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Chapter 22, Van Islanders

Members of chapter 22 are extremely proud of Vancouver Island and the many opportunities it presents for cultural and recreational activities. We would love to share these with you.

Vancouver Island lies in a Northwest to Southeast direction on the southwestern coast of British Columbia. It is 282 miles long (as the crow flies) and 62 miles wide. The total area is about 16,000 square miles. The population is approximately 750, 000 people.

The island is accessible by air or by ferry. For people with RVs the ferry is definitely the way to go. Ferries leave from Vancouver, BC and Port Angeles, Washington. Since ferry fares are not inexpensive these days, it’s best to amortize the cost by spending three or four weeks. That’s where members of our chapter come in. We are anxious to tell you about the “hot spots” on the island, the campgrounds, and the things to do and see. In other words, we’d like to be your tour guide. The island has just about any thing you would like and if we don’t have it, you probably don’t need it. For instance:

The capital of the Province, Victoria. You could easily spend two weeks here visiting such sights as Butchart Gardens, the capital buildings, (take a picture of them at night), Craigdarroch castle (a real castle built for his bride by an early coal baron.) Walk the downtown area and watch the buskers in the inner harbour. Have high tea at the Empress Hotel or fish and chips on the wharf where the fishing boats tie up. And don’t miss the Royal British Columbia Museum, one of the best values in the city. There is so much to do in the city. This is just a sample. Vancouver Island also boasts:

Hiking—the Galloping Goose Trail is one of the finest urban trails in the country. or try some of the wilderness hikes on the west coast. The shipwreck trail is a 7 day hike which will test the mettle of the most ardent hiker.
Boating—bring your own, charter one, or take a ride on the MV Lady Rose, a work boat which brings supplies and equipment to the villages along the Alberni Canal. It
goes all the way to the Pacific ocean stopping at Bamfield (and some days to the Broken Islands if there are kayakers to be dropped off). It makes a round trip daily from Port Alberni. A sister ship makes a similar, but overnight trip to Tahsis. It leaves from Gold River. Both boats welcome tourists.
Golf—Courses range from the Jack Nicklaus designed course “Bear Mountain” just outside Victoria to many par three and executive courses up and down the island,

On your way up island visit Duncan, known as the “City of Totems” because of over 40 totems lining the streets. Wonder at the murals in Chemainus which depict the history of this small community. They have a great live theatre there as well. Nanaimo is home to Malaspina University College. Visit and drink in the wonderful views from the campus. Nanaimo, as well Victoria, is a terminus for the ferries from Vancouver. There is a wonderful waterfront walk that stretches from the ferry dock to down town.

As long as you’ve come this far, you might as well head for 11 miles of sandy beaches at Pacific Rim National Park. Long Beach is rapidly becoming a fine surfing destination. Rent a board and try your hand (or feet) at it. Tofino and Uclulet are sleepy fishing villages in the winter, but come alive with trendy shops and tourist activities in the summer.

Now take in the rugged north part of the island. Visit Alert Bay and one of the finest Native Museums on the island. Visit the Long House and photograph the many totems.

After you’ve visited the coastal communities, hiked, looked at the wild life and taken many memorable pictures, take the ferry back to the mainland via the Port Hardy to Prince Rupert run and continue your adventure from there. You can head to Alaska from there or make a circle trip back to Vancouver. COME PLAY WITH US. This could rate as your “trip of a life time”..
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Chapter Voice Mail Information: 888-757-7701 ext. 8022