Duncan Totems, Cowichan Region, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Merely a whistle-stop at William Duncan’s farm in the 1880′s, the coastal town of Duncan (population five thousand) has developed itself into the City of Totems; hand carved cedar poles carved by community First Nations artisans overlook recreational areas and down-town roadways. It is a walkable, people friendly community. The town center of Duncan features a quantity of historical and classic properties and a large selection of modest stores and bistros. The community is located in the wonderful Cowichan Region on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. This area lies just north of Washington States San Juan Islands.
Arts and Cultures:
There are many destinations to take a look at, but you might want to start off by looking at quite a few of Duncan’s 70-odd totems. You can easily take a self-guided tour in the downtown area since most of the totems tend to be in close distance. In summertime, complimentary guided tours are provided starting off at the old train station.
Don’t overlook the Quw’utsun’ Cultural and Conference Centre in order to take pleasure in displays, traditional food, story telling, and Cowichan musicians , artists and elders at work. The center’s mission is to share and build the pride of First Nations Individuals through education and learning, art, and traditional weaving, beading & spinning.
You may also wish to pay a visit to the British Columbia Forest Discovery Center, that shows you the history of BC’s forest industry using indoor and outside exhibits. Board the steam locomotive which rides a trestle over attractive Somenos Lake – a great experience for children as well as the young in spirit. Also check out the Fresh water Eco-Centre, adjacent to the Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery, which has over thirty exhibits depicting wild fish conservation, fisheries habitat protection & management methods.
There’s a great deal of additional activity in the summer, consequently keep an eye out for special in season tours of historical homes, gardens, and artists’ galleries. On Saturdays from April until the end of October, Duncan hosts a farmers market in their City Square where you can take pleasure in an eclectic mixture of vendors, artisans, entertainers and alternative & complimentary health practitioners. In July, Duncan also hosts a yearly summer time festival with 2 days of live entertainment, free rides, street entertainers, contests, parades and a lot more.
Outdoor Adventure:
You’ll be able to try sea kayaking, hiking, fishing and much more in the region! Do not miss the Cowichan River Provincial Park, a 750-hectare park that safeguards considerable stretches of the Cowichan River, a Provincial Heritage River, globally famous for its wild salmon & steelhead fishery. You are able to hike alongside the river on the park’s historic 20km-long hiking trail and explore the refurbished 66-Mile and Holt Creek Trestles on the Trans-Canada Trail. If you take pleasure in watching birds pay a visit to close by Somenos Marsh, a nature refuge in the Pacific Flyway that provides wintertime habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds.
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Tags: british columbia, Canada, towns, travel