The leaves are turning, temperatures are cooling off, and we just took what we think will be our last camping trip of the season. The last six months have been busy camping on the Island, along with trips to Alberta, Washington and Kansas to see our family. I looked back on some of the photos that captured our favourite moments and thought I better update the blog before our next trip in a couple of weeks — because it needs to be a post all of its own. More about that later.
While in Asia we realized we missed camping, so started shopping as soon as we got home. It didn’t take us long to find a new 25’ travel trailer that would not only be comfortable for us, but also for Magnus.
In April, we joined Brad, Anette and Magnus in Kansas where we attended Colin’s Celebration of Life. About 100 friends and family came together from as far away as Namibia and Guyana to say goodbye. There were tears, but far more laughter as stories echoed throughout the venue. Roger and Brad were amongst the speakers, and Karen did an incredible job as well. Colin would have been so proud.
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This was an extraordinary display of all of Colin’s passports.
With his travels, he collected country entry stamps like some people collect baseball cards. |
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Brad read a letter from Colin’s uncle, and shared his
feelings about the uncle he loved dearly. |
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Roger was worried he would break down while speaking, but he did an amazing job.
So many stories that spanned more than 6 decades. |
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With a steady voice, Karen did an absolutely
beautiful job of describing their life together. |
As the Celebration was winding down, we noticed guests from Kansas were looking at their phones, and then bidding us a hasty goodbye. Not long after, the event coordinator told us we needed to leave as there were tornadoes in the area. We didn’t have to be told twice.
When the sirens were heard, those who came back to the house went down to the tornado shelter in the basement. The evening before when we helped host a BBQ, Magnus had guests sign the walls. Fresh emergency supplies, a chair and a rug transformed the barren room Karen had to go to a couple of weeks before when a tornado was near, into a room that was filled with love.
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| Magnus painted the picture behind them. ❤️ |
Over the weekend we were in two tornado shelters, the second one being the morning after the Celebration. We were staying next door with some wonderful neighbours, Stephanie and Wade Carpenter who had opened their home to us so we could be near Karen, Cooper and Claire. When we were awoken to the sirens yet again we headed downstairs to their shelter along with their dog, Casey, and have to say it was a good way to get to know our new friends!
Since we flew out of Seattle, we returned to Brad and Anette’s house for a couple of days to help welcome their new puppy, Bix. Anette had flown from Kansas to pick her up in the Carolinas, and brought her home. We’ve all missed Obi and Bix is a wonderful addition to the family. She’s smart, confident, a bit of a rascal, but a ton of fun. She loves boating, paddle boarding, and anything else that her people are doing.
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| Could she be any cuter? |
When we returned home from Kansas and Washington, we started exploring the Island with the trailer. We had great times camping with several members of the curling club where I belong and we are glad we got back into RVing.
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| Boys being boys. |
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We love camping at the Salish Seaside in Victoria. It’s right on the harbour, has a floating village
and it’s close to all the places we like to go. |
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| We visited the Parliament building and had a fabulous breakfast in the dining room. |
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| Back camping with the gang, this time on the west coast at Pachena Bay near Bamfield. Having a campfire on the beach was the best part. |
We promised Karen we’d return to Kansas in July, but first we had a couple of days with the kids. Brad and Anette belong to a boat club, so we had a fun dinner on a boat before leaving early the next morning.
While in Kansas we were invited to a couple’s shower for our nephew Cooper and his fiancé, Claire. It was lots of fun, and set the tone for what will be a wedding extraordinaire.
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Cooper and Claire had to answer questions about how well they know each other.
Turns out — they really do! |
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| Hanging out by the pool. It was hotter than Hades! |
Back in Woodinville, Magnus showed us one of his favourite fishing holes.
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| Bix and Roger eyeing each other up. 😂 |
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Another fun day on the water.
Great watching Magnus tubing after we had spent so much time watching
Brad, Anette and many, many others on our boats. |
In August we took Magnus camping to a great spot in Parksville by Englishman River. Brad and Anette had a little getaway for 3 days, and then stayed at the apartment. At 13, Magnus is game for anything but still loves to hit his favourite spots. We were happy to do just that!
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| It was fun watching the boys in the arcade. |
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| Magnus and I battling it out on the bumper boats! |
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| One of a few mini golf games! |
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Bix watching the boys play chess at the campground.
Magnus won, and he gave Roger some pointers on how he could improve his game.
Ahh…how things change. |
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| The boys making breakfast! |
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| Roger and Bix trying to hitch a ride on the go carts! |
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We had friends over for a BBQ to see Magnus.
Back row left to right: Stu, Roger, Ed
Middle row left to right: Bev, Connie, Claire, Magnus |
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Brad and Anette treated us to a wonderful
dinner at one of our favourite spots, the Nanoose Bay Cafe. |
With Magnus’s love of fishing, Roger has been wanting to take him on a fishing charter. So, Roger arranged for the whole family to spend a fabulous day with Mike, of Haida Gold Adventures out of Nanoose Bay. They caught several fish, but unfortunately we weren’t able to keep them due to size or not being clipped. Fortunately we caught several large crabs so had those as an appetizer and went out for dinner since salmon wasn’t on our menu that night!
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| Double Fish On! |
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Anette’s grandfather was a fisherman in Norway.
He would have been proud how she landed the fish! |
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Mission accomplished: Magnus caught fish and learned how to handle crabs.
It was so fun having us all together on a boat, and doing something new. |
After everyone went home, we went camping again. This time we joined friends Keith and Lorane Martin in Seal Bay. It’s a beautiful spot with great walking trails, and is also close to Shelter Distillery where we had a fun afternoon tasting their whiskeys.
At the end of August, Roger spent a long weekend in Sonoma, California at Cooper’s bachelor party (or whatever it’s called these days!) They spent a couple of fun-filled days doing wine tastings and eating great food.
Roger also celebrated the 10th anniversary of his heart attack that weekend. I was so glad Brad was there with him to mark this big milestone.
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| Brad and Roger ❤️🍷 |
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As Roger said, “It was such a great group of guys”.
From left to right: Andrew, Bob, Matt, Roger, Cooper, Sebastian and Brad |
In early September we spent a wonderful day with Dave and Kerry Korowec who live in Australia. Dave and Colin were best friends through childhood, and we had fun reminiscing and hearing about their 2 month camping adventure across Canada from Alberta to Newfoundland before they flew to Victoria. They loved Vancouver Island and hope to come back and go camping with us.
Our last camping trip of the season was to Tofino. We love the rugged west coast of the Island and enjoyed walking the Lighthouse Trail in Uclulet. While we didn’t see any whales or sea lions, the scenery never disappoints.
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Check out the sign!
Restricted access: Wolves, bears, cougars, and racoons only. |
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We finished a great day at one of our favourite spots, Shelter Restaurant where
we had cold drinks, delicious mussels, fries and chowder. Doesn’t get more west coast than that! |
Our next trip is to Cooper and Claire’s wedding in Edinburgh, Scotland on October 10th. The wedding will be held at Borthwick Castle and we’re excited to be going.
Anette and I will be in long gowns, and Roger, Brad and Magnus will be in kilts! As the invitation said, “Kilts are encouraged (underwear is requested)!”
These photos only give a glimpse into what we’ve been doing. By the time we get back from Scotland and England, we will have been away four months out of the last 11. More than ever, we are embracing experiences that come our way as this year taught us how fleeting life can be as we said final goodbyes to friends and family. We continue to value time and experiences, and although we don’t have a clear roadmap for what lies ahead, I do know it will begin with us saying, “Yes, let’s do it!”
“Love the life you live. Live the life you love.”
Bob Marley
