Keira-anne.com

If there’s one thing that there never seems to be enough of, it’s time. Last night J and I were flipping through his work calendar and, because his schedule is set a year in advance, we were able to see that our free weekends over the summer are few and far between. During the summer of 2011, we managed to squeeze in only three camping trips but hope to almost double that this year.

Over July and August, 2011, we found ourselves at Silver Lake, Washington, on Hornby Island and at Birkenhead Lake near Pemberton. While I’ve already managed to book a five-day weekend so we can explore the Oregon Coast this July, we are looking to plan and book other camping hot spots for the summer months.

• Where are some of your favourite places to go camping?
• Do you have any hidden spots you’re willing to share?

14. That’s the number of bug bites I sustained over the weekend. During any given summer evening, bugs tend to avoid me. That was not the case at Birkenhead Lake.

Located a short drive north of Mt. Currie, Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park can be found at the end of a forest service road, starting about 10km south of the town of D’Arcy. Boasting close to 100 campsites and awe-inspiring mountain views, Birkenhead Lake was the perfect escape for me and my two favourite J’s last weekend.

© Google Maps

After very hurriedly pitching our tent, ditching our cell phones for the weekend and grilling some chicken for dinner, we made the three-minute trek from our campsite to the shores of Birkenhead Lake.

As we made our way around the beachfront area, we were startled by what we thought was a bear in the bushes. It turned out that it was mysteriously a bottom-feeding fish thrashing in the ditch with (probably) only a few minutes left to live.

Always the hero, J granted my humble request to retrieve the fish and return him to the lake to happily swim out the rest of his days.

As spectacular as Birkenhead Lake itself is, the same can also be said for the campsites. With a few first come, first served sites left, we found a magnificent spot on the outer perimeter of the campground. You might say a river runs through it…

While I relished in the sounds of rushing water while falling blissfully asleep each night, Jordy was excited by the area to explore and the cozy rays of warm sunshine that washed its banks.

With only one full day to zen out, early on we made a pact that we wouldn’t look at a clock all day. We’d sleep in, eat when we were hungry, swim when we were hot and nap when we felt dozy. In doing so we spent the entire Saturday on the beach of Birkenhead Lake.

As you might expect with glacier-fed lakes, Birkenhead Lake is no Mexican beach. It took quite some time to work up the nerve to finally dive under, but the refreshment was well worth it!

A few dips in the lake and some sunshine later and Jordy was well on his way to a relaxing stretch and sleep on the sand…

As the sun set and the temperatures started to dip, we made our way back to the campsite for roasted hot dogs and my personal camping favourite, UNO.

Being that our decision to go camping was a bit last-minute, we threw everything into the truck on Friday afternoon. In our rush, I forgot dog food dishes so I improvised. Jordy ended up eating his kibble from a pot and drank his water from a plastic beer cup. Whatever works, right?

Another casualty of the rush? Shoes. I brought only flip flops and since warm socks are de rigueur on cold nights, the combination didn’t bode well for my sense of camping style.

Half of the fun of camping is making last-minute decisions and finding yourself wherever the wheels take you. Our trip to Birkenhead Lake certainly goes down as one of my most epic recent camping trips.

And at the end of the day, the warm crackle of a campfire makes all the pesky bugs and long drives well worth it.

To find out more about Birkenhead Lake and other BC Parks, visit BC Parks online. If you plan on visiting the area, remember that Birkenhead Lake is in bear country so obey all posted signs and take necessary precautions. Cell service disappears entirely before the forest service road, so make sure you leave a detailed itinerary before heading out.

Those that have been, know. Those that visit for the first time are lovers for life.

My childhood summers on Hornby Island were far more impressionable on me than words can tell the tales of, so last week I packed up the camping gear and brought J along for his first trip.

