Galiano Island, British Columbia

A couple of years ago on a dreary rainy day in November we decided to spend a weekend on Galiano Island. Galiano is one of the southern gulf islands located half way between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay accessed by BC Ferries.



While the Gulf Islands are very close proximity to Vancouver, there are reasons that conspire against you in your quest for exploration. You will find that "Islanders" are very protective of their land and like to keep to their idyllic lifestyle. I would be safe to say that all of these islands are very busy with tourists during the summer months, but now that we are nearly in the grips of winter we find that we are probably the only travellers ambling about. I am usually very thorough in finding information about proposed destinations and with only 5 eating establishments on Galiano it was our thought to have a meal at each of them.

We found our way to the Marina and discovered that the waterfront restaurant had closed for the season. It looked well kept so we walked about on their boardwalk snapping a few pictures of the boats.



The Harbour Grill: we will have to savour their offerings on a future visit



We were hoping to get a mid-day meal somewhere so we drove over to the Galiano Island Oceanfront Inn & Spa, where they have a gourment restaurant. As with any upscale resort with all the luxury amenities, we noticed that the grounds had been immaculately groomed. We didn't notice very many cars in the lot and made our way inside only to be told that their Chef was on vacation this month so their restaurant will be closed until his return



No such luck here either with a moped rental even if that was your desire but the rates were posted on a sign affixed to their door.

The main shopping area is located just as you come off the ferry. There is a general store with gas station, bakery, gift store(s), artists shop, and restaurant that was OPEN. (Sorry if I left anyone out)



This was where we had most of our meals as it was the only place open all day. There was another pub/restaurant that opened in the evenings for dinner only



Another sign for the Galiano Mopeds. I would have thought that they should be available for rental here as it is more convenient as you walk off the ferry, instead of having to walk for an hour up to Montague Harbour



Our dining plans were thwarted as out of 5 places to eat, all but 2 were closed for the season.



There is one road which runs up the spine of the island through the forest without any views of the water. The main road is 2 lanes and paved. This road to the park is more or less single lane



There is limited accommodation options on the island. Except for the Luxury Oceanfront inn, you will have to find yourself a B&B (Bed & Breakfast) which we arranged before arriving. Also during the peak summer months most will only rent for 1 week min periods, or 3 day weekends. It would be difficult to find a place for only one night.



Access to our B&B is via this gravel road on the side of a cliff



We finally catch sight of "The Treehouse" which will be our home away from home for the next 3 days.



This particular property has 2 cabins for rent. One is the Treehouse, and the other is the Cliff House, which was my original desire.


(The Cliff House)

It is a neat place perched on a cliff with a sundeck virtually overhanging the water. I could imagine myself just sitting there reading a book and watching the water.

They also had a "shared" sauna which was constructed Underground



Here is another view showing the owner's residence directly above. The Treehouse is located further up the hill in the trees, and the Cliff house is directly to your left so there is a lot of privacy here.



Galiano Island is a place to energize and refresh your batteries, relieve the stresses of the world. There is nothing to do here except relax and enjoy life, breathing . . . a place to slow down and gather your thoughts. We did not find any public beach areas as there are mostly cliffs that make their way down to the shore. Here is the scene from the cliff showing you the typical shoreline.



Galiano Island, BC requested by Mr Conchscooter, Key West Diary

South Granville Street, Vancouver, BC

It had been a while since we had brunch at one of our favourite restaurants along Granville Street. The South Granville neighbourhood is a one mile strip of upscale stores starting on the south side of the Granville street bridge terminating around 16th avenue.


(South Granville: Bridge to 16th)

Vancouver is comprised of many retail areas scattered around the city. As you navigate your way along the sidewalks and peer into the small specialty stores you get the feeling that you are in a small town.



Fall is definitely in the air as you notice from the fallen leaves and longer shadows cast by the sun, as well as people bundled up with warmer outerwear. Time to ditch the T-shirts and shorts.

There is no set demographic as you notice people of all generations. Some come by bicycle, being ECO friendly



while others come in luxury



Others are just here, waiting for generous souls to throw their hard earned money away into his hat. Or perhaps he is already home and we are intruding upon his personal space.



His sign reads: "EVERYDAY, I bow and Pray that I can find a better way"

This being a Sunday there is not much traffic and only a handful of these stores are opened



Sometimes you can't dwell on the plight of others and move on. The people who live on the street stay there by choice. We have programs on the east side which are prepared to take them in during the cold of winter where they will be fed and given a warm place to bed down.



