We had coffee and breakfast with John this morning and went over the plan for our next few days. Again we are really lucky that John also has a vacation condo in Parksville and we are staying there for a couple days too later this week. Even nicer.... John is willing to watch Margaret overnight while we go to Tofino for Vanessa's wedding. Thanks bro! We really appreciate how awesome this is for us.
Our plan for today is a drive to Lake Cowichan for a couple days at Ray & Deb Kyle's house on the lake. This idea was born while we were down south last winter and Dianne set it all up with Deb. Ray & Deb just completed a large renovation and their house is absolutely stunning. Their reno was not without lots of frustrations but the end product turned out really nice.
We had a nice drive over the Malahat Highway to Duncan BC and then turned left and follow the GPS directions to Lake Cowichan. Steve & Dianne are already there as they drove up yesterday. We called when we got to Lake Cowichan and Ray told us exactly how to get to the house; pretty easy with good directions. Good thing we brought the Subaru because with Steve's truck and Kyles Kastle (the motorhome) the driveway was full when we got parked. What a beautiful spot on the lake in a gated cul-de-sac with beautiful homes on either side.
We said hello with hugs and handshakes and got settled in our room. After getting over the shock of how awesome this place is we went out on the deck for a drink before we enjoy the lunch that Deb made.
The back of the house facing the lake!
Taken from their dock looking back.
The view from the deck to their dock and the lake.
We had a delicious lunch and moved back out to the deck for a little bit. Deb really enjoys cooking and is really good at it! Of course if you know me you know I like to eat a lot and I'm pretty good at it ;)
This is going to be a couple great days.
We all pitched in to clean up the kitchen and continued visiting on the deck.
Ray, Deb, Dianne and Steve in Deb's beautiful kitchen.
Beautiful timbers and lots of wood.
We spent the afternoon visiting and laughing on the deck with maybe a couple drinks. Ray fixed up a couple of delicious Margaritas for the girls which they seemed to really enjoy. Leslie was smiling I know that lol. Deb put a prime rib on the rotisserie in the afternoon and we were treated to beef and yorkshire pudding for supper. So delicious Deb thank you!
Leslie's fave meal, mmm gravy.
Took the dogs for a quick walk, beautiful day.
We spent the evening on the deck with the heaters on laughing and chatting. What a great place with great people. Pretty lucky.
The heater glow. Ray's pic.
Aug 22
Even though yesterday was a little cloudy and cool at times, today is amazing and the sun is out in full force. Beauty! We need breakfast first and did I mention Deb loves to cook? Steve and I were really looking forward to Deb's cinnamon delicious Monkey Bread for breakfast and she was nice enough to bake us a fresh one for this morning! Leslie & Dianne made themselves some bacon and eggs for their Keto plan. More monkey bread for Steve and I. Yes, I ate too much but that's okay lol.
Get set.... go!
We all pitched in to clean up the kitchen and then Leslie, Ray, Steve and I took a little walk with the dogs in the park next door to their place. We relaxed a little afterwards and Ray showed Steve and I his workshop downstairs. They sure did some good planning for the reno to get in all the stuff they wanted in their home.
We decided that lunch today would be at the local pub, Jakes on the Lake. Nice place with good food and craft beers and ciders.
Jakes on the Lake.
Craft beers.
Ray's pic again at Jakes. Thanks.
From our table on the patio we could see people tubing on the river that runs from the lake. After lunch we drove over to a nearby park to see all the different tubes and rafts on the very slow river.
Lots of people out there on really slow moving river.
Beauty day in the park.
After watching everyone else on the water we drove back to the house to change and enjoy some water fun ourselves. The lake level is low but it's beautiful clear water and perfect temperature today.
Steve & I in the kayaks, Margaret is not that thrilled.
Leslie & Dianne's turn.
Margaret & I in the shade with a frosty beer.
Ray, Freya, Dianne & Deb enjoying Ray's Margaritas.
We had a fabulous afternoon on the dock and enjoying the water and then Dianne & Leslie opened the hot tub for a nice warm soak before dinner. Ray's Margaritas are just as good in the hot tub apparently lol.
Leslie & Dianne in the tub. Photo bomb!
The rest of us got showered up and moved inside for a bit. Margaret must have been played out and wanted to go to bed. She went upstairs and then started whining for us to come up.
