Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada.

 

One Hundred and One Things that are Truly Salt Spring

  1. The Beaver Point Hall is an south end institution where all ages from babies to grandparents comes together to  a)  enjoy  dances where everyone dances to the live music, causing the floor to shake, b) marvel at  the work of local artists at  the  Christmas craft show , c)  thrill at  the creativity of the costumes at the Halloween masquerade ball  and d)  to share grief together as well as  celebrate the life of their recently departed neighbour at a memorial service.   Halloween at Beaver Point Hall is a highlight of the fall social scene. Costumes are elaborate, having been planned for months. Adults enjoy Halloween more that their kids.


  2. Island Rose Carriage  - Romantic Rides in Horse-Drawn Elegance       offering leisurely carriage ride through the south end of Salt Spring Island including Ruckle Park.  Pulled by a beautiful  team of Belgians, named Zak and Breeze, the history of island pioneers and beauty of the area will come alive.
  3. Beautiful neighbourhood potluck dinners. A real taste treat for all.
  4. Deer eating every good plant or fruit tree in your yard unless you fence them out with seven-foot high deer fences. Gardeners that don't fence, face the frustration of losing the battle because the deer always win. They are more persistent and like to forage at night.
  5. FULFORD TIME means "sometime in the future or maybe never".
  6. Eating the incredible bread or pastries at Barb's Bun and sitting with the philosophers drinking coffee outside on a Paul Hart bench.
  7. The Mobile Market (vegetables), next door to Barb's Buns, has a great selection of fruit and vegetables with a large section for organic produce, much of it local.
  8. Eating the best homegrown organic food in the world.
  9. Goofers Pig Farm. A controversial off-island developer building a 121 unit condominium complex referred to the local Salt Springers (his opponents) as "Goofer" - a demeaning term suggesting that Salt Springers are poorly educated pig farmers in rubber boots. But Goofers has become the rallying cry for anti-development forces.  Eric Booth, the main goofer, is going to start pig farming right next to the condo complex, since they represent pork customers, but if the condo development doesn't materialize, the lack of customers will not require the pig farm.  Coincidental?
  10. The Salt Spring Folk Club hosts 6 great concerts a year bringing in first class entertainment from around the world.
  11. The Dirty Mothers, Catherine Trudell and Daphne Taylor (both mothers with an attitude) do a fine job of catering to many local functions. Their food is usually local, fabulous and delivered with a smile.
  12. Listening to the fabulous music by an incredible diversity of musicians both living on Salt Spring and visiting. Open stages such as Moby's every second Wednesday are a real treat. Such musical talent as Terry Warbey, instrument maker and performer, The Barley Brothers, (Graeme, Brian and Dave) playing blue grass, Valdy singing his folk music.
  13. The Saturday morning market in Centennial Park. The local organic produce is first class. The art is diverse. It is a sensory smorgasbord.        www.harvestcraft.com/ssmarket/
  14. Going to Victoria on a mission (to get some supplies or services). It is usually planned like a SWAT TEAM exercise, so that you can get there, accomplish your mission and then get away from the crazy pace of Victoria, back to the quiet of Salt Spring as soon as possible.
  15. Getting prepared for the onslaught of summer tourists which double the population of Salt Spring.
  16. Cyclists on Salt Spring must not only cope with narrow windy roads and much traffic, but there are some huge hill, such as Ganges Hill and Lees Hill, which will challenge anyone.  A bicycle touring bike subtitles the Salt Spring chapter as "Salt Spring - So you like hills, do you?"
  17. We are very lucky to have a fantastic farm vet on Salt Spring.    Malcolm Bond runs Bon Acres Farm as his father Jesse Bond did before him and   operates the vet business from the farm.  He doesn't even need to advertise.   Happy customers are his best advertisements. 
  18. Many half ton truck, some more than 20 years old are still used faithfully.
  19. Although the average annual snowfall here is only 12 inches, snowstorms are very treacherous due to the steep hills and narrow driveways. Snowstorms usually occur around 0° C and as a result, the wet snow is extra slippery. Lees Hill joining Ganges and Fulford is often impassible.
  20. Dares Organic Food Store and Restaurant offers a great selection of fresh vegatables plus a fabulous restaurant with a varying ethnic dishes sometimes with local music.
  21. Kathy Reimer of the Salt Spring Salmon Enhancement Society does a fabulous job of not only rearing young salmon for release into some of the salmon spawning creeks on Salt Spring, but even more important, the natural spawning conditions for salmon are optimized to let nature optimize reproduction of salmon, without the interference of people.
  22. The Around Salt Spring sailing race, call the Race Around the Rock occurs each summer.
  23. Giving a ride to the many hitchhikers on the island. Salt Spring is one of the last areas where hitch hiking is still relatively safe.
  24. Ruckle Park, in the south end, is one of the best Provincial Parks in British Columbia. The farms portion is still a working farm (established 1880). Cars are only allowed in the parking lot and so everything must be carried about 200 metres to the camping area that is right on the water. There are no designated camping areas, so tents can be pitched anywhere. There are about 1000 acres of park, 8 km of shoreline and many hiking trails. The Vancouver-Victoria ferries pass by every hour.
  25. Characters seem to flourish on Salt Spring. A rich selection of senior citizens here is vibrant, active and very enjoyable.
  26. Salt Spring lamb is a delicacy that is often on the menu for Queen Elizabeth when she visits BC.
  27. Getting the Driftwood (the weekly newspaper) on Wednesday and racing to get the items being sold or given away. The paper is a focal point locals and tourists alike.
  28. All the roadside produce stands that line the roadways, most of which collect money on the honours system.
  29. The Salt Spring Festival of the Arts for 4 weeks in July brings some incredible cultural events to the island.

