This was my home last weekend. Donna and Richard’s vehicle and set-up are behind me. My living room.My cozy bedroom.Miracle BeachMy stand-up board, “Nauti”…in kayak mode.My first time, kayaking in the ocean.My camp coffee makerIt makes damn fine coffee.Donna and I split up the meal duties. This was breakfast the morning I was in charge: baked oatmeal and crispy bacon. Made only AFTER watching the sunrise on the beach, of course!And what a wonderful sunrise it was. After breakfast it was time to go back to the beach, for a beautiful walk. Sand dollars (living and dead) can be found all over the beach. RIP, Sand Dollar. Time was carved out for a visit to Hammockville. Trying out one of my homemade fire starters.It worked very well. This was the start of a beautiful fire. The morning we left was cloudy but dawn was still gorgeous.These assholes sea lions woke me up with their barking at 4 am. A deer couple came down to the shore to check out the assholes sea lions too.Mergansers also wondering what the assholes sea lions are barking about.Asshole sea lions aside, it was a fabulous weekend at Miracle Beach Provincial Park. I’ll be back!
Well, thank you Kate 💕 Not sure what’s to admire. We leave all the comforts of home (hot water, kitchen appliances, indoor plumbing, heating and a/c) behind, to go some place where a trip to the bathroom has to be thought out well in advance of actual need….🤣. Kinda sounds crazy when I think of it that way. 😉
It seems you can’t escape the assholes. They’re everywhere … even in sea lion territory. If something is going to wake me up at 4 am, I expect a damn good reason – like imminent danger of death or maiming.
I love the fact you brought rugs with you to home-y up the weekend digs. Just because you’re ‘roughing’ it, it doesn’t mean it has to be rough 🙂
Thank you, Joanne 💕 Come to think of it, there were assholes on my first overnight trip (to Rathtrevor Provincial Park), a few weeks back. They were barking at each other, too. But those assholes were human. You are right! I can’t escape the assholes. I could even be an asshole magnet! 🙄
When I was a sprout from Comox, I had a birthday party at Miracle Beach where there used to be a place that took groups out on horseback tours on trails around the park. Then as a young adult Miracle Beach was a party place – young assholes – though we mostly sang around a campfire and drank beer. Sand dollars! Thanks for the tour down memory lane, Deb.
You are most welcome, Susanne 💕. It’s a beautiful place, that’s for sure. We were surrounded by families in trailers and RVs. There might have been some party animals around, but not near us. And even though it was a good 10 minute walk to the beach from our site, and the sea lions were coffee-klatching another 10 minute walk further down the beach, I was still woken up by hearing those asshats.
Looks like a beautiful weekend: yummy food, nice sunrise, wonderful company (apart from the “guard dogs”), and fun activities. And, no rain! Do you know why those sea lions barked? Because they are called zeehonden in Dutch. 🙂 I might have them mixed up with seals, though.
I went down to the beach to find them to see what all the hub-bub was about. I was sure it was going to be something exciting that I could photograph….but NO. Damn zeehonden just yakking it up, off in the distance. Thanks, Liesbet 💕
I love your pink, fancy throw rug. Your pictures and captions told the story of a fun weekend. And those damn sea lions need to be told that there’s a noise ordinance.
Maybe they were alerting to you an upcoming gorgeous sunrise that they didn’t want you to miss? 🤣
How did your sup/kayak hybrid do in the ocean? I’ve been thinking about going that route rather than a straight kayak. Inflatable would be much easier to store and travel with, but I’m on the fence with that or a rigid epoxy board/kayak hybrid.
I like your little folding table, and your rugs in your tent. That sure made it look like your were glamping! 😀⛺
Glamping is the vibe I am going for! Nauti did good in the ocean…I wouldn’t want to go out in any rougher seas than what I was in, though. Eventually I will get a kayak again, but right now I have no place to store one so the inflatable is a perfectly acceptable substitute. I can’t tell any difference between an inflatable or rigid board but I have limited experience (so far) with both types. Thanks, Deborah 💕
That’s been our problem with lack of motivation to actually buy a couple…lack of space to store them. Plus for me getting one on and off the car and out to a lake. We’re going to check out some inflatables.
Delighted to see your post! Sounds like a great weekend away from the maddening crowd… except the 4 AM idiots. But some of the soothing home perks seem to have kept everyone’s experience more sunny than sorry. (I kept wondering if your rug matched that pillow on your balcony… you know the one. 😉 hehee!)
