Road Roada

Northward Ho!

Madge and I have pulled up stakes in the Mid-Island and are now taking in the beauty of the Comox Valley.  It was an easy drive up the Island Highway then a beautiful meandering and leisurely trip from Parksville on Highway 19A – the Oceanside Route. It added an hour to our trip but we were more than amply rewarded with the fantastic scenery along the way (not to mention the tasty ice cream stop in Qualicum Bay!).

We finally arrived at our destination, Pacific Playgrounds Resort, just north of Courtenay. Pacific Playgrounds offers something for everyone with 201 fully-serviced and spacious RV sites, tenting sites, even 20 lovely self-contained 2 bedroom cabins for those who want the Resort experience but without the RV or tent. Its location, nestled in the trees along the bank of the peaceful Oyster River, is stunning. The fresh air, clear water and acres of park allow you to escape, relax, enjoy and yet have all amenities close at hand.

After settling ourselves in, Madge and I took a stroll over to admire the boats moored at Pacific Playground’s very own Marina. They provide protected moorage and their location is ideal for easy access to Georgia Strait and Desolation Sound. The sounds of splashing and laughter soon drew us to the heated outdoor swimming pool where a number of guests were enjoying the clear blue water. Madge is, of course, in her element whenever there are lots of activities on offer. I left her to a game of tennis while I headed back to the RV.

With a quiet hour to spare I began to take a look at all this area offers. We know we can’t do everything because there is just SO much to do, but I do know that we will be doing some hiking on the local trails. We might do a spot of horse riding and will certainly head to the Mount Washington Recreation Area for a little more hiking and perhaps a ride on their chairlifts. The views from the top are absolutely magnificent on a clear day – don’t miss this experience! There are no less than 9 Golf Courses nearby as well – amazing!

Luckily, with the wireless internet access offered on site, I am able to keep you all up-to-date with our Island Adventures. There is also a General Store and Laundromat on site! It’s ALL here. I was speaking to the very busy ladies in the office and they tell me that advance reservations are always recommended. Give them a call toll-free at 1-877-239-5600 or, if you’re in the area, on (250)337-5600. You can even book online at their website, www.pacificplaygrounds.com.  They are located at 9082 Clarkson Drive, Black Creek, BC V9J 1B3.

Well, here’s wishing you the BEST of summer relaxation and adventure on this wonderful Island of ours.

Roada