As I type this, I am on vacation. In fact, as you read this I am likely still on vacation, although in the process of ending it. I spent this week in Parksville, a lovely seaside community on Vancouver Island. Jon and I visited twice before with Hannah – once when she was 6 months old and once when she was 2 1/2. We got a smoking hot deal on an oceanview townhouse since it’s currently Tourist Week, and so we took the ferry over on Sunday.
Jacob hiding his face from the wind
Vancouver Island has a population of approximately 750,000 people, and pretty much the only way to get here from the mainland is to take BC Ferries. I can’t count how many ferry rides I’ve taken in my lifetime, but I’m guessing it’s on the order of at least a couple of dozen round trips. Boarding the ferry is an experience that reminds me of my childhood. And in many ways, it hasn’t changed much in the past few decades. There’s an almost institutional feel to the ferry, but in a good way. And taking it always means that I’m getting away.
Hannah revels in the wind on the ferry deck
Ferry travel with kids is really great. There’s food, space to run, a playroom with some climbing equipment and children’s TV, and all of the excitement of being on a boat. 22-month-old Jacob totally lost his mind when we started moving. He kept screaming, “Boat! Boat! Boat!” in jubilant tones that I’m pretty sure half the ferry heard. When he saw other boats out the window it really put him over the edge. 5-year-old Hannah, on the other hand, was particularly excited about playing in the wind on the deck. I can see that both of my children are also building fond memories of the ferry.
Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville
Our time in Parksville has been fun. I got to spend a day at the spa. I totally didn’t ‘get’ spas pre-kids, but now I can see the appeal of a quiet space with fresh fruit, herbal tea and people who give massages. Really indulgent, and a total luxury, but I loved it. We’ve visited playgrounds and beaches and markets and a cheeseworks. We saw goats on the roof in Coombs, and possibly the most amazing market ever. I dropped my camera into a tide pool and didn’t realize it until some time later, and then had to find it again.
Jon on the beach
OK, so the camera part wasn’t so fun. When I finally found the camera, which is not even a month old, it was face-down in the salt water where it had spent at least 10 minutes. My shiny new toy, fallen victim to too much going on and the harmful effects of salt water on electronics. The lens was open and half-way extended. I cried. I swore. Jon raced to town for a bag of rice to attempt to revive it. Luckily, I was at least able to salvage these photos.
Me on the beach, with Jacob in the background
Unfortunately, after 24 hours in the bag of rice the camera was still kaput. I put in a fresh battery and … nothing. Not the slightest bit of life. If I could rewind 5 seconds of my life, it would be 5 seconds in that tide pool when I was trying to wrangle kids and beach gear and take photos at the same time. You had better believe I am never taking another camera on to a beach again.
Hannah is none the worse for salt-water exposure, unlike the camera
The beach at low tide
Aside from the camera loss, the trip was good. I didn’t totally unplug during the vacation. The whole trip wasn’t just one idyllic scene after another, but it was wonderful all the same. There was getting away. There was togetherness. There were moments of tranquility and bliss. There was a ferry trip. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Just one of the extremely healthy local deer population
Now, please, make me feel better. Tell me that you have managed to drop a camera into a tide pool, too. Or maybe a bowl of soup. Or a cup of coffee. Or if not a camera, a new iPhone or a laptop. I need a little bit of commiseration over the whole episode.
How about dropping a passport out of your back pocket into the toilet when you’re just about to go through immigration? I realize it isn’t electronic, but it is important and involves water. I was horrified.
Tepary’s last post … TucsonMama Hefe by Green
Actually my husband left our camera in his pocket as he waded across some streams in Costa Rica. It was our honeymoon. We were able to recover the pictures, and sort of take pictures with it again, but they always had this misty look on them after that.
Tepary’s last post … TucsonMama Hefe by Green
Oh, ouch Amber. Can you send it to a Canon dealer for repair or a professional look-at? Anything? Oh, I feel for you. I don’t have a story to share, but I will say that you took some great photos prior to the drop. I can hear the wind in my ears just by looking at your ferry photos!
