We didn’t get to go on a our usual long trek in the summer for several reasons. One of those is that we are caring for our mother who is turning 95 years old this year. Even though she has slowed down somewhat after her fall, she is still living on her own and doing all she can to get back to her gardening and cooking. She is doing well and we are optimistic that she will achieve her goal.

Although we wouldn’t feel comfortable venturing too far away, we did manage to get away for a few days to Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island. As usual, our first stop was to the Visitor Centre in both Parksville and Nanaimo. Our next task was to stake out our hikes. We walked 10 km each of the days we were there on trails at Ammodnite Falls, Maffeo Sutton Park (along the harbourside), Madrona Point and Englishman River Falls.

I never get tired of ocean views!

Nothing beats hikes in the woods especially when they have rivers and cool trees! The Pink Salmon were spawning when we were there but they couldn’t be seen in any of the photos I took of them. There were hundreds of them! (salmon … not photos).

Of course, then there are the waterfalls. The one on the right can be heard really well but not easily seen. It is amazing to see that big rock wedged right there.

The picture on the left is the suspension bridge at Englishman River Falls. Can you count how many photos I have posted of cranes? Here’s one more in the middle photo. The photo on the right was taken in the Nanaimo Museum. I did not know previously that Diana Krall was from Nanaimo. How cool is that? The bottom picture is of the entrance to the the Rocking Horse Pub. I couldn’t pass up taking a picture of the two antique rocking horses.

Why did we choose Nanoose Bay? Well, when we toured Vancouver Island last year, we covered every bit of the island except for the section between Nanaimo and Parksville. This little sojourn was perfect and a good time was had by all!