Vancouver Island is such a beautiful, magical place. I’m going to let the pictures do the talking, mostly.
It is filled with lovely souls – such as Donna, from Retirement Reflections who generously filled me in on the Island’s wonders.
Always a treat to meet bloggers you follow in real life!
Donna and her charming husband Richard also took the time to show me a lovely walking trail between Qualicum Beach and Bowser area.
A very accessible trail designed to accommodate as many community members as possible.One of 1,000s. A gorgeous tree on this trail.
And Donna lent me some great books to read up on Vancouver Island fun attractions, facts and figures!
I learned a lot about the history and attractions of the Island from these!
On Mizz J’s day off work, we hit the road to do some exploring.
First up: Little Qualicum Cheeseworks at Morningstar Farm. A “dairy/berry” farm, and a delight for agri-tourists, like us!
Love the no smoking sign.Helpful signs everywhere explaining how the farm works for us non-farmers.Robot pushing the feed closer to the hungry cows.Curious goat says hi.Miss Thing from the maternity pen also says hi.Potted flowers blooming outside farm store entrance. Complete with painted mandala stone. This is February 1, people! In Canada!!!Lovely treats brought home from the farm store.
Entrance to CentreIt was tough to get a good shot of the many birds housed there (including eagles, hawks, and ravens) through the wire mesh of their enclosures. So here’s a resident turkey, for your viewing pleasure. 🙂There was also a garden area, showcasing native (and some non-native) plants to be found on the Island. Seen here: oregon grape, heather, and kinnick-kinnick.
After a delightful visit, it was on to the next: Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, Parksville.
We were delighted to come across many bunnies on our way to the beach. They let us get quite close.Beach view. Overcast but still lovely.As with most places on the Island, we were in awe of the beautiful, giant trees.
After such an attraction-packed day, it was time to head back to Mizz J’s for a well-deserved soak in the hot tub.
28 thoughts on “Exploring Vancouver Island – Part 1: Bowser/Qualicum/Parksville Area”
Lovely, Deb. How wonderful for you to spend time with your daughter and have a chance to meet Donna. What a beautiful area and eye candy to see flowers and green grass!
Since we are planning a trip to Vancouver Island this summer, this was the perfect teaser. And, thanks for the guide book recommendations. I look forward to your next post… I’ve heard about Tofino and am excited to see it for myself.
Once again amazing. I’f I ever get travel money again and get in a position where I can make a trip like this, this place will certainly make the list. Thank you.
What a great post! You definitely live not only in THE moment but in EVERY moment! Yay you!!! 😀 – And wine in the hot tub at the end of the rainbow… Does it get any better??? – Also, those bunnies are huge and I have great fear of rabbits, clowns and midgets. You can laugh at me, it’s okay. Other people see warm n’ fuzzy bunnies. I see hideous beasts with bulging eyes, giant teeth and claws! Not even kidding…
Oh no! So sorry to hear that rabbits affect you that way. I have a friend who feels the same way about birds, which limits her outdoor activities sometimes. I used to be terrified of spiders. I get it, Mimi.
Thanks for your kind words💕
Hi, Deb – Thanks so much for the mention. I greatly enjoyed meeting up with you….and am selfishly looking for more! I am so glad that you and Mizz J got the chance to go The Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. It is an amazing place. Yesterday, they successfully released one of the three eagles that had been poisoned in nearby Cowichan Valley. I love happy endings like this. You can check out the video here. https://www.facebook.com/wildliferecoverycentre/
I look forward to reading Part 2 of your post!
I like Miss Thing. She has kind eyes. The rest of your photos make me want to visit this area sometime in my life. Pretty, pretty. Thanks for sharing them here.
Lovely, Deb. How wonderful for you to spend time with your daughter and have a chance to meet Donna. What a beautiful area and eye candy to see flowers and green grass!
Thank you Molly! I can’t get enough of green and blooming things at this time of year either!!!
Thanks for sharing a little of that west coast magic with us winter weary easterners 🙂 You are teasing my wanderlust!!
The beaming face of your daughter says it all!
Thanks Joanne! You might want to stay off my blog for a while unless you really like to be teased 😜 (oooh that sounds a bit dirty, doesn’t it?!)
LOL!!! From you I expect nothing less 🙃
I knew you would enjoy it!
You were right, as usual Jonathan!
Since we are planning a trip to Vancouver Island this summer, this was the perfect teaser. And, thanks for the guide book recommendations. I look forward to your next post… I’ve heard about Tofino and am excited to see it for myself.
Thanks Janis! I think you will love it, all of it 💕
Once again amazing. I’f I ever get travel money again and get in a position where I can make a trip like this, this place will certainly make the list. Thank you.
And oh yeah, got any more of that wine?
Hehehe! I left it behind in BC. I’m sure it’s disappeared by now 😄. Thanks Don!
I thought there was supposed to have been a polar vortex flow through to the US? Are you sure those flowers were real? Lovely photos as usual, Deb.
The vortex apparently missed Vancouver Island but my home province of Ontario was in the deep freeze, for sure! Thanks AJ!
Absolutely beautiful, Deb. Your photos are just gorgeous. This post was an oasis for me on a very busy, stressful day.
Thanks Susan! Glad it provided a respite for you 💕
What a great post! You definitely live not only in THE moment but in EVERY moment! Yay you!!! 😀 – And wine in the hot tub at the end of the rainbow… Does it get any better??? – Also, those bunnies are huge and I have great fear of rabbits, clowns and midgets. You can laugh at me, it’s okay. Other people see warm n’ fuzzy bunnies. I see hideous beasts with bulging eyes, giant teeth and claws! Not even kidding…
Oh no! So sorry to hear that rabbits affect you that way. I have a friend who feels the same way about birds, which limits her outdoor activities sometimes. I used to be terrified of spiders. I get it, Mimi.
Thanks for your kind words💕
Hi, Deb – Thanks so much for the mention. I greatly enjoyed meeting up with you….and am selfishly looking for more! I am so glad that you and Mizz J got the chance to go The Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. It is an amazing place. Yesterday, they successfully released one of the three eagles that had been poisoned in nearby Cowichan Valley. I love happy endings like this. You can check out the video here. https://www.facebook.com/wildliferecoverycentre/
I look forward to reading Part 2 of your post!
Thank you Donna! I’m sure we’ll meet again and again. That is my hope as well 💕
So beautiful! And those black bunnies are striking! Thanks for sharing.
You’re very welcome Janet! Thanks for commenting!
I like Miss Thing. She has kind eyes. The rest of your photos make me want to visit this area sometime in my life. Pretty, pretty. Thanks for sharing them here.
Glad you liked them Ally! Thanks for the comment!
You’re visiting my old stompin’ grounds which is the Comox Valley, a little further north. You are in magical territory for sure!
Yes! I love it there!!!
I love Vancouver. How great that you got to see your daughter/family and have a blogger meet up as well!
Thank you Tracey! Yup, it was pretty great. 😁
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