Salt Spring Island and the Southern Gulf Islands enjoy a microclimate known as "cool Mediterranean".
Less precipitation and warmer temperatures are a hallmark of this area. Snow is infrequent, and when it does appear it doesn't last long (12 to 24 hours? Maybe a week, at higher elevations?).
Vineyards/wineries, olive grove, craft brewery/organic hops, cidery (lots of heirloom orchards on Salt Spring), and foodie largesse from local farms (organic is the word, here...enjoy the produce at the Saturday Market and the Tuesday Farmers Market, in the season, plus at many farmgate stands)...the soft climate supports it all.
When it does snow, though, Islanders take photos...the rarity delivers a different kind of beauty.
The purpose of winter? I call it the fallow field moment...on the surface, it looks severe. Below ground, the roots are busy prepping for Spring's eruption.
So...we need to be looking forward, too, in this "resting" late fall/winter season.
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