Continuing on our travels around Vancouver Island, we saw and participated in some unique activities.
Malahat Skywalk:
The Malahat Skywalk is an experience that you just cannot miss. It has art, nature, a ramp to the top of the tower, beautiful views of the surrounding area, net floor at the top, and a fast way down via a slide.
The tower was conceived with the idea of building an "architecturally unique tower with a small environmental footprint that honours its surroundings". After strolling along an accessible 600 meter elevated walkway through a west coast forest of Arbutus and Douglas firs, you ascend the striking 10 storey spiral tower to take in the stunning 360-degree views of islands, fjords, forests and mountains. At the top you walk across the daring Adventure Net and then descend the exhilarating 20-metre spiral slide to the bottom.
Here we are at the beginning of the elevated walkway
through the forest to the tower.
Along the path to the tower upon rocks and in trees were wooden sculptures made with various pieces of driftwood. From wolves to eagles they look down to you. Fabulous!
As a search activity, in the forest there are several "Sasquatch on the Loose"
Orange cut outs represent their creatures. A information sign tells about the Sasquatch
Sasq'ets is Coast Salish for "wild man" though stories also tell of wild women. They have roamed the Pacific Northwest for generations. Tales are passed down through families. To many, the Sasq'ets have wicked ways who kidnap children and wives and steal fish. Their supernatural powers are to be feared. Children were warned to keep out of its way by staying out of forests. To others, Sasq'ets have helpful habits who watche over the land and are harmless unless provoked."
Walking through the forest, I saw a unique thing. The trees which are alive and well but they have thin strips of bark coming off the trunks and branches. What was happening? I have never seen this before. After doing some research I found out that these trees were Arbutus Menziesii which are very drought tolerant. Here is how it is described: The bark of Arbutus is one of its most distinctive features. The outer layer of the bark peels away in thin sheets every spring revealing a smooth initially green surface. Later in the summer, the green bark takes a rusty-red colour. Who knew!
The tower is held firm with these cables and large washers at every level.
As you rise, each turn offers a brand new perspective. You'll see an ever changing
view of the forest, ocean, mountains and the elegant architecture all around the tower.
I decided to take photos through the washers. Below are the views I saw.
Al at the top of the tower reading the many information boards
and looking at the view as seen from the photos below:
Looking down from the top on the inside of the tower. The spiral tube slide is 65 ft. high and
165 ft. long. This gives you a quick and exhilarating 9 second ride down to the bottom.
At the top of the spiral slide.
Bev is just a blur coming down the slide.
At the top of the Tower, there is a 84 square metre Adventure Net suspended over the centre of the
tower. Al had no problem walking across over the net but I am not very comfortable with heights....
remember it is 10 stories high. As you see from the photo I was very cautious. I did live to tell the story.
Overall the Malahat Skywalk was a unique experience and we would highly recommend it to everyone.
Who doesn't like building sand castles while visiting the beach? While we were going through Parksville we went to their sand sculpting competition. We went to another competiton back when we were in Nova Scotia saw some fantastic sand sculptures. Click here to see our post on that competition.
Back in Parksville, some of the top sand sculptors on the planet converged. The Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition had competitors embarking on their quest to construct 29 sculptures. Ten competitors were from Canada while others traveled from the Netherlands and Colombia. Competitors have 24 hours to complete their work by using a share of more than 315 cubic yards of specially screened sand trucked into the site.
Cheryl Dill, president of the Parksville Beach Festival Society said sculpting is how these competitors earn a full-time living. She said, "They sculpt in sand, they sculpt in snow and ice, they sculpt in other media. They are artists and they really know their craft well,"
Below are some of the sculptures that we saw at the competition and exhibit:
A small sculpture used as an example.
Such delicate work.
These sand sculptures were just fabulous. The artists are so talented. You have to admire their
skill and patience to do this art form.
The Coombs Goats on the Roof:
The Old Country Market is a landmark of Coombs. The original market was created in 1973 by Kristain Graaten who emigrated with his wife and children to Vancouver Island from Norway in the 1950s. Kris, who grew up in the small community of Lillehammer, was inspired to include a sod roof in his design of the market and it unwittingly became perhaps the most famous sod-roof building in the world.
The story continues with the question, "What if, what if we put goats on the roof?". The Old Country Market website states: "It was the weekend of the Coombs Fall Fair and the grass was getting rather long. Legend has it that, after a few glasses of wine, Larry (son-in-law and current owner) suggested that they 'borrow' some goats to 'mow' the grass and perhaps provide some entertainment for passing cars. Needless to say, the goats became an instant hit with locals and tourists alike."
"Goats on the Roof" has become one of the top destinations on Vancouver Island
Below the grass roof is the market. It carries a wide variety of food items, local produce
and gifts. We had an interesting time walking through the aisles.
This year, Pip and Penny live on the roof (May to October). Apparently there used to three goats but as one of the employees told us the aggressive male, Pip, pushed one of them off the roof. Not to worry, that goat is well and now living on the farm.
To learn more about the Old Country Market and the goats on the roof Click here. You can even ask questions of the Pip and Penny (goats) by email. What would you ask?
There so much to do and see across our Canada. What is your favourite? From playing on a net 10 storeys above the ground, or digging in the sand, or watching the goats on the roof, it is all FUN!
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