Nanaimo

As Jim mentioned we overnighted in Nanaimo so he could eat Nanaimo bars to his hearts content. He doesn't eat many desserts and I eat almost all of them but our tastes diverge on Nanaimo bars, they contain coconut (Yuck).
Nanaimo was a good surprise. We had been once before for a few hours and spent those on Newcastle Island Provincial Park. This time we stayed overnight at the Bucanneer Inn, very clean. At the receptionist's suggestion we walked to the downtown along the waterfront, about a 1/2 hour walk, to find a restaurant for dinner. The car rental guy had suggested the Modern Cafe which we located pretty easily on Commercuial St. Dinner and the wine were terrific.
This morning we drive back downtown to find some breakfast and were delighted to find the Petite Choux, an excellent breakfast. After that we walked to the Old Cith Centre to find the yarn shop. Another short stroll located both Jim's namaimo bars and an out of print cookbook I was searching for. A good day in a fine little city.

A Nanaimo Night Out

We've just returned from a memorable night. We're staying at the Buccaneer Inn, a ship shape little hotel thats about a 30 minute walk from the Nanaimo city centre. Not just any walk but a harbor walk with boats and islands and birds and people to look at as you stroll. Nanaimo has a very european feel to the city core. We picked the Modern Cafe for dinner and are glad we did. A great mac & cheese for Melodee, souvalki for me and both of enjoyed a 1/2 liter of a wonderful BC savignoun blanc.
When we were getting seat assignments on the short hop from Peoria to ORD the gate agent made a point of seating us together. Melodee said no big deal as we were in for lots of 24-7 time together. That's true, but a night out like tonight is a big reason I love to travel with Melodee. She's makes life truly enjoyable.

We Went West

Way west. To the western coast of Vancouver Island. Its a long flight to Vancouver, the city, then a quick bus ride to Horseshoe Bay, an hour and 40 minute ferry boat ride (I love ferrys) to Nanaimo, home of the Nanaimo bar, & finally a 3 hour drive ouver the mountains to one of the farthest west points on the North American continent -- Tofino BC, the surfing capital of Canada. It really is. Its also really windy and a great place to watch storms roll in. We're staying at the Pacific Sands Resort on Cox Bay. Our view is to the pounding surf. Its a great place to simply curl up with a good book and relax.

I Need a Holiday

The end of tax season has arrived & we're off on our annual "after tax season" trip. Since we're going to Canada, it's a holiday.
The 9:40ish direct flight to Vancoiuver on Sunday (4/18) looked better than than crack of dawn routing thru Denver, thankfully after a late nite Saturday at a Richard Thompson concert. Even better than the later departure was settling into seats 1C and 1D. Thanks again, Patrick.
We were pleased to find a SkyTrain now connected YVR to the downtown. By 2:30 we were checked into the Sylvia Hotel on English Bay and back out into the sunshine of a beautiful Vancouver Sunday afternoon.