cowichan valley visitor

A 2011 visitor’s guide to the Cowichan region

Valley VisitorEnjoy the warmth of the Warm Land

CowichanSpecial Supplement May 2011

One week in Cowichan

Inside:

2 The Valley Visitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spring 2011

Courtesy of the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial

www.qms.bc.ca University Preparatory High School for GirlsEquine Sciences, Pre-Engineering and Media Arts

Canada’s Only On-Campus Riding ProgramBoarding School for Girls, Grades 6 - 12

Duncan, Vancouver Island, Bri sh ColumbiaT 250 746-4185 | [email protected]

Today I discovered...how to y.Connect at QMS

www qms bc caww hool for GirlsMedia Artsg Programdes 6 - 121

g6

Prrogram

Gira Arts

OPEN Mon - Sat 9:30-5:30Thurs to 8:00 pmin Duncan Village Mall

[email protected]

250-748-BIKE (2453)

The Cowichan Valleys’ Centre for Cycling

Service/Repairs

Surrounded by VineyardsVinoteca Food & Wine Bar

Al Fresco Dining

Zanatta Winery250-748-2338

Vinoteca Food & Wine Bar250-709-2279

5039 Marshall Rd. (Glenora) www.zanatta.ca

http://www.qms.bc.caUniversity

mailto:[email protected]








Spring 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Valley Visitor 3


Published annually by the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial, Unit 2, 5380 Trans Canada Highway, Duncan B.C., V9L 6W4Phone: (250) 746-4471 Fax: (250) 746-8529 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.cowichannewsleader.com

Located on Vancouver Island on Canada’s rugged West Coast, 40 minutes north of the capital city of Victoria, the Cowichan and Chemainus valleys are a diverse mixture of arts, agriculture, natural beauty and

heritage.As its newspaper of record since 1905,

the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial prides itself as being the source of informa-

tion for the region.The Valley Visitor is your guide to all the

obvious and secret treasures this community offers.

Produced by: The Cowichan News Leader Pictorial

Editor: John McKinley Publisher: Bill Macadam

Valley VisitorCowichan

A 2011 visitor’s guide to the Cowichan Valley

PRESENTING ONE WEEK IN COWICHAN:

Day One:Enjoy a family day in the City of Totems

Day Two:Some golf, some paddling and some feathers

Day Three:Get out to the big lake and the wilderness beyond

Day Four:Farm fresh food and pastoral splendour

Day Five:Great heights, unique tastes and the majestic orca

Day Six:Art, history, theatre and a dip in the Emerald Sea

Day Seven:Planning your return visit

Brigantine InnNEIGHBOURHOOD PUB

&RETAIL LIQUOR STORE

Pub 746-5422 • Liquor Store 746-5452

LOCATED ON THE BEACHFRONT IN MAPLE BAY

Great Pub Food • Ten Beers On TapDock • ATM • Sunday Night Music

FULL SERVICE LIQUOR STORE6777 Beaumont Ave. • Duncan

Duncan Mall 250-748-8009

We have everything

you need! Quality

luggage, backpacks,

wallets, purses, travel

accessories, etc.

Travelling...?


http://www.cowichannewsleader.com



★ Electronic Bingo ★ Paper Bingo ★ Slot Machines ★10 am - 1 am everyday

For more info 250-746-6300 www.chancescowichan.ca

Vancouver Island Peace Center & Retreat Garden

You are invited to enjoy a Walk through the Forest

alongside the beautiful Cowichan River, a peaceful setting for a thousand years.

We Invite you to come for Tea and ask about our “Discovery Package”.

Become part of the Legacy.

VI Peace Center and Retreat GardenAdministration Offi ce: 365 Day Rd, Suite 105

Duncan, BC V9L 3K4Phone: 250.710.7594

email: [email protected]:www.viretreats.com

748-1212270 TRANS CANADA HWY. DUNCAN

“Make Life Taste Better!”

Proudly serving Canada’s best premium beef!

http://www.chancescowichan.caVancouver

http://www.chancescowichan.caVancouver

mailto:[email protected]:www.viretreats.com748-1212270







Enjoy a family day in the City of Totems

If you’ve got a visiting tyke in tow on your weekend jaunts around town, there a number of Cowichan Valley kid-

friendly hotspots you’ll want to stop by.

I can’t imagine a child not noticing either the red-and-blue plastic tubes hanging from the side of the Cowichan Aquatic Centre or its next-door-neigh-bour arena’s mega, Guinness

World Record-size hockey stick mounted on the entrance wall as they’re coming into Duncan along the Trans-Cana-da Highway.

“What’s that?” they’ll ask. Then comes the all-too-famil-

iar “Stop there” tantrum. Cowichan’s pool has to be

one of the coolest indoor cool-off spots on Vancouver Island.

Facility designers mimic Cowichan’s earthy, treed, ocean and river landscapes.

The pool deck has miracu-lously sprouted tall fir trees (sorry, but not for real) that watch over swimmers navigat-ing the lazy river system as well as the main pool area that boasts waves as big as the

Pacific Ocean’s (OK, a tad exaggerated).

The tubes eyed on the outside of the building are waterslides accessed from inside.

Moms and dads, there’s also a 25-metre pool, steam and sauna rooms, hot tub, as well as a fitness area that overlooks the pool.

The other neat thing is having the hockey hardware right next door.

Snap a shot of the stick — it’s a pretty wicked sight.

Guinness World Records keepers recently declared the 205-foot (62.48 m), 61,000-pound handler, along with puck, the world’s biggest.

If you’re a hockey fanatic,

take the brood to watch the Cowichan Valley Capitals Jr. A squad rough it up with another team at the “Big Stick.”

While you’re slinging your camera, catch a shot of Cowichan’s North American Indigenous Games Spirit Pole posted outside the pool, watch-ing over visitors.

