Island Vacation

We got back on Saturday night from our 5-day camping trip to the Island. There are so many pictures to post and too many stories to tell - we'll see how far I get with this entry...

Killing time in Horseshoe Bay while we wait for the ferry to Nanaimo.


We spent our first 2 nights at Riverbend Campground in Parksville, BC. We had been there last year when we took a trip with Brad & Nichole.

The kids hanging out in the tent while Erik & I set up camp.


Our cute little campsite.


The campground had it's own little swimming area on the Englishman River. It was perfect - HOT weather & refreshing river water...


We really wanted to go back to Rathtrevor beach after our experience there last year (also with Brad & Nichole). Unfortunately it did not live up to its former glory. The beach is on a massive sand bar and you have to walk about a km & a half to get to the water's edge. The water is very shallow & warm and last year we had a lot of fun there. I knew that we would have to walk a ways to get to the water, but I had expected that the tide would stay put for a while so we could just sit and relax by the water. So, with Keziah loaded in the mei tai and our arms laden with towels, sand toys, snacks, diapers, bottles, sunscreen, a beach umbrella, etc, etc, we started the long walk to the water's edge. We passed by some young families who had set up beside some little shallow pools that the tide had left behind, but we were determined to be right at the water's edge so we just kept walking. Oh how they must've been laughing at us trucking our stuff all that way, but anyway... We finally got close to the water and started setting up our stuff; put down the blanket, shove the beach umbrella into the sand, get Keziah out of the mei tai, break out the toys and the snacks... But, as it turns out the tide was actually moving in already - slowly but surely. Within 10 minutes we decided we'd better start moving our stuff back a bit as the water was approaching. So, we gather everything up and start backtracking to find another spot, set up again, etc... At this point Keziah was starting to get really fussy. She had been woken prematurely from her nap for this event and was a little out of sorts. The breeze coming off the ocean was pretty strong and ripped our umbrella from the sand a couple of times. Then Micah decided to start throwing sand in the air which landed all over our things, including in the chip dip that Erik & I were trying to eat. We had to move back yet again and the whole experience was far from relaxing. At this point, Erik, who (bless his heart) had not complained at all said to me, "To be honest, I'm not having very much fun." I laughed. Erik is usually one to let his feelings be known right off the start, but I knew he had been holding back because he didn't want to ruin a fun family day :) We decided to pack it in and make the long walk back to our car. I loaded Keziah back up in the mei tai and she fell asleep almost instantly. Micah was not impressed with having to make that trek again and he dawdled after us. It took forever. As we passed those same families who were set up closer to the parking lot, we realized how very smart they were! And we felt a little sheepish as they watched us walk back less than an hour after we had arrived.

We still managed to get some pictures though. And I think Micah still had fun :) Here we are playing in the ocean. Gotta love the Sanjaya hairdo I've got going, hey?


Micah playing "sand & pail".



Keziah asleep in the mei tai at the end of our long walk.


So, back to our campground we went. The river beach was much more relaxing! I'm glad we had such a great alternative. The current was perfect for tubing. When you got to the bend in the river it would swirl around and carry you back upstream where you could start all over again.

Erik found a small cliff to jump off a little further downstream.


That just can't be comfortable.


Sandy hands.


Keziah was REALLY difficult during this trip. She has become a very challenging baby and I blame it mostly on teething. Her one stubborn tooth is still pushing against her gums but hasn't broken through. But, the teething aside, Keziah just seems to crave constant attention. We found she was often happiest in her car seat, so we kept her in there during our afternoon at the river and she was pretty content.


Googly eyes.



Keziah's dip in the river.



Camping is dirty.


Bathtime for Keziah in the wash basin:


Micah insisted on bathing in the basin too...


Lots of napping was done in the car. I love this picture of Micah blowing bubbles in his sleep.


On Thursday we packed everything up and headed northwest to Comox Lake to meet with some friends and family at "the cabin". We've been there twice before and it's always an enjoyable time :)


Oh, I love techonology...


Some classic cabin activities included:

1) Rock toss


2) Log walking


3) Floating/Sun-bathing for the ladies :)

Micah joined Nate & Rosanna for an evening canoe ride:

Beware of the Hoops Monster!

Keziah's toothless grin.

Sunset over the lake. Time to head home!

Erik & I agreed that this vacation was fun, but it wasn't very relaxing. In fact we came home exhausted, but I suppose that's camping with kids! Yesterday (the 15th) we celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary! Hard to believe. We didn't do much as we were busy getting our house back in order and catching up on some sleep, but we're hoping to go on a date later this week.

Anyway, that was a marathon of pictures and now I need to get some other things done!