Keira-anne.com

When I was a child, my family camped. We camped every single summer on Hornby Island at Tribune Bay Campground. Our first summer, we were completely unprepared, and on our first night the rain clouds opened up and poured on everyone. Needless to say, the local CO-OP store’s tarp section was raided at first light.

I believe this picture was snapped somewhere in the vicinity of 1988.

(Please note the following: bright orange mountain bike, turquoise blue shoes with neon green laces, baby pink socks, orange and black shorts, NKOTB t-shirt, denim jacket and backwards cap. Did I really need to tell you this was in the 80s? I suppose so, being that if I hadn’t, you would’ve guessed me as the fourth member of Hanson).

Okay, so that was a bit of tangent, being that the point of this post is camping. While I haven’t camped on Hornby Island since the summer of 1999, and haven’t camped at all since the summer of 2001, I am more than ecstatic that I’ll be camping in Tofino in less weeks than I have fingers.

The last time I was in Tofino was nearly two years ago. I went there for only a day with someone who meant - and still means - a great deal to me. Every single time I visit that place, I experience a euphoria that I find nowhere else. Ever since the first time my toes dug into the sand at Long Beach, I’ve felt a disconnect with the rest of the world when I’m on the true west coast. It’s as if Tofino is the only place on Earth that actually exists.

I hesitate to even talk about Tofino and it’s undeniable beauty because, in truth, it bothers me when a posse of city yuppies roll into the Pacific Rim in their SUVs and party like it’s 1999. Like Hornby Island, Tofino is a special and sacred place - not a party or tourist destination. I suppose that it’s something I feel because I’m a true Islander and, thus, protective of my Island.

Again, I deviate…

A few months back, Jen had mentioned going to Tofino to attend a surf camp (I am in major need of a brush up on my so-called surfing skills). Fast forward to what I’ve been feeling lately, and a trip to Tofino has become inevitable. She booked us into the last available campground, located snugly between the airport and the landfill, which is only a short walk from my beloved Schooner Cove. The idea of waking so close to the waves I love, stretching into my yoga practice at sunrise on the sand and spending a sun-filled afternoon in the waves is more than I can fathom. In fact, the truth is, I can’t even yet believe that I will be going.

So last night I made my list and checked it twice. Sooner than I can imagine, we’ll be loading up my mom’s car (she is generous enough to lend it to us for two days - she just doesn’t know it yet. Thanks, Mom!) and heading west. I think I’ll leave my turquoise-with-lime-green-laces kicks at home this time.

The fabulous West Coast has been blessed with amazing sunshine over the last three days, and I couldn’t be more in love with it. I don’t think I’ve worn anything with sleeves since Friday morning on my way to work. Island times have been very good (which goes without saying when I’m with my family and Charley). Yesterday I spent the majority of my time with my aunt and managed to pick up a few things I needed - like a fully stocked first aid kit!

This morning I woke to find the sun pouring directly onto my face through the window, which was much appreciated being that I had plans to visit Kitty Coleman’s Woodland Gardens today for their annual Art & Bloom festival.

Of course I had to bring my little Wiggle Bum with me for the adventure. The sights, sounds, smells and herds of other dogs proved to be a bit overwhelming for her, but I know she had a lot of fun.

I’ve long wished to be a collector of pottery, but for some reason, was always deterred by sticker shock. However, today I found this really beautiful piece to kick off my collection, crafted by a Qualicum Beach-area potter by the name of Darrel Hancock. His claywork is exactly the kind I want to accumulate: simple designs, smooth lines and finishes in the blue and sand colours of the beach. Another plus - his pieces are totally affordable.

After some downtime, my mom and I met up with my aunt at The Timber Room, one of the two dining rooms at Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community.

The view was to die for, the warm air was scrumptious on my skin, my cold water shrimp and coconut curry Kohoku rice bowl tasted oh-so-good (and was wonderfully paired with my first glass of chardonnay of the summer season) and the desserts speak for themselves.

The service, on the other hand, left something to be desired.

I’ll let you decide what’s richer: the strawberry-doused New York cheesecake or the gold fire hydrants.

It’s up and at ‘em early tomorrow for your humble narrator. Vancouver is awaiting my return, as are two wonderful puppies. My mom will be joining me for a few days in the city this week, so though my posting will probably be less consistent, expect a log jam of photos from yours truly.

To most, this is a snapshot of driftwood and rocks on a rugged shoreline, and it could have been taken anywhere.

To me, this photo simultaneously took my breath away while overwhelming me.

