A year has passed since we last visited Vancouver Island so it was time to return. In the first week of June we returned to the Comox Valley and the wonderful little cottage on the seashore that we rented last year. Jean enjoyed a hot chocolate on the ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo.

Late in the afternoon we arrived at the cottage between Comox and Campbell River on the shores of the Salish Sea. Across 15 miles of saltwater we could see the snow capped mountains of British Columbia. However, due to the curvature of the earth we could not see the opposite shore. Our view only included about 4 miles of water and then leapt to the mountain sides.

We enjoyed our first sunset.

Our mornings usually consisted of enjoying the ever changing view as the tide swept in and out, seals and otters hunted in the surf, and ships passed by in the distance.

The familiar cast of characters were in residence. Although sea otters swam in the waters and one even crossed our patio one morning, we never captured a photo! Seals hunted and played in the waves. One day a large group of porpoises swam past. Eagles, herons, ravens, and gulls patrolled the rocks and in the air.

In the afternoons we took walks in the forest. One of our favorite places was Seal Bay, just a mile from our cottage.

We also walked at Miracle Beach, a bit further up the coast.

One afternoon we stopped at Kitty Coleman Beach Provincial Park. It is home the the largest Douglas Fir tree in the Comox Valley.

Flowers blossomed everywhere.

Our R&R was off to a great start!

Paul and Jean