Wanderlust Megan

Summer is here. For me, that means ocean dips, craft beer, patios, hikes and festival season. This past weekend, I took a quick day trip to Nanaimo to enjoy some beer and learn about some upcoming festivals.

Just a quick float plane or ferry ride across Georgia Strait, Nanaimo is easily accessed from Vancouver. By going on foot, I ensured myself a place on the ferry even without reservations. Taking advantage of the good weather, I hung out on the sun deck admiring the ocean views.

Once ashore in Nanaimo, I grabbed a cab to Longwood Brewery. While sipping on an All Day Nitro Coffee Stout, I followed Brewmaster Harley Smith as he explained the brewing processes. By varying the balance between hops and malt, adjusting the fermentation process and mixing in other ingredients such as raspberries or beets, he achieves a range of unique flavours.

I was also there to get the beta on Longwoodstock. This festival is an opportunity to enjoy central Vancouver Island’s top music, beer, cider, and events, in one location. Now in its 3rd year, Longwoodstock provides a local, friendly, chilled vibe on August 11-12th, 2017. Check out my post on FestivalSeekers and Miss604 to learn more about it.

Later on, Blues artist Brian Whitty gave me a quick blues bass lesson. After tripping over my own fingers for a bit, I was able to pick up one or two notes and even play a few lines. I won’t be going on stage anytime soon but it was a fun experience. Brian’s love of blues was apparent as he filled me in on the Summertime Blues Festival. This Nanaimo event runs from August 24-27, 2017, and feature more than 20 blues artist performing in a park with ocean views. Check out my post on FestivalSeekers and Urban Mommies to learn more.

After a short but fun day, it was time to head back home and enjoy the ferry ride while planning the rest of the summer.