After two quick ferry rides, we found ourselves at Tribune Bay Campsite and quickly set up. Unsure if the rain would come, we hung the world’s largest tarp over our site, I pitched the tent and J got busy chopping firewood. I’m quite proud to say that not only did he teach me to chop firewood with an axe that weighs as much as I do, but he also showed me how to start and maintain an excellent campfire.

Relaxation was the priority for our first evening – something that’s not hard to do on Hornby Island. Rather than spend time exploring, we grabbed cold beer from the Co-op and grilled up some dinner. My only “luxury” when camping? A pop-up kitchen.

I love this guy…

Despite rumours to the contrary, I found Tribune Bay campsite to be exactly as it was over a decade ago the last time I was there. It’s a quiet, family-friendly campground filled with happy dogs, kids racing around on their bikes and crackling fires at every site. We were lucky enough to have fun neighbours that challenged our Monopoly skills on the second night.

One of Hornby Island’s must-sees is Helliwell Provincial Park. On our first full day, we pulled into the parking lot before the sun got too hot and readied ourselves for the 5-km picturesque trek.

Flip flops might not be the greatest of ideas, but I made do with what I had.

The biggest draw to Helliwell Park is the breathtaking cliffs that bring hikers out of the woods and along the water. A bit of common sense is all that’s required. Keep kids close and dogs on leashes. The stunning views are not to be missed!

Taking our time, we veered off the path for some beach-combing fun! Vibrant purple starfish scattered the shoreline amongst slippery seaweed and crunchy barnacles.

Another often missed but worthwhile visit on Hornby Island is Ford’s Cove. Found at the furthest end of Central Road, this marina defines “quaint.” With a pizza cafe, boat-shaped fish n’ chips stand and organic fair trade coffee, spending a quiet morning at Ford’s Cove is hard to beat.

We scrambled over and around crater-like sandstone formations that felt more like moon-walking than exploring a shoreline. Shallow waters surround the area, so spotting crabs, geoduck sprays and fish in the water provides for some natural entertainment.

For anyone that has ever visited Hornby Island, the star attraction is undoubtedly Tribune Bay beach and the adjacent Little Tribune Bay beach.

Nestled in between tall trees on one side and incredible, natural sandstone sculptures on the other, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more stunning beach in BC.

Tribune Bay features aqua water, powdery white sand and stunning vistas into the Georgia Strait further than they eye can see. J constructed a “deck” out of driftwood, I slathered us in SPF 45 and we spent a sunny afternoon at Tribune Bay.

Noshing on organic strawberries, tossing a football around and watching skilled skimboarders made for a perfect beach day.

Rarely is dining out acceptable when camping, but Hornby Island is most certainly an exception. Visiting the Cardboard Bakery is unavoidable with their tasty pastries and chocolate shakes. On our final day, we visited Jan’s Cafe for breakfast.

Jan’s Cafe has been a staple in the Ringside Market for more years than I can remember. Known for creating fresh, delicious and healthy food, my favourite part of eating at Jan’s is the sunny atmosphere and infectious smile served up by Jan herself.

Four days and three nights wasn’t long enough for us, but we’ll take what we can get. There’s so much more on Hornby Island to explore, including wineries, a distillery, a meadery, more beaches, petroglyphs, a free store with an incredible local recycling program, kayaking and biking. I suppose that only means we’ll have to visit again next year with a few extra days added for good measure! You can view all my photos from Hornby Island on Flickr.

P.S. Do as we did. If you’re visiting Hornby, fill jugs with tap water and bring it with you. Water is a scarce commodity on the Island, so leave what’s there for the locals to use.

To stay connected to the Hornby Island community or to plan a vacation to the island, visit Real Hornby online.

Disclosure: cmp.ly/0

With the first of many epic camping trips on our horizon, J and I decided that a trial run was necessary and made a last-minute decision on the weekend. We packed up the truck and made a run for the border.

Jordy’s first camping trip and first cross-border adventure found all three of us headed through Sumas en route to Silver Lake Park in Washington State.

