"They’re our next door neighbors…"

"They're our next door neighbors..."

No, Sarah, you can’t see Japan from Canada. It’s not like Alaska and Russia. Coast of British Columbia (7,000km past the horizon, you’ll wash up onto a Japanese beach).

. . . → Read More: "They’re our next door neighbors…"

Sunset on Pachena Beach, British Columbia.

Sunset on Pachena Beach, British Columbia.

A ground-level view of a bocce ball game, at sunset on Pachena Beach, British Columbia.

Tidepool tales.

Tidepool tales.

A sea star hiding in a small tide pool on the rocky coast of British Columbia.

Where the heck is Bamfield?

Berries ripening in the early summer.

This is the exact question I asked myself when I was offered a summer job working at the Bamfield Marine Station.

The first fact I discovered (courtesy of my long-term relationship with Wikipedia), was that the population of this “town” was a mere 251 persons. Two hundred and . . . → Read More: Where the heck is Bamfield?

“Culture is a little like dropping an Alka-Seltzer into a glass-you don’t see it, but somehow it does something.”

“Culture is a little like dropping an Alka-Seltzer into a glass-you don't see it, but somehow it does something.”

Culture: the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization or group (thank Wikipedia for that succinct definition!).

Rural British Columbian “culture” at its best!

Culture, I think, is what drives people to travel. Well, maybe it’s just the assumption that traveling will expose a person to a different culture, . . . → Read More: “Culture is a little like dropping an Alka-Seltzer into a glass-you don’t see it, but somehow it does something.”

A family affair…with spaghetti ice!

My whole family is convinced that spaghetti ice (a delightful German dessert) is possibly the greatest invention since sliced bread.

“Spaghetti” fashioned out of delicious vanilla ice cream, topped with strawberry “sauce”, this treat is sought after and fully enjoyed every time we visit Europe.

In fact, it is such a tradition, that upon discovering . . . → Read More: A family affair…with spaghetti ice!

Rowing? Sure! Why not? Life in Bamfield, British Columbia.

I have to admit – I’m not much of a boater. Despite my Floridian residence, love for scuba diving, and degree in marine biology, I don’t really know how to operate a boat nor have I ever really felt like learning.

Well, how about rowing? Sounds easy enough, right? Wrong! Although rowing is a deceptively . . . → Read More: Rowing? Sure! Why not? Life in Bamfield, British Columbia.

Cold Water Diving – My attempt at justifying it!

Various tide pool sea grasses

Cold water diving. Why do it? With sub-par visibility, rough seas, dry suit dilemmas, and the very real danger of hypothermia (possibly even death) – what could possibly be the appeal?

This is a question I asked myself over, and over, and over again – and I finally came . . . → Read More: Cold Water Diving – My attempt at justifying it!

Lions, Tigers, and Bears – Oh My! The West Coast Hiking Trail.

Are you one of those people who thinks you will never see a wild animal (despite repeated warnings)? Well, join the club because this, my friends, was my outlook on nature…until I stayed in rural British Columbia for five weeks.

How rural, you ask? Population: 160. No road (save a rickety, two hour-long drive . . . → Read More: Lions, Tigers, and Bears – Oh My! The West Coast Hiking Trail.

Fish & Chips, great people, british tea time, whale watching = Victoria

Just recently (a few weeks back), I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to spend five weeks working at the Bamfield Marine Station in British Columbia. This being my first trip to Canada (so close, but always so far!) I am happy to report that the people were awesome, the scenery was even better, . . . → Read More: Fish & Chips, great people, british tea time, whale watching = Victoria