the wandering chick
easy to get to, fun to explore
...Salt Spring Island
Seems everyone wants to go to Salt Spring Island. Perhaps it's because it's one of the easiest of the Gulf Islands to get to. Ferries terminate at three different locations on the island.
Salt Spring is also the largest and the most populated of the more than 200 Gulf Islands. With a resident population of close to 11,000, its cultural activities, annual events, hiking trails, outdoor adventure options, restaurants, shopping, art galleries, all combined make it a most pleasant stay whether for a day or a month.
The back roads between the towns are as interesting as the town centers and harbors themselves. But then I'm biased toward the more remote off-the-beaten-path treks. It was while on one such road that I ended up at the Ruckle Provincial Park at the end of Beaver Point Road on the island's southeast corner. Not only does it have the largest campground of all the Gulf Islands, but the working sheep farm owned by the Ruckle family since the 1870s is a great attraction. Sheep, livestock and turkeys roam the grounds and around the various farm buildings.
The Ruckle family donated their land to the park in 1972 to form the Ruckle Provincial Park. It's considered an exceptionally beautiful park, and people enjoy boating, hiking,, fishing and scuba diving as well as a host of other outdoor activities.
Hmmm. I may have just talked myself into going back to the island for a longer stay! Maybe I'll see you there.
As is often the case, getting to the destination is as enjoyable as the destination itself. My travel partner and I took the car ferry from Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island.
This was our first glimpse of Salt Spring Island as we landed at the Fulford Harbor. I could already tell that I had a fun day ahead of me.
St. Paul's Catholic Church is seen nestled in the trees from the ferry deck upon landing at Fulford.
Ganges harbor
A colorful batch of locally-grown vegetables was on display at the Ganges Farmer's Market.
A serene harbor scene at the island's Vesuvius ferry terminal on the northwest side of the island
Above: A hint of country on the island's north side; Below: the northern shoreline
Quiet and seemingly remote, we felt we were the only people in the world on this North End Road.
Some of life's most simple pleasures can be an old abandoned barn...
...and its parts.
This is the homestead of the Ruckle family who has owned land along the island's Beaver Point Road for generations. They homesteaded in the 1870s and in 1972 donated their land to the government which then established the Ruckle Provincial Park. The buildings and farm animals seen below are a part of the Ruckle family working farm.
Poor turkey. Even dressed up in all its colors, it still isn't much in the way of looks.
Mom said if I turn my head this way I may look more normal.
The Highland livestock with their shaggy hair put a smile on our faces.
Back at the Fulford ferry terminal
The Fulford Harbor ferry terminal comprises a residential community that hosts a good number of shops and eateries, funky and picturesque. This and the remaining photos were taken there.
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