we OR hte Melty mec 50 - Sunday, May 17, 1987 - North Shore News VANCOUVER ISLAND _ rt tg VARIED ) ACCOMMODA TION Island hopping is great getaway A POPULAR holiday weekend site, ferries to Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are often packed with vacationers. To avoid the. holiday crowds, weekend of activity with easy ac- cess back to the mainland by Nanaimo’s Departure Bay ferry. An extension of the Sunshine Coast circle tour includes driving south of Nanaimo through Che- only scenic and relaxing, the fun of visiting several different com- munities gives the true feeling of getting away. Accommodations on the islands are varied — whether ‘it is a bed photo sut TRAVELLERS ON the ferry to Vancouver Island get a scenic journey to a vacation paradise. Tourism Vancouver Island project coordinator Kay MacLean recommends: travellers spend Thursday through Monday on the islands. _' Take a circle trip; MacLean suggests. Drive the Sunshine Coast to Powell River and cross to the Comox Valley. From Courtenay, drive a few miles north to Camp- bell River or a few miles south to Qualicum Beach and Parksville. The Comox Valley makes’ a: great place to base a whole mainus, Duncan, the Cowichan Valley, Victoria and Sidney to catch the Swartz Bay ferry for Tsawwassen. On most weekends, events in the Gulf -Islands and southern Van- couver Island can be enjoyed by taking the circle route from Horse- shoe Bay to Nanaimo then south to Victoria, the Gulf Islands and back to Tsawwassen. MacLean. advises checking ferry schedules. to plan island hopping ‘routes. This way, she says, it is not | Shad i Wows he sort Shenae 171 Tripp Road, R.R. 1, Ganges, B.C., Canada .VOS 1E0 «': Phone: (604) 537-2956 ee Meoie OFA HOLIDA y ON AN ISLAND » PARADISE! Come to SHADY WILLOWS RESORT on picturesque Salt Spring Island, the-jewel of _ British Columbia's beautiful Gulf Islands. Enjoy old-fashioned charm and the cosy modern comfort | of our lakefront housekeeping units or camp out ‘under the stars. ' Park-like grounds and spectacular flower gardens set on the tranquil shores of beautiful St. Mary Lake. FACILITIES: Housekeeping Units: Full kitchens, baths, some fireplaces, patios & colour RV Sites & Camping: Fully serviced sites for RV's & tenting sites. Washrooms with modern conveniences & hot showers. Recreation: Sand beach & swimming; boats, canoes, bicycles, mopeds, games, fishing. Store: Confectionery, ice Near Restaurants, Shopping, Golf & Tennis: 1 km. Clam & Gyster Beaches. and breakfast inn, a camp site in the forest or beside the sea or a full-facility resort, each communi- ty has a full range at all price levels. Many smaller resorts are famous for the cuisine personally prepared from fresh, local ingredients. If staying on the Gulf Islands, vaca- tioners should be sure to watch for local specialties. While spontaneous events often add sparkle to a getaway, careful planning will make the best of every moment, explains MacLean. Here are some of the many ac-. tivities planned for Vancouver Isiand and the Gulf Islands this * summer: * May 24-31 Victoria — Theatre B.C. Drama Festival ® May 28-June 1.— Duncan — B.C. Festival of the Arts ® May 30-31 Mill Bay — Country Music Festival ® June 6 — Gold River/Tahsis — The Great Walk © June 6-7 — Port McNeill - Log- ger Sports Days © June 14 — Miracle Beach - Sand castle contest © June 20-21 — Victoria - Royal ental exhibition at Crystal Gardens ¢ July 1-Aug 12 — Nanaimo - Shakespeare Plus Festival 2 July 1-Sept 2 — Saltspring Island - arts and crafts show at Ganges ° July 1-5 — Lake Cowichan - Lake Days: loggers sports, canoe races, raft races © @July 1-5 — Campbell River - Salmon Festival e July 10-12 — Courtenay - Coast Arts Fair of ‘Crafts and- Perform- ing Arts . : ° aly 10-12 — Nanaimo - ‘Bathtub Week © July 11-12'— Parksville - - “Old- time fiddler’ 's contest ® July 18 — Sooke — All Sooke Day of logger sports © July 18-Aug 26 — Victoria ~ In- ternational Music Festival at McPherson Playhouse .., See Sperting Page 51 Victoria Rowing Regatta (Interna- ° tional Races) © June 26-28 — Victoria -. Market Square Jazz Festival e June 26-28 — Sidney - Jazz fes- tival e june 27-28 — Ucluelet/Long Beach Airport - Long Beach Fly-In © July 1-Aug 31 — Victoria - Ori- StUOIO _— Toren ONE WEEK GULF ISLAND WORKSHOPS WITH INTERNATIONAL & CANADIAN ARTISTS