Upper Vancouver Island Eating

(Delayed posting. Visited Labour Day Weekend 2024)

Over labour day weekend, in 2024, we went camping in the Comox area. Here are some of the places we ate at over that time.

First, we spent the night in Parksville and had supper at Tigh-na-mara's Cedar's restaurant. I had the beef short rib gnocchi (caramelized onion, beef demi, parmesan cheese, mushrooms & pesto sauce).

The next day we had lunch in Coombs at Cuckoos. We shared a garden salad and split an order of Pacific salmon and crab cakes. I also tried a Radler beer for the first time and its very low alcohol leval and strong fruit flavour was very appealing.

The next day, at Coastal Black, we tried one of their wood fired pizzas: pesto, goat cheese, figs, balsamic, and spinach. Super yummy!

We also each had a flight of different fruit and mead wines.

That night we treated ourselves at the Kingfisher spa with a supper at Ocean 7.

We shared the fungus, cheese, and arugula covered flatbread.

Then we shared the always delicious beef tartar.

I had the seafood fettuccini. Fresh and soothing to my taste buds.

My spouse had the Pacific salmon "bouillabaisse".

In between hikes in Cumberland we ate at Rider's Pizza.

They had the option to have half-and-half pizzas so we went with the Maui and Polish mashup. Wow it was such a good mixture of flavours!

For supper our last night we cooked at our campsite. BBQ zucchini and Delmonico steaks with a mushroom and green bean stir fry.

Cumberland Trails

(Delayed posting. Visited Labour Day Weekend 2024)

When staying in the Comox/Courtney area we always visit Cumberland. One of the things we like to do is walk on the trails. Today we walked along the pink route.

The sun was just right with the beams of light streaming through the trees and providing luminescence and shadows along the ground.

Are the trees guardians of us or watching something else.

The micro green cover of moss, lichen and ferns provides a continuous blanket over the earth and fallen trees of days gone by.

As you walk and look around you find forest plants and trees either gathered or apart. Have they stayed with friends and relatives for decades forming cliques of have thier neighbours simply disappeared from existence?

Long moss dangles like bracelets from long limbs awaiting our approval.

Bridges of bark stand by for the clutching of claws or the pad of feet. As animals move to their own music so do the decaying trees.

The flurry of ferns sometimes compete with seedlings that may or may not exist under their cover.

Although the path may be hidden you can trust that you will find your way...eventually.

The next trail was Josh's trail and then the red one.

Bridges abound this close to the swampy water with different kinds of life. It is amazing what a dozen meters can do for a changeup of the ecosystems.

Always a nice feeling when walking through nature.

Comox Kin Beach Campsite: Another Early Morning Sunrise

(Delayed posting. Visited Labour Day Weekend 2024)

On this morning I woke up a little earlier so went to watch this day's sunrise.

Waking up just a little bit earlier than yesterday was even more magical. Hearing the birds greet the day and the skittering of small furry animals made you realize that every being around you has a routine and an objective that is determined by this bright sun that we orbit. Each passing second illuminates more of our surroundings and reveals more of what we think is there from our memories. 

The playground is empty of children but in time it will revel in the caterwauling of joy.

As the light becomes more multihued it shows the magic of our atmosphere. How the particles and waves of photons bend and move from the sun to each of our eyes in different ways, according to where we are and the conditions around us.

Forms and shapes tantalize as we guess what they are until revealing themselves.

What was once barriers now can be overcome when you see how small they are.

The light of morning makes you forget the dark...

...and the full dawn provides guidance for rest and further reflection. 

Kin Beach Park: Early Morning Art of Nature

(Delayed posting. Visited Labour Day Weekend 2024)

Sunrises set your circadian rhythm and starts your day right. It allows you to pass the time and seeing it change slowly so you appreciate the little alterations in viewpoints. It allows you to breathe and zone out so you feel not only your body but everything. Enjoy these pictures of sunrise at Kin beach park.

Comox Camping at Kin Beach Park

(Delayed posting. Visited Labour Day Weekend 2024)

We were not able to get a spot at our regular campground for Labour Day weekend so we tried a new one at Kin Beach Park. Situated just North and East of the Comox airport it has a great view of the mainland BC mountain range and the straight of Juan de Fuca in between.

Here is our set up campsite with our new portable shelter.

What I like about this park is the vibe. It has history and a feeling of happiness reaching from the past to relax you. It provides a nice hug on your insides. Some views of the park itself. 

Garden Greens

(Delayed posting from August 2024)

Here is an example of the growth that happened in our garden. Vegepods rock!

These garlic bulbs grew in flower pots on our back deck.

An interloper.