  30. The Salt Spring House Tours in late July, tours  8 unique houses on the island with profits being donated to the Art Centre.  (suspended for 1998)
  31. Art Spring, the Salt Spring Arts Centre, was begun in 1991, but sits almost finished, but unusable,  while performances are forced to used an non-air conditioned school auditorium. GOOD NEWS.  Funding is almost secured  and Art Spring is scheduled to be complete for the 1999 season.  Unfortunately, it will only seat about 250 people-too few for any of the big stars coming to Salt Spring.
  32. The Salt Spring Fall Fair, September 19 and 20, 1998, is the highlight of the agricultural season. It is a chance to display produce, exhibit animals, show off handicrafts, meet friends, relax for the weekend and listen to fine music. The 1997 Salt Spring Fair was rated the best in BC by provincial adjudicators.
  33. Sunny summer day which last forever and usually turn lawns brown. Rain is very scarce in the summer time, usually forcing gardeners to irrigate.  Sun is very scarce from November to February when most of the rain falls. The dull, dreary weather causes all sorts of strange behaviours in people. The strangest winter behaviour is a mass exodus of Salt Spring residents to Mexico for periods of up to 2 months. They mostly migrate to the same area, so a mini-Salt Spring is created in Mexico. Salt Springers vacationing in Mexico even run yoga courses in Mexico, which you can sign up for before you leave.
  34. Many southend entrepreneurs have food booths which cater to large outdoor activities.  ISLAND FRUITCICLES, run by Gary and Blythe Kaye kaye@saltspring.com  make 11 flavours of healthy  fruitcicles using only fruit juice, real fruit and yoghurt.
  35. Morning coffee with friends at Rodrigo's or the Roasting House in Fulford.
  36. A visit to Mount Maxwell to witness the incredible view of the Fulford Valley and Burgoyne Bay, as well as the other islands. 
  37. Dan Jason of Salt Spring Seeds, has an incredible selection of beans, peas, grains, which are all grown organically and are ideally suited to vegetarian menus. He also sells about 40 varieties of garlic.   www.saltspring.com/ssseeds
  38. Debborah Lauzon or Tofu Debbie makes 200 pounds a day of tofu at a home industry called SOYA NOVA TOFU SHOP.  Using a slow cooking Japanese method, for 14 years she has created a vast array of happy customers.
  39. The boardwalk along Ganges harbour is always an interesting view that changes every day.
  40. Ocean beaches such as Vesuvius Beach are a great place to swim since the ocean water is usually warmer than normal due to the sun warming the sand during the afternoon and then the ocean tide washing over the warm sand.
  41. Walking through an apple orchard during the blossom time, being aware of bee pollination, the fragrance of the blossoms, the variation in blossom colours and the explosion of growth that spring heralds.
  42. We are very lucky to have seven lakes on Salt Spring, most with swimming beaches, providing the best location for swimming. Some, such as Stowell and Cusheon Lake are better suited to children. Some of the other lakes are clothing optional. These lakes also provide drinking water for some residents. In winter, these lakes even provide a place to skate if temperatures drop below freezing for a length of time.
  43. Playing tennis in the Fulford Valley while watching the eagles fly overhead.
  44. Watching the hand gliders fly from Mount Bruce and land in the Fulford Valley.
  45. Participating in a drumming circles at Beaver Point Hall.
  46. The use of barter for obtaining anything possible.
  47. Walking your dogs to the beach in the morning and beachcombing on such great beaches as Beddis Beach
  48. .BOARDWALK GREENS is a fantastic shop in Ganges where customers will be  thrilled with the selection of garden and patio accessories.
  49. Free range chickens and eggs with even free-range sheep on some of the roadways forcing drivers to be extra careful.  Most  chickens  have pet names.
  50. Sign in Rodrigo's Restaurant washroom: SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FREE RANGE POT GROWERS.
  51. Deer on the road at night, but they remain very calm, not acting erratic and so don't tend to cause problems for drivers.
