BCO Coastal Gem: Tahsis

The Village of Tahsis is situated at the head of protected Tahsis Inlet, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island near Nootka Sound. The picturesque and versatile coastal village offers some of the most rugged and breathtaking scenery in British Columbia, with lush rainforest and steep mountainsides leading to the inlet waters.

 The area is best known for offering world-class sport fishing as massive runs of salmon migrate down the west of British Columbia to their spawning grounds in coastal streams and rivers. Anglers can also venture out to the Pacific Ocean where fishing is excellent for halibut, flounder, rockfish and lingcod. Crabs, prawns, shrimp, oysters and other seafood are also plentiful.

Tahsis has become an eco-tourism destination, offering access to wilderness hiking trails, caving, incredible ocean kayaking, scuba diving, wind surfing, sailing and canoeing.

Wildlife abounds in the region; black bears, wolves, cougars, Roosevelt elk and coastal black-tailed deer are frequent visitors to this area. Guests from around the world marvel at the eagles, sea lions, whales and other marine wildlife that is common in the nearby waters.

Tahsis is 150km from the major urban centre of Campbell River, and 66km from the village of Gold River. The gravel road from Gold River to Tahsis is known as the Tree to Sea Drive. There are a number of interesting sites along this drive, including the highest point at Bull Lake Summit (586m) and the Three Sisters Waterfall.

The Village has a rich history, with First Nations having been in the area for 4,000 years. As a typical west-coast resource town the village at one time had a population of 2,500. While the coastal resource base has changed, the village has maintained itself as a hub for outdoor enthusiasts and fishermen. The Tahsis Museum provides information and displays on much of the history of both the town and the area.

Lodging in the area ranges from guest houses and B&Bs to full-service marinas and a campground. The population is approx. 300 full-time residents, with many others maintaining seasonal residences.

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

Bald Eagles in Residence

Bald eagles are such a common sight around Campbell River that you are likely to see at least one on any given day. Many days, especially if you drive along the water, you will see more than one. Thanks to the same fish that bring people to our area the eagles live here year round, nesting in the trees and feeding in the local rivers and on the local beaches. Most of Vancouver Island, and certainly the central and northern parts including the smaller islands, have similar experiences when it comes to bald eagles - they are a regular part of the daily ecosystem.

People who are visitors to the area and not as familiar with the eagles often think there is another variety of eagle around, but it is usually the juvenile bald eagles they are seeing. These are a mottled brown colour and slightly larger than the adults. They are often seen in trees along the beaches and rivers where they are hoping to scavenge a free meal.

Eagles can and do fish for themselves of course, and it is quite something to watch. This one was on the west coast of the island.

So wherever you are on the island, or the smaller islands, make sure you keep an eye out for these magnificent birds. Once you start to spot them you'll be amazed at how common they really are out here.

R

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

BCO Coastal Gem: Zeballos

Gold mining created the town of Zeballos in the 1930s, when gold was discovered in the hills surrounding the small port at the mouth of the Zeballos River. The inlet was named after a Spanish lieutenant, Ciriaco Cevallos, in 1792.

At the height of the gold production, Zeballos was a thriving town of over 1500 people. However, the second world war and then a lower price of gold meant an end to the gold mines and the Village slowly reduced in size. Forestry is now the mainstay of the local economy, and approx. 100 people make Zeballos home year-round.

Zeballos calls itself the Golden Gate to the West Coast, as it offers access to Nootka Sound and the fishing on the west coast of the island, as well as the provincial parks of the northern Island (Woss, Brooks Peninsula, Cape Scott). 

With its road access and the open waters of the Pacific Ocean and the waterways of Nootka Sound beckoning, Zeballos has become a choice destination for fishing and wilderness recreation.

Zeballos is on the west coast of Vancouver Island, accessed by road from Hwy 19 just north of Woss. This is a Forest Service gravel road and can be in varying condition throughout the year.

                                     

The small coastal hamlet is located approximately 14 nautical miles from the open west coast Pacific Ocean and is 17 nautical miles from Tahsis, a small coastal community in the neighbouring inlet to the south.

There are limited services, including a medical clinic, general store, marina and boat fuel sales.

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

5 Tips to Help Sell Your Home in the Winter

There can be benefits to selling your home in the winter - fewer properties on the market means yours can stand out and be seen for instance. But there are challenges as well. These 5 tips can  help you get the most out of a winter listing!

1. Lighting

In the winter, especially on the coast where it is often grey outside in the winter months, lighting is crucial. Check that all your lights are bright, change out any weak or dim bulbs.  Look for dark areas in the house and see if lamps or strategically placed lighting will enhance those areas. Warm light in the winter is nice or try using the daylight-style bulbs.

Photo by Jean-Philippe Delberghe on Unsplash

2. Warmth

People love to feel cozy in the winter, but keep in mind that they will be coming in with coats on after being out in the cold air, so a house interior will already feel warmer to them. In other words you want the home warm but not hot. A nice throw on the couch and some soft accent pillows will enhance the cozy feeling.

Photo by Stephanie Harvey on Unsplash

3. Cleaning

In the winter when the outside spaces are dormant and cold the inside needs to shine even more.  Make sure the indoor living spaces are sparkling. Flooring in the winter can quickly become muddy and dirty, so keep watch on that. Also mud rooms and entryways in the winter quickly get cluttered with coats, boots and gear which need to be cleared away.

Photo by Crystal de Passillé-Chabot on Unsplash

4. Outdoor Lighting and Entryway

While people won’t spend as much time looking at the outside of the property in the winter, they will notice a dirty entryway or one that is not well lit. Keep it clean and bright, so the entrances are reassuring, welcoming and safe.

Photo by Nathan Walker on Unsplash

5. Bring the Outdoors In

With very little colour outside, having some fresh flowers or a plant or two inside the home improves people’s moods without them even realizing why. A kitchen or dining room table with flowers in a vase, a green plant in the living room, or even a colourful bowl of fruit can add a fresh and inviting ambiance to a home.

Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!