Opera in Victoria (Gonzo Writeup)

The opera (Mozart's Don Giovanni) was a hit

At least 4 really good voices (especially Don Giovanni and Zerlina) and amazing set design and lighting. The theatre was a nice size, and I had front row balcony seats. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Friday. I spent the morning in a funky little cafe (Beacon Hill), then off to the Royal Museum for the Titanic display and a brand-new First Nations display including Tsimshian treasures. I really enjoyed the tools, masks and totem poles. I was never a fan of totem poles, but now that I have some background, they start to make sense.

Finished the day and trip at Becky's.

Saturday morning, it was off to the airport and an easy rise home.

Trip done.

Next year....Cuba

Bruce

Butchart Gardens

What can I say. The initial view of the Sunken Garden at Butchart Gardens is worth the price of admission

Back in Victoria after a night in Duncan. Had to go to Butchart Gardens. Glad I did. Now, tooling about Victoria (busier and more compact than Halifax). I'm not much for shopping, even if there is a big MEC here. I like to walk. I like to sit. Found a pretty good pizza place.

Tonight, it's back to see Beck and family, then off to the opera!

Cheers, Bruce.

Walking on Salt Spring Island

Salt Spring Island is a funky place

Since I enjoy walking in or out of all the towns I visit, Tuesday, I found the Galloping Goose trail and headed north out of Victoria. Put in about 20 kms by lunch and had pout up with enough rain, that I got off-trail and took a bus up to Departure Bay, where I took the ferry to Salt Spring Island. Gorgeous ride at suppertime, just as the sun made its debut for the day. Stayed at a little B&B in Fulford that had a great view of the harbour. An excellent supper was at the local pub. The B&B guy, Doug, is from Edmonton, and away most of the year. He dropped by for a few beer and I met some of the locals as he re-connected with them. Pretty good day all around.

Tuesday, I hitch-hiked to Ganges, which is a pretty funky place. Worked on a little haiku about my Dad and his effect on my life (being around family the past few weeks had dredged up the some memories that need to be dealt with). Will save that gor the Gonzo log as well, as it's pretty dark. From Ganges, I walked to Vesuvius, took the ferry to Crofton, and walked to Duncan in the ongoing rain. Nice walk, but the parts are beat up. I'm done with the walking. Treated myself to a motel room. Oh la la!
Another great dinner and beer fiesta in the pub and sleep like a baby. Even with the rain, it was a great day.

Bruce

Earth Day in Comox

Earth Day in B.C. Too cool

On Friday, I decide the head back to Comox. Ukee looks like a nice place, but I want to see more of the family before I go and the weekend is the best time...some people still work.

Breakfast on Friday morning is with a really nice German girl (Edith). My sister, Michelle picks me up at the bus terminal and it's off to dinner at a pub and a few beer, followed by a few hours of chatting. We are putting in the time talking, that's for sure.

Saturday, it's up for an early run, then it's off to see JoAnne and Kyle's new house, then take Livea off to the Farmer's Market and Earth Day, where I find out about a new type of very passive (non-electric) solar water heating. We spend some time in the park, then drive around some of the sites that Michelle bikes to, as Livea gets in her nap. Big dinner, a few beer, lots of chit-chat and call it a day

Sunday, I take the day off (could have gotten out for a Dragon Boat session) and just do some walking and sitting in the sun. Drop in on the brother (he has a nice place on the water and also has a boat that spent the winter IN the harbour...pics to follow in the Gonzo writeup later on). Brother wasn't home, left a message. Did the chores and bike stuff at my sisters. then made a visit to JoAnne's to chat with here, and see her father Jim, for the first time in 25+ years. He looked good. Michelle and I had another great dinner (Maxine came over for dessert), a few beer and swapped pictures, stories and checked out the family album she made for my Mom's 80th birthday. We may get some sort of family tree done yet. Talked with the brother for quite a bit on the phone. We'll re-connect on email later on.

Monday, I slogged all my gear (including all those un-used clothes and bike gear) the 5 kms to the bus station and made my way to Victoria. Met more of Becky's friends, including Maya's father, Jamie. The Vancouver Canucks were playing a Game7 (they won). Nice bbq and beer evening. Tomorrow, it's off to Saltspring.

Bruce

Hot Springs in Tofino

Definitely a fun day

Arrived in Tofino on Sunday afternoon. Was just walking into my hostel room, when a young guy (Joel) stops me and asks if i want to fly up to Hot Springs Cove for the rest of the day, as they were looking for a 4th person to share the $$$. Sign me up! Ten minutes later, I'm getting on the plane with Bayden, Joel and Mitch (an Aussie...the place is rife with 'em). Great ride up. Been on lots of little planes and helicopters, first float plane...too cool. The 2km walk in is all like a rainforest, and the boardwalk has a lot of donated, inscribed boards. The springs are addictive. We spend 4 hours there. I offset the heat with ongoing dips in the Pacific. Oddly enough, the young guys from Alberta aren't into this, altho they,ve been surfing at Chesterman's all week, including that morning. Back to town, quick run to grocery store, beer store and back to hostel. Hopping place for 8:00 pm on a Sunday night. I meet Uve, Marcel and Sara from Germany and our small crowd ends up in a bar later on. I finally get back to my room after midnight. Been a long day. As it turns out, Uve and Sara are my roomies.