  52. The incredible cedar benches made by Paul Hart from cedar slabs. He is  also a creative genius in transforming cedar into beautiful gates, sculptures and fences.  Unfortunately Salt Spring was saddened when Paul Hart passed away on July 14, 1998.  His artwork is a legacy to his magic.
  53. Small creeks such as Fulford and Ganges creeks virtually dry up in the summer, but become fast flowing creeks with spawning salmon in the rainy season.
  54. Salt Spring is so small that sometimes it is not possible to hide from ex-wives and husbands, so there exists a situation where exes must co-exist peacefully.
  55. Any of the three different ferry routes to Salt Spring are an incredibly beautiful trip, equal to any sightseeing boat cruise in the world.
  56. The incredibly tasty bread of  Heather Campbell which is baked   outdoors in a large brick oven..
  57. Collecting seaweed from a beach in the early morning quiet. This is one of the best garden fertilizers and was used frequently by old timers in the past.
  58. Watching Mike Byron work his 2 border collies to control sheep.
  59. Wet weather brings on many slugs. There are about 13 varieties, some about 6 inches long. One gardener resorts to collecting them in her garden at night before they do any damage. One night she dropped over 1000 into her pail.
  60. The prolific alder tree is considered a nuisance, but being a nitrogen fixer it is the ideal species to initiate the growing cycle on freshly cut ground. They make good firewood and even good indoor furniture.
  61. The Salt Spring Hysterical Society is a local group of amateur comedians who pack the house every time they perform. Their hilarious humour is both local and very pointed, and audiences are very loyal and satisfied. The Old Geezers (Sid and Arvid) area classic, commenting on most current issues on the island. They have just released a video of their best skits.
  62. Many homeowners on Salt Spring do not live on Salt Spring, but are working elsewhere. So once a year, in the summer, they come to Salt Spring for their vacation, which forces the tenants renting the house to find other accommodations for the summer (the expensive season). This causes a domino effect.  There is a whole range of living accommodations here ranging from people living on boats, in teepees, in buses and squatting in old buildings
  63. The beautiful McLennan Valley has a forested backdrop of large fir trees that are actually the start of Ruckle Park. The foreground contains fields of grazing sheep now accompanied by a llama.
  64. Salt Spring Island has more dogs per capita than anywhere on earth. This is dog heaven or CLUB MED FOR DOGS.  Big dogs roaming free can be shot by sheep farmers, however, due to the damage they can do to a sheep herd.
  65. Mount Tuam has a Buddhist retreat, which offers up to 3-year retreats.
  66. The incredible, tall, straight Red Cedars that grow in wet areas. Usually there is fern and skunk cabbage growing also.
  67. Salt Springers have their own favourite big tree that they like to visit.
  68. The beautiful roses, lavender and dried flower arrangements at Everlasting Summer.
  69. Dave Beck, along with his dog Riley,  is the south end (Fulford) appliance repairman, who turned 60 on Nov. 30, 1997. He  celebrated with a 60-hour birthday party at the Beaver Point Hall. He did not sleep for 60 hours. He always has more work that he can handle, very little money and many people after him to do work. He is a very kind person who often will not charge people very much money if they are poor. He is a saint. . He also is sometimes oblivious to time. A "Becklog" is a black hole where appliance goes, never to be seen again.  Do you know the difference between Dave Beck and his dog Riley?  Riley will come when you call him.
  70. The Salt Spring Volunteer Fire Department is a very valuable, effective and appreciated resource on this island.
  71. There are no traffic lights on Salt Spring Island.
  72. Most business signs on Salt Spring are beautiful sand blasted cedar signs by Warren Langley.
  73. The only fast food chain here is a Dairy Queen (but it has a sand blasted sign).
  74. The old split rail cedar fences are beautiful.
  75. The local hiking club is very active offering 3 levels of weekly hiking based upon ability-Hikers, Ramblers and Walkers.
  76. Paying $2 per bag for garbage which forces residents to be very waste conscious, and make good use of the Salt Spring Recycling Centre.  All solid waste is taken off island.
