Did you know?
Want to add a little culture to your vacation? Check out the museums and galleries on the island! Gabriola has a long and interesting history reaching back 40 million years! Head on over to the visitor centre for more ideas!
So, those are a few of the links that can lead you to some of the interest and history that Gabriola Island has to offer! Now, here are a few words from Chad - as you can see Chad knows and loves the area and can't wait to share it with you all!
"Just trying to think of a few sights I could show relatives. Off the top of my head there's, Drumbeg Park almost next door, theres Malaspina Galleries, that's always a hit, there is Twin Beaches, it is two sandy beaches with a grassy area in between, there's Berry Point, its a good place to watch the ferries coming and going to and from mainland, its situated so you're looking right at Entrance Island lighthouse, its an excellent sunset, and I would imagine the Surf Pub will probably be open for business, its just before Berry Point, excellent sunset.
There's a museum, and there's a spot that I've located near the ferry terminal where the old millstones are piled up from years gone by, its kind of cool. There are a couple other sandy beaches to go to, some very large beaches in fact.
There's some small farms around the island, there's a rifle range, a golf course, in fact the golf course was a pretty big deal in its day, some world renown golf course designer was hired in the making of the facility. There are road side stands where you can buy organic produce and fresh eggs, not to mention the farmers market at Agi Hall on Saturday mornings, as well as weekend long art tours, and garden tours. Not sure if theres one for our scheduled timeframe.
Another enjoyable activity is to watch the tug boats moving log booms through the narrows. I usually watch them in False Narrows or Dodd Narrows, but Gabriola Pass is another spot to see this happen, and that's right close to our function. It's fun to watch as it's very tight quarters with a boom of logs varying in size. Sometimes it requires two or three boats. Sometimes it goes well, sometimes it does not. Even more interesting in the summer when you throw some silly yachties into the mix. You can sit back and witness the near collisions and yelling that ensues. This all happens near slack tide for obvious reasons, and if there's no tug boats or log booms, there's often some pretty boats lined up to get through.
As far as commerce goes, Gabriola has a complete grocery store, Co-op gas station, BC Liquor Store, an excellent butcher shop, a few restaurants, pubs, building supply centre, medical clinic, drug store, real estate office, a few automotive shops, dentist office, bank, a veterinary clinic, and two fire departments.
And as far as artists go, you can't swing a cat without hitting a painter, sculpture, potter, jeweller, carver, glass fuser, or musician. And I have a friend that locally roasts and sells excellent coffee beans.
There is a fella with a dive lesson and charter business if there is anyone interested. Theres a ffishing charter business as well next door to our function. Theres a float plane business in the same bay as well with scheduled trips to the mainland. I think its about $80 each way. This is located just below the Sila Bay Pub, down on the fuel dock.
Theres a timber frame/log building school that you will see on your right hand side, just before you get to Pages Resort. There are kayak rentals and charters available. And a multitude of islands at hand to explore. There's a taxi service, and a community bus that comes around about every hour I think. Theres a good prawning site just outside of the bay.
And a popular fishing spot just a slight further called Thrasher Rock. Its well named. Its lovely in good weather, but you do not want to be there in bad weather. Its a reef about a mile long, and it can be quite treacherous. I did a rescue there one night about a year and a half ago. It took all night. Huge seas.
Anyway, I'm sure theres more, but this gives you a taste of what's in store. I honestly do not see any need for anything off island. But should we need to, its only a 20 minute ferry to Nanaimo. I hope you can make it to the reunion. Chad"
SO, remember, look at this reunion as a full fledged everything available nature vacation! Fun in the sun! Out on the ocean! Spas and beaches for rest and relaxation! And of course a whole lot of Giesbrecht going on! Hope to see you all there!
Remember to book your spot today!
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