Keira-anne.com

After a sunshine-filled hike through Stanley Park this weekend, a group of friends and I were already thinking about next summer. Someone mentioned the notion of spending a week on glassy lake waters, causing me to quickly turn my mind to one of Vancouver Island’s most beloved bodies of fresh water.

Photo: PrincessAshley on Flickr

A 20-minute drive due west of Duncan, Cowichan Lake is the indisputable anchor of the Cowichan Valley. Stretching more than 30 kilometres, the lake is a top draw for recreation enthusiasts and boasts fishing, boating, waterskiing, camping, swimming and windsurfing.

Map: Google Maps

It’s not difficult to see why Cowichan Lake is a favourite escape for tourists and Island locals alike…

Photo: bmann on Flickr

Photo: nep on Flickr

Photos: thorinside on Flickr

Like most everywhere on Vancouver Island, Cowichan Lake is no stranger to wildlife and limitless flora and fauna. Of particular note are the bountiful brambles of blackberries. Each year on the Labour Day weekend the Honeymoon Bay Outdoor Market celebrates this juicy fruit with a blackberry festival, featuring jellies, jams vinegar and more pies than you can imagine. This year’s Honeymoon Bay Blackberry Festival will be held on Sunday, September 5, 2010 on the south shores of the lake.

Photo: Cowichan Valley Photos

Photo: ciboulette on Flickr

Photo: bmann on Flickr

Photo: D G Brown on Flickr

Dirt roads spider out from the west side of Cowichan Lake, connecting hikers and bikers with a straight shot to the West Coast Trail by way Bamfield and Port Renfrew. Those less ambitious can take advantage of the gentler trails that encircle various parts of the lake.

Photo: mrjonathanpotter on Flickr

Photo: ozzieguy on Flickr

Sometimes “getting away from it all” only requires a short drive down a country road.

Photo: D G Brown on Flickr

For more information on Cowichan Lake and the nearby town of Lake Cowichan, please visit the Lake Cowichan online.

While there are times I resent my monthly cable bill, I have resigned myself to the fact that there are some channels I simply cannot live without. AMC gives me my Mad Men fix, RaptorsTV and TSN2 bring the Phoenix Suns into my living room during the NBA season and HGTV keeps my creative gears turning. I am positively obsessed with design and real estate shows, and if I’d known better when I was younger, I would have picked a different career path.

Canadian designer Sarah Richardson is the host of the wildly popular Sarah’s House, showcasing her energetic, elegant and inspired designs. With a punch from her savvy sidekick Tommy, Sarah transforms everyday homes into show-stoppers with a modest budget and a ton of talent. Her on-screen presence is infectious but even more enchanting are her creations. I recently had a peek at her online portfolio and thought I’d share a few of my favourites with you all.

Commence drooling.

All Photos © Sarah Richardson Design

To see Sarah’s design in motion, pop over to HGTV Canada’s website – complete episodes of all seasons of Sarah’s House and Sarah’s Cottage are available online.

The shores of Vancouver Island are home to many smaller gulf islands, each with their own unique character and beauty. Within the Comox Valley are Hornby Island and Denman Island. While most will only ever drive across Denman Island to reach the aquamarine waters of Hornby Island, Denman is one that should not be missed.

Photo: jdww on Flickr

Safe from the perils of being a top choice destination as its easterly neighbour, Denman Island has remained mostly untouched. Home to a few more than 1,000 year-round residents, it’s a haven for artists, retirees, potters, gardeners and those who simply wish a slower pace of life. Denman Island is roughly the same shape and size as the island of Manhattan.

Map: Google Maps

Photo: darkthirty on Flickr

The Denman Village, a short walk uphill from the ferry, is the heart of the community. Built in 1907, the General Store serves as the island’s flagship and is flanked by the near-century old community hall, bakery, art gallery and a handful of quaint shops begging to be explored. Don’t leave out a quick stop at Denman Island Chocolate for an indulgent treat!

Photo: BillFromSpokane on Flickr

Photo: J. Woodward | iconoco on Flickr

There’s certainly no shortage of ways to keep busy on Denman Island. Fillongley Provincial Park is a haven for hiking enthusiasts, beachcombers and campers alike. However, if you’re planning on camping on Denman Island, reserve well in advance as Fillongley is the only campground on the entire island.

