Pacific Shores Parksville Blog

By Ross Collicutt

The weather was supposed to be wet and chilly a couple weekends ago when I was itching to get on the trails for a hike. I broke open my go-to book for trail ideas and perused the Parksville and Nanaimo areas. I was in search of a trail that was new to me, with good photo opportunities, and a short drive away. What ensued was a close debate between Top Bridge Regional Park in Parksville and the Cowichan River Footpath, which is further south. Top Bridge’s closer proximity was the deciding factor in the end.

Top Bridge is very easy to reach. If you’ve driven along the highway near the south exit into Parksville, you’ll probably have seen one of the entrances to the park.

By Ross Collicutt

Running gets the endorphins flowing, but it can also get a bit monotonous. Luckily for us, Vancouver Island is a particularly great place for runners because it combines varied, challenging terrain and gorgeous scenery.  

That said, maintaining a running routine can still be difficult on the Island. Training for races is a great way to stay on track. I've been on a new training plan since January as I work my way up to participating in the Comox Valley Half Marathon. I already feel more confident because the plan has removed some of the guesswork out of training. Still, successfully running a half marathon does not start and end with following a personal training regime.

The Pacific Shores February Newsletter is out! Receive special offers and insights into Parksville events and activities directly to your email box by subscribing at the bottom left corner of our homepage.

By Ross Collicutt

The sun reflected off the snow and made it difficult to see without sunglasses as we drove into the parking lot at Mount Washington Raven Lodge. The Raven Lodge is usually home base for cross-country skiers and snowshoers looking to make their rounds on the groomed trails in Paradise Meadows.

But we weren't there to snowshoe or cross-country ski.

Our target for the day was Mount Elma. We were ready to scale her snowy slopes with our backcountry ski touring gear. Backcountry skis are a bit like cross-country skis in that they prevent you from sliding backwards when travelling uphill. The skis have sticky hair strips on the bottom to grip the snow, allowing you to walk up a hill with your heel free before removing the strips or skins, clipping in your heel and skiing down. These skis are the perfect mode of transportation for summiting and descending Mount Elma.

>>Read complete article on A-Life BC Travel Blog

By Ross Collicutt

There are hidden secrets tucked between Nanaimo and Mount Benson. They are large and small and embedded in the rocks. They were also a mystery to me until I discovered them myself.

I'm talking about the fossilized hard shells of extinct molluscs that give Ammonite Falls its name.

The spiral-shelled creatures lived around the time of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago and died out along with the larger creatures of that era. The cause of the extinction is unknown but, of course, there are many theories.

The fossilized molluscs are closely related to squid, octopus and cuttle fish. The name "ammonite" comes from a Roman named Pliny the Eldar, who was a naturalist and author. He called them ammonis cornua ("horns of Ammon") because of their resemblance to the Egyptian god, who was often depicted wearing ram-like horns.

Ammonite fossils look like compact spirals with ridges all the way down. The outside end is open where the creature's tentacles would hang out. The fossils can be found all over the world, from Madagascar to Alberta, and right here in BC.

>> Read complete article on A-Life BC Travel Blog

By Ross Collicutt

A new multi-use trail is hidden just off the Island Highway near Nanaimo. It's the first section of a six-part series that the District of Lantzville plans to build over the next few years.

Strollers, walkers, runners, bikers and wheelchair users are allowed on the E&N Trailway. Just keep your eyes peeled! Fortunately, there is plenty of room on the Trailway, which measures more than five feet wide.

The best part of the Trailway is actually not on the trail itself. It's the fact that it connects to Nanaimo's Parkway Trail, which runs alongside Nanaimo Parkway.

>> Read the complete article on A-Life BC Travel Blog

By Ross Collicutt

Vancouver Island and BC's Lower Mainland are chock full of all forms of outdoor racing. There are mountain bike races, road bike races, road running races, kayak races, sailing races, and even trail running races ominously called the Gutbusters. But these are more warm weather events. What happens when the ground is covered in snow?

You put on some snowshoes and go for a run, of course!

Since 2001, The Yeti Snowshoe Series has brought snowshoe racing to Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland at locations like Mount Washington, Mount Seymour, Grouse Mountain and Whistler/Blackcomb. 2012 marks the first year organizers have expanded beyond BC with a new venue at Scenic Caves, Blue Mountain in Ontario.

So what exactly is snowshoe racing?

>> Read full article on A-Life

Visiting the Parksville/Qualicum Beach area this weekend?

Make sure you head to Coombs and check out the annual Coombs Fair, held on August 13 and 14 from 8am to 6pm on Saturday and 8am - 5pm on Sunday.

As one of the largest 4-H fairs on Vancouver Island, there is bound to be something interesting for everyone to see and do. 

Imagine being surrounded by lush botanical gardens and the tranquil waters of Craig Bay. Let us help plan your special day, family reunion or small conference at Pacific Shores Resort & Spa! See our Events page for more information.

Join us at Pacific Shores on Saturday, August 13, 2011 from 2 - 4 pm for Splash 2011, a fundraiser for Moorecroft Regional Park.

We'll be hosting a garden party that will feature wine tasting, gourmet appetizers, local artists, live music, a silent auction and "fun-raising" games! Funds raised will go towards the purchase price of Moorecroft Regional Park and restoration work of important facilities and nature trails.