Nanaimo is the hub
for shopping. It is reputed to have more shopping centres per capita than any
other place in Canada. So it is the place to go.
I was surprised to
find out that the ferry coming into Nanaimo is considered part of the Trans Canada Highway and if you go south to Victoria it continues as the Trans Canada but if you go north it becomes highway 19. All kinds of things
surprise me, the speed on that highway is 120 km/hr – imagine!!
Mind you, there is
a lesser traveled road called the Oceanside Route that wanders in and around
the many settlements and villages along the shore.
French Creek
is one of those places between Parksville and Qualicum Beach. It is where many
of the fishing boats bring in their catch and where you take the walk-on ferry
to Lasqueti Island (home to a small population of farmers and artisans).
We wandered down there to see the eagles when the herring was supposed to be
running but the run never happened there this year.
When we were at the
French Creek Marina, we were talking to Dorothy and her Mom who run the store
on Lesqueti Island. They were taking supplies over on the walk-on ferry. We
talked about Lesqueti being off the grid and, darn it, they wouldn’t want it
any other way!! “Come and visit”, they said.
BTW French Creek has the best hidden Seafood Shop on the
Island.
The weather hasn’t
been the greatest but one cold and windy day, we checked into Rathtrevor Beach
and just happened to see this brave and crazy fellow set up his para-sail and
cruise into the icy water.
There really is
nothing like the west side of the Island and our visit to Tofino and Ulculet reinforced the allure of the rage and serenity
of the ocean.
We toured many of
the beaches along the coast and realized we probably have as many photos of the
ocean as we do of sunsets. And like sunsets, the ocean is always fascinating, intriguing
and never the same twice.
2 comments:
The west side is beautiful! Fun exploring!
AWESOME Pictures.... Still on my bucket list. Hugs to you and Fred.
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