Author: Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.
Hiking, Vancouver Island

Day 27: Fern Road Woods Trail / Qualicum-Parksville Link

Retirement Reflections

Distance Walked: 9.4 km Walking Time: 2 hrs Trail Rating: Easy The Fern Road Woods Trail gives Qualicum Beach residents a scenic, low-traffic, multi-purpose route to travel to the downtown core or to simply use for recreational purposes (it includes a No Through Road). This trail is part of the 13 km Parksville-Qualicum Beach Link… Continue reading Day 27: Fern Road Woods Trail / Qualicum-Parksville Link

Hiking, Vancouver Island

Day 26: Protection Island

Retirement Reflections

Distance Walked: 7.01 km Walking Time: 1 hr, 42 min Trail Rating: Easy History: Protection Island is located in the harbour of Nanaimo, BC. It is home to 350 full-time residents. Locals commonly travel across the island by golf cart, while some transfer their groceries, recycling and garbage from the community dock by wheelbarrow. Many… Continue reading Day 26: Protection Island

Hiking, Vancouver Island

Day 25: Duke Point, Crescent Beach and White Rock Pier

Retirement Reflections

DISTANCES WALKED Duke Point Ferry Terminal: 3 km Duke Point Ferry: 7 km Crescent Beach: 3.75 km White Rock Pier: 5.25 km Combined Distances Walked: 19 km Combined Walking Time: 5 hrs I wasn't sure how I would squeeze in a hike today, let alone 7 km (our minimum daily hiking distance in this series… Continue reading Day 25: Duke Point, Crescent Beach and White Rock Pier

Hiking, Vancouver Island

Day 24: A Tale of Two Trails: Jack Point Park and Morrell Nature Sanctuary, Nanaimo

Retirement Reflections

Trail 1: Jack Point Trail Loop (Duke Point) Distance Walked: 6 km Walking Time: 1 hr, 45 min Trail Rating: Easy Jack Point Park is a fascinating place with much to offer. It is a Geopark, recognized for its geological interest. In particular, the sandstones and mudstones found here display unique erosion features. This park… Continue reading Day 24: A Tale of Two Trails: Jack Point Park and Morrell Nature Sanctuary, Nanaimo

Hiking, Vancouver Island

Day 23: Nymph Falls, Comox Valley

Retirement Reflections

Distance Hiked: 18 km Walking Time: 4 hrs Trail Rating: Easy and Moderate trails are available Location: 4481 Forbidden Plateau Road, Comox-Strathcona History: Nymph Falls resulted from  the creation of a fish ladder on the Puntledge River, completed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and BC Hydro, in the early 1950s.In 1992, the Comox… Continue reading Day 23: Nymph Falls, Comox Valley

Hiking, Vancouver Island

Day 22: Pheasant Glen Nature Trails, Qualicum Beach

Retirement Reflections

Distance Walked: 10.75 km Walking Time: 3 hrs Trail Rating: Easy Map Although a familiar trek for local off-leash dog walkers and community hiking groups, I consider this trail to be another hidden gem. It is not currently listed on Alltrails. Google wasn't much help either. Just before reaching the gate for Pheasant Glen Golfcourse,… Continue reading Day 22: Pheasant Glen Nature Trails, Qualicum Beach

Hiking, Vancouver Island

Day 21: Neck Point Park, Nanaimo

Retirement Reflections

Distance Walked: 7.22 km Walking Time: 1 hr, 45 min Trail Rating: Easy (with options for moderately steep climbs and rock scrambling) Address: 1055 Morningside Drive, Nanaimo Source Neck Point Park is surrounded by rugged rock cliffs and pebble beaches. It offers 36 acres of waterfront forest with several short trails, including a 1.8- kilometre… Continue reading Day 21: Neck Point Park, Nanaimo

Hiking, Vancouver Island

Day 20: Richard’s Marsh, Cinnabar Valley, Nanaimo

Retirement Reflections

Distance Walked: 7.35 km Walking Time: 1 hr, 45 min Trail Rating: Easy (with options for moderate and more challenging hills to up your game) Location: 9 Ranchview Road (one of several access points) An incredible oasis, with seemingly endless paths to explore, it’s easy to forget that neighbourhood subdivisions closely encircle Richard’s Marsh. An… Continue reading Day 20: Richard’s Marsh, Cinnabar Valley, Nanaimo

Hiking, Vancouver Island

Day 19: Parksville Wetlands & Surrounding Trails

Retirement Reflections

Trails: Parksville Wetlands, Maple Glen Walkway (The Walkway of ♥) and Surrounding Forested Trails Wetlands Address: 790 Hirst Avenue West, Parksville Access Points: The foot of Despard Avenue or The Maple Glen Linear Walkway at the southern intersection of Magnolia Drive and Chestnut Street Distance Walked:  7.86 km Walking Time:  1 hr, 45 min Trail… Continue reading Day 19: Parksville Wetlands & Surrounding Trails

Hiking, Vancouver Island

Day 18: Cable Bay, Joan Point Park & Dodd Narrows

Retirement Reflections

Trails: Cable Bay, Joan Point Park, Dodd Narrows, Cedar, BC Distance Walked: 7.25 km Walking Time: 2 hrs Elevation Gain: 119 m Trail Rating: Easy Cable Bay is a well-established trail in Cedar, BC (near Nanaimo). It seamlessly merges into Joan Point Park* and Dodd Narrows tidal channel, where fast-moving waters funnel into the narrows… Continue reading Day 18: Cable Bay, Joan Point Park & Dodd Narrows