Trip to Vancouver Island Dec.2008

Wow its been awhile since we have checked in. We were on Vancouver Island B.C. for the snow storm and they got hit hard. They were lost as what to do as snow does not stick there it melts as it hits the ground they said. We got off the ferry and there was already an inch of snow by the time we got to our motel room for the night it was 3-4". We decided to go into town get some groceries and eat dinner so we did. We had price shock to say the least. I do not know how they live there. We kept our groceries in the trunk without any fear. Woke up to 2' (ft) of snow. Luckily the owners had a friend with a tractor and a plow attachment to clear the parking lot. It was still snowing for awhile and we were not sure about going to the resort. In the afternoon we decided to give it a try. Luckily we were with in 3 miles or so and mostly on the bus routes which they did clear sort of. We made it safely and they let us register and go to our flat, apartment, what ever. It was very nice and facing the bay. The view was pretty the few times we saw it. We got out 3 times twice to get food and once to come home. Jim was upset as he had plans to go all over the place and check out some fishing places. We lost power one day for about 4 - 6 hours. Jim slept through most of it. I read by flashlight it was fun. I got to see the sunrise every morning and it was pretty on the days you could see it. One day they called us to tell us we would be without water for about 4 hours luckily we were going for our workout and missed it for the most part. They had to fix something. One day it froze the bay Jim said I was not seeing right as it was salt water and do you know how cold it has to get to freeze salt water? I said well come here and look I can see the path where the geese are swimming. He finally came and looked and told me I was wrong. I told him I was right. The next morning there are ice chunks in the bay all over and Jim looks out and says the bay froze over look at all the ice. I told him he was crazy and did he know how cold it has to get to freeze ice water? We had a nice chuckle. I have also see my first for real white out. I mean the kind that you can not see your hand on your nose kind, or the light on the back porch kind. It was freaky yet cool. I thought that this what it must be like in Alaska and the North Pole. I also had never been so cold. I do not think I would make it in Alaska during the winter. We came home on Friday as it was to get hit by another Storm on Saturday. We left by noon and hit snow within 10 min. on the road and it was coming down hard by the time we got to the ferry terminals. No snow on the main land and we were glad to get out of there when we did. We have film to be developed and will get some pictures up hopefully soon. Latter Jim and Virginia