Inspiration

The inspiration for Touch the Sky came from my late partner, Dr. Gary Gibson. He was a very successful, hardworking, celebrated and dearly loved family doctor. In Ontario, where for some 30 years he practiced Family Medicine, he was beloved. Since his graduation from the U of  Western Ontario, in the early 1960's, he frequently came out to the west coast to locum in many small and poorly serviced rural and aboriginal communities such as on Vancouver Island & Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte's).

In 1999 he retired from his Family Practice in Ontario, and moved to Vancouver where we met in 2001, and fell pretty madly for each other. In 2002 we moved to Salt Spring and in June of that year Gary had a debilitating, near fatal hemorrhagic stroke while working in Haida Gwaii. It ended his amazing career as a doctor, and put him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

But for most of the next five and a half years we lived our lives more fully than many do in their whole lifetime. We eventually traveled again. Gary got very involved in various national and community organizations, I went back to work as a journeyman painter, and I rekindled my own artwork.

Early in 2008 Gary had a massive stroke that ended his life. I was devastated, bereft, and unsure about what I would do. Eventually I came back to life and my own dream, which is to share this wonderful place, provide new opportunities and hope to disabled people who can travel, and all those who simply want to explore Salt Spring Island, it's beauty, and it's amazing people.

This is just the beginning of Touch the Sky. The house B&B is perfect for anyone with simple mobility issues.  I eventually would like to expand the experience here for the disabled, and I have many plans.

I have recently come back to my artwork, and if you would like to explore more on that, please visit my other site,

A Fine Finish

You will see some of my artwork & photography in the Ridge Suite, and down at my studio workshop on site where you can buy.

Welcome to my home!