For this trip, I tried the Hullo passenger ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo and rented a car there. As a non-car owner, this was much more convenient and quicker than taking the Naniamo ferry from Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen.
The rough Pacific seas and mostly cloudy skies made for a wonderfully atmospheric trip.
Another bicycle trip to Hornby Island to wander, swim, stargaze and relax with friends.
Thanks again L for sharing your corner of paradise.
Cycled to Hornby Island to join friends for a weekend of beach wanders, cycling, paddling, two live music performances (first since before COVID-19). We also took in visits to a winery, a cidery and a meadery.
The initial ‘plan’ for getting away from Vancouver after months of the COVID-19 pandemic was a solo bicycle trip to Quadra or Cortes Island and back by way of Vancouver Island. Plans shifted before and during the trip. By the time it was over, I met up with friends to camp at the Hollyhock Centre on Cortes for five nights, took a water taxi from Cortes to Lund, and cycled the Sunshine Coast back to Vancouver.
The weather was great during travel times. Cycling enabled me to avoid the ferry lineups. With travel restrictions in place, a lot of BCers were travelling within the province. Options for accommodations when booking the night before were limited.
Hanging out with friends on Cortes Island and cycling to new places left me refreshed. Memorable highlights: Sitting on a beach to view a full moon rising over Qualicum Bay; The tailwind on day two; Star/planet/Perseids/satellite watching on the beach; Evening meals at Hollyhock; Water taxi to Lund; The tree house cabin at Strongwater in Egmont.
In 2014 a friend invited me to the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Little did I know of what an incredible experience I was in for. The performances, the venue, the food!
What stirred me were the amazing jam sessions. From Russia with Seoul – Jaron Freeman-Fox and the Opposite of Everything, Geomungo Factory, & Namgar. Uke Nation – James Hill & Anne Janelle, and Jake Shimabukuro.
Other acts of interest: Boy & Bear, and Elephant Revival.
Unforgettable moment: In the Folk School tent with Jaron Freeman-Fox and the Opposite of Everything when the skies opened up.
It`s a ‘funny’ story to tell now: Mosquitoes at the campground.
We returned in 2017. What I learned from the previous trip was not to try to get everything in, but to chill. Having a camp chair this time helped too. 😉
Music discoveries: Margaret Glaspy, Paul McKenna, Bon Débarra, Jonah Blacksmith, and Foy Vance.
High point: The Choir! Choir! Choir! sing-along of Lovers in a Dangerous Time with Bruce Cockburn.
In case you were wondering: Not that we missed them, but where were the mosquitoes?
The 2020 festival was sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately a virtual taste of the festival was prepared to tide us over.
