I can't really say there was much happening in 2025 that I wanted to post here. Nic, Ozzie and I moved to Vernon BC, and along with a number of other ongoings with work and family, we had a pretty stressful time of it. So please forgive the gap in reporting. It seems fitting then to pick up pretty much exactly where we left off. Another camping trip to Vancouver Island.
We started at the Pacific Playgrounds near Saratoga beach. It was a pretty vast campsite with lots to do. It reminded me a lot of living in North Van. Lots of kids riding their bikes around and a place for the parents to go drink quietly and ignore them.
We rented from Island RV again, this time upsizing our camper by quite a bit. Nic and I have already done the exit analysis on this and agree this wasn't really a better option than the van we had last time. Comfort was hard to find in here with a bed that was little more than plywood and the cheapest camping chairs you could find. I have no issue renting from Island RV, but whoever owns the Keiko seems to be just trying to make a buck with the least possible investment.
Ozzie seemed keen at first on going for a paddle board. Later on he would just want to play with his water toy on the beach. We had a hard time tearing him away when it was time to go back.
We really like Saratoga beach, but find the right place to stay has ever been a challenge. Nearby Miracle beach campground is un-serviced, a Pacific Playground was just too big and popular.
But you can't beat this place on a sunny day. I'd like to think when it's my time to cross the rainbow bridge, my first glimpse of heaven would look something like this.
Ozzie has been on the limp for a while now. An issue we really need to get properly looked at. But when he's excited, he can still zoom around.
After Saratoga, we went back to the Cumberland Lake campsite and met our friends Sue and Lubo. We all really love the Cumberland forest. Mountain biking has really put this sleep town on the map.
Just here I'm dumping random photos, mostly taken by Lubo. In fact, without him, this post would be pretty pointless.
When you think about it, the Cumberland campsite is perfect for us. We have some of the best trails in BC nearby and a calm lake to SUP board on.
Lubo got a few shots of me on my board. I'm just going to show the one where I'm actually standing which also minimizes the plumbers butt.
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Dinner time team ups, nice company at the picnic table.
End of day showers and sitting by the firepit. The next morning we'd be off to our final stop at the Qualicum first nations campsite.
Ozzie's new friend is Chevy who belongs to Darren and Angie from Saltspring. Nice like-minded folks, we actually exchanged phone numbers, something we I almost never do. They left the next day and were replaced by a rather large group who though it was a good idea to bring a karaoke machine. Ugh. I hate to be like that but we had a shut that shit down. The singing was just bad, and loud.
As normal, Nic and I played a few games on our trip. Boardgames are a prime example of how to enjoy your camping trip without annoying the people around you. Here, Nic is closing in on victory with Brass Lancashire. One of our favorite games.
Later that evening, we'd be joined by Colleen and Jason, who just happened to be on the island as well sussing out a new camping trailer. I'm happy for them. It's good to see people getting ready to enjoy retirement to the fullest. Part of the reason we moved to Vernon was so we could play catch up and get ahead. My hope is that one day a pickup truck and camping trailer will be in our future as well.
We headed back across on the ferry late Sunday evening. Chris and Rich were kind enough to put us up for the night so we didn't have to drive in the dark. Waking up on mind however, Nic and I were both ready to head home. Rich made us coffees and we sped off, getting back home around 3 in the afternoon.
