8 — Wednesday, July 5, 1989 - Capilano Chronicle WHAT’S HAPPENING ON BOWEN An island adventure’s just an hour away LOOKING FOR a daytrip with a difference? Look no fur- breakfast, so daytrippers will have ther than Bowen Island, where you can have all the fun of to catch the last ferry back to the an island adventure only an hour away from home. The attractions of the island community are well known to Bowen's 2,400 permanent residents; almost 70 per cent of the locals choose to live on the island even if it means commuting to a job in Vancouver every day. “It’s a very close community,” said Kim Burnell, editor of the Bowen Island) Undercezrents newspaper. ‘Everyone pitches in over here." For tourists from the mainland, summer is the perfect time to visit and experience first-hand the island’s appeal. There are usually 15 daily ferry sailings from Horseshoe Bay to Snug Cove on Bowen Island, a mere 20-minute journey through the Queen Charlotte Channel. If ‘you're cycling, $1.10 will get your bike there and back. The adult return fare is $2.85, children between the ages of five and 11 sail for $1.35, and kids under five are free. If you're planning a recreational daytrip, there’s no reason to spend the $10.25 it would cost you to take your car over — there's plenty to do within walking distance once you reach Snug Cove. Near the ferry terminal is “‘downtown’’ Bowen Island — a half-mile strip which houses the community’s bakery, deli, clothes shop, book store and its eateries, the Snug Cove Cafe and the Bowen Island Pub. You. might want to pick up a picnic lunch at the deli and take it to Crippen Regional Park, which is operated by the Greater Vancouver Regional District. Much of the 240-hectare parkland was once owned by the Union Steamship Company, which brought thousands of visitors to its Bowen Island resort during the early part of this century. The popularity cf the resort reached a peak in the '20s and °30s that wasn't to be reached again — by 1959, financial difficulties had forced the sale of the company and the cruises were discontinued. Still remaining today, however, is the refurbished Union Steamship Company Store, which now houses the Bowen Island Public Library and post office. Drop into the old general store for information on island events, hiking trails and other recreational opportunities. In Crippen Park, just a short walk from the ferry, your: picnic can be followed by a walk along any number of marked trails. The Dorman Lookout Trail, a sound trip of about 1.5 km, leads from the Snug Cove Picnic area to a lookout that commands a pan- oramic view of Dorman Point and Howe Sound. If you want to do some pre- lunch hiking, take the Killarney | Lake trail that begins behind the Union Steamship store. During the 2 km walk to the lake, watch out for waterfalls, a lagoon, a fish ladder which is used in the fall, and a wide variety of local wildlife. “We have lots of deer and wildlife, but nothing dangcrous,"’ Burnell assures potential visitors. There is a picnic area at the south end of the lake, and a 4 km walk around its perimeter. Burnell says that cyclists are a common sight during the summer months, but the hilly island does offer its challenges. “It’s not rare to see a cyclist try- ing to hitchhike with a bike (back to the ferry),"" she laughed. “They're absolutely exhausted.” Locals are kept busy year round with their several baseball teams, theatre group, yacht club, nature club and legion, but. during the summer there’s a chance — for visitors to get involved in some Bowen Island festivities. The summer salmon derby is scheduled for Aug. 6, but Burnell says the ‘‘event of the year’’ will be the low-Fest on Aug. 26. On that day, look out for a pan- cake breakfast, parade, live enter- tainment, tug 0’ wars, crafts and a musical ride performed by the local equestrians. There are no camping facilities on Bowen, and just one bed and Know Where She Shops? _ mainland at 9 p.m. (9:50 p.m. Sundays and holiday Mondays.) But if that’s just too early to tear yourself away, you might choose to take in some live enter- tainment at the pub and hail a THE UNION Steamshin Com- pany Store on Bowen Island recalls memories of the thou- sands of summer vistors that came by union steamship to the island in the first half of the century. The steamship cruises were discontinued in 1959, but # number of daily BC Ferries sailings wili take the modern seafarer to the island in the blink of an eye. water taxi to take you home after- wards. The speedy boat trip, which costs $6, makes its last run. to Horseshoe Bay at 11:15 p.m. on weeknights and at !2:15 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Ask at the pub for more details. For information on events tak- ing place at Crippen Regional Park — or to book a softball diamond or group picnic space --. call GVRD Parks at 432-6350. For information on ferry depar- ture times, call BC Ferries at 685- 1021. BIRING SHOES & ACCESSORIES Under New Ownership ON SALE 400 pair of fine crafted Euro n pe Imported Shoes pen ‘The only shoe store In Edgemont Village under. the White Awning” _& 3028 Edgemont Bivd., North Van. 9988-50300) § Just Married or Engaged? Picture This! Bring your photo and write up| into the Capilano Chronicle and we will print it free of charge. Capilano Chronicle — 1139 Lonsdale Avenue North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4 SS A SOREN Ek GT Gh A das APL Sd SEE LEME STN ISTEP SACLE PG WORE RAE CP ETP aE spon tts Si arcavat Vea heeded dS it ah, steed Stem eI sath sie REsen stoned Sein aa | machetes ta Sittha naa OMA RST EAI ID L i BCR ADIN ORAL CURA NCE aE COLT