I’m actually pretty surprised by how much we were able to squeeze into one summer here on the island with Canada’s season being slightly shorter than the NYC weather I’ve know for over 30 years… it can be scary to cut it short.

But there were 3 things that really helped to make this one of the greatest summers of our lives

1. Ease of Access

The number one thing that aided our Outdoor Adventures in BC was how easy it was to get out and do something.

The diversity of interesting locations played a large roll in creating exciting experiences. Nanaimo is such an incredible place to live. You can explore a range of diverse beaches, hike dynamically unique and beautiful locations, kayak, paddle board, or swim pristine fresh water lakes, hangout downtown for food or drinks or walk the beautiful waterfront… ALL within 15-30 minutes!

Best of all, most of these places felt wonderfully secluded and are never overcrowded, allowing us to enjoy these peaceful moments.

Even when we visit the more popular spots, we are always met with warm and friendly faces, adding to the overall charm and making each experience even more enjoyable. The sense of community and welcoming atmosphere continues to surprise me.

2. Remarkable Locations

As mentioned previously there is a REALLY long list of dynamic places to see and explore not just in Nanaimo but ALL OVER the island. And this Island is so large it will take YEARS to uncover.

Vancouver Island is renown for its dynamic locations ranging from wild pacific west coast of Tofino and ucluelet to the glacier capped mountains and clearest blue lakes. Hiking trails and waterfalls, sea caves and so many unique locations to discover.

3. A Proactive Partner in Crime

In order to successfully conquer summer on the wild west coast as a family, Joanna and I collectively aligned our focus on health and activity to be a priority. And I can’t express enough how valuable it is to have a partner who proactively pushing for seeking out adventure.

An Important Note To Consider

One of the main reasons we uprooted our lives and moved to the west coast was to prioritize the outdoor mentality and surround ourselves with natural inspiration to explore and weave into the fabric of our family’s DNA. 

And truthfully, it can be an incredibly challenging lifestyle to maintain, especially when juggling gruelling nursing shift work alongside a career in creative capture and storytelling. It can be downright exhausting.

But with an endless amount of gorgeous locations and the outdoor focused environment, we can balance the chaos with tranquility. And the amount of unforgettable experiences we’ve created for our family, we will carry with us FOREVER. And just like the cliched phrase, A Stormy Sea Shapes The Sailor… the more we navigating the challenging dynamics as a unit the stronger our family bond will be.