Stomping Ground Saturday: Scenes from Neck Point

The day of exploring my little corner of the world. *****

I had hoped to share pictures of decorated houses for Halloween this day, but alas, I have car problems and couldn't get around to do it. So instead I'll share some pictures I took of Neck Point here in Nanaimo. Neck Point, not Necking Point. My son and his new wife were visiting a couple of weeks ago so we took their dog for a walk. The dog thinks the whole world is just one big friendly hug and has to say hello to everyone. When I walk alone, no one notices I exist. But walk with a dog and the universe is your friend. The pictures were taken in the late afternoon on an overcast day. Sadly, although I have many powers, choosing the weather is not one of them. Okay so from the City of Nanaimo website because I'm too lazy to put this all into my own words...

Neck Point is a destination waterfront park for Nanaimo and the region. The park is recognized as an environmentally sensitive area and is well known in the community for its historic, scenic and natural features. Additional land was acquired in 2009 and the park now provides visitors with 36 acres of a waterfront setting to explore. Visitors will find rugged rock cliffs, with pebble bay beaches, and winding trails through Garry Oak groves. The park is a great location for photographers wanting to capture the essence of Nanaimo and the west coast lifestyle.

The park is also popular with scuba divers as an access road allows for drive up diving. Divers tell tales of an impressive array of sea life off the rocky headlands at the end of the parks namesake 'neck'. There is a deep water rock wall face that is reportedly home to a friendly octopus.

The headland area in the north section of the park is a great spot to watch for Orca and Sealions and otters. During herring season the beach is awash with the roe (January).

I have no idea why they call it Neck Point. I'm sure there's an explanation. But it's Halloween and it just makes me think of severed heads.

These are whaling cabins. They were put here in the early 1900's on this little island that you can see from Neck Point. No one lives here now but they are still taken care of. Although ghosts might live here. The ghosts of whalers who could see home, but just couldn't make it.

If you look at the middle right of this picture, you can see the boat landing that was built for the house that was once here. Neck point was privately owned land that was sold to the city. The boat landing is still here, but the house is gone. And I don't know where the house was. I suspect near the boat landing where the views are.

The top section of the boat landing. There are steps on the right of this picture. I don't know why I didn't take more pictures of the landing. I think I was just so thrilled to have my son visiting me that any logical or artistic thinking left my brain. Yeah, that's it. That's the story I'm sticking with.

Throughout the park you'll see descriptions of the area on signs, little pieces of history or explanations of the geography and biology of the park. The ecosystem is carefully maintained here because that's just the way we do things.

One of the many beautiful trees throughout the area. I should do a blog post about trees sometime. We have trees here on the island.

I suspect the house might have been here. It's close to the boat landing and has gorgeous views all around. As well it's an area that isn't overgrown with trees. You would think they would have had a sign saying "this is where the house was."

Just a pretty picture. Although that tree looks like it's trying to touch the ocean.

Ways to give your new mother-in-law a heart attack.

A boy and his dog log rolling. Can you believe they didn't know about the Canadian lumberjack song? You don't know? Here it is. Taking a break from regularly scheduled programming.

All right, back to the show. Hope you enjoyed that.

Apparently that land mass is Gibsons on the mainland of BC. Gibsons was the place that the 70's show The Beachcombers took place. The Beachcombers was one of my parents favorite shows - probably because back then there wasn't many Canadian shows to watch other than the news. We watched a lot of American shows. I never liked this show, but it's a Canadian classic. Guess it's time for another break.

Seriously, I don't remember much about this show other than Bruno Gerussi being so vocally upset over the show being cancelled after being on forever instead of being grateful that he was part of such a long running show. There was some kind of rivalry between his character and another guy - Relic I think - and the log business. Yeah, I think the show was about stealing logs. Anyway, back to programming.

For some reason this reminded me of Enid Blyton books. I did a blog post about her.

And deeper into the tunnel where you don't know what will leap out at you.

I found this private little spot. And the reason I say this is because it was off the beaten path and also because of what I found here.

So many questions! Is this a grave? Or a memorial? And if so, of who or what? Was it lovers? Or a parent or child? Or a dog? I want to know the story! Just like I want to know where the house was and what the house looked like.