After our week in Victoria we headed north to Comox, BC. A stop for lunch at the Chemainus Bakery filled our tummies along the way. Then we continued past Nanaimo, Courtenay, and Comox to our little cabin by the sea. It sits right on the shore with fantastic views of the mainland mountains and the sea lanes. Jean picked her chair and settled in while we enjoyed the views.
Our neighbors came over for visits. And we spotted the first of what was to be a daily parade of boats.
One place we had been to on previous visits to the area was Miracle Beach Provincial Park. This beautiful stand of old growth trees was spared in a giant forest fire over 100 years ago. The trails wind through the mature forest and along the rocky beach. We enjoyed the ocean vistas and the lovely closeups of life in the forest.
Our second safari was to Seal Bay Nature Area, a beautiful local preserve with many trails, a sheltered rocky beach, and ample parking. The trail down to the beach is quite steep and treacherous, so we stick to the forest above.
Back at home we admire the views and watch our neighbors devour a large salmon on the rocks. What entertainment!
Our next day took us to Campbell River. This town boasts a fishing pier with an ice cream shop and a long waterfront paved walking path. We also visited the Maritime Museum. Here’s where we are on the map, right on the 50th Parallel.
Lot’s to see along the water.
A local artist creates driftwood sculptures. We loved this little fellow.
And we were back home for sunset, which is about 9:30.
Another day we walked the waterfront trail in Courtenay. This trail begins just outside the door of the house we rented 4 years ago. That house wasn’t available anymore, but the trail is as lovely as ever. It goes from wild forest to open seashore, and past an air park.
Another day was sunny enough to venture high into the mountains. Paradise Meadows in Strathcona Provincial Park is one of our favorite sites in this area. Although the snows had not melted completely and the flowers were not fully in bloom, we had a lovely afternoon walking through the meadows and forest.
We returned home to more cruise ships and mysterious sunset light on the mainland mountains.
Thus ended our week.
Paul and Jean
Travels With Picasso 
Wow, just look at all the wonderful photos from Vancouver Island. It encompasses the beauty and nature Canada is so well known for, while proudly having its own unique, relaxed coastal lifestyle. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
Thanks for the photos and “tour guide” information. I’m jealous. Always thought I’d visit that area, but it’s one of many things dropped from my bucket list.
Hey, can you still call these excursions “Travels with Picasso”?
Well, whether yes or no, the pics and text are so nice and the trip must have been too?
We have talked about changing the name, but we aren’t prepared to give up Picasso’s memory quite yet. Of course the majority of past posts didn’t involve traveling in Picasso.
Dear Jean & Paul – What an excellent adventure! Nice neighbors too! We had a sweet time in Oak Park for the double graduations – Vince from high school and Nata from preschool – guess which ceremony was more fun? Spent an afternoon walkabout on the UIC campus – I always want a visual of where my peeps are. He started a summer job with MickeyD’s – when I asked Dan how that went, he said “He didn’t get fired and made $64” May it be an encouragement to stay in school. They haven’t sold their house yet and have extended their move date to July 30th. Nata doesn’t need speech therapy anymore – she’s now a babbling brook.
The only bad part of the deal is that we got covid on the way home – all the Oak Park folks are negative. Blessedly we had the paxlovid on hand that we’d take to Yelapa and it helped a lot. Now we’re just mostly easily exhausted. Love you bunches, ace
Ouch, you got Covid. I’m glad to hear about your adventure anyway, and news of Vince and Nata.