  77. Each of the 19 art galleries is a treat to explore with a wide range of high quality local art.
  78. The water colour art of Carol Evans {www.carolevans.com} captures a beautiful view of nature, usually incorporating the ocean, people, birds or ocean creatures in some form. She is magic when dealing with light.  An appreciation of the beauty of the world is demonstrated.
  79. Due to the ferry arrival, traffic on the roads often comes in clumps.
  80. Wearing gum boots everywhere, even to a wedding if it is raining.   Dana Britton has developed a line of designer gum boots that are very classy and popular.
  81. Kayaking out into Ganges or Fulford harbour during a calm evening. There is even a guided full moon paddle out of Fulford in the summer.  Canoe and Kayak Magazine named Salt Spring as one of the top 10 paddling locations, calling it the Canadian Mediterranean. (1998)
  82. Camp Narnia for young kids in the Burgoyne Valley has a beautiful herd of Norwegian Fjord horses.  www.saltspring.com/fjordhorses
  83. The small stone church, St. Paul's Catholic, on the east edge of Fulford harbour.
  84. Foxglove with tall stalks of pink and whit flowers (digitalis) grows well here as a beautiful, tall wild flower.
  85. Foxglove Farm and Garden Supplies is a real good place for gardeners to visit, especially in the spring.
  86. The Arbutus tree is common on dry, rocky soils. The trunk is gnarled and twisted, the orange bark peels off easily, showing a smooth green bark underneath, while the leaves fall, not decaying readily, so they are always crunchy underfoot.
  87. Patterson's Store in Fulford is the commercial centre of Fulford. It even offers unofficial bank service to good customers.
  88. The blackberry bush is nature's best example S & M. The fruit is fantastic, fresh, in jams or even in wine, but the bushes are treacherous. The thorns can puncture wheelbarrow tires, they will grab clothing and they will cause extreme pain. The vines are up to 30 feet long and are so strong they can stop a full wheelbarrow. Blackberry bushes are however, a good soil builder.
  89. Salmon fishermen on Salt Spring, are very good and supply local people with fresh or smoked salmon for the year.  Depleted salmon stocks have now put their livelihood in jeapoardy.
  90. The island has a rich and varied history with Hawaiians and Negros being among  the first settlers to inhabit the island from 1850 onward.
  91. High school students from the outer islands are brought to school on Salt Spring every day on the SCHOLARSHIP.
  92. The Salt Spring Coast Guard, out of Ganges harbour, is very valuable and active almost every day in rescuing boaters in distress.
  93. There is a very wide range of holistic medicine, massage therapies and body works flourishing on the island.
  94. The local midwives, Maggie Ramsey (now licenced) and Julia Atkins are very active, since they are very experience and well trained.  
  95. The Islands Wildlife Natural Care Centre  on Salt Spring
    http://www.islandnet.com/~wildlife/homepage.html
    is a very special place where all wild animals can be cared for with the purpose of reintroducing them into the wild when healthy.
  96. Jambalaya bead shop in Fulford is a bead lovers paradise.
  97. Stuff and Nonsense in Fulford is a very funky shop, which attracts female customers like a magnet.
  98. Ferry arrival at Fulford is an adrenaline trip. Every 90 minutes all day, every day, ferry landing cause a frenzy of activity, with the associated traffic problems.
  99. June Stevens has the most incredible, huge flower garden which grows beautiful  flower bouquets sold in local stores.
  100.   Many community fund raising projects such as  raffles or   art auctions to raise funds to help people in need, to  paint the Fulford Hall or   to raise funds for the McFadden Creek Heron Rookery.
  101. The Lions phone book is an integral part of every business and home on Salt Spring due to the fine collection of information including
    • a Health Care Directory
    • the Wellness Services Directory
    • alphabetic listing of each phone on Salt Spring
    • Government Listings
    • BC Ferry Schedules
    • Island Arts and Crafts
    • Salt Spring Maps and Street Finders
    • Associations, Service Clubs and Societies
    • Community Services Societies
    • Halls, Libraries, Schools, Churches
    • Fulford Harbour Tide Tables.
    • Postal Code Directories
    • Yellow Pages

