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Growing up, making the trip from the Comox Valley to Victoria was a tedious three-hour or more journey. Though highway expansion has cut the time down a bit, sometimes driving still takes longer than time allows for. Train travel and express bus are options, but as of September 5, 2010, flying will get you down south in a snap.

Photo: Island Express Air

Island Express Air has been making the trip between Victoria and Nanaimo for close to a year, but travelers wishing to connect up to the Comox Valley would have to be re-routed through Abbotsford. With the launch of this route, a quick 10-minute stopover in Nanaimo will have you between Victoria and the Comox Valley in a mere 45 minutes for only $99.

Adding the route only makes sense as the Comox Valley airport serves the entirety of the North Island and has become a hub for Mexico-bound flights in recent years. This scenic trip will be available between Victoria and the Comox Valley six days a week, Wednesday being the exception. Visit Island Express Air’s online for more information and to lock in your reservation.

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.

The air is starting to get cooler, the days shorter and leaves are beginning to turn. The final days of August are winding down, ready to usher in the autumn and all the beauty that season holds. However, we’re not finished with our sun-drenched days quite yet and there’s still a lot of summer to pack in before Labour Day. Here’s a brief round-up of activities to keep you (or your family) smiling until the first school bell rings.

Rumble on the Runway

August 28-29, 2010 – Port McNeill Airport – Drag racing enthusiasts won’t want to miss the North Island Timing Association’s premiere summer event that promises to provide a million thrills a minute. Time trials will be held on Saturday with the elimination round on Sunday. [website]

Big River… Almost Johnny Cash

September 5, 2010 – Spirit Square, Campbell River – This tribute to the Man in Black will rock the afternoon from noon until 2:00 p.m. at the Spirit Square at Tyee Plaza; admission is free for the whole family. [website]

Alpine Food Festival

September 3-5, 2010 – Mount Washington Alpine Resort – Challenge your culinary skill set with cooking classes, wine pairings, a gala dinner, “foodie” marketplace and special appearance from Anthony Sedlak of the Food Network. [website]

Comox Valley Exhibition

August 27-29, 2010 – Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds – Featuring crafters, artisans, zucchini races, chainsaw carving, lumberjack show and so much more! [website]

10th Annual Tofino Lantern Festival

August 29, 2010 – Tofino Botanical Gardens – This unique event is a fantasy land full of handcrafted lanterns gracing Tofino’s famed botanical jewel. Lantern-making workshops are being held August 24-28, 2010 with the grande finale on Sunday night. The event is car-free, so please walk or bicycle to the gardens. All proceeds will benefit the Raincoast Education Society. [website]

Lighthouse Country Fall Fair

September 4, 2010 – Qualicum Bay – Welcome a new season and celebrate the vibrant oceanside communities of Parksville, Qualicum and beyond with this event designed to entertain and educate. The fair features a bouncy castle, kids’ games, “freaky” vegetables, dancers, musicians and so much more. This year’s theme will highlight local farms and produce with its “Heritage Breeds and Seeds” theme. Admission is $5 for adults; children 12 and under are free. [website]

The Little Woodstock West Street Festival

September 3-4, 2010 – Nanaimo – Maffeo Sutton Park welcomes the community’s most notable and talented buskers in this whimsically delightful celebration of music and entertainment. Admission is free but please bring a donation for the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank. [website]

Ladysmith Arts On The Avenue

August 29, 2010 – First Avenue, Ladysmith – The stretch of First Avenue between Roberts Street and White Street is home to everything from pottery and jewelry to handmade food and entertainment. The fun gets underway at 10 a.m. and winds down by 4 p.m. [website]

Cobble Hill Fair

August 27-29, 2010 – Cobble Hill Fairgrounds – Celebrating 101 years, the fair includes a pancake breakfast, parade, kids’ games and even a Johnny Cash tribute band! [website]

Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival

August 26 – September 5, 2010 – Various locations in Victoria – More than 65 highly talented performing companies from around the globe will each be performing a handful of shows throughout the capital region – some of which are free! Attendees over the age of 13 must purchase a Visa button to access any and all shows. [website]

If you have an event you’d like featured here, send me an e-mail or feel free to leave a comment below!

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.

For 363 days each year, the Village of Cumberland is one of Vancouver Island’s sleepiest towns, its streets dotted with heritage homes, a handful of locally-run shops and a towering brick post office. The other two days of the year, it’s a totally different story…

The Big Time Out has quickly become one of BC’s biggest music festivals that packs a lot of star punch. This year the music festival is returning to its two-day roots, covering the weekend of August 14 and 15, 2010. “We’ve worked hard to create a really special place for artists and music lovers,” enthuses Vig Schulman, the show’s producer. “The word has gotten out among artists, agents and the whole music community that Cumberland is a great place to play, even worth making a big detour from a busy world tour.“

Canada’s beloved indie superheroes Broken Social Scene are headlining this year’s show, bringing their world-class sound to Cumberland on their only Canadian stop this summer before hitting the U.S. tour circuit. Adding some heavyweight star power is Somali-Canadian hip hop artist K’naan, fresh off a World Cup high where his song “Waving Flag” was FIFA’s anthem for the event. Other acts confirmed for The Big Time Out include Winter Gloves, Hannah Georgas, Ohbjou, The Acorn and a ton more!

