Skookumchuck Narrows, Sunshine Coast BC Mini-holiday

We took a mini-holiday, basically a staycation, as we did not leave the Sunshine Coast, but drove an hour up the coast to the West Coast Wilderness Lodge. That's a fantastic place for a little R & R, with one of the most beautiful dining areas I've ever seen out on their patio. We had some bicycle trail adventures before checking into the lodge, then relaxed and dined.

The next day we had thought of exploring further on our bikes, but there was some drizzle coming down, and so we decided to revisit the world famous Skookumchuck Narrows. This is a place where the land narrows, and the tides rush through like a crazy river. We happened to hit it at one of the more fantastic viewing times (there are published times for viewing at its best). Although I've visited perhaps half a dozen times over the years, it never, ever fails to impress.

The Tide Ripping Through the Skookumchuck

It's an easy, mostly level, 40 minute stroll into the furthest viewing point. Just before arriving back at the car, there is a very good bakery nestled in the woods where we got delicious treats and drinks. Then the drizzle had ceased, so we got a bit of biking after all. The only just slightly disappointing part of the whole mini-vacation is that the so called Suncoaster bike trail is not at all what it is written up to be. After approximately 6 kilometres, one section was completely closed, and going back on another section was so rough, and steep, we had to walk a lot of it. Trying the start of the trail the next day, the first few hundred metres were great, and then back to extremely rough, and steep. Nope, not a bike trail unless you perhaps are into extreme mountain biking.

Turkey in the Woods, Sunshine Coast, BC

Anyone Lose a Turkey?

Hiking on the Sunshine Coast, BC, has taught me to always expect the unexpected— and a few weeks ago this was certainly the case. It felt very weird to look down off a bridge into a mountain river and see... a full size turkey! It took few seconds for it to sink in, what this thing actually was, and then our small group had a lot of fun speculating on how the heck it had ended up there.

The two most promising theses were A: someone had put it on their deck / patio to thaw, and a large animal (dog, cougar, bear) had snatched it and dragged it off into the wilderness. But then why leave it? And why was it not more chewed up? B: someone thought this would be a good place to thaw a frozen turkey (they do recommend cold flowing water). But who would think leaving it in the wilderness, crawling with hungry animals, would be a good idea?

Definitely this was one of the strangest things I have come across while hiking.

But there is always, always, something. Below is a shot of a cardinal-- a bird not native to this area --also in the middle of the woods. Always something!

Hiking, Sunshine Coast, British Columbia

Typical Hike Scenery, Sunshine Coast, BC

The biggest influence on my work is without doubt this beautiful area I am fortunate enough to live in. The ocean, the beaches, the rugged shores, and the forests.

I try to go for at least a walk everyday, regardless of the weather conditions. And once or twice a week, I strive to go for a real hike.

Lately Mount Elphinstone has been the target. This is a huge area and it is absolutely littered with hiking trails-- from easy to ouch, from short to as long as you want.

Yesterday we enjoyed one of my favourite hikes-- a favourite even though I had only been on it one time before. Just the right amount of up and down (nothing lung breaking), no other people, a decent length for an afternoon (2 1/2 hours, including 20 minutes for a nice picnic lunch).

Nothing refreshes me and inspires me like a good hike in our woods.

Hiking, Sunshine Coast BC, Highway 102 Trail

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Maps.Me Excellent for Hiking

We enjoyed another, even longer, hike yesterday, all the way from just above the Langdale ferry terminal to the bottom of the B and K logging road. That took about 3.5 hours and was a great choice because much of the lower Sunshine Coast was covered in thick fog. Up on the side of the mountain, warm sunshine, blue skies.

We started in the crazy maze of trails known as the Sprock Kids park, a jumble of criss-crossing trails made by volunteers for mountain bikers. Now especially through this part is where I wish to give huge thanks and high recommendations to my favourite hiking app: Maps.Me, available for iOS and Android. I believe this app is crowdsourced, which may explain the incredible detail of hiking trails that appear. It's really up to date, and really, really helpful. It works offline, too! It shows exactly where you are (blue triangle, not shown in the above image), and which direction you are facing (pointy part of the arrow). I probably referred to it over a dozen times yesterday, to find the trail, or just to be sure we were on the right trail. Exceptional!

