The Money Mustache Community
Mustachian Community => Meetups and Social Events => Topic started by: RetiredAt63 on May 01, 2015, 06:36:26 AM
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Moved over from "Thinking of Moving to Coastal BC" thread.
As Backyardfeast said, maybe it is time to think of a meetup? I am looking at flying in the end of June to spend the first week of July exploring.
I just had a thought (it is about time) - Canada Day is in there. Is that going to affect anything in a major way? Obviously ferry schedules will be holiday schedules, and some stores will be closed, but other than that? I would think it would not be a good day for the meetup since people will have their own plans.
Flight isn't booked yet, so I have a bit of leeway. The earliest I can fly out is Monday June 29, and the latest I can fly back is Thursday July 9. If I flew in the 29th, we could have the meetup on the 30th, and I can meet everyone and pick brains before I head out. Then everyone goes off to do their own thing for Canada Day. Does that timing work?
So looking forward to this.
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Following, just in case. I have no preferences for dates. We've discussed that I suck at ferries, so I'll just see what happens :)
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Scrubbyfish, you are on an island now, right? I am seriously thinking of taking a day to just ferry around, see the sights, so we could maybe do a meetup along the way? I do want to see places I could move to (I don't think I am a "small island person" at this point in my life) but I want to see the sights too.
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Scrubby is in the B.C. interior AFAIK...I'm the small island person. :)
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OK, I thought she was on an island because of the ferry comment. I love ferries and water, and I have never (yet) been seasick, even on the ferry between North and South Island that had 3/4 of the passengers in dire straits (3 metre waves will do that).
You know I want to see your island and garden, right?????!!!!!???? And fish from the shore, maybe? And meet the elusive Mrs. Snow and extol the wonders of retirement to her ;-)
Scrubby is in the B.C. interior AFAIK...I'm the small island person. :)
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OK, I thought she was on an island because of the ferry comment. I love ferries and water, and I have never (yet) been seasick, even on the ferry between North and South Island that had 3/4 of the passengers in dire straits (3 metre waves will do that).
You know I want to see your island and garden, right?????!!!!!???? And fish from the shore, maybe? And meet the elusive Mrs. Snow and extol the wonders of retirement to her ;-)
Scrubby is in the B.C. interior AFAIK...I'm the small island person. :)
Speaking of ferries and Victoria...I'm heading over there right now to do bit of shopping at a nursery in the Saanich area. I got sudden desire to try to grow hot peppers. Gotta go, my ride is here. ;)
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OK, I thought she was on an island because of the ferry comment. I love ferries and water, and I have never (yet) been seasick, even on the ferry between North and South Island that had 3/4 of the passengers in dire straits (3 metre waves will do that).
I lived in Victoria for several years, and on a weird tiny island up by Nanaimo, and regularly visit the Sunshine Coast and Bowen... But live away from all that per my impatience/frustration with ferry travel :)
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I will be flying from Yellowknife to Calgary on July 1, then driving from Calgary to Gabriola around July 3, and stay there for a week or ten days maximum, mostly to get the RV habitable, clean up some of the mess the previous owner left, and survey the site for a potential building site for our future tiny house. I don't plan to go anywhere except to Tofino for a day of surfing. Hopefully we can connect during my stay.
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Quick questions - if I fly out Monday June 29, I am assuming the meetup would be Tuesday June 30 - which is a work day. How does this affect the meet-up? (I haven't booked yet, so I could come the 30th instead and the meetup could be Canada Day, if that works better).
And, since I am 3 hours time difference, even if the plane looks like it gets in sort of early, it won't be early for me, so I plan to get a hotel close to the airport and crash, then get the car rental the next morning (even on Canada Day that should be OK at an airport) and be ready for adventure. Adventure where? Where would we be meeting?
Time to haul out the AirMiles and start making arrangements.
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Reservations are made - I land about 10:30 the morning of June 29 (Monday), and leave the morning of July 9 (Thursday). I have a car reserved, so I don't have to stay in a hotel close to the airport. I am, as they say, foot-loose and fancy-free.
So, those of you in the area, when and where would be a good time to meet?
