Vancouver Island, BC

Qualicum Beach

Heading south out of Courtenay, we stay on the Oceanside Route (Highway 19A) as it hugs the coastline through scenic little villages and beautiful forests. Recently, the new Inland Island Highway 19 was developed, offering perfect asphalt and quick travel but at the expense of spectacular scenery.  A number of great side trips pop up along the way including artsy Denman and Hornby Islands.  

Sticking close to the ocean, we stumble onto Qualicum Beach. Quaint and very friendly, this little seaside village is truly charming. Spotting the Qualicum College Inn, Tim and I discuss the merits of staying in a former boy’s school. A glimpse into this unique manor house waylays our fears and we quickly book one of the distinctive rooms and agree to have dinner at the hotel.

As we enter the tiered dining room, the sun is slowly descending towards the distant mountain peaks. I am completely enchanted. Crescent moon booths, overlooking the ocean, hark back to the time of ballrooms and the Big Band era. Turning towards Tim, I briefly imagine Fred Astaire in tails and top hat, preparing to whisk me around a dance floor.  Tim, who does not dance a lick, quickly puts an end to my reverie. Nevertheless, the meal’s presentation cannot be improved upon. Our meal arrives as we’re painted in the setting sun’s final wash of golden-reds and the surrounding candlelit tables begin to sparkle.  

The sun has popped back up, when we awake the following day and we head over to the Old School House Art Centre. This funky artist hub is a unique opportunity to visit and watch artists in their on-site studios. Visitors are welcome to chat with the artists while they paint, sculpt, and create. I take full advantage of this marvelous opportunity, madly interrupting the creative process with every artist I meet. Concerned I may be donning a smock and beret any moment, Tim finally suggests we take our leave. 

Resident artist Fred Peters