When I need to go to the hills, I don’t have far to go. Seven years ago we moved to Vancouver Island, British Columbia and after a quick tour I knew there was no going back. The sites to see are literally in my back yard. So with camera in hand, our travels began.
It is these travels that I would like to share, both of the island and our travels abroad. But there is one little matter I would like to clear up. I am an imposter, my name is not Dan Drews, but, I know him well. And I know him because it was a patching of the first initial of my given name – David, and then Andrews. Don’t ask why I wandered there, that is too long ago to remember. Having just turned 80 this year it feels like a good thing to make a clean start.
So enough, let’s get on to what I want this blog to be: informative, entertaining, and sometimes a little bit silly. I would like to start with what I consider our “backyard”. On that note, here are a few of the areas on our island that we have had the pleasure of visiting.
Five minutes from home we find Granny Falls in the city of Nanaimo. Located in the Colliery Dam park, once a mining operation, now an area of many trails. The original name was Chase River Falls, the river being a source of water for the city and mining in the late 1800 hundreds.
This is Westwood Lake, located high up above the city. A recreational area for swimming, canoeing, or walking the 6k trail around the lake.
About 40 minutes north we come across Englishman River Falls. Always a delight to visit, make sure that you bring a camera. This picture was taken from the footbridge and is a time exposure. I love how this gives the water a soft silky look.
Enough with the water already. Time to hit the trails, and there are many.
The thing that blew me away when we took on our first trail was the lushness of the forest. There are times when you feel like you are in a tropical jungle. Moss and sword ferns seem like they are everywhere, even hanging from trees; they are referred to as goat’s beards. This picture was taken at the Morell Bird Sanctuary, another one of our many parks located within the city limits. There is the option of just sitting down and listening, should you drift off, that’s OK.
About a 2k from our house lies a marsh area called Buttertubs. It is believed that the strange name came from the time the farmers brought their freshly churned butter into town from outlying areas. Because there was no refrigeration, there were points along their route where they could bury the butter in the ground while making a stop at the local pubs. Now the area is a bird sanctuary with a 2k footpath around it. This picture is just a small part of that path, but I like how the light plays casting shadows across the path.
Now the largest park on the island, Strathcona Park, is located about the centre of the island and covers more than 250,000 hectares. The picture above was taken from the parking lot, on a cloud/sun kind of day. Our timing could not have been better. Mount Golden Hinde bathed in sunbeams that added a little drama to our visit.
Still in Strathcona Park, this section is aptly called Paradise Meadows. A 3.4k boardwalk loops around the meadow and is accessible to all. The meadow is covered by many plants, the red ones are called blueberry leaves in the above picture. It makes for a surreal landscape. Take some birdseed, and you will make some new friends.
Until the next time when we go a little farther afield, it plays with your mind and soul. Cheers.
LIFE AS I SEE IT - with one eye closed. 