Happily Home!

Waiting in the Nanaimo Queue

Early Morning View from Ferry Line Up

The 6:20 am ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo made for one of our earliest starts yet, arriving at 5:20, and taking our place in the sleepy line up. 

Once on board, I stayed with the pooch on the passenger car deck and the brief crossing was quite pleasant - plenty of light and fresh air. H was only mildly freaked out and at times it was hard to tell that we were moving at all. Smooth crossing.

Only mildly freaked out on board

Leaving Horseshoe Bay, Vancouver

H in Wardroppers Leash-free Dog Park,
Nanaimo

Arriving in Departure Bay, Nanaimo 

Immediately upon our triumphant arrival in Nanaimo we headed for the local leash-free dog park (Wardroppers Park) and H had a chance to stretch her legs.

Our early arrival allowed for a leisurely, meandering drive up-island. (Note correct use of local terminology. No one ever travels up the island, only up-island. Critical to get these nuances right so as not to give away one's foreign status).

We stopped for a brief walk at Neck Point, also in Nanaimo, and carried on along the wonderful Oceanside Route (Highway 19A) to take in the amazing views along the way. 

Neck Point Walk

Views from the Oceanside route, like so much of this cross-country extravaganza, defy description. What a country we live in!

Although a longer drive than the Inland Highway (Highway 19), on a day like this it makes sense to stop and smell the salty sea air. 

View from Oceanside Route - Hwy 19A

View from Oceanside Route

   

View from Oceanside Route

Triumphant arrival in Courtenay

Arrival in the Comox Valley, which encompasses Courtenay and Comox as well as Cumberland (described by locals as the wild west), felt like the satisfying end to a long, happy journey. To celebrate, we headed to Seal Bay Park and enjoyed a stroll through the beautiful rainforest. 

H in Seal Bay Park - her first rainforest

First official stick in the Comox Valley

How happy does H look on this
Comox Valley Trail?  

Unpacking the car felt great, as did the chance to do laundry (lots and lots of laundry). SO lucky to have the generous hospitality of Bruce and Carol and Cider, and occasionally William and Nicholas, their all-grown-up-into-lovely-young-men sons, until the condo closes on August 1.

Cider showing H the ropes at at the boat launch near Bruce and Carol's home
H not yet sure about salt water

For the annals of odyssey history, here is everything I had in the mighty 'Ru, including camping gear that had been stowed in the rooftop cargo carrier:

Contents of 'Ru and Cargo Carrier

Final Kilometres, Orillia to Comox: 5070.
Next up: Relaxing with Bruce and Carol and getting ready to move into the condo! 

Heartfelt Thank You to everyone who read these posts and made encouraging comments here and via e-mail and Facebook. 

Your good company made a great trip even more memorable.

Until we meet again, happy trails to one and all.