I so admire your sense of adventure and the places you go to experience nature. I wish we hadn’t given up camping when we got to your age…not that we had a choice with family obligations that took over our lives.
I camped from a very early age. Then in middle age, I gave it up (my late husband was kinda scared of the outdoors) and convinced myself I was more of a room service gal now. I’m glad I’ve gone back to camping, while I still can. I can always go back to ordering room service one day! Thanks, Jean 💕
You went to escape the asshole coronavirus-related issues, and ended up coming into contact with more assholes. Will this madness ever end??! 🙂 Still looks like a lovely visit. – Marty
I would have never known about the assholes had you not mentioned them. It all looks very tranquil and the colors in your photos are stunning. How did you “bake” oatmeal and recipe please?? It looks delicious, especially with the raspberries!
Thanks, Tracey! Here is the link to the recipe. I used eggs and milk. I made the oatmeal at home ahead of time and then just heated it up in my HotLogic on Sunday morning. Baked steel cut oatmeal recipe
Oh, so jealous of your camping trip. I love camping, but we never seem to get there, what with the Barbarians extra-curricular activities and school work. Plus now it is too cold (maybe you wouldn’t think so, but we don’t ahve any way to heat ourselves while camping – last time we went in the cooler months The Hub and I were awake all night because of the cold – I had to give the dog one of my blankets because he was shaking).
Oh, there is nothing worse than being cold when camping! I get it, AJ. That was me, on Easter Weekend, camping with my daughter…it was only 3 degrees at night and I suffered! Thanks 💕
That looks like so much fun (despite the assholes)! I’m guessing that you aren’t looking back to your former home with any regrets. Life is good on the Island.
You guessed right, Janis. Life IS good here. Great camping can be found in Ontario too, but it is very buggy and the weather runs to extremes of hot and cold. Thanks 💕
I love the fact that your tent living room has not one but two rugs 😀 And your coffee brewing method looks great – Himself (the great coffee snob) would approve. Pity about the assholes. Is it a Deb thing do you think – I’m famed for my nutter magnet & here’s you with an asshole one?
This camping trip looked like tons of fun, Deb. Well organized, cozy and in a gorgeous setting. Pour over coffee especially in the morning, camping is the best! Stunning photos! Noisy neighbours….part of the nature experience. 😎
Thanks, Erica 💕 Yes, noisy neighbours are part of the nature experience…for sure! I didn’t even mention the asshole birds chirping up a storm at the same time as the sea lions 🤣.
I’m going to discuss this in a future post I think, Bernie. Go onto YouTube and search for “fire starters”. That’s where I got the “recipe”, and there are many to choose from. Thanks, Bernie 💕
Thank you for taking us along on this very luxurious camping trip,Deb! I love your living room and bedroom setup – everything looks so comfy & cosy! And the scenery & wildlife … lovely!
Sadly because Covid I can’t Travel anymore for my blog that I just started. Feels really sad that I have to wait before planning a new travel journey 😦
Hi Deb – looks great fun … I’m not the best camper … but have done my bit. I remember the sea-lions down in Cowichan Bay … just bumping into each other and chuntering away – their noise is pretty noisy and long lasting. The kayaking must be lovely being out on the water – especially with pals around to provide moral support … fun to see – and the sand dollars … thanks! Cheers Hilary
Deb, we are so lucky here on the Island to have so many beautiful camping destinations. The main challenge is actually getting reservations at provincial campgrounds here, because they are so popular. We haven’t been to Miracle Beach yet for that reason — we arrived there right at 11:00 am last summer to try to get one of the very few “drop-in” sites, but they were already taken. Fortunately, there’s the option of regional and Forestry campgrounds if you don’t need lots of amenities.
Looks like a wonderful getaway. Love your pink chair and rug. Just because you’re in the wilderness doesn’t mean you have to live like a beast.
😉
Exactly, Rivergirl! Thank you 💕
Looks wonderful! I am not a camper but I always admire those who are.
Well, thank you Kate 💕 Not sure what’s to admire. We leave all the comforts of home (hot water, kitchen appliances, indoor plumbing, heating and a/c) behind, to go some place where a trip to the bathroom has to be thought out well in advance of actual need….🤣. Kinda sounds crazy when I think of it that way. 😉
The bathroom piece would do me in.
It seems you can’t escape the assholes. They’re everywhere … even in sea lion territory. If something is going to wake me up at 4 am, I expect a damn good reason – like imminent danger of death or maiming.
