Ladysmith & Silva Bay

We found Ladysmith (Vancouver Island) to be a bit industrial. The above photo was our view from the guest dock at Ladysmith Community Marina - a large barge. This is a very active logging town. The facility itself was nice, with a small restaurant on site...which wasn't open yet.

We walked up the hill and into town. First Street is quite nice with one of, if not THE best, kitchen stores on the planet. We shared a Ploughman's Platter at the Fox and Hounds, a cool English pub. We dinghied around a bit and there really just wasn't much to see other than log booms. Rather than stay two nights as planned we left yesterday morning for Silva Bay on Gabriola Island. (And that's pronounced "gabe-briola!)

We tried making a reservation at Page's Resort & Marina but they were full so opted for the Silva Bay Resort & Marina, right next door.

Much better view!

Nice facility, which will be better after the restaurant is rebuilt (after burning down) and the inn is up and running.

We rode our bikes the seven miles into "the village" to check it out. Nice grocery store, couple of restaurants, home/building supplies, liquor stores (2) and wine shop, clothing boutiques, library, etc. Weather was pretty warm but the ride was mostly shady, and really beautiful.

Side note about Gabriola Island: Nick's late mother had a cousin, a retired Boeing engineer named Amos Leavitt. He and his Canadian wife Edna, lived on Gabriola for years before they passed away. We met them a few times and really enjoyed them both. We never did make it to the island to visit them...although weirdly enough, my parents did!

The wind picked up last night and ToG spent a fair amount of time rocking and pulling against her dock lines. Much calmer this morning. (Good thing we chose not to anchor in Pirate's Cove as originally planned!)

We hope to explore on our bikes a bit more today, as well as get the kayaks out for a paddle.

Weather looks good for crossing the Strait of Georgia tomorrow. Vancouver here we come...