This past weekend was a holiday one in our part of the world: Family Day. So as a family we went to the west coast of the island, to enjoy its beauty. I had booked us a dog-friendly 2 bedroom suite in a place I have stayed at multiple times already – the Tofino Resort and Marina.
Bowser has his own car seat, which he doesn’t mind. It’s a 3 hour drive from our property to our destination.
Alas, the weather (amongst other things) was not in our favour this past weekend. It was grey, wet, and cold for the most part. But we made the best of it, regardless. Even when all of our snacks froze solid in the hotel room’s mini-fridge. Even when some takeout from a formerly great restaurant turned out to be a disappointment. Even when I couldn’t make the pour-over coffee I had brought taste good. Even when we couldn’t escape the drizzle and rain.
Keeping Bowsie warm while waiting for our tacos at Tacofino (which never disappoints!).Doncha just hate it when all the seats and tables are taken? 😂 At the Tofitian Coffee shop. Get the hot chocolate there – trust me!Fueled by tacos and hot drinks, we headed to our home for the weekend.No rest for our resident guard dog, always keeping an eye on things going on at the resort.The skies were mostly like this, for the duration of our stay.Crow friend, just outside my bedroom window.We didn’t let that stop us from enjoying the beautiful west coast trails and views.
High waves in winter bring a lot of visitors to the west coast of the island. This day the waves were marked as “considerable” according to the roadside signage. You can hear Bowser bark in this video. At the Amphirite Lighthouse on the Wild Pacific Trail.When the rain really started coming down we retreated to our suite, piled on the king bed and watched movies. Bowser enjoyed a doggy massage courtesy of Mommy.What a life, eh Bowsie?On departure day, we woke up to blue skies (naturally). 😉We hit the Rainforest Trail on the way out of town, to go back to the place where the kids got married.Bowser didn’t understand why we had to stop here but he was a good sport about it, anyways.Bowser has turned out to be quite a good little traveller.
We hope you enjoyed the recap of our little winter getaway.
At the time of writing this post, there is still snow on the ground although the incoming rain and warmer temps will probably have melted it all by the time this post goes live.
In the meantime we have been enjoying our daily walks on the snowy terrain.And enjoying Mother Nature’s frosty designs on the foliage.And seeing signs of overnight carnage – not as enjoyable but this too is life. A bunny did not make it through the night.Bowser has started kicking the snow/soil after he does his business. This is something all dogs will do but is new for him. I read somewhere that it is a power move. Can anybody fill me in on why dogs do this?Why now Bowsie? Are you feeling very powerful these days?
Here’s something else new. We’ve had a hot tub installed on the property – a big endeavour as it also involved an electrical upgrade. But so worth it, especially after these chilly walks.
Enjoying the new family spa (especially fun when it is snowy out!). Bowser is completely uninterested.
This week we finally received a shit ton of some snow here on Vancouver Island.
A winter wonderland once more!Off we went en famille, to enjoy!Going off roading, Bowser-style.Racing with Daddy!Snow hair, don’t care!Snow makes for a good snack.Those snowy chaps mean a hosing off with warm water once Bowser gets back inside.
Stay tuned for next week when we will return to our regular programming (+5C, and rain). 😁
Here are some photos of Bowser, sleeping the sleep of a dog who cares not that he almost undid hours of knitting while chewing up one of my knitting tools….
Meanwhile, I can lay awake in the middle of night agonizing over something stupid I said or did 30 years ago.