Most tots (and their parents) will also find the “Aww cool” factor in Duncan’s B.C. Forest Discovery Centre.

Children strolling around the100-acre, open-air museum with its operational steam-train railway will for sure be check-ing every nook and cranny for Thomas and Friends.

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The fine arts are always on display in Cowichan at the Cowichan Theatre in the Island Savings Centre.DayOne



The Cowichan Aquatic Centre is a great way for the kids to unwind.

It can’t always be about the kidsWe know it can’t always be about the

kids. You may be looking to get a break

from your lil’ rug rat, especially when you’re hoping to take in everything from a new place.

If you have an eye for arts and cul-ture, Duncan’s got loads of neat places to put on your itinerary.

Get your First Nations fix from the Quw’utsun’ Cultural and Conference Centre, as well as Duncan’s Totem Tours.

The tours will give you the story behind the forest of Coast Salish icons that are Duncan’s trademark. The QCC, offers a deeper look into local First Nations history and culture through displays and demonstrations of things like carving and the knitting of the world-famous Cowichan sweaters.

Or take a walk through the Cowichan Valley Museum.

Located in the distinctive train sta-tion in downtown Duncan’s central park, the museum offers insight into Cowichan’s pioneer roots and what you are now experiencing came to be.

Skip the dudes, gals, and hit down-town Duncan’s street-side shops. The downtown core offers a one-stop shop experience with a variety of small, friend-ly businesses with more merch than you could ever want or need. Downtown also boasts several trendy cafes and eater-ies as well as art galleries like the E. J. Hughes Gallery on Station Street and the gaming centre Chances Cowichan. It also plays host to the Duncan Farmer’s Market every Saturday morning.

A night on the town should definitely include the Craig Street Brew Pub in the mix. No. Not all Cowichanians only swig Lucky Lager.

A lot of us also enjoy swigging the brew pub’s crisp German-style Cowichan Bay Lager, or any of the other delicious brews Chris Gress, the pub’s brewmas-ter, creates.

from 5

The centre features forest and marsh trails, and the story of B.C.’s forest industry is shared through exhibits, heritage buildings, and logging artifacts.

Locals often tap into the centre’s Christmas Express train run, as well as its Maple Syrup fest.

The centre holds more than 5,000

artifacts ranging from operational steam locomotives to chainsaws, as well as a dozen heritage buildings.

You might even learn a thing or two. The centre’s recent blog delves into

the world of a conductor’s whistle. “When the engineer is given the

signal to move forward by the conduc-tor, he gives two short toots. This is an acknowledgment that he has received the hand signal that it is safe to move forward.

“If the conductor requires the engineer to move backward, the hand signal is acknowledged with three short toots.

“When the train starts to move or slows down to stop, it is required to ring its bell until fully stopped or well underway in its movement.”

The toot-toots are magical treats for the ears while the eyes feast on its enchanted wooded landscape.

—Ashley Gaudreault



COWICHAN TICKET CENTRE | 250.748.7529 | 2687 James Street, Duncan BC V9L 2X5 | www.cowichantheatre.bc.ca

Live MetThe Metropolitan Opera’s productions include:■Donizetti’s Anna

Bolena■Mozart’s Don Giovanni■Wagner’s Siegfried■Glass’s Satyagraha■Handel’s Rodelinda■Gounod’s Faust■The Enchanted Island■Wagner’s

Gotterdammerung■Verdi’s Ernani■Massenet’s Manon■Verdi’s La Traviata

Watch for the Cowichan Theatre’s fall brochure for dates and times

Tickets available at the Cowichan Ticket Centre

Presentsa second season of 2011 - 12

at the

http://www.cowichantheatre.bc.caLive

http://www.cowichantheatre.bc.caLive



DOWNTOWN

HEART OF COWICHANDuncanExperience

Downtown Duncan -where the Island shops!Everyone knows that shopping in Downtown Duncan is fresh, fun and fabulous! Park your car and explore this jewel, boasting hundreds of remarkable shops and services whose quality and diversity surprise and delight visitors from near and far.

The few blocks that make up Downtown Duncan are a vital, living and diverse community with so much to offer. Be astounded by the variety of unique products carefully selected by friendly shopkeepers, so passionate and knowledgeable about what they do so very well!

Seasoned shoppers will tell you how they love the one of a kind items, the handmade treasures, the eclectic restaurants and the affable atmosphere. Discover the secrets, come Eat, Shop and Play in Downtown Duncan!

FREE CUSTOMER PARKING IN ALL OUR CITY CAR PARKS

“The Best Toyshop in theWhole Wide World”

The Red Balloon Toyshop250-748-5545

A Fantasy World of Toysat

110-80 station st.250-701-6209jewellery hats scarves purses dressesglam it up with...



Experience Downtown DuncanHEART OFCOWICHAN

SHOP! EAT! PLAY!in Downtown Duncan

231 Government Street, Duncan 250-597-3466

AUTHENTICTEXAS

SmokeHouse

RIB SPECIALISTS

• Celtic Jewellery• British Foods

• Giftware - Irish, Scottish, English & Welsh

• Authentic Sports Shirts

Organic Whole Food Grocery*Organic Bakery *Organic Coffee Bar *All Vegetarian Café

Open 7 Days per week in the beautifully restored Duncan Garage

Downtown DuncanStore: 250-748-6227 Café: 250-748-6223

Offering Wheat Free, Gluten Free and Vegan Alternatives147 Craig St. Downtown Duncan 250-597-1415

unique affordable fashions

10 The Valley Visitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spring 2011



MONDAY TO SATURDAY9:30 - 5:30

SUNDAYS 12:00-4:00

33 Station St.

• Mens • Young Mens • Jr. Ladies • Boys & Girlsclothing & accessories

139 Station Street Downtown Duncan250-748-3311

• Professional Framing• Local Art

• Unique Gifts

For Conscious Living!125 Station St. 250-748-9411

Embrace Your Spirit

Books Music Jewellery Inspiring Gifts

Spring 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Valley Visitor 11


EAT! SHOP! PLAY!in Downtown Duncan




Some golf, some paddling ...and some feathers

Since a bad day at the golf course is better than a good day at the office, you can’t go wrong with the Cowichan Valley’s selection.

