NYE Beckoned by the Light
The Magic Lake Lantern Festival on Pender Island
It takes some time to reflect on the previous year. For me, I’m proud to have created a warm and nurturing garden cottage home, filled with flowers and warm soups for my children and dear ones. Along with challenges (growth opportunities?), I’m grateful for new and old connections, for work and play in Nature with inspiring cultural and ecological leaders, and for all the support freely shared.
Now, I’m learning to bound my caretaking and prioritize recharge through self-care and micro-adventures. I look forward to more foraging and fishing, more baths, more mornings on my porch sipping coffee and watching birds. I want to ride my bicycle everywhere and help again with archipelagic gatherings like Tour des Îles, Aqua Chautauqua, and Hands Across the Water. I’m excited for a year of love-fueled, radio-show-inspired explorations of island souls. Since it’s my first year with the boat, I’m holding a rudder toward joy, peace, connection, laughter, and celebration—toward healthy children and families. I’m following the light.
Post-holiday recovery is real and getting away from the house of chores can help. So yesterday afternoon, Ryan and I loaded our ebikes with an overnight kit and set out to Long Harbour to catch the 3:35pm ferry to Pender Island.
As we pedaled along the shoreline, sun filtered through trees and I felt a wave of relief to be leaving responsibilities behind. I sang “Born to Be Wild” at the top of my lungs as we rode — neon safety vest flapping, a wild nerd on a hippie motorcycle, invoking Steppenwolf as a kind of New Year’s prayer: “Like a true nature’s child, we were born, born to be wild!”
On adventures like this, I love bumping into beautiful island characters: ferry ticketer Howie, who’s been volunteering everywhere; Bridget and Richard, sending off aging grandparents with generosity of spirit; and Emony, working the cafeteria, who’s also a master horticulturist installing native pollinator gardens across Salt Spring. I am inspired.
“Looking for adventure, in whatever comes our way…” Lights and reflective gear switched on, as dusk fell, we rode from Otter Bay towards Magic Lake.
For 26 years, the Magic Lake Lantern Festival on Pender Island has been a beloved New Year’s Eve tradition. Organized by Three on a Tree with visiting artists pitching in, the free event brings generations together with a handmade lantern parade and magical light performances.
I’d never before experienced a giant sun effigy burned on a clear, starlit night — awe-striking and ancient — or watched gliding, line-lit kayaks dance to emotive music. These photos speak for themselves.
Afterwards, friends Rachel and Myles fed us at least 12 kinds of cheese and helped kick off my New Year’s resolution to eat a salad daily, and to pursue joy. In line with my biker anthem, we warmed up at a “BEE WILD Distillery” house-party. Following a brisk bike ride and a quick ferry to Saturna, we danced the night away and slept in a retrofitted school bus. It was a good start.
To be certain, not everything this week was light — there were heartbreaking moments. Rather than dwell on what I cannot change, I’m focused on healthy children, daily salads, enjoyment, and connection — following the light where it gathers.
The only way out of darkness is to brighten it. “Take the world in a love embrace… And explode into space!” Happy 2026!
Follow the light 🔥