A little slice of Vancouver Island

After spending 4 months wintering at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, we headed towards the mid-north island area. I grew up on the south island, and Bill has lived there for most of his life, having served 40 years in the Navy. Over the years, we've explored Victoria and its surrounding areas extensively, so during this visit, we focused on relaxing and catching up with family and friends instead of sightseeing. Now that we're retired, we have the opportunity to travel and explore. We're excited for this part of our journey, as we plan to spend more time discovering parts of the island we haven't yet experienced or have only briefly when we passed through on our way to other destinations.

Vancouver Island spans about 450 to 460 kilometers (280 to 285 miles) in length. As the biggest island on North America's west coast, it extends in a northwest-southeast direction, with its width varying between 50 and 100 kilometers. Situated in British Columbia, Canada, the island is known for its beautiful rugged, mountainous, forested terrain and seascapes.

On this early March morning, we awoke to a stunning island sunrise and milder temperatures.

We traded in our winter coats in favor of long-sleeve shirts and vests. Traveling by SUV, we drove along the main Highway 19 heading south from Comox, and took exit 46 to Highway 19A, also known as The Oceanside Route, passing through Qualicum and Parksville. Our goal was a beach where we had heard a group of sea lions had gathered, anticipating the herring run. Each year, thousands of sea lions, birds, and other wildlife gather near the eastern shores of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, in anticipation of the spawning Pacific herring, which is a vital food source. The sea lions were loud and smelly, yet an incredible spectacle to witness in their natural habitat. They pushed, shoved, bit, and gnashed their teeth at one another as they jostled their large, blubbery bodies over and through each other to secure the best spots on the shore.

Naturally, I brought my Nikon camera and took some amazing photos and close-ups of snoozing snouts. (Camera gear: Nikon Coolpix P950)

Our next destination was Rathtrevor Beach, in Parksville where I learned that Brant Geese gather by the hundreds from March to April. They stop to feed on eelgrass and time their visit with the spawning herring run, consuming the roe to gain energy for their spring migration back to their habitats in the high Arctic, specifically in coastal lowlands, tidal flats, and on islands across Alaska, Canada (including Baffin and Ellesmere Islands), and western Russia. They arrive in these regions in early May, constructing nests in wetlands with sedges and grasses.

Speaking of food energy, we found ourselves with hungry tummies and were excited to try out a brewery we had not yet been to. Fern + Cedar Brewing is located in the Qualicum Beach area and was a marvelous pick. Not only were the craft beers crisp, cold, and tasty, but their food menu was like no other I've seen for a beer joint. Theirs was no regular old bar food. Typical menu items like lettuce wraps, dumplings, and calamari, were transformed into standout, signature dishes by adding elevated ingredients and unique cooking techniques. Their chef has a knack for crafting a "craveable" experience by combining the familiar comforts with surprising flavor pairings, like spiced oils and herb-infused aiolis. The dishes are thoughtfully prepared and plated, leaving you longing for more even after you've left. The atmosphere was equally charming with its airy vibe of tall ceilings, crafted cedar furnishings, and lush ferns hanging. Hence the name "Fern + Cedar". They had an amazing indoor/outdoor covered heated patio that would be spectacular to enjoy in the summer. The staff were friendly and attentive, which enhanced the experience. Thank you, Dom (Dominique)! I believe we can say this is now one of our favorite breweries, and we hope to return and try more of that spectacular and extensive menu. Fern + Cedar Website https://fernandcedar.ca/

We had a wonderful day experiencing the nature, wildlife, landscapes, delicious food, and people on this part of the Island. When living here, it's easy to get caught up in household chores, kids, work, traffic, and the daily routine, which makes you forget how beautiful this area of BC is. Viewing it at a leisurely pace as retirees has been a truly different and delightful experience. This transition has offered the freedom to slow down and find joy in small, previously overlooked moments where now we don't have in the back of our minds we have to return to the grind on Monday.

"Retirement offers the perfect opportunity to rediscover and reshape who you are beyond your professional identity."

Bill & Cat