The calibre of your game not-withstanding, it’ll still be a slice to tour the Mount Brenton Golf Club, Arbutus Ridge Golf and Country Club, Cowichan Golf and Country Club or Duncan Meadows Golf Course.

If it’s a walk in the park you’re seeking to coincide with your golf game, Mount Bren-ton or Cowichan will fill the bill quite nicely. Otherwise, if you want to drive a cart and save your driving ambition for the tee box, Arbutus Ridge or Duncan Meadows might be more suitable.

A round of 18 holes can easily be played

within the 4 1/2 hour mark at any of the four courses so it’s a great way to start the day, with plenty of time left for more activity in the afternoon.

Mount Brenton, located in Chemainus, has a long-standing tradition in the community, expanding from its original nine-hole layout to 18 holes. The spectacular finishing hole, with water fronting the green, is typical of the shorter, but challenging course.

Arbutus Ridge, located in Cobble Hill, has its own charm nestled around a residential community with lots of water hazards and a great view of the ocean and the mountains in the distance from its elevated tees.

Cowichan’s charm lies in its wonderfully wooded location just south of Duncan. The course is more difficult than it looks and keeps players coming back for more to try and better their scores, mostly to no avail.

Duncan Meadows, located just west of the city, offers a terrific contrast in courses. The first nine holes are more like a Scottish links style, and the second nine is more traditional, with the woods and water to whet your ap-petite.

Speaking of food, it’s a good idea to fuel up at any of the restaurants at the four courses after playing. The selection is superb and

each site provides views of the courses that will allow you to reflect more positively on what went wrong with your game.

From Duncan Meadows, you’ll get a nice view of the Duncan area’s northern land-mark, Mt. Prevost, home of a hike-worthy war memorial cairn, hang gliders and moun-tain bikers.

Farms dapple its shoulders, as does the Cowichan Exhibition complex — home to annual Septem-ber weekend of agriculture and community fun, as well as the annual Au-gust Sunfest country music festival and other events year-round.

After lunch, head to the Pacific Northwest Raptors site on Herd Road just outside of Duncan.

more on 14

Pacific Northwest Raptors lets you get up close and personal with dozens of majestic birds.

Day Two



The Shipyard

Restaurant & Pub

Open year ‘round for Lunch & DinnerReservations Recommended

(250) 746-1026

WEST COAST FLAIREnjoy great food on the patio

with great harbour & ocean views.

250-748-5004



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It’s a unique tourist attraction dedi-cated to birds of prey.

Watch as eagles, hawks, owls, falcons, vultures and more fly freely, but always return to the site since that’s their home.

You can get up close and personal with the birds. They’re more than happy and willing to pose for pic-tures or take a break perched beside you.

Flying demonstrations are amazing to watch, captivating people with the pure beauty and even the size of the birds.

There’s still time at the end of the day to head the short distance to Maple Bay or Cowichan Bay for some kayaking.

Wilderness Kayaking in Maple Bay has extensive programs appealing to all levels of kayakers.

But the most popular, for obvious reasons, is the discover sea kayaking

option.It’s a 2 1/2-hour session and no

experience is necessary.You can learn about the kayak and

equipment and go on the water for a shoreline paddle.

Only two people are needed to run a session. You’ll marvel at the sights around the bay.

It can give you just enough of a taste to come back another time and take a more extensive tour, or enjoy a specialty event such as moonlight or sunrise paddles.

Similar opportunities are offered out of Cowichan Bay by Cowichan Bay Kayak and Outfitters.

Boats are all over the place on the waterfront in Maple Bay. The Maple Bay Yacht Club has long been at the forefront on the foreshore.

After all that fresh air, you’ll be ready to sleep like a baby and dream of all those other things you’ll want to do on another visit to the valley.

—Don Bodger

Cowichan is the ideal gateway to the extraordinary paddling, sailing and powerboating opportunities of the Salish Sea.



Coast Salish Art GalleryCultural Tours

Conferences, Weddings, and Special Events

RIVER WALK CAFEContemporary Native Cuisine

June-SeptemberReservations 250-746-4370

4955 Trans Canada Hwy., Duncan www.cowichangolf.ca

GreatIsland

Hospitality!

GreatIsland Golf!

RESTAURANT 250-746-7211

Email: [email protected]

STORMIN’ PRO SHOP250-746-5333

Email: [email protected]

PROFESSIONAL CLUBFITTING

THE LATEST IN MEN’S AND WOMEN’S APPAREL

Cowichan Golf & Country Club

5000 Genoa Bay Road, Duncan250-746-7621

www.genoabaymarina.comToll Free 1-800-572-6481

http://www.cowichangolf.caGreatIslandHospitality!GreatIsland



mailto:[email protected]%E2%80%99

mailto:[email protected]%E2%80%99





Get out to the big lake and the wilderness beyond

If it’s West Coast wilderness you’re looking for, then west is the direction you should be looking to in Cowichan.

They don’t call it the wild west for nothing.

The Cowichan Lake area has a lengthy list of cool stuff to do, and most of it involves the great outdoors.

Make the trek along the lake’s south side to the hospitable, humble hamlet of Honeymoon Bay.

In addition to a regular series of community events, the village plays host to Gordon Bay Provincial Park, a perfect spot to make your home base.

