It was a perfect day to take a few hours off and I timed my arrival for the 1:30 pm flying demonstrations. This is a must as this is the highlight of a visit to PNWR. This afternoon’s demonstration started with Hera the immature bald eagle. What an impressive bird up close! Then we saw a Harris hawk, a barn owl, a turkey vulture (which is not a raptor) and finally a one-year old peregrine falcon. It was wonderful to see these magnificent birds up close and learn more about them and see the different ways they fly. I learned quite a bit, including “what is a raptor”!

Pacific Northwest Raptors is primarily an educational center. The birds are captive bred and trained to raise awareness and to give the public an opportunity to see them up close and learn more about them, and feel inspired about saving them and their habitat. In the past PNWR has also been involved in rehabilitating injured wild birds but they very unfortunately recently lost their license to do so While some of the birds are in cages, they fly free every day and are also taken out to give the visitors a closer look as well as the opportunity to ask questions. The staff at the center is very friendly and helpful and they obviously love what they do.

You can now also see some of the PNWR birds at the Church & State winery, near the Butchart Gardens in Victoria. Pacific Northwest Raptors has also collaborated with the Vancouver Aquarium this summer for “Birds Up Close” and you can see eagles, hawks, falcons and other birds trained at PNWR at the aquarium until September 5th.

As our Cowichan Valley accommodation is located on a forested acreage, we often see barred owls around our property, so I was very interested to learn more about them and other raptors. They too are magnificent birds and a clearer understanding of them is important in helping them to survive and flourish so we can continue to enjoy them in their natural environment. While my preference is always for all wild creatures to be wild and free, I think Pacific Northwest Raptors is an important link in creating a greater understanding of these birds. They are open daily from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, with flying demonstrations at 1:30 and 3:30. It is really worth a visit.

Another great BC Ferries deal which is available year round is the CirclePac ticket which offers a 15% savings on a circle route between Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast, and Vancouver Island.  Your CirclePac ticket is good for 30 days, and you purchase the ticket at the first terminal you sail from and then show it at subsequent terminals.  You might depart from Horseshoe Bay in Vancouver and sail up to Langdale on the Sunshine Coast.  Spend several days exploring the Lower Sunshine Coast and then take the ferry to the Upper Coast and Powell River.  From there you’ll sail across to Comox on Vancouver Island.

You can easily spend several weeks exploring Vancouver Island if you have the time, but you’ll at least want to take several days to get a taste of Island life.  Recreational opportunities abound whether you’re interested in golfing, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, surfing, horseback riding, spelunking or swimming, Vancouver Island offers it all.  There are world class attractions, beaches and provincial parks, historical and cultural highlights, fine arts and crafts, excellent dining and an ever expanding wine region centered around  the Cowichan Valley.  As a Cowichan Valley accommodation, Cobble House Bed & Breakfast is a great central location from which to explore not only the wineries and specialty farms in the Valley, but Victoria is only an hour away, as is Nanaimo, and both are departure points for the next stage of your CirclePac route, which will take you back to your Vancouver starting point.

Hope to see you in the Cowichan next month!

Currently showing at the Chemainus Theatre is “Steel Magnolias”.  Also a successful movie released in 1989 starring Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton and Shirley MacLaine, the story was an original play written in 1987 by Robert Harling, who wrote the play as a way to cope with his sister’s death.  It takes place in a small Louisiana town and you’ll meet the people who regularly gather at Truvy’s beauty parlor.  The next production at the theatre will be “Fiddler on the Roof”, which will run from June 17 to September 3.

Complete the Chemainus Theatre experience by dining at the Playbill Dining Room.  The dining room features an impressive buffet with a new menu inspired by the changing seasons and the theme of the productions.  You can purchase tickets for just the show, or for the show + dinner for a great evening out, or an afternoon matinee on Wednesdays or Saturdays.

Spend a few days in the Cowichan Valley and you can enjoy a variety of activities.   Play some golf, visit the wineries, hike the Trans Canada Trail, go kayaking, and visit the world famous murals and the theatre in Chemainus.  Our Cowichan Valley accommodation is central to it all, so come and explore our piece of paradise.  We’re happy to share it with you!