The Sunshine Coast has more than its fair share of trails. Some are very well marked, but a lot of them are either not marked, or marked in a confusing way. So unless you are certain you are venturing out on one of the easy, well marked trails, I would not go without Maps.me, or another good map-- if there are any.

Oh, by the way, Maps.Me is free... so really no excuse!

Because the hike was a bit longer than anticipated, it was cool ending up at the highway, where a bus arrived within minutes and took us back to our car in Langdale.

Here are a couple of pics from yesterday.

Highway 102 Trail, Langdale to Roberts Creek

Little Things are Often the Cool Things on a Hike

Hiking, Sunshine Coast BC

A Bridge That Turned Out to be a Sheet of Ice

After more than 25 years living on the Sunshine Coast, BC, it amazes me that we still find new hikes. This is a reflection of the terrific number of gorgeous trails criss-crossing the Coast. New trails are frequently being added, I think mostly thanks to a keen and energetic mountain biking community.

Yesterday we maintained our tradition of going on a long hike the first day of the new year, and discovered a previously unexplored (by us) network of trails not far from where we live. The surprises were multiple, in that this was definitely one of the most interesting hikes yet (complete with an old graveyard, a well displayed and signed bunch of old logging equipment, and most surprising a whole lot of snow! Looking at a map before departing, I never would have thought we would be in that much snow, and it just goes to show how you really have to be prepared for anything when hiking on the Sunshine Coast.

The most amusing moment came when my wife got part way across the above pictured bridge, only to discover it was one large sheet of extremely polished, slick ice! She did manage to creep the entire length without plunging, and I was happy to step down and across the stream without risking it.

The entire walk was 3.5 hours, and a little higher than this picture it became a winter wonderland. Very refreshing! The hot tea with a delicious lunch hit the spot!

For anyone not terribly familiar with hiking on the Sunshine Coast, two recommendations. First, absolutely go prepared (sun, rain, snow, wind may all be encountered during a single walk). Second, the very best maps for iPhone / iOS, and Android too, that I have found is called Maps.Me  I believe the wilderness maps are crowdsourced, updated frequently, and very, very valuable when hiking in areas such as where we went yesterday, where there are many trails, and it is easy to get turned around / lost. They work offline, so brilliant. Can not recommend strongly enough.

2017 Sunshine Coast Art Crawl Starts Tomorrow, October 20

The Sunshine Coast Art Crawl 2017 Starts Tomorrow
October 20- 22 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The 2017 Sunshine Coast Art Crawl consist of 144 locations: the Sunshine Coast rich in talent! Although I've been making my creations for about 25 years, this will be just my 3rd year participating in the art crawl, as I did not have suitable studio space before moving to our new home.

The Art Crawl is a wonderfully exciting event to participate in, with an estimated 500 people visitings my studio last year. Despite a rather gloomy weather forecast, I hope for another fun weekend this year. I have improved lighting in my studio, so cloudy skies do not concern me as much as  they would have.

Hope to see you at Coast Chimes, 535 Woodland Avenue, Gibsons, BC (map below). 604-229-5560. Be sure to pick up the Art Crawl brochure-- there are no shortage of great places to visit!

Sunshine Coast Art Crawl October 20 - 22 2017

Cedar Framed Indoor or Outdoor
Suncatcher by Coast Chimes

Preparing full speed ahead for the annual Sunshine Coast Art Crawl, this year happening October 20-22. 144 artists from Langdale to Powell River take part in the awesome, fun event. This is a free event, your chance to check out all the many talented Coast artists, and their studio / galleries.

I have personally been working since the end of April preparing for the Art Crawl, knowing that if past years hold true I can possibly have over 500 visitors. Just finishing making the final works (see picture above), and about to start the massive annual clean up of my workshop, to double the display area of my home gallery.

Almost every item I have for the Art Crawl is available for pre-viewing on my website: Coast Chimes. currently over 190 large wind chimes, smaller chimes, and suncatchers. All the prices on Coast Chimes and Etsy are in US dollars, but when you come and shop in person, you get charged in Canadian dollars, saving a fair amount (ie, if the website says $50 US, you get charge $50 CA when you visit in person).

I look very forward to seeing many people at the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl!