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I have lots of family related stuff revolving around the holiday weekend and avoiding the ferries around this time isn't a terrible idea anyway...July 6 - 8 would work best for me. I don't mind driving up island a bit if that's where a meetup occurs. I'm not extremely familiar with the big island, so hopefully V.I. locals can suggest some spots for a MMM pow-wow. :)
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I won't be in the Nanaimo area until July 4-5 so I will miss the get-together, but hopefully I can still catch up with some of you if you are still around.
Phil
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Has anyone else noticed MMM may be in Victoria in Late July/Early August? Perhaps we could aim for a meetup during that time frame? http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/meetups/
Since I'm not yet FI, or RE, any daytime weekday times are totally out for me.
RetiredAt63 - There's a private airport shuttle that may interest you. I'm sure you could get it to drop you off at any car rental place (presuming you don't just rent from the airport). I wouldn't stress about driving right after the flight. Victoria is, after all, on the tip of an island. Nothing is very far away and if you can get a car with GPS or use a GPS app on your phone, getting around by car is really easy. Also, coming from the airport into town in the afternoon, you'll be going against the normal commuter traffic. Easy peasy.
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I just saw that MMM may be in Victoria late July - at which point I will be home again. Oh well. Sometime there will be an Ottawa meetup.
My travel plans - plane tickets are bought, rental car is booked for the airport. I get in early afternoon on June 29, leave the morning of July 9. All else is open at this point - I'm open to suggestions for group meetups, plus will be PMing those who have said they will be in the general area at various times.
And I am coming via Vancouver (super short layover, basically walk from incoming gate to outgoing gate) so I will have a good view of the strait from a Bombardier Dash 8-300. I like little planes for short flights, better views.
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Hi all,
I would be up for a meet-up in the mid-island area in that first week of July; weekdays are fine with me if that's when Jon_Snow can make it over...
Maybe that's the way to go if the Victoria folks want to wait until MMM himself is in town?
Retiredat63, I'm happy to PM with you about specific plans for touring the area while you're around. I would suggest (if you haven't already) getting on the accommodation booking pretty soon. Victoria is a major summer tourist hub and prices are high and availability low this time of year. You might actually be better off booking something in Sidney (close to the airport and ferries) rather than in Victoria over the long weekend itself. Downtown Victoria usually does a pretty major do in the inner harbour for Canada Day, so you'll either want to plan to go and join the party and the crowds, or plan to be far away somewhere else! :)
I'll give some thought to a good meet-up spot; something on the ocean would be nice? :) Nanaimo does have some great parks; Yellowpoint and Ladysmith do too. The Crofton-Vesuvius ferry is pretty quiet if a day trip to Saltspring might be fun. In my corner, there's Cherry Point beach, Cowichan Bay village is lovely but more limited for a picnic spot, but there are gorgeous parks on the rivers that might be ok. Other thoughts?
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Looking forward to this...R@63, feel free to PM me with any details. Suddenly, a few family commitments have fallen through, so I have more options in terms of when I can leave my small island for the big one.
One more thing...this isn't gonna be a vegan-centric thing is it? :D
This will be my first meeting of Mustachians IRL...this is a pretty big deal. :)
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My first in real life too - and so far from home, exciting.
Food - I grew up in Montreal, good cuisine is an essential part of the good life. People can eat whatever their hearts desire - I am low-carb by necessity, no grains, low sugar, but I eat dairy, so not Paleo. Meat is good. So is fish. So are vegetables and fruits. And spices and herbs.
I also drink (so there can be wine/beer/hard cider/whatever). But not when I am driving - I am old enough to remember a lot of drunk driving (not by me, fortunately) back in the day.
One more thing...this isn't gonna be a vegan-centric thing is it? :D
This will be my first meeting of Mustachians IRL...this is a pretty big deal. :)
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From Vancouver, but wouldn't mind taking a ferry up there for a day or two. Please PM me with any other details.
Cheers
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Can we confirm a meetup date and location today? I need to start booking places to stay since I am there during tourist season. Earlier in my trip rather than later is good in that I can pick brains about the area. Time of day - any time is a good time.
Speaking of hotel bookings - my Air Miles won't stretch far. So Mustachian travel - I use my CC and get the points, or I ask if any Mustachians have a spare couch. I am a good guest, I bring wine (or equivalent), I don't smoke, I don't get drunk, and the dog won't be with me ;-) (and no dog is major, you would not believe how much fur she sheds).
