Gerry Charbonneau

Saturna Island Harbors Beauty and Creative Talent



Posted: Saturday, September 26, 2009

by Gerry Charbonneau
http://nibblednews.typepad.com

"Vacation is what you take when you can't take what you've been taking any longer". --Unknown

This past August my wife and myself broke with our stay-at-home tradition and boarded a plane bound for an island blessed with picturesque scenery, great fishing, sunny days, a well known winery and most importantly of all escape from the hustle and bustle of civilization. The name of this island paradise is Saturna Island.

Saturna Island, a mountainous island about seven miles in size, is located in the southern Gulf Islands chain of British Columbia Canada. Thinking mertically, the island is 31 square kilometers in size.

It is situated approximately between the lower mainland of British Columbia and Vancouver Island and is the most easterly of the Gulf Islands. The island is surrounded on three sides by the Canada and United States border.

Point Roberts, located in Washington state is located to the island's north and to the east and south are the San Juan Islands.

The island has a permanent population of around 350 people although that number tends to increase significantly during the warmer summer months.

Approximately half of the island is in the new Gulf Islands National Park Reserve that was formed in 2003 from the amalgamation of two provincial parks, an Ecological Reserve and other Crown land, i.e land owned by the province.

The island was first used by indigenous people who called the island " Long Nose" due to the islands long north-eastern tapering shoreline that ends at East Point.

The name Saturna is derived from the ship Santa Saturnina (St. Saturnina) commanded by Captain Jose Maria Narvaez and Juan Carrasco in 1791.

The first European settlers arrived there in the 1800's but the island was slower to develop than the neighboring Gulf Islands due to its relative isolation and rugged topography.

The many islands situated around the Vancouver area harbor not only exquisitely breathtaking sites and sounds but also extremely talented artists and artisans.

One such talented photographer is Lorne Koroluk whose images he explains "are inspired by both natural and man made phenomena" and offer the viewers "personal glimpses" of the world seen all around us. His website is www.lkphotoimages.com

His photographs emphasize the natural and unique shapes, colors, lines and natural blends that Mother Nature bestows and showers on flora, fauna and other denizens of the wild.

His online portfolio also offers many stunning, visual interpretations of life, still life subjects and an assortment of varied topics.

The island also offers an excellent winery facility with healthy vineyards and wine tasting opportunities for the restaurnat's patrons.

The rich heritage of the island combined with its natural beauty and allure makes the island an ideal destination for couples seeking a romantic getaway to a place that is close to home and not an entire ocean away.

The author has recently retired from the active work force and now has the time and the energy to not only enjoy life a lot more but also to continue submitting more articles for publication. His online publication, Nibbled News, offers readers the opportunity to read, relax and enjoy the world about themselves.

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