Brannen Lake – Jun 22 – 25, 2015

 
 Being Connected
We are visiting another lake – this time an RV park with Wi-Fi – not because we are spoiled, but so that it is easier to have access to email and internet.

With Maggi last week finally diagnosed with cancer and starting her Chemo this week, we wanted to be available to send emails and receive news. And here we can do all this. So after a phone call to Germany where we heard that Maggi is very tired and not feeling to well after receiving her port… we are on the way to have some quiet days.

 
 Brannen Lake RV Park
Since we are getting more and more spoiled – we use GPS, soon we will forget how to use a map, but it made it easy to talk and still find the way.
So we arrive at the campsite and pick a drive through because it is close to the Wi-Fi. Overall this campsite really surprised us with all the trees, you nearly feel like in a provincial park if you overlook the permanent residence here and the full hook up.

 
 Brannen Lake
One thing we discovered fast: the lake is far away, we need the car or it's a "hike". So after checking in, we drove down to the lake over gravel and underneath trees – I think the road was not meant for RV’s.
It is windy and a little bit cloudy, so we never feel hot, but enjoy the view on the lake and the peaceful day gives a lot of time to talk.

 
Homemade garlic butter for the steak
And tonight we had luxury supper with mushrooms, salad and homemade garlic butter on the bun – all yummy to some steak. That means we have to have a walk around the campsite afterward before we sneak into our motorhome

Paul needs a book and pizza
And already on the 1^st day Paul finishes his book – good thing we have internet and Nanaimo has a library: so we pick up a lot of new books – we could stay another week here… And since we are luxury camping Paul would like to have pizza: so hello superstore and we are pizza buying – so how come we also end up with a cake???

 Loudon Lake Park on the Long Lake
Now it is time for relaxing, so we drove to Loudon Park thanks to GPS we find it right away and find a nice spot in the sun. First we watch the kayak lessons and learn how to use the paddle… later we discover that we are in the High school beach with all the teens and after several dips in the water Gine went exploring the trail as where Paul graciously keeps an eye on our staff. And lucky for us we had a perfect parking spot with a big rock for sitting outside for our coffee break.

 
A Rainbow in the Rain
And today we got a mail from Maggi – and she had a lot to tell: she wishes that in all the rain and in the valleys she can always see the rainbow and be thankful for it. And she sounded optimistic and happy about a lot of little things – so we hope the rainbow stays.

 
 Another warm evening
Even the plan was pizza and movie – who wants to be inside when the evenings are so warm… so we will have camping pizza in the fresh air. We still have to learn to use the stove better since after a very crispy part we had a nearly to soft part

 
 Benson Creek Regional Park – Flynn falls
Today it’s cloudy so after getting our energy in with some oatmeal pancakes – it was the perfect day to go for a walk. Arriving at the parking of the Benson Creek Regional Park with super nice sign you think there should be a few signs on the path: but beside: steep and the GPS coordinates of the Park border there were only a lot of path going into the forest everyone looking the same: lots of ferns and mosquitos.
So we followed the path going roughly in the GPS direction of the Falls… und we found the switchback – opps a little bit steep: but with a little help of the hiking poles – a rope and a root we came to the bottom without slipping.
So the stream was not totally dried out, so Gine went along the creek to find the falls: it was not really overwhelming with the trickle of water coming down… maybe after a drought this is not the best falls.
After scrambling up we decided we are not checking the next dry water fall…. That’s for another time.

 
 A walk in the Mall – and the new LG – G4
Since we are camping and want to do some walking… no better place than the mall. And see there we thought let’s check out the new phones and if we really need them and we end up with a new set of phones and a new 2 year contract…. So 3 hours later we were happy with a made a quick supper, because we will be busy checking out and setting up our new G4’s.
And to have it continued: instead of newspaper or internet – Paul is busy in the morning to set up his new phone – I think he will be busy for the next little while.
So we better have early breakfast and go home so that we have more time for the toys.

 Good Bye Camping – Hello RV-ing!!