Summer came & went

Soon leaving the tranquil setting of "On Golden Pond" here at Seal Bay

and heading south.

So, a recap of the past three months . . . 

Carved Seals at Entrance to RV Pa

Made several trekks to Victoria for Marc's eye check-ups (all inclusive with the surgery for a year).   Coming along fine.   He had his PRK surgery now five months ago and is very happy to not be wearing glasses, except for reading.   He can now rub his eyes without feeling sore and the sun and night driving do not affect him nearly as much.   Has special glasses that will help with the glare for night time driving.   

Golfing only happened a couple of times but he has noticed great improvements with the eyesight.


Cycling was pushed to the back burner this season; Marc, due to his eyes healing and not able to tolerate dust, pollen or wind and me --- well, other things have taken over, for now.




I had a great two day blitz taking in several one hour sessions from some our best professional photographers.   My friend Jo called up and we went off to Campbell River for the two days of workshops.   It was so fabulous.   My favorite was the night time photography and use of flash which I never use.   Now, I just have to get out there! 






Seal Bay Park is huge (375 acres, some of which is oceanfront) and every time the dogs and I head out on the trails, there is something that catches the eye.

Daisy

Thistle

Wild Huckleberry Bushes

Walking one evening within the trails the dogs took off around the corner, hackles up.   I was thinking - not a good sign.   Called them back (they were super with their recalls), put them on leash and heard something crushing branches in the woods.   











I was in an area where the trails were wide (for ATVs) and three directions where the trail connects.   So, waited to see 'what' I might be hearing.   Sure enough, huge black, furry legs were slowly coming up the trail ---- bear.   We're outta there!

Berries are plentiful this season; huckleberries, salmon berries, blueberries and of course, blackberries.


These are wild blueberries, picked by our friendly neighbors.   So much more flavor than the domestic, store bought berries.

 Can you guess what this is?

Thistle that has gone to seed - replanting itself everywhere with the breeze to help with lift off.

Alot of garter snakes - they swim across the pond to the little island where they hang out and where the 'duck' house stays.   Three separate batches of baby ducks have lived around the pond.  Unfortunately, eagles and hawks are always keeping watch on the babies.

Of course, summer wouldn't be complete without a little barbecuing.

Brunch at our site, with about a 16 oz sirloin steak we brought home from Stater Bros.









And, with all the berries (blackberries everywhere), August brought those dreaded wasps.

Marc got stung on the inner thigh - swelled up the size of a grapefruit and the sting and itchiness lasted about seven days.

About a week later, I was stung (same outdoor area) 2" above the knee and by the following day my leg was red, swollen and itchy down to the ankle.   My sock left an indentation from the swelling.

Pickleball

Our coach, friend, Pickleball Guru, Prem Carnot from Oceanside, California came to stay with us for a very quick week of visiting and coaching.   

He was here at the time of our outdoor barbeque and pickleball day with players from the lower Mainland, and South Island - approx 55 people.

We are now the proud owners of two of Prem's paddles - love it!   Will be bringing back a few for others in the valley when we return from the south.

Our local club (since we started playing last May) has gone from about 45 people to now over 130 and still growing with newcomers signing up for beginners lessons.




We are going through growing pains in the club (like all other clubs) and finding a need to expand to other facilities and splitting into levels of play.

No lack of things to work on since Prem came to brush us up on our game.





The local gymnasium was closed for a few weeks while work on the floor was being done.   Marc organized a small group of advanced players to go to Cumberland (our old stomping grounds for a dozen or so years) for play.

Cumberland, an old, historic mining town is getting several face lifts since we moved from the community to the nomad lifestyle.   A new library is being built and several old, dilapidated buildings are getting face lifts.

The Hostel is a very popular resting place for mt bikers and musicians who come to town; both of which frequent the Village of Cumberland.   

We miss those days of going downstairs to the garage, getting our bike gear on and heading out the door to some of the best mt bike trails around.   No driving, no bike rack.

The mural at the side of the Waverley Hotel and attached Cold Beer & Wine Store.




Tarbells (Bistro) has fabulous homemade goodies, bread and soups.   There are various trendy little luncheon places & shops in town.








Have enjoyed playing pickleball at the Cumberland Rec Centre.  Its old, has great wooden floors and have introduced a new sport to the centre.   They have a rock climbing wall and roller derby in the facility, plus it gets used alot for school and preschool programs during the school season.




Agility classes continue.  Kylie is retired but I still play and practice with her as she loves it so much.   

Tazz is doing great - learning some new techniques.  There are differing methods and Kathy is now teaching a slightly different technique, making the turns tighte, smoother transitions with ever increasing difficulty in the courses.   As in most sports, things are getting more and more technical.

Often take the dogs to the local fairgrounds; lots of huge fields, backing onto trails that go to Cove Creek for some great wading and swimming.  

This is a fabulous spot for practising jumps and frisbee games with the dogs.

The Regional District of Courtenay have commissioned some great local carvings.   Some carvings were started at the Fall Fair in September - so you can actually watch the artists in action with their chainsaws.

Octopus Sculpture

Kylie

Some areas are perfect for Tazz - she will run in the water as long as she knows there is a bottom and will swim about two strokes before turning around.    Loves the water but not a swimmer.   Kylie - well, nothing bothers her & loves swimming.   

A fabulous place when the temperatures get warm.

Back in the Golden Pond - Forest

2 inch Salamander

Tazz has made friends with the chickens ... 

they herd her and follow her along the fence line.

School program "Salmon Enhancement Program," teaches children about how to preserve our habitat and save the salmon, which are so important to our ecosystem.

The hand painted salmon are impressive when passing through the school yards.

The Fall Season has come back in record time ... mushroom time.                    Chantrelles - mild and delicious.

Baby Chantrelles

Poisonous Amanita Mushroom

Walking in the trails behind us, I came upon this ... just under a rotting log.   Yikes ....

A shoe with a foot and leg attached!!!!! Reminiscent of true stories of shoes with feet and partial legs found in them along the Western BC Coastline; this is plastic and obviously a geocaching clue.    Scared me for a couple of seconds!

The RV Park is now quiet .... finally!   It's actually a very quiet place, even when this group section is full.  The club house will be fully enclosed this winter and showers put in.   The group section is circular and has hosted many groups.   There are sections; full timers, then our section which is long term (one to six months) and then the weekenders and this area for larger groups. 

Everyday, at approximately 5 o'clock the fish are fed ( a new shipment arrived a few weeks ago --- 7-8" trout).   With that, this lone Blue Heron follows the caretaker around the pond.   I've been playing with the dogs, who leave it alone, and it is not afraid ---- watches the fish but doesn't seem to 'get it.'   The heron stands well above the bank, or sometimes on the rocks .... don't see how it can reach those fish.  It just seems to like hanging out at the Golden Pond.

Well, the rainy season and fall has officially arrived.   We are heading south on October 11th.   Will miss the Valley but also looking forward to new adventures in Arizona this winter.