By ROB ROOK
In need of a plumbing part one Friday last August, I dashed downtown to purchase it from our local hardware store. Outside the store there were three young ladies (who had left their families in the park) having an interesting conversation regarding their three-day vacation on Salt Spring Island.
One of them said, “Salt Spring is nothing like I thought it would be. We should have gone to Tofino.”
Thinking that I may be of some help, I asked them what they were looking for. Their questions were interesting and I am sorry to say as a resident I was unable to answer many of them. The following is a list of some of the questions they asked.
• Where do we go to see the salt springs? Can we bathe in them?
• Do you need a four-wheel drive to get up Mount Maxwell?
• Where on the island do we go to see big trees? (I suggested the road to Musgrave.)
• Why is the children’s area in Centennial Park not fenced to keep the dogs out?
• On the ferry we picked up a pamphlet regarding the Studio Tour, but the first few places were closed, so we gave up on it. Do you have to make reservations or call in advance?
• Other than Centennial Park, what is there for children to do? Is there a skate park? Are there any amusement rides? (I directed them to the Story Walk in Mouat Park.)
• Where do we go to view local arts and crafts? (I suggested Mahon Hall and other galleries.)
• At the Saturday Market will we see painters painting, glass blowing, woodworkers making crafts and jewellers at work?
• Where is the best family beach? Someone said we should try Blackburn Lake, but the swimmers there couldn’t afford swim suits.
• Why are there so many abandoned-looking vehicles permitted to half park on the sides of the roads? They really make it difficult to navigate oncoming traffic.
• There was no one at the visitors centre when we went by. Is there another place where we can pick up a brochure on all the things to do and see on Salt Spring?
Their list of questions went on.
So I need your help. Where should I have sent them to pick up a comprehensive, up-to-date brochure on all the features and places to go and things to see on Salt Spring? A pamphlet with the biking trails, hiking trails, the ocean beaches, where to rent a bike or a kayak, the arts and crafts stores and studios, and where to visit the “salt springs” (if possible) would have been a wonderful resource to be able to give them. Do we have one? If not, then possibly it would be a good winter project for all of us islanders to contribute to and print in a spring edition of the Driftwood.
Editor’s note: The Driftwood publishes the Gulf Islander visitors’ guide each May, and welcomes any input or questions/answers for the next issue.