One of the best parts about living on Vancouver Island for the past couple of years is that even places you’ve been many times before can feel fresh again when you’re sharing them with someone else.

Over the holidays, Sarah and I spent a lot of time taking my in-laws around to some of our favourite spots. Some were familiar to us, some were brand new for everyone, and together they made for one incredibly busy, memorable holiday.

Our first stop was in Coombs.

And no, not the famous goats on the roof.

This stop was actually for my mother-in-law, whose family is of Dutch descent. We surprised her with a visit to The Old Country Market Dutch Store, and it ended up being such a fun way to start the day. We wandered the aisles, loaded up on Dutch snacks and treats, and probably bought far more than we intended to.

Okay… definitely more than we intended to.

From there we continued toward Cathedral Grove, but when we arrived, the parking lot was absolutely packed. Rather than sit around waiting, we decided to continue on to Port Alberni and come back later.

That turned out to be the right call.

While Port Alberni itself wasn’t new to Sarah, Xander and I, lunch absolutely was. We stopped at Bare Bones Fish and Chips and every single one of us loved it. Most of us went with cod and chips, while my mother-in-law treated herself to the halibut.

It was one of those meals that just hits perfectly after a morning on the road.

After lunch we toured around the city a little, checked out the Alberni Harbour Quay, and enjoyed taking our time before eventually heading back toward Cathedral Grove.

Thankfully, parking had opened up by then.

And honestly, no matter how many times I visit Cathedral Grove, it never stops feeling special. The towering trees, the cool air, the quiet that settles over everything the deeper you walk in… it has a way of slowing your thoughts down whether you expect it to or not.

There’s something grounding about it.

Originally, we had planned to also visit the Hand of Man Museum and The Raptors Sanctuary that same day, but by that point we were running short on time, so we decided to save both for another outing.

Instead, on the way back, we stopped into Buckerfield’s. None of us had ever actually been inside one before, so we wandered around checking out supplies, tools, feed, and of course… the baby chicks.

Oh Yes…we’re getting chickens soon!! But that’s a story for another post 😉.

After that, we finally headed home to unwind from what had turned into a very full day of driving, exploring, eating, and laughing.

A couple of days later, we made our way back out again, this time specifically to visit the Hand of Man Museum.

And honestly… it completely blew us away.

None of us knew exactly what to expect going in, but it ended up being one of the most fascinating museums I’ve ever visited. I enjoy museums in general and have seen quite a few over the years, but this felt entirely different. There’s something deeply personal about it all. Seeing this enormous private collection alongside the story of Jim Shockey and a life that has clearly been fully lived made the entire experience feel unique in a way I wasn’t expecting.

I honestly wasn’t even aware of who Jim Shockey was beforehand, but apparently he’s quite well known, with documentaries and television shows of his own, and he’s actually from Saskatoon. Who knew!? The more we walked through the museum, the more it became obvious that this wasn’t just a collection of “stuff,” but the story of decades of adventure, travel, and experiences from someone who truly embraced life to its fullest.

I genuinely encourage anyone and everyone to go check it out. I particularly liked the actual 16th century throne he had

Afterward, we headed over to the Raptors Sanctuary to see all the incredible birds of prey and managed to catch the tail end of one of their demonstrations, where they showed off one of their falcons in flight.

Again, this was not new for Sarah, Xander and I but even so, watching those birds move up close is something else entirely and I highly suggest everyone check it out!

Finally, a couple of days later, we checked out the Sooke Region Museum right here in my own hometown, a place we somehow had never visited before despite living here in Sooke for almost a year now.

It may be small, but it packs a surprising amount of history into that space. Local stories, artifacts, pieces of the region’s past, all tucked away right here close to home. Best of all, admission is completely free, though donations are always appreciated.

And with that, our holidays and my in-laws’ visit pretty much came to a close.

Between all the hard work we tackled around the house, yard and garden and all the exploring we managed to fit in, it ended up being an incredibly busy stretch of time… but in the best possible way.

The kind of busy that leaves you tired, happy, and already looking back on it fondly before it’s even fully over.

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Remember, you only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. Step outside, take the scenic route, share the places you love with the people you love, and I’ll catch you next time.

Much love, Rob ❤️