Photo: Rob__ on Flickr

Photos: J. Woodward | iconoco on Flickr

Photo: Alex Ristea on Flickr

Photo: sal de mar on Flickr

Aside from the obvious farm animals, Denman Island is home to a number of wildlife, including seals, bald eagles, sea lions, herons and deer.

Photo: sal de mar on Flickr

Photo: TylerIngram on Flickr

Photo: DragonWoman on Flickr

Another intriguing place to see is Tree Island – also known as Sandy Island Marine Provincial Park – dancing on the northern tip of Denman Island. Camping is allowed but note that campfires are banned year round and there’s no source of fresh drinking water.

Photo: Oceanwood on Flickr

Photo: Marvilus on Flickr

Photo: ☞Ћę ®ə◗ ℘∀ℕĐ▲☜ on Flickr

Those wishing to visit Denman Island or who seek more information about planning a trip to see it should visit Denman Island Online. The island is accessible by a 25-minute ferry ride from Buckley Bay, approximately a 20-minute drive south of Courtenay and 50 minutes north of Nanaimo.

If there’s one thing that would make Etsy better it would be the ability to see, smell, feel and admire all the fine finds in person. That’s precisely the beauty in the annual Filberg Festival at Filberg Lodge and Park in Comox, British Columbia.

Opening its gates every BC Day long weekend, this year’s event was flooded with lots of sunshine and warmth. I spent a day wandering the flora and fauna with my mom, admiring everything from handmade soaps and organic cotton skirts to one-of-a-kind paintings and covet-worthy collections of pottery.

One particular vendor that caught my eye at this year’s event was Gord Langston. This Sidney-based sculptor works with almost anything he can get his hands on – particularly scrap metals.

His recycled metal art boasts cow bells made from fire extinguishers, garden decor crafted from once-loved eating utensils and drawer pulls shaped from junkyard scraps. The showstopper of his collection was undoubtedly this reflective eagle, cast in deep tones with exquisite detail.

The incredible crafts on hand aren’t the only thing awe-inspiring. Filberg Park is situated directly on the water, enhanced by spectacular views of Vancouver Island’s mountain range and the Comox Glacier.

It’s impossible not to indulge yourself in one or three things, but with my bank account still recovering from New York City, I showed some restraint. I’ve long marveled at Sarah Jane’s StixNStones, envying girls who can toss their hair up with a Bic pen in the flick of a wrist. My hair’s incredibly slippery, so I was convinced that the hair sticks weren’t for me. With just 30 seconds of instruction, Sarah Jane showed me how to twist and roll like the best of ‘em and I’m now inseparable with my hair stick. I only wish I’d bought a few.

(The website is currently being built, but you can still click over there for photos of her creations. Send a quick e-mail if you want to order a few of your own – something I’d highly suggest, ladies.)

A large roster of talented musicians was also on hand to keep everyone entertained, but we unfortunately didn’t have the time to check out any of the listed acts. However, sipping cherry lemonade is the perfect excuse to make a quick stop and smell the flowers.

Each year the Filberg Festival shines the spotlight on a guest artist. This year Canadian artist MONK shared her stunning West Coast paintings with the crowd, pieces that dance in dreamy watercolours.

2010 marked the first year that a guest artist encouraged attendees to create art of their own. The lush greens of Cathedral Grove were open for embellishment in a collaborative tribute to fallen Olympic athlete, Nodar Kumaritashvili of Georgia. Budding artists could add a personal touch to the painting which will be presented as a gift to the people of Nodar’s home country.

For more information on the annual Filberg Festival, and to stay in the loop for tickets prior to next year’s extravaganza, visit the Filberg Festival’s official website.

Last week I took some time off work and escaped to Vancouver Island for nine days. Much of that time was spent wearing stretchy pants, watching HGTV, sleeping in late, stuffing my face with all kinds of food that’s bad for me (my skin was hating me for doing so), drinking beer, BBQing, baking and catching up with friends. I managed to squeeze in a day of going through old boxes with my mom and aunt, hoping to find a lot that could be given away or recycled.

I discovered far more spiders and mice than this city girl is kosher with, but also learned that apparently I used to be a major pack rat. I saved everything from tees to receipts and even hotel shower caps. However, among the overstuffed boxes laid a few gems and memories that I thought I’d take the time to gratuitously share with you all.

