The Big Ride – Reconnecting with the old and embracing the new – St Julien Performance Group

My visit to British Columbia wouldn’t have been complete without a visit to Vancouver Island where I lived for a decade before moving to Ottawa. If you have been to the Island you will be familiar with with eagles that soar high above the majestic Douglas Fir trees, the fresh scent of the cedar trees that lingers in the air and the sound of the sea as it washes against the shoreline. Regardless of the season, Vancouver Island is a beautiful place to visit and my return home to the west coast this summer was no exception.

For me, being on the Island was about taking the time to reconnect with old friends and former colleagues. It was wonderful being back, enjoying walks on the beach, time spent at the Nanaimo Harbour and walking on the seawall, enjoying good food at some of my favourite restaurants and most of all sharing time with friends new and old. The challenge of course was trying to fit it all. My good friend Sue graciously allowed me to stay with her, using her place as my home-base during my visit. Thank you Sue for your wonderful hospitality!

I also got in some great riding, including a day out on the road with Barry Switnicki. Barry is a Professional Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation and a senior trainer and mentor coach with Ericksons International, the college where I acquired my coach training. Barry was one of my “distant” mentor coaches and although I had connected with him by telephone on a number of occasions I had not met him in person. Barry lives in Nanaimo where he has a thriving coaching business, Pacific Change Mentors, and he enjoys motorcycling! Barry suggested we connect for a motorcycle ride when I got to the Island, an offer I just couldn’t refuse – Barry, thank you for the awesome day out on the road!

The ride took us through Cathedral Grove – a majestic stand of old growth trees, located west of Qualicum Beach on Highway 4. If you’ve not visited Vancouver Island or taken the time to walk through Cathedral Grove, it’s a must do!

The forest is composed mostly of mature Douglas fir trees and ancient western red cedar. The trees are 300 to 400 years old, but some go as far back as 800 years. These older trees stand like giants with some reaching 250 feet high and trunks that measure over 30 feet in circumference. The grove of trees is one of the last stands of old growth on the Island and are survivors of a forest fire that ravaged the area some 350 years ago. The Park is protected from logging and has a wooden walkway through parts of the forest allowing visitors to experience its majesty!

Here are a few photos from my visit to the Island, along with with a short video of the ride.

The Nanaimo waterfront located in the downtown area of the city, not far from the office where I worked

A working fish boat docked in the Nanaimo Harbour — A working fishing boat docked in the Nanaimo Harbour

Enjoying a walk along the waterfront in Nanaimo, BC

Trolls is a flooting restaurant in Nanaimo Harbour and a great place to enjoy some of the best fish and chips on the Island! — Trolls is a floating restaurant in Nanaimo Harbour and a great place to enjoy some of the best fish and chips on the Island!

One of the heritage buidlings owntown Nanaimo, BC — One of the heritage buildings in downtown Nanaimo, BC

Another heritage building in downtown Nanaimo, BC

This is the Nanaimo Service Canada Centre where I worked before moving to Ottawa.

A few photos from the Ladysmith area

Enjoying time at Transfer Beach in Ladysmith, BC

There are amazing rocks along the shoreline at Transfer Beach in Ladysmith

Interesting architecture in Ladysmith BC

More interesting architecture in Ladysmith

My trip included a ride up Island to Qualicum beach where the sandy shoreline called my name 🙂

When out riding with Barry Switnicki we stopped in at the Coombs Market which is located on Highway 4 just west of Qualicum Beach.

The Coombs Market is located west of Qualicum Beach on the way to Port Alberni on Highway 4 - It's known for the goats that hang out on the roof of the store - yup you read that right goats! — The Coombs Market is located west of Qualicum Beach on the way to Port Alberni on Highway 4 – It’s known for the goats that hang out on the roof of the store – yup you read that right “goats!”

The notorious goats on the roof of Coombs Market — The infamous goats on the roof of Coombs Market

Inside the Combs Market where you can find a little of everything! — Inside the Coombs Market where you can find a little of everything!

The Combs Market has a little bit of everything! — The Coombs Market has a little bit of everything!

With Barry Switnicki at the Combs Market — With Barry Switnicki and the “lucky” Budda at the Coombs Market

Visiting Cathedral Grove while out riding with Barry Switnicki from Pacific Change Mentors.

I'm a tree hugger at heart — I’m a tree hugger at heart

Cathedral Grove, west of Qualicum Beach on Highway 4

I stopped in at Cathedral Grove which is located between Qualicum Beach and Port Alberni on Highway 4. The trees are between 300 and 800 years old with some of them as high as 250 feet and circumferences of up to 9 feet! — Cathedral Grove is located between Qualicum Beach and Port Alberni on Highway 4. The trees are between 300 and 800 years old with some of them as high as 250 feet and circumferences of up to 30 feet!

Another perspective :) — Another perspective 🙂

And what visit would be complete without a stop at the Fanny Bay Inn where I had fresh oysters for lunch,

A stop at the FBI was in order while visiting Vancouver Island

Lunch at the Fanny Bay Inn - the fresh raw oysters and clam chowder were very good! — Lunch at the Fanny Bay Inn – the fresh raw oysters and clam chowder were very good!

A few oysters have been shucked at Fanny Bay!

And a few other photos from my visit to the Island.

Mahle House in Cedar BC, just south of Nanaimo - they support the surrouding area by using fresh local ingredients and is provide a quaint setting - a must if you are in the area and are looking for an excellent restaurant that provides casual fine dining. — Mahle House Restaurant in Cedar BC, just south of Nanaimo – they support the surrouding area by using fresh local ingredients and provides a quaint setting – a must if you are in the area and are looking for an excellent restaurant that provides casual fine dining.

And when it's hot...there's another way to cool off! Cruising with the top down works :) — And when it’s hot…there’s another way to cool off! Cruising with the top down with my friend Sue 🙂

Visiting the Island just would not be the same without enjoying candied salmon from the Seadrift Fish market located in Terminal Park, Nanaimo - It's to die for! — Visiting the Island just would not be the same without enjoying candied salmon from the Seadrift Fish Market located in Terminal Park, Nanaimo – It’s to die for!

From here I was Victoria bound where I spent an incredible day enjoying the sights of this historic city prior to boarding the ferry for the State of Washington. Stay tuned for my post that will include a few photos from the area. Until then, enjoy the moment…there will never be another like it!

3 Replies to “The Big Ride – Reconnecting with the old and embracing the new”

slkfitnessstudio says:

July 26, 2015 at 11:53 PM

Great pic in the car!! Love it.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Bruce Rivest says:

July 27, 2015 at 1:56 PM

Hi Bonnie
My Dad wants to know when your Dad was in Fort Nelson and what his name was. Dad arrived in fort Nelson in 1950 and has lived up and down the highway all his life with many years in fort Nelson. He’s trying to figure out if he knew your Dad. Who did he work for on the highway?
Anyway, I love your posts, keep them coming, you rock girl!
Bruce Rivest

LikeLiked by 1 person

1. Bonnie St Julien says:
  
  July 27, 2015 at 5:51 PM
  
  Hi Bruce. I’m glad that you are enjoying the posts. It makes doing it all worth while.
  
  We moved up to Summit and then Fort Nelson in the early 70’s. My dad’s name was Russell Novodvorski. I was closer to Rick’s age and believe we were in high school together.
  
  I hope you are getting some riding in and enjoying the warm summer.
  
  Take care
  Bonnie
  
  LikeLike