A WRITER'S RETREAT ON GAMBIER ISLAND

We are fortunate here on the west coast of Canada, to have a great many islands where we can go for leisure time.  Many of the islands have permanent residents, some folks just have  summer homes, a few have B&Bs for visitors, and there are many with camp sites and organized camps for kids.

Horseshoe Bay Marina

Gambier Island is one of those located in Howe Sound, near Vancouver, with easy access by either sea taxi from Horseshoe Bay or via sea taxi at Langdale. There are a number of quiet coves on the island popular with boaters.

Howe Sound

BC Ferries

Sea taxi

Gambier is the largest of four islands in Howe Sound.  It's approximately twenty-five square miles with only 125 permanent residents most of them located in New Brighton, Gambier Harbour and West Bay.  There's usually more in the summer. The island currently doesn't have any commercial enterprises.  There was a general store but it closed a couple of years ago and there is one bed and breakfast. The Gambier Community Centre is the only public facility.

The Halkett Bay Provincial Park is located on the southeast side of the island.  Gambier hosts an annual "Commotion by the Ocean" blues and rock festival each summer.  It's famous for Camp Artaban, an Anglican camp for children, youth and adults and Camp Fircom, a United Church summer camp for children, youth and families, located near Halkett Bay.  At Camp Latona, an outdoor education center and youth summer camp on the north end of the island, there are hiking trails, rental for schools and private groups who want to learn about ecology.  It's also used as a corporate retreat.

The island was named in 1869 by Captain Richards, one of the British captains whose survey ships were playing the waters of the coast.  James Gambier, Admiral of the Fleet, had a distinguished career in the British name and later as Governor of Newfoundland. He also served as a negotiator of the Treaty of Ghent which ended the war of 1812 between Britain and the United States.

View of West Bay

The fabulous house where we stayed.

Our WAVES writer's group was invited by the family of one of our members, to stay at their home for a weekend so eight of us set off by marine taxi laden with groceries, wine and good cheer, on a weekend to connect with the Muse.  As facilitator of the group, I chose several interesting writing prompts to get everyone inspired. One of them (posted on the wall) was a linked verse poem in the renga style — three lines of haiku (5,7,5 syllables), two lines of tanka (7 syllables) with the last line of haiku and the first line of tank linking in subject.  This was ongoing all weekend with an excellent result.

Dinner time.

 

 

The weather was absolutely glorious so a lot of time was spent outdoors either lounging in one of the several patio areas, sitting in the hot tub, sunbathing, and yes...even swimming in the sea! (Two brave ladies did this). There were kayaks too. 

Fun in the hot tub

Kayaking

And on the second day we set off on a nature hike along the trail through the woods leading to a secluded beach. The idea was to find something along the trail that would spark a memory.  Then when we reached the beach we found a special place to sit, meditate and write. 

On the trail

It certainly was not difficult to be inspired on Gambier.  From the deluxe accommodations to the beautiful natural surroundings and tranquility of the bay, we all soaked up the atmosphere and produced some interesting writing.  We're looking forward to going again next Spring. 

Leaving Gambier Island

CAPILANO CANYON SUSPENSION BRIDGE: How It All Began

THE CAPILANO CANYON:
HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Early settlers began buying land in the Capilano Canyon in 1888. There were no roads into the area except rough wagon trails from North Vancouver up the Capilano River to the Vancouver Water Works Dam which was under construction in the second canyon.


The Flume Company was purchased by Edward Mahon in 1908 and was then leased to the Japanese in an unprecedented business transaction. At that time government rules prohibited Japanese and Chinese people from attaining success in the lumber industry. Mahon was respected by the Japanese for his fairness. In return they built him a little Oriental-style house which eventually became part of a community centre. They also cleared the land, and planted azaleas and rhododendrons imported from Japan, some of which are still growing on the boulevards of North Vancouver.

George Grant Mackay, an immigrant from Scotland, bought 320 acres of timbered land on the east side of the Capilano River. At that time there were no houses or farms in the area. Mackay built a cabin near the precipice of the canyon. Mackay became known as “The Laird of the Canyon.” He believed this forested wilderness should be enjoyed so he often invited his city friends to visit. The only transportation across the Burrard Inlet at that time was on the steamer boat “Senator”. This vessel could carry twenty passengers and occasionally horses and buggies. Because Mackay’s cottage was difficult to reach, most guests had to hike the strenuous six miles up into the canyon.

Eventually Mackay and his partners, A.P. Horne and R. MacKay Fripp of the Capilano Park Company, developed 4626 acres north of the first canyon for recreational purposes. They purchased the land at $1.00 an acre, timber value not considered, because they felt the forest should be enjoyed by everyone. Te first hotel was built by Mackay’s son in 1892. But Mackay’s plans to develop the park were curbed by the 1890’s Depression.

The Capilano Lumber Company established a mill at Sister’s Creek in 1890. Single bolt flumes were built to run through the first and second canyons linking with one farther along the river near the Mission Indian Reserve. The longest flume was completed in 1906. It ran from Sister’s Creek, nine miles down river, past the dame and into the second canyon. The flume was nearly 200 feet above the water clinging to the rock face amidst breathtaking scenery where white water tumbled over the rocks forming roaring rapids and salmon pools. Shingle bolts cut by Japanese workers were floated down to the mills and often daring boys would ride these bolts down the flume. Capilano Joe’s people and Japanese pioneers built this flume. Many of them were killed while the work was in progress and were buried high above the river on the canyon plateau.

CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE: Vancouver's Natural Wonder

TREE-TOP ADVENTURES

On Earth Day, Augusut 22, I was privileged to pay a special visit to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. It had been some time since my previous visit so I looked forward to my day of adventure in this beautiful canyon park.

There’s a lot to see and do in the Capilano Suspension Bridge area -- not just the thrill of walking over the swaying bridge high over the white water of the Capilano River below.
There are nature trails and Native carvings and many things to explore in the park.

As you enter, there is an interesting pictorial history of the Canyon and Suspension Bridge, which dates to 1889. And you can browse among the totem poles and other carvings which are the legacy of the First Nations people. Then you step on to the bridge, swaying 230 feet above the floor of the Canyon. At the midpoint of the span, you are 450 feet looking down into the rushing stream far below. You step off the bridge into the forest of cedar, Douglas Fir and hemlock. These towering giants began growing long before the first European settlers every stepped foot in North America.

I wandered along the Cliffhanger Walk first, taking in the sweet scents of the forest and the quiet beauty at the canyon edge. There are ponds teeming with trout and wild flower blooming in mossy glades. I spent a pleasant hour or two wandering the paths and enjoying the views of the Canyon. One of the biggest thrills was ascending the wooden steps to the Treetop Adventure, built in 2003, where an elevated timber frame suspension bridge is strung between the tall Cedars in a series of cable bridges suspended between platforms that reach as high as 10 stories giving you a unique birds-eye view of the forest below.

Back at the Trading Post, there are pricey souvenirs for sale. This is one of Vancouver’s most popular tourist destinations, and the entrance fee is about $25. I was lucky that day to have a media pass which enabled me to enjoy the whole day wandering around the grounds and forest. I took a picnic lunch and enjoyed a rest at one of the tables provided by the forest trail, but there’s a restaurant and snacks available on site. If you can afford it, it’s well worth the day’s adventure and a great way to celebrate Planet Earth!