2017 CANADA
SPRING SUMMER
BC 1871
BEAUTIFUL BRITISH COLUMBIA
THE COAST WITH THE MOST
BY CHARLES MCDIARMID
The managing director of the family-owned Wickaninnish Inn, Charles adopted the dream of his parents, who first acquired the original property in the 1950s. Within 18 months of opening“ The Wick” in 1997, it earned the prestigious Relais & Chateaux stamp of approval. The property was featured in the Spring 2016 issue of Six Star.
PHOTOGRAPHY:( TOP) DESTINATION BRITISH COLUMBIA;( BELOW) MICHAEL BECKER
For visitors wanting to explore the best of British Columbia this summer, I recommend you start your journey in the Okanagan Valley. Whether it’ s for the day, or for several days, you’ ll relish the best of our food and wine. Once satiated, wind your way back to the lower mainland of the province. Of course, a detour out towards the Islands is always in order.
Ferry-hop the Gulf Islands of the South, or perhaps the Discovery Islands of the North. You need to take in Victoria— the harbour, Butchart Gardens— and seek out other endless opportunities to explore the west coast of Vancouver. If nothing else, take in a sunset on the Pacific Ocean.( Oh, and make sure to sample our Dungeness crab!)
If you make it to our neck of the woods, Tofino, you’ ll find a town woven from the rugged fabric of the many different movements of time. Pioneering families of the 1950s ventured here when no road existed. The logging, industrial and fishing trades forged gravel paths that washed out with the tides. The hippies of the‘ 60s found us at the‘ end of their road’ and called us home, as did antiwar activists and our current collection of green living advocates.
What makes the people of Tofino— and, for that matter, the people of BC— so unique from the rest of Canada? Our landscape. Our geography has shaped people to reflect an adventurous, rugged spirit and a willingness to get lost in the pursuit of discovery. We are willing to leave the comfort of home in order to explore and to learn.
Canada Day will be a special one for our family this year. For starters, we’ ll be out on our new deck, enjoying the comings and goings of Chesterman Beach. We’ ll then hit the 1st Street Dock so we can watch the fireworks that will be launched from out on a barge in the water. It’ s always a special sight; this year, it should be better than ever.
22 six star magazine