Located in Whatcom County, Silver Lake is a tranquil body of water nestled among meadows within a valley of giant mountains. After quickly popping up our tent and marinating our New York steak, we hit the trails around the park.

Hunger brought us back to our campsite and J started the fire while I cracked open a couple of beers for us. Sometimes the best parts of camping involve doing a whole lot of nothing.

I found that “whole lot of nothing” to do in the nearby hammock that J had set up for us…

… and I wasn’t the only one who enjoyed it.

Following our grilled dinner, we spent the rest of the evening noshing on potato chips, swigging beer, laughing by the crackling fire and feeling awestruck by the sunset over the mountains.

With morning came more sunshine, so wasted time was not part of our schedule. After a quick breakfast of fire-cooked quinoa with cinnamon, raisins and sliced banana, we hopped in the truck and headed out on our day’s adventure.

Heading east on State Route 542, our first stop was Nooksack Falls. These cascading falls plummet more than 170 feet and are fed with ice cold glacier water. Curious as to where the water came from, we continued eastward and climbed the Mount Baker Highway.

Few things are as bliss-inducing as rattling through back country roads with sun splashing across the dashboard while Eddie Vedder’s “Hard Sun” crackles through the radio. After a short journey we found ourselves at Mt. Baker, eye-to-eye with Mount Shuksan. The source of Nooksack Falls, Mount Shuksan reaches the sky at over 4,411 feet tall (not including elevation) and is guaranteed to take your breath away.

As is always the case, the weekend ended far sooner than we were ready for. However, crawling along Highway 1 back to Vancouver would have been a great deal more painful if we didn’t know that we’d be sleeping in the great outdoors once again in only a handful of days. You can view all the photos from our camping trip in my Flickr set.

Hopeful that we’ll spend as much time camping as possible this summer, I’m looking for epic spots to spend our weekends.

What’s your favourite part of camping?

Where are your favourite places to go camping in southwestern BC or the northwestern U.S.?

Our annual family summer vacations were never a far distance from home, but camping on Hornby Island felt like being in a whole other world. Rolling fields, white sandy beaches, aquamarine water and locals with character were all part of the experience. It was a virtually untouched – and unheard of – slice of paradise.

Each summer for more years than I can remember, spending a week on Hornby Island was a priority for our family. Our first outing was a straight-up learning curve, having neglected to bring tarps only to be caught in a downpour on our first night. After that trip, we became well experienced and well prepared campers, skills I hope have been passed on to me.

Yesterday I excitedly booked three nights in July at the very same campsite that was the site of the downpour. J has never been to Hornby Island and I’m giddy with anticipation over stretched-out days on the beach, bike rides to Helliwell Park, ice cold beers from the cooler and more campfire s’mores than I can dare to stuff in my mouth.

Camping is one of the best and most affordable ways to see what Vancouver Island and the gulf islands have to offer. If you’re getting out and camping this summer, here are a few of my favourite tips:

• It’s always better to take just what you need instead of too much. Make a detailed list and consider whether you truly need an artillery of make-up or a stack of magazines. Get in touch with nature… naturally!
• Weather on the coast is unpredictable: sunny one day, pouring rain the next. Bring appropriate attire and lots of socks!
• Always obey fire regulations! Forest fires are common in the summertime, so if there’s a ban, respect the forest. That also means butting out cigarettes.
• Book early! Camping is a popular activity among Islanders and campsites fill up incredibly fast.
• Dogs are part of the family and love to vacation too. Though Jordy will stay with my mom, if your dog tags along, there are safety rules to follow. Keep your dog well hydrated with plenty of shade and space to rest. The sun affects them too. Also never, ever leave your dog unattended at the campsite – especially where there’s wildlife!
• Water can be a scarce commodity during summer months, especially on gulf islands and on the west coast. Bring as much bottled water as you’re able to.

