Last Day

So today is my last of 9 days visiting my dad, and they have definitely been filled and it's be so much fun. A very greatly needed vacation.

So an early morning for me as I had a little bit of last mintue shopping to do, and back down to the beach one more time. I went and got the last of my pictures.
A total of 1226 over 9 days, and you've only seen a small fraction on them. For me pretty normal.

This morning I took one last quick venture down to Qualicum Beach and watched the water. Tide was high this morning and got a couple shots of the small waves coming in.





A great little suprise on my last tour of Parksville, after stopping at the side of the road to get my pictures of the signs, I had to detour into a residential area to get turned around. And to a delightful suprise I seen 3 deer. One of which was a baby. So cute.




I am now back at the trailer packing, and blogging for you (and me really).
Looking back I am so glad that I've had this blog to write down my stories when they are fresh in my mind. It will definitely be coming in handy for later while I am scrapbooking, or sharing what I've done.

I will then be off to get a final seafood lunch before I leave and pick dad up from work. Then a 2 hr drive back down to Victoria to hop on a plane for home.
Hope you all enjoyed my vacation with me. I had so much fun.

Walk through the Trees

The Rain today decided to hold up and wait till dinner, so we had the afternoon to adventure out one last time.
With today being Easter Sunday, and Sunday at that, not a whole lot was open, so we were limited to outside adventures again.

We've been passing MacMillan Provincial Park - Cathedra Grove, on numerous occasions and due to rain, were unable to stop, so that was the destination for today.


It was sunshining out when we started, which made it somewhat warm in the 10 degree weather today. And it was still warm under the tree cover.

As the sign says, some of the trees are more than 800 years old. There were a couple of storms to pass through, the latest being 2006 with that wild weather. So the tree's laying down were scattered everywhere, but the size of the trees still standing were unbeleivable.
Here's some of the images I captured:













This is "The Big Tree", and the largest in the park.




The park actually had 2 different paths, one on each side of the highway. These photos are from the "other" / second side we visited. The path is still being finished. But still some cool uprooted and extremely long / tall trees. Depending if they were still standing.





Near the end of our walk the rain was starting to come, so we were headed home. Put some turkey in the oven and relax. This BC Fresh air has been a lot for this girl to take in.
One more day before I'm outa here, and a little shopping to do yet tomorrow.

Persistence and Perseverance

Today started out a little slow. As Dad and I were unsure of what we were going to do. I'd seen and done quite a bit during the week while he was at work.
So.... after a late breakfast / brunch we hopped in the truck with Bandit and set off to a neighboring beach. Just to enjoy the nice day.

This is a backwards view of the beach. I was standing at the ocean where the tide was waaaaaaaaaaaaay out and a view of where we were parked.


We walked down the beach a little ways, just to see what else was out there, and sure enough I stumbled upon a Sand Dollar and a fairly large size snail shell. So cool.



While walking, we could hear some seals or sea lions barking somewhere off in the distance. So with not much other plan for today, dad and I decided to find these animals. He knew they were somewhere along the coast line, and we could see where we wanted to go across the water, so much easier with a boat, but hey a challenge to find it from land. So back to the truck and off we go.

Our drive took us a little ways around to Beachcomber Regional Park & Marina.


The Marina was across from the Seals / Sealions, but we were hoping my zoom lense on my camera, and the zoom on the video camera was going to be enough. Not quite though. But getting closer, at least know we know where they are and can hear them clearer.
One bonus to our stop was the sealife on the open rock with the tide out so far. Lots of starfish to get some more cool shots, and one of Bandit.





So after looking across the water, and looking at where we needed to go, back on the road and back a little bit. Into some very nice housing, we found a little walk out to a public beach. The beach didn't have much for sand, but lots and lots of pebble rocks. Making it quite difficut to walk on. Got a little different angle on the seal / sea lions.




Still not ready to give up yet, we are back on the road again. We find yet another access to a public beach at the end of a residential road. As we step out there is not much of a beach but rock, and lots of it. And we look around the edge. I look at Dad, he looks at me and says we could walk over and see them. Sure why not. Here we go.
These two photos are of the rock we were standing on and where abouts we needed to go, and then some.
We are going to get a good shot of these seal / sea lions.



After a 15-20 minute walk across the rock, and more rocks, and through mud and water, we made it to the sea lions. Barking oh so loundly, what a sound. And so many of them. The pictures never do it justice, but here's a few so you have a feel for what we did get to see.









So it may have taken dad and I 3-4 hours to find these Sea Lions, but it was well worth the effort. It was so cool. And to see so many of them, I didn't really know where to point the camera so there is A LOT for me to choose from when scrapbooking.

And we got back around 5, had a drink with a few of the neighbors, and FINALLY got around to the fresh crab I have been talking about all week.
We picked up the 3 crab at the French Marina yesterday before our Storm Watching adventure, but got back to late.
So tonight it was time to feast, and oh it was.
Here are a few pictures for you to drool over.







Here are just a few side pictures I have to also add in before dad "butchered" the crab. And a little history for you as to why I look a little aprehensive holding it.
About a year and a half ago a trip out to see mom and dad in Gibsons, we had fresh crab. Kinda a craving all of us get. Me getting into photography, and wanting all these pictures to scrapbook I had to get in a photo opportunity for me to get some great shots. Well let's hold the live crab, cool right. Well only so cool till the holder gets bit, cause the cameraman is taking too long, plus the crab was pretty fresh.
I was the holder and the crab reached down and pinched my middle finger. It got thrown to the ground really quickly, and I was in the trailer to get a bandaid. Once the shock wore off I was good to go, and he tasted soooo good that night.
So you can see why I do want to get the photo, but hurry up.
Thankfully this one tonight was on ice and quite dosile while holding so we got some great shots in.





So tomorrow is supposed to be rainy again, so we'll see what it brings. Right now, I'll be sleeping in as I am returning home on Monday, so a relaxing day tomorrow might suit me just fine, before I get back to my regularily busy scheduling.