We are on the final stretch of this trip, and what a week this was!

Two very different stops… Nanaimo with its Old City Quarter energy and great vintage finds, and Salt Spring Island with its Saturday market, goat cheese, and the Tree House Cafe.

Both were exactly what we needed as we pointed Wildflower toward home.

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Nanaimo

We docked at a marina right along the waterfront, which has a wonderful walking and bike path that made getting around easy and enjoyable. Nanaimo has such an easy-going coastal vibe.

Our first day started with lunch at Penny’s Palapa, a Mexican restaurant right on the dock.

Margaritas, quesadillas, and enchiladas… casual and fun and exactly the right call after a morning on the water.

Then we headed into the Old City Quarter, which is one of my favorite parts of Nanaimo.

Our first stop was Old City Panache, and I have to say… this was my favorite vintage store on the entire trip.

Fifty dealers under one roof with prices so good they were almost garage sale prices. You know I had to take advantage of that.

We walked away with a blue plaid vintage blanket, a couple of old tins, a seltzer bottle, a red thermos (earmarked for Christmas), an old cribbage board, four baskets, and a Magic 8 Ball for old times’ sake.

I have been consulting it regularly on this trip.

The real challenge was getting everything back to the boat on our bikes.

The bunnies hanging out nearby watched us strap it all on, apparently unbothered.

Next was Old City Cheese and Market, which had the most incredible selection of fresh pasta, bread, and specialty food items. We stocked up.

Then we popped into Red Shelf Decor, a newer vintage shop that was well worth a look.

And we finished the day at A Wee Cupcakery, where we split a coconut cupcake that was every bit as good as it sounds.

The next day we explored a different part of town down Commercial Street.

Lunch at Gabriel’s Gourmet Cafe was fun. I had a chicken and peanut sauce rice bowl sitting on the patio. This was a great find!

Ganges, Salt Spring Island

We spent the first night on anchor, which turned out to be quite windy.

The next day we were lucky enough to find a spot at the marina, which was a game-changer.

No loading the bikes and dogs into the dinghy. We just walked off the boat, and we were right there in town. We felt a bit spoiled.

We headed out on the bikes after walking Jax and Ollie, and the day turned into one of those perfect Salt Spring days where everything just falls into place.

First stop was Stowel Lake Farm, which we always love to visit.

The vegetables and baked goods are incredible. We bought banana bread that did not make it back to the boat.

They also had beautiful fresh flower arrangements, herb bundles, and plants, which was right up my alley (even though I can’t bring any plants back over the border, they were pretty to look at).

Then it was on to Salt Spring Island Cheese to visit the goats and pick up some cheese. If you haven’t been, this is a must.

They have a cute patio where they serve pizza.

It’s always fun to step into the barn and see the goats.

From there we rode over to Garry Oaks Winery, where we settled in with a bottle of rosé bubbly and our cheese and bread from earlier stops.

There’s something about that particular combination… good wine, good food, beautiful views, and nowhere to be. That feels like the best version of vacation.

We stayed longer than we planned.

On the way back, we found a perfect selfie opportunity in front of a beautiful old stone church.

We also stumbled on a roadside antique stop that we couldn’t pass by. It was a very good afternoon.

That evening we took the dogs for a walk and then headed to the Tree House Cafe, which was just steps from Wildflower.

The food was wonderful, Jax and Ollie settled right in on the patio, and the live band was so good.

Their lamb pops, along with the amazing carrot cake and peanut butter dessert, definitely hit the spot.

We could even enjoy the last hour of the music from the boat when we got back. That’s a pretty perfect evening.

The second day was the Saturday farmers market.

There were flowers.

And sweet and savory pies, jewelry, and handmade soap.

The vegetables were stunning.

There were more baked goods than any reasonable person could resist.

After the market, we wandered the shops. Jax needed a new life vest, so that was the first order of business.

Then we headed to Twang + Pearl, a sweet little shop with women’s and kids’ clothing and some decor.

Jax and Ollie waited patiently outside.

We stopped into the Salt Spring Inn restaurant for the first time for a cocktail and some fries on their dog-friendly patio, which was a great discovery.

Back Home: The Garden in Late July

The housesitter photos this week had me genuinely emotional. I knew the garden would keep growing while we were gone, but I wasn’t quite prepared for how beautiful it would be.

The zinnias are absolutely the stars of the cutting garden right now.

The pastel combination is beautiful, and after all the worry about pests back in June. It feels like a definite win.

The Fireball zinnias are vivid and bold.

And the State Fair varieties complement the cherry red marigolds perfectly.

The other surprise for me was how big the marigolds had gotten.

They were all grown from seed and are tucked in throughout the garden to keep the pests away.

The statice looks gorgeous in yellow, purple, and rose. I can’t wait to cut bundles of them to start the drying process.

The orange calendula blooms are so pretty.

It’s hard to tell from this picture, but this is the yarrow. I love drying it.

And the sunflowers, both the classic golden blooms and the deep orange-bronze variety, are exactly what a summer cutting garden should look like.

The salmon- and golden-colored celosia are adding that warm, velvety texture that looks so good in late July arrangements.

The panicle hydrangeas are creamy and full, which is always a sign that the season is shifting just slightly.

The purple sweet peas climbing the fence alongside the orange and rose-colored dahlias are one of the prettiest combinations in the whole garden right now.

Burgundy dahlias and purple sweet peas together along the fence… I could look at them all day.

The purple and coral coneflowers are blooming.

Then there are the pumpkins.

The smaller varieties are growing up the trellis in the cut flower garden.

The larger pumpkins are all growing in a separate pumpkin patch with sunflowers over by our carport.

Those are not doing as well since the deer have better access to them outside the fence.

The marigolds are bright and cheerful in the raised beds alongside the onions.

And the pickle cucumbers are climbing the trellis like they have somewhere to be.

The tomatoes are still green but getting closer. I keep reminding myself I planned this trip to be home for the harvest. Looking at these photos, I am very glad I did.

On the Blog This Week

My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week

These lemon and white chocolate chip cookies with lavender look delicious.

I can’t wait to make these scallop seashell homemade candles.

You’ve got to love this cozy countryside cottage.

How about some iced coffee with ice cream? Yes, please.

Here’s everything you need to know about using chalk paint.

How to create the ultimate summer salsa bar.

Another gorgeous home from the Jean Stoffer Design portfolio.

Here are some edible favorites for your cutting garden.

I’m trying this recipe for dinner this week. Can’t wait!

You’ll love this easy, no-sew sunflower pillow with scrap fabrics.

What better way to celebrate summer than with peach sangria?

A Final Thought

We are almost home. In fact, I’ll be writing next Sunday’s Saltwater Sounds post from home.

I’m ready to walk the garden, cut an armful of dahlias, sleep in my own bed, and sit on the deck with my iced latte watching the bay.

I’m both ready and not quite ready for the trip to be over. I’ll miss the slow mornings on the water, the new harbors, the happy dogs trotting ahead of us on every dock and trail.

This summer has been one of the best we’ve had on Wildflower. New stops, new favorites, and all the old ones that remind us why we keep coming back.

Until next time,