Some of my friends, family and Twitter followers also have great suggestions…

• “Whenever we went camping we did those meals that you wrap in tinfoil and stick in the fire! Yum!” – @DSherps (I’ve found a few easy recipes for tin foil dinners!)
• “Fave camping tips with kids: 1) Always pack a bug box, juice boxes, Zip-locs and extra socks. 2) Stay in a Provincial park and go geocaching.” – @jmemoore
• “Keep your chips in your tent, ’cause deer really like salt & vinegar.” – Devon D.
• “You can buy vegetarian marshmallows at Karmavore Vegan in New Westminster. Great way to enjoy cruelty-free s’mores!” – @mythicmusings
• “Lots of tarps… and bring firewood.” – Kathy M.
• “Pitch your tent above the high tide line! ” – @viAdventurer
• “I went to bed one night on the West Coast Trail with a bag of peanuts in the tent. I awoke in the middle of the night listening to a pile of mice or rats trying to get in! Definitely make sure all food is hidden in the car or put in a bear bag far away from you.” – Duane Storey
• “Put a flannel sheet in your sleeping bag, it will keep you extra warm, and rolls up nice with your bag.” – Debbie R.
• “Citronella candles in beer cans hung up make great mosquito wards! ” – VancityAllie

Got any great tips to share? Add them below!

If you’re anything like me, you’re already dreaming of crackling fires, gooey s’mores and emerging from a dewy tent to greet the sunshine. Camping season is right around the corner, so the question isn’t “should we?” – it’s “where?”

My earliest camping experiences started on Hornby Island. It was an annual summer tradition for my family, a craft that we perfected as the years rolled on. For our first trip, we’d borrowed a small motor-home and a tent from a family friend and forgot nearly half the gear we’d need. On the first night, at Tribune Bay campsites, the sky opened up and rain poured down. My entire family spent a cramped night in the mini motor-home while every camper in the campground sprinted to the Co-Op store in the morning to snag tarps.

Since then, my camping experience across the Island has expanded – as have my camping skills. I’m now very familiar with tenting it everywhere from Tofino to Parksville to Miracle Beach. However, after all these years, I still can’t start a campfire to save my life!

Photos: jawcey and ciboulette on Flickr

If you’re considering packing up the family or your friends and finding a place to pitch your tent on the Island, now is the time to start scoping out sites and making a reservation. Many campgrounds across the Island fill up long before the summer months even begin, and spring is when the camping season gets underway.

Whether you’re snoozing under the stars after a forest hike or sleeping on a queen-sized bed in an oceanfront Winnebago, there’s a space for you. No matter where you find yourself this spring or summer, here are a few tips I can offer up:

• The Island is home to a vast array of wildlife. Stick to trails and appointed campsites, keep all food well-sealed and use your common sense. You’re in their backyard, not vice versa.
• Unfortunately, forest fires often run rampant in the hot months. Always extinguish your fire and if a fire ban has been put in place, obey the rules. Leave your cigarettes at home.
• Heading into the back country? Leave a map, itinerary and timeframe with a trusted friend or family member.
• If you plan on bringing Fido with you, check the campground’s pet regulations in advance. Many will welcome pets but some don’t.
• Don’t take more than you need but don’t forget the essentials. Food, sleeping bags and cooking utensils are important, but don’t forget bug spray, a first aid kit and waterproof matches.
• With the wild west coast’s unpredictable weather, you could be peeling off layers one day and sheltering yourself from the rain on the next. Be prepared and bring the necessary gear for any and all weather conditions.

If you have any other great tips, please feel free to share them below…

Photo: Alistair Howard on Flickr

The number of campsites, campgrounds and Provincial parks across Vancouver Island is limitless. If you can imagine your dream camping trip, you can make it happen right here. For more information on camping options, a quick Google search will get you where you need to be, or you can check out Super, Natural British Columbia online for more ideas.

You tell me: where are your favourite spots to go camping on Vancouver Island?