The park is one of the most popular jewels in Vancouver Island’s ac-claimed chain of provincial parks. It offers visitors treed-camping spots, walking trails and a nice sandy beach. It is a perfect spot for family outings.

Cowichan Lake itself, meanwhile serves up a platter of fun activities including waterskiing, powerboat-ing, boat tubing, houseboating and suntanning.

If you’re not down with the whole lake idea, the Cowichan River is also a summertime hotspot too.

Cowichan’s trademark summer pastime is grabbing a tube — rentals are available — and escaping the hot sun by floating bumper-to-bumper downstream in the peak months of July and August. A popular launch spot is the riverhead in downtown Lake Cowichan.

There are other, more adventurous choices as well.

Hike a series of trails along the river in the Skutz Falls area.

Head northwest along rugged logging roads through the Carmanah

old-growth forest, or try your hand windsurfing in Nitinat, out on the edge of the Pacific.

Or, go to the southwest along the Pacific Marine Circle Route to Port Renfrew and check the tide pool wonders of Botanical Beach, or the open-water salmon fishing.

If time limits you from taking a full-day journey to these destina-tions, just make the 56-kilometre round trip around the lake.

Every September, hundreds follow the unpaved route on foot in the an-nual Great Lake Walk.

We suggest hopping in your vehicle instead, leaving from Honeymoon Bay and ending in quaint Youbou, which boasts a not-so-quaint eatery. (You’ll be blown away how nice the Youbou Bar and Grill is).

Kick up your heels and enjoy a gorgeous sunset from the porch at the pub to cap a fun-filled Cowichan trip.

—Ashley GaudreaultThe Cowichan Lake area is your gateway to the rugged wilderness of the West Coast and every type of watersport imaginable.

Day Three



Sparkling SASKATOON BERRY WINE now available.Homemade pies and jams also available. 1245 Fisher Road, Cobble Hill

743-1189SASKATOON BERRY FARM

Locally grown, plump and delicious

SASKATOON BERRIESU-Pick and Pre-Picked SaskatoonsKayak Instruction • Rentals • Sales • Tours

since 1990 in Beautiful Maple Bay

6683 Beaumont Ave, Duncan, BC, V9L 5X8 (250) [email protected] • www.wilderness-kayaking.com

E

Encore Limousine ServiceServing the Cowichan Valley

Live Professional TheatreThe Playbill Dining Room

The Gallery

2011 SEASON

1-800-565-7738www.chemainustheatrefestival.ca

VANCOUVER ISLAND’S THEATRE GETAWAY




http://www.wilderness-kayaking.comEEncore

http://www.wilderness-kayaking.comEEncore

18 The Valley Visitor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spring 2011


Farm fresh food and pastoral splendour

Your epicurean-fan cousins from England call.

They’re coming across the pond this summer to check out the global buzz about

Cowichan’s agri-food movement.They’re coming to the right place.First, they need a place to stay.Why not one of Warm Land’s many

bed and breakfast places — some nestled in Cowichan’s wine country, others in our rugged forests, or along our waterfront.

Many options are available elsewhere in this guide, or at the Cowichan B&B Asso-ciation website www.southvanislebnb.com.

Once they’ve stretched their legs, they might have a hankerin’ to get out and enjoy the pastoral beauty.

You could walk or bike on one of Cow-ichan’s many footpaths, but you think they may prefer some four-legged transporta-tion.

They can call Cobble Hill’s Alpine Stables that has a barn load of mounts for all ages, plus information about scenic trail rides through the valley’s mountain-view trails.

They could choose to use the Trans-Canada Trail linked to Cowichan’s biggest heritage diamond, the wooden Kinsol Trestle.

Reputed to be largest wooden railway bridge in the old British empire, the spectacular structure has undergone an extensive upgrade and is slated to open to hikers by early July.

The graded trail is perfect for horses, hik-ers and bicycles.

Your cousins can dismount and hike to the Koksilah River below the trestle — publicly restored by timber pros MacDon-ald and Lawrence — or trot across the trestle’s sturdy new deck.

A mid-day spell in the saddle ends with feedbag thoughts.

They can be filled in Glenora at Cow-ichan’s oldest vineyard, Vigneti Zanatta Winery and Vineyards where wine sampling is paired with dining in Vinoteca bistro.

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The Damali Lavender Farm is just one of dozens of pastoral farms that dot the Cowichan landscape.Day

Four

http://www.southvanislebnb.com



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Of course, tastings can also be had year-round at most of Co-wichan’s other dozen or so wineries dotting the valley’s bucolic backroads.

And, if your cousins visit in the fall, their lucky stars will shine on the sixth-annual Cowichan Wine & Culinary Festival span-ning Sept. 14 to 18.

That cork caper includes Shawnigan Lake’s Merridale Estate Ciderworks pouring an array of ciders plus brandies near orchard-side la Pommeraie bistro.

Further proof of Cowichan’s other gastronomical goodies is seen (call first) at the Archer family’s Fairburn Farm near Duncan where their prize water-buffalo herd yields organic mozzarella cheese.

Some of that mozzarella may grace foods made at chef Bill Jones’ Deerholme Farm where he teaches classes and serves monthly dinners.

Jones is among Cowichan’s many world-class chefs using val-ley ingredients in the Warm Land’s slow-food dishes sure to lure your cousins away from simple bangers and mash.

Deerholme Farm may be a good dinner idea — after visiting Cobble Hill’s Saskatoon Berry Farm to taste the place’s home-made pies and jams.

Nearby is the slope side, purple-hue Damali Lavender Farm boasting a winery, skin-care products, a labyrinth, a vinegary and more.

Cowichanians know food is a perfect pairing with local arts.Your cousins could stuff a suitcase with original souvenirs of

most genres sold during the valley’s annual Visions Summer Art Studio Tour (June 30 to July 4), or at studios run year-round by the Cowichan Valley Artisans group.

