Strathcona Park

Slightly off topic here! But I wanted to share some photos I took of my hike in Strathcona Park on Vancouver Island. These are of my hike to Cream Lake, via the Price Creek trail. And then from there down to Little Jim Lake, Bedwell Lake and Baby Bedwell lake. Hiking the Price Creek route to Cream lake is not recommended for the novice. It's very steep and rough, with an old landslide near the top to traverse over. Also the route is basically unmarked after you cross over Price creek to begin the steep ascent to Cream lake. About 10 years ago, a fella disappeared completely off this trail and was never found again even though numerous searches were conducted to locate him. During the spring and summer, many bears frequent the Price Creek trail and camping areas. So watch out and take a bear bell with you as a minimum. The pictures are tagged as the which area you are looking at.

Westwood Lake Park Nanaimo - October 8, 2009

It is now October 8th, 2009. And Westwood lake is now void of swimmers. The water is too cold at this time of year to swim in - unless you are daring! But it's still a pretty place to come and visit or take the 1 hour walk around the lake. Or hike up to Westwood Lake ridge and enjoy the view of the city of Nanaimo.

Nanaimo Fishing Pier | Nanaimo Crab Dock

Nanaimo has its own fishing pier. You won't catch any 50 pound spring salmons here. However you can catch (trap) some pretty tasty harbour crabs. But I think most people just come down here for the great view and the company of other people.









































The views from the Nanaimo fishing pier are, of course, terrific.






























There is also a harbour seal which comes to visit the fishing pier on occasion. Maybe you will get lucky and see it.

Maffeo Sutton Park Nanaimo

Maffeo Sutton Park is downtown Nanaimo's harbour front green space. It is located just beside Swy-a-lana Lagoon Park. Maffeo Sutton Park has just undergone about $600,000.00 in recent upgrades. The park is a cool and shady place to come and sit on a hot summer's day. It also has a large child's playground and stunning ocean views.





































































One of the nice things about Maffeo Sutton Park are the free concerts that happen here. This is a picture of the Nanaimo Lions Club Pavilion, which is an outdoor stage for music and theatre venues.















A walking and cycling trail surrounds Maffeo Sutton Park.






























At one time many years ago, Maffeo Sutton Park was just a vacant lot. But even before that, commercial industry was established there. I found this old concrete footing at the north east corner of Maffeo Sutton Park. Whether it was there before this piece of land was turned into a park, I don't know. But if anyone knows what this was, please leave a comment for me.















Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo is also where you catch the ferry to Newcastle Island. If you ever get to Newcastle Island, be sure to go looking for the elusive albino racoon. They are there. I have seen them myself! Please keep your dogs on a leash when you visit Newcastle Island. The island is loaded with deer and they scare very easily.

Pictures of Swy-a-lana Lagoon Park, Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Swy-a-lana Lagoon Park is a tidal pool which was constructed about 30 years ago on the Nanaimo waterfront just behind Maffeo Sutton Park. The lagoon terrific for swimming in. But hardly anyone ever seems to use it! Here are some pictures of Swy-a-lana Lagoon and of the area surrounding the lagoon.

Pictures of the Nanaimo Harbour (Harbor) Waterfront

I went for a bicycle ride at 8 AM this morning. And I took my camera with me and got these shots of the Nanaimo harbour.



The Nanaimo boat basin: At one time, all you would see parked here were fishing boats. But since the decline in the fishery happened, what we see parked here now are mostly pleasure craft.























This is looking north east across the Nanaimo Harbour. When I took this shot, I was looking through the channel that goes between Newcastle Island and Protection Island. You can walk across there at low tide. Or swim there at high tide. Newcastle Island (on the left) is a BC Provincial park. Protection Island (on the right) is mostly residential properties. But both are terrific places to check out and spend a day at.















The large building in the background is a combination pub, restaurant and seaplane terminal. It has been built on wooden pilings over the ocean and it's a great place to visit.















Here is another shot of the Nanaimo boat basin. Again you see mostly pleasure craft, rather than fishing vessels.











The boat basin again.























Here's another good shot of the restaurant, pub and seaplane terminal.















Seaplane float docks in the Nanaimo harbour. With Newcastle Island in the background.















It has been said that the Nanaimo harbour is the most beautiful harbour on the west coast of North America.