30 - Sunday, May 13, 1990 - North Shore News

TRAVEL

Bowen makes a perfect day trip

HOW MANY of us take Bowen Island for granted?

I know I have — in fairly recent memory, I’ve only visited the island once, for a short business appointment, and if I really strain I can recall shadowy images of having been there with my parents when I was six or seven.

I’ve often meant te ferry over for the day, but the trip always got bumped off my list of holiday priorities in favor of ‘‘grander’’

great escapes

Peggy Trendell-Whittaker fe

weekends to the oft-touted Gulf Islands or popular Washington destinations.

That might have gone on in- definitely, had I not decided to at- tend a workshop/retreat that was held lIast weekend at a private home on the west side of Bowen.

Well, My re-introduction to the island was certainly an enlighten- ing one, and I’m sorry I put it off for so long.

There's a plethora of wild, undeveloped greenery that doesn’t seem possible only 20 minutes out

of West Vancouver, and enough interesting little shops and cafes to keep you going for an afternoon even if you’re not the wilderness type.

The island’s major tourist at- traction is Crippen Regional Park, owned and operated by the GVRD since 1983.

It offers waikers and bikers sev- eral beautiful trails to explore, and as they start only half a block from the Snug Cove ferry terminal, you've no need to bring a car over.

The Killarney Lake trail starts behind the historic 1924 Union Steamship Store that you’ll see on your right as you walk off the ferry, During the 2 km trip to the lake, you’ll see a lagoon, fish lad- der, and waterfalls.

There’s a small picnic area once you reach the lake, and the 4 km Killarney Lake Loop trail takes you through marsh and forest around the lake and back to the picnic site.

The entire Killarney Lake trip takes between two and three hours if you are walking.

If you veer to the left after com- ing off the ferry, you’ll find Crip- pen Park’s picnic area (large groups can reserve this spot by calling the GVRD at 432-6352) and the softball diamond, where you can usually catch a game in action if you're visiting on the weekend.

Bowen Island folk are renowned for their enthusiasm behind the bat, and are said to be ever-eager to encounter some off-island com- petition, so consider bringing your baseball equipment along.

The same block, just steps away from the ferry terminal, comprises the whole of downtown Bowen Island, but quite an assortment of interesting establishments have been squeezed into that small space. .

You can browse through a varie- ty of local crafts at Plumtree and the adjoining pottery shop, and make your way up the street to the

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Evergreen book store (a small shop, but carries some good titles, including some on Bowen Island history, flora and fauna), a neat-o cotton clothing store, Forget- Me-Nots second-hand store and a combined plant nursery and gift store.

There are a few places to have a bite to eat, the most intriguing of which looks to be the Whirling Dervish (with a name like that, how can you go wrong?). It specializes in coffees and light meals, and, from the number of people in it when 1 walked by,

seems very popular.

Also well known is the Bowen Pub, where you might want to finish up your day. On Friday and Saturday nights, the pub offers live entertainment and a solution to the {-don’t-want-to-leave-yet blues.

If you are having just too much fun to get up and catch the last ferry back to Horseshoe Bay, fear not. For $6, you will be transpor- ted back to the mainland in a water-taxi, arriving home, like Cinderella, shortly after midnight.

For information on exact water-taxi times and upcoming

musicians, call the pub at 947- 2782.

Since there is little need to bring your car to the island, you are probably best off to ferry over asa foot passenger. That does, howev- er, leave you with the problem of parking your car at Horseshoe Bay. Ideally, you should take the West Van bus (Info: 985-7777) into the Bay and enjoy a scenic Marine Drive trip en route.

For information on B.C. ferry times, call 669-1211. Be sure you do catch some boat back to town at night, because there are no camping facilities on Bowen and other accommodation is limited indeed.

Join recCentre Andrews in the first annual Spring 1990 Triathalon. Qualified, experienced athletes can help you train during weekend Triathalon Clinics at recCentre Andrews. The Spring 1990 Triathalon consists of an 800 metre pool swim; 20 km cycle (3 loops on Mount Seymour Parkway) and a 5 km run through trails and along Mount Seymour Parkway. There are four age categories for men and women plus a special Kids’ Triathalon (250 metre swim, 6 km cycle, 2 km run). Entry forms are available at all recCentres.

May 24, 1990. Eniry fee $25

Kids Triathalon $10

Entry fee includes tank top, door prizes, refreshments

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER

with Paul Granger

Thursday, May 7:00-10:00pm Cost $5

For more information on triathalon, to volunteer or to register for workshop, call Trish Holme at recCentre Andrews, 929-7314. Workshop registration is limited!

North Vancouver Recreation Commission

recCentre Andrews 929-7314 931 Lytton St., North Vancouver

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