The Big Time Out will be rockin’ the party at Cumberland Village Park – it’s on one of the Comox Valley’s transit routes, so considering leaving your car at home. Kids 12 and under are free; tickets for us big kids are a steal at $62.50 for each of Saturday and Sunday (or $107.20 for a weekend pass). Tickets can be purchased in a snap online and at various retailers across Vancouver Island. Check the website for more information.

How many times have you walked into a wine shop or liquor store, intent on purchasing a tantalizing bottle of wine, only to find yourself perplexed or overwhelmed? With so many varietals, vineyards and exotic production locales around the globe, knowing where to start and what to choose can often be a daunting endeavour.

For the twelfth year in a row, Mt. Washington Alpine Resort is hoping to put an end to your confusion with the Alpine Wine Festival on Friday, August 6. Held in the Raven Lodge and boasting breathtaking panoramic views of Vancouver Island’s mountainous spine, the festival welcomes vineyards from across the Island, the country and even from overseas. Festival attendees each receive a commemorative wine glass and are encouraged to sip and sample everything their heart desires.

Accompanied by tasty food samplings, the festival will keep swinging with live entertainment courtesy of acclaimed jazz pianist and composer, Karel Roessingh. You’ll also have the opportunity to support the Vancouver Island Mountain Sport Society with a silent auction featuring some truly fabulous items up for grabs.

Confirmed wineries include:

• Coastal Black Estate Winery
• Muse Winery
• Averill Creek Winery
• Blue Moon Estate Winery
• Carbrea Vineyards
• Hillside Estate Winery
• Desert Hills Estate Winery
• Fosters Wine Estates (featuring Wolf Blass and Beringer Stone Cellars)
• PMA Wines and Spirits (featuring Two Oceans and Flat Roof Manor)
• Merridale Cider
• Sea Cider Farm and Cider House

Tickets for the event can be purchased online for $30 and attendees must be legal drinking age (19+). A courtesy shuttle is available for those attending. For more information on this and the wine pairing dinner the following night, please visit Mt. Washington Alpine Resort’s website. I hope to see you all there!

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!

UPDATED: Congratulations to Jillian Mayne! Jillian is the winner of two tickets to The Big Day Up.

With only ten days to go until The Big Day Up, Mount Washington Alpine Resort is gearing up for the biggest party their slopes have ever seen. Saturday, July 17 is bound to be a toasty day under the sun, jam-packed with unbelievable musical talent from across Canada and even one epic band from Down Under.

This inaugural outdoor fiesta of sound is brought to you by Cumberland Village Works, the same brilliant group of people responsible for The Big Time Out and a whole slew of incredible musicians and artists that have passed through the Comox Valley in recent years.

Headlining this show is none other than The Cat Empire, a sensational tour de force from Australia that have amassed an admirable following. Having treated audiences around the globe to their infectious grooves, this multi-member outfit shows no signs of slowing down, driven by a ferocity rarely seen in today’s talent. While it’s next to impossible to definitively describe The Cat Empire’s musical stylings in a word or two, those at The Big Day Up can expect everything from funk, ska, reggae and even a bit of vaudeville.

Also sharing the stage at The Big Day Up are Daniel Wesley, Nine Mile, Sweatshop Union and Aaron Nazrul and the Boom Booms. Multi-Coloured Mischeif, The Naked DJs and Nova Firespun Performing Arts will be on hand to keep the party pumping well into the wee hours, followed by an after party in Mount Washington’s legendary lodge.

Tickets are available for just $62.50 (+ HST) and can be purchased online and at the following locations:

Comox Valley – Bop City Records, Tarbell, Sound Advice, The Waverley
Campbell River – The Music Plant
Nanaimo – Lucid
Tofino – Common Loaf
Port Alberni – Sound Advice
Victoria – Lyle’s Place
Vancouver – Highlife Music

Mount Washington is offering up both camping and RV sites (for this event only) and luxe accommodation in slopeside condos for those wishing to make a night of it. For more information on the event, including how to get there, check out The Big Day Up’s official website.

Ticket Giveaway: The fine folks at Cumberland Village Works are offering up a pair of tickets to The Big Day Up to one lucky reader and winning couldn’t be easier! Simply leave a comment below telling me which artist on the bill you’d be most excited to see or Tweet the following:

I want to party at The Big Day Up thanks to @thevillageworks and @keiraanne! http://bit.ly/daASL6 #TBDU2010

A comment and a Tweet will count for two entries. The contest closes at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 14, at which time I’ll draw one winner at random to receive the two tickets. The winner must be able to attend the event at Mount Washington in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. Tickets hold no cash value and are non-transferable. Tickets are valid only for admission and do not include transportation, accommodation, travel expenses, food or beverages.