In lieu of the annual blog posts on Barbados that occur at this time every year, (there’s a global pandemic on, don’t you know) Widow Badass Industries brings you instead some views of the west coast of our local island paradise. Specifically: Ucluelet and Tofino. My daughter and I spent a couple of days there recently. And here’s what we saw and did.
Morning view of Tofino Inlet from Tofino Resort and Marina (highly recommend staying here).We headed to Ucluelet first. My first visit. Won’t be my last! We decided to experience the Lighthouse Trail.BC trees are like none I have ever seen in Canada. On the Lighthouse Trail.The views were incredible.Sea Foam – sign of a healthy ocean.Pardon my shadow.Rock formations and islands in the misty distance.Wild Ucluelet views.
On the way to Ucluelet, we passed a sign in Pacific Rim National Park that said “Rainforest Trail”. That was our next destination.
The Rainforest Trail did not disappoint.When not staring at the trees, the chevron pattern on this platform caught my eye.Tried to capture the sun rays in the woods.This giant is over 800 years old.
After the Rainforest Trail, we had worked up an appetite so it was off to our favourite Tofino eating establishment, to refuel before our next adventure.
Tacofino!A little pandemic humour.Every day is (Taco) Tuesday in Tofino, as far as I’m concerned.
After lunch, it was time to check out our favourite beach (Chesterman) and soak up the delicious sunshine we had been blessed with.
Pinch me. Is it really February…in Canada???It was lovely to just sit in the sun and watch the surfers (and parasailers and windsurfers) enjoying the beautiful day and high waves.Checking out the waves (and other surfers).There he goes!
It was so pleasant out, we stayed there all afternoon and waited on the sunset. It did not disappoint.
Nope, it certainly did not disappoint!Two surfers left; packing it in for the day.And finally, the last of this day’s glorious light.
It wasn’t Barbados, but it was pretty damn fine all the same.
Rock on,
The WB
P.S. I posted multiple videos of this adventure on Instagram. Why not head over there and check them out? (Sound on!)
Some pictures telling the story of my first January on my new island home…
Love these lines and shadows. On the beach at Parksville.Shadows on the sand, Parksville.Bridge in Nanoose BayDonna setting up to shoot me.View from Parksville BeachLooking towards ParksvilleForest bathing.More forest bathing. Photo by Donna ConnollyDonna on my favourite Departure Bay Log.Geese, awaiting the dawn.Dawn on Departure BayOutgoing Ferry, heading for Horseshoe Bay.Incoming, heading for the Departure Bay Terminal.Snowdrops blooming.Have never seen a kayak with an outrigger until now. Mainland mountains in January.Enjoying a London Fog on the patio at Drip Social. Resting my soaking feet, after an adventurous walk along the shore at high tide. 🙂New year; new hair. I had all my bleached locks cut off. Selfie taken in the bathroom.And I got one of those fancy ring lights, for Zooming and FaceTiming and such. For such remains the reality of life. See the blurring magicfakery trickery difference good lighting makes? I need to carry one around and shine it on me, always. Ah, zee glah-mour! 😉
In case it makes my friends back in Ontario feel any better, snow is in the forecast for this coming Sunday and Monday.
About 3 weeks ago now, I had my first houseguest to my new Island home: my friend Joanne, of Following a Bold Plan fame. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Vancouver Island bloggers I know were practically jumping out of their skins with excitement in anticipation of her arrival (yours truly, included).
Within minutes of her aircraft landing, we met up with Erica/Erika of Behind The Scenery, and were exploring Island View Beach.
Happy smiles! This will be a theme throughout.
We spent a delightful 2 days in the Victoria area, with Erica and Chuck as our exemplary tour guides. Donna, of Retirement Reflections, joined us for a day of exploring beaches…
Bloggers descending upon French Beach
Once back at home base (Chez Badass West), we set up a loose schedule of hikes and explorations. Donna, living relatively close by, joined us for as many as she could. The weather called for 2 days of full rain, but we didn’t let that us stop us from getting out there.
Smiling and waving hi, from a damp hike at Englishman River FallsAnother smiley but damp hike, at The Notch in Nanoose Bay
Then Donna had some family obligations to attend to on the weekend, and we continued to hike and explore on our own.
Joanne snapping photos at Neck Point Park, Nanaimo
A visit to Nanaimo wouldn’t be complete without seeing Saysutshun. And being that it was Joanne and I, you know we were going to get into kayaks at some point!
