Nanaimo Walk
BC - Nanaimo, the River, the Harbour, the City
Nanaimo River
The Naniamo River opens to a wide delta filled with marsh and grass islands.
The river opens to the Strait of Georgia where tugs pull the large log booms and cruise ships make the run to Alaska.
This part of the island gets more rain than Victoria and the lush woodland are every shade of green. The marsh was an unexpected surprise. Reminding me of the Everglades and the Okefenokee Swamp.
The trail from the Living Forest Oceanside Campground leads to an overlook high above the river.
Along the way, nature keeps renewing itself as one tree falls and opens the canopy for more light to feed the new small undergrowth.
Naniamo Harbourfront Walkway
I have visited the marina and pub here several times before by water when I owned mvPoem.
This is a frequent stop for those heading to Desolation Sound to the north of the Gulf Islands to the south.
A working harbour with numerous tugs to help the cruise ships maneuver the bay.
The walkway is a visited by tourists and locals alike and leads to a lovely park at the north end.
Reflections
I have always preferred realism over abstraction, but I love reflections. Just enough distortion to make it interesting.
A large swimming and boating lagoon dumps into the sea through a series of stepped pools.
Naniamo Stroll
I had to kill several hours while the truck was being serviced, so I look for a cup of coffee and The Vault Cafe is one of those classic cafes with its own style. I arrived early with the few locals that seem to show everyday, but in half an hour the place was full with a line. Several levels of seating with a bookshop and thrift store upstairs. They host musical events and have that well lived in feel. Drop by next time you are in town.
The Great National Land building is a landmark property and like the old Victoria Public Library have been saved from development by another Indigenous Justice Centre.
The Naniamo Museum is a small but interesting collection of exhibits. They include: a coal mine you walk through carrying your own lantern, a Chinatown exhibit, timber industry model, other exhibits on the nature, art, and music of the area.
I enjoy seeing some of the old products, from a time when everything was not disposable and quality had a higher standard.
Sometimes the shadows are just more interesting than the light…
What I am Reading and Watching…
Sharma, Robin (2018) The 5AM Club - 20/20/20 move, meditate, learn. I have woken early most of my life. So I found this book of great interest.
Weir, Andy (2021) Project Hail Mary - outstanding read. Recommended by a dear friend, I could hardly put it down.
The Fire Inside - biopic on Clarissa Shields, only two-time gold medal Olympic boxer. A modern-day Rocky.
Gallery & Art Shop
Check out my Gallery & Art Shop at Shop.RoamingForLifePhotography.com
Note: if there is any photograph of mine that interests you and is not listed in the shop, please contact me and I will make it available.
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