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HI
Long time lurker in Duncan, looking forward to a meet !
I love Cherry Pt beach but poor parking and 0 facilities.
Duncan proper has Centennial Park at the end of First St.
Lots of parking,washrms, covered benches, picnic tables , kids play area.
Also close to downtown for food/coffee.
Date...weekday ? Tuesday June 30 1000......?
I will bring the mustache sign.
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Hi Debbie
Sounds good. Google Maps says 1 hour from the airport to Duncan, is this really true?
10 is easy for me since that is "really" 1 PM. Others? Good? Later in the day?
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depending on the date you folks select I may show up myself. I spend time in the cowichan valley a week or so at a time, and we will be there once or twice this summer for sure. Dates are not confirmed but likely sometime during july. Flexible as I am "ERE"
I have access to a 3-person canoe and will probably be me and my dad coming. So room for 1 more I guess if we show up?
I also have 2 inflatable "tubes" for floating down the cowichan river. Best deal for getting those is Joe's Tire Hospital, if you didn't know already.
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Sounds good. Google Maps says 1 hour from the airport to Duncan, is this really true?
Sounds about right to me, you might get that trip done quicker if you take the brentwood bay ferry though.
http://www.bcferries.com/schedules/mainland/bbmb-current.php
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The Sidney airport to Duncan is 1.5 hrs for me and I drive FAST and I know where I am going so.......
maybe we will make it for 1200 ?
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Um, I learned to drive in Quebec? But I do usually respect the speed limit these days, especially on unfamiliar roads. Noon sounds good.
The Sidney airport to Duncan is 1.5 hrs for me and I drive FAST and I know where I am going so.......
maybe we will make it for 1200 ?
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Nice canoe - I like canoes a lot more than kayaks, I know canoes, kayaks not so much. We used to have a nice one (stolen). It was great for getting into places no other boat could go (up narrow streams, across beaver dams, things like that). I've even used canoes for field sampling, although hauling an Eckman dredge over a gunnel is not fun.
depending on the date you folks select I may show up myself. I spend time in the cowichan valley a week or so at a time, and we will be there once or twice this summer for sure. Dates are not confirmed but likely sometime during july. Flexible as I am "ERE"
I have access to a 3-person canoe and will probably be me and my dad coming. So room for 1 more I guess if we show up?
I also have 2 inflatable "tubes" for floating down the cowichan river. Best deal for getting those is Joe's Tire Hospital, if you didn't know already.
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Hi everyone,
Just checking in again--are we settled on time and location, then? Centennial Park would be fine; it's central and reasonably convenient, although it might not be the most picturesque spot if we're trying to show off our area to Retiredat63. :) Are we picnicking? Potlucking?
If Trevor wants to come with his canoe, another good spot might be the small park at the kayak launch in Cowichan Bay village? There is parking close by (Hecate park), washrooms in the village, and a small, funky village to explore, including the free maritime museum, and of course, the beautiful ocean setting. It's about 10 mins south of Duncan, but of course, not walking distance.
Hecate Park (which has the parking lot and the Estuary Nature centre):
http://www.cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=152 (http://www.cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=152)
Gateway Park (just down a short path from the centre, and which has the picnic tables, etc) Pictures don't really show the park itself, sadly!
http://www.cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=1829 (http://www.cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=1829)
OP, have you got a preference? Would you rather do scenic, out of the way? Or something where you can get a sense of Duncan as a community that you might want to explore as a place to live? It is a great town, and one of the more affordable communities in the area...Centennial is also much bigger if there are lots of us or people want to play soccer/frisbee, etc. But it looks like we might be half a dozen or so? So that might not be an issue.
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I will have a car, so I am open to wherever looks best for people there. I have 8 whole days, so I can easily spend the whole afternoon there if people need to come at different times.
Um, I am 64 (yes, there has been a birthday since I chose my user name) and my knees are not the greatest, so although canoeing is fine, I don't think I will be running around playing soccer. My frisbee playing is limited to throwing a soft one for the dog, so I am not good at catching them, I am more used to wrestling for it - the dog thinks tug of war with a frisbee is a good game.
