walking

Last Sunday Bob McMinn was tending the gate and offering tours at the Mary Lake. We hadn't been out to the lake since the initial offering in 2011 I find it interesting one photo I took on Sunday has garnered over 57,000 views in 24hrs from world-wide respondents.

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Hopefully this publicity will help lift the awareness of this marvelous, Vancouver Island gem to the level it deserves. We trust this photo will be of use to the Mary Lake Nature Sanctuary in their efforts to save Mary Lake.

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Thank you and your volunteers for your continuing efforts to save Mary Lake

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Labels: highlands, marylake, walked

Sunday, January 30, 2011, We walked into Mary Lake property to join the group tour of the property. Bob McMinn, Mary Lake Conservancy, executive member was our guide. Over a dozen people came out this cold morning to see what many are trying to save for future generations.

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Judith Lavoie reported in today's Times Colonist the remains of a cabin on the Mary Lake property owned by the Brotherston family for many years, may have formerly been inhabited by Emily Carr -- British Columbia's most famous artist.

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The story — told to the Brotherston family, whose estate is selling the property — goes that the cabin was used by a female painter who had animals in cages. Carr, who sometimes travelled with her animals, including Woo the monkey, is known to have painted in the Highlands and at Goldstream Flats. From 1900 to 1935, the property was owned by Julia Emma Aikman, of whom little is known, Neah said. An artistic connection surfaces with Gertrude Snider, who owned the property from 1946 to 1963.

Labels: gopro, marylake

This morning we walked into Mary Lake property to attend a dedication ceremony sponsored by the Save Mary Lake Conservancy. Approximately a hundred people came out this damp morning to hear some speeches and see the natives dance. chief Sampson said (more-than) a few words to those seated before his dancers did their thing.

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Later on, we enjoyed some haggis along with pipes and drums and highland dancing at a Burns' Supper put on by The Johnston Clan. What a great time. What great food! it was fun to meet many old friends in the Scottish community who we haven't seen for a while. We posted some photos at our Picasa Album.

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Saturday we danced the afternoon away to the sounds of Yesterday's Wine. We ate supper at Nelles Block for our evening's dining enjoyment. Tyler Carson sat in with the band for a few of his fiddle tunes so that was an added treat.

Labels: marylake, scots

Today we walked 7km roundtrip from home and around Cedar Hill Golf Course. Nice day. A bit windy but no rain.

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Today's image shows the lakefront lot we bought at Mary Lake. Cool.

Labels: chgc, marylake

Today we walked 2km through Mary Lake property for the second time. These private lands are held by the descendants of the original owner, Brotherston, who made many improvements to access the lake. The surrounding 107 acres is for the most part, untouched. A few abandoned roadways make walking the area easy and safe. Surrounded for years by No Trespassing signs, the lake was owned by Peter Brotherston until his death 13 years ago, then by his widow Violet. After her death in 2008, it became part of her estate and is zoned for residential development.

Bob McMinn, one's guide for this tour, is no ordinary octogenarian. The longtime District of Highlands resident and its former mayor is using Twitter and other platforms such as Facebook to head a unique campaign to preserve Mary Lake as parkland. Bob is part of the Save Mary Lake Conservancy.

Mary Lake GPS Coordinates
Entrance 1772 Millstream Rd: N48°29.844', W123°30.790'
Closest to Millstream Road: N48°30.178', W123°30.937'

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After this walk we danced the afternoon away to the sounds of one of our favourite bands at the legion. We dined in Naden on a wonderful prime-dinner. Life is good.

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Second Save Mary Lake Video

Labels: marylake, video

Today we walked in the Highlands along Millstream Road looking for the trailhead into Mary Lake.

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Where is Mary Lake Located? At 1772 Millstream Road in the District of Highlands on Vancouver Island, near the city of Victoria, the capital of the province of British Columbia, on Canada's beautiful West Coast.

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We didn't read this on the Save Mary Lake website before setting out; thus, were not aware the trailhead (entrance) to the loch is through private property. An appointment is required to gain access. We have one setup and will report back here next week,

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It may be worth noting the weather is turning colder. It was mighty chilly out there stomping around in the bush!

Labels: 122810, marylake, millstream