Western Speedway Swap and Shop

Just had a chance to visit Western Speedway Swap and Shop last Sunday. This event is located at 2207 Millstream Road in Langford and is held on the oval racetrack normally used for ‘hit to pass’ and other stock car events.

If you happen to be looking for curios, baby gear, kid’s books, fishing gear, wood products, old cameras, plants, memorabilia and other hard to find items such as a Silver Springs Brewery keg label from 1908 this is the place.

Situated on the Western Speedway grounds there is lots of parking available, washrooms, a concession stand plus only costs only a dollar to enter per person.The Western Speedway Swap and Shop, Vancouver Island's largest flea market, is held outdoors every Sunday from 7 am to 2 pm weather permitting and runs from April to the end of September.

If you have lots of stuff yourself and would like to get rid of it tables are available at a cost of $10. More info: Western Speedway Swap and Shop.

Mount Tzouhalem

Walked up Mount Tzouhalem yesterday with a group of friends from Club Mud. The mountain which is located near Cowichan Bay offers one of the most spectacular views of the Cowichan Valley.

The hike starts at a parking lot bordering the south boundary of St. Ann's Catholic Church. The church is located next to Providence Farm on Tzouhalem Road near the mouth of the Cowichan River.

From the parking lot there is an unmarked forestry road that weaves around the back fields of Providence Farm. Unfortunately there are no signs showing the route up Mount Tzouhalem so you have to rely on a gut feeling on the proper route up. At times there is some pink surveyors tape that helps guide up the fairly steep climb.

The trail takes about one hour or so to get to a lookout point at around 427 metres (1,400 feet) in altitude. Here you can find a cross that has been erected and one of the best views of the surrounding landscape of the Cowichan Valley.

Nanaimo Lakes Campsite

We went into Nanaimo Lakes recently. The Nanaimo Lakes are a set up four lakes in the region where the headwaters of the Nanaimo River starts about 35 km (22 miles) south-west of Nanaimo.

To get here the route starts on Nanaimo Lakes Road which is just north of Cassidy off Hwy 1. From here you go up Nanaimo Lakes Road eventually joining up with the Nanaimo Lakes Main Line forestry road.

You have to pass through a TimberWest security gate which is generally open to the public during Sunday and Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm plus Friday and Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm. The gate hours often change check at the main gate for any seasonal changes in gate closure times or go to TimberWest website.

Once past the main gate you can find camping at First and Second Lake. The campsites are very spacious and clean. There is no running water here and pit toilets are only available. Access to the Nanaimo River between First and Second Lake is situated along the lakeside.

Access to Fourth and Third Lakes can only be done on weekends as active logging and heavy equipment is on the gravel roads during the week.

For more information see Nanaimo Lakes Campsite.

Carmanah-Walbran Provincial Park

Just got back from an all day trip into Carmanah/Walbran Provincial Park leaving from Victoria. The trip took around 11.5 hours with total distance traveled 444 kilometres or 276 miles.

Carmanah/Walbran Provincial Park is noted as a sanctuary of "old growth" Sitka Spruce and 1000 year old cedar trees. The trailhead into to see the trees is situated on southern Vancouver Island about 38 km (24 miles) from Nitinat.

The park is absolutely amazing with some of the giant trees only 45 minutes or so from the parking lot. To get to the trees you have to walk on a boardwalk system designed to help protect the natural ecosystem through-out the forest floor.

For more information check out BC Parks website on the Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park.

Best Caesar Salad in British Columbia

As we travel around British Columbia we often have a chance to try new restaurants and cafes in different towns throughout the province. Often when we order rather than having a green salad or fries with our meals we like try a Caesar salad instead.

The quest often becomes who in BC makes a good Caesar Salad. We are not talking about the high-end establishments of Vancouver rather the small independent operations that offer good value for the money.

The latest edition of a very good salad happens to come from a small cafe in the very small community of Salmo. The cafe is called the Dragon Fly and was recommended to us very highly by the park attendant from Champion Lakes Provincial Park.

Once we arrived at the Dragon Fly we could tell by the packed house that the food was going to be good. We were not disappointed, the chicken wrap and accompanying Caesar salad was excellent. This was a definite surprise and one that will have to be experienced again.

If you happen to be going through Salmo make a point of stopping at this quaint little cafe which is housed in the 1934 built Jas. R. Hunnex building. Not only does the Dragon Fly Cafe serve one of the best Caesar salads in British Columbia but also has free wireless internet and serves up Kicking Horse Coffee.

Bliss Bakery

Going through and editing my photos of a recent trip today I am reminded of a number of good times and certain highlights that were experienced. One category that keeps coming up is a number of coffee shops that were visited. Some of these businesses stand out and are often included as a favourite when visiting that community.

One of these businesses has to be the Bliss Bakery in Peachland. Located along the waterfront at 4200 Beach Avenue in the Gateway complex, Bliss Bakery offers a wide array of breads, pastries and coffee.

The facility is clean, open and if you prefer the outside has a good selection of tables with umbrellas offering panoramic views of Okanagan Lake. If you enjoy art Bliss Bakery sometimes features local photographers displaying pictures and artwork of the Okanagan.

Bliss Bakery web site: http://www.blissbakery.ca/

Pincushion Mountain in Peachland

We went for a hike up Pincushion Mountain in Peachland. The hike is moderate to hard and takes about one hour to complete. The easterly view from the top of Okanagan Lake is incredible. It takes in Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park plus all the way to Penticton in the south to Kelowna in the north.

If you would like to take the hike turn on Ponderosa Drive off of Hwy 97 in Peachland. Take the road all the way up and go past the entrance to the golf course and continue right up to the last condominium and look for a gate near a fire road. Park your vehicle here.

Afterwords we went for a great coffee and baked goods at Bliss Bakery which is located along the waterfront in Peachland.