Home on the Sunshine Coast, Good to be Back

Beach, Gibsons BC, Canada

After a short camping trip into the interior of British Columbia, as lovely as it was, I am reminded on returning to the Sunshine Coast just how lucky we are to live here. I have been back and forth across Canada, and through much of the USA, and the Sunshine Coast is awfully hard to beat.

We had a long, dusty trip home, much of it on gravel roads. That back country is wild and awesome. But an afternoon reading on the beach back home, swimming, and maybe a short snooze, is just about perfect.

This picture was taken near Granthams Landing, which is just steps from the small town of Gibsons. There was no one else on this section of beach. And the water was super clear, and warm.

If you visit the Sunshine Coast, try to leave time to visit Coast Chimes. You can see some real west coast works of art, perfect for gifts.

Hiking, Roberts Creek, Sunshine Coast, BC

One of My Favourite Spots
Just Above Roberts Creek, BC
Sunshine Coast

From Powell River to Port Melon, the Sunshine Coast is without doubt rich in awesome hiking options.

Before moving close to Gibsons, we lived in upper Roberts Creek, and that is where I first discovered the almost countless trails this area boast. Every once in a while, I enjoy returning to this part of the coast, to revisit those trails. Just yesterday, I took a friend through one of these routes. A beautiful blue sky day, and early enough so we did not wilt from heat. Perfect!

The picture above is one of my very favourite spots on the coast. It's such a peaceful spot. But it is also typical of many of the trails on the Sunshine Coast.

One thing: because there are so many trails, it is pretty easy to get turned around and loose your way. I recommend the free app, Maps.me, available at the Apple App Store, Google Play, and Amazon Apps. Unlike Google Maps or Apple Maps, Maps.me actually has a lot of hiking trails on the maps. If I did not know the area well, I would not go to a place like where I took this picture without it, and even though I know the area well, I still reference the maps from time to time.

Gibsons, BC, Sunshine Coast, Canada

Looking Back at My
Summer Afternoon Swimming Beach
Gibsons, BC, Canada

As a self-employed artist, one thing I learned very early is that discipline is important. It is all too easy to get sloppy, start later, finish earlier, read one more chapter. Then you end up not getting things done that need to be done, and it all slides downhill from there.

Before going to sleep at night, I typically make a little list in my head of what I will start with the following morning, what I will accomplish during the day. It helps a lot for getting going in the morning, and for sticking to it during the day. If I fall short of accomplishing all that is on that list, it's not the end of the world, but I feel a bit bad and resolve to work harder the next day. This works really well for me.

During the summer, Gibsons / the Sunshine Coast is the place to be. Not too hot, but hot enough to have a swim that feels great. Blue skies. It is very tempting to take a lot of time off. And I do take some time-- everyone deserves some holiday! But the summer is also the time where I do a lot of my main work, because the wood I work with is dry, the glass can be handled more easily, and there is a long list of things needing to be finished before the October Sunshine Coast Art Crawl, and Christmas rush.

The way I handle the urge to toss everything and spend the day at the ocean reading and swimming is to make that list in my head, and finish it before taking off. But almost every nice day, I do walk down to the local sandy beach (10 minutes stroll, and just happens to be one of the nicest ones on the Coast). It is a wonderful incentive to work hard and finish up: a treat, and it doesn't cost a dime.

If visiting Vancouver, or Vancouver Island, I highly recommend you take a side trip to the Sunshine Coast. Enjoy the slower life style, pick up a Purple Banner Guide of artists' studios and galleries (available on the ferries and in the tourists' bureaus). Make sure to drop by Coast Chimes (directions)-- I'm here everyday working (except for when I am down having a swim!) and would love to show you what I do.

Hiking, Sunshine Coast, BC, Canada

Cool Hiking Trail
Inland Lake, Powell River, BC

There's nothing to clear the head and raise the spirits like a good long hike. This past weekend, we went on one of the nicer ones I have been on, and that says a lot, since I have been on hundreds, maybe thousands, of hikes around BC.

Inland Lake Provincial Park is just a short drive from Powell River. Although it is a top rated destination, GPS is useful to find the start of the trail, near the boat launch. The trail follows the entire perimeter of the lake, about 13 kilometres (8 miles). We spent an exceptionally pleasant day frequently pausing for swimming. Warm, clear water, and a pristine view.

