I am fed up to the gills with all things moving. Packing for a move, unpacking from a move, organizing new space, buying things for the new place, building furniture and storage solutions for the new place etc., etc. I still have a lot to do, but they are mostly little jobs (curtains, art etc.). All the big stuff is done and I am down to the little tweaks that will make my place more liveable. Hoorah!
And coincidental to my fed-up mood, the weather is fabulous. So you know what that means, right?
Time to explore my new neighbourhood!!! Specifically, the out of doors.
Yesterday I took the afternoon off to stroll down to the Departure Bay Beach area (check out my Instagram for those photos), and today was spent in search of a trail I could walk to.
One of the residents in my apartment complex tantalized me last week with a tale of going for a walk through the neighbourhood and ending up on a trail which included a waterfall! And today, I made it my mission to find out what she was talking about.
I had looked up local trails on my AllTrails app, and the Beach Estates Trail seemed to fit the description she had given me. It said I could access it from Departure Bay Road but I wanted to walk through my neighbourhood, like my neighbour did.
A short walk later, passing by many lovely homes, and I was on a public access trail that took me down to the shore of Departure Bay.
I walked along the rocky shore for a bit, looking for access to the trail. Which was easily found. Or so I thought. Immediately I entered a lush paradise.
It was a beautiful walk, but where was the waterfall? I decided to check AllTrails to see where I was on the trail.
I persevered. Onwards!
And then suddenly….
I had to be on the trail now, right?
I continued on the trail and within moments I was out on the street, and at the beginning of it all.
And an hour and twenty minutes later, I was back home. I’m so thrilled to have such easy access to all this gorgeous nature, without even having to get in my car. Walking to a local trail on the regular was a big part of my former life in Ontario and I am so happy and grateful to have a similar experience here, at my new Vancouver Island home.
Do you have a local trail you can access easily for a quick dose of Vitamin Nature?
Rock on,
The WB
I’m loving the wonderful photos you and Donna have been sharing of your hikes on Vancouver Island… gorgeous! Your search for a waterfall reminded me of a terrific waterfall – and suspension bridge – my husband and I encountered up in the Campbell River area. I think it was in the Elks Fall Provincial Park. Well worth a trip once you get settled in and have some time.
I’ll add Elks Fall to my ever-expanding list! Thanks, Janis 💕
We did that hike as well, Janis. Recommended. On a clear day. We didn’t see the other side of the bridge due to the fog.
Just what the doctor ordered for an adventurous woman like you. I love that tree trunk. I’d be hanging around on that, writing my heart out.
It does beg someone to sit on it, doesn’t it? Thanks, Jean💕
Hi, Deb – What an awesome hike. I’m reading this while just finishing my hike across the water from you (Saysutshun Island). This is another hike to add to your list! 🙂
Thanks, Donna💕 Keep those hiking ideas coming, girl!😁
Will do!
What an amazing place you’ve moved to! What an adventure!! 😀 I love the way you just dove right in checking out your surroundings. Your pictures are breathtaking and I can’t wait to see more! You should frame some and make those your art on your walls. 🙂
Great suggestion, Meems. Thank you💕 They’d make great screen savers or phone backgrounds, at the least!
Deb, I downloaded the AllTrails app and I still have not used it. I looks like it works great. Your photos are beautiful, especially within walking distance. And Birkenstocks, too. Fun! Yes, Vitamin Nature.🙂 Same with around here. Grateful!
Thank you, Erica💕 Very grateful and such a full heart have I!
Hi Deb! How wonderful that you are finally able to relax a bit and enjoy your new island home. And yes, good weather is as important as finding great trails! Thanks for taking us along on your walk with you–loved all the photos! ~Kathy
Thank you Kathy💕 I’m loving your mountain retreat photos and that bossy squirrel makes me laugh🤣
Really like your photos!
Thank you💕
That is pretty cool. I can walk to our nature preserve which is very large. Although there is a creek, there is no waterfall!
I didn’t have a waterfall at my last “local” and it was still amazing. Thanks, Kate💕
What a beautiful area you have landed in for this next chapter of life. Can’t imagine having jungley-forest-beach-waterfall all in one place within a few miles of home! When we walk out into the wilderness near our home, we wind up the desert at the foothills of the Franklin mountains. Lovely but nothing like this!!
The desert can be so beautiful! Love them as well. Thank you💕
Cool Deb, I feel like I was there. Thanks for sharing.
Leslie
Thank you, Leslie💕
Great weather and a hike close to home – now, that’s a good day!
It sure is! Thanks, Suzanne💕
I do have some trails I can easily walk to from my house. But none are as green and lush as yours. And no waterfalls. Looks like a beautiful neighborhood.
That looks like a handy app, for hiking, also.
Thank you, TG💕 I think it’s a great app!
I’m gonna have to download that app. Plenty of trails here but its bern 90 degrees and or too crowded so I need to find some smaller lesser known ones.
