Oregon Coast to Canada...and back - Day 7

 Wednesday Oct 5 

After a long yet restless sleep the morning sunrise finally arrived. A quick bowl of granola went down nicely for breakfast. While Kerry showered I packed up the van in preparation for our departure. Once Kerry was done it was my turn to hit the showers. As soon as I returned it was wheels rolling, with Kerry behind the wheel for the first shift. 

Soon we were north bound on highway 1, destination Nanaimo. Our trek will take us up and over the Malahat mountain range. Up near the summit there was an intersection with a small shopping center. This will be our coffee stop. As we approached the light to turn right, exiting the highway, we saw a motorcycle cop in the middle of the road stopping traffic in all directions. Looking ahead I saw dozens of motorcycle cops coming our way with sirens blaring. I told Kerry it was probably a funeral. Instead of seeing the expected Hurst, we saw at least a dozen cops, on motorbikes escorting a couple of dozen cyclists. Apparently it was what is called Tour-D-Rock, a yearly event put on by the local law enforcement to help fund cancer research. When everyone started honking their horns at the procession I reached over and started honking along with the crowd. FUN!!!

We found a Boosters Booth for the event selling pancake, sausage, orange juice and coffee breakfasts. Works for us! After eating we finished the drive over the Malahat arriving at the town of Duncan. Next stop, Chemainus, where painted murals can be found  on almost every building. Apparently, years ago the town was destined to become a ghost town. Some of the local youth decided to start painting these murals to see if they could attract some tourist. Looks like their plan worked. Other artists joined in and now it is a booming town.

  Next stop, a town down the road called Ladysmith…Kerry shopped while I walked the dog. Then we entered a café with signs saying everything they had was gluten free, pastries, sandwiches, salads and soups.. Kerry had a bowl of lentil soup and I went for the chicken noodle. Yumm

 After eating we headed to our next and final stop, my brothers house in Nanaimo. As we parked in the driveway we got a phone call and text message at the same time. It was my sister in law Nancy asking if we had an ETA. Kerry replied, with a chuckle “Look out your window. We are in your driveway". 

                                                                       

Once we got everything unpacked Steff, my nephew Shawn's significant other, came by with their daughter, my niece, Stella for a visit. We will spend time with them every day we are here, especially since they live right next door. 

My brother Dave is out of town for a couple of days so it will just be his wife Nancy, my nephews family and us until he returns. My other brother Kevan will also stop by regularly to have a visit, starting with dinner tonight. After a wonderful meal  of chicken cacciatore  we sat around for hours chatting about all kinds of things from our fondest memories of growing up to the entertaining TV the U.S.A. is providing Canada (and the world) with their election hostilities..

That evening I ended up having the worst night sleep, constantly waking up and switching from bedroom to living room. By the time the sun started coming up I finally fell into a deep deep,sleep…and it was good.