This looks like a great get-a-way.
Not electronic, but I lost my engagement ring (presumably in a parking lot, I had taken it off in the car to put on hand lotion and forgot about it until after an art opening).
As my MIL reminded me later, “it’s just thing.” (A large sparkling thing that had been her great aunt’s. Yeah, ten years later I still feel a little bad that I lost it.)
I hope your camera can be recovered/ fixed!
PS: hi! I’m unlurking
A month after I bought our first Sony camera, the bottom battery door busted and would not close. For the next year, we had a scotch tape jimmy to be able to use it.
Then for Christmas, my hubby bought me a NEW Sony. It was lovely. I took many lovely pictures. Right before Christmas the next year, the display on it inexplicably cracked, rendering the camera useless. We have no idea how it happened. One day it was fine. Picked it up the next day from the place where it was placed the day before and…. *crack*.
Needless to say, we now have a THIRD camera, and I guard it with my life.
Check out Pelican cases at MEC for a good waterproof/shockproof case for your next wonderful camera. I have one for mine. Kids can’t hurt the camera when it is in its case, and they are lightweight enough to carry with it around your wrist when taking pictures. I’ve taken my camera inside it out into waves on lake Ontario, taken pictures (holding said camera out of water) and then putting it back in to play in the waves with it around my wrist.
That is SUCH a good tip. I think I really need one of those Pelican cases.
I dropped my iPod Touch in the toilet…does that count? I can’t even blame the little man, it was all me.
Sorry, no camera drownings here, but I’m taking my 9 month old to Parksville in two weeks and can’t wait! I had been thinking about the ferry trip as a bit of a chore, but you’ve cast a whole new light on it! Thanks!
That is so awful! Wow. I’m so sorry Amber.
Capital Mom’s last post … Ten
A beautiful trip to water and sand and boats and nature is well worth the loss of a camera to a tide pool! No worries.
Depending on the type of camera, you may be able to take it apart, clean it up, and let it dry out. Chances are, it’s more cost-effective to donate that one to a school photography class (for experimenting and learning!) and finding another. There are so many great models out there at reasonable prices; the technology advancements are just astounding. The cameras I use with my photovoice projects are around less than $100 each and excellent cameras… so you don’t feel terrible if one is lost/broken.
For what it’s worth, we washed a camera lens (twice) post Grand Canyon boating and it came out fine. You never know!
I dropped my brand new iPhone down the toilet a few months ago. Yes, it was embarrasing.
Mel’s last post … Thankful Friday – happy, lucky and grateful
Emma thoght she was being very helpfull a couple of years ago, and watered my lap top instead of my plants. The lap top died. I cried. Hannah thought maybe my phone would flush down the toilet..it didn’t. But it too died. And I cried again. I put my ipod through the wash…even after I chastised my teenager for doing the same thing!
Heather’s last post … Big Brown School Bound
I almost dropped my iPhone down the toilet a while back. It landed on the seat and sort of teetered on the edge before I managed to grab it. I’m obsessive about removing my iPhone from my back pocket before using the loo now. I put a really nice watch through the wash one time. I brought a beautiful pottery serving dish all the way from Portugal to Canada, only to accidentally chip the thing a couple of weeks later.
So sorry about your camera, but glad you were able to salvage the photos. They’re great–especially love the one of Hana running on the ferry.
Mary Lynn’s last post … Going to where in a handbasket?
Oops! So used to typing “Hana” instead of “Hannah” that I typed it wrong here. Silly fingers!
Mary Lynn’s last post … Going to where in a handbasket?
Did you buy it on a credit card?! Quite often they have a policy against all sorts of misfortune!
I am so pleased you are practically on my doorstep…. if I’d only known I’d pack up my boys and meet you on the beach (or even better without the kids and meet you at the spa!). The deer picture is in behind the cottage development that I call my “big client” . I drive there fairly regularly.
