| British Columbia Destinations Explore some of BC’s hidden gems
By Jack Christie
Photo by Don Weixl/Tourism BC.
Why are precious stones precious? Socrates felt that humankind’s fondness for precious gems mimicked our desire to inhabit a heavenly realm. As Plato describes it, the Greek philosopher believed Planet Earth is only a rough draft. "In this other world the colours are much purer and more brilliant than they are down here. The mountains and stones have a richer gloss, a livelier transparency and intensity of hue."
Poor Socrates. He obviously never had the chance to visit BC. For present-day philosophers and explorers, here are some hints to uncover heaven here and now.
Petroglyph Park (Nanaimo)
Step back. Step way back. Maybe not as far back as ancient Greece. Still, this one-carat diamond of a park’s petroglyphs are estimated to be at least a thousand years old. Mythological creatures – sea wolves in particular – and a variety of other symbolic designs with creatures resembling bird, human and fish, have skillfully been carved into the sandstone. Examples of this art form exists elsewhere on Vancouver Island, such as on nearby Gabriola, but rarely in such concentration as on view here. And so easily accessible. The wonder is that more travellers don’t stop by.
Bring your art supplies; an interpretive display of concrete castings taken from the nearby petroglyphs welcomes visitors to make rubbings of the coffee-table size designs. The originals are just a short distance further along the walkway on a hill which overlooks the Nanaimo harbour. From here it’s easy to fantasize that sea wolves once mingled with the California and Steller’s sea lions that haul up on the logs boomed offshore.
Members of the Nanaimo Snuneymuxw First Nation community believe that the petroglyphs were carved by Thochwan, who is present among the carvings, having himself been transformed into stone by a supernatural visitor.
All this magic is on year-round display just a short distance south of Nanaimo on the east side of the Island Highway. Don’t drive too quickly or you’ll miss the roadside pull-out that marks the entrance to the park. A short, wheelchair-accessible walkway leads from the parking lot to the viewing site.
For information, visit www.bcparks.ca, or contact Tourism Nanaimo, 1-800-663-7337, or visit www.tourismnanaimo.com
McArthur Island Park (Kamloops)
For garden lovers, there’s no more precious discovery than a community wholly given over to cultivating colours. Look no further than Kamloops which out-blossoms almost every place else. In 2004, the Thompson River city won the National Communities in Bloom championship. In 2006, Kamloops went on to victory in the International category of the Communities in Bloom Program. The City of Kamloops is truly a garden jewel within the international community.
Just beyond the sumptuous bouquets that greet travellers passing through the heart of this Interior crossroads lies McArthur Island, a local secret that welcomes everyone, including garden aficionados.
A good place to begin exploring is along the three-kilometre greenway that rings the island. Set on the north side of the Thompson River, McArthur sports a multi-faceted recreational complex of playing fields, indoor rinks, a public golf course, a massive skateboard park which also appeals to local in-line skaters who carve amazing lines of their own in the park’s deep bowl, and the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden which promotes the benefits of landscaping with the minimum amount of water required to sustain an attractive and functional garden.
Not to be forgotten, one can also view aquatic wildlife and habitat, thanks to the herons, eagles, turtles and even mule deer and yellow bellied marmots that call this stretch home.
At the secret heart of the park lies the Gregson Butterfly Garden, created in honour of a life-long local naturalist and his family. Have a seat and watch the flickers and hummingbirds at work, not to mention a dozen or so varieties of butterflies. In summer, the garden is a riot of bright shades. If you’re cycling, the adjacent BMX park offers a rollicking ride for whatever type of bike you’re on. No need to act your age. Just float like a butterfly.
For directions, contact Tourism Kamloops (1290 Trans-Canada Highway West, Exit 368; 250-372-8000 or 1-866-372-8081; www.tourismkamloops.com or www.adventurekamloops.com). The City of Kamloops web site is a good on-line source of maps (www.kamloops.ca).
Skaha Bluffs (Penticton) 
Within the rock climbing community, this classic granite gneiss enjoys a golden reputation. Not nearly as well known is the fact that these weathered formations are as interesting explored by foot on trails at the base as they are spread-eagled across the cliffs.
A short, steep staircase, seemingly designed to test a hiker’s commitment, leads to the base of the first bluff, dubbed Doctor’s Wall. A winding loop trail leads past a series of easily-reached summits from which vast views can be seen south across Skaha Lake to the iconic McIntyre Bluff and north across Okanagan Lake to Giants Head Mountain and Summerland.
One of the best times of year to plan a visit is in June and early July when wildflowers are in full bloom. Thankfully, on hot summer days a moderating breeze blows across the bluffs and after an hour’s worth of exploration up top, you’ll hear those sapphire blue lakes calling from below. Time to dash and splash.
For directions, contact the Penticton & Wine Country Visitor Centre (553 Railway Street at the corner of Power and Eckhardt; 250-490-2464 or 1-800-663-5052; www.tourismpenticton.com).
Whatever your taste for adventure, BC’s bounty of discoveries is certain to provide endless exploration of the province’s expanses. All to unearth another amazing gem.
For more information on other British Columbia destinations and travel information, call 1-800 HELLO BC® (North America) or visit www.HelloBC.com
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