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So, the 30th of June then? Bit of a bummer for me since I will be at the Imagine Dragons concert in Vancouver that night. :(
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@Jon_snow, Oh dear! We may not be settled--if OP arrives on the Monday to Victoria, and you can't make Tuesday, what day might work for you? Would be a shame to have you so close and not able to make it...especially if a garden tour spontaneously occurs after the picnic... ;)
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Please don't reorganize things on my account! As one of my favourite (and geeky) movie quotes says: The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few...or the one. :)
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Could someone PM me the details of the Duncan meetup? I'm coming now...the concert I am going to is JULY 30 not June 30...so I will be coming, with a kayak or two in tow. :)
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Bump.
I have my schedule, hotels all booked - whew. June 29, arrive about noon and play tourist in the Sidney area. June 30 in Duncan, drive that evening to Nanaimo, July 1-July 4 in the Nanaimo area, then I play tourist, Tofino and things like that. A friend of mine grew up on Vancouver Island, so she is giving me a list of places to see. Back in the Sidney area for more touristing on July 8, fly home July 9.
So anyone in the larger Nanaimo area up for coffee while I am there? Anyone want to get together the first afternoon or last day as well as/instead of the meetup in Duncan?
BackYardFeast, noon in Duncan, any idea where? We can always move around but where shall we start?
PS did you know that spell check thinks "Nanaimo" should be "unanimous"?
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Yay! Jon_Snow, so glad you can make it after all, and Retired, that sounds like a great itinerary.
As you're coming up from Victoria and heading into Duncan, and as Jon_Snow wants to bring his kayak(s), let go ahead and meet in Cowichan Bay, at the park I linked to earlier. If you like, we can meet at the Estuary Nature Centre building as an easy landmark, then move to the park/picnic tables a few yards away. Anyone interested can then head into Duncan to show you around (about 10 mins farther up the highway).
So--for everyone who wants to join us (at the moment it looks like we'll be 5-6?):
Coming from Victoria: take Hwy 1 up island and turn right off the highway onto Cowichan Bay Road, one intersection past Fisher Road, where there's a big Rona. Follow Cowichan Bay Road all the way into Cowichan Bay village and continue past the businesses and homes. You'll see the sign for Hecate park, with the parking lot on your right. Park, and join us in front of the Nature Centre at the north end of the parking lot.
Coming from Duncan, head left off the highway at Koksilah Rd, then turn left again at the intersection onto Cowichan Bay Road (at the Trading Post). Continue as above. If you know the area, it's slightly faster to take the Bench Rd turn off and then head right onto Cowichan Bay road at the bottom of the hill.
Noon for a potluck picnic? Village, backyardfeast homestead, and Duncan tour could all follow as desired. :) Debbie, if you're still coming, do bring the mustache sign!
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Wow, that sounds real good backyardfeast!
I'm almost tempted to get a hotel room for the night of the 30th...so that I don't have to stress about leaving to catch my ferry back to my island - and the ferries will be NUTTY on the eve of a long weekend. And this would allow me to perhaps get my kayak in the water sometime, somewhere on July 1st - I doubt I will have much time to paddle on the 30th...I'm more interested in meeting Mustachians that day anyway! :)
I'm coming solo too - wife will be on road trip with some girlfriends...uh, I wasn't interested in that, although I got a token invite. ;)
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We have a plan!
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I ll be there Tues June 30...1200!
I ll bring the sign and my own food as I am a FODMAP responder!
Looking forward to meeting my tribe.
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Great! I wondered about the potluck part, given many peoples varied preferences/needs. We can just make this a standard picnic, if you like; bring what you want to eat and something to share if it's easy. So I might bring myself a sandwich, and then some extra garden veggies to share.
Look forward to meeting everyone! Jon_Snow, there are a couple of accom options in Cow Bay itself, where the kayaking is awesome....Maple Bay is also a good jumping off-point if there are better options to stay in Duncan.
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I'd love to join the meet-up as well on June 30 at noon. Can someone please confirm the location to me again? I'm coming from Victoria. Is it Hecate Park at the nature centre in Cowichan?
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Damn...this reminds me that I still need to book a place to stay for the evening of the 30th. Left a message with a B&B in Cowichan Bay but they didn't bother getting back to me. :(
Rooms are gonna fill up fast, gotta get on this....