Smiling behind our masks (can’t you tell?) on the ferry to Saysutshun (aka Newcastle Island), for some kayaking fun.Joanne in her happy place.Joanne taking a break from paddling, to snap some shots.
The owner of the kayak/bike rental business on the island (Jeff) is a real character, as we found out. The lady who sold us the tickets to the ferry referred to him as “the man who owns no shirts”. Uh oh.
Laid back, super friendly Jeff is a throwback to the 1960s. We watched in amazement as he turned away at least 2 groups of customers who wanted to rent bikes from him. The first group was 2 guys who Jeff determined didn’t have enough time to experience the island by bike before they had to leave to pick up some friends at the Nanaimo airport. The second group was a family of 4 – Jeff opined after speaking with them that they would have more fun walking the trails than biking them, and thus that is what they did.
Ummm Jeff, can we have a word about your business practices please?
We were both so taken by this guy and his outsized personality. Wait, not out-sized but in fact perfectly sized for his out-sized physical self. See picture, below.
I asked if I could take his picture and put it on my blog.
Jeff: Sure you can! Uh, what’s a blog?
Next thing I knew, Jeff had his arm around me and Joanne was snapping our picture. Only after our 2 second encounter did I think: WTF did we just do?!?! There’s a pandemic going on!!!
Gentle readers, let this be a cautionary tale about how easily one’s guard can be let down…
So here we are many days later and I didn’t come down with The Covid, and I assume the same for Jeff.Dodged that bullet, thankfully.Why do I feel like a teenager who just “got away” with having unplanned and unprotected sex?What a world we live in now…
Jeff, our Hulk Hogan-ish purveyor of rental kayaks. He is best described as the love child of the famed wrestler and Tommy Chong. What the hell was I thinking???
On the (last) Monday of Joanne’s visit, we made good on a long-planned trip to visit Ann of The Unretired Life on Hornby Island. Donna and Erica were able to join us as well!
On Hornby Island, with our host Ann. Photo by Erica.More smiles. Helliwell Provincial Park, Hornby Island
The next day was spent in a luxurious visit (also long planned) to the Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara, in Parksville. No pictures were taken due to spa policy but I did pick up a very pretty nail polish with my spa credit so here’s a photo of that. At $25/bottle, it had better be spectacular.
The photo doesn’t really do the microglitter justice. It is gorgeous. Message in a Bottle by Deborah Lippmann. The Pandemic Nail Salon approves of this purchase – see my IG posts for my adventures in doing my own dip nails. 🙂
In what seemed like the blink of an eye, it was the 2nd last day of Joanne’s visit, and our last hike…to Jack Point.
Donna, myself, and Joanne. Last hike (for this visit), at Jack Point – with Nanaimo in the background.Refueled and rehydrated at Penny’s Palapa, a floating restaurant in the Nanaimo Harbour – a delightful après hike experience! Man, those were good margaritas and fish tacos…
For more photos of these adventures, please check out my IG account: @widowbadass.
So, why did I put The Gift That Keeps On Giving in the title of this post? Well, Joanne introduced me to her secret weapon for air travel and, as it turns out, drowning out noisy apartment neighbours – Bose noise-cancelling headphones! She let me try them on, and they work very well.
After only 3 hours of sleep the night before last (thanks to the Stompy McStompersons living above me and the Party Bros down below), I headed out to Best Buy to get my own pair. Thanks, Joanne! More about my “adventures” in apartment living in an upcoming post.
And they work great! Problem solved, for now…
Come back soon, Joanne! We all miss your smiling face (me, most of all)!
This last photo is just for Joanne 😉
There! I fixed it for you, Joanne
Apropos of nothing, today is the anniversary of my wedding to JD. If he was still alive, we would be married 10 years today. Or would we (still be married)? Hmmmm…
Yesterday morning I went out early to discover for myself a hike I had heard/read good things about from others, like my friend and fellow blogger: Donna. This hike is also listed in a recent book purchase – Seaside Walks on Vancouver Island by Theo Dombrowski. I’ll let the pictures and the captions do the talking, from here:
A great place to dive in and start exploring the seaside walks. The author says there is a petroglyph of salmon to be seen on the walk! You know I am not leaving until I find it.View of the harbour city of Nanaimo, from the start of the seaside walk. It’s starting to get spectacular out here!Sandstone “carvings” all along the shore. Caused by salt crystals “growing” in the rock, according to a sign posted along the trail.On the hunt for the petroglyph, checking out some carved out sandstone. Wait, what’s that in the distance?!?!Could this rock be it?Success! Thank you, Theo Dombrowski. 🙂More weird and wonderful sandstone.Yet another beautiful view from this trail.At the very point of it all.Watching the Tsawwassen ferry load, from my driftwood seat.Last look back as I round the point.And there she goes! Heading for the mainland.There is plenty to eat on this trail should you forget to pack a snack. Sometimes I feel like Nanaimo-area is just one big blackberry bramble… 😉Looks like it was a good hike. Someone’s feet had a lot of fun 😉Back home, watching Jack Point leave my feet (and sandals!)Very happy with this purchase so far! Hmmm…which walk should I do next? 🙂
And how was your (Canadian) long weekend? Do tell!
