The Art of Blogging

The marketers say to research other blogs in the area you want to create a blog on to find your niche.  That one thing the others didn't think to address.  Travel is my chosen topic and Vancouver Island the testing ground.

In my pink fuzzy bathrobe I surf the web and find www.keira-ann.com.  Go there.  You'll like her.  Her site is clean, easy and delightfully fun.  It's a day-in-the-life blog and she appears to live an enjoyable life.  Maybe my pink fuzzy bathrobe and ginger tea won't be enough to draw folks in.

I'll continue my quest to find my niche.  In the meantime, I better get ready for my day at the office.

The Elusive Falls

I’m glued to the monitor, playing Bejeweled Blitz, sucked into Facebook.  I’m wanting someone to send me a message or post on my wall yet hoping they don’t as it would interrupt my brilliant plan to earn more coins.  Bored.

I check the Home page and see that Fearless of Ladysmith had returned from a trek with his dog.  Apparently, they didn’t find the ‘elusive falls’.  What falls?  Look at those pictures!  Where?  I halfta go there!

 Stocking Creek Park is 25 acres nestled between Chemainus Road and the Trans Canada Highway on the north side of Chemainus.  It is dense with cedars and ferns with a small creek running parallel to the highway.  This is the home of the ‘elusive falls’ which I will find and photograph. 

Parking and facilities are just past the entrance off of Thicke Road.  Take the trail down to the bridge and pick your trail.

As I was looking for falls, I took the high road and found the trails to be well travelled with the surrounding woods just as they should be, not full of litter and dog poop.  The air was warm and green as was the park. *Insert bird song here.*

As I walked I could hear the falls but could not find them!  After two hours I stopped to eat and stick my feet in the cool creek.  Off again, with a plan.  I’ll check one more trail then that’s it…I’ll concede.  Camera ready, backpack lightened I walked the trail on the lower left side of the bridge.  Lovely.  Absolutely lovely.  I felt very small yet protected walking at the feet of the giant cedars.  

 The sound of rushing water could be heard and it was getting louder and then it was right there!  The elusive falls!  Brilliant!  Triumph!  They were beautiful however I couldn’t take a decent picture of them.  If you know how or why I couldn’t shoot running water…please comment.  I’m an amateur photographer.

I recommend this jewel of a park for an easy afternoon trek.  Each trail is different.  The bird song was fabulous. 

Welcome to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Welcome, welcome!  Welcome to this beautiful spot I currently call home.  I say currently as I suspect Vancouver Island will not be the last place I park my bike.  Nor was it the first.

I grew up in Canada.  Almost all of it.  Army brat?  Nope.  Daughter to journalists who wanted to "see the country" and took me along for the ride...in the orange Volvo station wagon with the canoe on top.

I've lived in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Nunavut, NWT and BC.  I grew up in small towns and close to nature.  I remember thinking to myself many times how I would spend my adult life in one town, in a big lavish home and raise my family in the traditional manner.  Ha!  Not so.  I just couldn't sit still and only now have I accepted that I am nomadic.

There's the saying, "Do what you love and the money will follow."  Time to test drive that!

I love to travel for all of the obvious reasons.  Since moving to Vancouver Island I've decided to document the places I hike, bike and drive to.  A friend suggested I start a blog.  So, here it is.

Welcome to Vancouver Island, British Columbia!