a short last walk on Chesterman's Beach a couple of surfers arrive - the waves are still strong!

 A final drive on that beautiful winding road that I hope is never 'straightened' - the clouds are very low and the view is spectacular ....

Enroute we see sign stating the % of ferry space available on the 3pm it is 33% full at noon - we're newbies at this -- should we reserve - we do......
 
Arrive Nanaimo in search for a gps - we could use one to help us - arrive at the destination given no 'Best Buy' here - we try Source and they are sold out of gps' but the clerk is helpful - there is a WalMart - they have 2models - it seems the difference is size so I buy the smaller one at 4;3inches how much distraction do you need on your windshield?

A quick bite at the food court I think we are spoiled - all these choices and nothing tempts!!

Now it seems we have time to spare and a GPS - we look for a mosque - seems this gps is the same as the last everytime you take a turn the route augments by 15km!! - a tour through the older part of Nanaimo - seems mosques, just like churches are sometimes 'closed' -- we return to the ferry dock where I have feint memories of 'not easy' - somethings don't change - we are enroute to some small island - well we're in the line - we ask turn around and make our way to Departure \bay - I really am a better driver than navigator!!
We arrive in time to search out every detail of the passenger 'entertainment' - place to take your money - and we are onboard - lovely day for the sail - ship is full and they announce some cars will be left behind! lovely -
Arrive and follow the crowd - and it's true only takes about 30min to arrive at Hotel Sylvia on English Bay - the beach is busy and the sunset worthy of a tourist brochure .....we take a short walk and choose c-fish for dinner one last hope to get a plate of 'fritture' - well close we have a plate of halibut,prawns, cod, salmon and oysters......

The street - Denman is still very busy at 8pm - and is filled with restaurant after restaurant - we find a coffee shop that serves the smallest espresso ever - enjoy watching the 'street' go by....guess whose on the corner - The Cupcake Girls!! - the original store!!

Hotel Sylvia was built in 1912 and is a little 'frank lloyd wright' in flavour - love it and learn it still units complete with kitchen for long stay - about 2,800 mo mmmmm winter is coming!

Monday - we decide to take a city tour - all the highlights although the guide has such a strong German accent even I really have to pay attention or lose track completely!

Although we would like to go to the Aquarium by the time we find some lunch it is just too late - we eat at Whole Foods that place really is toooooo health!! walk home by way of English Bay and the 'laughing' scuplture ear the hotel ..end the evening viewing English Bay through very large picture windows in the hotel bar...persons in the 'hood seem either very old, or young adult and both are enjoying this great lifestyle- honestly, I could be tempted!

Tuesday am and with only a slight problem we leave Vancouver - have I said before I am not a great navigator!! -- where is highway #1 -- ok once you find it - it is basically a straight line to Merritt - then east to Kelowna (although there are notices for no fuel for many km no such mention of food) - we are starving by the time Kelowna appears and all its fast food - however we manage a sort of pub and can sit outside it's about 21c!!
Onto Vernon - on the same straight line - and into Super 8 - a first stay -- Vernon is very
short on street lights - we try x 2 for a coffee place find one, it's closed and can't find the other - although we've been promised 'it's easy' ..... bedtime