Any adults recently get tested for adhd on the island? My doctor referred me to a website and test that costs $600, but friends and family have been tested and said they didn’t have to pay. Just wondering if there are different resources for getting tested. Thanks
Growing up elementary school went to grade 8 in Ontario, we had recess up until grade 9! Since grade 7 starts in middle or high school in the island, do they still get recess?
We're traveling to the island and planned to go to Long Beach around 6 pm until dusk during a weekday. I'm assuming it's less crowded on weekdays rather than weekends, which then got me thinking about increased wildlife activity.
I'm from a place with NO bears, cougars, wolves, so this is new territory for me, and I'm starting to wonder if this is such a great idea.
Give it to me straight: how common are bears/cougars/wolves on Long Beach in the evening? Should I plan on a daytime trip instead?
We will have bear spray, of course, but I'd prefer to not be in a situation where I need to use it. 😄
Also curious about our stop at Cathedral Grove... how common are bears in that area?
REALLY should have looked into this more closely before booking our trip, but here we are!
TIA!
Me and my gf and looking into moving to the island but my biggest worry is finding something stable out there. I’ve worked in trades and always been with my hands but don’t really have any certifications I’m curious as how hard it would be to or if there’s anyone who could help make the move a bit easier to not worry about financial stability after being there for a bit
Comox Valley.
Hey guys,
Was thinking the other day about how many absolutely wild wildlife stories people must have from living on the Island, so now I’m curious what everyone else has run into out there.
I’ve had a few that still sit in the back of my mind. Got bluff charged by a momma black bear once while her cubs booted it up a tree. Another time I found a black bear holed up in its den in a slash pile while exploring the bottom of the South Englishman River valley and I was around 6 ft away before I even noticed its black eyes staring up at me. And then there was the cougar in my backyard just calmly staring at the house, literally minutes after I’d been out gardening in the same spot (circa 2014).
This place is unreal sometimes.
What’s your best wildlife encounter on Vancouver Island? Bears, wolves, cougars, elk, whales, weird stuff in the ocean, whatever. I want to hear the full story, where you were (you don’t have to be specific), what you were doing, and how sketchy or magical it got.
If you’ve got a photo to go with it, even better.
Is it normal for them to be out and about during the day like this? It surprised me I thought owls mostly came out at dusk and dawn but this was during broad daylight
Planning 5 nights on Vancouver Island with our 2 dogs and trying to decide how to split time between Sooke and the Parksville/Qualicum area. We have already planned 3 additional nights in Tofino. We’ll have our car and are pretty active/outdoorsy.
Would you do:
- 2 nights Sooke + 3 nights Parksville area
or
- 3 nights Sooke + 2 nights Parksville area?
Would love recommendations for the best split and any must-do activities, hikes, beaches, scenic spots, breweries, etc. in each area.
Thanks!
Visited the lighthouse for the first time two Saturdays ago and took a couple snaps. This was early when they just opened the gate. It was such a moody morning!
Owner Agnes Kim said that, miraculously, even though the car destroyed much of the dining area in the restaurant, which is located on Victoria Crescent in downtown Nanaimo, nobody was seriously injured in the incident.
He‘s chipped and very loved. please DM if you’ve seen him around! Thank you
So I thought I’d share this story that happened to me tonight when I went to water my herb garden. 🪴
Filled up my watering can as normal, nothing amiss until I started watering things. Then I was thinking what the heck, the water is barely dribbling out. To my shock there was a small green tree frog sticking out of the top.
I left it beside one of my plants for a bit to see if it would keep crawling out onto if, tried pouring more water… nope, it was 100% stuck.
Did I spend 30 minutes trying to get this guy out? Yes, yes I did.
This included cutting the spout of my watering can, pliers, bending of plastic and lots of swearing… Kermit hopped away and is now telling all his friend about his crazy evening. (Seriously, there so loud outside my window right now)
I know many folks wouldn’t have spent so much time and effort to help - but I’m way too soft hearted to not at least try.
Anywho - tree frogs on the island, specifically in Nanoose are alive and ribbiting!
For reference I am looking at moving somewhere in north Qualicum, Bowser, Hilliers/Coombs, Errington, Nanoose Bay, or Lantzville. What are the communities like in these areas? Is it easy to make friends if you put yourself out there? I’m looking at acreages that are a little secluded so likely won’t be in town, and curious about how people’s neighbours are in these areas. Also, my realtor made a funny comment that I’m curious about. I told him that mould is a dealbreaker for us, and he said something like 70-80% of homes on the island have “organic growth” in their attics due to the climate and moisture, is this true? If so, do people just live with this and all is well or does it need to be dealt with to prevent black mould?