Capturing how I feel about my move in one photo…@ Helliwell Provincial Park on Hornby Island
Hoo boy! It’s hard to sit down to ye olde blogge when there is so much to do and see but here I am, finally. I could write at least 5 separate posts on what’s been going on but dammit, the weather is too beautiful! I am understanding how a lot of bloggers take July and August “off” from their regular posting and resume blogging once again in September. If I was back in Ontario I’d be hunkered down in my air-conditioned place and only venturing out in the wee hours of the morning or after dark due to the extreme heat, giving me plenty of time to blog. But here on Vancouver Island, the more temperate climate begs one to spend as much time outdoors as possible!
Anyhoo, here’s an update on what’s been going on:
It took me a few weeks, but I was able to unpack all my stuff and make some sense of my new space. I am LOVING it here. Sure there are minor inconveniences to apartment living, like the heavy-footed upstairs neighbours, but overall I am very happy with, and comfortable in, my new home.
Balcony facing eastBalcony facing west. One of my favourite places to read a book, relax, enjoy a glass of wine…Coming in off the balcony, into the living/dining areaKitchen, as seen from the dining areaMy bedroomSpare/guest/art room – I’ve cleaned it up a bit since this picture was taken, at the final stages of getting unpacked/organized.The bath
As of now, my hands are almost completely healed (from the bashing they took in assembling all the furniture I purchased to replace the stuff I left behind in Ontario), I have recovered somewhat from the exhaustion induced by the whole moving ordeal, and I am starting to really settle into AND enjoy my new life and all its perks.
I got to meet Ann, a fellow blogger, in real life (finally) at her beloved island of Hornby. Which is amazingly beautiful, by the way (as is Ann!).
And I was able to have another IRL meeting (again, finally) with yet another beautiful Vancouver Island blogger just yesterday – Jude – (Dr. Sock Writes Here) for a delightful walk around the lake at Westwood Lake Park.
Meeting people during these pandemic times can be a little unsettling, but we are all respectful of the need to maintain social distancing. Which means hugs are off the table, for now! Feels weird not to hug these ladies who I’ve known (virtually) for a few years now, but we do as we must.
Jude and I, thankful for the shady path around the lake
Of course, I am able to hang out (and hug) with members of my little “bubble”, my daughter and her family.
Saturday’s crabbing (and kayaking) adventures off the Nanaimo pier, at Maffeo Sutton Park
Life is definitely good. And I get to wake up every morning to this:
Sun rising over the mainland mountains
Yes, life is definitely good. And summer life on Vancouver Island is absolutely the best.
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.
Emerging onto the shore, close to the ferry docks.One of the large weathered logs often found on the shorelines of BC
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.
Do you know where you are? You’re in the jungle, baby!
Well-maintained cliffside steps and stairsCool tree trunk
It was a beautiful walk, but where was the waterfall? I decided to check AllTrails to see where I was on the trail.
I’m the blue dot. Not even on the trail yet!!! Could this be right?
I persevered. Onwards!
Continuing my climb up the cliffside. Not a difficult trail at all. Good thing ‘cos I only had Birkenstocks on my feet.
And then suddenly….
There it was! THE WATERFALL.
I had to be on the trail now, right?
Yup, on the trail now!Not too shabby, for being right in town.
I continued on the trail and within moments I was out on the street, and at the beginning of it all.
Trail Head
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?
Something happened to me this past week. An inner mental shift happened. I think it had to do with our Prime Minister mentioning that THIS (pandemic situation and all its necessary restrictions) could go on until November or beyond. There was a “click’ (and it wasn’t my still-swollen wonky ankle, either), and just like that, I stopped spending hours agonizing over Twitter et al, and started doing THINGS. Positive things, besides spritzing myself with my favourite scents after every shower… no need to worry about running into the scent-sensitive or -averse, after all!
