kmroadtrek: 1st stop CANADA! Nanaimo

We have long since returned to Toronto but I have a few pictures from the west coast that I would like to share. My dad, Elwood, and his wife, Mlada, gave us a home for 3 weeks upon our return to Canada. They live about twenty minutes south of Nanaimo.

After the dusty stifling heat of Saigon the cool, crisp air in Nanaimo was such a relief! Towards the end of our stay it snowed - I had hoped to avoid winter altogether, but it was not to be, as the snow remained and the temperature dipped.

We became infatuated with Dave the dog. Elwood and Mlada are fostering Dave while his owners are living in Singapore. He is a mix between a chocolate lab and pointer. He's beautiful to look at and he has a wonderful temperament.

Most of our time was spent watching the wildlife on the sea in front of the house. We also explored a few of the closest parks and hiking trails. I was most often in bed, still unwell, so Marcus was quite thrilled to have Dave for company on his walks.

This Northern Flicker came to feed a few times at the feeder hanging off the end of the balcony.

View at Hemer Park. It was as peaceful and silent as it looks.

This rock outcrop is about 100 meters in front of the house. It is a regular stomping grounds for the seals, always giving us something to look at. I loved watching them turn somersaults in the water.