Maybe your family’s visit could become an annual affair to see what they missed here in the Warm Land.

—Peter W. Rusland

Dwight International School offers both the International Baccalaureate Diploma and BC Dogwood graduation programmes for day and boarding students in grades 6-12. Located on beautiful Shawnigan Lake, DIS offers bus service to and from Duncan and the Westshore.

(250)929-0506 • [email protected] • www.dwightinternational.com

Choose the Best for Your Child’s Education!

Dwight International School


http://www.dwightinternational.comChoose

http://www.dwightinternational.comChoose

Cowichan Bayexperience...

• shops • hotels • restaurants• maritime museum • galleries• guided whale & kayak tours

1765 Cowichan Bay Rd. • 250-748-2333 • 888-749-2333www.cowichanbaykayak.com [email protected]

Ice Cream Parlour

“The Way Ice Cream

should taste”Open Year Round

1721 Cowichan Bay Rd.250-746-4300

1705 Cowichan Bay Road, Cowichan BayTel: 250.748.3714 | www.themastheadrestaurant.com



Great heights, unique tastes and the majesty of the orca whale

It’s absolutely silent except for the sound of you panting and wind blow-ing past your warm earlobes.

You’ve just finished hiking 427 metres through heavily wooded trail

systems and now you’ve stepped onto an open, grassy summit.

After finally catching your breath, you lose it again.

Is it extreme exhaustion or just higher elevation?

Maybe it’s the large, white metal cross standing over the peak.

Maybe you’re having some kind of out-of-body, out-of-mind, sublime experience?

Who knows? Seeing, touching, or posing for a picture

near the cross that lives solo on top of Mt. Tzhouhalem is a thrilling feeling.

The Zoo sits east of Duncan on the north shore of Cowichan Bay. It has a vast net-work of intertwined trails — some technical , some novice — leading to the summit. It’s a wicked trip if you’re feeling adventurous and maybe still clinging onto a New Year’s resolution to shed a pound or two or 10.

Do the hike early on in the day, as it will likely take, depending on your athletic ca-pabilities, a good hour and a half, up to two hours (max), out of your day.

The mountain is also a paradise for mountain bikers. If you’re seriously into the sport, check out this website: http://mtzoo.wordpress.com/.

At the foot of the Zoo sits its next-door-neighbour, Providence Farm.

Take my word: this is a neat place with staff and volunteers producing not only organic veggies, but heaps of feel-good vibes from volunteers who have dedicated themselves to restoring the spirit and skills of those with physical, mental and emo-tional challenges.

They offer a farm store, plant sales, music fests, craft fairs, hoedowns and more — in-cluding July’s annual Islands Folk Festival. The site’s a beaut too, especially the three-storey, red-roofed former school building, Providence House.

It’s an appetizer for an afternoon with Co-wichan’s cool eclectic aunt, Cowichan Bay.

Salty Cowichan Bay is where arts and appies meet at joints such as True Grain Bread, Hilary’s Cheese, The Mud Room, Rock Code Café, Cowichan Bay Maritime Museum, or artist extraordinaire Art Vick-ers’ gallery.

There is a ton of other great eateries perched over the waterfront in Cowichan Bay as well as funky shops selling fresh seafood, eco clothes and ice-cream cones.

Little wonder Italy’s Cittaslow (slow life) brass branded Cow Bay one of its members two years ago.

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The annual Cowichan Bay Boat Festival is one of the many seaside attractions in the rustic funky seaside village of Cowichan Bay.

DayFive

http://mtzoo.wordpress.com/

http://mtzoo.wordpress.com/

Cowichan Bayexperience...

• shops • hotels • restaurants• maritime museum • galleries• guided whale & kayak tours

1765 Cowichan Bay Rd. • 250-748-2333 • 888-749-2333www.cowichanbaykayak.com [email protected]

Ice Cream Parlour

“The Way Ice Cream

should taste”Open Year Round

1721 Cowichan Bay Rd.250-746-4300

1705 Cowichan Bay Road, Cowichan BayTel: 250.748.3714 | www.themastheadrestaurant.com





http://www.themastheadrestaurant.com

courtesy of CBIAGraphic by Kevine Kevin Creative.com

Cowichan BayDiscover...

A quaint, friendly, fun, unique, scenic, historic, relaxed.....

seaside village, only 45 minutes from Victoria or Nanaimo

RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION 1-800-663-7898 | www.oceanfrontcowichanbay.com

Located inside Oceanfront Suites, Terrain Regional Kitchen is Cowichan Valley’s newest casual dining experience. Executive chef Kyle Gignac creates exquisite dishes made entirely of locally sourced ingredients. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 250-597-0050 | www.terrainregionalkitchen.com

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

SPECTACULAR OCEAN VIEWS

FULL KITCHEN IN EACH SUITE

INDOOR POOL, HOT TUB, AND FITNESS CENTER

COMPLIMENTARY WIRELESS INTERNET AND PARKING

LIQUOR STORE

EVENT AND MEETING SPACE

1759 Cowichan Bay RoadCowichan Bay, BC, V0R 1N0

phone 250 746 1550

rockcodcafe.com

Cowichan Bay Seafood Ltd.1751 Cowichan Bay Rd.Cowichan Bay BC V0R 1N0

250.748.0020cowichanbayseafood.com

[email protected]

“Fresh off our own Boats”

Local Fresh In-Season SPOT PRAWNS

Open Tuesday - Sunday 10 am -5:30 pm

Unobstructed views,great food, great atmosphere-in the heart of historical Cowichan Bay

Open daily from 11 am

1695 Cowichan Bay Road, Cowichan BayPhone: 250-748-2330 FAX: 250-748-2356

www.baypub.ca

clayworks

1725 Cowichan Bay RdCowichan Bay B.C.

[email protected]




http://www.oceanfrontcowichanbay.com

http://www.terrainregionalkitchen.com

mailto:[email protected]%E2%80%9CFresh











Cowichan BayDiscover...

