NOTE:  This month the field trip is on a Saturday and is the third week of February instead of the second

This field trip will have several opportunities for some great photography with many areas open to the public and with so many areas none of them are crowded which makes it nice for us.

Our event will be going from 10:30 – noon but for your information I have listed the days complete agenda below

Heritage Faire will be running from 10 am to 4 pm at the Cumberland Recreation Centre.

Cumberland’s Heritage Faire was originally launched by a group of community volunteers in 2003 and was modeled on the folk festival that ran from 1949 to 1958 celebrating the diverse heritage of Cumberlanders. Each year over 50 families, clubs and other organizations set up displays of antique tools, unique collections, photos and demonstrations of crafts and folklore from the early days of Cumberland and the Comox Valley.

Heritage Day at the Museum is open by donation if you would like to go in and take photos there

Lantern Festival and Parade
Indoor Labyrinth at the Cultural Centre from 10 am to 4 pm.
At 6pm join the Lantern Parade from Village Square at Third Street to Village Park
Entertainment and sky lanterns at Village Park after the parade, weather permitting.

Lunch  will be at 4 Quarters Restaurant  in Cumberland

2744 Dunsmuir Ave Cumberland

It is located on the main street. (across from the Cumberland Bakery)

This month we will be meeting on Sunday

Buckerfields is not just a feed store.  It has so  many items for your home and garden, your pets and yes even the farm.

Come and join with to explore this local store and see how many unique and different photos you can find.

Lunch will be at the British Bobby Restaurant at noon

1209 East Island Highway, Parksville BC

(it is approximately 7 minutes from Buckerfields)

With the rain still falling we will be doing an inside event for January.   We will be going to the Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre which is sure to be a fun time.  There is so much to see here from fossils to history of the Comox Valley and the island.  There are two floors for you to explore and photograph.  I did see several areas where you can also find the collections assignment opportunities.  If you are familiar with Courtenay this is in the old Post Office.

If you would like to car pool please let me know and we can try and help you out.

Lunch will be at the Union Street Grill at noon

477- 5 st  Courtenay (only a few blocks from the museum)

Following another member suggestion we are going to the new Demex Wharehouse.  This is not the Demex store we went to previously but is on Price Road.  You can see it from the Alberni Highway and if coming from Parksville it is just before the Coop gas station.

We have over 20,000 square feet and two floors to explore.  The upstairs is set up with one main large area and several rooms off that area which are decorated in specific themes.

It should be a fun and very interesting

Lunch will be at the Bayside Bistro and Lounge at 12:00pm

240 Dogwood Street, Parksville BC

It is finally time – we are going outside to play.  Using another suggestion from one of our members we are going to head to Naniamo and Maffeo Sutton Park

I have gone to check it out and there is something for everyone here.

Our Landscape people have the water and its views plus New Castle and Protection Island

Our macro enthusiasts there are flowers blooming and lots of spots for close up photography

For our texture assignment there are so many things here that you will find it hard to choose only three.

I think it will be a fun and exciting trip for all.

Lunch is right next door at Lighthouse Bistro and Pub.

50 Anchor Way

You can walk from the from our field trip or move your car over to the parkade next to them.

For our gluten free members they actually have a special menu just for you

No the location is not a typo.  We are going on an adventure to see the many treasures that are on the property of Sheilds Industrial in the Comox Valley.

There is something for everyone here.  They have a large property with treasures that have arrived throughout the years.  It should a lot of fun

Here are some directions to our location

Using the inland highway-

Take exit 117 toward Courtenay/Comox (Courtenay Connector)

Pass the Lafarge plant on your left

Left at set of lights – Cumberland Road (don’t go straight or you go into Courtenay)

follow past an “S” curve

Left on Marsden Road

at stop sign Left onto Lake trail

next stop sign Left onto Comox Logging Road and they are on the left side

Lunch will be at the White Spot in Courtenay at noon

If you back track the instructions to get to Shields Industrial then follow down to Cliffe Ave

(T intersection)

Left past Canadian Tire and it is in the next mall- Driftwood – Shell on the corner)

2299 Cliff Ave

BUTTERTUBS MARSH-

Buttertubs Marsh is a bird and wildlife sanctuary.
There is a 2 km very easy loop around the marsh and a few observation decks and a tower perfect for photographing birds
The pathway is groomed so easy to walk on. Besides birds we may see spring flowers, shadows for our May assignment and so much more
We will be meeting at the entrance of Jingle Pot Road -1780 Jingle Pot Road

If you would like to or need to car pool please contact me

From Woodgrove Mall -Nanaimo, BC
Stay on Highway 19 S – 9.7 km
Turn left onto Jingle Pot Rd (signs for Jingle Pot Road/City Centre) – 750 m
Turn left to stay on Jingle Pot Rd – 95 m
Turn left – 43 m – Buttertubs Marsh Parking Lot

Lunch will be at Original Joes at noon
3280 N Island Highway

Moorecroft Pond in Nanoose is a great gem on the island.  It was originally a United Church Camp but was purchased by the RDN in 2011.  It is being kept very natural and you will see so much with the logs and rocks that have been washed for so long by the ocean creating fantastic designs.  Lots of flowers, eagles, trees with very interesting fungus on them plus a pond full of bull rushes and trees.   There will something here for every kind of photographer. Walking can be as easy or a little challenging, there are trails but you can explore out  onto the rocks

Weather permitting we would like to have a picnic in one of the picnic areas in the park so pack a lunch and come and join us. We will meet at noon

There will be extra for those who forget

If the weather doesn’t cooperate we will be going to the Kicking Horse Pub

(disclaimer – the photo used is from the internet not me)

Top Bridge is complete with a suspension bridge, water view and the fantastic ragged rocks make for great photos. For those of you who like taking impromptu photo pics there may be swimmers giving you a wonderful opportunity

If you have any questions during the event see Barb Hooper

Directions;

Take the old highway (19A south) Do NOT turn to go to Nanaimo but go straight ahead onto Kaye RD. Turn right onto Chattle RD- go past the gun club… the road turns to gravel. Follow this road to the end. There is a large parking lot and the suspension bridge is right there.

Lunch will be at Boston Pizza in Parksville

430 East Island Highway- Parksville

This month is going to be so much fun. We are heading up island to Union Bay. There are several historic buildings including the oldest wooden post office and yes it will be open for us to go inside.
The old school and church plus the museum house next to the post office. We can also visit Sea Change art studio that has many very unique items inside and outside. There is a marina boat launch area across the street, antique trucks and so much more.

Lunch will be at the Highwayman Grill and Saloon in which is also another photo op as well as great food.

Mark your calendars today – you won’t want to miss it.

**meeting spot will be by the church

cover photo is a stock photo