Monday...it rains all day, including some sleet. I take the path of least resistance and do some shop browsing, and check out boats headed for Flores Island or whale-watching. Get the paper, drink coffee, do a laundry, see a movie that night (Babel...excellent). You need this type of day on a long trip.

Tuesday, it's off to the Hummingbird Hostel, located just beside the Ahousat Indian Reservation (about a n hour by boat, north) and run by a quirky, 40-year-old Japanese guy (Yuki). He's been there 8 years, but is currently at odds with the locasl who own his building and likley won't be there after this summer. His deck has 2 hummingbird feeders that are going all day. I spend a wonderful day, sitting in one spot on the wharf, watching this very active village. I get to meet a few locals and hitch a ride over to the Reservation wharf for a spell. They made a movie here back in the 70's (the Owl called his name?), and i visited the local beach and church. Also watched the movie later. Hitched a ride with the guys going clam-digging (was tempted to try and tag along) and saw them come in and unload later in the evening. There were float planes and boats going by all day long. I was outside from sun-up to sundown. A great day. Nothing thrilling like bungy-jumps and float planes. More of a head-space day.

Wednesday, it's back to Tofino. Spent the entire day outside as well. Missed out on the whale watch run, but got in a few hours sitting dockside, a 10 km walk to the Botanical Gardens (my favorite spot on this trip) and then a 6 mile run. Also made it to a dinner cafe, where I finally got to see Serena and Sabrina (I had just missed them in Comox and Nanaimo). Bought the CDs and spent a nice evening. Another day where I enjoyed every moment.

Thursday...I walk to Uclulet. About 42 kms. Gorgeous, sunny day. The best weather yet. I stop at a few beaches along Long Beach, including Incinerator Rock, just past where we surfed...seemed so long ago. After about 25 kms of pounding the asphalt, I stop in at Wikininnish for lunch and a beer. The waiter sees me checking local maps and offers that there is a way to get to Uclulet by trail and beach, without going back on the road. Sign me up. I spend a few great hours, including 6 kms on Florentia Bay. A stunning afternoon. Surf a bit wild to try a swim in, altho I did get in a little skinny dip on a small incoming river. Get into Uclulet, late, tired and sore. Dinner, a few beer, a batch and bed. Another really great day.

Time to head back to Comox and visit some family

Bruce

Bungy Jumping in Nanaimo

Looking into the hole below, the knees got very weak...jump NOW!

Sitting here in Nanaimo and looking forward to Tofino again tomorrow. Not a bike trip anymore. The bike I borrowed had too many gear problems to continue with. Left Denman Island Thursday morning, heading towards Nanaimo and kept losing gears and one shifter (old chain, sprockets and shifter). Made the decision to turn around, go back to Comox, re-group and head out with just a backpack. Less mobility, but more freedom. Pas grand chose.

Ended up in Nanaimo Thursday night at the Painted Turtle hostel. Not funky, but nice and new. Saw a great blues band (Carlos Del Junko) that evening. Friday, it just rained all day, and I mean, it just rained all day. Took a real, full day off, got my diary up-to-date, did a laundry, got some reading done, chatted with hostel crowd (lots of Aussies) and caught some decent jazz that evening.

Saturday was nice and sunny, so I decided the walk the 12 km out the the WildPlay Zone, where, as luck would have it, they have some bungy jumping. Wow! Nothing like diving 140+ feet off a bridge to kick-start your day! I had asked for a spongy rope, as compared to a stiff one, so guess what...got immersed up to my shoulders in the river water on the initial dive. Too cool! I have a great video, but no access to it on this computer. Will write this up proper at home.

Another part of my plan was to take the Lady Rose ferry to Ucluelet, but this option is only open in June, so it's off to Tofino, where I hope to take a water taxi up the West Coast, at least to Flores Island and the Hummingbird Hostel.

Cheers. Bruce
On the Beach with the Family

Surfing in Tofino

Surfing is really hard work. My arms are still tired.

What a busy start to a vacation. Head is still spinning from the past few days.

Flight from Halifax to Victoria went fine. Weather was so nice, I just had to switch into shorts and t-shirt on the Victoria Harbour Walk, just before pics in front of the Empress Hotel and a quick tour of the Royal Theatre, run by Opera Victoria.

Dropping in on my niece Becky , who I haven't seen in 25 years, was quite a shock. Also met her significant other, John, and her 2 daughters, Maya and Lola. We travelled up to Comox that night to visit and stay with my sister Michelle. Brother John, who I also haven't seen in 25 years, dropped over or a beer.

