© EyesOnBC 2006-2008

TrekOn! Cafe au Cafe

by Sharon Waugh

You'll notice a recurring theme in this month’s issue of The Beacon – the invitation to get involved in creating the vision of what we want our communities to ‘be’ in the future. But in order to know where you want to go it’s crucial to know where you are right now. So what better way to get reacquainted with what we currently have than a tour through a couple of the ‘hoods – starting with the top end of the Nanaimo Regional District in Area H.

There are a couple of comfort bonuses with this trek...our New Year’s gift to you! One being that you can start your warm-up in the coziness of the Bean Counter Café in Bowser and at the end relax and re-fuel at the Ship & Shore Café in Deep Bay. The second benefit is one of dry tootsies because...when all is said and done, the majority of the route is on paved roads through residential clusters.

Remember, you are an observer on this trek. Take a mental inventory of where, what and how we are utilizing our community resources at present. Here’s a few things you can look for: How much property is still available to develop or infill? Is there a mix of housing? Can you pick out the areas designated for park/green space/playgrounds and beach access? Does it feel safe? What is the general appearance of business and residential properties? Those are just a few
queries to tug on the noggin’ while you enjoy glimpses of Chrome Island accented by the back-up vocals of hungry sea lions impatiently anticipating the arrival of the herring run. Be a visionary for your piece of paradise...Happy New Year!

Start/Finish: Leave a vehicle at the Bean Counter Café, Bowser, and one at the Ship & Shore Café, Deep Bay, for a one-way trip.

Distance: ~6.5km

Directions: Park at Magnolia Court (Bowser), cross Highway 19A, head one
block north to Sundry Road, turn down Sundry, go to the railway tracks, cross the tracks, go 25m up the tracks and go right on the next trail off the tracks. Follow the trail out to the corner of Henry Morgan Road and Thompson Clarke Drive, turn right and follow Henry Morgan around to Mapleguard Drive. Follow Mapleguard, turn left on Jamieson Road, take an immediate right on Bald Eagle Crescent and the next right on Blue Heron Drive, then left on Ocean Trail
(dead-end). Take the Thompson Clarke - Ocean Trail Connector to W. Thompson
Clarke, then a right on Seaview to Longview, left up to Kopina Drive, right to
Gainsburg Road and one last right – whew! It’s clear sailing the last couple of kilometres to the government wharf at Deep Bay where you’ll find the welcoming Ship & Shore owners beckoning you in for “the best fish and chips in Oceanside”. [click on map below for printable version]

___________________________________________________________________
The Beacon is an independent magazine, locally owned and operated.
We need your support and encourage you to subscribe today!