January 27, 2010.
The countdown is on, to the Olympics. The opening ceremony is on February 12th. The Olympic Torch, which has been in relays around Canada, is back in B.C., and heading to Vancouver/Whistler, for the opening ceremony.
We've been experiencing a "January Thaw" weather pattern -- seems more like very early Spring, on the Pacific Northwest Coast! -- but may cool up nicely in February.
Communities on Vancouver Island and on the Sunshine Coast are presenting their areas in Vancouver, just ahead of the Olympics, to key people in tourism, from around the world. The Gulf Islands, the majority of which are close to several Vancouver Island communities. are always mentioned in "nearby places to enjoy".
I do think that there will be spinoff from the Olympics discovery moment, although it may not be visible to us until 3 to 5 months later, and into a good two years after that. Yes, there will be people physically attending the games, perhaps connected with the athletes, and certainly the press of the various nations are represented, too. How many will be watching on t.v. or over the internet? Over a billion? When they look past the events, and see the beauty of both Vancouver and Whistler, they will be stunned.
We are such an underacknowledged area, on this thin strip of land between the sea and the mountains. We who live here are so lucky, although we may not always remember this, when in the "midst" of our own lives / personal experiences. Whether it's a Gulf Island, or a Vancouver Island venue, or a Sunshine Coast address, or a city locale (Vancouver or Victoria), we all enjoy that microclimate weather pattern, to some degree, and the extravagant natural beauty that is everywhere. Georgia Strait (the historic "Salish Sea") enjoys the best protected boating waters in the world, according to many mariners.
Beauty everywhere...and the entire world is about to discover it. Topographically, though, there is a limited supply of land for development (those mountains! that sea!), and in many cases there are zoning bylaws (for the Gulf Islands, it's that Islands Trust) that prohibit growth...another kind of "lid" on development.
As B.C. residents, we should all be proud of the Olympics moment. As Canadians, the same. We enjoy an incredibly rich lifestyle, compared to many areas of the world, and we also enjoy pristine natural beauty. If you haven't taken a floatplane trip to Vancouver recently, from the Gulf Islands or from Vancouver Island, try to do this. It's very evident just how lovely our area is, and also how limited the supply. It is a "thin ribbon" of coastline, that supports human endeavour, in our region.
Lucky us, to be here already!
More information about Salt Spring Island and the Southern Gulf Islands? Call me! How may I help you to discover and to buy your special Island paradise?
liread33@gmail.com
How may I help you to discover special Salt Spring Island & the Southern Gulf Islands? Call me!
