Up Island

Up Island

On Friday, July 11th, we began our journey up island. Our first stop was Brentwood College, beautifully situated on the east shore of Vancouver Island overlooking Saanich Inlet, for our nephew Jordan’s wedding. Most of the guests were staying in the college dorms, but we had booked a campsite at Beehive RV Campground, just a five-minute drive away.

Lookout at Malahat & the ever present
Mount Baker

Thankfully there was room for our rig on the Mahalat Lookout

Friday evening featured a casual meet-and-greet on campus with the wedding party and guests staying in the dorms. It was a lovely opportunity to connect with Natalie’s family, including her parents, grandparents, and brother. Her family has deep ties to Brentwood, and her father, Brian, strongly encouraged us to move our trailer onto the college grounds. Thanks to his help, Brian found us a beautiful, shaded spot near the dorms among mature trees.

Unfortunately, six of our family members flying from Toronto had their morning flight to Victoria cancelled. They were rerouted on different flights, arriving between 9:30 p.m. and midnight—well after the evening event had ended. We were sad they missed the chance to meet everyone ahead of the big day.

Two daughters, one son-in-law, two nephews, one niece & her husband at Brentwood College

Tug'n on Brentwood property

Our immediate family all ready for the wedding

The wedding ceremony was held on one of the loveliest corners of the Brentwood property, surrounded by lush landscaping and towering trees. Following a joyful and memorable ceremony—and a celebratory glass of champagne—we were bussed a short distance to a friend’s home for a wonderful reception, dinner, and dancing. The celebration continued with an after-party back at the dorm. On Sunday, Natalie’s grandparents hosted a delightful waterfront brunch, the perfect way to cap off the festivities.

Could there be a more beautiful setting for a wedding ceremony?

The bigger family - ours plus Fran's two sisters and their kids and grandchildren including the bride and groom

Later that day, we spent some time with our daughters and their families and even squeezed in a birthday celebration for me, including a birthday dinner with Morgan, Tim and Avery. After such a full weekend, it took us a good two days to recover from all the excitement and lack of sleep!

Hanging out in our Airstream Tug'n

Early Monday morning, construction crews returned to the Brentwood campus to resume grounds work, and parents began arriving to drop off children for summer programs. We made our exit in good time and continued on our way.

En route to our next campground in Nanaimo, we stopped in the charming town of Chemainus for a rest and walking tour.

Located on the traditional territory of the Stz’uminus First Nation, Chemainus gets its name from the shíshálh word Tsa-meeun-is, meaning “broken chest,” a reference to a legendary shaman and chief who survived a serious chest injury and was said to possess supernatural powers. The Coast Salish people have inhabited this region for thousands of years, living in harmony with the land and sea, especially relying on salmon for sustenance.

European settlers began arriving in the mid-1800s, drawn by the area’s rich natural resources. A turning point came in 1862 with the establishment of a sawmill at the mouth of the Chemainus River. It later became one of the largest in the British Empire, operated by the Victoria Lumber and Manufacturing Company. The mill attracted a diverse workforce—including Chinese, Japanese, and South Asian labourers—who played a vital role in the town’s growth, often under difficult and discriminatory conditions.

By the 1980s, changes in the forestry industry led to the mill’s decline, threatening the town’s survival. In a bold effort to revitalize Chemainus, community leaders launched The Chemainus Mural Project in 1982. They transformed the town into an open-air gallery, with large-scale murals depicting local history and culture. The project was a resounding success and turned Chemainus into a thriving cultural tourism destination.

Today, Chemainus is a delightful, walkable town known for its more than 50 murals and sculptures, the Chemainus Theatre Festival, local artisans and galleries, and a vibrant harbourfront.

Chemainus famous wall murals

Plant art

Totally Canadian

Fran and the 3 bears

From there, we made our way to Living Forest Oceanside RV Park in Nanaimo. The name says it all—this is a stunning campground nestled in a forest, with ocean views, cool breezes, and plenty of shade.

Tug'n at Living Forest Oceanside RV Resort

Like many places on the island, Nanaimo sits on the ancestral land of the Snuneymuxw people, whose culture was centered around fishing, hunting, and trade, with strong spiritual ties to the land and water. In 1849, the Hudson’s Bay Company discovered coal here and quickly launched mining operations. Immigrants from China, Japan, and Europe arrived to work in the mines, which unfortunately also brought harsh working conditions and discrimination.

While Nanaimo experienced several deadly mining disasters, it prospered as a resource hub. In the 20th century, as coal declined, the city shifted to forestry, fishing, and shipping. Post-WWII development brought suburban growth, the establishment of Vancouver Island University, and regular ferry connections to Vancouver. In more recent decades, Nanaimo has embraced tourism, tech, and education, while revitalizing its historic waterfront.

Nanaimo is now known for its arts scene, scenic parks, walkable seawall—and of course, its signature dessert: the Nanaimo Bar. This no-bake treat layers chocolate, custard, and a coconut-graham crust. The city even offers a self-guided Bar Trail for visitors to sample different takes on this indulgence.

While in Nanaimo, we walked the Harbourfront and were impressed by how thoughtfully the city has used its waterfront space. A personal highlight was a visit to the North Nanaimo home of our friend and former colleague, Allen. Though he was away during our stay, he invited us to enjoy his deck, which overlooks the Salish Sea (formerly the Strait of Georgia). He left binoculars, a compass, a nautical chart—and even a bottle of wine for us. We relaxed in the shade, soaking up the incredible view. What a memorable and generous gift.

Nanaimo Waterfront Boardwalk

Locals crabbing on a public pier

Lunch at Horang - a fabulous Korean restaurant in north Nanaimo

Enjoying the view of Salish Sea and the mainland from Allen's backyard

After a couple of days in Nanaimo, we continued north to Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park, our first BC provincial park. It did not disappoint. The 440-hectare park, established in 1940, protects old-growth Douglas-fir forest. The campground is tucked among towering trees, and while there are no hookups, our batteries and solar panels (when the sun filtered through the canopy) kept us going.

Our campsite at Little Qualicum Falls PP

In the afternoon, we hiked through the forest to the Upper Falls, which were absolutely beautiful. During spring runoff or after heavy rains, this waterfall must be a truly powerful sight.

Little Qualicum - Upper Falls

Love these forests

On Thursday, we made a stop at the famous Coombs Old Country Market – Goats on the Roof, a quirky and beloved destination for more than 50 years. The market features an incredible selection of cheeses, deli items, baked goods, and hard-to-resist treats. Later that day, we reunited with our former Oakville neighbours, Brigitte and Roland. We had dinner together at the Shady Rest Restaurant Pub in Qualicum Beach, with its stunning view of the Salish Sea, followed by dessert at their Parksville home. It had been over four years since we’d last seen them, so we had plenty to catch up on—and we'll have another opportunity to reconnect next week.

Coombs Old Country Market - Yes, there really are goats on the roof

Dinner get together with Brigitte and Roland

Next stop: Tofino and Ucluelet!