Ferry to ALASKA - RV Times

More documents

Recommendations

Info

KNEE-HIGH FUN in Nanaimo British Columbia By KATHY ECCLES Crouch down to child height on a visit to downtown Nanaimo’s Maffeo- Sutton Park and the ocean and green space unfolds in front of you like one giant playground. Start out on a child’s discovery tour following the park’s waterfront paths, pointing out pictures of old boats posted on the railings along the way. Cut into central Spirit Square where signs weave fascinating stories about the ancient First Nations people who once lived here in longhouses and raised white curly-tailed dogs for their wool. Once the playground is spotted, though, get ready for the tug of tiny hands. Wooden climbing structures, rope ladders, slides, and swings in the huge playground are separated into sections named after local Gulf Islands, including G a l i a n o , Gabriola, and N e w c a s t l e . Children can burn energy while parents set up snacks on the surrounding picnic tables. In the summer, this is a prime viewing area for free concerts in the bandshell and a host of child-friendly waterfront events like the annual Silly Boat Regatta, and the World Championship Bathtub Race with its Sailpast on Wheels Fun Parade. Stop to take a family picture standing inside The Frame, a 14-foot high gold-painted picture frame, one of Nanaimo’s popular public art installations. Peer through the open-air Frame to the harbour where the bronze statue of a former mayor stands waving a pirate’s sword. Next to it, children can marvel at the super-sized Dungeness Crab, sculpted with power tools and a chainsaw. Just past it, they can glimpse the real thing on the crabbing pier while peaking into the traps and buckets of locals to compare who caught the biggest crustacean of the day. The hunt for sea life continues along the arched foot-bridge over Swy-A-Lana Lagoon where the ebb of low tide reveals shiny rocks, shells and more marine creatures. An oceanfront stairway leads to cascading tidal pools where children can wade and spot the spiny backs of sea stars. Flipping over these purple invertebrates, they can examine the tiny suction cups on the underside of their tube feet before returning their finds safely to the tide. Across from the bridge, Swy-A-Lana 18 RVT 154• JULY/AUGUST 2013 RVT 154 48 pages.indd 18 6/20/13 12:25 PM
Lagoon’s white sand beach curves into a crescent moon, luring children over to dig sandcastles before the ocean flows back in. From looking down into tidal pools to looking up and out, children can watch float planes taking off and landing right in front of them, while sailboats, kayaks, and ferries scurry around Nanaimo’s harbour. Maffeo-Sutton Park is the launch point for the walk-on ferry to Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park with its grassy playing fields, biking trails, white sandstone swimming beaches, and big barn-style camp and concession store. A narrow strip of water, the Pirate’s Causeway, separates Newcastle Island from Protection Island, home to the Dinghy Dock, a family-friendly floating restaurant and pub. At the Dinghy Dock, children can dangle a hook and bait into the fishing holes specially created for them outside on the deck. There are three ways to access the Dinghy Dock. At low tide, with proper swimming shoes, you can walk from Newcastle Island across the Pirate’s Causeway and later take the Protection Island ferry back to Nanaimo. If asked in advance, the Newcastle Island ferry captain will drop you off at the Dinghy Dock, or you can catch the “Protection Connection” ferry that docks in the Nanaimo Boat Basin, a five-minute walk from Maffeo-Sutton Park. Take that route and children will have a chance to stop for an ice cream before climbing the winding stairwell to the top of the steel replica of a ship’s towering mast, the perfect place to play at being the kings and queens of Nanaimo’s waterfront. w RVT 154• JULY/AUGUST 2013 19 RVT 154 48 pages.indd 19 6/20/13 12:25 PM
Page 1 and 2: FREE #154, JULY/AUGUST 2013 By RVer
Page 3 and 4: RVT 154 48 pages.indd 3 6/20/13 12:
Page 5 and 6: ALONG THE WAY (c) Martha’s Dream
Page 7 and 8: RVT 154• JULY/AUGUST 2013 7 RVT 1
Page 9 and 10: RVT 154• JULY/AUGUST 2013 9 RVT 1
Page 11 and 12: one wheel was loose and only held o
Page 13 and 14: I Made the Switch: I finally made t
Page 15 and 16: Petersburg fish. towards a stretch
Page 17: London Bridge in Lake Havasu City.
Page 21 and 22: Jake Born enjoying the Tulip Tour a
Page 23 and 24: Confessions of a BEADAHOLIC By JOEI
Page 25 and 26: of the building and the first room
Page 27 and 28: Cheslatta Falls Nechako Plateau; th
Page 29 and 30: We spent some time getting fueled u
Page 31 and 32: RV PARTS BY BOB DAVIES, Parts Manag
Page 33 and 34: Why leave that RV sitting in your y
Page 35 and 36: If you had an interesting time and
Page 37 and 38: If you had an interesting time and
Page 39 and 40: — M ARKETPAGE— ADA VIS GLOBAL M
Page 41 and 42: SUBSCRIPTION FORM for To get future
Page 43 and 44: JOIN CANADA’S OWN RV OWNERS’ AS
Page 45 and 46: RV BUSINESSES - CANADA: 100 MILE HO
Page 47 and 48: RVT 154 48 pages.indd 47 6/20/13 12

Ferry to ALASKA - RV Times

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?