My friend, Louise, has a house and family in California. Still, she returns to Vancouver Island for a few months every year. “It’s the small towns out here that continue to lure me back,” Louise has frequently proclaimed. “There’s just so much going on…so many cool things to try out….It’s never boring!”
Today was an excellent example to substantiate Louise’s claim. For the first time in weeks, Richard and I awoke with nothing written on our calendars–no one expecting us anywhere, no place that we had to be. You’d almost think that we would lounge around in our PJs all day, drinking coffee and reading the Sunday News…that would make sense, wouldn’t it?
Somehow that didn’t quite happen. The SPCA was hosting their “Paws for a Cause” walk at ten a.m. at a park nearby. That was a respectable hour to begin, and you didn’t need to register in advance. We made it there in plenty of time for signup (as well as to dig into the complimentary coffee and donuts). We then joined local dog owners, and their dogs of all shapes and sizes, for a two-and-a-half kilometer walk along our town’s beachfront. The scenery across the shoreline was in full majestic splendor, complimented by the crisp September air.
Afterward, we joined in a few dog-themed games. Cody came in second in the ‘bobbing for hotdogs’ contest (seriously, we were shocked) …but dead last in the ‘sit on command’ game (that was no surprise at all). After the humiliation of the second contest, we headed to our local Starbucks. I had recently sampled their new Salted-Carmel Mocha, and I heard it calling my name!
Sitting outside at Starbucks, we saw a sign for ‘Party on the Drive.’ This is an annual celebration, in one of our beachfront resort areas, that features music, food and a variety of works by local artists. Last year, over 7,500 visitors attended this one-day event (that’s more than half the population of our small town). We checked Google Maps–it would be a pleasant thirty-minute stroll. That sounded great, so off we went.
It took us way more than thirty minutes to get there because there were so many interesting things to stop at along the way. The ‘Orange Bridge Flea Market,’ the local roadside seafood vendor, a visit to our favorite corner store and the side trip to the estuary that Cody insisted upon, were just a few of our delays.
We finally made it to Resort Drive, and the event did not disappoint. The wood fire pizza alone was totally worth the entire trip! We spent much time browsing, eating, and listening to the featured performers.
On the way back home, we stopped at a local fruit and vegetable stand to pick up a few fresh items for dinner. After our earlier indiscretions of special coffees, donuts, pizzas…and much more, a nice dinner salad was totally welcomed.
Louise was right. Small town living, especially in an island resort area, possesses a most definite charm! How about you? What is a favorite feature of your neighbourhood?
Retirement Reflections 
What a delightful spontaneous day! I need to learn to be spontaneous like that…my unplanned day would have been the couch & Sunday papers. Sigh. I don’t live in a small town, but there are always weekend festivals in various neighborhoods. Yes, I need to just do it this fall!
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Thanks, Pat. I agree, “just do it”…and then post about it! Thanks for commenting.
Donna
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Sounds like a fabulous place to live. Any place near the water is a great place.
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Thanks, Kate. You are right about living near water–it is amazing. Thanks for stopping by!
Donna
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I love these kinds of impromptu days with no expectations. Your’s sounds heavenly!! … especially for someone like me trapped in the city where virtually everything to do is a drive in traffic and a competition for parking.
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Thanks, Joanne – I do still miss Toronto (and was quite jealous when I read your last post). There are definite advantages to both small town and big city living. As a compromise, I am very glad that there are large cities not too far away from our small town.
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Sounds like a lovely day Donna. When I have nothing planned, I like to take a long walk, maybe stop at the library to browse, then bring a book or a sketchbook to the park by the river and read or sketch. So peaceful!!
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Sounds ideal, Marilyn. Although I am an avid reader, I still haven’t joined our town library yet…but it is on my list!
Thanks for commenting!
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I have to admit having some jealousy reading this. I live in a big city so there is always a lot going on… the trouble is the traffic and crowds we have to deal with. Small town living on an island resort sounds pretty good!
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Thanks, Janis. After recently living in a city of 11.51 million (Beijing), small town life is a nice change. But I do miss many, many things about big city living.
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Sounds like a barking good idea! We have concerts in the park twice a week during the summer. Alas, summer is over here in Connecticut. So we’ll soon go in search of other “favorite features.”
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Hi, Tom. I love outdoor summer concert series as well. Our town also offers this — featuring such bands as Lazy Mike and the Rockin’ Recliners. It is free and always a great time. Summer is also almost over here — but our winters are very mild…if you don’t mind the rain! Thanks so much for commenting.
Donna
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Oh, those glorious photos of a brilliant sunny day on Vancouver Island (not to mention the pizza and salad) had me drooling! It sounds like you had a lovely day and enjoyed the sunshine and the community events to the fullest.
Jude
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Ready to move out here yet?
Donna
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