Launching into fun from Gabriola

If you live on an Island, you likely have some love/appreciation/longing of the beautiful waters that surround you. We recently put our dad's boat in the water, and found it easy to launch from the end of Gray Road (Degnen Bay, Gabriola). There is also a place to launch your boat from Narrow’s Road just off of Elverano. The best time to launch is definitely high tide, and there are many places to explore around Gabriola, including Valdez, Ruxton, Mudge and Decourcy. With sun in the forecast everyday during the next 14 day period, you definitely want to consider being close to the beach. I've created a google map to show places on Gabriola to set your boat or kayak, if there are any others that you know of please let me know and I'll add them too.

Spring Break on Gabriola

Spring Break is in full swing on Gabriola this week. There is plenty to do for those that are taking the week to relax or that want to fill it with fun activities. Here’s just a few things that might help make your spring vacation a memorable one for all of the family:
- Have a bonfire
- Go for a beach walk
- Make a fort
- Play at the school
- Camp in your living room
- Go to story time at the Gabriola Library from 3:15-3:45 on Thurs March 11
- Do a day trip to Nanaimo and go bowling, or skating & swimming
- Have a “family movies” night and look through your photo albums
- Attend Artworks $250 show on Thurs night (mar 11) at 7pm
- Geocache
- Play soccer
- Have a potato bag race
If you’re planning your outdoor activities with some sunshine, your best days are likely to be Thursday, Saturday or Sunday. Check the weather network for an updated forecast.

Groundhog Day

The old folklore suggests that if the Groundhog sees his shadow today, we're in for 6 more weeks of winter, apparently it's a 39% chance of correctly predicting the weather. Well, I guess it's great news for the Winter Olympics that the groundhog saw his shadow today, although I was trying to dodge my shadow this morning in hopes that Spring would be here. Oh well, just more time to plan a low maintenance, draught tolerant garden on Gabriola.

It’s blue skies today!

Gabriola is fortunate to have a climate with moderate temperatures, with dry summers and wet winters. The average summer temperature on the island is about 20-25°C, and although our winters may be wet at times they seldom go below freezing. The average annual rainfall is about 34.5 inches, giving Islanders the perfect opportunity to stay by the fire and read a novel. For now, it looks like more sunshine heading our way. To view the 14 day trend visit the Weather Network http://www.theweathernetwork.com/fourteenday/cabc0108 .