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In Nanaimo, the Nicol Street Hostel is charming and nice, not to mention cheap and centrally located. A bed in a dorm is $25. They also have a private cottage for $50 but it is usually booked solid. Great location, access to kitchen facilities, interesting folks.
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I'd love to join the meet-up as well on June 30 at noon. Can someone please confirm the location to me again? I'm coming from Victoria. Is it Hecate Park at the nature centre in Cowichan?
Hi Redstone5, yes that's right. PM me if you have any questions, otherwise, glad you can join us!
Jon_Snow, you're probably looking for something a little cheaper if you can, but the Wessex Motel across the street from the park and the kayak launch seems clean but not fancy, has kitchenettes and likely vacancies. Haven't stayed there, but may be worth a look.
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Wheee. In exactly 2 weeks from now I will be sitting in a plane, heading west!
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I think you are really going to like it out here. :)
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I'm sure I will. But you know, every part of Canada is wonderful in summer. The real test is February ;-)
I think you are really going to like it out here. :)
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@ R@63.......the real test is November. Jan -Oct is awesome.
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Oh, November. Forget April as the cruelest month, November takes the prize. Cold, wet, dreary, brown dead fields and lawns and gardens, too cold to be happy outside, not cold enough for snow and crisp air and clear skies. Ugh. November is a month to get through - or run away from ;-)
Is any place in Canada nice in November?
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I plan on being in the Baja for the entirety of November, so I'll be thinking about all you poor souls stuck up here in November. ;)
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Is any place in Canada nice in November?
My house :) My house every day, in every season! But I love every kind of weather, and moved to snow on purpose! I get sad if I get stuck in places like Baja during my beautiful snow opportunities!
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Is any place in Canada nice in November?
My house :) My house every day, in every season! But I love every kind of weather, and moved to snow on purpose! I get sad if I get stuck in places like Baja during my beautiful snow opportunities!
Vancouver Island can be great in the winter if you like storm season (like Tofino in November). All that rain is a great excuse for staying inside with a cup of hot chocolate and a book.
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Oh definitely, November is a good month for staying inside. Icky, dreary, depressing outside, inside is so much nicer. Or going someplace sunny (like Baja).
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Lol; my DH LOVES November because of the windstorms here. It's sailing weather! Apparently.
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Lol; my DH LOVES November because of the windstorms here. It's sailing weather! Apparently.
+1. I love windstorms, lightning, thunder, snow, sun, rain, hail. I can't bear to miss any of them!
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Bump => to confirm plans and get this out while the forum is up.
June 30: We meet at the Estuary Nature Centre building as an easy landmark, then move to the park/picnic tables a few yards away. At noon. Bring food & beverages. I am assuming public park means no liquor.
Eight days and counting. ;-)
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It s OK.
I ll make sure to bring you some Lucky!
Hahahahahahahaha
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You mean discrete alcohol is OK? Crazy. Mm, need to find a nice low alcohol cooler or cider or Mike's lemonade (low alcohol because of brain function, I have to drive to Nanaimo that evening).
Is Lucky a beer? I have been trying my whole life to like the taste of beer, and failing the whole time. It was very discouraging when I was at University, because who had any money in the budget for hard stuff? And I have been to tastings and events at mini-and micro-brews, and they always think I will like their beer - never. Plus now I don't eat grains, which totally means beer is off limits - good thing I don't like it anyway. ;-) Maybe my body was trying to tell me something all those years?
That hahahahahaha sounds ominous - is Lucky the kind of drink you chug because you are thirsty, not something you sip and enjoy? Or do we take it in hand and start the "I am Canadian" rant?
It s OK.
I ll make sure to bring you some Lucky!
Hahahahahahahaha
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In exactly one week from now I should have made it through Security and be sitting at the gate waiting for boarding. . . . .
Yes, in my head I am counting down the days. In real life I am scrambling to get everything done now that needs doing in the next 3 weeks, so I can walk away and not worry.
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Yes Lucky is the beer on the Island.
It is awful but people from ONT love to have their pics taken surrounded by cans and boxes with the name front and center.
Well at least my peeps do.
Relax it is gonna be a great adventure on a beautiful island.
It will be 28C and sunny for the Cowichan meetup.
Bring a hat!