Can we have a nap??
We sat down for another delicious dinner and then we got to eat some delicious cake for Steve's upcoming birthday. We have eaten so much good food here, I need to get a run in soon. Meh it's vacation right?
Happy Birthday Steve! He ate half the cake already ??
He didn't really eat the other half. This cake is so rich you don't need a big slice. We did manage to finish it though, even Leslie slipped out of Keto mode for a small piece of cake. Amazing.
We all went to bed a little earlier tonight after a big day of fun in the sun. We are leaving tomorrow morning to head to Parksville but we have really enjoyed our stay at Kyle's Kottage. Thanks so much Ray & Deb for everything! Amazing place and so nice to host all of us.
Aug 23
We are all up fairly early for coffee and breakfast. Ray has an appointment in Duncan and Steve & Dianne are heading back to their rig. Leslie and I are off to meet up with John at his condo in Parksville for the night. After hugs and handshakes we were all on the road except Deb. She gets a little quiet time with the laundry lol. They have more guests arriving tomorrow. With all the great hospitality they need a reservation system haha.
After a short trip from Lake Cowichan to Parksville we pulled up to John's condo by Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. It's a beautiful spot that John has owned for many years and we're fortunate that we can take advantage of this great spot.
The view from the balcony to the beach.
We visited with John for a bit and then decided to get out for a walk along the beach and into the park. They have a really nice trail system in the park and when the tide is out you can walk on the ocean floor to get there.
Park map with trails and sites.
Part of the trail, beauty place.
We took it easy for the evening. We're a little played out after our last few days. Being on vacation is very tiring lol.
We got up early and had coffee and breakfast with John. We told John as much as we could about Margaret and her usual habits to make things a little easier for him while we're gone. She's old, partly blind and mostly deaf and we spoil her all the time. John is up for the task and he'll do great I'm sure. (he rocked it of course)
Odd to go without Margaret but we hopped in the car and headed for Tofino.
We are both excited to go to Vanessa's wedding but over the summer we have been wondering why they chose Tofino in August?? Tofino is a small town on the far west coast of Vancouver Island and Vanessa & Rene both live in Bonnyville as well as Vanessa's parents. Rene's family is traveling from Quebec so this adds even more travel? What the heck buddy? I guess we'll see right? Yeah stay tuned for the answer to that question.
It's a beautiful drive across the Island but they are doing a major rebuild on part of the highway. We were really lucky with the construction and only waited a few minutes before getting to go through on the single lane.
Huge job but this road really needs some upgrades.
We got to the other side of the Island a little early so we drove down to the other small town named Uculet (You-q-let) for a quick lunch. We stopped at a local grocery store and grabbed some food to go and then drove to a really cool little beach to stare at the ocean.
Beautiful spot!
We got back on the road and headed for Tofino and hopefully an early check in at our fave lodge in Tofino, Middle Beach Lodge. It's an amazing place that we stumbled on a few years ago and if we go to Tofino we always stay there. Spectacular! their website
The walkway to the front desk.
Our balcony room overlooking the ocean....ahhhh.
The view from our balcony.
They were fabulous and let us in our room early so we could shower and change for the wedding. Thanks Middle Beach.
The wedding is not far from us at another lodge called Wickinnish Inn, also an amazingly beautiful property on the ocean. We got there right on time. We were directed to a path through the forest that was marked with fresh wood chips. The smell of the trees, the ocean and the fresh wood chips were incredible! (We're starting to get our answer to why Tofino) After a short walk we came to an opening in the trees that was back-dropped by a split cedar that we are told was 800 years old. Absolutely stunning setting on a beautiful warm day. We visited with some friends and some of Vanessa's family while we waited for the ceremony to start. They really planned a beautiful wedding.
Vanessa & Rene at the base of that huge cedar. Gorgeous!
After a short, sweet marriage ceremony the happy couple moved to a spot where we could get a picture with them. I moved in but unfortunately Leslie had to take the picture.
Rene, flower girl Reese, Vanessa (stunning) & me
Of course they needed some time to greet everyone and take some pics so we turned back on the chip path and were directed to the area for the reception.
Of course I'm walking with my boy Derek and his
girlfriend, Sabrina.
Yep we are in the right place.