Lovely pictures, I hope you can get it replaced on credit card insurance or somehow ressurects itself. My Father in Law put his blackberry through the laundry (even the dryer) and it seemed DOOMED. He took the battery and cards out of it to dry and put it on top of his hotwater heater for low-intesity heat. Then way after he thought there was no hope, 2 months later, it came back to life… I’ll keep my fingers crossed for your own little electronics miracle
*pol’s last post … It’s BAAAAAACK!
Beautiful photos of your vacation. Hope you and the family had fun. I wish I lived on the west coast just for vacationing opportunities like these (only visited to Vancouver once and I had such a fun time).
And about the camera… I think it’s normal. I haven’t had it happen to me yet. But I did lose my BlackBerry 2 weeks after getting it. Put it on the trunk of my car while loading my daughter and groceries into the car. Forgot it about it and drove off. Didn’t realize it until the day after and of course it was already gone. BOOOOOOOOOOOOO. They really need to make camera/cellphone clips for parents like us. Just like they have pacifier clips and stroller leashes for kids toys.
Well I guess they already do make cellphone clips. I just don’t want to get one cuz I think it’s not so cool. And look what happened! My fear of not looking like a cool mom cost me over $500 in 2 cellphones in 1 month.
Mommy Quit’s last post … School’s almost out
Olympus makes a decent point-and-shoot camera that is waterproof up to 3 metres. I’ve taken mine in the pool and it still works. I got it from Future Shop for some stupid online boxing day sale and had $40 in giftcards so it ended up costing me all of $70 including shopping.
It’s this one (except mine is red) http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/olympus-olympus-10mp-digital-camera-x-560wp-green-x-560wp/10138219.aspx?path=3f90c1886f16d4927078b0e24af1dccben02. It’s not the greatest camera but might be a good investment for these kinds of trips? And when you take them to the pool/swimming lessons, you can actually take pictures of the kids underwater.
I love Parksville! I’m heading there later this summer too. I love Coombs too- such a sweet place to bring the kids.
Sorry about your camera! We’ve all done something like that. It totally sucks!
Shirley Broback’s last post … Happy Fathers Day my awesome husband!
Heather wins.
I love the pics of the kids on the ferry too. My vacation camera misfortunes usually involve ending up without a memory card and internal memory full just when the perfect photo op presents itself.
This will sound ridiculous but when I was travelling in the Galapagos Islands, I left my camera on the boat. I had taken all these amazing photos of Blue Footed Boobies and Cormorants with giant red growths on their necks. I figured we’d never see that camera again. I bought a cheapie for the rest of our trip through Peru moaning about the lost camera the entire time. When we returned to Quito, we took a chance and went to the boat trip people just to ask. And voila! it was actually there! I really should scan those photos… it was not a digital camera – lol….
harrietglynn’s last post … 200,000,000 Posts… and Counting
You had almost the same vacation that we took when K was 18 months. Unfortunately for me I was pregnant at the time and I wasn’t permitted into the Grotto so I didn’t bother spa-ing. My sister and BIL LOVED the Grotto so much they’ve been back since. I have full plans on returning.
I’m so glad you went to the Little Qualicum Cheeseworks. I love it there. They come to the Ladner Market every 2 weeks in the summer and I always buy a pile of cheese from them.
I grew up in Nanaimo so I don’t share your love of the ferry. I pretty much hate it. I took it more than most because I was involved in a long distance relationship with a guy in Vancouver while living there so I took the ferry almost every week for years. I’ve used up my life’s allotment of ferry rides. I do love the Island though and my parents can’t be convinced to move off of it so the ferry is still in our lives. At least the kids enjoy it.
Marilyn’s last post … Riding the Wave
Two years ago I got the brand new digital camera (my first) I’d been dying for and I loved it. It wasn’t particularly fancy or anything, but decent quality for a point and shoot. It was brand new and we went out for our town festival parade and on the way home I dropped it in a puddle
Never worked again.
Sounds like you guys had a great time otherwise and I’m glad you got to go to the spa!
Hillary’s last post … hillaryboucher: @BirthingKristen nice!