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The Weather Network says you have been hot all spring while we have been cool and rainy. Hats are de rigeur. I will make sunblock a high priority purchase when I land. Am I being optimistic about ocean temperatures when I contemplate packing a swimsuit and maybe even mask and snorkel? I am being totally unmustachian about the flight, I am taking a checked on bag as well as a carry-on. What decadence ;-) (but room for the mask and snorkel if it is a good idea).
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We have had a lot of hot weather so it might be ok for swimming in the ocean. You could always give it a try. There are lots of wonderful lakes for swimming in the area too.
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The deeper, current heavy waters (in which my island lies) do not experience ANY warming effect by the hot weather. Zip. Any swimming or snokeling requires a decent wetsuit or else hypothermia will by your friend. HOWEVER, on nearby Vancouver Island, and particularly on the east side, there are places (Parksville, Qualicum) where the tide goes out for MILES, leaving a huge expanse of sandy ground, which will heat up in the sun...and when the tide comes in over that warm sand, the water heats up like a freakin' bathtub...R@63, that's your best bet for some comfortable ocean swimming. I also like it for practicing my kayak rolls and fancy rescue techniques. I am a wuss when it comes to cold water. :-)
For the meetup I am going to try to catch some fish the day before - I would love to bring some of my killer fish tacos with an accompanying chipotle slaw...so, so, good.
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OMG Jon_Snow, fish tacos are my faavorite! Drool. And to echo you about swimming in the ocean--haha, good joke! Bring your wetsuit, as JS says. :) Kids do it all the time, of course, and Rathtrevor is fabulous and worth a try, though no snorkel or mask needed, as you're in the shallows, so few fishies. Around here, people swim in the rivers and lakes, which luckily are also plentiful and gorgeous. So depending on your journey, a bathing suit might be worthwhile.
Glad you're so excited about your upcoming trip!
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Everything is relative - around here people "open up the cottage" on Victoria Day weekend, and of course the ice probably went out less than a month earlier, and we still swim. Mind you the "swim" is 3 minutes, then shivering in the sun for 10. I trust the fresh water swimming will be warmer? And Jon Snow's description of water warmed by the warm sand below sounds nice. I'm not used to thinking about the effects of tides. So suit yes, mask and snorkel, no.
Fish tacos sound great - any fish fresh caught sounds wonderful. I'll just skip the taco since it is a grain (I used to have cast-iron digestion, no longer, alas).
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And a wet suit/dry suit can be a great investment if you live here. I know people who surf year round.
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And here you can go fishing and sailing year round.
Ice fishing and ice sailing, that is. ;-)
Wet suits are also useful for snorkeling/SCUBA since it is chilly below the thermocline.
And a wet suit/dry suit can be a great investment if you live here. I know people who surf year round.
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I'm here! Meetup tomorrow at noon at the Estuary Center in Cowichwan Bay, right?
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Yay!! You made it! I'm catching an early morning ferry and will run a few errands in Victoria then I'll be Cowichan Bay bound!
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Glad you made it!
Now on your way up island pls be aware all lookouts are on your rt side only.
The first lookout is at the top of the Malahat @352'.
The second is not much to see as the trees have grown but has solar bathrms. Right after the 2nd viewpt is the third and best view.
Pls stop here even if you are late to the meetup. It is worth it I promise.
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On my way!
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What a great meet up!
Thank you BYF, R@63, Redstone5 Family and Jon_Snow ! I had fun.
Even the smoking hot fish tacos....yummy!
Rah rah for the First Van Island MMM meet in Cowichan Bay.
Take that Victoria Mustachians!
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I wrote a long reply on Tuesday on my tablet, thought it had posted,and it disappeared! Now I'll try again and then only post when I have computer access. Typing anything long on the tablet is painful.
Debbie, just a bit of intra-island competition there? ;-)
Great meet-up. I pulled into the parking lot and saw two women making the secret MMM signal. I immediately lifted my finger and returned the signal. Batman has nothing on us. We had a great picnic, walked "downtown" Cowichan bay, and then Jon_Snow and I toured BackYardFeast's garden. Great garden, and it made me realise that the different growing season here means my garden requirements when I move can be much smaller than originally planned.
More later. I am off to Gabriola Island.
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Thank you so much, everyone, for all the fun at the meet up. My family and I had a blast. We'll have to do it again some time.
