Gabriola Island Lifestyle Blog

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Mt. Washington day trip

Thursday, December 29th, 2011

One of the wonderful things about Gabriola being so close to Vancouver Island is the ease at which we can make a day trip up to Mt. Washington. Yesterday for a treat we took the family, including my sister-in-law visiting from Toronto, up to the mountain to go snow tubing for the afternoon. What a treat for the girls, the snow was falling and they felt as though they were in heaven.  Our 4 year old was a bit scared and decided she would tube down with me which was a blast for both of us. The eldest whom loves roller coasters was vibrating with excitement and after whipping down the hill the first time decided that she could do this forever. It was quite reasonably priced at $49 for the family for 2 hours which is plenty of time for the adults of the group (I think the kids could have gone all day). Next time up there the girls have expressed interest in skiing (I think the idea of hurtling down the hill at breakneck speed appeals to them), I on the other hand would love to try cross-country skiing.

Posted in Daytripping on Vancouver Island, family life, fitness, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, Gulf Island Lifestyle, Holidays and Special Events, Kids, People, west coast, West Coast Living | No Comments »

Happy Holidays to all

Saturday, December 24th, 2011

Wishing you a Happy Holidays and wonderful 2012 from our family to yours. May you be surrounded by love, warmth and light this holiday season!

All the best,

Carly, Robyn, and Lesley McMahon

Posted in family life, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, Holidays and Special Events, Kids, People, west coast, West Coast Living | No Comments »

Gift Giving Gabriola Style

Monday, November 28th, 2011

This year I have made a pact that the majority of my Christmas gifts will be locally bought from our incredible selection of local merchants and artists. You may ask “How do you decide where to go as they are all so fantastic?” and you would be right! I usually start at the craft fairs in the hopes of finding locally crafted items to send to Ontario, sending them a little “Gabriola Style” every year. This year was fun (as usual) as I picked up items at “Crafted Booty” and the Rollo Center Christmas Craft Fair. As for my own family members here on Island I tend to shop around for them until I find the right thing that is just for them. The Gabriola Island Elementary School Christmas Craft Fair is this coming Saturday at the school and as well as the craft fair there is the Silent Auction where you can pick-up a plethora of local good and gift certificates to local merchants.

For your ease of shopping I will list some of my favorites for gifts big and small and some great ideas for stocking stuffers!

North Road Sports – Great clothing, shoes, and accessories for anybody in your life

Slice of Life Gallery – Local artists as well as imported items, bright colors and great atmosphere

Mad Rona’s – Gift certificates, apparel, and to-go cups

Woodfire Restaurant – Gift certificates and specialty foods

Village Liquor Store – Great selection of wines, beers, and scotch among others

Raspberries Cafe – Gift certificates

Artworks – Local artists, home decor, gift certificates, apparel, and so much more

Wooden Hanger – Lovely boutique clothing and accessories

IDA Pharmacy – Home wares, decorations, children’s toys, cards etc.

Village Foods – Specialty Foods and gift certificates

Robert’s Place Restaurant- Gift Certificates

Harvest Thyme Restaurant – Gift Certificates, books, and some gift wares

Colleen’s Home Center – Housewares, apparel, baby clothes and toys, shoes

Madd Art – Hemp clothing, giftwares

Silva Bay Pub and Restaurant – Gift Certificates

Gabriola Arts Council – list of all the artists that belong to GAC www.gabriolaartscouncil.org

And check out the Gabriola Chamber of Commerce webpage for more links to local businesses.

Have fun shopping…I know I will!

Posted in Buy Local, family life, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, Gulf Island Lifestyle, Healthy Living, Holidays and Special Events, Kids, People, Shopping on Gabriola, The Arts, west coast, West Coast Living | No Comments »

Wild Weather on Gabriola

Saturday, November 12th, 2011

What 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.