Photo: Dan Lilly on Flickr (Used With Permission)

Perhaps it’s because I’ve taken the time to walk on shorelines just like that, on both sides of Vancouver Island, and have absorbed everything offered. What’s funny is that, in the comment section of his Flickr page, the photographer stated that the day was full of “gray, mist, rain” and that those conditions provided for a less-than-favourable day for photos. In my opinion, the “gray, mist, rain” only add to the perfection.

For anyone that’s spent time on a beach like this on Vancouver Island, looking at this photo is bound to be a sensory experience for you.

I can hear the quiet, possibly with a few birds in the distance. The near-silence causes an ideal circumstance to hear the calm water quietly lapping on the stones. Though chilled, the air is fresh and crisp, filled with the scents of pine, wet rocks, driftwood, flora, fauna, sea salt and peace. I can run my hand along the splintered driftwood while feeling the crunch and tumble of rocks under my rubber boots. Moments and experiences like that are incomparable.

For anyone that’s spent time on a beach like this on Vancouver Island, looking at this photo is an instant reminder of the comforts of a place called “home.”

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I’m tired, still full of last night’s 10 p.m. McDonald’s and would rather be watching CSI than sitting at my desk. Monday has arrived, and in an effort to chase away those ayem blues, allow me to point you to areas of the web that may bring you some much-needed distraction.

Original Photo: cemedia on Flickr

I started popping Tylenol at 5pm yesterday. Oh, how I adore seasonal migraines. I’ve been plagued with them for the past handful of years, mainly only in the springtime. Lavender is my new best friend. The truth is, the migraines are gone as quickly as they spring on me. After a few extra hours in bed this morning and some fresh air, I’m basically just feeling the remnants…something I like to call a “migraine hangover.” I suppose I’m one of the lucky ones - I know some who’ve spent weeks bedridden, so for the odd one I get here and there, who am I to complain? A migraine every once in a while isn’t the end of the world.

Here we go…

I’ve been waiting on pins and needles for this weekend’s Green Living Show at BC Place Stadium. Educating myself, particularly with respect to subjects that fit in with my values, has always been something I’ve held in high importance. I’m always excited to go on adventures with Becky, and this was no exception. My plan was to review the show, share some pictures and point you, my readers, in some interesting directions (if you planned on visiting the show). However, it turned out that there was so much to learn, see, do, take in and read about that to re-cap it all in one post will be impossible.

That being said, I plan on creating a series of posts which will appear here and on the frogblog over on the happyfrog website, breaking down some of the ideas shared, products presented and anything else that I think will be beneficial and of interest to you all.

The truth is, sustainable living is something that can be applied to a part of nearly every facet of everyday life, from food and clothing to transportation and construction. Each and every one of us are responsible for doing our part, and to do so is much easier than most may realize. Even just changing one aspect of your life is a change for the better, whether it be eating locally-produced vegetables or incorporating more eco-friendly fabrics into your wardrobe (bamboo is terrific and irresistibly soft). Organic beer is even an option if you just need to take baby steps!

That being said, here’s a look at some of the shenanigans us ladies got up to:

Here’s a quick list of particular booths, products, ideas and services I recommend checking out:

Also, make sure you stop by the Clear FM booth and enter for a chance to win a $2,000 “Eco-Dream Deluxe Bedroom Makeover” from Dream Designs, including 1 queen size organic cotton supreme futon mattress, 1 queen size organic cotton sateen sheet set & duvet cover, 2 standard size organic buckwheat comfort cloud pillows, 2 standard size kapok filled pillows, 1 bamboo filled duvet, 1 hemp shower curtain and delivery anywhere in Vancouver.

Two final pieces of very important advice I leave you with:

1. Though you will be tempted to try samples of all the foods and beverages you see, once your tummy is full of no less than organic chocolate, organic beer, coconut oil, hemp butter, organic wine and hemp milk, that same tummy will be very, very angry with you.

2. The guy running the Zipcar booth is very cute.

Being one who was born and raised on Vancouver Island, travelling on BC Ferries’ vessels was a significant and frequent part of my childhood. As a young girl, a voyage at sea was always something I looked forward to, with my family’s trip to Expo ‘86 being the earliest I can remember. My mom has photos of me from that day in my mini bell bottoms, standing near the railing under the yellow-tinted glass on the upper deck.

As I’ve gotten older and gained an understanding of corporate business and the money that’s to be made in the privatization of corporations, I’ve also gained a certain bitterness towards BC Ferries. From 1960 to 2003, it was operated as a Crown corporation within the Province, falling under the jurisdiction of the British Columbia Toll Highways and Bridges Authority. Upon rumours of a growing debt, it was announced that the corporation would, in fact, become privatized.

