Christmas & New Years

Welcoming our guests with Canadian cheer!

Christmas turned out to be one of the most relaxing, fun, and different Christmases I've ever had. Not spending it with family, although at times was sad, proved to a relief in the annual routine of gifts, breakfast, family coming over, dinner at another family member's house, then bed. It was the same every year so it was kind of fun to mix it up this time around! I've also never spent a Christmas away from my family, but I was so happy and thankful to spend it with some of Jon's. 

The warm weather lead to some rather un-Christmas-y activities, like hiking to waterfalls, mountains, and stopping by the beach a few times. If anything, I think this adds to my love of Victoria and this beautiful place, because at home I think they had snow around Christmas! I love being able to get away with just a jacket and a light scarf and hat (more for fashion than warmth). Along with our outdoors-y adventures, we also got to visit the new board game cafe in the city where we played "Ticket to Ride" and we also had a lovely Christmas dinner in our apartment.

Jon Mini-Niagra Falls in Goldstream Provincial Park

Jack at the top of Mount Douglas

Jon and I on Beacon Hill Park's beach, surrounded by driftwood and seaweed

It was only a few days after they left until New Years Eve where Jon and I were invited to a Roaring 20's themed party. Even though it was fun getting dressed up and I don't think I've ever gone out before for New Years, I think we'll probably spend the night in next year. I loved spending time with my friends, but there was 200 other people in the place that made it crowded and hot. Ah well, Happy 2014!

Oh my!

Exploring the Island (part II)

A view of the Vancouver Island Ranges on a Tofino dock

I've been spending the last few weeks getting to know the island a bit more intimately. I've seen the salmon spawn again, played on the abandoned railroad tracks of the island, travelled to the Gulf Island called Salt Spring, and took a five hour road trip up and across to Tofino. I'm growing every day in my love for this place, and I'm slowly meeting more interesting people to add to my growing perspective of the world.

Abandoned railroad tracks of Vancouver Island. No rail system is in place today.

What I love so much about this relatively small island is its diversity. I can go up a fairly easy mountain hike, to finding star fish by the sea, to petting the moss on a 800 year old tree, to traversing through temperate rain forest, to gazing at snow peaked mountains, all within a fairly reachable distance of one another. I may be romanticizing the place because I just moved here (actually, I'm certain that I am), but there really is a lot to do here if you enjoy the outdoors. Jon surfed for the first time while we were in Tofino and I've been hiking more than ever. As of right now, despite being underemployed, I couldn't imagine a better place for us to be. 

The 155 foot tall Little Niagara Falls in Goldstream Provincial Park

Sail boats on the way to Salt Spring Island

One of the many tiny vineyards on Salt Spring Island

Surfers in Tofino

Starfish on a Tofino beach

"The Big Tree": Over 800 years old, 250 feet tall, and 30 feet round.

Jon hiding away on a fallen tree

Glacier run-off pool. I've never seen water so clear.