celebrated with a girls day to the spa at the Kingfisher resort near Comox. The hydro walk was so refreshing and rejuvenating. 

It was nice to have time with my girls and share in lots of laughter as we sat under the waterfalls and walked the river walk. 

I made my daughter's favourite dessert for her birthday for the first time. My Mom has made it for years. 

It was good but apparently I haven't quite got it right yet but my little granddaughter sure enjoyed it. Hard to believe my baby is 30 but so very thankful that we get together and have so much fun. 

A busy start to a busy summer but everyone had good times. It is nice to have my family so close that we can share in adventures and I am able to watch my grandkids grow up right before my very eyes.