Not so far from here
I have recently returned from a Realtor’s’ version of a vacation from lovely Hornby Island, my personal favourite Gulf Island. While it can be a long and painful trip from the lower mainland, it is a breeze from the Comox Valley. I was also recently on Decourcey Island and have just come back from a night on Quadra this past weekend , also easy trips from the Valley. Being closer to the remote recreational spots is another great reason Small Town Livin’(g) is a lovely way to live.
Getting to unique and secluded locations is actually doable , so you do. Vacationing with kids and family from afar does not need the additional stress of long travel time. There are lifetimes of adventure to be had on the Island , from seashore to alpine. Every community on the Island has mountain bike trails. There are many deserted beaches still to explore on the west coast and even more seashore on the eastern side of the island. From the Southern Gulf Island to Port Hardy the maritime exploring is endless. Strathcona Park offers and Alpine experience to rival the Mainland coast mountains and the Rockies. When you live here all of those places are reasonable to reach.
Hornby Island is a national treasure, I can’t think of a nicer beach then Tribune bay. The mountain bike trails are brilliantly designed and maintained. They are ridable by all level of bikers and a fantastic place to get introduced to the sport. I have considered a trail review, but the area is so contained and the trails so accessible that it just isn’t necessary. Buy a map at the bike/sports shop and you will be fine. My brother in law from Montreal was thrilled to ride the trails there after not mtn biking for many years. He rode my twenty year old Gary Fisher and had a blast. We did a route on my birthday that really highlighted the unique micro environments of the island, from cliffside arbutus to rainforest moss covered floors. I am looking forward to next summers trip and hope that my siblings and some friends will once again converge at the same time to that magic little island. I have been visiting every year for almost fifteen years and I am always amazed at how the world melts away once you get off the ferry and drive onto Hornby.
- Almost at the top of Devils Kitchen
Decourcey Island is another little gem, that is found in the Southern Gulf Islands, it is also another pain in the ass location if you are not on the island. The Southern Gulf Islands are another national treasure that should be experienced by all Canadians. Decourcey is a non ferry island that is overrun with arbutus trees, solitude and quiet. There is a lovely marine park, a gorgeous walking park and is next to a wonderful cruising area . If you have a boat there are endless sandstone beaches and uninhabited islets to explore. An old friend picked me up south of Nanaimo at a boat launch and away we went.
The last island that visited this year was Quadra and it was far too short a visit. The island is very different from it’s southern cousins. It feels like a place that is a real working community and has been for many years. We went for a swim at Rebecca spit, which was a little colder then Hornby, but very lovely. My father in law managed to have a great day fishing with my nephews and we had a lovely dinner at The Herriot Bay Inn. I look forward to getting back there and exploring the Island. What struck me most about Quadra is how large it is and the feeling that you were in remote BC. the surrounding waters are supposed to be a kayakers heaven, with lots of protected bays and marine parks.
So Small Town Livin(g) is also about getting out of the small town and living. When it is easier to get away, you do. After a wonderful summer of exploring this island and the smaller islands I have realised that I don’t spend enough time exploring the remote areas near the Comox Valley and I am making a personal vow to go where I have not gone before.
Risk. Without it there is no reward.
Summer has finally arrived and have just had my first swim in the lake. The children declared it too cold, but it was fine. The cooler temperatures have been great for bike riding and I have rediscovered many old school xc trails with my kids, who are starting to enjoy the sport. After picking away at it for the last six months I have finally finished my trail review of Forbidden Plateau. It is fairly comprehensive and would be helpful for hikers or runners.
The market remains a bit of a butterfly, and solidly sits in the buyers favor. High end homes remain on the market and affordable family homes in good conditions with attractive prices ( late 06- mid 07) are selling. I have had some great success in saving my buyers money off the list price and the motivated vendors appear to be accepting that it is indeed a buyers market.
The Comox Valley is often perceived as a retirement area, but my recent work indicates the opposite. Over 70 % of my buyers this year are either new to the area, are buying a first time or are upgrading from an entry level home. Despite the drop of Albertans retiring here ( have fun with 40 degrees in the desert), young people are throwing away perfectly good careers and moving to this valley for the quality of life . Family , friends, food and wine is about all we really have in this world, so if chasing the golden monkey is your thing, then I suppose no one can change your mind that there is more to life.
Risk. Without it there is no reward.
Anyone who is out there reading this, in your cramped urban quarters, and is planning a trip to the area get a hold of me and I will give you a free ( you might have to buy me a coffee) tour of the area and the different zones. I recently met a young family from Vancouver and will be surprised if they donʼt come back for good. I enjoy showing people around the valley and most of you will be surprised at the value and variety.
Delay no longer, seize this moment, there is a way out . Risk will equal reward.
Gotta go swimming at the lake, Iʼve got this great spot, a glacier view and no people….
Please forward on and push out to your social media my blog if you think that it is even near interesting.
I want to ride my bicycle
I boasted of the skiing, which to be fair is not always as good as the last season, but now I want to boast about summer time fun. While it is possible to ride twelve months of the year, I generally ride after the ski season (unless snow is crap). The trails are in better condition and clear of snow. While many of the trails in the Valley can be ridden wet (some of them are much more fun that way) it is generally a better time when dry. I have written a comprehensive trail review that is inside of the recreation page so I wonʼt get to detailed on routed but I would like to talk about the over all scene.
Stand there with your gear on, staring at a map with a confused look on your face and I can pretty much guarantee a local will ask if you if you need any help with directions. I personally have done it many times and witnessed other do it and it has been offered to me by other valley residents who donʼt know me. NICE.
Like the ski hill, you will find a general lack of Dude Attitude within the bike community, whether that be on the trails, in the bike shops or in the parking lots. We live here, we love and we hope that new residents and visitors can enjoy what we love. There is in fact what I would call the opposite of Dude Attitude- The Friendly Hoser, relaxed and always happy to share directions. If you want to ride the best trails for your ability and donʼt have an idea what to do, all you have to do is park in one of two parking lots and wait for some bikers. Stand there with your gear on, staring at a map with a confused look on your face and I can pretty much guarantee a local will ask if you if you need any help with directions. I personally have done it many times and witnessed other do it and it has been offered to me by other valley residents who donʼt know me. NICE.
That is another key component of Small Town Livin. When faced with a choice of A. have an attitude and ignore someone who might need help or B. offer help in a friendly and unobtrusive manner, STL says pick B. Why not be nice to people you donʼt know and may never see again? Just be nice when given the option. Unlike fresh powder I am always happy to share my thoughts on what might be the right trail for a biker unfamiliar with the area.
I have ridden all over the North Shore, Whistler, Squamish and the Sunshine coast. There is great bike trails in all of those places. Hands down the North Shore is more extreme, Whistler has more xc in the valley and the park is simply the worldʼs best. But for me biking is not just about the trail or the bragging rights go along with tackling the famous or extreme . It is a social activity that I do with buddies who have some variance in their skill level but who all love it and want to get some fun exercise . Biking in Valley is so varied that whatever kind of trail you love is here . Chances are the only time you will see anyone is in the parking lot. But you will see plenty of great views and if you want to go for a swim in a pristine lake or river when youʼre finished, well itʼs right there at the end of the trail. Simply put it is my opinion that this valley cannot be beat for the variety and fun factor that the Cumberland and Forbidden trail networks offer.