What’s in rotation…I wish you could smell me this. I smell fabulous. Yes, that is a men’s cologne in the upper right corner. It smells good and I like it on me.
This weekend of all weekends so far, I have every right to be depressed and feeling sorry for myself. My BC daughter was supposed to be here, spending a week with her ol’ Mom. And one of my sisters was supposed to come down for a weekend visit as well. And I was supposed to have a house full of family and friends over for supper today. Instead, I am at home alone. Of course. However, I am not depressed OR feeling sorry for myself. I am surprisingly light-hearted and full of creative energy, instead. Whodathunkit?
I am following Joanne’s lead – and heading back into art. So much for all my neatly boxed up stuff. See here for the Before Picture.
Yup. Every damn box opened up. An explosion of the arty things.
I’m inspired to make “happy” paintings, bursting with flowers. This is my first attempt – inspired by British artist, Yvonne Coomber:
No name yet, although I was thinking of the Ralph Waldo Emerson quote, when I painted this: The earth laughs in flowers.
I’ve been gesso-ing up old canvases and already have another painting in progress.
Background done. Going to do some beach grasses and flowers in the foreground.
I’m also excited to report that I tested my ankle out with a yoga session this past week, and it passed the test! Somewhat crankily, and demanding wrapping and other types of baby-ing…but that’s OK. That led me to exploring other types of workouts and I found a new love: Body Groove. I always loved dance-type workouts – a class called DanceFit and belly dancing were some of my favourites, in days past. You’d think then, that Zumba would be right up my alley too, but I never really cottoned to that one.
I’d been seeing the Body Groove “commercials” on Facebook for some time now but just scrolled on by. This week I decided to check it out. And then I signed up for the 30 day trial. I already know I will be getting a year’s subscription.
Usually the ho-hum “muzak” that accompanies most workout videos is my least favourite part, but so far I’ve found all the Body Groove music to be diverse, uplifting, and amazing.
YOU BETTA WERK! If this doesn’t put a smile on your face, check your pulse. You may be dead.
I wish I knew the secret to my change in attitude/behaviour/outlook. My brain probably just got tired of wandering around my place in a lethargic daze, just going through the motions of life. And realizing finally that this is going to be going on for a loooooong time – much longer than any of us want it to – so my brain might as well come up with a more positive, more productive fun, new normal.
Don’t get me wrong. Like everyone else, I still have an undercurrent of stress and worry as my constant companion. But I am now also making it a habit to do stuff that puts a big smile on my face and in my heart every day. Like connecting with friends and family (Virtual happy hour, anyone? I have my favourite cocktail ingredients and wine in good supply, still!). Like daily yoga and dance. Like playing with paint. I even started knitting again.
The start of a sock. Knitting keeps my hands busy so they are not busy bringing snackies to my mouth while watching TV. Win-win!
How about you? Are you managing OK? Have you turned the corner? If so, how and why? Tell all!
Seashell Jesus is my Wilson in these Trying Times of self-isolation. My steadfast companion as I catch up on the news. Read the Seashell Jesus story, here.Closeup of the SJ. Blue-eyed, blond-haired hipster Jesus. Your typical middle-Eastern man of the period, obvs… 😉 I don’t mean to offend anyone. Seriously, I don’t think of this thing as a religious item. It’s just something I found in my building that makes me laugh because of how kitschy it is.
Greetings, fellow Social Distancers! I hope everyone is doing well in this new world of ours – staying safe, hydrated, and healthy – with enough toilet paper or alternatives on hand? I’ve had a week of mostly ups, with one big down since I last posted. Sunday was a bad day for me, when I became overwhelmed by all the goings on, and the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily, I had some dear friends and family to speak with (safely, from a large distance) and that helped immensely.
I am not usually down in the dumps and I am afraid I don’t handle it very well due to lack of practice with this state, at least lately. But when Sunday happened, and after I was brought back to the present (where me and my loved ones are safe, warm, fed, and so far healthy), I remembered a “trick” I used in a very dark period of my life. Behold the Happiness Box:
Filled to bursting such that the lid no longer closes properly, this is my original Happiness Box. I have a second one as well, also filled to bursting. Inside the Happiness Box is a collection of cards with loving inscriptions inside, assorted notes, ticket stubs, etc. To “break open in case of emergency”, and review until the desired effect is achieved! The Happiness Box is a proven performer.
