Campbell River Carvings

One of the things Campbell River is known for, aside from fishing, is its many carvings around town. Most of these have come from the Transformations on the Shore competition, which this year got underway yesterday (June 26).

 This event brings carvers from across North America to Campbell River, where they compete in a number of categories over a five day period. It draws a great many people to Frank James Park, along the water in Willow Point, to watch the carvers as they take a massive trunk and turn it into a work of art.

At the end of the event some carvings are sold, some are kept in private collections, and the majority are distributed around town. To date there are more than 300 carvings decorating the landscape of Campbell River.

If you have the opportunity, take the time to visit the carvers over the week-end and watch the amazing Transformations!

(Carvings shown are from the 2012 competition.)

 

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Pass It On!

Coastal Hidden Gems: San Josef Bay

When people think of Cape Scott Provincial Park on Vancouver Island, they usually think rugged, remote, hiking and back country camping. Generally they'd be right, but there is one exception.

San Josef Bay, on the south-western edge of the park, is easily accessible. The trail head starts at the parking lot, which is at the end of a large gravel road. The trail itself is surfaced with crushed material and is even navigable by high clearance strollers and assisted wheel chairs. It is an easy 35-45 minute leisurely walk to the beaches through rain forest. If you look closely as you walk you can see evidence of the settlers that at one time tried to tame the wilderness of Cape Scott and there are interpretive signs along the way that explain that history. The scenery is amazing.

The beaches are nothing short of spectacular, with sandy shores that run for miles, broken into two beaches by amazing rock formations.

 

This coastal gem is worth the drive to the top of the island, the memories of it will remain with you long after your visit.

 

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Pass It On!

Marine Traffic

The waterways off Vancouver Island are a highway for all manner of boats. While most people associate fishing - both commercial and recreational - with the area, the marine traffic is made up of much more than just fishing boats of all sizes.

 commercial fishing vessel off Malcolm Island

 

Ferry boats are a way of life for many islanders. These rugged vessels carry passengers and vehicles year-round on the east side of Vancouver Island, although serious weather can postpone a trip or two!

on the deck of the Malcolm Island ferry from Port McNeill

Quadra Island ferry running to Campbell River

 

Barges are a common sight as well. These ocean trucks carry goods to the islands and central BC coast, with the help of the rugged tugboats.

 

Barge on its way through Discovery Passage

 

Frequently navy boats are seen in the waters off the island, both on the east and west coasts.

Navy vessel off Nanaimo

 

The biggest boats that use the marine highway around the central and northern end of the island (the southern end around Victoria does see a fair bit of large freighter traffic as they head out to open waters from Vancouver and Washington State) are cruise ships. These are a regular sight in the spring and summer months, and if you see them from close in they are amazingly big!

Norwegian Sun cruise ship in Discovery Passage

 

The waterways of Vancouver Island are vibrant and busy, keeping goods and people moving to and from the island. Add in the pleasure boats, sail boats, kayaks and so on - and at the height of summer the marine traffic can outnumber the road traffic around many island communities!

 

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Pass It On!







 







Winter Harbour

Tucked away on the North-West coast of Vancouver Island is the small fishing community of Winter Harbour.

This quaint village boasts access to some of the best west coast fishing on the island coast. One of the major benefits is that the village is road accessible from the North Island Hwy just south of Port Hardy, thanks to a major gravel road (watch for the very large logging trucks on this road).

The community itself has full service properties and a lovely boardwalk that runs along the oceanfront.

Fishing is the main activity, although there are some hiking paths near-by and it is also a great base for exploring further north to Raft Cove, Palmerston Bay and even San Josef Bay.

 



Winter Harbour is definitely one place to add to the list of out-of-the-way Vancouver Island communities worth seeing.

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Pass It On!