Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Staycation



Elk Falls, Campbell River
 I have been MIA this week as my Stepson flew into town for a 9 day stay.  We only found out a few weeks ago he could get leave from the Armed Forces before his Tank driver training starts in September so we shuffled some business appointments and tried to do a few tourist things during his visit.

Elk Falls, Campbell River
We started off by driving 45 minutes to Campbell River to experience the new suspension bridge finished this Spring and see Elk Falls.  We took my Stepson, Mom and Buddy and walked the 1.2 km in on the nice trail.  We took turns peering off the suspension bridge into the falls as obviously Buddy couldn't go onto the suspension bridge.  There are several viewing platforms and the trail and one of the viewing platforms is wheelchair accessible - amazing!

Elk Falls, Campbell River

After a slushee stop we proceeded to drive back to Comox to the harbour as hubby wanted to buy some fresh salmon off the dock. Cost for 1/2 a salmon?  $40 Canadian.  Not cheap but this is as fresh as you can get non-farmed salmon without catching it yourself.  I no longer eat fish as really don't like it so this fed hubby and my Stepson one night (I had soup) and there are two more meals for hubby in the freezer.  We only buy fresh salmon about twice a year due to the cost and as a treat only.

Baby fish, off dock at Comox Harbour
We discovered a few weeks ago that there is a large metal boom attached to the longest dock.  Most people don't walk that far - but if you walk to the end you are rewarded with this - 27 seals basking in the sunlight.  It is like a seal waterpark.  Not only do they have a place to suntan, they get scraps from the fishing boats that come in daily.

Seal Waterpark at the Comox Harbour

Heron flying in for a look

Seals sunning themselves

Heron and Seals on their Comox Harbour Boom

Comox Harbour
 Wednesday was my Birthday (46) so I decided that I wanted a fancy dinner at home instead of out.  We bought bacon wrapped filet mignon and large shrimp with asparagus and mushrooms with rice as a side.  Total cost for a homemade fantastic meal for four was $45.  It was scrumptious and followed by a raspberry tiramisu that my Mom made.  Yummy!
Victoria Harbour
Thursday hubby had a business meeting in Victoria, a 3 hour drive away.  We decided to make a day of it while Mom took care of Buddy for the day.  Most people who come to Vancouver Island only go to Victoria, which is a shame since it is a beautiful city but not a true representation of the rest of the Island.  In summer it is teeming with tourists.  I don't think I will go back to Victoria between June and September again.  I hate the crowds and the fight to get a parking spot anywhere near the inner harbour.  If more people would just go a little further, over the Malahat mountain they would see that there are no crowds and tons of neat little towns and ocean side areas to explore.  I have always seen Vancouver Island as filled with nature, not tourist attractions.

Victoria, BC
We had lunch after a 1/2 hour wait in a waterside cafe and then headed back home.  The next day we took a walk to Airforce beach in Comox near the base and airport.  This beach is reserved for those who currently serve and have served in the armed forces and is closed to the general public.  We have never been but as we had Stepson with his military ID we were excited to go.  The tide was in but the beach is great and Buddy had fun exploring.  I tried out my new birthday present, a Canon Powershot D30 underwater (to 82 feet) camera.  I love it!!

Buddy at the Beach

Trying out my new underwater Canon Powershot D30-2 feet of clear water
On Sunday we took my Stepson kayaking using our two kayaks and rented a 3rd for $29 for two hours.  The river leading out to the estuary and ocean was quite murky but there was a huge amount of jelly fish which I caught on video - I love taking pictures of jellyfish.  These jelly fish are only about the size of two quarters - tiny and even if they brushed against you you might feel a tiny pringle if you accidentally got stung.  I fastened the camera to my lifejacket and dipped the camera over the side to take these shots.
Underwater Still Shot with Canon Powershot D30

Kayaking on the Puntledge River
On Monday night we tried out a new Japanese restaurant.  Our town has several Japanese places, but mostly takeout.  My Stepson had a craving for Sushi so this fit the bill.  It was great and we will definitely be going back there.

He flew out yesterday and I spent the day catching up on Company accounting so today is the first day I have managed to get any time to post.  On Friday our floors were finished so today I am going to do a gigantic house clean - and finish up the laundry. All of the expenses from the 9 days adventures were paid out of my sealed pot fund - $300.  Lots of the activities were free and most of that were two meals out, Salmon and slushies.  My stepson has an extremely high metabolism and eats A TON from working out so our grocery bill is much higher than normal this month.  Time to have some nice cheap homemade meals!

16 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday to you!
    That looks like a gorgeous place to visit although me knees went a bit weak at the sight of that bridge. Those seals are too cute! xxx

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    1. Thanks for the Birthday wishes! My knees were wobbling but I forced myself - totally worth it.

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  2. Love, love, LOVE salmon! I'll get any kind I can for a good price any day.
    Same goes for lobster.
    I guess I have expensive tastes.

    Your staycay looks like it was good fun, except for the tourist crowds.

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    1. You are a classy lady with expensive tastes - good thing you know how to get a bargain!

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  3. That was a great visit, and I would like to see all the sites you enjoyed. Oh, and bacon wrapped filet mignon, sign me up.

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    1. Those filet mignon are surprisingly cheap(for an expensive at home occasion) - six at costco for $17. MUCH cheaper than a meal out for four which would have easily been $150 with a drink.

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  4. You are an amazing step mom!!! I am so impressed with all you did to make this such a memorable time!
    Speaking of salmon - would you believe the only kind Louis Dean likes is CANNED? And he only eats it in Salmon Croquettes?? Amber just asked us to babysit on Sunday after church while they go to lunch and a movie. We are making salmon croquettes because the quads LOVE them!! Amber loves fresh salmon so the quads are no stranger to that!
    I always love to hear what you are up to!!!
    Happy (belated) birthday!! Your pics are awesome! LOVE the underwater shots.
    Amber and I nearly visited Victoria when she competed in a swim meet in Tacoma, WA. I wish we had!! Victoria and beyond......

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    1. Thanks for the Birthday wishes! I have eaten enough salmon to know that I don't really like it so have decided enough is enough. I will cook something else when hubby has the expensive salmon to offset the expense. If you ever make it to Canada make sure to do Vancouver Island!

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  5. Happy birthday!!!!! And I would love to come to your house for a birthday dinner, YUM!!!!!
    It was great that you got to see your son and go on some close adventures. He is lucky to have you.

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    1. As long a you bring that cheap American booze you are most welcome - pencil it in for next August :)

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  6. Happy Birthday! Great shot of the heron flying in. I would that you had a fun visit. Never heard about the Airforce Beach, what a great idea.

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    1. Our regular beach is near this beach but they have a much larger sandbar - a bit sad we can't go there regularly.

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  7. You got some really good photos there - I really like the sparkly one with the baby fish and the one with the heron in flight over the seals. What a great staycation!

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    1. The baby fish shot was taken above water with my regular Canon Rebel T3i (4 years and going strong a few thousand pictures later). It is sometimes good when people come to visit - forces you to seek out places you have not yet been.

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  8. Looks like you had a great day! Nice photos.

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