Lost in the Beauty of Vancouver Island By Doreen Pendgracs
(article appeared in the May/05 issue of Highways Magazine)
I love Canada - each and every part of it. But without a doubt, Vancouver Island is my favorite place in this vast country. Why? Because Vancouver Island wows you with a little bit of everything wonderful. Whether your enthusiasm for a destination is fueled by majestic snow-capped mountains, towering Douglas fir trees, endless uncrowded beaches, an abundance of uninhibited wildlife, or assorted cultural endeavors that will satisfy even the most refined palette, you'll find it on Vancouver Island.
Located just off the coast of southern British Columbia, Vancouver Island is a short ferry ride from the mainland. The routes are serviced by BC Ferries, who offer two major passenger ferry routes and accept RV's of all sizes. Full meal service is available on board in addition to a couple of small shops featuring local books, souvenirs, and t-shirts.
If you are coming up the west coast from Washington, your best bet is to take the ferry from Tsawwassen to Duke Point, for a nice short two-hour ferry ride. From here, you have a very short drive to Nanaimo, a smaller city of 73,000 located across the Strait of Georgia from Vancouver.
About two hours from Nanaimo on the west coast of the island, you'll find the scenic communities of Tofino and Ucluelet which both offer excellent whale watching tours, a proximity to the breath-taking Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and its star attraction, Long Beach - roughly 14 miles in length. Be aware that this part of the island gets some pretty wild weather! If you're a storm-watcher, you're likely to catch the best ocean storms here during the winter months.
The west coast of Vancouver Island offers an assortment of fantastic camping opportunities. There is rustic government-run camping available within the park and there is full-service privately-run camping in the surrounding communities. Tofino is much busier with tourists, but offers a wider variety of services. Ucluelet is quieter and more peaceful. The choice is yours.
It is about a five-hour drive from the wilds of the west coast to the civilized culture of Victoria on the southern tip of the island. If you prefer to head directly to Victoria from the US-Canada border, you will board the Tsawwassen ferry destined for Swartz Bay, a short drive from the city.
If you are starting your tour of Vancouver Island from BC's lower mainland, hopefully, you'll make time to see the sights of Vancouver, voted one of the most beautiful cities in the world. From here, you can board the ferry at Horseshoe Bay in North Vancouver. In the course of an hour and a half, the ferry will take you to the Departure Bay terminal on the island, within minutes of Nanaimo and only 45-minutes from Parksville.
Parksville is a full-service community of about 9,000 people. Although it doesn't have a hospital, Parksville does have a walk-in clinic and many other facilities and services for your everyday needs - including some great campgrounds.
As well, Parksville is home to Milner Gardens & Woodland, an inspiring place with magnificent Douglas firs towering along its walking paths. During the summer months, the wonderful gardens and tea room await you. The season for tours at Milner Gardens runs from April 1st through to Canadian Thanksgiving (the second weekend of October.) They also have a special Christmas Lights Festival that runs from the last week of November through the first week of December. I can only imagine how beautiful this idyllic setting must be all decked with holiday lights.
Although I love Vancouver Island from tip to tip, my favorite area runs between the dual communities of Parksville/Qualicum Beach -- partly because it is known for its abundance of sunshine, but also for the natural, small-town, laid-back, feel of the area
The respect for nature is celebrated in the area's annual Brant Wildlife Festival, held each spring during which thousands of Brant geese stop enroute to Alaska. The festival offers a wonderful art and photography show as well as some of the best of North American woodcarvers and their work. There are also several special eco-events to take in during the festival weekend.
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The village of Qualicum has a beach resort-style atmosphere and a resident population of about 8,000. Qualicum has some interesting shops and a large grocery store. The townís appreciation of natural beauty was recently recognized with a "Communities in Bloom" award. Mount Washington, just an hour away, offers some great downhill skiing during the winter and early spring.
For those who prefer the excitement and ambiance of a cosmopolitan city, Victoria is a must-see. The provincial capital of British Columbia and largest city on Vancouver Island with a population of just over 325,000, Victoria has a dynamic harbor front, with plenty of activity happening year round.
Recommended activities include a harbor tour, horse-drawn wagon or carriage ride, a tour of the Legislative Buildings, and "High Tea" at the Empress Hotel. Thereís camping available all around the city, including some cliff-top sites at West Bay.
And if you love flowers, Victoria is definitely the place to be. The city is beautiful any time of year, but particularly from February until November, when fresh flowers brighten every street and garden. Victoria is also home to Butchart Gardens, a 55-acre property that's just finished celebrating 100 years in boisterous bloom. You can spend hours meandering through this spectacular place. Be sure to allow yourself time to enjoy lunch or a refreshment in their lovely restaurant.
If you're like my husband and I and are a fan of fascinating books, be sure to drop into Munro's Books on Government Street. They have a fantastic selection of books by local authors. And if youíre also like us and prefer to eat healthy, for your grocery needs, drop into the wonderful organic Market on Yates, located at the corner of Yates and Quadra. They have a wide selection of healthy eats and custom ground coffees.
I could go on and on about the virtues of Vancouver Island. Come visit and see for yourself.
Resources:
To get to Vancouver Island, contact BC Ferries at www.bcferries.com or call toll-free 1-888-724-5223. You will need to call (604) 444-2890 if calling from outside of BC.
For more information about Vancouver Island, visit www.islands.bc.ca. If you're a golfer, and are interested in an island golf vacation, visit www.golfvancouverisland.ca or call toll-free 1-888-GOLF-239. Courses are open year round, although some areas have wet weather from December through February.
For more information about Parksville/Qualicum Beach, visit www.oceansidetourism.com or call (250) 752-2388.
For more information about the Brant Wildlife Festival, visit: www.brantfestival.bc.ca.
For more about Victoria, visit www.tourismvictoria.com or call toll-free 1-800-663-3883
For more general information about the province of British Columbia, visit www.HelloBC.com or call toll-free 1-800-HelloBC.