Friday, it's up for a run, with mountains as my backdrop. Amazing! Get some biking done in the afternoon, meet my other niece, Joanne and her hubby Kyle and daughter Livea, then it's off to a beach for family photos, where I meet John's son, Ben and his better half Meaghan, as well as John's significant other, Linda. The photo session is too cool. Can't wait to see the professional pics...as I used the opportunity to snap pics for the entire hour.

Then it's off to a bar with the brother for a beer and bit of schmoozing. We've been in touch by email the past 6 months, but it's nice to put a face to all that blather.

Saturday, more running and biking and some family road-hockey and a big Easter dinner. I've seen pictures of these events for years. Nice to finally be here for one.

Sunday, it's up early and off to Tofino with Kyle and Ed for some surfing. That's not me in the picture above, as my total time on top of the board with my feet (as compared to all my other body parts) did not add up top 5 seconds. The surfing was hard enough. Trying to not have the waves beat you back onto shore used up 90% of my energy. Nice big waves. Learned a lot. Had a blast. Beat the holy crap out of myself.

Monday, it's up for a run, get a laundry done, the off cross-country skiing with my sister up at Mount Washington. We visited the big ski hill as well. Busy, big spot. The nordic setup was much more to my liking. Dinner was John, Linda, Michelle and I. There was a bit of a dustup. I guess time does not resolve issues, we'll have to resolve them ourselves.

Oddly enough, on Tuesday morning, I don't feel like going for a run. My body and brain feel like the've been thru the wringer. I do get in a bit of biking, then lunch with Michelle and some co-workers, followed by dragon-boat paddling with her 'croo. Great job my sister has. I see her all day and she still gets in a day's work.
Out for coffee with the paddlers (just like a bunch from Banook) and Michelle lucks onto a bike that I can use for my trip, from her friend, Mary. I'm mobile!

Wednesday morning, I get the bike on the road and tool down the coast to Denman Island, where I get access to a computer. Funky spot. I love staying in hostels.

So, the plan is to bike for the next week or so. Get down to Nanaimo and maybe the Gulf Islands, or take the Lady Rose ferry from Port Alberni and visit the West Coast some more. Nice to have options.

Cheers. Bruce

Gear List

The Gear List is a little bigger this year, as I'm taking out a few more clothes and a bunch of biking and running gear

GEAR
====
Blue backpack, green daybag, blue tote bag
2 Waterproof bags, plus small plastic
Sleeping over-bag, long inflatable pad
Can opener, knife, spoon, camp knife
Matches, compass, whistle, water bottle/pills

BIKE GEAR
=========
2 saddle bags with lights, headlight
Vest, helmet, lock, gloves
Pump, rack, helmet, repair kit, tube, lock

CLOTHES
=======
Boots, sandals, sneakers, Nylon rain shell, pants
Jeans, sweatshirt, Green puff, black shell
Black hat, black toque, blue balaclava
Bathing suit, towel, 6 cotton underwear
2 Nylon shorts, tights, 3 cotton t-shirts
2 long & 3 short poly tshirts
2 cotton, 4 wool, 2 poly socks

TOILETRIES
==========
Razor, deodorant, q-tips, scraper, 2 teeth clean
Bandaids, polysporin/alcohol, wrap, large band-aid, triangle
Clippers, sunscreen, Tweezers, mirror, 1 Toilet paper
Glasses backup, Sawgrass/vitamins, allergy pills

DAYBAG
======
2 Led lamps, Clock, watch, Memory chip, Radio, batteries
Camera, memory chips, Glasses, Money belt
Hostel list. driver licence, visa, blue cross, plane ticket
Passport, contact list, birth cert, phone numbers
Notebook/pens, travel books, Waterproof case

Bruce

Off to visit kith & kin

John, Michelle and myself on my 1981 visit. Yikes!

Growing up in an armed forces family and moving from spot to spot every few years means that I really don't have a home base. It also means that my parents, brother and sister also don't have a home base. The result is we have drifted all over the place for a number of years.

Both my brother and sister have been living on Vancouver Island since the 70's. I had taken a trip out there to see about living there back in 1981. I love British Colombia, and had lived up in Smithers back in the 70's. My wife was from new York, and she felt that the distance would be too much, as we visited New York and all the relatives at least once a year.

Well, my brother John had a kid, and my sister Michelle had 2, and they've had kids. My niece Joanne got married a few years back, and I tried to get out for the wedding. Could not swing it, and have felt bad since. Am making up for it by coming out to visit everyone for a few weeks.

Luck for me, it's the Easter weekend and my sister is planning both a family dinner and a photograph session. It will be an emotional time for me. I have seen Michelle a lot, as she comes down to PEI to visit Mom almost annually. My brother John, I haven't seen for more than 25 years. We have just started emailing each other after quite a long pause, arguing the finer points of spirituality. He is a new-born and I am probably the polar opposite. The emails have been invigorating and stimulating. The live argument ought to convince people to give us some space.

I now have grand-nieces (Yikes!) to go along with nieces and a nephew. To say that I am looking forward to meeting them would be quite the understatement.

Bruce