Coco’s Adventures

We left home on Friday morning and dropped the doggies off at Double Dog Ranch. We made it to Dad & Bev's apartment at lunch where Dad fed us and Bev helped Colette do some exercises.

Back on the road with some traffic, but made it to the ferry with plenty of time to spare.

8:15 departure should have meant bedtime for Miss C, but she was too interested all the happenings at the ferry. Late arrival (11 PM) to hotel. Coast Bastion in Nanaimo. We had a great harbourfront room.

Morning in Nanaimo

Sleeping in the big bed. I love my Taggie!

The next morning Jerrol started the Pink Salmon Fishing Derby which was in the downtown harbour. C and I went for a run, then lots of walking which started with watching some Highland Flingers and the daily cannon shooting at the Bastion (Hudson Bay Company fort built in early 1800s).

We really enjoyed Nanaimo. It was a bit suprising as we don't usually spend vacation time in cities. Nanaimo is pretty small, the day was gorgeous, and they have great parks.

We did a BBQ in a downtown park with the fishing tourney folks. Salmon steaks. Very tasty. Icecream on the walk home and turned in early.

The next morning Jerrol wanted to fish a close-in lake. We had a major charlie-foxtrot with not finding the key to his kayak lock cable. A try with bolt cutters, no good. Found the key, out to the lake, key doesn't work cause we wonked up the lock with the bolt cutters. Back to the hotel to angle grind the lock off, back to the lake.

In the afternoon we had a great lunch with the Greenes (Trevor, Debbie, Grace and baby Noah). What a wonderful family and it is always nice to see a new addition. Grace is sooo tall! Projected to be 6' and I believe it. Noah is tall and skinny too and I didn't mind one bit that he took a nap on my chest. Wasn't so long ago that C would crash out on you. Now she doesn't want to miss any interaction and won't nap when holding her.

Greene Family

Then back to downtown for the prizes. Jerrol didn't catch a fish, but they had lots of prizes. He picked a nice down jacket for me. Good hubby!

Then to Tofino, where we arrived at the Red Crow B&B. Was lovely house on 5 acres, inlet side. Grabbed some food at Wildside Grill then off to sleep. This was the first time Colette slept with us (King sized bed). We all did very well.

Jerrol on Porch of Red Crow

The next day we explored the town and Tonquin Park/Beach. Lots of walking and the Bob stroller rocked. We ate lunch at Greenroom Diner, which was great.

Eating at Greenroom Diner

At Greenroom Diner

Sleeping with Sophie, aka Bob White in stroller

We got cleaned up to go to SoBo but they were closed, so we got a pizza at Red Can Gourmet (really good) and hung out reading in the room.

Second full day in Tofino, Jerrol was going to kayak around to the ocean side of the island and do some fishing. He put in at the village dock and Colette and I went back to switch rooms and nap.

2nd time in Pacific Ocean

Then more walking around, down to Tonquin Beach to meet Dad for lunch. Colette got to play in the surf and do some tummy time on the beach.

Those Thighs!

Ideal tummy time venue

Jerrol with fish on beach in Tofino

Jerrol kayaked back to the B&B and we enjoyed sitting on a rock in the water waiting for him.

View from our B&B

That night, dinner at SoBo, more ice cream and relaxing in the rom.

Last day was only travel. 14 hours door to door! About Tacoma, C was done with her car seat, but pulled through with a constant loop of Momma singing "Eternal Flame" by the Bangles.

Puppies had a good time too at Double Dog Ranch.

July 27-29, 2012

First camping trip! We decided to get the first camping trip out of the way this summer while Colette was still immobile. We chose Goose Lake on the south side of Mount Adams.

The campsite was great (8/10 on the new ratings scale). 19 sites, no RVs, 1st come, 1st served. Jerrol picked a good site with some privacy and a great view of the lake. No real hiking but incredible fishing (brown, cut-throat, brooke)

Colette enjoyed walking around facing forward in the BabyBjorn. She loved the fire. She would stare at it jus like a grown up.

Here is a video of her discussing the evening with her Dad

The tent has a mesh roof so looking at the trees and stars was enjoyable too. When put down to sleep/nap she would lay quietly and look up at everything for awhile. The evenings were cold 45 degrees. I oragami-folded a down throw into a baby sherpa-like sleeping bag. She was the warmest of all 5 of us.

Jerrol fished as much as he could. The last outing he took Boone on the back of his kayak for 2 hours. Boone had no interest in fish but liked saying hi to other fishermen.