A quaint, friendly, fun, unique, scenic, historic, relaxed.....

seaside village, only 45 minutes from Victoria or Nanaimo

RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION 1-800-663-7898 | www.oceanfrontcowichanbay.com

Located inside Oceanfront Suites, Terrain Regional Kitchen is Cowichan Valley’s newest casual dining experience. Executive chef Kyle Gignac creates exquisite dishes made entirely of locally sourced ingredients. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 250-597-0050 | www.terrainregionalkitchen.com

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

SPECTACULAR OCEAN VIEWS

FULL KITCHEN IN EACH SUITE

INDOOR POOL, HOT TUB, AND FITNESS CENTER

COMPLIMENTARY WIRELESS INTERNET AND PARKING

LIQUOR STORE

EVENT AND MEETING SPACE

1759 Cowichan Bay RoadCowichan Bay, BC, V0R 1N0

phone 250 746 1550

rockcodcafe.com

Cowichan Bay Seafood Ltd.1751 Cowichan Bay Rd.Cowichan Bay BC V0R 1N0

250.748.0020cowichanbayseafood.com

[email protected]

“Fresh off our own Boats”

Local Fresh In-Season SPOT PRAWNS

Open Tuesday - Sunday 10 am -5:30 pm

Unobstructed views,great food, great atmosphere-in the heart of historical Cowichan Bay

Open daily from 11 am

1695 Cowichan Bay Road, Cowichan BayPhone: 250-748-2330 FAX: 250-748-2356

www.baypub.ca

clayworks

1725 Cowichan Bay RdCowichan Bay B.C.

[email protected]






from 20

Cowichan Bay is home to several festivals, including the Spot Prawn Festival in May, the Boat Festival in June, and the Artwalk in July.

It’s also the launch point for another popular venture — whale-watching tours by Ocean EcoVentures.

Slap on your survival suit and head out with Simon Pidcock, head captain and owner, in his orange zodiac for a cruise with killer whales, humpbacks, grey and minke whales as well as porpoises and sea lions.

Pidcock has spent his whole life on and around the ocean. His knowledge and great personality is enough to put anyone at ease, and everything about the trip will put you in awe.

After an afternoon spent spotting spyhopping orcas it’s back to the dock for some more food, drink, and the sun setting over the Cowichan River Estuary.

—Ashley Gaudreault

The legend of the ZooMost people don’t even bother trying to pronounce the name of

the landmark mountain on the north shore of Cowichan Bay; they just ask.

Here’s your answer: zoo-hay-lum. The mountain itself, which overlooks Cowichan Bay and

Quamichan Lake, was originally called “Shkewetsen,” meaning, “basking in the sun,” after a huge rock on the side, which resembled a frog warming itself.

The name changed after the 1859 death of warrior Tzouhalem who lived in a cave on the mountain after he’d been exiled from his tribe for killing people.

Talk around town says Tzouhalem was also maybe a ladies man, having several wives at a time and that he, not being too fond of commitment, when he tired of them, threw them off the peak to fall to their deaths.

Mountainside ghost stories have made their way into talks too.

[email protected]

5838 Trans Canada Hwy(behind A&W) 250-597-2299






In the Secret Garden on Willow Street

GREEK &MEDITERRANEAN

CUISINE

Alice

•Weather Permitting •Reservations WelcomeAcross the lane from Chemainus Theatrein the Secret Garden, Willow Street, Chemainus

Specializing in Homestyle Cooking using fresh, locally grown produce.

•Salads•Soups and Sandwiches•Mediterranean Cuisine

•Desserts •Daily Specials •Vegetarian Selections

250-246-4100or 250-246-4199CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUE

AVAILABLE AT:

9745 Willow St., Chemainus250-416-0371

SUMMER HOURS:Open 7 days a week

Starting May 30 through to Labour DayTues. - Sat. 10 - 5 ish

Sun. & Mon. 11 - 4:30 ish

EXCLUSIVE TRAVEL FOOTWEAR!

9885 Maple StreetChemainus BC

250-246-1541 Open 11-11Closed Wednesdays

250+ Loose Teas Tea Related Items

Light Meals, Cream TeasHigh Tea by Reservation

Movies/TV on 174” ScreenWeekly Jam Night, Wifi

Please call for schedule.

H



Some art, some history, some theatre and a dip into the emerald sea

Early-morning sun sparkles and bounc-es across the surface of the Salish Sea, but you’ve only got

eyes for the line you’re follow-ing into the darkness below.

Covered in shifting sea anem-ones, you swim alongside the

cable as you dive, descending into an eerie, emerald glow.

Suddenly, the silt and sedi-ment clears, and you see it.

The artificial reef of Che-mainus.

It’s a graveyard for a Boeing 737 aircraft, seemingly at the bottom of the world. The scene is made all the more haunt-ing by the ethereal jellyfish that pulse and float their way around the wreck.

But you’re warm and toasty in your dry-suit, and much like

the sea creatures around you, you propel yourself forward.

You feel like a treasure hunter, exploring your way through the visual delights of this man-made, underwater marvel.

Before long, it’s time to return to reality at the surface.

By now, the sun hangs high above you, and you’re ready to soak in a totally different kind of Chemainus experience.

All you really need to experi-ence The Little Town That Did

— or Mural Town, to others — is your own two feet.

You can pound the pavement for hours as you absorb the history, and enjoy the boutique shops and cuisine.

And you haven’t truly experienced this town of char-acter until you’ve taken in the dozens of murals that rescued a dying mill town by turning its history into vibrant public art.

As the summer tempera-ture continues to rise, you’re forgiven if you stop for two scoops of your favourite fla-vour at Willow Street’s Small Tall Treats Ice Cream.

