by John Lund Ladysmith, British Columbia, voted by Harrowsmith Country Life magazine as “one of the 10 prettiest towns in Canada,” lies on the eastern slopes of Vancouver Island facing the harbor, Stuart Channel and the Gulf Islands beyond.Because Ladysmith is located slightly removed from Stuart Channel -- the main thoroughfare used by boaters traveling the protected inside waters to Dodd Narrows, Nanaimo and points north -- this award-winning town often gets missed by boaters bound for larger, better known destinations. However, if boaters would just veer west slightly on their way north, they’d find a protected 3-mile long harbor with four marinas and a lovely revitalized town inhabited by friendly people who are so proud of their history that they put it on display for all to share.