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Though he had been born in Glasgow in the early 1950s, my father immigrated with his family from Scotland several years later and brought their Scottish pride to the Comox Valley. Each year, my grandfather’s smiling face was captured in the Green Sheet newspaper as he sliced open the haggis during annual Robbie Burns’ celebrations. Tea and cookies at our grandparents’ place was a weekly tradition and my father’s bumper sticker said something to the effect of “If It’s Nae Scottish, It’s Crrrrrap!”

Photo: NapaneeGal on Flickr

My family’s tartan – the Douglas tartan – and countless others will be celebrated on Saturday, April 2nd at Market Square in Victoria. Tartan Day is a family-friendly event and runs all afternoon starting at 11:00 a.m. Featuring lively Scottish entertainment, cultural displays, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread and much, much more, it’s safe to say that this inaugural event is not to be missed.

Volunteers are still needed, so if you can help out, contact St. Andrew’s and Caledonian Society of Victoria. Tartan Day officially falls on April 6th this year, so grab at pint at the Bard & Banker Scottish Pub in downtown Victoria.

Weeks ago as I researched unique and interesting things to do in Ucluelet, I came across stories of a supposed blowhole on one of Ukee’s isolated stretches of shoreline.

Always looking for adventure, we zipped up our rain jackets, pulled on sturdy boots and set foot through the forest. Before long, we found ourselves on gritty sand and jagged rocks.

As we cut through the trees and could see ocean in the distance, a deep, eerie sound filled the air and shook from under the ground and through our feet. Not unlike the vibrating thuds Tyrannosaurus rex made in Jurrasic Park as he was nearing, we were suddenly excited at the sound, knowing that the blowhole was near. Nothing could have prepared us for what we saw!

Created by a vertical rock crevass that forms from sea caves, the Ucluelet blowhole is a phenomenal and rare sight in nature. When wind and water are sucked into the crevasse, the force of the pressure sends water and air thrusting upwards. [source]

Those lucky enough to visit the blowhole on a stormy day – and preferably when the tide is low – will experience something that is nothing short of the most incredible thing I have ever seen occur in nature. It’s difficult to put into words just how amazing a simple force of nature can be, but it’s well worth the trek and you’ll encounter more than just water sprays. Tidal pools are always fascinating to explore and we were even lucky enough to spot a mother eagle protecting her mammoth-sized nest.

Want to see the Ucluelet blowhole for yourself? Traveling south from the junction into Ucluelet, park at the side of the road a few metres south of Lee Street. The path entrance is marked by a concrete divider, opposite Hardy Road, though Hardy Road is unmarked. [map] The path is a bit more than a kilometre to the beach and when it forks, head to the right. Once you reach Fletcher’s Beach, veer left and look for a hard-to-find path cutting into the headland. The path entrance is illustrated below and once you’re on it, it’s marked with little orange flags. Listen for the blowhole and you’ll find it in no time. It’s about a 60-minute round trip.

Things To Remember: If you visit the blowhole, bear in mind that it’s on a fairly deserted beach and it’s important to let someone know your plans before heading out. There are no safety fences between you and the ocean and Mother Nature doesn’t discriminate, so consider leaving your pets and small kids at home. The Ukee blowhole is a protected favourite spot for locals, so please show the land respect – take any garbage with you and leave the beach exactly as you found it.

Though words such as restful, tranquil and relaxing are sentiments that may come to mind in describing the average spa experience, none of them seem to suffice when regarding the Ancient Cedars Spa. Located at the bottom of a winding staircase within Tofino’s Wickaninnish Inn, this seaside spa is in a calibre all its own.

Featuring treatments inspired by the transforming sensation of the Pacific Ocean, Ancient Cedars Spa utilizes an extensive range of wonderfully holistic spa, beauty and make-up products. Last week I was fortunate enough to visit the spa for one of their signature treatments.

As I entered the inviting and quiet entrance, I was given a glass of a fresh lemon water and whisked into the ladies’ lounge. A locker with my name on it awaited me, containing cushy slippers and a plush robe. Though I had the option of visiting the steam room prior to my treatment, I instead opted for a warm and soothing shower. A number of Aveda, Comfort Zone and Sea Flora products were at my disposal for cleansing, refreshing and moisturizing.

