Joanne Comes To Visit – The Gift That Keeps On Giving

On September 3, 2020September 12, 2020 By Widow BadassIn COVID-19, Good Times, I Got Married, Move to Vancouver Island, Roadtripping, The Great Outdoors, Travel Badassery70 Comments

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…

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 Falls

Another 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 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 😉

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…

Rock on,

Your friendly neighbourhood Widow Badass

Hiking Jack Point – In Search of the Salmon Petroglyph

On August 4, 2020August 6, 2020 By Widow BadassIn Good Times, See the Beauty, The Great Outdoors57 Comments

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?!?!

Yet another beautiful view from this trail.

Watching the Tsawwassen ferry load, from my driftwood seat.

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!

Rock on,

The WB

DO Go Chasing Waterfalls

On June 29, 2020June 29, 2020 By Widow BadassIn Good Times, Move to Vancouver Island, See the Beauty, The Great Outdoors59 Comments

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 stairs

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….

I had to be on the trail now, right?

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.

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

Social Distancing, Badass Style

On March 19, 2020March 26, 2020 By Widow BadassIn Badassery, Bruce Trail Adventure, COVID-19, Hmmm?, The Great Outdoors58 Comments

Maintaining social distance via the pointy end of a hiking pole. Photo taken by Joanne via the self-timer function on the camera. When I still had 2 fully functioning ankles…

Stay back, woman! Trail selfie in the time of COVID-19

How the hell is everyone doing in this strange time? Part of me is just riveted to the news and finding this pandemic so intensely interesting. And then part of me is horrified at how some people are behaving (badly, very badly). And lastly, a big part of me is so cheered by how some other people are revealing their best, most humorous, most altruistic selves during this crisis.

I’m also chuffed at how our Canadian government is handling COVID-19. Maybe not perfectly, but certainly doing the best they can with this novel virus and situation. Kudos to PM Justin Trudeau and (NEVER thought I would say this) Premier Doug Ford, and their teams for science-based and compassionate leadership and for keeping us well informed. What a time to be living through!

Joanne and I are endeavouring to still meet – safely – for our weekly hiking adventure. Now we don’t hug or even get close. And no lunch out afterwards either (restaurants all closed, anyways). But we are still having fun…or at least we were until I took a tumble right at the end of our hike (thankfully!), and strained my ankle. I have every confidence on being back on the trail with her by next week, barring Ontario being put into total lockdown that is!

I hobbled to the grocery store this morning for some staples and perishables and was faced with an unreal scenario. I mean, of course I have seen pictures of other stores throughout North America, but naively, I thought the people of my little community would keep their heads. Yeah. Right.

Not a single egg to be had. And signs everywhere telling people “We have limited supplies in stock. In an effort to ensure all customers have access products will be a limit of 2 per customer. This includes meat, breads, milk and eggs.”

The last, lonely package of arborio rice made it into my cart. I anticipate a comforting risotto in my (near) future. I’d invite you over to join me but well, you know…

And of course, the paper products aisle. Sigh!

Grocery store workers must be having their faith in humanity severely challenged at this time. And to add injury to insult, they must come to work, no matter what. Grocery store workers (and those of you in health care), you have my utmost respect.

Up until yesterday when I injured myself, I have been keeping busy at home alone, and only venturing out for a daily walks in nature. I find getting out in the woods essential for walking off stress and for taking care of my mental (and physical) health right now. I had planned on a much needed visit to my local nail salon this week to refresh my dip nails but – as much as I want to support this business in a difficult time – I have to listen to our leadership, whose message is loud and clear: STAY HOME.

I’m calling these my ***10 Social Distancing Badges of Honour***. It’s going to get worse before it gets better. And imagine the trouble getting an appointment once we can go out again!

I’ll end this post with a song I heard playing over the grocery store’s PA system when I was shopping this morning. Made me laugh out loud…and get some stares.

Rock on safely and healthily, in these Trying Times…

The WB

Barbados 2020 Recap

On February 25, 2020February 25, 2020 By Widow BadassIn Good Times, See the Beauty, The Great Outdoors63 Comments

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-free blog 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.

Cannon overlooking beautiful Carlisle Bay

New 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.

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.

Sunset and sangria (a perfect combo, no?) at Champers Restaurant

Colourful sea and sunset, taken at Champers

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:

The last of my footsteps in Barbadian sand for this year.

Cheers to another successful visit to Barbados! Photo taken by CJ

Rock on,

The WB

Wordless Wednesday in Barbados: Walk in the Rain Edition

On February 19, 2020February 19, 2020 By Widow BadassIn Good Times, See the Beauty, The Great Outdoors24 Comments

Rock on,

The WB

Wordless Wednesday in Barbados

On February 12, 2020February 12, 2020 By Widow BadassIn Good Times, See the Beauty, The Great Outdoors45 Comments

Rock on,

The WB

The View From My Window…

On January 25, 2020January 25, 2020 By Widow BadassIn Bruce Trail Adventure, Home Improvement, Retirement, See the Beauty, The Great Outdoors35 Comments

…is pretty bleak, or should I say pretty YET bleak today.

Pardon the weirdness caused by my window screen but the journal prompt did say view from the window, which I didn’t feel like opening and removing said screen. Anywho, you get the general idea…

If I was still working, I’d be very unhappy with January in Southern Ontario, thus far in 2020. For the past 3 weekends, every Saturday has been some kind of weather event – ice storm, snow storm, rain/freezing rain, more snow – it’s like someone has a hate on for Saturdays!

