SURF’S UP, STARS ARE OUT
What can I say, you just have to love this wonderful country we are all so privileged to call home, especially in the springtime. A whole world of exciting possibilities comes to life at this time of year, in sync with blossoming flowers, wildlife awakening from its winter slumbers and returning flocks of migratory birds.
For many of us, these exciting possibilities revolve around getting out in the open air and doing what we love to do best. In the case of John A. Barrett of Nanaimo, B.C., this sometimes takes the form of destination travel within his home province. In this issue, John shares the amazing experiences he and his partner Sue enjoyed while visiting the “Surfing Capital of Canada”—tofino. Above and beyond the surfing itself, and the rather unique culture surrounding it, John pays tribute to the First Nations whose history and traditions are deeply rooted in the region, and who serve to preserve and protect its many treasures for generations to come (page 18).
While surfing may be not be that widely practised here in Canada, who among us has never gazed up at the night sky in absolute wonder? For David Hoskin of Halifax, stargazing is a way of life. A professor of pathology at Dalhousie University by day and a life-long stargazer by night, David has channelled his abundant photographic talents and knowledge acquired as a member of the Royal Canadian Astronomical Society into photographing the night skies overhead. Check out “East Coast Stargazing” (page 8) to view just a few of the amazing results of his efforts.
Speaking of photography, thanks to all of you who took part in our 2019-2020 photo contest. Look for the winners’ spread in the June-july issue of
Our Canada!
Gary George gary_george@rd.com