An old-timer near Quennell Lake

An old-timer (in this case a jalopy) near Quennell Lake (Cedar, BC)...

An old jalopy near Quennell Lake (Cedar, BC)... (Aug 12, 2013)

Multiple Transport Modes: Quintessentially Nanaimo

This is one of those postcard shots you're only likely to get from a kayak. In this case, I was just pulling out of Middden Bay on Newcastle Island, and rounding Shaft Point, into Departure Bay when this float plane landed just as the BC Ferries' Queen of Cowichan was leaving the terminal. Quintessentially west coast British Columbia!

Float plane landing as ferry leaves Departure Bay (2007-08-20)

Fresh Fish: Right off the Boat in Nanaimo Harbour

Goes it get any better? Fresh fish. Right off the boat?

Goes it get any better? Fresh fish. Right off the boat? (2013-01-21)

A Foggy View of Nanaimo Harbour

A foggy January in Nanaimo. Brilliant! I got myself out of the house as soon as there was enough light to take some pictures. To my mind, fog, a harbour, and boats are a postcard marriage made in heaven. CLICK!

A foggy January in Nanaimo's harbour (2013-01-21)

Nanaimo harbour and the coming and going of float planes

My kayak meandering had taken me from the Brechin Road launch to the downtown harbour in Nanaimo. A constant, postcard, feature of the Nanaimo harbour is the coming and going of float planes. This picture just had to be snapped.

 Nanaimo harbour and the coming and
going of float planes (2007-08-20)

Nanaimo Harbour Ferry making its way back to town from Newcastle Island

It was a cloudy day, but it was an August day. Thus, it was a day for kayaking. After launching at my usual spot at the foot of Brechin Road, I slowly paddled my way along the waterfront in the general direction of downtown Nanaimo. Near the harbour, I spotted the Nanaimo Harbour Ferry making its way back to town from Newcastle Island. Bright colours. Cute boat. Clearly a postcard!

Nanaimo Harbour Ferry making its way 
back to town from Newcastle Island (2007-08-20)

The Salish Sea and Shack Island

A sunny day in early July is as good a time as any to visit Pipers Lagoon Park in Nanaimo. On this day, walking out along the cliffs that define the lagoon, my postcard was defined by the blue of the Salish Sea and the tiny flecks of colour that identify Shack Island.

The Salish Sea and Shack Island (2012-07-04)

Downtown Nanaimo

In December, as the hectic of the Christmas season was threatening to become stressful, I opted for a brisk walk out along Jack Point and Biggs Park. The sun played along and illuminated the downtown of Nanaimo nicely.

Downtown Nanaimo as seen from Jack Point
(Biggs Park) (2011-12-09)

Island Queen, the "Protection Connection"

There's something "African Queen" about the ferries that ply the waters between Nanaimo Harbour and the Dinghy Dock Pub on Protection Island. The trip, and the cold beer with lunch at the pub is always a treat. Occasionally we'll pop over ourselves, but it's almost a must-see experience when we've got overseas visitors.

Island Queen of the "Protection Connection" (2013-08-17)

A walk Past the Marina in Nanaimo

Late December and no rain is an ideal opportunity to take a walk along the Nanaimo waterfront. The symmetry of boats, masts, and boat houses, all reflected in the water, catches my attention.

Reflective symmetry; 
Nanaimo marina (2012-12-29)

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This will soon be gone; Colliery Dam Park being reconfigured

My walk in February took me to the park at the old Colliery Dam. Apparently, the dams will soon be gone. My sense is that Nanaimo city council is concerned about potential flooding below the dams, in case of an earthquake. Others, if media reports are to be believed, are of a different opinion. I will miss these scenes, should the dams disappear.

This will soon be gone;
Colliery Dam Park being reconfigured

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The Pickle Boat docks at Nanaimo's Brechin Boat Launch

Spotted while out for a walk in March; one of Nanaimo's Pickle boats tied up at the dock near the Brechin boat launching site.

Pickle Boat docks at Nanaimo's
Brechin Boat Launch (2013-03-26)

Nanaimo Harbour in the Fog

The first post will feature one of my favourite photos of Nanaimo Harbour.

Nanaimo Harbour Watch patrolling the Nanaimo 
Harbour on a foggy day in January (2013-01-21)