My summer of 15. Taking trips to Vancouver, sans parents, was always a thrill. We never had shops like Underground in Courtenay. Plus, I knew I’d never get to see Trainspotting if my parents had anything to say about it.

When I did find myself in the city with one or both parents, a Vancouver Canucks’ hockey game was almost always on the agenda. Anyone raised in BC will certainly remember the 1994 playoffs and the legendary roster.

Apparently there was also a NBA team that called Vancouver home at one time…

I also found my old diary…

… and somewhere in the boxes was my baby book.

I’ll never forget my first concert. My dad took me to see U2′s Zoo TV World Tour at BC Place when I was 11, and I still remember the butterflies I felt while stepping off the Skytrain. I was crushing on Bono – hard.

There’s no better way to hear Achtung Baby than live and loud.

(Yeah, I don’t get it either.)

These belonged to my mom and aunt when they were little girls and got passed along. Somewhere there’s a hipster dying to own them.

Remember a long, long time ago… about 24 years ago? There was a little exhibition along the waterfront at False Creek in Vancouver and people came from far and wide to share in the cultural experience. Expo ’86 brought the world to our slice of the planet for five months in 1986, bringing with it iconic legacies that are still part of Vancouver in 2010.

I went through a phase in junior high where I collected everything and anything I could get my hands on from the world fair. At one point I even found a stuffed, life-size Expo Ernie (the official mascot), but he sadly succumbed to dirt, dust, mice and water damage. A few items remained in near-mint condition.

“Something’s Happening Here” played during the evening fireworks display. What I wouldn’t give to be able to digitalize the tape and play it here for you all. It’s the epitome of “epic”.

Though I was incredibly young at the time, I still have a few fond memories of the trip I took with my family across the water and into the colourful, musical, creative gates of Expo ’86.

Purple velcro shoes? Check.

Somewhere in the memorabilia boxes from Expo ’86, I also found a ton of buttons. I suspect the aquarium buttons were from way back when it was still okay to keep whales and dolphins in captivity. Oh wait…

Last, though certainly not the least, comes one of my most treasured pictures. For reasons unbeknownst to me, at one time there were lions and tigers (yet not bears) on display at the Driftwood Mall in Courtenay. My dad paid to have a Polaroid snapped of me holding a tiger cub. I’m guessing that he’s not so cuddly and cute anymore (and hopefully not still in captivity either).

While more than half a dozen bags and three or four boxes were bound up for the thrift store and recycling bins, I’m not cutthroat enough to get rid of any of these items. Who knows when my eighth grade medal for basketball sportsmanship will come in handy?

For more than a decade, wine makers and wine lovers have been converging at Mount Washington Alpine Resort for the annual Alpine Wine Festival. The event has become increasingly popular, packing full the elegantly rustic Raven Lodge, and it’s quickly become one of my must-dos over the summer months.

Last weekend I grabbed one of my way-back girlfriends and headed up the mountain in the courtesy shuttle. We were soon greeted by cheery faces, an outdoor BBQ and beautifully etched wine glasses ready for filling.

The tempting cheese and fruit platters didn’t hurt either. Pairing cheese with wine is a fundamental of “Wine Drinking 101″, and it didn’t take either of us very long to dig into the brie and smoked gouda.

99 times out of 100, I’ll pick red wine over white, so I tend to split my preferred wines into two categories: (1) wine I buy when I’m cooking and want to make an impression; and (2) easy-drinking wine that I can uncork to facilitate a relaxing evening on the couch. I found no shortage of either here.

Events like the Alpine Wine Festival provide for an array of tastings and, hopefully, will open up one’s palate to new varietals. While I’ll almost always pick a pinot noir over any other offering, prior to last year’s event, I drew the line at shiraz. I’ve since learned that shiraz and syrah are, in fact, the same kind of wine (dependent on which region around the globe each hails from) and have even found one or two that I really enjoy.

With countless bottles to sip and sample from, I was bound to find some hits and misses. Some wines of note that I particularly fancied included: The Show – an Argentinian malbec; the 2006 pinot noir from Nichol Vineyard – straight from BC’s Naramata Bench; a gamay noir from Hillside Estate – also from Naramata; Ex-Nihilo‘s merlot from the Okanagan Valley; and Strut – a refreshing and summery rosé (with legs!) from the Niagara Peninsula.

