They call it Petroglyph Island

    I went to go visit a friend, who lived on this Island for the first time ever last summer.  I have been on Vancouver Island most of my life and had never been to this particular Island...of course there are still a few islands around here I have yet to see.  But not to fear, I will be going this year:)

Gabriola Island is situated a short 20 minute ferry ride from Nanaimo, British Columbia.  Nanaimo is about 1 hour and 30 minutes from downtown Victoria. (depending on who is driving of course) Access to this island is avaliable by ferry, float plane, or your own boat:) (I wish I had my own boat)!

It started out very foggy on my way over to Gabriola..I parked my car at the harbour in Nanaimo and walked onto the ferry and my friend met me on the other side.   This is handy if you know someone over there...if not then the ferry has room for vehicles also.
The ride is short and sweet...and when the fog is not in the way you can see Gabriola from Nanaimo and visa versa

A LITTLE HISTORY OF COURSE

The south end of Gabriola was first visited by the Coast Salish to hunt and fish during the hot summer seasons.  Ancient petroglphs can still be found carved into numerous sandstone cliffs...(ok I saw some of the sandstone cliffs...but no petroglphs). Hence the nickname Petroglyph Island.  Hummmm...I must go back to this Island, I have missed a few things I can see. (grin).

Gabriols Island is one of the most densely populated islands for it's size.  Hey there still seems like there is tons of room there.   I had rose colored glasses on I think.

Scottish and British and Irish settlers arrived to the island in the 1850's to work in the coal mines at Nanaimo, before turning the land into farm land.  Timber was also cut there for homes in Nanaimo. 

In 1887 a sandstone quarry near Descanso Bay produced building blocks for victoria and later large grindstones for crushing logs for the pulp mills.  Some can still be seen on Gabriola in the Garbiola Gardens.

A brick works also opened around the same time, employing many chinese workers, until it closed it's doors in 1945.

There is much there to see.

There is the museum, golf and country club, Drumbeg Provincial Park...Malaspina Galleries which has some of the most beautifully formed sandstone I have ever seen.

They have the Gabriola wine festival in August which features over 100 different wine and beer from BC and places around the world.  I am all for going there and doing some wine sampling!

So weather going for a drive, hiking the beaches, touring the restaurants, sitting on the beach or exploring the sandstone Gabriola Island has a bit of everything for anyone to go see!!!!