Posted in At the Sea, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, Gulf Island Lifestyle, Weather, west coast, West Coast Living | No Comments »

Gabriola Ferry Diverting to Duke Point

Friday, August 12th, 2011

This morning at approximately 3:45 am there was an incident with an asphalt truck falling through the trestle at the Nanaimo side terminal of the Gabriola Ferry. Click here to see the story at the Gabriola Sounder page for more information or go to BC Ferries for the service notice. Photo by William Basaraba

Posted in Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, Gulf Island Lifestyle, People, west coast, West Coast Living | No Comments »

Camping…

Friday, July 29th, 2011

We were able to spend 4 days and 3 nights camping at Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island and the trip was spectacular! The weather cooperated and it felt like summer the entire time which for anybody who has been on the west coast this summer knows those days have been few and far between. We had one of the nicest if not the nicest campsite we have ever found with a beautiful waterfront to spend our afternoons sitting in the sun gazing out across the lake.  Just moments away was a wonderful swimming beach complete with raft for diving off of.  The kids adored this place and were quite sad that we had to pack up and come home. So lucky that this is only a short trip from home, about 2 hours from Gabriola.

Posted in Camping on Vancouver Island, Daytripping on Vancouver Island, family life, Flora and Fauna, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, Gulf Island Lifestyle, Healthy Living, Kids, west coast, West Coast Living | No Comments »

Winter Day

Monday, January 17th, 2011

They have told us to be prepared for one of the coldest winters on record.  Yesterday, as if mother nature was thumbing her nose at the whole idea, the afternoon temperature crept up to an absolute balmy 15 C and sunny. We spent the afternoon outside walking in the woods and checking out our pond which is much larger than usual (In the picture the pond usually ends at the brush in the background).  The girls had a blast pretending to fish and splashing in the water.  What a treat in the middle of what should have been a winter day!

Posted in family life, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, greener living, Gulf Island Lifestyle, Kids, People, west coast, West Coast Living | No Comments »

Snow Day

Monday, January 10th, 2011

It was a beautiful day yesterday, the snow fell most of the night and the clouds parted to give us a beautiful and sunny winter day.  The kids and the dog spent as much time as possible outside knowing that the snow never stays long enough for their liking.  We went for a wonderful afternoon walk and came in to have hot chocolate and oatmeal cookies. It was a wonderful day!

Posted in family life, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, Gulf Island Lifestyle, Healthy Living, Kids, Recreation on Gabriola, Weather, west coast, West Coast Living | No Comments »

Thanks to all and a Happy Holiday!

Saturday, December 18th, 2010

Thanks to all who made it out to the studio today for the Gabriola Winter Art Affair, it was a fantastic event!  To all who receive the gifts we hope you love them even more than we do, locally made is extra special!  Also a very happy holidays to all, may it be full of warmth, family, friends and laughter.  Here’s to a great last 2 weeks of 2010 and a smile to the year to come, may 2011 be a wonderfully special year with new adventures and experiences. Thanks for all the support and business we have received this year, you are all wonderful in your own special way and we appreciate all of you!

“Ther are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward”

Kahlil Gibran


Posted in Buy Local, Crafts, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, Gulf Island Lifestyle, Holidays and Special Events, People, Shopping on Gabriola, The Arts, Uncategorized, west coast, West Coast Living | No Comments »

West Coast Weather

Saturday, March 13th, 2010


We woke to rain this morning followed quickly by snow with flakes the size of snowballs. We had already decided to take the girls to Beban Park to go swimming. By the time we hit Nanaimo the snow was coming fast and furious but by the time we left the pool the sun was trying to peak through and all trace of the white stuff was gone! As we were waiting for the ferry back to Gabriola my husband snapped a picture of a rainbow with his IPhone. What a crazy day for weather but I really appreciate that by mid afternoon our back deck was dry and the sun was shining! I love this place.

Posted in family life, fitness, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, Weather, west coast, West Coast Living | No Comments »

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