Road Trip 2025 - Goats on the Roof

 

While in the Nanaimo area of Vancouver Island's east coast, we had a chance to revisit a favourite stop from our previous 1981 trip.. We couldn't remember the name or place, but I had 2 photos of goats grazing on a green sod-covered roof. The building was a country market and I remember wide open doors and lots of fresh produce, jams, etc. Woven baskets hung from the rafters and sat on shelves. A particular basket caught my eye...a doubled handled oblong one woven with thin, dark twigs. It was about 14 x 10 inches and 8 inches deep with tapered sides. That basket held my knitting for over forty years before the first sign of breakage. 

The Old Country Market, 2025, Coombs, Vancouver Island, BC

Although Crystal was only 3 during our 1981 visit, as a 2025 resident of BC, she knew exactly where Goats on the Roof was located and directed us to The Old Country Market in Coombs near Qualicum Beach and Parksville. 

The Old Country Market, 2025, Coombs, Vancouver Island, BC

And there it was. I spotted the sod roof and smiled. Yet, it was different. Back in 1981, we drove up to the market, parked in front of the wide-open doors, and walked right in like the photo below.

The Old Country Market, 1981, Coombs, Vancouver Island, BC

But where were the wide open doors to the market in our current photo of 2025 below? Times change. Now, there is long wooden bench in front of a lattice-like wooden fence, with an outdoor restaurant filling the space to the market doors. It's a great place to relax and eat, but tough if you're trying to get decent photos of the goats on the roof without the shade umbrellas hiding your view.  As it was a hot day, we took the best photos we could and then chose to eat inside...in the indoor market cafe which was very relaxing, cool, and quieter. Great food, too!

The Old Country Market, 2025, Coombs, Vancouver Island, BC

Established in 1973 as The Old Country Market, it is now a famous tourist attraction alternately known as Goats on the Roof. Information on the history of the market and the goats can be found on their website. And when we visited in 2025, the place was busy, inside the market as well as outside where people stood waiting to get in while being entertained by the grazing goats. 

Goats on the Roof, 1981, Coombs, Vancouver Island, BC

But what of the shelter on the roof? Was it the same one I'd photographed in 1981? I zoomed into my photos and checked the details of the small log shelter in both the 1981 photo above and the 2025 photo below...the shape of the log ends...imperfections in the wood...and am satisfied that it is indeed the same log structure. Weathering aside, not everything has changed.

Goats on the Roof, 2025, Coombs, Vancouver Island, BC

The country market still showcases local produce and goods, but it also sells a delectable selection of imported food, giftware, and apparel from around the world. It took us 2 hours to walk through the crowded market, collecting wonderful items along the way from all sections of the old building.  Of course, we could have gotten through faster even with the crowds, but we wanted to experience the sounds and aromas of the market, and to see everything. 

The Old Country Market, Goats on Roof Mustard, 2025, Coombs, Vancouver Island, BC

Yes, we bought the Goats on Roof Sweet Mustard among other delectable items. It is delicious. The Old Country Market has been a local favourite as well as a famous tourist attraction for over 50 yrs now, and it is heart-warming to know it still carries on the quaint and unique tradition of having goats graze on the sod roof.

Perhaps it's because we were goat farmers for many years? Or maybe it's because we like quirky roadside attractions...like when we were driving on Hwy 7 east of Peterborough, Ontario one summer and our eyes were drawn to the huge Dinosaur Drive Thru sign. Called Canada's Dinosaur Park, it features over 100 vehicle-size stationary and animatronic dinosaurs hidden in a forested area that really was a treat for our eyes and ears. 

Dinosaur Drive Thru, Canada's Dinosaur Park, 2024, Indian River, Ontario

Whatever the reason, Goats on the Roof was a family favourite in 1981 and our recent visit with the kids that weren't around for the first visit confirms it's their favourite as well. Hopefully we'll return some day once more. 

This post corresponds to our 2025 BC Vacation, but not any particular calendar page. 

The next post in this series is our previously mentioned incredible visit to Cowichan Bay, which is pictured on the June calendar page. We hope you'll join us at that time for another adventure.