“Everything is one – all is interconnected” is the meaning behind the Hishuk Ish Tsawalk Awakening Treatment. Developed directly with Tofino’s Nuu chah nulth First Nation, this treatment brings together the elements of fire, wind, water and air. This four-part harmony is designed to cleanse, invigorate, restore and finally balance.

My spa therapist, Panagiota, gently walked me through the stages of the treatment, beginning with the burning of sage as it drifted over my body with a sweeping eagle feather. Following that, I received a full body exfoliation using Sea Flora organic skincare products harvested and developed in Sooke. The scrub was rinsed away in an alternating hot and cold shower before the final step of a head-to-toe massage. Using silky and fragrant essential oils, Panagiota worked over my muscles using smooth, hot rocks she had gathered from one of the rivers that feed Tofino.

A week later, as I reflect on the Hishuk Ish Tsawalk Awakening Treatment and my entire experience at Ancient Cedars Spa, I still feel to be a bit in awe. The perfect blend between luxurious and grounded, it was undoubtedly an unforgettable encounter. A number of both contemporary and traditional spa treatments are available at Ancient Cedars Spa, but don’t take my word for it – visit and feel for yourself.

Ancient Cedars Spa at the Wickaninnish Inn is located at 500 Osprey Lane in Tofino, BC. You can visit the spa and inn online, become a fan on Facebook or follow the Wick’s updates on Twitter.

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Visitors to Mount Washington this weekend are in for an unreal evening on Saturday, March 5th. When the sun goes down, the boarders get amped as the eighth annual VIB Islander Afterdark Invitational promises nothing short of an “aerial assault”.

Some of the very best and most daring skiers and snowboarders from across Canada will converge on the Island’s mountain in order to nab massive air and huge prizes. Both groups will compete on the same jump in a jam session format and have the ultimate say in who takes home the $3,000 cash prize, so this invite-only competition stays fierce the whole night through.

Photo: Mount Washington Alpine Resort

While Carl Fortin has walked away as the champion for the last two years, Victoria native Ian Paone hopes to steal spotlight this year. “I’ve spent most of my life at Mount Washington and it’s where my passion for skiing started,” Paone recalls. “There will be nothing better than dethroning Carl in front of my hometown crowd!”

Whether you’re competing or just catching some thrills from the sidelines, the Afterdark Invitational promises an epic time the whole night through. The VIB beer garden opens its gate at 7:00 p.m. with the competition kicking off half an hour later. Once the winner’s been crowned, the party moves into Fat Teddy’s Bar and Grill with the musical stylings of the Naked DJs and Canadian indie band Kings Without. The night is sponsored by Vancouver Island Brewery, The North Face, Dakine, and 91.3 The Zone. Make sure you plan ahead and find a safe way home.

Mount Washington Alpine Resort is located at 1 Strathcona Parkway, approximately 30 minutes north of Courtenay. For more information, you can call the mountain at 1-888-231-1499, visit them online, find them on Facebook or follow the mountain’s updates on Twitter.

While many may head north when greeted by the Highway 4 junction, turning the wheels south instead will find you at one of Vancouver Island’s most elegant and breathtaking resorts on the West Coast. The views aren’t too shabby either.

My partner in crime and I made our way into Ucluelet just a few hours before sunset and found ourselves at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort. Aptly named for the jagged shore it’s perched on, visitors to Black Rock are instantly greeted by a sky-high lobby and warm smiles.

No guest suite at Black Rock is without the natural beauty that creates the uniqueness that surrounds Ucluelet. Featuring either ocean or forest views, each room is flooded with natural light.

At over 700 square feet, our one-bedroom suite included a comfortable living room with big screen TV, dining area and a fully-stocked kitchen with more than just coffee and wine. Including dishes, cooking utensils, a dishwasher, fridge and oven, preparing a feast-pour-deux was a task made simple.

Luxury in our bathroom was not at all overlooked. We were treated to a rain shower, heated tile flooring and an enormous soaker tub that I couldn’t resist test-driving at least once.

Accommodation away from home is really about one thing: sleep. The king-sized platform bed with lavish sheets certainly lent to blissful slumbering for us both, enhanced only by the lullaby of crashing waves right outside our window.