Since that time, service on the fleet has dropped at a rate that’s almost as alarming as the equal drop in customer service. Passengers are paying more, but for what?

I won’t even get into the NDP’s decision to commission a fleet of “fast ferries,” as I’m sure that’s something every British Columbian would rather soon forget.

The final nail in the coffin was hammered down on July 2, 2003 when British Columbia, and the Vancouver/Whistler area in particular, was awarded the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Since that fateful day, this Province as a generalized whole has been sliding down a slippery slope riddled with bullshit propoganda and corporate sell-outs by the handful. BC Ferries are no exception.

As Rebecca and I embarked from Departure Bay in Nanaimo this past Sunday afternoon, we noticed one of the new C-Class ferries docked next to our boat. It came as no surprise that the side of the ship was emblazoned with the 2010 logo in addition to a large illustration of Olympic speed skaters.

As I returned home that evening, I flipped on the news only to see a group of proud Comox Valley residents attempting to rally up the local residents and spread excitement over the pending games. There is so much about this that breaks my heart and angers me at the same time. Little do these communities know the enormous sacrifices being made to bring a two-week sporting event to our Province.

Simply put:

Until I am no longer, quite literally, stepping over sleeping people as I walk to work in the morning, this Province has no business building a bobsled course in the North Shore mountains.

To many in this Province, the games are something exciting and new to look forward to. Unfortunately, few of them realize the reality of the situation each and every day in the very city in which the games are to be held. This Province is failing its residents. Prime examples are everywhere if one is willing to open their eyes.

The closer that February 12, 2010 approaches, the more this Province will be clearly defined by an amateur sporting event.

To simply say that this is a “sad turn of events” is a gross understatement.

In 1787, the first explorers came ashore at what is now known as Tofino. The site was named as such in 1792 by Spanish Captains Galiano and Valdez, but European settlers didn’t make their way to the area until somewhere in the middle of the 19th Century [source]. Fast forward 100 years to the decade that brought you A Clockwork Orange, disco music and the echo of the sexual revolution. Tofino was mostly populated by long-time locals and descendents of many of the community’s earliest families. The shores were dotted with lovingly-built beach shacks. It was a sustainable and affordable community. Care to take a slice of the pie in today’s market?

Photo: Chesterman Beach Realty

“This beautifully maintained 2 bedroom beachside rancher is situated on a forested, private .4 acre property across the road from spectacular Chesterman Beach in Tofino. Features include wood flooring throughout, Regency wood burning stove, large private 480 sq. ft. cedar deck, detached double garage and easy beach access. [With a square footage of 1,092] this home is ideal for a small family or as a vacation cottage. Furnishings and art are included in purchase price.”

It can be all yours for only $721,000.

Keep in mind that this is only what’s considered to be a small family home. Beaches that were once home to generations of true locals are now peppered with palatial mansions of the wealthy and affluent. Being that the Island has become a much sought-after and desirable place to live, it’s no surprise that Tofino is one of the top spots for those with cash. What’s most unfortunate about this is that the new developments have kicked long-time residents to the curb – literally. Sky-high prices have in turn caused property values and taxes to also skyrocket, making “home” no longer an affordable place to live for so many.

Tofino is only one drop in the bucket of Vancouver Island’s communities. Due to the Island’s diverse economy, different areas of the island are driven by numerous resources. Forestry is no doubt British Columbia’s largest industry, as is the case with Vancouver Island. It’s a vital source for so many of the Island’s residents, followed closely by tourism and fishing. In addition, recent years have seen vast expansions in the areas of wine-production, information technology and a growth in post-secondary educational institutions. All of these combined with the Island’s natural beauty has transformed it into a mecca for the masses. In fact, the Island’s overall population swelled by 34% between 1981 and 2001 [source].

Photo: palestrina55 on Flickr

Given the growth trends over the last two and a half decades, it seems like recession is a thing of the past for all points between Port Hardy and Oak Bay. Stephen Rowe, economics major at the University of Victoria, points to some possible reasons: “If you look at B.C.’s economy in general and then what exactly attracts people to the Island, I can’t really see it going anywhere but up,” adding that the attractions are endless. “The lifestyle, climate, town size and retirement.”

I am personally no stranger to how the face of the Island has changed. I had been raised in the Comox Valley from the time I was two-years-old. When I was little, the house I grew up in had one house behind it, and behind that, more forest than my child’s mind could imagine. Today that forest is just another sea of boxed houses wound around countless cul-de-sacs. Being that British Columbia’s population has come close to doubling over the past 25 years [source], it should come as no surprise that the population of the Valley has since risen to more than 62,000 residents in the same time period [source].