Sweet pics. We’re planning a trip to the Island next summer as we have relatives there. I want to get a camper though — something 70′s and sew curtains for it and arrange everything just so.
I once tucked my camera into my shirt pocket and then leaned over the toilet I had just peed in and the camera went plunk into it in slow motion. It was a sleek little digital number and it didn’t just sink to the bottom of the bowl of the toilet but actually slid further down where I could just see the little leash sticking out. So I had to plunge my arm in after it, of course. And it took a while to wrestle it out! Then I had to clean it off and myself off and eeeeeew! The camera was fine though.
I also dropped my friends iPod into my cup of coffee. It wasn’t fine.
Betsy’s last post … Honest to Betsy Blogiversary!
Never dropped anything electronic that I can think of…but I was going to suggest investing in a waterproof camera next time around. Then it doesn’t really matter…though salt water might still do something. Friends of mine had a waterproof they took to Harrison Hot Springs and the mineral pool goofed it up so it stopped working.
Glad you still had a nice vacation. I’ll have to pick your brain about the whole Hotel room thing with kids. I’ll need some tips for Disneyland
carrie’s last post … To Wean or Not to Wean…
Into a toilet on a train with a stranger’s unflushed pee inside. Which I didn’t notice until my camera fell out of my jacket pocket and into it as I was sitting down.
Do I win?
Lauren @ Hobo Mama’s last post … I am nursing a 3-year-old at Code Name: Mama
So sorry about the camera!
I don’t typically lose things, so this memory sticks in my head even after 20 years – on a warm spring day in high school, I took off my new leather jacket and set it on the grass beside me. At the end of lunch period, I forgot it – and it was stolen.
Careless me!
Lady M’s last post … The Modern Fort
Vacation and spa, good for you Amber!
Sorry about your camera. Hope you get another one with all those fun features:)
I washed my cell phone (in the inside pocket of a yogurt stained handbag) in the washing machine, hot water cycle. 90 minutes.
Francesca’s last post … Friday’s flowers ~ rose petals
So sorry for your loss!
We took our girls on their first ferry ride this spring and they were absolutely enchanted. Glad you were able to salvage those sweet photos. Cameras can be replaced but memories, not so much. Not to make light of your loss though – that’s absolutely horrid!
Kimberly’s last post … Rainbows on the Table
Well, these photos are gorgeous, so I’m happy you were able to salvage them. Again, so sorry about the camera. But the vacation sounds lovely. Except for that camera thing.
Missy’s last post … Virtual road trip to Minneapolis
Oh no! That is such a terrible feeling. I lost my camera once, and figured I’d dropped it out of my bag at a restaurant or playgroup or something. I went around asking everyone, tore my house apart looking for it, etc, etc. I gave up on it for several months, considered buying another, and then found it again almost a year later. It was in my gardening box – I’d tossed it in with everything else after taking pics of Bea and I working in the garden and it made its way right to the bottom. At least I got it back, but man, I felt pretty dumb!
Ah, ferry rides. We love ‘em and we’ve been tracking back and forth to the Island for many years to visit family. When the children were little we did the walk -around, and now we take our books and enjoy the ride…always with reservations through the summer and holiday weekends so we’re never stuck in line-ups. Now we’re retiring to our lake house mid-Island and my heart is going home. We were both raised on the Island and I think I breathe a little easier just driving off the ferry. How wonderful is it to always be within 5 or 10 minutes of the ocean? I spent my childhood summers in tidal pools and have always loved the beaches at Qualicum and Parksville, especially when the tide is out. We’ve used Rathtrevor for family reunions and it’s perfect as you can reserve a whole covered camp area. Your photos were lovely!
My (almost) lost story is about the wallet my friend Penny put down on the big back bumper of my then Ford Explorer as we were changing out of our golfing shoes. We’d been golfing at Honeymoon Bay and then drove home along winding roads for more than an hour. Imagine our shock and relief to see it, still intact and safe, sitting there! I wonder how many people waved or honked at us on the road home?