The Quarry Rock hike rewards hikers with great views of Deep Cove near Vancouver

 by Keith and Heather Nicol
When we go to Vancouver to visit friends and family we usually like to get out for hike while we are there. On a recent trip we decided to check out the Quarry Rock hike since it is fairly short but gives expansive views at the lookout bluff at the trail's end.  To start the hike you need to drive to Deep Cove and find a parking spot. This can be a challenge on sunny weekends but we went midweek and found a free spot on Panorama Drive in front of Panorama Park. We walked down Panorama Drive and quickly found the access trail to Quarry Rock. The hike in is not long --our GPS showed about 3 km one way --but is a roller coaster of valleys so the trails winds up and down with lots of stairs and stream crossings with bridges.  We had done this hike 10 years ago and we certainly didn't recall all those stairs but this means it is more strenuous than you might think. Our GPS showed an elevation gain of over 250 meters so people with mobility issues or families with young children might have trouble on this trail. The viewpoint at the end is a large rocky bluff which is a perfect place to have a snack and get a few pictures.-see picture below. Check it out on your next trip to Vancouver. See you on the trail.

Saratoga Beach Golf Course has more improvements on the way.

 

by Keith and Heather Nicol

On Thursday July 3 we decided to check out Saratoga Beach Golf Course which is located near Saratoga Beach midway between Campbell River and Courtenay, B.C.  We had arranged a tee time for 10 am and we had perfect golf weather.   Saratoga Beach Golf Course is a 9 hole course that is very walkable since the distance is around 2200 yards and the course is quite flat. But don’t let the short distance fool you, there is still alot of challenge to be had for all levels of golfers. The course consists of 4 par 3’s, 4 par 4’s and 1 pair 5 but the course is generally narrow with water hazards that come into play on many holes.  You need to be able to get the ball in the air and carry some distance or else you will lose a few balls to the small ponds and creeks that flows through the course. Last year we played this course and awarded it the most improved course in the Comox Valley and this year they are working on improving many of the tee boxes. This meant that we had to play on some temporary tee boxes on our round - actually this wasn't too bad since it shortened the holes - but General Manager Jordan Irwin told us the new tee boxes will be ready to go by July 11. We look forward to checking the course out again later in the summer to check them out.                                                                 Heather getting ready to tee off on number 1 Jordan told us that they get most of their business from the local community but also from the Comox Valley and Campbell River. They have a Men's League which plays on Tuesday night and Sunday morning and a Women's League that goes |Tuesday morning and Wednesday night so if you want to meet some new golfers you can contact the clubhouse for more information. Also if you want a steal of a deal book a round on Mondays when 9 holes will cost you only $20.00 . Also if you have got young ones wanting to learn to play they can sign up for Junior Days on Thursdays from 2 to 4 pm.  Saratoga Beach Golf Course has a small putting green and a driving range as well as a small club house, food truck and pro shop. If you want to try a challenging course that will reward the straight ball hitter then see:  http://www.saratogabeachgolfclub.ca/   for more information.

As you can see the picture above - the greens are in great shape

                                                

The fairways are narrow so this course rewards the straight ball hitter