Quadra Island; Cape Mudge lighthouse

April of 2010 found us taking a break on Quadra Island. Of course, we explored the island all around our hotel at Heriot Bay, but our second day took us to Cape Mudge on the other side of the island. C'mon! When is a lighthouse not an ideal postcard shot? 

Cape Mudge lighthouse

Nanaimo: Entwhistle Road Secret Beach

When an August day brings us clouds, wind, and the threat of rain, then that's a good day to work our way through Theo Dombrowski's "Secret Beaches …"

On this date in 2011 we decided to have a look at the Secret Beach at the foot of Entwhistle Road. What a great decision. The wind that was keeping us from kayaking was now kicking up whitecaps that made for postcard scenes. 

A windy day at Entwhistle Road 
Secret Beach (2011-08-06) 

Parksville: Rathtrevor in January

Late January is not everyone's idea of a good time to go to the beach. However, if the beach in question is Rathtrevor Beach (near Parksville), then any time is a good time. Winter grey with just a touch of reddish orange makes for a postcard scene. 

A blustery January at 
Rathtrevor Beach (2012-01-28) 

Ostfriesland: Strandkorb in April

In April of 2012 we were just a few days into our Europe vacation. We had crossed the Dutch-German border yesterday and now we found ourselves on the North Sea shore in Ostfriesland. From the look of the colourful Strandkorbe, of summer postcard fame, this beach at Nessmersiel was "closed for business".

April Strandkorb in 
Ostfriesland (2012-04-13) 

Texada Island: Beach by Vananda

While spending a few August days on Texada Island, I took the opportunity to explore the island's beaches. Perhaps the most obvious beach, but overlooked by visitors, is the one just on the edges of Vananda. A beach primarily of gravel and larger rocks, augmented by the quintessential drift logs, this shore looks out over Malaspina Strait, towards Powell River.

Looking out over Malaspina Strait
towards Powell River

Texada Island: Quintessentially Summer at Shelter Point

A child's flip-flop, abandoned on a beach log at Shelter Point Regional Park, says summer about as well as anything. Purely postcard material!

 Summer at Texada Island's 
Shelter Point (2012-08-27)

Nanaimo: Mom and Toddler on a Secret Beach

A mom and her toddler define summer at one of Nanaimo's Secret Beaches (Blueback Road).

Secret Beach at 
Blueback Road (2012-08-14)

Sidney Spit: Historical Pilings

For years I've been promising myself s trip for Sidney Island. This past June I finally made it. Clearly, there are postcard shots to be had here. Unfortunately, Barb and I had chosen a rainy day that cut our visit short. Obviously an excuse to return at a later date.

Sidney Spit historical pilings (2013-06-23)

Nanaimo: Beach Estates Park to Departure Bay

There are at least two ways to visit Departure Bay beach. The most obvious is by car via Departure Bay Road. Less obvious and less known is via a short - 20 minutes - hike through Beach Estates Park. This path opens out to the beach at what was, historically, a coal loading wharf. The finger of rocks, visible at low tide, is just a little of what remains as evidence of these times. 

Beach Estates Park to 
Departure Bay (2013-03-25)

China Beach: Creative Beach Structure

On this day in May, we had to get Barb to Victoria. The usual route over the Malahat was getting old. We decided to take an alternate - albeit longer - route via Lake Cowichan, Port Renfrew, and Sooke. The idea was to visit Botanical Beach enroute. After exploring Botanical Beach, our journey to Victoria took us past China Beach. The fifteen minute walk down the trail from parking lot to beach was worth it for the postcard views. 

China Beach Structure (2013-05-16)

Tofino: Incinerator Beach

One of the best ways to see Incinerator Beach (the northern section of Long Beach, near Tofino) is by climbing up the hill located near the parking lot. In the distance, in the water, Lovekin Rock. 

Incinerator Beach (2013-07-12) 

First postcard