(Post #56) Courtenay: Tranquil Dog, Refreshing Rivers, and the Driving Range Reveiled
After enjoying a restful night at the inn in Nanaimo (and not a sound from my previous Airbnb hosts—looks like we’ve both moved forward), I set off bright and early toward Courtenay for a five week stay. This charming little city is located on the east coast of Vancouver Island and, with around 28,000 residents, possesses all the appeal I was hoping for to start off my summer just right.
I arrived at the townhouse and was welcomed by a young father who was busy maneuvering a tent trailer onto their van. I had gotten there about an hour prior to their upcoming family road trip. Inside, I met his wife, two delightful children, and—right at the entrance—Sadie, the Australian Shepherd. To my joy, Sadie didn’t bark, leap, or show her wild side. Instead, she’s evidently a people-loving dog, not too fond of other pups after a past encounter, but sweet and serene. A welcome change from some of my previous canine whirlwinds.
The house was alive with chatter and excitement from the children preparing for their trip and last-minute preparations were underway. Quickfire instructions were reviewed for my stay, and then, just like that, they all loaded into the van, waved goodbye, and vanished down the street.
Now it was time for me and Sadie to bond.
My first week was dedicated to getting “lost”—my favorite method of discovery. While the owners kindly provided me with a list of local treasures, I find there’s something enchanting about wandering off the beaten path. Almost every street here leads into forest trails, many curling alongside the Courtenay River. I felt a bit more comfortable walking in the forest once I learned that the bears tend to come when the salmon typically swim in the river late summer (August through December).
It didn’t take long to understand why folks strolled by with inflatable tubes slung over their shoulders. This town knows how to embrace summer. Laughter and cheers resonated through the trees as families floated by. Occasionally, Sadie decided she needed a swim in the river—meaning, whether I wanted to or not, I splashed in too. (Nothing says camaraderie like two drenched adventurers.) I even came across the Riverway Heritage Walk; a 7.9km loop trail. I think Sadie would call it the bunny run, because I have never seen so many rabbits cross our path. This was my preferred walking path every morning.
Naturally, it wasn’t solely dog-walking and river fun. The townhouse front yard featured what I’ll graciously refer to as “natural landscaping”—essentially weeds with aspirations. So, I rolled up my sleeves and in one week I had bought mulch, garden lights and shovel, and unearthed roots so deep they were practically settling in bedrock. By the end of a few days, it looked entirely rejuvenated (had to draw a line when it came to the grass). I even had three neighbours stop by while I was working in the hot sun, to compliment my work. One person thought I was a relative and another thought I was the owner of the house since my hosts are tenants. Of course, I do not charge for these improvements; it’s my little surprise and gift to this lovely family—because let’s face it, with two young kids and hectic lives, flower bed designing and pulling weeds weren’t exactly a priority.
Then there was Charles. The kind-hearted, gentle spirit I accidentally called instead of my cousin—definitely one of my all-time best blunders. We finally fulfilled that promise of visiting the driving range in Campbell River. And let me tell you, this was no ordinary hitting pad with battered buckets of balls. Oh no. Each private bay had a machine that dispensed endless balls at the wave of a club, and sliding doors that opened to the sleek sports lounge. So, while one person was hitting balls from the pad, the other was comfortably seated on the private lounging couch just feet away with waiters delivering drinks and snacks. The main feature: a screen with state-of-the-art technology that monitored each shot and I got to see my wildly erratic swings. Am I painting a good picture for you? Because, honestly, it was the most fun I’ve ever had missing a ball. Although the gin and tonic certainly added to the experience.
After two hours filled with laughter and my questionable golfing skills —thanks Charles for some important hints, we returned to the house for a homemade meal and more stories. It was the least I could do for Charles’ generous treat. He even brought me a lovely bouquet of flowers, dessert, and a vegan sandwich for my lunch the next day.
I think Sadie won’t be the only reason for distracting me during my stay. My summer may not be as boring as I thought it would be, with Charles nearby. I believe I’ve just made a true new friend.
So here I find myself, three weeks remaining in Courtenay. Sadie and I still have plenty of trails (and probably some light mischief) ahead of us. The yard is immaculate, the fridge is well-stocked, and my heart is fairly full as well.
Stay tuned—something tells me this little chapter still has a few surprises in store for me.
Photo: Not your typical Driving Range
Comments
Post a Comment