Last Vacation Before Baby

Colin and I just returned from a 9 day trip on Vancouver Island! Here's a quick version with no photos (reason will be on another blog entry).

Day 1

Got up at 430 am, and were on the Island by 9. We spent a few hours trying to find an available campsite. This was the only night we had no "plans". We ended up in Ladysmith, which was WAY closer to the Nanaimo ferry than the Schwarz Bay ferry we took. Oh well, the adventure is always fun!

The campsite we got was one of those where they cram in as many people as possible, not taking into consideration ANY need for privacy. They had a pool though, and we did enjoy it to ourselves in the evening and early the next morning.

Day 2

Packed up camp and headed south for Sooke. On the way we stopped in Cowichan Bay, and ate the most delicious Sunday Brunch at the swanky hotel, while watching the fishermen in the Bay getting ready for a day at sea.

It was a cute town, and Colin really enjoyed the little boat museum. I, on the other hand, was not as impressed with a big room full of rusty old outboard motors! But he comes into the "trinket shops" with me!

Once in Sooke, we found our Bed & Breakfast called "Otter Cove". We had it booked for 3 nights. It was great! There was a hot tub on our own private beach, and we ate dinners on the beach. The hosts stocked the fridge with bacon, eggs, fresh jams and bread, cereal, coffee, milk... everything we needed for 3 large breakfasts!

Day 3

We took a day trip to Port Renfrew (left of Sooke on the map above). Port Renfrew itself was not a very, um, interesting town. But it has the Botanical Beach! The beach is made of sandstone, and the waves have carved out the most amazing tidepools I've ever seen! Some are big enough to snorkel in, although I don't think it's allowed. They are also so clear, deep, and filled with sea creatures.

It seemed artistic, like God purposefully placed each creature in a specific spot. We watched the crashing waves, duelling hermit crabs, and sat and stared at the open ocean. What a beautiful and peaceful spot!

Next, we fished with no luck off a wharf, and then ate a late lunch/early dinner on the patio of a pub (the only restaurant in town) while watching the eagles soar overhead.

Day 4


We went to the Titanic exhibit at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria. It was awesome! Definately recommend it.


Then we programmed the "hot touristy spots" in Victoria on our GPS and let the GPS take us on a free tour of Victoria. It was so much fun! We got out of the car at Craigdarroch Castle (spelling?), wandered the grounds and peeked through the curtains. Cheap? Yes! But we saved $25!


This was our last evening at Otter Cove. Every evening we went in the private hot tub on the beach and watched for whales at dusk. It was great!


Day 5 - 7


Left Otter Cove and headed North to Miracle Beach campground (thanks Jared for the recommendation!). It's beautiful! We could barely see any campers from our site. And we were close to the showers and bathrooms, to which this pregnant lady says "AMEN"!


During our 3 days here, the mornings were spent going on excursions to Campbell River to explore, and the afternoons were spent on the beach.


In the day, the tide goes out so far you can walk forever on the sand. And the slope of the sand is so gradual that you can wade in 100 meters! It was awesome! Colin spent most of his time skim boarding and snorkelling, and I spent most of my time doing my puzzles on the beach.


I was really uncomfortable sitting on the sand, so Colin carved out a hole in the sand and put my towel over it. Then I could lay down on my front with my belly comfy cozy in the sand! Yeah it looked funny, but it was comfy!


In the evenings, we went on walks, did more exploring and salmon fishing in Campbell river.


My favourite outing though, was a trip down memory lane.


We went to visit my grandparents grave in Courtenay. I haven't seen it for 14 years, and I was shocked that I remembered where the cemetary was. Then we went for a delicious dinner at a Grill in town. After, I phoned my parents for directions to my grandparents old house, and we went to go see it. It was nice to show Colin where I have a lot of memories and tell him some stories.


Day 8


Headed south to Tillicum to visit JLo. We had a fun day with them fishing, playing games and just hanging out in the sunshine. They go there every year with their family. We feel like part of their family, as they stuffed our faces with lots of food! We were only there for about 24 hours, but I'm sure you'll read all about their trip on their blog.


Day 9


Went to a Salvation Army church with the fam in the morning, Tim Hortons for lunch, and then had to pack up and go home. I'm SOOO glad we reserved the ferry!


I know in a past blog I was really upset that we couldn't go on a cruise for vacation this year, but really, we had SUCH a great time that I don't think a cruise would have been better! It was perfect to be able to have tons of time for us to talk, explore, and enjoy being just the two of us. It was the perfect "last vacation before baby".


That being said, we can't wait to take baby camping!