Miss W and I have had a fantastic time on Vancouver Island, especially in the Comox Valley where we based ourselves for two days.
On our way through to Comox from Nanaimo, we pulled over to a rest area and checked out the facilities. To our amazement, the toilets were not the flushing kind but what we back in Australia call ‘long drops‘ or composting toilets. Had to take a picture of the sign on the door as Miss W’s brother works with Parks and Wildlife back in Tasmania.
We then went on some school visits to Jan Smith who runs the Huzzah blog and then to Jaki Braidwood who runs the Ripple Effect blog. Had a great time introducing the students to both my blog and also Miss W showed them the student challenge blog and her class blog back in Tasmania. When we got back that afternoon, I had 47 comments to moderate and leave a reply for. My little paws were very sore, so I had to rest in Jan’s bag at teatime. You should have heard the chatter about schools and teaching when Miss W, Jan, Jaki and Cathy from the Climb High blog got together for tea at Atlas Cafe. I must admit the wild sockeye burger Miss W had looked delicious as did the raspberry chocolate mousse (sorry Sue Waters – Miss W told me to mention it). I was so quiet, Miss W nearly forgot to get me out of the comfortable warm bag I was in.
The students had given us lots of suggestions of where to go today so off we went. First to the Airforce museum, then a long drive – we got lost again – to eventually find the Powell River ferry terminal where we needed a time table to know when to get there tomorrow. Finally back on the road we headed for Mount Washington. We were expecting to see lots of animals on the road but it was drizzly and foggy so they were probably hiding in the forests instead. Miss W had a long talk to the lady at the information office and was given some freebies to bring back to her students. As we drove back down the road, it looked like something drastic had happened to a ski chalet up on the hill. Maybe it was the 6.4 earthquake they had on the island a couple of weeks ago that caused the problem.
Onto the Inland Highway and up to Campbell River for a Subway lunch – these are good food as they have vegetables (lettuce), fruit (tomato), protein (meat) and carbohydrates (flatbread). Miss W’s mum worries that she doesn’t eat enough of the ‘good’ foods when she is away.We did stop further on at a farm fresh produce store and gathered some snacks including fruit and vege bars that are the equivalent of 2 pieces of fruit or vegetables.
Heading out of town, we hit a very unusual sign about the 50th parallel. What is that all about?
On the way back to Comox, we stopped off at Oyster Bay. Here was a beautiful wildlife refuge, mainly for sea birds and certain plants they are looking after. They have even made some bird nests out on poles in the bay. A little stroll along the foreshore brought us to huge piles of driftwood. Not like the little ones we have in Tasmania that Bob, Miss W’s dad, likes to collect but these were huge, smooth logs. Some though looked like they had been eaten by animals that bore into them.
Through Courtenay and onto Cumberland where we visited a museum about the district which had once been full of coal miners. It is interesting to see that many of the same things happened in coal mines around the world back in the late 1800’s / early 1900’s. Miss W had a giggle when she read the notice about school teachers – we have exactly the same notice in our Pioneer School.
Back to the motel for tea, sleep and another day of travelling tomorrow.
If you want to leave a comment, feel free to mention something that happened to you or your family, similar to those things highlighted in this post.
Dear Mr. Davo,
I loved your post! At times I felt like I was there with you. I’m sure tea time chat was extra special! … and it’s too cute that Miss W made you mention chocolate dessert for a certain chocoholic!
Kind regards,
Mrs. Watanabe
Tracy,
I have to do whatever Miss W tells me otherwise I might get left on the side of the road, but I also knew Sue Waters really loves her chocolate.
Sounds like you and Sue are having an amazing adventure. But can’t believe that even Tracy is supporting your mention of the chocolate!
FYI raspberry chocolate mousse doesn’t count with chocoholics!
Enjoy your trip and eat some real chocolate!
Now Sue, I enjoyed the same delicious desert as Davo’s guardian, and I have to say the chocolate raspberry mouse was rapturous–a rich, dark delight. I enjoyed it on your behalf. 🙂
What did you think of of the Comox valley? Does it look like Tasmania?
Reece,
I enjoyed the Comox Valley but I was disappointed that the fog or mist was over Mount Washington and I couldn’t see down the valley from there.
Dear Mr. Davo,
Did you enjoy your stay in Comox? I enjoyed meeting you! When I grow up, I want to visit Tasmania. I hear it’s amazing.
Bye for now!
Griffin,
It is an amazing place especially all the animals that are only found in Australia. About 40% of Tasmania is National Park or protected forest.
[…] for us her grand North American Adventure. Since leaving us, he has already written a post about her visit to our class, Mrs. Braidwood’s class and the Comox […]
Did you enjoy your trip? I hope you did. 🙂 Thank you for the Vegemite, many kids enjoyed it. I’m sorry to say but I am not one of those people.
Well Have a good day! 🙂
I happen to know that Summer is a “selective” eater, and I must say I admire greatly her willingness to give something new a try. 🙂
Summer,
To tell you the truth, I don’t really like it either. Miss W does but it is too salty for me.
Dear Mr.Davo
I love your story about beening in B.C.and when you tacked about the desert it made my hongry!
from Nicholas
Nicholas,
That dessert was delicious. Ask Mrs Smith, because both Miss W and Mrs Smith ate it. I only got the bit that dropped on the floor – not much at all.
WhatWashington.We triedthe vegamite. did you think of the Comox valley?It sounded like you had anadventure here. Did you like Mount
Reece,
Think your comment got all mixed up but I loved the Comox Valley and was disappointed because Mount Washington was very misty.
Dear Mrs Wyatt,
How was the rest of your vist at Comox. I hope it was good. You made my mouth water when you talked about the burgur and chocolate shake. Thanks for stoping by our classroom.
Colton,
It was a pleasure for both Miss W and myself to visit your classroom. That salmon burger was certainly mouth watering.
Dear Miss Wyatt,
That must have been an awsome trip through the Comox Valley becuase the Comox Valley it is an awsome place to go to descover because Comox has a lot of history and Cumberland has alot of history too.
Bekkam,
I love looking at history and we also have a lot of old coal mines in Tasmania out in the bush where I live.
Dear Davo(& Mrs Wyatt)I’m So Glad you enjoyed your stay in Comox, I hope you come back soon!
How did it compare to Tasmania?
I guess both of us are off from the mainland!
(P.S)I saw me in one of the pictures of Ms.Smiths class!(I feel Special!)
( ‘)>
Colt,
Mrs Smith took some great pictures to put on your class blog. Yeah we are both islands off the mainland. I wonder what other things we have in common?
Hello,
It was a pleasure to have you here and explaining what Australia looks like and it was amazing to have someone come from Australia.
Julia
Julia,
It was a pleasure for both Miss W and I to visit your class especially as Mrs Smith and Miss W have been friends digitally for three years and this was the first time they had met in reality.
Dear Mrs.Davo,
It’s going to be fun to see you when you get to Joliet.
From, Jake
Jake,
We should be there by mid October and we are certainly looking forward to meeting you all. I hope you like the vegemite we are bringing.