The trail is in excellent condition: wide, and completely flat. A very easy hike. Although highly rated on Trip Advisor, on a beautiful Sunday we saw very few other people.

The entire Sunshine Coast is loaded with awesome hiking opportunities. Tough to beat.

When you visit the Coast, take time out to visit my studio gallery in Granthams Landing, Gibsons. You'll see glass, copper, beach stone, driftwood works that you won't find anywhere else You can preview them on my website: Coast Chimes.

Happy trails!

Hiking, Sunshine Coast, BC

Hiking on the Sunshine Coast
Gibsons, BC, Canada

The Sunshine Coast, BC, Canada is rich in hiking adventures. The picture above is from the Mount Elphinstone trail, an estimated 6 hour round trip route. My wife and I did not push too hard, and managed to complete it in about 4 hours, including a lunch break at the top enjoying the view. It is one of the more beautiful hikes out of a very long list of gorgeous hikes I have undertaken on the Coast, but also, no doubt about it, one of the more strenuous.  In fact, I was not wearing very good shoes, just slip ons, and coming down was so steep that my toes constantly banged forward hitting and now, about a year later, I still have two black toenails! Such a beautiful trail, a little pain is nothing.

From Langdale through Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, and on up to Pender Harbour (and beyond, to Powell River) there are hundreds, if not thousands, of short to long hikes, full of stunning scenery, and the likely hood of seeing some interesting wildlife, too (i.e., bears).

Be prepared to be wowed, but also be prepared. Know where you are going, tell someone where you are going, and when you plan to be back, dress appropriately (don't wear crummy slip ons for mountain hikes!). I know from early hiking days, a step off the trail, a little turn around, and you can get very lost, very fast. Most trails are well marked, but some certainly are not!

When visiting the Sunshine Coast, pick up the Purple Banner guide of artists' studios and galleries, because the Coast is also full of serious talent. Lots of fun to stop in and visit the art scene. You can certainly stop by Coast Chimes, and see wind chimes like you never imagined (also enjoy a unique house and urban food garden).

What to Do, Gibsons, British Columbia

Natural Pacific Driftwood Wind Chime
5 Large Copper Chimes
Handcrafted by Coast Chimes

I love natural driftwood, and the huge piece forming the wind chime pictured above is gorgeous. It is naturally silver-colored, from the salt water and from the sun bleaching. It goes perfectly with the 5 antiqued copper chimes, with their beach stone clapper / striker.

I do ship large works like this, although it is the sort of chime I honestly hope someone will stop by and buy locally. Coast Chimes is open 7 days a week, and if you are able to drop by I am sure you will enjoy seeing the workshop and touring the gallery. You will also enjoy a considerable discount from the website prices! Gibsons, BC, is an awesome town, and the Sunshine Coast, BC, is an amazing place to visit.

All the works in my gallery are also viewable on my website. So why not visit my site, and if you can drop by, I'll be happy to see you, and otherwise ordering from my website is easy. Visit the website Coast Chime, or the Gallery Coast Chimes.

Purple Banner, Sunshine Coast BC Studio and Gallery Guide

Sunshine Coast British Colombia
Art Studios and Galleries
Purple Banner

The Sunshine Coast, BC, has a very large and active art community. Many artists and galleries, including Coast Chimes, take part in the Purple Banner promotion, through the Coast Cultural Alliance. This year's guide is a work of art in itself, simply beautiful! If you visit the Sunshine Coast, pick up a guide which is available on the ferries, in tourist centres, and in Vancouver at the main tourist office.

The Sunshine Coast is a fabulous place to visit, and with this guide, or simply looking for the flying purple flags, you can enjoy visiting awesome studios and galleries all up and down the coast.

Natural Beauty of Sunshine Coast BC Inspires Wind Chime Artist Coast Chimes

Round Smooth Beach Stone Flow
Sunshine Coast, BC, Canada

One thing is certain: The Sunshine Coast, BC, is all about natural beauty.  I've lived here for 25 years, and still get wowed by the beauty almost everyday.

The longer I live here, the more grateful I am, as I realize how this natural beauty influences my work as an artist. Not only do I use the natural resources, such as rounded smooth beach stones and driftwood in my wind chime designs, but I know my love of rounded edges and sea glass comes directly from hikes along the shore and through the woods. Nature knows a thing or two about design, and all I have to do is look closely and try to get some of the elements I see in the natural world into my own designs.

