Perspectives

Rivercity:
a natural retirement choice

Recently, a survey was conducted to determine what people want most during retirement. Not surprisingly, being close to nature was near the top of the list. Vancouver Island has long been a retirement magnet, but Victoria's housing prices are among the highest in the country. It's not surprising, then, that the mid-island is generating a lot of interest for baby boomers nearing retirement age, and for good reason.

It's a fabulous place to live and retire, and a real drawing card for the grown-up kids and grand kids. There's so much island enchantment here, it's difficult to list just a few, but here are 10 'nature-all' reasons to choose the north-central island for retirement. Let's focus on the community of Campbell River, which boasts an incredible ocean shoreline some 22.5 kilometres in length.

1. It's a four-season nature wonderland. Located on Vancouver Island's sheltered east coast, this beautiful town is blessed with outstanding natural beauty and a moderate climate. Average winter temperature in December is a maximum of 4.7 degrees and a minimum of minus 1.7, so that's real easy to take.

2. Campbell River is the nature trail capital of upper Vancouver Island, with 37 walking paths. The majority of trails are flat, can be walked in under an hour, and some are even wheelchair friendly.

3. Strathcona Provincial Park is right on the doorstep, so for even more natural excitement, head for the hills. In less than an hour, one can be walking beneath old-growth evergreen trees beside a glacier-fed stream, surrounded by exotic saprophytes and orchids.

4. The oceanfront Rotary Seawalk provides 8 km of paved, divided walking paths, extending all the way from Hidden Harbour south to Maryland Road. Health walking often becomes a daily exercise after retirement, and seniors can benefit from regular walks to keep fit and energized. Take along the binoculars; Campbell River's waterfront is a prime birdwatching destination too.

5. Cruise ships by the hundreds float right past Campbell River as they navigate Discovery Passage from May till October, headed for Alaska. It's a thrilling sight to see the ships twinkling like a million stars at night.

6. Killer whales and other species travel through Discovery Passage as well, making whale-watching a favourite pastime. Orcas spouting and diving as they swim by on their way north are a thrill.

7. Salmon fishing draws thousands of visitors each year, and this is the place to bring in a trophy-sized fish. Charter a boat and guide for a few hours or a few days. Try your luck from the longest saltwater fishing pier in western Canada. Or just count the hundreds of fishing boats congregating at a different salmon 'hotspot' each day.

8. Transformations on the Shore wood carving festival. Amateur and professional carvers from across BC and elsewhere flock to this annual five-day competition that takes place at Frank James Park on the Willow Point waterfront. June 26 to June 30, 2003.

9. Sunday Farmers' Market (May till September). Head on down to the Pier Street waterfront to find farm-fresh produce, organic fruit and veggies, seafood, honey, herbs and tea, arts and crafts, and baked goodies. This folksy outdoor market is open from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. at the Discovery Fishing Pier parking lot, near the new Maritime Centre. Enjoy a yummy ice-cream cone at the nearby Pier concession stand, or rent some tackle and go salmon fishing from Canada's longest saltwater fishing pier.

10. Visit pastoral, magical Quadra Island, located a short seven-minute ferry ride away. Explore the white sand and sheltered aqua waters of Rebecca Spit Provincial Park near Heriot Bay.
 

Submitted by Christine Scott (wildwest@connected.bc.ca)