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It was disappointing having limited time here on the coast, then having so much of it taken up by the rains that moved in. We know they were needed and appreciated, but still....
However, they have now passed, so we're trying to spend all the time that we have left enjoying the water. Wednesday we headed out just to putter. We were gone all day from 11am until 5, but only put two hours on the engines, as we were so enjoying just sitting and drifting on the water. It was like glass, and there was no wind to speak of. Blissful! I had to get some work done, so I was stretched out on the couch in the cabin working on my computer, while simultaneously staring out the window. Cecil took his fishing rod, our pillows and blankets up to the upper deck. Through his line over, stretched out on the seats that he'd put down into a day bed and relaxed. We were both lost in our own little worlds when we suddenly heard the 'put-put' sound of a nearby engine. We looked to find the neatest of boats set up as a home pulling towards us, complete with wicker chairs on the front deck and a windmill going for power. The owners were just checking as they'd watched the boat floating, but had seen no signs of life. Wanted to make sure all was well, as it was. It was very encouraging to know that people care enough to check on the water. In fact we've met just so very many kind and helpful people both in and around Ladysmith Marina where the boat is moored. It's been wonderful so far! Heading back, I put out a call to the Universe to bring me the Orca's I so want to see while we're here. They didn't come, but three either porpoises or dolphins did. That was almost as spectacular as the swam along side us, then when we shut down and waited, came over to where we were. I'd seen them on Monday from the ferry leaving Alert Bay as well. It's their message that I'm meant to get this time I guess, and their message is always wonderful. At the dock, the day before we'd seen something large and reddish in the water the day before. Didn't know if it was an oversized anemone or what it might have been. Cecil headed up to the truck ahead of me, and while I sauntered along looking in the water I saw it again, only this time realized it was a huge red jellyfish! I was able to get some good pictures of it and a short video to show Cecil as he missed it. All he could think of was thank goodness that it didn't show up beside him when he was in the water cleaning the prop last week. It most likely would have been the cause of a fatal heart attack! Along with the seals, and all the crabs we catch and then have to release, we're getting a lovely fill of ocean life here. The people we are getting to meet and share conversations with are feeding my spirit in the most wonderful way. All is well with my world.
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After finishing up at Lund, we continued our journey ending at Alert Bay for a day of exploring. My only regret is that we didn't have more time on this incredible little Island.
We spent the night at the Alert Bay Lodge. Jenn and Jack were our hosts in this beautiful little bed and breakfast at the edge of the water. They were gracious and accommodating as they provided our lodging, meals and so much helpful information about the island. It was great. After a good nights sleep we headed off into a misty, rainy day to see some of the ancient totem poles that grace this part of the world. They are amazing, and breath taking. The mastery of the art that created them, the stories that each one is able to tell, the things they must have witnessed through the years. We then headed over to the U'mista Cultural Centre to learn more about the carvings and masks and the history of the people here. It was amazing to see the detail up close of the masks and the costumes that accompanied some of them. The workmanship, the colours and the use of so many of Mother Nature's materials was something to see up close. Part of the centre focuses on the stories and history of St. Michael's Residential School and the horrors and atrocities that took place there. The shared stories and memories can't help but touch the heart of anyone who spends time reading the descriptions of what the residents remembered from their childhood there, or rather from having their childhood lost there might be more accurate. The healing longboat built out of individually painted and decorating building blocks was a powerful image that will stay with me a long time. The Potlatch Collection was also incredible as well. I've head of Potlatch ceremonies for much of my life, but don't think I really understood their depth or their significance. I have a new appreciation for another ancient tradition. When we finished at the Centre we ventured on to explore The Culture Shock Gallery where we met more wonderfully welcoming people and were introduced to more of the beautiful work that is done on and around the Island. The weather didn't really do much to work with us, so we decided that we'd catch the earlier ferry than originally planned. My only disappointment was that the Orcas that everyone said and been seen around the Island continually over the last couple of days did not show up to greet us...but I know they'll make an appearance yet. They never let me down!  So, lots of things did not go as planned the last many days. First of all, we brought the much needed rain from Manitoba to the Islands....Yay us...now we're sitting on the island in daily rains, but as much as they love and appreciate it, it was not what we'd planned for our days here on the Islands, so we've had to adjust our plans significantly. But still.... we're still loving every minute of the journey.
