{"id":6096,"date":"2021-08-05T13:25:55","date_gmt":"2021-08-05T20:25:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/?p=6096"},"modified":"2021-08-05T13:25:55","modified_gmt":"2021-08-05T20:25:55","slug":"nature-fun-in-sunny-nanaimo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/?p=6096","title":{"rendered":"Nature Fun in Sunny Nanaimo!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

August 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are so thankful to reside on gorgeous Vancouver Island, Canada<\/strong>. During Covid 19 lockdowns non-essential travel was not permitted to our amazing island paradise. As our province currently has over 82% of all residents aged 12 + with at least 1 dose of covid vaccine and over 60% of all people in B.C. fully vaccinated against Covid 19, restrictions are carefully being lifted and travel has resumed once again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pipers Lagoon is fun during the day and gorgeous during sunset time. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This blog post shares a few fun ways to explore nature and relax<\/strong> around the Nanaimo area<\/strong>. Piper’s lagoon<\/strong> area with its long spit and choices of swimming in the lagoon<\/strong> or the Pacific Ocean<\/strong> is always a favorite of ours. Whether you are swimming, relaxing, climbing rocks, checking out the trails, or embracing nature and recreation water activities this location has it all! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Practicing safe kayak rolls while the BC ferries pass in the background! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Pacific ocean surrounds Vancouver Island<\/strong> and is our highway to connect Vancouver Island<\/strong> with the mainland of western Canada<\/strong>. There are 200 Gulf Islands<\/strong> located in the Strait of Georgia<\/strong> between Vancouver Island<\/strong> and the B.C. mainland. Water vessels are common sights from kayaks and SUPs, to sailboats and pleasure crafts, or ferries and freighters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There are so many beautiful sights when Kayaking around Vancouver Island<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If interested in exploring the nearby Gulf Islands<\/strong>, here is a great website to check out. https:\/\/www.hellobc.com\/places-to-go\/gulf-islands\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the heat waves and sunny summer days, the refreshing Pacific Ocean<\/strong> is a popular location for swimming, kayaking, and playing in the refreshing salt water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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More photos of beautiful Pipers lagoon <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes curious river otters<\/strong> or harbor seals<\/strong> entertain or pop up nearby in the ocean to visit. When the Herring or Pilcher fish<\/strong> are running you can also see sealions<\/strong> and sometimes a magnificent whale<\/strong>, or a small pod, make appearances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you prefer a busier, more urban seaside location then downtown Nanaimo’s Maffeo Sutton park<\/strong> area might be more suited to your taste. There are lovely flat walking areas along the seawall<\/strong> and around the park to the marina area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Maffeo Sutton park in Nanaimo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Music and Art events occur on a regular basis throughout the summer. The Dragon Boating<\/strong> competitions are held in this location. You can also locate the small walk-on ferry transport vessel which commutes between downtown Nanaimo and Newcastle (Saysutshun) Island<\/strong> and Marine Provincial Park. Another tiny commuter ferry departs from the marina area to the famous floating restaurant Dingy Dock Pub on Protection Island.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Maffeo Sutton Park sculptures and history. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The park embraces the Arts<\/strong> and there are dozens of interesting sculptures and statues<\/strong> reflecting historical figures and events scattered throughout the grounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the sand loving<\/strong> individuals, there are several sandy beaches<\/strong> located just beyond the Nanaimo area<\/strong>. One option is to drive 34 km to Parksville<\/strong> and relax on Rathtrevor beach<\/strong>. Check the tide schedule as low tide requires a lengthy walk to the edge of the ocean!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you prefer to swim and relax on a fresh water lake<\/strong>, there are many options for this too! Long Lake<\/strong> is popular for water sports, swimming, and picnics<\/strong>. Motorized vessels (Sea-Doos, water skiing) must keep to the middle of the lake. Non motorized vessels (kayaks, SUP, big floats stay around the outside of the lake. The Nanaimo Rowing Club<\/strong> has their clubhouse here so it is also common to see rowers practicing. There is a swimming zone<\/strong> by the beach\/picnic location. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Relaxing at Long Lake, Nanaimo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For people who prefer more shade and trails through woods or marsh<\/strong> areas, there are extensive opportunities to explore this type of habitat too. One example is the marsh and pond around Oliver Woods<\/strong> park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Oliver Woods pond and marsh area, Nanaimo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Multiple species of ducks and birdlife<\/strong> can be viewed here as well as amphibians, wild berries, wildflowers<\/strong>, and occasionally a beaver<\/strong> is visible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Abundant floral displays mainly wild….<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My goal was to expose a taste of a few of the beautiful and diverse locations<\/strong> around my home of Nanaimo<\/strong>. In future blog posts I will concentrate on specific hikes or nature explorations in our rainforest or oceans of Vancouver Island<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, I conclude this blog post with another option for relaxation<\/strong>. Let me suggest… reading a wonderful book from a hammock under majestic 120 Foot + evergreen trees<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cheers! Have a wonderful day! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Stay safe everybody. Cheers from Nanaimo, Canada. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

August 2021 We are so thankful to reside on gorgeous Vancouver Island, Canada. During Covid 19 lockdowns non-essential travel was not permitted to our amazing island paradise. As our province currently has over 82% of all residents aged 12 + with at least 1 dose of covid vaccine and over 60% of all people in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6097,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,27,28,73],"tags":[128,211,218,221,275,280],"class_list":["post-6096","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventure","category-exploring-outdoors","category-exploring-vancouver-island","category-seaside-trails","tag-canada","tag-nanaimo","tag-ocean","tag-outdoors","tag-travel","tag-vancouver-island"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6096","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6096"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6096\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6096"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6096"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}