Sunday, September 20, 2015

Vancouver Island Canada

Over 360 million year ago, volcanic activity started the creation of what is now Vancouver Island. It is actually the top of an undersea mountain range. Petroglyphs and large stone figures gesturing toward the ocean have been found. It is estimated that the first migrating inhabitants arrived some 5000 years ago.

Captain Vancouver circumnavigated the island between 1792-1794 proving that it was actually an island. It was first named Quadra and Vancouver's Island since Vancouver and the Spanish Captain Quadra had met there several times.

The Spanish and English later fought to control the island with the English winning. There are still several Spanish named landmarks on the island.

In 1846, the Oregon Treaty established the border between Vancouver Island, Canada and the United States at the 49th parallel. Great Britain leased Vancouver Island to the Hudson's Bay Company after making it a Crown Colony in 1849.

It was not until 1866 that the mainland and Vancouver Island were merged together and known as the colony of British Columbia. Victoria was proclaimed as the capital of British Columbia, the sixth province, in 1871.

A sad story resulted from a sailing vessel called the Valencia bound for Victoria Island from San Francisco. The fog was so thick on that dark stormy night that the vessel drifted off course, unfortunately missing the entrance to Juan de Fuca Strait. It was wrecked just before midnight on the rocky coast. Only 37 out of 173 people survived.

The following year a lighthouse was constructed at the entrance to avoid further catastrophe. Several sightings of life boats reported to be found years later from the Valencia have attributed to numerous ghost stories.
There are 2,150 miles (3,440 kilometres) of coastline on Vancouver Island. Each little community along these shores has a unique character. Visitors to the island never run out of adventures on Vancouver Island.

On of the favorite events in Vancouver's Inner Harbour is called the Symphony Splash. Thousands of guests gather on the water to hear the orchestral performance which takes place on a huge barge.
Another attraction are Butchart's Sunken Gardens. The beautiful gardens were created by the Butchart family and cover a former limestone quarry. It receives more than a million visitors a year (picture above)
Another place worthy of a visit is the Goldstream Provincial Park only twelve miles from Victoria. There are 600 year-old evergreen tress and the Goldstream River Estuary which is a popular sight for bird-watchers.

The MacMillan Provincial Park boasts trees up to 200 feet tall. It truly looks like a photographer's paradise.

Skiiers love Vancouver for the cross-country ski trails (25 miles worth) on Mount Washington.
Fishermen swarm to the Campbell River. It offers salmon, trout, and many other types of fish.
Hikers can enjoy caves, arches, and waterfalls.

Saturday, September 12, 2015

International Peace Garden

Where is it?

Recently we had a family reunion (my mother's side), and it was held at the Jordan Park in Salt Lake City. Part of the park is a beautifully planned garden called the International Peace Gardens. I didn't know what to expect, but I felt a sacredness and world unity about the place. It is located on the banks of the Jordan River and has been there since 1947.

The Purpose

Utah is made up of several nationalities. This garden was created to promote the general welfare of the communities in Salt Lake City.

The motto is "Community Service for Civic Improvements". Committees that contribute and maintain the gardens come from the United Nations, Utah Youth Village, Wasatch Youth Center, YWCA, University Hospital and others.

Symbolism


The gardens and structures in the International Peace Gardens symbolize world peace, the true spirit of democracy, literature, cultural heritage, brotherly love and the history of many lands.
They were the initiated by Mrs. Otto Wiesley in 1939. She acted as Citizenship Chair for the Centennial Celebration of 1947. She hoped to promote good citizenship by having foreign groups help with the beautification of the City. It was proposed and approved, however, it was stopped at the onset of World War II, before being started again.

Labor of Love

Each group was allotted a section of the garden for them to design, create and plant with their own funds. They were approved by the City Parks Director and each part was dedicated and then presented to the City who maintains the gardens.
The first country represented in the gardens was the United States. Others include Europe, Africa and Asia. Also, the Japanese gardens were added followed by 28 countries before space ran out. Festivals include the various groups dressed in their native costumes dancing and singing traditional songs. All of this is free.
The only other known peace garden in the United States is one on the Canadian border in North Dakota.

Peace

The day we visited there were several people visiting and enjoying this beautiful peaceful place. Over 20,000 people visit the gardens each year.
I hope more people will be aware of these gardens and share in their meaning and hope for peace in our world.