HOME

After waiting "not so patiently" in the RV park in Vancouver Washington for the snow reports to tell us it's OK to start home, we left early at 6AM on Thursday 27 February, and made it to the border well in time for the 12:45 ferry to Nanaimo. The road was entirely clear up to Bellingham and even there snow was just patchy on either side. When we arrived at the border crossing, we had all our purchases itemized and after a preliminary chat with the guard as to how long we had been absent he asked what we were bringing in. Rick handed him the long list. It totalled $600 over our allowed exemption. He read it very carefully, and only commented on the amount listed for the dog food. "Holy Cow!" was the comment. We explained that she was on a very special diet prescribed by her vet and we were stocking up. He grinned and said "welcome home folks" and handed back the list. We were expecting to have to go inside and sign papers and pay duty so we were happy in the way we were treated.

Got to the ferry, happily listening to the wacky Irrelevant Radio show on CBC radio, and immediately went in and got a large Ubon soup and a giant size Red Rose tea from the cafeteria. When we disembarked onto Vancouver Island, the snow didn't seem bad at all. Most of it had melted. We got around to the Gabriola ferry and enjoyed the picture perfect view across Nanaimo Harbour from the deck of our Gabriola ferry MV Quinsam.

Nanaimo Harbour

Protection Island (right) and Newcastle Island (left)

View across the Strait to the North Shore Mountains behind Vancouver

 Nanaimo looking very grey behind the clouds

 And arrived home to find the crocus blooming through the snow and the rugosa roses having broken buds and releasing little green furled up leaves over the snow.

So much for the 4 day winter of Nanaimo and Gabriola.  Spring has sprung regardless. Am happy to be home.