P.S. I finally got my bike and took it for a spin. It felt great! I can't wait to start biking to work.
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Redstone5, you have a gorgeous family...and I enjoyed myself as well, even though as I am known to do, I mostly listened to the conversation in my stoic way. ;)
I absolutely loved the Duncan/Cowichan Bay area...it reminded me that there is so much more beauty beyond the forests and shores that I am familiar with. NOTE TO SELF: venture off my island more often...hopefully with my wife next time.
And backyardfeasts garden...what can I say? I can't stop thinking about many aspects of it - I fully intend to blatantly steal some ideas - though some of the watering system engineering is far beyond my skills...and those monstrously HUGE cabbages. I may have dreams about them. ;)
And if R@63 moves out here, I can only imagine what her garden could become - when R@63 and backyardfeast started into the real technical gardening lingo, I found myself nodding as if I knew what they were talking about. I didn't. :)
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I really love imagining all of you together! I wasn't even there and it makes me so happy!
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Sorry to take so long to check in again--thanks to everyone who came out to my neck of the woods! It was great to meet you all. I hope those of us who live in the area can hook up again sometime (a mini meetup with debbie, Redstone, and me?), and Retired@63, I hope you'll keep us updated on where you felt at home, and where you end up.
Jon_Snow, you're making me blush. ;) Take heart from the fact that you are farther ahead than I was just over 5 years ago... it will be amazing to look back on your property in a few years and see the transformation too!
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I'll give a proper report when I am back home and on a keyboard. First impressions: not too far inland (Lake Cowichan and Tofino were visited, were gorgeous, but don't see myself there. Any place along the coast. I need forest more than ocean, but would like to live fairly close to a marina, I am more an on or in the water person, as opposed to a beach person. Gabriola was wonderful, and would be fine if not for needing a ferry.
Right now I am in Ladysmith, so big wave and hi to everyone :-). Off to Duncan and then the ferry. If I had known the drive from Tofino would go so fast I would have suggested a lunch meetup, but I lose my wifi when I leave this Tim's so no way to reach each other.
When I get home I will redouble my efforts at house selling. I will be back!
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So glad that you seem to like the place that some of us are lucky enough to call home! And I do hope you come back on a more permanent basis.
As for the ferries...at least as a retiree I find that by avoiding the peak sailing times (Fridays, Sundays, long weekends, etc.) the annoyance factor can be lessened. I also find that because of the ferry required to get to my place, it sorts out the riff-raff that couldn't be bothered to try and decipher a ferry schedule. :)
Really hope you do come back R@63...then I can fulfill that promise I made that fell through in recent days. Any chance you will be here by the Summer of 2016?
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I also find that because of the ferry required to get to my place, it sorts out the riff-raff that couldn't be bothered to try and decipher a ferry schedule. :)
...hey!!! who you callin' riff-raff?!?
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Well I guess I will also be riff-raff if I don't want to have to deal with the Gabriola Ferry!
BackYardFeast, did that broody hen ever hatch out those eggs? Inquiring minds want to know.
Return dates - January/February of 2016, exact time depends on when I visit my sister. If all goes well, moving date will depend on when I sell my house and when I find a suitable rental.
Have I mentioned how much this place calls to me? I guess it is my Bali-Hai.
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Oh, yes, BackYardFeast's garden - if you guys ever move before I have settled, sell me your house, well, sell me your garden, the house just comes along ;-) Do you realize that I am on a full acre and can have 3 animals max, all of which are supposed to be "pets"? This backyard chicken thing is totally not allowed here. At least we can have clotheslines and compost bins.
Jon_Snow - "real technical gardening lingo" - um, what were we talking about? Don't remember anything super technical, the closest was ways to stake tomatoes, maybe? Hey, you were with two teachers who garden, perfect chance to ask questions, hits both aspects of our lives.
And backyardfeasts garden...what can I say? I can't stop thinking about many aspects of it - I fully intend to blatantly steal some ideas - though some of the watering system engineering is far beyond my skills...and those monstrously HUGE cabbages. I may have dreams about them. ;)
And if R@63 moves out here, I can only imagine what her garden could become - when R@63 and backyardfeast started into the real technical gardening lingo, I found myself nodding as if I knew what they were talking about. I didn't. :)
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I actually managed two meet-ups, totoro and I had coffee and lunch just before I left.
