Next hike from Van Anda again.

The next hike will be on Saturday, 9th August.

We meet at the Royal Canadian Legion parking in Van Anda at 10:00am.

Last Saturday we drove over to the west side of the island parking at the end of the road that branches off Crescent Bay Rd on the right shortly soon after you pass the golf course.  There is now a clear beach access that makes it possible for the public to reach the very south end of Crescent Beach.  The tide was far enough out that we were able to walk the full length of this rather rocky beach stopping for lunch about three quarters of the way along going north.  For the return to our vehicles we headed inland to the gas line right of way for an easy walk soth, turning right at the first major logging road which connects the main Blubber Bay Highway to the western part of Crescent Bay Rd.

In the photo I'm explaining the volcanic origin of this rock outcrop near the south end of Crescent Beach.  The liquid lava probably flowed out of the volcano with lots of darker chunks of solid lava mixed up with it.  Other chunks may have been blasted out of the cone, falling from above onto the lava flows moving down the slopes all around. The lighter material is very fine grained which means it cooled very rapidly. Now, after millions of years, we get to see the result of an ancient eruption, but much more safely than going to visit an active modern volcano in a distant part of the world.

JD. 

PS.  Pam has invited the hikers back to her place, 30 Tyler Road, for refreshments after the hike.

In case you did not know:— Texada Artists Studio Tour takes place this weekend, Aug. 9 & 10. Studios are open from 10 am to 4 pm and admission is free. Tour guides/maps are available at the Ravenous Raven in Gillies Bay and the Holtenwood Gallery. Please stop by and pick one up. You can also pick one up at the TACT Centre in Van Anda during the two days of the tour. It can be downloaded by visiting the art tour website at www.texadaart.com. A total of 19 Texada artists are participating.

JD explaining the origin of this fine outcrop of volcanic rock on Crescent Bay beach.