Merville Heritage Fair well worth the visit

By Keith and Heather Nicol

The Tug of War pitted Merville against Black Creek

     Sunday, Sept 29 was a spectacular day weather wise and so after our trek along the “Pub to Pub” trail along the Oyster River (see previous blogpost), we decided to check out the Merville Heritage Fair on our back to Courtenay. We really enjoyed the fair and appreciate all the hard work that went into making it happen. Besides various booths that were set up selling local wares, there were musicians playing and info on the history of Merville in the new “church” that has been set up next to the big yellow Merville Hall. This is Merville’s 100^th anniversary and a new book has been published to celebrate Merville’s heritage. They also had women spinning yarn and a pole powered lathe which was fascinating to watch operate. They also featured a Tug of War between Merville and adjacent Black Creek.  They were competing for the Golden Gumboot Trophy which Merville ended up winning this year.  For more information on the Merville Hall check out: http://mervillehall.ca/  .

There were various booths set up to celebrate the Merville 100 anniversary

Various musicians were featured

The Pole Lathe was impressive  to see in operation

The “Pub to Pub” trail was very popular this past weekend

by Keith and Heather Nicol

We always love doing the so called “Pub to Pub” trail which is roughly half way between Campbell River and Courtenay in the fall since is a scenic trail with both river and ocean/beach views. We hadn’t done the trail for a few months and so with a sunny forecast we decided to walk on Sunday, Sept 29. The trail gets its name from the fact that 2 pubs were located close to the start and end point of the trail but now these “pubs” are no longer there. Since the trail is just 3.5 km (1 way) it is suited to a variety of options. If you have young children or walkers that would find 7 km too long a hike, you could park a car at each end and just make the 1 way trip. 

The first part of the trail winds in part along the Oyster River

To get there from Courtenay drive north on Highway 19A and keep an eye out for the Oyster River bridge since you want to turn right on the next road (Glenmore Road).  Then travel one roughly 1 block and then turn left on Regent and look for a parking lot with a sign Oyster River Nature Park. The parking lot coordinates are 49. 52.232 N and 125 07.616 W.  On Sunday we got the last parking spot but you can park along the road should the Nature Park lot fill up. Then follow the Ferguson Trail which is well signed and easy to walk on. After about 1 km you reach the ocean and from there you follow the Jack Hames Trail to Salmon Point. You can walk the trail in either direction although we tend to walk it south to north most of the time.  Take time to explore the beach and have a snack    From there the trail winds along the upper part of the beach and through the trees giving fine views of Georgia Strait and mountains beyond. There are even some picnic tables along the way for anyone wanting a scenic place to have lunch. Sometimes the trail separates into 2 trails and you can also walk the beach as well if you want to.  After about 1 hour we came out to Salmon Point Resort RV Park  and the trail’s end.  We fully recommend this trail since it offers scenic ocean views and can be walked by a wide variety of people. Check it out on your next trip to this area.  Bring your camera since there is lots of driftwood "art" to check out

  

Kiteboarding at Kye Bay Beach

By Keith and Heather Nicol

Getting ready to launch

   With the wind up and sun out we decided to check out Kye Beach in the afternoon on Thursday, September 26 and were intrigued to see several people taking advantage of the weather to kiteboard. We counted a dozen colourful kites at various stages of use and 4-5 people skimming across Kye Bay propelled by the strong NW wind.  One or two of the more skilled riders were getting some impressive air being lifted 2-3 meters into the air on some jumps. With the weather forecast looking similar to today for the next 2-3 days anyone interested in checking out some kiteboarding should head to Kye Bay since it is likely they will be back. We found the best viewing point to be at the end of Windslow Road at the beach access there but there were lots of people as well taking pictures at the Elks and Royal Purple Park which also has a beach access.  Bring some binoculars to get a better view of the action and a telephoto lens doesn't go astray if you want to get some pictures. 

Three riders skimming across Kye Bay

A rider catching some air (the kite is above him out of the picture)

A September visit to Hornby Island- Part 3- Storm watching

By Keith and Heather Nicol

Keith walking into the wind along the scenic Helliwell Trail

    With the weather playing havoc with our mid September sea kayaking and mountain bike plans we decided to do storm watching – Hornby Island style. The weather for the week (Sept 9-16) was definitely more windy than normal and bands of showers and rain made their appearance on several days. But we found that the prevailing Southeast storm winds striking the south facing cliffs of Helliwell Provincial Park produced some great vistas of crashing waves. In fact, looking at the layout of the Gulf Islands, Hornby might be the best place to see waves striking cliffs in all of the Salish Sea! 

The cliffs at Helliwell produced fine storm watching

   We love the Helliwell Provincial Park trail since it provides fine views of Garry Oak meadows fronting on the ocean. This open feel is rare in the Comox Valley and with the elevated views of the ocean and views of Mt Arrowsmith and the mountains of Vancouver Island in the distance you can’t beat this hike in good weather. But we found it equally impressive in stormy weather. So if you like storm watching there is no need to head to Tofino, just head to Hornby Island when the fall and winter storms are raging. Just make sure the wind is from the south east (which it normally is in storms) since that will produce the best viewing conditions. The Helliwell hike is 5 km and is easy to do for most ages and stages since it is mostly level and well maintained. For more information on Hornby Island see:   http://hornbyisland.com/

Storms crashing into the shore line at Helliwell

A September trip to Hornby Island- Part 2

by Keith and Heather Nicol

Heather at Heron Rocks

     We recently returned from a week long trip to Hornby Island were we had hoped to get in lots of mountain biking and sea kayaking. But although we did have some good weather at times it was often very windy and wet at times so we decided to explore Hornby’s rocky shoreline when the weather cooperated. Hornby Island is well known for its sandy beaches like those at Big and Little Tribune Bay and Whaling Station beach.  But we like to explore so this time we decided to check out the rocky shorelines instead. .  Of course the best to visit these areas is when the tides are low or medium so check the tide tables for Hornby Island before you set.  We explored both places at tides of around 2 meters which was fine but lower tides might be even better. The places

mentioned here are easily seen on the great Denman/Hornby visitor map that you can pick up at the ferry terminal at Buckley Bay.

The sandstone is pitted and eroded in strange shapes-Heron Rocks

Some sandstone looks like a rasied spider web

  The first area we came across is at Heron Rocks near Ford’s Cove and it is accessed at Ford’s Cove or by going to the Heron Rock Friendship Centre ( http://heronrocks.ca/) . We opted for the latter and the shoreline here has amazing wave washed sandstone erosional features that are well worth taking a look at. Much of Hornby is underlain by solid conglomerate (basically solidified gravels) but along this shore sandstone makes an appearance. Sandstone (basically solidified sand) eroded differently and can form very interesting patterns. Bring your camera and see what kind of rocky art work images you can create!

Sandstone layers at Sandpiper Beach

 We also explored Sandpiper Beach which is accessed by a community park and shore trail.  The rocky shore is different here featuring sloping beds of sedimentary rocks and again the sandstone rock creates the nicest rock art in our opinion. Some areas look like topographic maps since the rock layers erode at different rates.  There are no doubt other areas of that are great for rocky shore exploring but we found these 2 areas to be interesting and easily accessible.  For more information see: http://hornbyisland.com/.