Nanaimo, Vancouver Island

Today is Thanksgiving and I'm currently in Savannah, seated with a slice of homemade pumpkin cheesecake. This pumpkin cheesecake came out so well that I may never feel the need to make a plain pumpkin pie ever again. There's also really good spinach and artichoke dip, but I digress.... I'm months behind in blogging so I probably won't be writing much in an effort to catch up.



Got a weekend free and caught the bus down the coast of Vancouver Island from Campbell River to Nanaimo.



In honor of Nanaimo, I made a batch of Nanaimo Bars before I left.



Spent the day wandering around shopping. Found several great used bookstores and this time bought an armload since I wasn't flying back. Also spent most of my time trying out different restaurants. Essentially spent the weekend eating.



Checked out the Old City Quarter.





Stayed at a really adorable B&B.



French martinis. :)



Bunnies!



Took a walk through Bowen Park.



Can't get enough of the lushness of the Pacific Northwest!





Apparently, it was the forest of love.



Hearts on trees everywhere.

Mt. Washington, Vancouver Island

One weekend we rented cars and drove up to Mt. Washington on Vancouver Island.




The girls bought lift tickets and the boys went off mountain biking.



It was a really pretty ride up the mountain.






It was a shame it was such a hazy day, though. The view was very limited.



At the top there were more inukshuks! The rock stacks made this landscape look somewhat alien, especially with the modular ski lift building in the background.





This is back down in the city of Campbell River, where we were docked. Dubbed the Salmon Capital of the World, this is where the Campbell River meets Discovery Passage and the salmon pass through in droves to return to their birthplace to spawn.



While we were docked here, we went to see some racing.



Found ways to amuse ourselves.



Picked blackberries until they came out our ears. Made and devoured several pies.



The little dots on the water are fishermen attempting to catch the prize 30+ pound salmon that will allow them into the Tyee Pool. A prestigious club, their rules dictate that the fish be caught from a boat that is being rowed or paddled and they must only use a 20lb line and a single hook. Each evening during the salmon run season, these little man powered boats gather as do their audience from shore who come to watch them.