The Ten Worst Things about Salt Spring

  1. The incredible development pressure on Salt Spring threatens to destroy the very lifestyle that people come here to experience. There is a 121 unit condominium development occurring in the north end near Bullock Lake.
  2. There is always a large number of real estate signs visible .
  3. Salt Spring is becoming an island of haves and have-nots. In the 60's it became home to many poorer travelers, who are now settled here, but current real estate prices mean that only the rich can move to Salt Spring now.
  4. The horrible road conditions that usually exist on  Stewart Road, a hilly, windy, dirt road that is heavily used, since  it is a short cut from the south end to Ganges.
  5. Trying to get a parking spot in Ganges.
  6. Trying to get a parking spot in Fulford.
  7. Rushing to get a ferry. The ones you are on time for, arrive late. The ones you are late for, are always on time and leave you behind. Missing a ferry by minutes means having to wait 90 minutes for the next one
  8. Clear-cut scars on Mt. Tuam, are visible when entering Fulford Harbour.
  9. Driving on the narrow, winding roads and trying to avoid the many cyclists who flock to the islands.
  10. Dealing with ferry scheduling, ferry breakdowns,  threats of ferry fare increases and having to catch the last ferry back to Salt Spring (making it difficult to attend evening events in Victoria without staying over).

Salt Spring Jokes

  1. Why don't men on Salt Spring use their turn signals when driving?Answer: Too much commitment!

  1. What is the Salt Spring definition of confusion?

    2. Answer: Children when the Fulford Ferry docks on Father's Day!

  2. What is difference between Dave Beck (Fulford's appliance repairman) and Riley (his dog)?

    3. Answer: Riley comes when you call him!

  3. How many Salt Springers does it take to change a light bulb?

    4. Answer: Thirteen! One to change the light bulb and 12 to share the experience.

  4. How many Salt Spring men does it take to change a toilet paper roll. Answer: We don't know. No one has ever seen them change one.

 



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