A week ago, when invited to Lund for a special birthday party for a very special man (love you Jimmy!!), our plan had been to bring R'Dream here and experience the area that way. However, when we ended up with the headaches of the last many days with the 'tarp in the prop' incident...we decided that until we knew what was going on with the boat, planning a trip from Ladysmith to Lund might not be the wisest decision. Plus, to be honest... the really shitty weather had a bearing on our decision. Really... who wants to come across the Georgia Strait in weather like that if you have an option of living life otherwise. We went for option 'B'.!!! So glad we did! So, here we are at the Historic Lund Hotel. It's not our first time here, but it is our first time since we started dedicating time documenting travels. We arrived last night and took a standard room. It was lovely enough, especially when we sat out on the deck this morning drinking our coffee in our housecoats watching the world go by. However...as we were promised when we made our reservation, today we moved to room 216 of the 'Historic Lund Hotel'. Apparently the room is otherwise known as the 'John Wayne Room'...omg...what could be more perfect with my husband's love of all things 'John Wayne'!!! than to be staying in what they refer to as 'his' room. Apparently John was a big fan of this part of the world when he satisfied his 'hankering' for fishing. I need to spend a little time researching that when I have time....but tonight...I do not. So we are enjoying the night with 'John Wayne's Spirit'....because we can both attest to him being here with us. Too cool!!! Cec will say I exaggerate everything...but truth is I Do Not!! "He Is the world's Biggest John Wayne fan". Perfect! We are all listening to the lapping of the waves on the shore together. This room is so beautiful....a corner suite on the second floor with views of the bay both on the west wall and the north wall. It's amazing...and if you want to know more, go to my 'tripadvisor' page for pics and details. Our space here is perfect. We'll leave it at that. But beyond the perfect of our accommodations tonight was the perfection of our socializing last night. We're so lucky that we ended up here because of our friends Lyn and Ken, who led us to Kathy and Jim's last night. We felt like party crashers, but were never for a second treated as such. Instead we were embraced by such amazing people, who opened their hearts and their lives to us on the words of 'mutual friends'. As we got into Lund a day early for the birthday celebration, we headed to their home to spend an evening together doing whatever. After a great meal, I made the comment that I could 'sing for my supper' because it was so great, and we'd made no other contribution. Wouldn't you know that our hostess had a guitar that allowed me to do that. But this wasn't just any guitar. It was a 'Martin Guitar'....and I will be honest in saying that in my world of having musician friends that celebrate and bow to the 'Martin'... I have never in my life had the chance to sit and serenade the world with one. That was a once in a lifetime experience... because OMG, the sounds that that vessel produced were beyond imagination. What an incredible instrument!!! What an incredible night!!!! It was magical in that the guitar was 'Chuck's baby. He could not be with us, but his spirit was. His Guitar was. AndThank you Universe for that. So now the night is closing. We're resting in 'John Wayne's' room. The patio doors are open, and the breeze from the waters of the bay are wafting in, as are the sounds of the water lapping the shore of the dock here at Lund. What an amazing space. What an amazing experience. What an amazing life. There are not enough words to say 'thank you' at this moment. A million options run through my... but none encompass what it is i'm trying to capture in my sharing. Maybe that's because what we're experiencing really can not be captured. So we'll leave it at that. The lapping of the waves on the shoreline at Lund. The imaginary pictures in our heads of what it was that 'John Wayne' found and embraced when he was here in Lund that led the town folk to call this place his space. Whatever... it's perfect... as is this moment in time when we just position our hearts to know it is as it is and we;re all in this together. Life is so very very good. Thank you for your part of my journey. Lap on Mother Natures... Lap on you beautiful spirit. The last six days have been wet, very wet. The drought that has plagued the islands for the entire summer seem to be giving way to the rainy season...a little early I'm afraid. It's needed through. It was so sad to see how dry and brown these beautiful islands had become over the summer months. There are water usage controls and fire bans everywhere. It's been scary in terms of the fire potential, and sad