It’s the perfect time to stroll through the shade of Water-wheel Park and head into Old Town Chemainus.

Colourful murals meet character homes and lush gardens, and the overall effect transports you into a different time entirely.

A late, light lunch at a local teahouse will complete that welcome blurring of reality.

Suddenly you catch an intriguing comment from a couple close by — a seaside walk in a town 10 minutes down the road?

You’re there.You arrive in Crofton, and

the late afternoon sun settles on your shoulders as you con-tently stroll the small town’s seawalk.

The Salt Spring Island ferry can be seen pushing away from the shore on its short-but-sweet journey to the neighbouring Gulf Island.

And the physical embodi-ment of commerce pushes i’s way into the evening sky from the smokestacks of the local mill.

more on 27

cut

The 2010 hit Guys and Dolls is typical of the first-class theatre entertainment found at the Chemainus Theatre Festival.

DaySix



from 26

Your day has been full and action-packed, but you know there’s one thing left to do, because no trip to Chemainus is complete without a visit to the Che-mainus Theatre.

You return to Mural Town with a hankering for enter-tainment and an evening meal.

Luckily, the Chemainus Theatre offers both — professional theatre in an in-timate setting with the table set by a sumptuous feast at the Playbill Dining Room.

And later, as the sun sets and you return to your cozy room at an accommodat-ing B&B, you think back on your time in The Little Town That Did.

You reflect on a day full of arts and culture, exercise and experience, and you decide the Little Town That Did is a little town worth doing.

—Krista Siefken

143rd Cowichan ExhibitionSeptember 9th, 10th & 11th, 2011

EXHIBITION PARKHome of the Cowichan Exhibition

North of Duncan on the Trans Canada Highway

Plan your next event at Exhibition Park: Multipurpose Hall, Meeting Rooms, Grassy Fields, Barns, Riding Ring. Contact Cowichan Exhibition for more information. www.cowex.ca [email protected] 250-748-0822

LIVE

ENTERTAINMENT

TRACTORPULL

COMPETITION

FREEPARKING!

CRAFTS &HOBBIES

FOODCOURT

MIDWAYRIDES

KIDSSHOWS

LIVESTOCK

SHOWS

http://www.cowex.ca




The Cowichan Valley is located on southern Vancouver Island, about a half-hour by car north of British Columbia’s capital city of Victoria.

Its major centre is Duncan, with the smaller communities of Ladysmith and Chemainus to the north, Lake Cowichan to the west and Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake and Cobble Hill to the south.

Duncan is about 40 minutes south of the B.C. Ferry terminal in Nanaimo and about the same distance north of the Schwartz Bay ferry terminal outside Victoria and the Victoria International Airport.

For more information, call our info centres:Duncan: 250-746-4636 1-888-303-3337 (toll free)Chemainus: 250-246-3944 (seasonal)South Cowichan: 250-743-3566Crofton: 250-246-2456 (seasonal)Lake Cowichan: 250-749-3244 (seasonal)Ladysmith: 250-245-2112

Other useful numbers:BC Ferries 1-888-223-3779Cowichan Hospital 250-746-4141RCMP 250-748-5522 (non-emergency)Forest fire alert 1-800-663-5555

How to find the Valley

Ladysmith•

Lake Cowichan•Duncan•

Mill Bay•

Shawnigan Lake•

•Victoria

Saanich•

Cowichan Bay•

•Crofton

•Chemainus

•Nanaimoferry to mainland

ferry to Saltspring Island

airport, ferry to mainland

Trans Canada Highway

Highway 18

Lito’s Café & Galleria1532 Chaplin Street, Crofton www.litoscafe.ca 250-246-5406

Incredible ocean views at theGateway to Saltspring Island

Fantastic Coffee

Best Ever Granola Bars

Famous Butter TartsLocal Art Espresso Brownies

Great Food

Cards

Gourmet Muffi nsGifts

The Farm Store hours are 9-4, weekdays year round, and the Greenhouse hours are 10-4, 7 days per week, from mid-April to mid-September.

Come see why Providence Farm is an

inspirational place.

Pick up a free Farm Mapand tour the farm and gardens.

We’d love to meet you!

http://www.litoscafe.ca



Pause, take a deep breath and consider your checklist for next time

Here are some of keystone attractions for the Cowichan Valley and where to go to get more information about them:

Bard@Brentwood: An annual theatre festival in Mill Bay in early July. See bard.brentwood.bc.ca

B.C. Parks: For information on Gordon Bay, Bamberton and other local provincial parks and campsites see env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/

B.C. Forest Discovery Centre: Learn the history of the B.C. logging industry, explore the wooded gorunds north of Duncan and ride a heritage steam train. For details on exhibits and special events, see bcforestmuseum.com

Chances Cowichan: Bingo, electronic

slots and more in Duncan. See chances.ca/locations/cowichan/

Chemainus Festival of Murals: To learn more about the murals that decorate the walls of Chemainus and special events in the community, check muraltown.com

Chemainus Theatre Festival: Year-round professional dinner theatre. Details at chemainustheatrefestival.ca

Cobble Hill Fair: An old-fashioned agricultural fair for south Cowichan at the end of August. For details go to cobble-hillfair.ca

Cowichan Bay: A rustic seaside village centre specializing in art and local food, perched above a marina. For details on attractions and events like the Artwalk, the Spot Prawn Festival and more, see cowichanbay.com

Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre: A waterfront pier dedicated to maritime history and the restoration of classic boats. More details at classicboats.org.

Cowichan Exhibition: The valley’s largest community fair, with a midway, and the pride of local agriculture arrives the second weekend of every September. See cowex.ca for details

Cowichan River tubing: Grab an inner tube and float through paradise. See cow-ichanriver.com for details.

