They call it The Harbour City

Known as the "hub" city because of its central island location with connections to all places up or down island, Nanaimo's official slogan is "The Harbour City." With good reason .. this is one of the finest views on either side of the Georgia Strait. 

Returning to dock on a cool winter evening often entails concentrating on stroke and technique as you switch your paddle from one side of the boat to the other.  If you're sitting mid-boat, you may also be counting strokes to call out changes to the rest of the crew, the person in the front is keeping an eye out for floating debris and the steersperson is poking, posting and trying to get in some paddling.  Some of us think of the beer waiting at the Lighthouse Pub, but all get lost in their own thoughts.   When I look up and see this sight .. it stuns me every time.  Water this calm happens rarely because of the tidal action and wind in the harbour, but when it does .. it's a camera worthy moment.  It makes me glad I'm here.  I take a deep breath and say "this is why I'm here."

The Cable Bay Trail offers this view from south of the Duke Point ferry terminal looking over at Protection Island.  Protection Island sits in the Nanaimo harbour adjacent to Newcastle Island.  Between the two, they provide a well protected shoreline for pleasure boats and working craft to moor.  Out in the bay, many boat owners drop anchor and become floating homes. The city has been attempting to get the more derelict boats out of the harbour with the institution of new rules for how long a boat can stay in one place before they must become tax payers like the rest of us.  Some of the older ones hadn't moved in years and certainly wouldn't be considered seaworthy.  This photo was taken by Mo on July 26th during a walk that involved a LOT of up and down.