I decided that now more than ever is the time to continue with this Happiness Box tradition of mine. Only I don’t want to collect any more physical representations (since I will be moving AT SOME POINT WHO KNOWS WHEN ANYMORE) so here are some things going into my digital Happiness Box for this week:
Rainbow captured on my chalkboard. This must happen every sunny day at my place but I have never caught it until now. A silver lining to being stuck at home, in self-isolation.Enjoying a cup of tea and recalling the friend who thoughtfully gifted me with this beautiful mug. I had always kept it at work (where I felt I needed to reflect on its messages more…LOL) and now I get to enjoy at home. That’s my “rubber ducky” tea infuser in the background – another item that brings a smile to my face.Finding a battery-powered drill in my closet (from when I gave myself gel manicures at home) and using it to shorten my dip powder nails, since I can’t go to the salon. And it still works!!!! What a relief, to be able to quickly shorten my growing-out nails! I was thrilled I tell you. THRILLED!The most delicious loaf of bread I have ever tasted. Crisp on the outside and delightfully chewy on the inside. A gift from a friend, who is also going to give me the recipe! Wheeeeee!Seeing people social distancing at the drug store while waiting in line to pick up prescriptions. Good job, people! WAY TO GO.
Other “Happiness” moments from this week (no less important, just no photos to share):
daily video/phone chats with friends and family
laughing out loud watching Derry Girls, on Netflix (who knew Northern Ireland in the 90s could be so funny?)
The snorkelling Widow Badass. Taken with my GoPro Hero 5 camera.
I’ve been back home now for 3 days and am totally undone by a horrific cold I picked up in Barbados, thanks to my room-mate, who got it thanks to her grand-niece (who is awfully cute but still deserves the nick-name of Plague Child, IMHO). Feel free to indulge any feelings of schadenfreude here, if you so desire. I’ll wait. 😉
Since I am too ill to mix and mingle with anyone now that I am back home, I am putting together this contagion-freeblog post instead.
Seriously, this is one hell of a virus. I was kinda worried they were going to quarantine me at the airport, with suspected coronavirus!
This trip marks 4 years now, of coming to Barbados with my friend CJ, and staying at the same hotel (Coconut Court Beach Hotel), and we are still discovering new things to see and do every trip. One of our discoveries this trip included a wonderful dinner at the hospitality and culinary school in the Pommarine Hotel just 15 minutes walk from our place. We would definitely go back, having enjoyed a delightful 3 course meal for only 38 Barbadian dollars (~19 USD).
Another discovery was the half-day Garrison tour we took with this guy:
Peter, tour guide extraordinaire! He makes history not only come alive, but hella fun too.
We visited two forts, an armoury, re-visited George Washington House (and still learned stuff), and saw the changing of the guard in front of the Barbados Legion.
Changing of the GuardCannon overlooking beautiful Carlisle BayNew this year: We had a lovely friend join us every time we partook of the poolside BBQ dinner (yum!) at the hotel.
But for me, the absolute highlight was coming across some newly-hatched sea turtles making their way to the ocean, on one of my morning walks.
Squee!!! I’ve walked the beach every morning of my annual vacation for 4 years, hoping to see just this very thing.I stayed to watch every last one of these babies get swept away in the surf.
Most days were spent doing a whole lot of glorious nothing. If you call walking the board walk and the beach, relaxing in the shade, swimming and snorkelling in the warm sea, and reading e-books doing nothing. Ahhh…the life.
Does this woman look stressed to you?
Short video of the amazing fish I see everyday. Taken with my GoPro Hero 5.Loving my water socks (new to this trip). No more rock-shredded feet! Photo taken with GoPro hero 5 set to wide -angle.
Of course it was of the utmost importance to catch as many sunrises and sunsets as possible.
SunriseSunsetSunset and sangria (a perfect combo, no?) at Champers RestaurantColourful sea and sunset, taken at ChampersDramatic SunrisePicture perfect sunset. Low tide.And let’s not forget switching out sunrise boardwalk forays with observing the race horses getting their morning sea bath. At Pebble Beach.
There’s always something to learn while in Barbados. Here are some tidbits:
Island wisdomMore island wisdomThe last of my footsteps in Barbadian sand for this year.Cheers to another successful visit to Barbados! Photo taken by CJ