What struck me about the meet-ups was that it was like getting together with old friends who hadn't seen each other for a while. Lots of good, relaxed conversation over a wide range of topics. People here at home were surprised that I met up with people I knew only through a forum, but it seemed so natural and worked out so well.
Of course now it is major catch-up, the garden has missed me :-(
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R@63 - you need to remember that I am a complete gardening neophyte. What may seem like basic gardening chat to you and Backyardfeast might as well be Sumerian (was this even a language?) to me. ;)
I am going to try and conspire to get Backyardfeast and her hubby to my island before the summer is over - I feel I need some "onsite" gardening tips - and also I feel the need to repay their hospitality...and perhaps get some input on our future cabin building plans. A different set of eyes would be most welcome. :)
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It is always fun to have another gardener over to look at your garden - a fresh viewpoint is wonderful. We tend to forget just how new you are to gardening, because your gardens are doing so well ;-)
Off to freeze snap peas ;-)
R@63 - you need to remember that I am a complete gardening neophyte. What may seem like basic gardening chat to you and Backyardfeast might as well be Sumerian (was this even a language?) to me. ;)
I am going to try and conspire to get Backyardfeast and her hubby to my island before the summer is over - I feel I need some "onsite" gardening tips - and also I feel the need to repay their hospitality...and perhaps get some input on our future cabin building plans. A different set of eyes would be most welcome. :)
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When you guys met up, did you stick with usernames or switch to real names? I would think it would be hard to remember which real name is which profile (for context/background/story). Is it? Or is that just my brain being difficult again?
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Real names, although of course we are still using usernames when we post here. We were 4 so not that hard to remember who is who. In a big group it would probably be easier to stick to usernames.
When you guys met up, did you stick with usernames or switch to real names? I would think it would be hard to remember which real name is which profile (for context/background/story). Is it? Or is that just my brain being difficult again?
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BackYardFeast, did that broody hen ever hatch out those eggs? Inquiring minds want to know.
Sigh. Sadly, it was a bit of a disaster, I suspect because of the heat wave. One chick survived, but when we got home from being away this weekend, he/she was gone...mysteriously and very sadly. Poor mama hen. :( We will try again at some point this summer/fall.
I am going to try and conspire to get Backyardfeast and her hubby to my island before the summer is over - I feel I need some "onsite" gardening tips - and also I feel the need to repay their hospitality...and perhaps get some input on our future cabin building plans. A different set of eyes would be most welcome. :)
That sounds like my favorite kind of visit, Jon_Snow--you're on! :)
Retired@63, I'll look forward to following your new thread and seeing where you end up!
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I'm so bummed that I missed this, both your meetup and now finding MMM had a Victoria one...sigh
I made the move to Vancouver island coming up on 2yrs ago this December from the flat Prairies, with a lot of inspiration from MMM to make the move. We chose the quiet little seaside community of Chemainus (Cowichan Valley) because it is a small tight nit community we can walk everywhere and buy everything we need without driving. Heck we even opened up a small retail store here so locals to stay within their community and not leave.
This move was the first part of our phasing to a FI MMM lifestyle, we sold pretty much everything and re-established ourselves here. Ive done a lot of things but still so far to go to be living the the true MMM life. We have two stores back in SK that we are trying to sell and if that occurs hopefully puts our savings to the safe 4% level.
Vancouver Island changes you and couldn't be more happy about our relocation. I am more than happy to host a future meetup that has been suggested here for next year.
BackYard Feast , very nice to know you live in the beautiful secret gem of Canada , the Cowichan Valley
Jon Snow , we are looking at a smaller property on Thetis Island, would love to know how the "smaller" island life is treating you.
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Note there will be another Victoria, BC area meet up on 24 Mar 2017. If you are interested see link below.
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/meetups-and-social-events/victoria-bc-mega-magical-march-meet-up!/
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Oh no, I'm not here that week to go to the meet-up :(
I'm going to be away in Disneyland on the 24th, but I'm sorry to miss the meet-up. It was super fun last time. Maybe we can plan another for later in the summer as well?
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Maybe we can plan another for later in the summer as well?
Definitely. I think a couple meet ups a year would make sense. If we can start doing them on a regular schedule it makes it easier for everyone to plan.