Cowichan Valley Museum: The history

of the community in an historic train sta-tion in Duncan. The website cowichanval-leymuseum.bc.ca has more.

Cowichan Wine and Culinary Festi-val: A September weekend of fine wine and food at sites throughout the region. Go to wines.cowichan.net for details.

Duncan Cowichan Summer Festival: Every July the streets of Duncan come alive with fun and entertainment. Go to cowichanfestival.com for details.

Duncan Totem Tour: Learn about the magnificent carvings lining the city streets. The site downtownduncan.ca/duncan_to-tem_tourNEW.html has more

Great Lake Walk: a 56-kilomete trek around the shores of Cowichan Lake, the third Saturday of September. Go to great-lakewalk.com for more.

Islands Folk Festival: a venerable, inti-mate weekend event featuring good times and good music from dozens of interna-tional performers, held near the end of July at picturesque Providence Farm.

Island Savings Centre: The Duncan home of the Cowichan Aquatic Centre, the Cowichan Capitals Junior A hockey team, the acoustically blessed Cowichan Theatre and the world’s largest hockey stick. De-tails at cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=92.

Kinsol Trestle: Hike to the freshly restored largest wooden railway bridge in the old British empire, near Shawnigan Lake. Learn more at kinsoltrestle.ca

Pacific Northwest Raptors: Flying demonstrations and intimate interaction with eagles, hawks, vultures and other birds of prey. Go to pnwraptors.com

Qu’wutsun’ Cultural Centre: Your doorway into the rich history and culture of the Cowichan First Nations. Details at quwutsun.ca.

Sun Fest Country: An annual two-day mid-August country music blast on the grounds of the Cowichan Exhibition. Go to sunfestconcerts.com/index.shtml for more.

Visions Studio Tour and Art Sale: a studio tour throughout the region offering a peek at local artists at work. Details at visionsarttour.ca/index.php.

Whale watching: Hop a Zodiac out of Cowichan Bay bound for spectacular ma-rine life. Details at oceanecoventures.com.

Wineries: Cowichan is home to several wineries, most of which offer tastings and tours. For more, log on to the website cowichanvalleywineries.ca.

Xihwu Artificial Reef: Dive in the skel-eton of a sunken Boeing 737 in the waters off Chemainus. For details, see divemaster.ca/boeing.

DaySeven



Enjoy The Hospitality And Atmosphere From These Fine Hosts

COWICHAN’S BEST B&B’S

[email protected]

www.stonewoodbandb.com

250-743-03191-877-888-0319 Toll Free

contact@cherrypointbedandbreakfast.comwww.cherrypointbedandbreakfast.com

1-866-748-7430stay@affi nityguesthouse.cawww.affi nityguesthouse.ca

[email protected]

www.jacquiegordon.com

[email protected]

www.holmesdalehouse.ca

Jacquie Gordon’sBed & Breakfast

[email protected]

HillcrestFarm B&B

[email protected]

Enjoy Our 3 Acre Property, Beautiful Terraced Gardens, Nestled Amongst Tall Trees.

Cherry Point OceanviewBed & Breakfast

[email protected]

www.thequamichaninn.com

Forest ReflectionsForest ReflectionsLUXURY BED AND BREAKFAST

“in the Heart of Wine Country”

250-743-7689relax@forestrefl ections.cawww.forestrefl ections.ca

mailto:B%E2%80%99S250-746-3664stonewoodbandb@shaw.cawww.stonewoodbandb.com250-743-03191-877-888-0319










mailto:Freecontact@cherrypointbedandbreakfast.comwww.cherrypointbedandbreakfast.com1-866-748-7430stay@affi






















mailto:Breakfast250-746-7028quamichaninn@shaw.cawww.thequamichaninn.comForest









spring has sprung... and summer is coming soon!

Steeples Restaurant is now a cool summer destination restaurant!

Reservations 250-743-1887

1. 5 Star rating from Times Colonist2. Casual Gourmet Dining with fl air3. First class service4. The World’s best Mango-Peach Bellini5. Red Chili Honey Glazed Calamari6. Sunday Brunch overlooking

our magnifi cent garden7. Birthday & Anniversary Specialists8. A magnifi cent mix of local estate wines

and international vintages9. Tableside Caesar Salad to die for10. A garden deck to catch the fantastic sunsets

In the heart of Shawnigan Lake Village 2744 East Shawnigan Rd. Every day at 11:30 Sun Brunch 10-3 pm email [email protected] www.steeplesrestaurant.ca

• Daily Flying Demonstrations • Hands-on courses & experiences • Kids’ Summer Camps (July & August) • Open Daily March 14 - October 31

PACIFIC NORTHWEST RAPTORS LTD.Bird of Prey & Falconry Centre

1877 Herd Rd. www.pnwraptors.com 250-746-0372


http://www.steeplesrestaurant.ca%E2%80%A2

http://www.steeplesrestaurant.ca%E2%80%A2

http://www.pnwraptors.com



The Home of Local Produce1 km South of Duncan on the Trans Canada Highway

A Country Market set among old growth maples & smiling faces

OPEN DAILYALL YEAR ROUND

Trevor & Karen Paterson

Vancouver Island’s Largest Selection of Local Produce

•ICE CREAM PARLOUR•Cones •Sundaes •Old Fashion Milk Shakes •Frozen Yogurt made with local farm fresh fruit

•FULL SERVICE DELIStop in for delicious homemade •Soups •Sandwiches •Fresh Fruit Pies •Garden Patio

New!

www.htr.ca

• Arcade

http://www.htr.ca%E2%80%A2

http://www.htr.ca%E2%80%A2

cowichan valley visitor

Documents

cowichan valleypresenting

cowichan valleys centre

beautiful cowichan river

vancouver island

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vinoteca food wine bar250

day rd

family day