I love the fact you brought rugs with you to home-y up the weekend digs. Just because you’re ‘roughing’ it, it doesn’t mean it has to be rough 🙂
Thank you, Joanne 💕 Come to think of it, there were assholes on my first overnight trip (to Rathtrevor Provincial Park), a few weeks back. They were barking at each other, too. But those assholes were human. You are right! I can’t escape the assholes. I could even be an asshole magnet! 🙄
🤣
When I was a sprout from Comox, I had a birthday party at Miracle Beach where there used to be a place that took groups out on horseback tours on trails around the park. Then as a young adult Miracle Beach was a party place – young assholes – though we mostly sang around a campfire and drank beer. Sand dollars! Thanks for the tour down memory lane, Deb.
You are most welcome, Susanne 💕. It’s a beautiful place, that’s for sure. We were surrounded by families in trailers and RVs. There might have been some party animals around, but not near us. And even though it was a good 10 minute walk to the beach from our site, and the sea lions were coffee-klatching another 10 minute walk further down the beach, I was still woken up by hearing those asshats.
Looks like a beautiful weekend: yummy food, nice sunrise, wonderful company (apart from the “guard dogs”), and fun activities. And, no rain! Do you know why those sea lions barked? Because they are called zeehonden in Dutch. 🙂 I might have them mixed up with seals, though.
I went down to the beach to find them to see what all the hub-bub was about. I was sure it was going to be something exciting that I could photograph….but NO. Damn zeehonden just yakking it up, off in the distance. Thanks, Liesbet 💕
I love your pink, fancy throw rug. Your pictures and captions told the story of a fun weekend. And those damn sea lions need to be told that there’s a noise ordinance.
Exactly, TG! Where are the park rangers when you need them to enforce the rules??? Thank you 💕
They DO need to be told. Where are the park rangers when you need them to keep the peace??? Thanks, TG 💕
The park rangers are probably sleeping off their hangovers.
Sorry for the duplicate comments. I was told by WordPress that my first comment had failed. And looky-here, now they BOTH show up 😤🤷♀️
WordPress is getting goofy that way. Sometimes comments are getting delayed, also.
That looks like a wonderful break Deb, thanks for sharing. I need one about now.
Leslie xoxo
Thank you, Leslie 💕 Hope you can take a similar break at some point! Like they say: a change is as good as a rest.
Awesome photos, Deb. It was an amazing weekend. Cheers to many more!
Hoorah! Yes, cheers to the first of many! 🥂 Thanks, camping buddy 💕
Maybe they were alerting to you an upcoming gorgeous sunrise that they didn’t want you to miss? 🤣
How did your sup/kayak hybrid do in the ocean? I’ve been thinking about going that route rather than a straight kayak. Inflatable would be much easier to store and travel with, but I’m on the fence with that or a rigid epoxy board/kayak hybrid.
I like your little folding table, and your rugs in your tent. That sure made it look like your were glamping! 😀⛺
Glamping is the vibe I am going for! Nauti did good in the ocean…I wouldn’t want to go out in any rougher seas than what I was in, though. Eventually I will get a kayak again, but right now I have no place to store one so the inflatable is a perfectly acceptable substitute. I can’t tell any difference between an inflatable or rigid board but I have limited experience (so far) with both types. Thanks, Deborah 💕
That’s been our problem with lack of motivation to actually buy a couple…lack of space to store them. Plus for me getting one on and off the car and out to a lake. We’re going to check out some inflatables.
Yeah, there’s the whole car thing too…not a problem with the inflatable. I splurged on the electric pump too, and am so glad I did.
Delighted to see your post! Sounds like a great weekend away from the maddening crowd… except the 4 AM idiots. But some of the soothing home perks seem to have kept everyone’s experience more sunny than sorry. (I kept wondering if your rug matched that pillow on your balcony… you know the one. 😉 hehee!)
Hehee! Nope, the rug is not a match for that pillow…but now that you mention it, I should take a closer look 👀 at it. Just in case!!! Thank you, Del 💕
I so admire your sense of adventure and the places you go to experience nature. I wish we hadn’t given up camping when we got to your age…not that we had a choice with family obligations that took over our lives.
I camped from a very early age. Then in middle age, I gave it up (my late husband was kinda scared of the outdoors) and convinced myself I was more of a room service gal now. I’m glad I’ve gone back to camping, while I still can. I can always go back to ordering room service one day! Thanks, Jean 💕
You went to escape the asshole coronavirus-related issues, and ended up coming into contact with more assholes. Will this madness ever end??! 🙂 Still looks like a lovely visit. – Marty
Assholes. They are everywhere. As I am sure you know, Marty 😁. It was a lovely 2 day getaway, from the everyday. Thank you 💕
I would have never known about the assholes had you not mentioned them. It all looks very tranquil and the colors in your photos are stunning. How did you “bake” oatmeal and recipe please?? It looks delicious, especially with the raspberries!
