Relaxing staycation on Texada only a ferry ride away

A place on Texada Island is truly a choose your own adventure getaway.

For those lucky enough to live in the qathet region, a steamy eight-person hot-tub, 12-person cedar sauna and west coast modern cabins in the forest await, only 40 minutes away by ferry.

Although Rocky Valley Resort is called a resort, the experience that husband and wife team Brian and Shannon Stasiewich have created is more like a warm invitation to enjoy nature and quiet, with modern amenities for everyone, without breaking the bank. The Stasiewichs have turned a rocky, 10-acre forested valley into a destination that features modern cottages, A-frame cabins and glamping options.

Brian and his sons built the cabins and cottages with their own hands, using wood from felled trees on the property. Shannon brings her personal touch into the cabins and cottages with her interior design work, inviting the natural world inside while at the same time creating a modern and clean atmosphere. The couple also plans to furnish the cabins and cottages with artwork from the qathet region.

"We are truly enjoying what we have created," said Brian. "The people who come here, it's nice to see them enjoy all the work we have done."

Brian and Shannon are offering those living in the qathet region  special weekday and last-minute weekend discounts.

"We are offering something new and unique to the area," said Shannon. "Especially in winter/fall, we want this to be a place for people to go all year-round."

Who wouldn't want to spend a west coast evening relaxing in a wooden hot tub, set at the perfect 120-degree temperature, surrounded by trees, listening to the quiet of nature?

Another unique feature of the experience at Rocky Valley is the friendly communal atmosphere both Brian and Shannon create. The beautifully designed wood-framed gazebo, stocked with a wood-fired pizza oven, a full-sized barbecue, kitchen amenities and seating area, is often a place resort patrons are invited to congregate.

Pizza night or bringing your own item to barbecue night is a great way to meet other resort-goers and experience the superb hosting skills Brian and Shannon provide. The homey atmosphere is reminiscent of far away places such as Costa Rica, where Brian and Shannon have spent some time, and where eating together is common and encouraged.

The grounds also include an outdoor amphitheater with a full-sized movie screen.

However, if quiet alone time is needed, the cabins and cottages are spaced out nicely and have modern cooking facilities, comfortable beds and spacious private patios, surrounded by forest and fresh air.

"It was fun to create the space and to be where we are at now," said Shannon. "Folks from Powell River can come here on the weekend or just for a one-night getaway, use the sauna, hot tub, leave the kids for one night; it's easy and it's only one ferry away."

The resort is also walking distance to the unique town of Van Anda, which boasts a retro-diner serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the Texada Island Inn, which has a pub with a great outdoor view.

Taking a stroll around the quiet roads of Van Anda, one may run into friendly locals, who offer advice on where to visit while on Texada, such as Stromberg Falls and Texada Island Museum and Archives. The option to swim, hike or launch a kayak is also only 10 minutes away.

Brian and Shannon started their adventure together more than 25 years ago, creating a family and looking for adventure. It was after Brian took a motorcycle trip up the Sunshine Coast, and was impressed by what he saw, that the Stasiewich family moved in order to suss out the qathet region.

Finally, after all those years of searching, they found a place to live their dream of working and living in nature, on a jewel of the northern Sunshine Coast: Texada Island.

"Once we moved near the ocean, we wanted to stay near the ocean," said Shannon. "Powell River is great and then we discovered Texada Island."

Brian and Shannon welcome those in qathet and beyond to experience for themselves the joy in what they have created.

To find out about discounts for qathet residents, call 778.581.6744. Rocky Valley Resort is located on 1947 Blubber Bay Road, Van Anda, Texada. Accommodation can be booked online at rockyvalleyresort.client.innroad.com.