As soon as we stepped out to the reception area we instantly realized why they wanted their wedding here in Tofino. Absolutely amazing setting and the weather was perfect for today. Not sure how they set that up but it's beautiful out.
Yeah now we know why....
The reception area for about 60 guests.
Vanessa and Rene really planned a fabulous day and one of the big hits was the flower arrangements. Vanessa's mom Marie and her dad John have a farm in Alberta and have amazing gardens every year. This year they grew all the flowers for the wedding and then (can you believe this?).... packed them in suitcases and flew them to Tofino and then arranged them onsite!! They had some help, of course, but OMG they were amazing!
Congrats to Marie & John for being capable of this!
We enjoyed some drinks on the beach and visiting with everyone while the pictures were being taken and before long we were seated for dinner. The meal was fresh Pacific salmon and beef tenderloin that the lodge staff prepared on a huge charcoal barbecue right here on the beach.
Delicious.
The beach slopes... me, Vanessa, Rene & Leslie.
The rest of the evening we danced a little, were treated to a fire show and then a campfire on the beach with s'mores for snacks. Nice!
There were 4 performers with different routines. Cool.
Aug 25
We got up early enough to enjoy the fantastic continental breakfast that Middle Beach is famous for. Fresh made cinnamon buns and pastries, not good for Leslie's Keto plan but we did alright.
The interior of the lodge for breakfast.
Beautiful!
Unfortunately we have to go. It's really nice here but John has probably heard enough of Margaret's whining because she misses us lol. We had a nice drive back to Parksville and as we pulled into John's place he was out for a walk with Margaret. She was very happy to see us! We were a little tired from our great night out so we just relaxed at the condo all afternoon and then out for dinner to a restaurant downtown. We watched TV for a bit afterwards and then called it a night.
I want to take advantage of the trails in the park so the next morning I ate a bit and then got out for a run in the park while John & Leslie took Margaret for a walk. Another beautiful warm day.
The trail in the park.
From John's balcony when the tide is out.
We cleaned up and with both cars we headed to my cousin Holly's house by the Nanaimo airport. We're headed back to Victoria today with a couple stops.
Bob, Holly and John at Holly's house.
We had a nice visit and coffee with Holly &Bob and then with hugs and handshakes we continued south to Leslie's Uncle Bill's house and a visit with Uncle Bill and his daughter Susan.
Uncle Bill, Leslie & Susan with some snacks.
Me, Uncle Bill & Leslie. Great to see him!
You never stop at Uncle Bill's place without getting some food lol. We enjoyed a snack and some tea and some great conversation catching up with their lives. Leslie's cousin Brad stopped by too for a visit while we were there. As we were getting ready to leave, Brad offered us a sockeye salmon that he had caught. Absolutely we'll take a fresh frozen sockeye! Thanks Brad. With hugs and handshakes we said good bye to everyone and continued south to John's house in Victoria.
We are leaving tomorrow so we jumped back in the car and headed over to Langford to meet Shannon & Dan for supper and our chance to say so long. Sadly we forgot to take a picture but we had a real nice dinner at a Mr Mikes Steakhouse and got a chance for hugs and handshakes with Shannon & Dan. Phew what a whirlwind few days! I need a vacation from our vacation haha. We drove back to John's place and enjoyed a night cap for our last night here on the Island. Thanks again John for hosting us at both of your places! What a fabulous time we have had seeing everyone and enjoying Vanessa & Rene's wedding. We have plans to see my nephew Bryon and his family tomorrow in Vancouver for lunch on our way home and that's it for this trip. We will include that stop in our next post because this one looks long enough already... wow!
Cheers everybody!
What a whirlwind trip. Glad you made time to stop and see us at Kyle's Kottage. We had a blast hosting you guys and Dianne and Steve. Seems so long ago now. Apparently it is pouring at home for the next 4 days. lol
ReplyDeleteIt was a full week of activities but we really had a great time. So nice of you to host the 4 of us in your beautiful "cottage". I ate well ;)
DeleteWe sure had a blast at Ray and Deb’s with you guys...never go hungry there! The wedding in Tofino was sure a beautiful setting. Looks like you guys really enjoyed your island visit.
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun when we get together, looking forward to the next time in Q. We certainly understand why Vanessa chose Tofino, beauty place and their wedding was great. Had a great time on the Island but needed a rest at home!
Delete