However, the undisputed gem in the crown of our room was the sweeping terrace with an unending view of the horizon. Quite possibly larger than my apartment, it was the perfect place to take in the first sunset I’d seen in Ucluelet in more than a decade with a glass of red wine and a few cuddles.

With some sunlight to spare, we had time to explore the property around Black Rock on our first day there. Conveniently situated on the Wild Pacific Trail, guests of the Black Rock are steps away from world famous panoramas and a seascape that will take your breath away.

The rays of a West Coast sunset are nothing short of inspiring.

Quickly apparent to me was the fact that one could spend their entire retreat at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort without the need to leave the property at all. Fetch is the resort’s acclaimed restaurant with its impressive wine selection, locally sourced seafood and sustainable dishes. Serving up incredible creations from Executive Chef Andrew Springett and his team, Fetch is simply a culinary delight and filled my tummy with one of the best eggs Benny breakfasts I’ve had in a long while.

With its wave-inspired bar, Float – the adjacent lounge – was where we found ourselves each evening. Shaking up tasty cocktails, brewing unbelievable coffee and dishing out delicious desserts and appetizers, Float was the perfect way to end each day. Our server, Julie, was attentive and full of fun.

While most of our time in Ucluelet was spent beachcombing, relaxing and getting drenched in liquid sunshine, Black Rock also offers up indoor facilities for its guests. With a complete fitness centre, luxe spa facilities at Drift (I hear their massages are to die for!) and a toasty hot tub, it’s impossible to escape the paradise that Black Rock creates.

Part of staying grounded in the everyday is taking time to recharge. With hectic work schedules and a lot on the go all the time, Black Rock provided the most incredible getaway for both of us. With storm season at its peak, now would be the ideal time to experience it for yourself.

Black Rock Oceanfront Resort is located at 596 Marine Drive in Ucleluet. You can contact the resort at 1-877-762-5011 or by e-mail. You can also find Black Rock Oceanfront Resort on Facebook or follow their updates on Twitter.

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Much of the Comox Valley woke up yesterday morning to hear the sad news that a local landmark had burned to the ground in an early morning fire. The Lorne Hotel & Pub, which has stood watch over Comox Avenue for 133 years, was gutted in a fire that started shortly before 2:00 a.m. Fire crews from both Comox and Courtenay battled the flames, but in the end, the Lorne was nothing more than ashes and charred wood. [source]

The history of the Lorne Hotel & Pub originated in 1878, though some local historians argue that it may have been built in 1867. An American man by the name of John Fitzpatrick, along with his wife, constructed what became a popular watering hole for more than a century. Until yesterday, the Lorne was, in fact, the oldest and longest-standing building in the entire Comox Valley.

Photo: Comox Archives & Museum Society

Named for Canada’s Governor General, the Marquis of Lorne, the Lorne Hotel & Pub had been Comox’s base of operations for everything from a hotel, a census and voting station and the place that served some of the finest whisky in the area. When Fitzpatrick and his family moved back to the U.S. five years after construction, the Lorne sat vacant for almost a year until the Cliffe family purchased it.

In the mid-1880s, German ethnographe Franz Boaz recalled in his diary that “the people at the hotel are very nice to me. You must not picture this hotel as anything like the Hoffman House in New York or the Capital Hotel in Berlin. It is a large farmhouse, several rooms of which the owner has given up to boarders. It is more comfortable than at Cowichan. The small rooms are warm and we are well taken care of.” [source]

Photo: © Bob_2006 on Flickr (used with permission)

Over the next eleven decades, only the prohibition managed to briefly slow down the Lorne Hotel & Pub. In recent years, the Lorne was a warm and friendly favourite for both regulars and tourists. Historian and architectural buffs were often enchanted by the expert craftsmanship that went into the building that was still preserved over many, many years.

It’s anyone’s guess what will be built on the lot in the place of the Lorne Hotel & Pub, but the void will no doubt be felt for years to come. Though the seaside town of Comox has lost a significant part of its history and legacy, the memory of the Lorne will certainly live on. As such, what are some of your best memories of the Lorne Hotel & Pub?