You can see how the  naturally Pacific Coast beauty has influenced my work by checking out my website. Probably the Beach Stone section or Driftwood section would be a great place to start.

Snowy Mountains
Seen From Gibsons BC Canada

Sunshine Coast, BC, Gibsons

View of Snow Covered Coastal Mountains
From Gibsons, BC, Sunshine Coast, Canada

Most of my yearly sales are online, and about half of those sales are for Christmas: pre-Christmas is a very busy time for Coast Chimes. So I didn't much mind that the skies were grey, the clouds dumping rain during November and early December. But what a treat to have those skies clear and the local mountains snow dusted for this quieter, post-Christmas period! Most of the packing and shipping is done, and I have time to head out, take long walks, and enjoy the scenery.

I walk along the beach, and dream up new ideas for the weeks ahead, when I plan to devote time to creating new works to replenish my stock.

I see these mountains, this ocean, the beach, the trees, and feel so grateful to live here. Of course, I am also pleased to be able to retrieve many fine natural resources from the shoreline-- the stones, the driftwood, the sea glass. From this nature I get my inspiration and lots of my materials. What a pleasure!

Home Sweet Home

Click on the images to see them larger

3094 Grauman Rd., Roberts Creek, BC, for sale by owner

We've enjoyed 16 wonderful years in this beautiful home on fabulous acreage. But now, empty nesters, it is time to move on. It's a difficult thing, as this has been not only my home where so many sweet family memories were created, but also my work site— my artist studio is around the back. But I am a firm believer that change is a good thing, so here we go.

I am selling this house myself. At the same time, I am doing the marketing for my friend and neighbour, who also has a beautiful home on acreage just down the street.

I know these are each some of the nicest properties on the Sunshine Coast. Very peaceful and sunny.

See lots of pictures and read all about these two properties on the website: Sunshine Coast Homes for Sale.

Early Spring on the Coast

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Salmon berry blossom, March 3, 2010

I love the first bright salmon berry blossoms that appear each year. The forests are always lush and beautiful year round on the Sunshine Coast, but for me the green and brown and more green becomes a bit tiresome by winter's end. So I rejoice when the first purple flowers appear. A little color!

Since I like that so much, I posted a picture of one of the first last year, too. I see that was on April 13, 2009. I must have seen the first one opening this year nearly two weeks ago, in mid-March, so it would seem to be much earlier this year. That makes sense, as it has been such a warm winter, and there have been several nearly T-shirt afternoons in recent weeks.

I was so pleased to have my camera along on my daily hike yesterday for the blossom picture, because as I moved deep through the woods, suddenly there was sunlight, and it was filtering through the trees and morning mist in a most attractive way. The picture is below. Enjoy.

More Snow Pacific North West

An updated picture from my last posting, which showed the start of the snow. There is more on the way today. According to the forecast, it looks like we will be enjoying a rare, white Christmas on the Sunshine Coast.

Below, some pretty early morning sunlight illuminating the trees. The clouds are rolling in, and the snow looks to start soon. I'm heading out to turn the heater on in my workshop, as I need to finish some copper chimes before taking a couple of days off.

To all my friends and customers, Season's Greetings!

Virtual Hike, Sunshine Coast British Columbia

Everyday I go on a walk in the woods, but maybe once a week I go for a 'real' hike. Yesterday, for example. I grabbed my pup and we went on one of my favorite trails.

It begins just a few minutes from my home, and goes up the mountain for about an hour.

Then the trail levels off and you get to meander in and out of the woods, through clear cuts, across streams. The clear cuts are so grown in that at times the trail is all but invisible.

Want to go on a hike? For once I took my camera, so here is a mini-virtual tour. Click on any of the pictures to see them larger.

If you don't look closely, you will miss some of the neatest things. A small, intricate dot of color almost lost amongst the huge trees.

Look at this cool little plant, also almost invisible in the forest.

The trail through the woods, green and cool

Out of the woods, into the clearcut, where plants grow at an amazing pace with the bright light.

Yukon is actual useful for finding the trail in this overgrown jungle.

At this time of year, the fireweed is spectacular.

No need to take a snack along— there are berries everywhere, such as these huckleberries.

Reentering the darker woods, looking back at the clearcut.