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| A Woman's Directory For Travel and Life. WAVE Journey is your one stop online resource for women oriented businesses and services around the world. Sunshine Coast; An Eco Adventure, Whatever the Weather ~ Article by Jane Cassie, photos by Brent Cassie Continued on next page. |
| WAVE Journey |
| Women's Adventures, Vacations & Experiences ~ Your Journey Starts Here! |
What’s one thing that most people hope for when planning a vacation? Good weather, right? It’s
always top priority on my travel wish list. So, as we load onto the BC ferry, bound for Langdale,
my spirits literally dampen when pellet-size droplets spill from the swollen skies.
“Maybe the Sunshine Coast will live up to its name,” my optimistically-minded husband says, from
beneath his protective umbrella. “I’ve heard the odds are pretty good.”
always top priority on my travel wish list. So, as we load onto the BC ferry, bound for Langdale,
my spirits literally dampen when pellet-size droplets spill from the swollen skies.
“Maybe the Sunshine Coast will live up to its name,” my optimistically-minded husband says, from
beneath his protective umbrella. “I’ve heard the odds are pretty good.”
While some veer into the seaside town of Gibsons, and home of Molly’s Reach, we take the
high road. Gnarled arbutus trees and bushy evergreens frame our peek-a-boo ocean views
where kayakers, canoeists and sailors ply protected waterways. Land lovers are lured to the
Mother lode of ‘grounded’ adventures; nature walks, hiking trails, picnic pull-ins and
campgrounds –everything from rustic backwoods sites to lush parks that are packed with
amenities.
high road. Gnarled arbutus trees and bushy evergreens frame our peek-a-boo ocean views
where kayakers, canoeists and sailors ply protected waterways. Land lovers are lured to the
Mother lode of ‘grounded’ adventures; nature walks, hiking trails, picnic pull-ins and
campgrounds –everything from rustic backwoods sites to lush parks that are packed with
amenities.
We coast through the laid-back community of Robert’s Creek, parallel the promenade that rims
Davis Bay and tootle along Sechelt’s main drag. This thriving hub that’s well rooted by Coast
Salish heritage is linked by a slender isthmus to BC’s mainland. An inland sea, gouged out by
the melting ice age 10,000 years ago, fills the gap in between. Today, this tranquil waterway
is rated one of the top 100 dive sites in the world, and the sunken HMCS Chaudiere provides a
flourishing reef.
Davis Bay and tootle along Sechelt’s main drag. This thriving hub that’s well rooted by Coast
Salish heritage is linked by a slender isthmus to BC’s mainland. An inland sea, gouged out by
the melting ice age 10,000 years ago, fills the gap in between. Today, this tranquil waterway
is rated one of the top 100 dive sites in the world, and the sunken HMCS Chaudiere provides a
flourishing reef.
He’s absolutely right. It’s reported that this lush 180
kilometer (110 mi) strip of shoreline, sandwiched
between Pacific waves and coastal peaks, receives
around 2,400 hours of annual sun. Though it’s a little
premature to dig out the sun block, my fingers are
crossed.
Our island-studded cruise of Howe Sound is scenic and
smooth, and by the time we bridge the forty minute
waterway my weather wish comes true. A few meager
rays break through the thick grey dome above and
brighten the adventuresome route that waits ahead.
kilometer (110 mi) strip of shoreline, sandwiched
between Pacific waves and coastal peaks, receives
around 2,400 hours of annual sun. Though it’s a little
premature to dig out the sun block, my fingers are
crossed.
Our island-studded cruise of Howe Sound is scenic and
smooth, and by the time we bridge the forty minute
waterway my weather wish comes true. A few meager
rays break through the thick grey dome above and
brighten the adventuresome route that waits ahead.
Situated at the southern end of this idyllic inlet is
Porpoise Bay Provincial Park, just one of the
pleasure stops that dot the shoreline. Tall timbers
shade the grassy areas and a sandy beachfront
skirts the bay. As well being a drawing card for
families, kayakers take to these still waters,
floatplanes view them from above, and anchored
yachts bob here in regal style.
Porpoise Bay Provincial Park, just one of the
pleasure stops that dot the shoreline. Tall timbers
shade the grassy areas and a sandy beachfront
skirts the bay. As well being a drawing card for
families, kayakers take to these still waters,
floatplanes view them from above, and anchored
yachts bob here in regal style.
Although it all looks inviting, we keep on trekking –along Halfmoon Bay, beyond the alluring
picnic grounds of Coopers Green Regional Park and past the hidden gem of Secret Cove.
picnic grounds of Coopers Green Regional Park and past the hidden gem of Secret Cove.
Finally we meander into Pender Harbour, a
waterfront enclave that collectively unites the
communities of Madeira Park, Garden Bay and Irving’
s Landing. Inlets are sculpted into the lush shoreline,
lakes are carved into the wooded hillsides and islets
dot the aquatic perimeters. It’s not surprising that
this stunning seascape has been coined ‘Venice of
the North.’ We also discover that it’s one epic
playground!
waterfront enclave that collectively unites the
communities of Madeira Park, Garden Bay and Irving’
s Landing. Inlets are sculpted into the lush shoreline,
lakes are carved into the wooded hillsides and islets
dot the aquatic perimeters. It’s not surprising that
this stunning seascape has been coined ‘Venice of
the North.’ We also discover that it’s one epic
playground!
Before expending any energy, we re-fuel at the
Copper Sky Café and Gallery, a funky eatery that
combines home cooking with artisan treasures.
With mile-high sandwiches and scrumptious pastry
under our belt, we’re ready for action and Andy
Cardiff, owner of Malaspina Water Taxi has plenty
of it to dish out. He’s been the skipper of his ocean
going cruisers and kayaks since 2005 and it’s easy
to see he’s in his glory. “I operate year-round, 24/
7,” he says with a wide grin. “And to me, this kind
of work is playtime.”
Copper Sky Café and Gallery, a funky eatery that
combines home cooking with artisan treasures.
With mile-high sandwiches and scrumptious pastry
under our belt, we’re ready for action and Andy
Cardiff, owner of Malaspina Water Taxi has plenty
of it to dish out. He’s been the skipper of his ocean
going cruisers and kayaks since 2005 and it’s easy
to see he’s in his glory. “I operate year-round, 24/
7,” he says with a wide grin. “And to me, this kind
of work is playtime.”