Gone is the day when Saturday’s big shopping trip comprised of a stop at Zellers before returning home again. Now “The Big Z” has been overshadowed by no less than Wal-Mart, The Home Depot, London Drugs, Winners and Future Shop to name a few. What was once the small town I grew up in has since become the first few glimmers of a fledgling city. There are so many new neighbourhoods that have sprung up over the last decade that I can no longer confidently navigate my way through all parts of the Valley. To do so would undoubtedly disorient me.

Photo: bchow on Flickr

The old saying dictates that there are two sides to every coin, so when examining the gentrification of Vancouver Island, one will be forced to choose a side in the battle of growth versus recession. While it’s true that property taxes are being forced upwards, big box stores are growing like weeds and small towns are being transformed into cities, a growing population and a booming wealth of resources are driving forces at the forefront. This economic growth is creating the need for more jobs and thus more housing. And while in a perfect world, it would be ideal to drive outsiders out and back into the mainland metropolis to preserve the resources we have, most locales across the Island desperately rely on the financial influx of tourism dollars to sustain themselves.

Surely government-imposed regulations would allow for tighter controls on the thickening population and depletion of the Island’s assets that are most certainly not going to last forever. So what’s the answer then? Do we really want to see a cap on growth, and if so, is that even a possibility?

Hundreds of years ago when the earliest explorers first discovered Vancouver Island, I doubt they could have imagined Vancouver Island as it stands in 2008. Then again, as a little girl, neither could I.

In August, I made mention of a fast-growing oil slick in the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island. The protected waterway, which is banned even to kayakers and other recreational activities, was home to a toxic spill that spanned more than 14 kilometres after an overturned barge dumped a gross amount of diesel fuel.

The damage caused by the spill was, undoubtedly, devastating, but just as tragic was the lack of action taken by the Provincial Government to have the spill immediately cleaned up.

Photo courtesy of makeupanid on Flickr

Only now, nearly four months after the spill, is a submersible being lowered into the waters of Robson Bight to evaluate the scope of the destruction. Victoria-based A-Channel news reported on current activities in the Bight:

A manned submersible aboard the Aurora Explorer freight vessel is lowered into the water above five targets that have been identified as possible wreckage. Pilot Jeff Heaton will descend 370 metres and document what’s left of the logging equipment with a high-definition camera…and hopefully provide answers.

Jim Borrowman, a volunteer Warden of the reserve believes the best possible scenario is the fuel truck at the bottom of the ocean is empty now, with no diesel left in it to do any more damage. On the other hand, points out Dorthea Hangaard of the Living Oceans Society, if there is still a substantial amount of fuel involved, it could also be sucked out without lifting the equipment to the surface.

Hopefully this will initiate a more thorough and formal investigation into what actually happened in the killer whale sanctuary. I will keep you updated if and when more information becomes available.

A-Channel News Story

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Looking for a way to get into the Christmas spirit and do something charitable?

Play Santa for the animals!

Photo courtesy of ChromaticRat on Flickr

“Shelter animals are prone to depression from loneliness and boredom. Toys very much help stimulate the mind and provide moments of joy and comfort,” said Rhonda Sherwood, volunteer co-ordinator for the Vancouver shelter.

Sherwood acknowledges that while toys may seem like a luxury for shelter animals, they offer necessary enrichment, without which behavioural problems could develop.”

The wish list is a full one, with a need for balls, squeaky toys, Frisbees, blankets, towels, food, treats and whatever else may encourage healthy growth in needy animals.

If you’d like to help out and donate, please visit the Vancouver shelter this Sunday, December 16, 2007 between noon and 4:00 p.m. The shelter is located at 1205 East 7th Avenue. [Map]

Please be reminded that shelters around British Columbia house and care for injured, neglected, lost or abandoned animals 365 days a year, so feel free to help out whenever you can.

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And on a light end-note, my hunt for a new and fantastic mascara has come to an end. I’ve long been a user of Maybelline’s Full N’ Soft mascara, but it has of late been M.I.A. from the shelves at my local Shopper’s Drug Mart.

Last night I bit the bullet and shelled out for a pricier mascara, and after using it for the first time this morning, I’ve got to say that Smashbox’s Focal Point mascara is well worth the dough. Formulated with a special blend of waxes and polymers, it coats each lash individually, not as clumps. Yay!