We stopped for brunch at the Crabapple Cafe in Brackendale. Fabulous food!
We were down the road from the Watershed Grill that doubles for Jack’s Bar in Virgin River. You may recognize the pics above from the opening credits of Virgin River.
We made another scenic stop. Now I know the stretch of highway where all the Subaru commercials are shot!
We appreciated the beautiful red Japanese maples in downtown Vancouver.
We spotted this peculiarly shaped skyrise.
We were immediately smitten by our home exchange condo on False Creek. The first thing I did was pull out a lawn chair and sit on a grassy noll in front of our condo building. I enjoyed watching the passer byers as much as I enjoyed the warmth of the sun.
Kath’s quote: “May the warmth of the sun, and God’s promise that it shall rise again tomorrow, brighten your darkest night.” -authour unknown
Crescent Beach was a more urban scene for us (as compared to Pender). We enjoyed the shops and cafes.
This was my view from bed.
On D’s lunch hour, we walked the beach path
and home via Nancy’s street. This garage was at ground level but the house was way up high. Imagine carrying groceries….
When we arrived home it was time for reading and tea. True story: I intended to read my Kobo but I had a nap outside instead.
That evening we had Happy Hour apps for our dinner at the Cactus Club. I had never been to a Cactus Club. I liked it a lot, it was full of men. Pictured above is a fried chicken slider.
Truffle fries – yum. (We have started making them since we got home).
And shrimp crunch rolls!
The next day we had a great morning walk at Blackie Spit Trail then along Crescent Beach. The 150 acres of land was purchased in 1871 by Scotsman, Walter Blackie, New Westminster’s first blacksmith. Blackie, who paid $50 for it, became the first European resident of the area, which became known as ‘Blackie’s Spit.
The homes reminded me of our honeymoon in Cape Cod.
It rained later that day, so we spent a cozy final afternoon in our Air BnB
and then had dinner at Nancy’s beautiful home. We were off to Whistler in the morning!
Kath’s quote: “You can have more than one home. You can carry your roots with you, and decide where they grow“. Henning Mankell
There was another sunrise reflection to the north that morning.
This was my view from bed.
D and I in our orange shirts as it was national indigenous reconciliation day. We packed our shirts before we left Winnipeg so that we could remember and reflect on the struggles of our indigenous citizens.
We briefly stopped at the other house. In every new room in which I step, I select what would be my favourite chair and view. This was the one from the second house.
Since it was a holiday, D didn’t have to work and accompanied Nance and I for the day.
Nance and I
Our first stop was a picturesque hike to Smugglers Cove.
The history of Smugglers Cove is a fascinating tale.
The many coves and vistas, look a bit the same when you are trying to caption photos.
In this neighbourhood the homes were built up high for a view of the ocean.
That afternoon we toured through Secret Cove, Rockwater and the Francis Peninsula. At Bakers Beach we found Nancy’s house across the cove. At least we thought we did.
We shopped for supplies at Madeira Park. Back at Nancy’s there was a whale sighting in the vicinity. But unfortunately, it was not visible to us.
We sat down to another delicious supper with D at the barbeque (and then were drawn into watching the Vice President debate).
That morning, this picture was taken looking north. The rising sun was reflected in the clouds.
We had to go fill up on water, so we stopped and a couple of Nancy’s friends in the area.
This was an aerial pic of the area with distances to various spots including Egmont were D and the guys were hiking that day.
Their destination on foot from Egmont were the Skookumchuk Rapids. Here, hikers can embark on a popular trail to the fastest moving salt water rapids in North America which reverse direction in the narrows. D said the hike was an adventure, let alone seeing the swirling waters of the rapids.
Meanwhile, Nancy and I were scooting through the forest on her trusty gator.
Nancy gave me permission to help with some of the fall garden clean up.
Our first stop was the Little House where a beautiful cove is located on the east side of the property.
I enjoyed another glimpse into the Love Shack where I would dearly love to stay sometime.
We also stopped on the property to see where a wedding was once held.
The drift wood along this area, is on a scale I have never seen before.
Wouldn’t you love this to be your kitchen view?
The long rays of the autumn sun.
From this vantage point, I would often have an afternoon nap while at Pender.
That evening we ventured out for a delicious dinner at the Ruby Lake Resort Restaurant where Joni Mitchell who resides in the neighbourhood, likes to dine. The resort is a popular destination in Madeira Park, check out their website for menus and more information about the resort. Ruby Lake Resort – Sunshine Coast in British Columbia
We started with a satisfying bruschetta made with their own garden tomatoes and a balsamic reduction.
D and I shared this lovely burrata appetizer,
and then this fabulous seafood and pasta special. The mussels were lovely and briny and the most humungous ones I had ever eaten.
Another perfect day with beautiful food, gorgeous surroundings and fascinating people.
Kath’s quote: “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustav Flaubert