However, I am not working (and still giddy about this!) – which means every day is Saturday and I can get out for a walk or hike just about any time I want. Except for actual Saturday, according to the January weather gods.

My blogging and IRL friend Joanne and I have come up with a schedule of Wednesday hikes and so far the weather has cooperated. Two hump day hikes under our belts so far, and hopefully 2 more before we fly off to our separate adventures in February. Here’s some views I wish I had from my window, taken from this past Hump Day Hike:

Winter sun peeking through the bare trees at Limehouse Conservation Area.

See more pretty views at Joanne’s blog – Following a Bold Plan.

When not gazing out my window or getting outside for a walk or hike, I find myself doing a lot of puttering around the house. Which is lovely. I am a huge fan of puttering. However it can seem like I am not getting much done because I flit from task to task, leaving most things in a state of progress rather than working any particular task to completion (like I was more inclined to do when I was still working). I think this is because I am revelling in all of my newfound time. And truth be told, it’s kinda bugging me. So I came up with a game plan for today, to see if I can account for my time a bit better. Behold the task list:

To Do list in my journal for today: to keep me on track: focused on certain tasks, and with less flitting about. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing but you know…in moderation!

So far I have shredded some papers in what used to be my office, worked on ye olde blogge, yoga-ed, and did 3 loads of laundry. My slow-cooked chicken carcass broth will be done soon and it will become the base for both a soup and a curry later on today. I also ~~flitted~~ departed from my task list to make my own less toxic household cleaner and used it to clean up my toilet and sink (more about this on another post!).

What’s left? I plan on playing with my GoPro, to relearn how to use it before I leave for Barbados in a couple of weeks. And since the January weather gods have relented and it seems not too terrible today, I am going to venture out for a walk to stretch my legs.

Bleak or not, the view from my window is calling to me.

Hope your Saturday is going well! How productive are you inclined to be today?

Rock on,

The WB

The Place I Call Home

On January 15, 2020January 15, 2020 By Widow BadassIn Bruce Trail Adventure, Good Times, Retirement, See the Beauty, The Great Outdoors57 Comments

The 2nd of the journal prompts I am trying to follow this year is to “write about the place you call home”. Rather than write about a particular city or area or even a dwelling, I am choosing to write about the place I always feel at home…out in nature. Since I have retired at the beginning of this year, I have been making it a priority to get out in nature just about every day because my body and soul needs it – to feel complete, to connect and to recharge.

Only animals have been on this gorgeous winter footpath, before I arrived. This photo and the following three were taken 2 days ago across the river from my abode.

Today I met with my partner-in-crime for a lot of adventures, Joanne of My Life Lived Full and Following a Bold Plan. I think it’s safe to say that we both feel the same way about feeling at home in nature and today we made Hilton Falls Conservation Area our home.

Just 2 retired gals hanging out in the woods and up to no good, as usual.

Toasting our good fortune to be out in nature on such a glorious winter day. Joanne always brings the best hiking…er…*snacks*. Pretty sure it is illegal to drink in conservation areas. See “up to no good”, above. Hehehehe!

Hilton Falls – in fine winter form due to the heavy rains we experienced lately.

Later on another part of the trail: Joanne spotting another waterfall at the end of the reservoir.

Snack break, again. So important, on the trail. 😉

I hope you enjoyed the place I call home. I know I did.

Rock on,

The WB

Fall(ish) on the Trail

On September 21, 2019September 21, 2019 By Widow BadassIn Badassery, See the Beauty, The Great Outdoors68 Comments

Yes – I know, I know! The fall equinox is not officially until the 23rd (@ 03:50 Eastern Time – thanks Interwebs) but that’s on a Monday – and still a workday for yours truly. So I’m posting this on the first day of Old-school Fall^TM, you know – September 21st? Like June 21 is the start of Old-school Summer^TM, March 21 is Old-school Spring^TM and December 21 is Old-school Winter^TM?

Imagine my chagrin at seeing this sign at the start of my favourite, local walking trail:

WTF? Not THIS again. The trail was closed last fall too. Hmmmph! It’s almost as if the City is saying: Let’s see, what is the best time for people to enjoy this trail? Fall? Right, then – that’s when we’ll shut ‘er down. Again. For the second year running.

I shrugged my shoulders and sauntered past the sign, to see what was the issue. I walked on and on, thoroughly enjoying ~~my lawlessness~~ the scenery for many glorious minutes, until I came upon this sign:

Oh goody. They are going to replace the bridge. But work hasn’t begun yet. I appreciate the City looking out for my personal safety. They can consider their asses well and truly covered with this sign. I’ll be sure not to sue no matter what happens.

You guessed it, my fellow Badassians! I blew past this sign too. With not even a wobble on the bridge. That looked and behaved exactly as it had the week before and every day I’ve been on it for the past – oh – 15 years. And was I ever glad I took a chance.

(Sometimes my rebellious nature does come in handy – are you reading this in the Hereafter, Mom and Dad?)

Because I caught sight of this majestic blue heron,

and these gorgeous leaves changing colour already,

and these wild grapes and viburnum berries, nicely intermingled…

and these lovely viburnum berries with the glorious blue sky peeking through.

I suppose one day soon I will come upon the bridge (or more likely where the bridge USED to be) and be thwarted from walking further until it is repaired and replaced. But until then, it will take more than a couple of signs to keep me off this trail in the Fall!