I would say that this area caters to the upper middle class and you will find many movie stars (famous people) mingling in with the locals trying to blend in



You will not find many of those national chain stores if that was your desire, but rather interesting merchandise from stores with a niche market



We happened to stumble into a well stocked store specializing in kitchen implements and they just happened to be finishing a cooking demonstration with their new stainless steel convection countertop oven. Of course samples were just being distributed to the onlookers



I wandered about the store and could see that they had every conceivable tool available for the kitchen, all in stainless steel and every type of electrical appliance made with sales ladies in every isle for your beck and call.

The stores line both sides of Granville Street, but if you were to look around the corner you would see



apartment buildings, many of which have been restored to their original grandeur



You will find that not all of the underprivileged, unemployed beg for their money. Others go on their merry way scouring the alleyways and garbage bins for objects of value, while pushing their bicycle



I stood there for a moment staring at him and wondered if he was happy in just being, and whether it was hard to forage daily for your substenance. I'm not sure I would have the fortitude, nor desire to be in his shoes. He turned the corner while I watched



I'm not sure who was happier, this fellow content to beg for money to be thrown into his hat, or the person with the bicycle wanting to earn his own way by doing the only thing he knows.



Or this new person who had just arrived and was sitting on the sidewalk



I headed down the street with thoughts of more pleasant things on my mind


(When all of us see a steaming chicken, Jack "r" sees this)

Point Roberts, WA: Finale

Continuation of Previous Entry:

I remember when I was a youngster, we used to come down to Boundary Bay regularly. Boundary Bay is on the Canadian Side and there was another border crossing along the East side of the Peninsula, which has since been removed. This section is comprised of older cottages/summer homes which you will see shortly.

Currently there is only one crossing and the normal route would be to head due south after crossing the border for about a mile then turn right at the intersection where there is a grocery store and gas station.



Marine Drive winds its way along the Western Shore and eventually you will round the corner heading East along its lower edge


(looking straight ahead: East)


(view Right: South)

The homes on the right side of this road are beachfront properties and there is a mix of new and old. Dead ahead, there is a "subdivision" of newly constructed homes that would resemble any affluent area in the country. The mix of the residents are slowly changing from temporary little used vacation/summer cottages to those of permanent year round dwellings. I have now turned right on the loop road and this is what you see


(Waterfront homes are on the right)

I decide to head over to the older populated section on the East side. You travel about a mile or so on a country road passing cottages, homes with larger lots and notice lots of vacant land as well as abandoned homes


(If only the walls could talk)

Unlike the cottages on the West side of the Peninsula which are on the beach, these cottages have a view of the beach but they are on the opposite side of the road


(Typical Point Robert cottages)

Notice that the road winds its way along the water with the beach on one side, and cottages on the other side separated also by a cement wall which is there to minimize ocean surges during stormy weather.


(Point Roberts along Boundary Bay, looking North)


(again a contrast of old and new)


(view looking South)

At periodic places along the way, there are stairwells to allow access to the beach


(Stairwell access to the beach)

There are new condos on the left. There is no parking allowed along this section so I decide to pose my Wee for a photo opp



Notice that left turn sign about a block ahead. That building directly in front is in Canada. Here is a closer view of the corner. There are no barricades to prevent you from walking through that opening into Canada (from the USA).


(Canadian homeowners lounging on their sundeck are only a few feet from US soil)

After you make the left turn you will notice the chain link fence which separates our two countries. The condominiums are Canadian and the road is American.



Looking through the chain link fence at the homes in Boundary Bay (Tsawwassen) reveals a normal subdivision. This was where the previous border crossing was located, since removed.



Notice the contrasts of more recent construction on a densly populated Canadian subdivision as compared to old summer cottages on the American side, all living in harmony together separated only by a chain link fence, and unrestricted access through the border when walking along the beach.



That minivan just ahead of my bike had Canadian licence plates. Presumably the homeowner wanted to park behind his Condo and had to transverse through American customs first.

While the Point Roberts border crossing is at the top of this hill, they changed the access for security reasons



This particular section of road has a likeness to any country road anywhere, but we are only about a mile from the Border crossing. There are lots of vacant land and forested areas on this peninsula.



Heading back to Tsawwassen (Canada), earlier the cars were lined up back to this point. Now the road is clear.


(The Border is approx 1 km ahead)

It's interesting how this section of land has remained in custody of the USA and is only accessible by transversing through Canada. I fondly think of it as the Key West of the North (a Peninsula accessible by only one road) . The next time you are in the area or visit Vancouver, it would be worth a trip to explore for yourself.