CYCLING VANCOUVER ISLAND, NANAIMO, CHEMAINUS, BC - DAY TWENTY FOUR - HEADING TO get THE BAR!

AUGUST 21, 2012

TODAY'S EPISODE - AM I TWO TIRED?

START - CHEMAINUS, BC
FINISH - NANAIMO, BC
TODAY - 46kms
TTD - 1470kms

Kind of a short day. Left me a lot of time to go find the "Bar".


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During our family's lives in the lumber and manufacturing business, Mac Blo was a huge Canadian player in the Domestic and International wood products market.

In our youth, our father would travel with us to the west coast, and as guests we visited many mills and logging operations.
What kid could forget watching them fall
100'+ trees.
I still remember their distribution yard on Hwy 20 just east of Fonthill.

If only his parents knew at the time that he would turn into a "BLOGGER".

Could anything have been done?

 Chemainus' claim to fame are the murals throughout the town. There wasn't a corner without some artwork.

 Little fun(coffee) street in Chemainus.

 This couple from Italy had started in Patagonia, Argentina.
"molto lontano da casa"

Due to the limited coastal routes, starting to ride more and more on the main north/south highway, the No.1. Many sections are like riding on Niagara's Hwy 406, but more confining with
the shoulders barricaded with concrete dividers.
I will let everyone know at the end of my trip if I survive.

This parameter prevents the flushing of my number one enemy from day one, glass. I am travelling with a spare tire and a number of extra  tubes.
I will let everyone know at the end of my trip if I..
( I am not going to write anymore on the subject so as not to ......)

At least I made it this far. My reward for a safe arrival will be Canada's Food Guide recommended sugar intake for one week in one two inch by two inch slab of one minute goodness.
My stay in Nanaimo will not be measured in hours, but specific minutes.

Do not want to insult the moniker city.

Lousy photo. Superior goodness.

So as not to take away from the notoriety of this place of gastronomical significance,
there is nothing else of note in this city.

CYCLING VANCOUVER ISLAND, SALT SPRING ISLAND, CHEMAINUS, BC - DAY TWENTY THREE - GANGES AGAIN

AUGUST 20, 2012

START - NORTH SAANICH, BC
FINISH- CHEMAINUS, BC
TODAY - 52kms
TTD - 1424kms


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After being let back into Canada legally, I'm starting to head up Vancouver Island. Thought I would see what Salt Spring Island is all about.

Passing through Sidney on the way to the ferry
terminal in Swartz Bay. Just wanted to check that during my absence if Canadian bakeries still held up to their US contemporaries. This establishment passed with flying colours

 Open deck ferry on our way to Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island.

This couple from Victoria were on a day trip. She had their schedule down
to the half kilometer. First the bakery for bread, then cheese, then the winery.
I didn't ask after that.

Ferry heading to the mainland.

I'd rather get a ferry ride up and down on Salt Spring. Fix a paddle wheel to my Fuji and cross these calm seas.

 With the terminal in the distance, I'm on Salt Spring. Will ride up the Island to the north terminus and off and back to the mainland.

You get on and off the island at about two meters above sea level. The in between differences were short but not sweet.

Ganges is the main service center on the island. It's also a river in India that holds all things sacred in the circle of life for over a billion people.

Mother Ganga.

SSI

Nicola and friend from the Global Village.

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

A waterfowl.

Arbutus tree

Kate crossing the river of life. Rishikish, India.

The life aquatic.

Steve Zissou: Esteban was eaten! 
Klaus Daimler: Is he dead? 
Steve Zissou: Esteban was eaten! Check the scanning monitor before it dives too deep! 
Klaus Daimler: He was bitten? 
Steve Zissou: Eaten! 
Klaus Daimler:  He was swallowed whole? 
Steve Zissou: No! *Chewed*! 

 Heading back to the mainland and then on to Chemainus for the night. This is a toothpick factory. They put the big logs on a lathe and shave them down to the desirable size of the specific variety of toothpick that is on the production schedule.

Random image on the Mainland.

Do not be alarmed.

CYCLING VANCOUVER ISLAND, SAN JUAN ISLAND, WASHINGTON, SIDNEY, NORTH SAANICH, BC - DAY TWENTY TWO - BACK TO O' CANADA

AUGUST 19, 2012
TODAY'S EPISODE -  If you don't know where you're goin, any road will take you there.

START - LAKEDALE RESORT, SAN JAUN ISLAND, WA.
FINISH - NORTH SAANICH, BC, CDN
TODAY - ROAD - 24kms
TTD - 1372kms


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With my travels and adding to the front of my trip the time I spent with Kate, returning to Canada after a month.

 There was only one ferry to Sidney today. Didn't want to miss it.

 One cannot sail on an empty stomach.

It seems inevitable that I shall leave the San Juans without riding into the iconic ski film producer, director and colourful narrator, Warren Miller, who makes Orca Island his home.

Spent some time with this kid and her
parents at the campground. They were
doing a short tour from Vancouver.

 This half of a rubber snake was the only thing that I declared at the border.

Including part of the San Juans, the passage snaked through islands that are in a rain shadow of Vancouver Island. Surprisingly parched.

Stood on deck with this fellow from Redmond, WA. and traded stories. We were both at the Seattle Worlds Fair in 1961. I do remember the Space Needle and Monorail but not him. 

Guarded my passport during my travels. Not for the ease of getting back into Canada.

 It's the best picture I have of myself!!