looking at the gardens and park areas, so water is good. We had planned to go on another extended adventure in R'Dream over the next days, venturing north to Lund. But the unpredictable weather and a scary event with the boat changed our minds, and we're going to ride along with friends instead. The scary time came on the way in from retrieving the crab trap on Sunday. The weather wasn't very good, but the trap had to be brought in, it'd been left out long enough. We headed out when the winds died to a manageable level, were rewarded by one Dungeness keeper in the trap, then headed back to the marina. Within minutes of when we should have arrived at the marina, the boat gave a lurch and a chug, and came to a halt. The motors were running, but something wasn't right. We limped her back into the marina, and scratched our heads. The next day we headed back to the boat. I did some work on the computer and Cecil began exploring possibilities of what it might be that caused the problem. After looking over all the parts that he could see, and finding nothing wrong, he decided that it had to be in the prop, guessing (correctly) that something had been grabbed and wrapped in the propeller. After waiting for the sunny day that never came to tackle it, we headed to the marina yesterday, and much to his chagrin, Cecil climbed into the freezing water to see what he could find. He was right, as he cut of chunk after chunk of green, shredded tarp that must have been unseen just below the surface of the water as we rode past. He came close to getting it all done, but the cold water was getting the best of him, and I convinced him that he had to get out of the water. I was afraid that hypothermia was going to set in if he didn't get in and get warmed up. He finally agreed, frustrated that he didn't finish the job. Today we headed back over and did manage to complete the task. Another shivery day for my husband, while I cheered on from the dry, upper deck. It was a nasty job to have to do, but he did it, which left him feeling very satisfied that as things come up with the boat, we will figure them out and tackle them one thing at a time. So now she's ready for us to do more exploring next week, if Mother Nature decides to work with us. If she doesn't, we'll figure out a plan 'B' as we go along! In the course of our day/adventure, we went completely around Salt Spring Island. Our goal had to been to go to the Rock Salt Restaurant for lunch in Fulford Harbour, but as happened the night before, our plans were foiled by lack of mooring. It broke my heart to see that lovely little red restaurant come into view, be so close, and yet so far away. Note to selves, we’ll have to make a day trip to Salt Spring just so I can have my feed of Tuk Tuk Chicken Rice Bowl. I’ve been dreaming of it since the last time I was there. The left over chicken finger and friends filled the void in my stomach, but not in my heart. We decided that we’d make our way around the south end of Salt Spring, and just go back as far as Crofton for the night. Either sleep in the camper or boat. Decide as the day goes on. We’re on island time, and making decisions that are based on that ideal. It’s wonderful! We’d spent six months on Salt Spring the year Shane died. I’ve always loved that Island, even before that time spent there. It’s called to me for as long as I can recall, and I’ve often answered. It was so different to see the entirety of it from that outside perspective. How unpopulated it appears to be on the west side. How close it is in proximity to Vancouver Island making our way through the channel back to Crofton. It was a completely different view. We thought for a time we’d try fishing, but the current kept us moving along at a pace we couldn’t quite relax into so we kept making our way home. At Crofton we found one space left on the dock and were so pleasantly surprised to learn it could be ours for the night. We learned more about how you make your way along this coastline. Who said you can’t teach a pair of old seadogs new tricks! It was nice having the boat so close the campground for a change. Easy to make your way back and forth. Easy to run for what you need when you forget that whatever that is isn’t where you are. Oh, the challenges! Anyhow, it’s all good. Our first big adventure behind us, and the two of us safe and sound. It’s been all we’ve dreamed of, and something we’re both enjoying. Celyn away on R’Dream. |
Living our Dreams while Health allowsCancer came knocking on our door again in July of 2014. It's visited before, through different times and people, myself included. This time it dropped by to remind us that life is short and precious. It came to remind us that in our 50s, things can and likely will change quickly, so start doing what you've been promising yourself you would do! Archives
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