Light up that tree.

Surfside RV Resort, Parksville BC (2 stars)

First things first. Let's find out why the fireplace is chirping and squeaking once in a while. It looks like the fan, so a new one is on order.

We had a nice trip to Courtenay to attend their Christmas tree lighting event. The city had several city streets blocked off so we were able to wander along in comfort (and with many other people). This was our first tree lighting and it played out just like in those cheesy Christmas movies. A fun time, a great dinner and a nice ride home with Lez at the wheel.

Lez is truly chilled out: What a relaxing day - after breakfast and other chores, we headed out to Courtenay for their community Moonlight and Magic Tree Lighting and winter festival, from 5pm until 8pm. We took the Oeanside Route to Courtenay - very scenic and the Island Hwy back (much faster route). We were quite surprised to see more than just a light dusting of snow the further north we got. Higher elevations got the snow where the rest of the island was getting rain.

The Courtenay city center was filled with lights, the streets were blocked and most of the stores were open along 5th downtown. The official tree lighting was at 5:30 at the intersection of 5th and England. Music, food trucks, roving performers, festive shopping, pop up markets - it was a happening place. I joined in drumming with one of the street performers, and then dancing with Frosty (the Snowman) - yes - it was a festival feeling! The rainy weather was not to be seen, and by 5:30 it was dark enough to enjoy the lights from the big live town centre tree. We poked into a few of the shops (you know I can't just walk past a quilt store!). It's a perfect sales pitch evening for those looking for little items for Christmas gifties, we came away with ideas. I got quite a chuckle - an 8-inch tall young birch log, with a center bored hole with a candle in it - $30. Thinking of all those logs Lee split after a day of woodcutting - could have opened our own craft shop.

We headed home after the tree lighting and stopped for dinner at Boston Pizza. Feeling the effects of the evening, and will be heading to bed shortly. What an enjoyable day.