Thanks, Tracey! Here is the link to the recipe. I used eggs and milk. I made the oatmeal at home ahead of time and then just heated it up in my HotLogic on Sunday morning.
Baked steel cut oatmeal recipe
Oh, so jealous of your camping trip. I love camping, but we never seem to get there, what with the Barbarians extra-curricular activities and school work. Plus now it is too cold (maybe you wouldn’t think so, but we don’t ahve any way to heat ourselves while camping – last time we went in the cooler months The Hub and I were awake all night because of the cold – I had to give the dog one of my blankets because he was shaking).
Looks like you had a wonderful time 🙂
Oh, there is nothing worse than being cold when camping! I get it, AJ. That was me, on Easter Weekend, camping with my daughter…it was only 3 degrees at night and I suffered! Thanks 💕
Looks like such a great weekend Deb, love the camping set up out of the back of your vehicle. Very slick!
Thank you, Lynn 💕 Donna inspired me to pull the trigger on the same SUV tent that she and Richard had purchased, and am I ever glad I did!
Is it easy to set up?
I set it up and took it down singlehandedly. 😁
That looks like so much fun (despite the assholes)! I’m guessing that you aren’t looking back to your former home with any regrets. Life is good on the Island.
You guessed right, Janis. Life IS good here. Great camping can be found in Ontario too, but it is very buggy and the weather runs to extremes of hot and cold. Thanks 💕
I love the fact that your tent living room has not one but two rugs 😀 And your coffee brewing method looks great – Himself (the great coffee snob) would approve. Pity about the assholes. Is it a Deb thing do you think – I’m famed for my nutter magnet & here’s you with an asshole one?
I am beginning to think so, Deb…I AM an asshole magnet. My marital history attests to this as well. 😉🤣 Thanks! 💕
This camping trip looked like tons of fun, Deb. Well organized, cozy and in a gorgeous setting. Pour over coffee especially in the morning, camping is the best! Stunning photos! Noisy neighbours….part of the nature experience. 😎
Thanks, Erica 💕 Yes, noisy neighbours are part of the nature experience…for sure! I didn’t even mention the asshole birds chirping up a storm at the same time as the sea lions 🤣.
Ha, ha!! 😂
Starting fires on VI can be an issue when so much of the wood is wet. How do you make home made fire starters? I am enjoying your ocean views!
I’m going to discuss this in a future post I think, Bernie. Go onto YouTube and search for “fire starters”. That’s where I got the “recipe”, and there are many to choose from. Thanks, Bernie 💕
Ah the good old university of YouTube! Where everything takes 10 seconds and is easy peasy!
Well, it took a lot longer than 10 seconds but it was actually easy-peasy 😁
Thank you for taking us along on this very luxurious camping trip,Deb! I love your living room and bedroom setup – everything looks so comfy & cosy! And the scenery & wildlife … lovely!
Thank you, Ju-Lyn 💕
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What’s to not like?
Indeed! Thank you 💕
Sadly because Covid I can’t Travel anymore for my blog that I just started. Feels really sad that I have to wait before planning a new travel journey 😦
Soon you should be able to start travelling again. We’re in the homestretch now, I think.
I’d love your recipe for the baked oatmeal!
See my reply to Tracey in the Comments, on May 19. I put the link to the recipe there, Jadi. Thanks 💕
Hi Deb – looks great fun … I’m not the best camper … but have done my bit. I remember the sea-lions down in Cowichan Bay … just bumping into each other and chuntering away – their noise is pretty noisy and long lasting. The kayaking must be lovely being out on the water – especially with pals around to provide moral support … fun to see – and the sand dollars … thanks! Cheers Hilary
Thank you, Hilary 💕
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Deb, we are so lucky here on the Island to have so many beautiful camping destinations. The main challenge is actually getting reservations at provincial campgrounds here, because they are so popular. We haven’t been to Miracle Beach yet for that reason — we arrived there right at 11:00 am last summer to try to get one of the very few “drop-in” sites, but they were already taken. Fortunately, there’s the option of regional and Forestry campgrounds if you don’t need lots of amenities.
Jude
Yes! I am hoping to explore some regional and forestry campgrounds later on, in the summer! Thanks, Jude 💕