The showstopper of the evening for yours truly was undoubtedly Averill Creek‘s Prevost, named for one of the Cowichan Valley’s mountains and ripe with carefully crafted flavour that just about knocked my strappy sandals off.

Perhaps one of the best aspects of the Alpine Wine Festival – apart from the obvious – is the opportunity to interact with the proprietors and learn about where what you’re sipping comes from. Wine making is a thorough and often fascinating practice that dates back thousands of years, and no two vintners’ secrets are alike.

The Alpine Wine Festival is held each summer at Mount Washington Alpine Resort and will be entering its 13th year in 2011. While there’s a 51-week wait until next year’s fest, the mountain’s got a lot of great activities and events to tide you over until then. You can check them out online or follow along on Twitter to stay up-to-date and be the first to know when the snow starts falling.

Disclosure: Though I was not paid or asked to write about the Alpine Wine Festival, I received admission for myself and my friend at no charge.

I’m not normally one for summer vacations. That’s not to say I don’t take time away from work when the sun is shining and the beach calls my name. However, there’s no better place to be during the summertime than British Columbia and, in particular, on Vancouver Island. So why leave?

In only one week I’ll be throwing summer dresses, sandals and bikinis in my suitcase, packing a bag for Jordy (that kid doesn’t travel light) and head to Vancouver Island for nine days. The best part of the plan is that I have no plans. Spending endless hours on the Island’s beaches, noshing on homegrown food from Coombs, taking afternoon naps in the shade in my mom’s backyard, ice cold beer, evening badminton, BBQ dinners every single day and catching up with some of my oldest friends are all on the must-do list.

There’s never a shortage of events happening in and around the Comox Valley over the upcoming BC Day Long Wekeend, some of which I spend all year looking forward to. Next weekend marks the start of the 52nd Annual Nautical Days celebration in the seaside town of Comox, featuring a family-friendly parade, Dragon Boat races, fireworks and the always-popular Build, Bail and Sail race [website].

Photo: tempest_kat on Flickr

Photo: Amelia Burrows

Also that weekend is the Filberg Festival, entering its 28th year from July 30 until August 2 [website]. Highly skilled potters, painters, musicians, “foodies”, weavers, textile and clothing designers, jewelers and more from around North America converge in the middle of breathtaking Filberg Park to display their wares. It’s a must for me every year, even if only for the best lemonade ever.

In the meantime, I thought I’d share with you some of my favourite summer snaps from around the Island and the Comox Valley over the summer months. What are you looking forward to before the leaves start to turn orange, red and yellow? Feel free to share your summertime musts in the comments below!

While I’d like to call it an act of spontaneity, I’ve been mulling over the idea of buying a bicycle for quite some time. In truth I haven’t owned one since I was in my early teens, ripping up and down the dirt roads of Hornby Island on our family camping trips (yikes, right?). And even then, it was only a mountain bike.

The thing about Craigslist is that the margin of decision time is narrow. If you find something you want, buy it or it’ll be gone before you know it. This afternoon I found a vintage road bike for $100 that I fell in love with, but by the time I got on the phone with the owner, it was gone. He said that the good news was that he had a second bike that he was selling, this one for only $90. He swung by within the hour, let me try it on for size and it was a done deal.

It’s a bit beaten-looking, rusted and in desperate need of a paint job. However, with a bit of fresh handlebar tape, a shiny, new saddle and some TLC, the bike will look as good as (almost) new. It’ll be great to have something to bomb around downtown with during the sunny months, but at that price, it almost doesn’t matter if it doesn’t last me too long. I still need to grab myself a lock and helmet, but I can’t wait to take this for a spin in the open bike lanes.

I recently wrote about Jake, an American Staffordshire pitbull that two friends of mine adopted from the HugABull rescue society. It’s been several months now, and Jake has well adapted to his new home in the Comox Valley. I recently got the chance to spend some time with Jake (and take Jordy along on a doggie play date) and snapped a few photos of this handsome boy.

He’s ready to run…

…gaining speed…

… “Ohhhh! Look – grass! My favourite thing to eat!”