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| Goats on Roof - posing for photos. |
It's a simple question that created a hugely popular tourist destination located in the community of Coombs, on Vancouver Island.
We arrived late on a Thursday afternoon, but couldn't find a parking space within three blocks so decided to return the next morning at opening time.
Then we moved on to the fresh produce in the next building and stocked up on Okanagan fruit and local vegetables.
The goats became permanent tenants of the Coombs market that weekend and have been there for more than thirty years. Each spring, a trip of goats makes their home on the roof, entertaining both locals and visitors from all over the world. The goats take turns on the rooftop, posing for tourists while other members of the tribe relax in the shady field below the complex.
The original Old Country Market was created in the early 1970's by Kristian Graaten and his wife, Solveig, who had emigrated with their children to Vancouver Island from Norway in the 1950s.
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| The Old Country Market |
The sod roof was inspired by their Norwegian homeland where farm structures are frequently built directly into the hillside with the roof becoming an extension of the land.
The complex is an eclectic mixture of shops and eateries including the original fruit stand, a diverse market, a yummy donut shop, a coffee house, La Taqueria Mexican cantina, the Cuckoo Trattoria Italian restaurant, and an amazing selection of huge garden pots.
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| Okanagan fresh fruit |
On Friday morning my friends and I freely roamed the original marketplace purchasing olives, artisan cheese, gourmet crackers, their own brand of olive oil, and beautiful Mexican glass tumblers.
Ninety minutes later as we were leaving the complex was rapidly filling up with locals and tourists coming to experience this unique combination of fun and function.
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| Mexican glass tumblers |
As for the question, “What if we put goats on the roof?”
According to the company's webpage it was the weekend of the Coombs Fall Fair and the grass was getting rather long. Legend has it that, after a few glasses of wine, Larry suggested that they ‘borrow’ some goats to ‘mow’ the grass and perhaps provide some entertainment for passing cars.
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| The goats hang out here when not on roof duty |
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| Italian restaurant and produce market |
The Old Country Market is now owned and operated by Larry and Lene Geekie and their family. ‘Goats On Roof’ has become one of the top tourist destinations in British Columbia.
If you are on Vancouver Island, it is worth the time to stop and experience Goats on Roof.
Cheers
Lynda & my travel buddy Sparky
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