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Read Reviews on YelpWhat started out as a beautiful day yesterday here on Gabriola turned into an intense yet short storm unlike what we have seen in recent years. From out of no where the atmospheric pressure dropped quickly, and 100 km/hr wind came up blowing and chaos ensued. 30 minutes later the power was out to the entire island (still many without power this morning) and the worst of the weather had passed.
I had pleasant day this weekend driving visitors around for a scenic tour which brought us to Degnen Bay with its deep water and sheltered anchorage, it was nice
to stop for a while and enjoy the view.
A call from friends in the morning and we were meeting them at the El Verano boat launch at two. With a small propane barbeque and food for the grill, a bottle of wine and some blankets we were ready for an afternoon picnic. A short boat ride and we arrived at Oak Island. Oh oh, it’s a long weekend with beautiful weather and people are on our island with the same idea! No problem, 15 minutes more and we are stepping off the little aluminum outboard and on
to Valdez Island. This part of the island belongs to the Lyackson First Nation and they graciously share with boaters who are respectful of the land. We had a lovely picnic and while we were enjoying the sunshine and the view some friends in the cutest little boat stopped by to say hi. This is gulf island lifestyle at its best!
One of the wonderful things about living close to the ocean is seaweed. It is the best fertilizer for your garden and so easy to collect from the beach, plus it’
s free. We have a small trailer that we hook up to our car and use garbage cans to transport the seaweed from the beach. Seaweed breaks down quickly, adds trace minerals to the soil, and does not promote weed growth like horse manure does. Some of our most productive vegetable gardening years have been due in part to seaweed. This picture was taken at Pilot Bay on Gabriola.
National Geographic Traveler has named the Gulf Islands 7th in a list of the world’s 99 best coastal destinations - ”Scattered across the Georgia Strait between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia, the Gulf Islands enjoy a surprisingly dry and balmy climate. Residents generally place a high importance on the quality of the environment and the way of life on the islands, and tourism is sustainably managed.” Breathtaking scenery and laid-back lifestyles were also mentioned.
Gabriola Island is the most northerly of the southern Gulf Islands. Click here for write-up of the Gulf Islands.
A completely refurbished Quinsam is back in service on Gabriola. On Tuesday we said goodbye to the Bowen Queen who happily serviced us for the past 6 months and welcomed back our old friend. BC Ferries spent 16 million in a 2 phase project that is meant to add 17 years of life to this 28 year old ferry. This was considered a complete rebuild of the ship and in their words “the result is a quieter, safer, cleaner, more fuel efficient vessel”. The terminals on both sides of the route have also been upgraded providing us with a safer more modern facility all round.
We had a wonderful and sunny Earth Day here on Gabriola and we celebrated in one of the best places possible, our fantastic Descanso Bay Regional Park! Both of my daughters and my niece attend the same preschool and today’s class was held at the park with a fabulous talk about the intertidal zone, forest zones and the plants and animals that exist within all. The kids were also taught not to litter, to put all critters back where they found them and not to bring home things in their pockets:) This wonderful walk was followed by much deserved snacks, hot chocolate and stories. The kids were exceptional and had a really nice time. A big thanks to everybody involved in organizing this day, we are so lucky to live in such a special community!
Earth Day is coming up on April 22, this Thursday! To help celebrate my daughter’s preschool class is going to Descanso Bay Regional Park. Once there they will be lead by Natalie Godin in a nature walk and beach/foreshore exploration. Descanso Bay Park is also home to Gabriola’s fantastic campground which we use in the summer when we only have a short time to get away. The beach is sandstone and small pebble and there is both a lovely meadow and much forested area so it will be perfect for a guided walk for the preschoolers. The kids are very excited about both the field trip and Earth Day! My oldest says it is a time when we are reminded to take care of the Earth by turn off the water and lights when not using, make less garbage and eat good food:) Kids are so smart!
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There are a great many public beach accesses on Gabriola, this one is at the end of Malaspina Drive where there is a little park and the point separates the beach in Taylor Bay from the rock shelf of the Malaspina Galleries. This is a great swimming spot in the summer for teens and adults, a good spot to watch the yearly bathtub races, and an attractive place to hang out on any nice day.
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Robyn & Carly McMahon and unlicensed assistant Lesley McMahon, your Gabriola Island Real Estate Sales Team
Located at The Folklife Village, #1-575 North Road, Gabriola BC, Canada V0R 1X3
Toll Free 1.877.422.8455 or Local 247.2088 or email mcmahon@gabriolaproperty.com
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