I hope you like it, Barbara 😁
Magnificent trail, great log, fabulous woodland – all great to walk with but also amazing inspiration for you for art work!
You’re going to enjoy your new area 😊. I love right in the edge of the Wyre Forest in the UK and have lots of opportunities to go walking in gorgeous relaxing surroundings. Yes, I know how lucky I am 😁
Oh, how wonderful to live next to a forest! So good for the soul. And yes, plenty of artistic inspiration in my area! Thanks, Kim💕
Now you’re just taunting me 😉
I don’t have anything even remotely resembling a decent hiking trail anywhere near me. Sigh. Vancouver Island is looking more and more idyllic with each photo!!!
I have to admit it’s pretty damn idyllic being here so far. But, to put things in perspective I do currently live just off a busy road and the traffic noise is constant. I’m used to it, having lived in a downtown core. But it might mess with others’ perceptions of what is truly idyllic.
What a beautiful location you’ve got over there! Am so glad you’ve landed in such a grand location. Of course you can put enlargements on your walls! Maybe not in every room, but a thoughtful option . . . 😘
Oh my goodness, Del! If only you could see the unpacked wall art I have covering my dining room table and propped up against any free wall space. I think I have enough for 2 apartments! But of course I want to paint more and hang up even more pictures. It’s going to get interesting around here. 🤔😁Thank you💕
Ah. Maybe store some and change, perhaps seasonally? Maybe ask friendly shop owners if they’d care for some loaned wall art? I sympathize…
Oh how beautiful. I’m glad you persevered and found the waterfall. You’ve landed somewhere lovely and I know I’m going to enjoy seeing it from your perspective as you explore. Carry on, my dear.
Thank you Ally B! 💕
Hi Deb – I can understand the moving, unpacking … so am glad things are not quite done – but almost. Excellent to see your exploration … happy place to be – enjoy – all the best Hilary
Thank you, Hilary!💕
Deb, so fabulous to have this abundance of nature SO close to your new home. Definitely worth all the hassle of packing and unpacking and getting settled to be in a setting where this is your “backyard”! Wow. And am guessing there will be more to discover and to enjoy in days and weeks to come. Yayyyy.
Peta
YES to more things to discover! 😁 Thanks, Peta💕
Absolutely stunning pictures, Deb. Great that you cleared those virtual cobwebs and got out into the wild. – Marty
Thank you Marty 💕
What a wonderful hike and experience, Deb. I’m not a fan of driving to trailheads (or anywhere really) and prefer walking everywhere from home, whenever possible. Maybe that’s why we live in a campervan. We can live “everywhere” and start walking from there. And, I enjoy staying in cities for the same reason. I’m sure Vancouver Island will delight you!
Thank you, Liesbet💕 It has so far! 😁
What a lovely area you moved to. I’m so glad you’re getting to enjoy nature. Everyone needs to enjoy nature. I need to enjoy nature. Damn…I so need some nature in my life right now. Thank God I can live vicariously through your hike! Mona
Thank you, Mona💕 As one who has lived vicariously through others for years, I’m happy to serve😁
Wow, that’s awesome! BC is supposed to be just gorgeous. I went there as a little girl but don’t remember. Wishing you much joy and happiness in your new place 🙂
Thank you very much, Clever Girl💕
Nature helps. Nature heals.
So true! Thank you💕
I stumbled upon your blog this morning and am looking forward to exploring it. Sadly, we have a couple of things in common: I was recently widowed, and my husband and I spend several years cruising our sailboat in your new neck of the woods. We sold our boat last year with a broker out of Brentwood Bay, so I’m somewhat familiar with hikes in that area. I do know the trail your blog post is about, though. My husband and I hauled our boat out in Nanaimo at Stone’s often, so I used it regularly for exercise. If you haven’t done it already, take the water ferry across to Newcastle Island for a day. There’s a trail that goes around the island and several the cut through it. The beaches are interesting, there’s and old pulp stone quarry, beautiful views out to the Strait of Georgia, and so much more. Cheers! Stephanie
Thank you Stephanie, for taking the time to comment. So sorry to hear of the loss of your husband.
Newcastle Island is definitely on my list to explore! Thanks for the recommendation. 🙂
Deb
Many lovely vistas. I wonder if I’ll ever make it that way! Life is funny in that I can rarely go on such trips, so it is nice to admire them vicariously like this!
Thank you💕I love to live vicariously through others as well so I’m glad to provide that service 😁
I knew nothing about this trail. How wonderful that you can walk to it from where you live. And, by the way, after hearing from you and Donna about AllTrails, I just downloaded the app today.
Jude
Thank you, Jude 💕 I hope you enjoy AllTrails as much as we do.
Catching up with your exploration outdoors – I love the look of your Vitamin Nature! What is Fall & Winter like on Vancouver Island? Is it milder than Toronto?
From what little of Vancouver Island fall and winter I have experienced, I have to say it is much milder than Toronto. Which unsurprisingly I have absolutely no problem with 😉😄