Vancouver Island in Pictures~Day 1 & 2

July 30, 2010

Althea and I stole away from Powell River and Brian and TaZzi for three days.  We drove the side kick, and of course took many ferries to Vancouver Island   I had been to Victoria years ago for just a short time.  The Island is so much more than Victoria.  Our first stop was to see friends we know in Baja and as you can see from their faces...it was a surprise to them that we were there.  Jim is a builder and they were putting on the final touches for their new home   Love that yellow!.  We only wanted to stop with our greetings since we were right in their area.  It's a lovely property. 

Jim and Leah

Our next stop was in Victoria to see Althea's 97 year mother.  We had a nice long chat with her and I bought some of her note cards that she still creatively makes and sells.  What a together woman and she still is so sharp. 

After we left her, we met up with Althea's brother and sister-in-law (no pictures) at a local pub.  We then took a short drive to their beautiful home.  It was so nice to meet so much of Althea's family.



yep, they look alike!

 Well rested, after spending the night at a hotel in Victoria, we had breakfast in the lobby of the hotel.  A bit more than a Continental breakfast; I'd say, and it was quite satisfying.  Another ferry later, we arrived at our good friends home, Barb and Jim on Salt Springs Island.  We also met them in Mexico.  They are the best hosts and their home is not only lovely and large, but very happily lived in.

Enter Barb and Jim's property



The grands were visiting and they greeted us.



Althea and Jim



My perfect cup of latte .... brewed by Barb and  better than Starbucks!



Barb at her latte magic maker....









Barb flipping those bison burgers and dogs.



Pat & Barb




Like every fun party, we ended with song and piano playing.
Chop Stix!







Everyone Loves a Parade

July 24, 2010

The Powell River Sea Fair Parade, for almost 50 years,  brings out the entire community for fun in the last weeks of July.  I had a blast riding in the parade with Brian in his vintage 1937 McLaughlin Buick, honking that ooga horn and waving to everyone.  Althea didn't want to go this year so I got to.   Hundreds of people lined the streets for floats, music, dancing, horses, the car show, 

The event took place the entire weekend with a superb pot luck dinner for the car clubs.  I met people from all over BC.

They look pretty dramatic in black and white....that's probably how they looked bay in the day down by the ocean in Powell River.

The End or the Beginning?

July 12, 2010 Where are we going today? To the end of the road.  If you're from, or have traveled the west coast ...US, Canada, Mexico....you have, no doubt, been on Highway 101.  It is one of the world's longest highways.  The Pacific Coastal Highway aka Highway 101 stretches 15,020 Kms (9,312 miles) all the way from Castro on Chile's south coast to end in the tiny hamlet of Lund on BC's Sunshine Coast.  Lund is a beautiful and slow half hour drive along the coast from where I'm nesting in Powell River. And that is where we spent a few hours today.  Lund lies on a secluded harbour backed by the magnificent peaks of the Coast Mountains.  So was it the beginning or the end?  Must be the beginning because look at that sign below that says..Mile Zero.               And this sign says "The Start of...no.....the end of  Highway 101.  Looks like they are confused, too.       We ate at the historic refurbished Lund Hotel built in 1889 by Frederick and Charles Thulin, who named the fishing village after the university city of Lund in Sweden.   ..then..... now...... I only took pictures of the appetizers when they were half gone.  As you can see, the shrimp, the oysters, and the salad were quite appetizing. Chelsea (age 19) was our server.  She is from Alaska.  In October she is ...leaving alone.... and is 'hitching' from the beginning to the end......yes, she is hitching to Chile.  With a backpack.  Now, I wouldn't even do that.  Especially at age 19.  She's very personable and I hope she has a safe trip and a great adventure.  I wish her the best.  I told her if I see her, I will pick her up. Chelsea and the other Gypsy! Today Lund is a major stopover for tourists and vacationers.  In the summer the 800 year-round residents increases substantially. .It was once a port for isolated coastal logging operations, and the last stop in civilization for those heading north          Helicopter Pad.....yes, and an over sized chess set. We strolled the boardwalk around the harbour and watched the constant hustle and bustle of the busy little harbour, and visited the arts and crafts shops.......and took lots of pictures.   This coastline has year-round salmon fishing  and there are many charter boats  in Lund and Powell River, guided by experienced captains experienced in finding the ideal fishing hole. There is the Dinner Rock Campground, located directly on the ocean on a bit of a rough road. The recreation site offers basic facilities and campsites, including walk-in and vehicle sites.  This is where you want to be when a full moon lights up Malaspina Strait and shooting stars rain in the night sky.  I hope I'm here for a full moon.  thanks, friends......

What...This isn't an Island?

July 5, 2010

I'm feeling right at home here in Powell River.  From the mundane....washing dishes, running errands (I drive the Suzuki because Althea and Brian are recovering), recycling, picking and eating cherries, sitting on the deck watching the ocean and all that passes through, and did I mention....eating?  Althea has cooked all the meals so far.  She can't drive but she can certainly cook.

This city feels like an island to me.  Guess one of the reasons is it takes 2 ferries to get here.  Powell River is so easy to get around in.  I don't even need my GPS  It is long and it seems as if most of the houses, businesses, schools, and restaurants are right by the ocean.  It's small, only about 22,000 people.  Brian and Althea know all of them....most all of them.  Some of the people here never leave the island.....I mean the "bush"...I mean the town.  It takes some effort as the ferries are sometimes busy and don't always run.  

The ocean just yards from us is not loud and not a surfer's beach.  Powell River is on the "inside passage" and is a naturally protected waterway from Seattle to Skagway in southeastern Alaska.  It winds through Canadian waters and is protected from the open Pacific by 300-mile-long Vancouver Island and by hundreds of smaller islands to the north.  My sister and I cruised the inside passage from Alaska about 4 years ago and it took us past some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.  Desolate shoreline and towering glacial peaks.

At one time, Powell River is said to have been close to 20,000 First Nations people for many thousands of years.  Prior to European settlement the region was the year round home of the Silammon First Nation.  In the early 1900's, logging arrived to the area.  A few years later it was the center of the newsprint world.

This region, known as the Sunshine Coast, is blessed with not only the Pacific ocean, but with many crystal clear lakes, inlets, rainforests, salmon rivers, idyllic islands and friendly people who take a special pride in their community.  It is considered a Pearl on the Sunshine Coast.... and I am so happy to be here; not as a tourist, but as a quasi member of this community..


Brian and an old friend.