Growing up in the 1940s I can recall margarine, coffee whiteners, saccharine, and because I was raised on it, baby formula. As my wife commented this morning, “How could women have ever fallen for baby formula over the beauty and perfection of their own milk?”

Let’s face it, there is a lot that is not natural about our culture – cars, computers, cell phones, refrigerators, airplanes – the list is endless. We have become used to the introduction of new toys and gadgets that are presented as better, best, breakthroughs.

One of my very favourite lodges in the rockies is at Lake O’Hara, between Field and Lake Louise. As you walk up the main entrance stairs you will see a sign on a wooden post that says, “Never let it be said, and said to your shame, that nature was less beautiful, because you came”.

Everything about the lodge and cabins, and thus its charm, is that it feels natural. Nature in her perfection is given the highest currency possible.

I’m not a gardener, not a greenskeeper, but it does seem to me that the mastery of grass surfaces is now something of an art form. Talking with Cro Lucas one day I asked, how it was that they were able to create such wonderfully durable and imaginative greens at our new golf course? He said, “Well, we had to make a choice – go either with a cheaper green construction or choose a more expensive model. We took the latter.” If you haven’t seen these greens, you will be amazed.

Two sports that seem to have captured a world audience are golf and soccer. I don’t think you are going to see these sports switch to artificial turf anytime son. Why? Because the tradition is too strong, it would offend the public. They would lose sales and in time the sports would suffer. I also think that these sports keep their appeal and essential qualities by being played on natural surfaces.

I like people who are natural, places that are natural and things that are natural. That’s what I like about Bowen Island and I get that others prefer this as well. Whether we represent a majority, I’m not sure, but so far the place is relatively free of tackiness; it feels good to live in a place that honours what is natural.

Matthew Smith