This update is primarily for those of you who are not living in BC or Canada for that matter and I have promised to keep the blog up so those of you from the 'south' can see the area we call home.

Vancouver Island is 460 km (290 miles) x 80 km (50 mi) - a large island and our capital city, Victoria is on the southern most tip of Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island has an estimated population of 742,000. The mildest temperatures in Canada with an average of 0 c in January and 30 c in summer.

The island is accessible only by ferry or plane - no bridges. The 1 1/2 to 2 hr crossing has 36 vessels with the largest carrying up to 470 cars + 2100 passengers. People we've met on our travels can't believe we bring our BIG RIG across on a ferry... well, they are HUGE ferries and as you now will know, Vancouver Island is a large island. It is expensive, running approximately $300 to cross with such a large rig. BUT, we don't go off the island more than twice a year.
The island is supported by fishing, tourism, farming and forestry. Mt Washington (our local ski hill - just 20 mins from Courtenay/Comox) gets some of the highest levels of snow in BC. Average snowfall is 10.5 meters or 35 feet.

We brag and love the fact we can go skiing in the morning and come down from the hill to go golfing or cycling. The Comox Valley (which encompasses Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland - all within 5-10 mins apart) does get snow but usually only lasts one to five days maximum ... the rest is rain and wind storms. Mt Washington has a successful rehab centre for the endangered Vancouver Island Marmot.

Seal Bay RV Park is fabulous ... very private, quiet and the trails are about 10 feet from our door.

Above, the trails . .. 360 acres of park that reaches to the ocean. Have taken Tazz & Kylie out numerous times on the trails on the far side of the ocean and have not seen anyone. There are deer everyday in the field above our site, a resident bear in the area (haven't seen it yet), rabbits and cougar (have not seen one of these for the 20 years of living on the island).

(Above) Kylie enjoying the ocean air again at the Georgia Strait - looking from Seal Bay to the Lower Mainland (north of Vancouver).

The trails up from the beach .... very lush and green (ferns) and moss covered trees ... a sign we get a fair bit of moisture.

And, Australian Working Kelpie heaven ....

Tazz & Kylie (on the far left), enjoying playing with their kelpie friends!!! The other four 'relatives' are regional and national winners in agility competitions; Kylie LOVEs agility and is now back in doggy play land. Tazz is in puppy training and enjoying new territory.

We are enjoying the golfing and familiar faces of being back 'home.' Will keep the blog updated somewhat but of course, not so religiously as when we are wandering the roads.