Continued...

With the Maritime Museum behind us and the meter on our rental running low, the kids and I took the long way back through China town with Rugge heading to the parking lot. China town's entrance is a gateway called the "Gate of Harmonious Interest". The kids recognized the red dragon from promotional brochures. The street was lined with paper lanterns and fans... Fan Street! It was a short walk past noodle shops and asian markets back to the waterfront. A light rain had started so we zipped up our CN wear for the last part of the walk. But we've noticed that a rain like this is almost expected and people are ready at all times for some wetness. We neared the car just as a float plane was making a landing on the Inner Bay... Cool!

The next stop would be north of Nanaimo but we were all very hungry. A movie played in the laptop for the kids, Rugge and I discussed where to eat. Halfway to Nanaimo we found Duncan with a classic four corners of stores intersection. The choice was either "Dog House" or "Salty's fish and chips". Dog House won the vote but I still ordered fish. We picked up some groceries for our stay on the island and jumped back in the car for the last leg of the drive... only 45 min or so to Beach Acres Resort, a cottagy beach stay I found online.

The sun had set when we reached Parksville but the way was clearly marked to the Resort. I had called on the way and our cottage was ready. Cottage #2 is right on Craig's Bay Beach and outfitted with a double bed room, a bunk bed room and a kitchen/living room space. The sliding door and deck face the beach. Once the bags were unloaded, we all headed out to see the tide. Sandy had advised us that high tide was 7:30 pm but low tide was 1:30 am. The water was right up to the bramble of driftwood tree trunks but it had reached its peak. We started a bonfire in the concrete well pit. The stars were lovely! Orion was clearly in the West. Jesse was ready to hit the hay so Rugge took him in while the girls and I went for a beach walk. The tide had left us enough room and the rising moon gave us enough light. We strolled along chatting until, in the distance, we heard a strange noise. I knew it was sea lions but the girls stopped in their tracks having never heard such a honking bray before. I assured them that the sea lions were far off but they insisted we turn around for the cottage. Off they went to bed and we followed after one glass of wine and a last peek at the moonlit beach.

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