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| the gang |
For the past few years, we have spent the Labour Day weekend with 2 other couples (Evie and Kevin, and Elke and Paul), at a townhouse in Whistler. Evie, Steve's sister, thought it would be nice to change locations this year, and to move the dates to avoid the long weekend traffic. Well we set off to discover a new long weekend retreat. From the Gulf Islands, to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast were all in the running. The property didn't need to have much, just: waterfront, sleeps 6, indoor plumbing and a bar-b-que, not a difficult task for our rental finding guru, Steve. Once again he came through with our new favourite beach front getaway.
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| Our little secret. |
The cottage is on the waterfront, just a few minutes north of Sechelt, on the Sunshine Coast. Allowing extra time for the ferry line up, it took 3 hours to get from home to heaven. While the property was a rustic cottage, it had everything we needed. It wasn't long after our arrival that we made our way down the beach stone path to the edge of our Mecca, the water. The purchase of water shoes from Walmart for $7.00 was the best money we have ever spent. The beach was a combination of small pebbles, to larger smooth rocks, but with the water shoes, and $3.00 air mattresses from Target, we were in our element. The water was cool, but by the end of our stay, it began to feel like bath water. Upon arriving home, we realized we have no pictures of any of us frolicking in the surf.
Evenings were spent collecting drift wood for our fire. Here we watched the sun set, the stars come out, the cruise ships slide by and the shooting stars shower us. The fire was also our dessert, as we perfected the smore. We started with the classic and progressed through some new variations using brownies. It was all a sweet treat. Now just what to do with the left over marshmallows.
Friday we went north on the peninsula to discover the Skookumchuk Narrows Provincial Park.
This park was established in 1957. Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park provides trails and viewing areas for visitors who wish to experience the awesome power of incredibly turbulent tidal rapids. On a 3 metre tide, 200 billion gallons of water flow through the narrows connecting Sechelt and Jervis Inlet.
The difference in water levels between one side of the rapids and the other sometimes exceeds 2 metres in height. Current speeds can exceed 30km/hr. The rapids are famous for their spectacular whirlpools and whitewater.
The difference in water levels between one side of the rapids and the other sometimes exceeds 2 metres in height. Current speeds can exceed 30km/hr. The rapids are famous for their spectacular whirlpools and whitewater.
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| Skookumchuck Narrows |
It is an hour north of Sechelt and then once in Egmont, and then it is a 4 km hike to the narrows. When looking at the rushing ebbing tide, it is hard to remember that it is not a river flowing in front of you, but the tide going out from the Sechelt Inlet. Our next trip would be to see the flood tide flowing in; it is an early morning or late evening event.
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| Our Beach Walk |
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| By the evening fire |
So back at the cottage, we spent our time on the variety of beach chairs, in and out of the water, walking along the shore, and enjoying great food and company. It turned out to be the best of our weekends away, and we are already planning to come back. You can, with any luck, view the pictures at the following link:
http://flickr.com/gp/vernandsteve/5d6wvQ/
http://flickr.com/gp/vernandsteve/5d6wvQ/
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