A walk with the Sampsons: Vancouver Island's rain forest and coastline

This was the first time I’d visited with best friends David and Connie since 2010. A work conference in Vancouver with my employer Red Hat left me just a puddle jump away from Vancouver Island where they live. It’d be the first time I’d visit them there.

I took the pontoon plane ride from Vancouver across the Strait of Georgia to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Have a look at this video and ride along with me (in the co-pilot’s seat, of course…!!).

David’s pride and joy is his BMW Z4. We often banter about his BMW versus our Miata, but any convertible roadster is a good car in my book and it was David that first got me started on them when he finally sold the Golden Beetle and bought his Austin Healey Sprite back in the early ’70s.

While on the island, he took me for drive with the top down (the car, not David…) to the Pacific through scenic snow-capped mountains and thick old-growth forests. It was a wonderful ride.

Later, he and Connie took me for a walk through a part of the ancient Pacific Northwest rain forest that stands near their home. Here’s a few shots from drive and from the hike.