Renewal

Camping was wonderful! Gabriola Island is practically paradise: sculpted sandstone beaches with plenty of marine life to explore in tidal pools; sandy beaches for playing and swimming; great markets, including Artworks (where I bought a beautiful tie-dyed sarong) and the farmers’ market; blackberries — tons of sweet, plump blackberries (an August treat). I could go on…. It was a terrific week of camping, relaxing, reading, and visiting.

Now that I’m home again, I’m itching to get back to writing. With some hesitation, however, I gave up a whole day yesterday and headed out with my family to Nootka Island aboard the Uchuck III, reminding myself that experiencing life is necessary for writing about it. Well, what a day! I can’t believe I hesitated! The weather was glorious, and the two-hour ride on the transformed mine-sweeper was fun. (Thanks, Ken. ) In the name of experience, I accepted our host’s invitation to tour the engine room, and even that was pretty cool.

After we docked at Friendly Cove (so named by Captain Cook), we had three hours to enjoy the island. A short walk took us to the west side of the island and an unending view of the Pacific. I lost myself playing in the cold, crashing waves, and then wandered the beach, sandals in hand. The stones on the beach are all round, many polished and gleaming from years of battering tides (I came home with a pocketful of beautiful rocks).

We spent a fascinating half-hour talking with the light-keeper. Can you believe the lighthouse uses only one 35 watt bulb?! That tiny light can be seen for 17 miles. Amazing! Before we felt ready to end our conversation, the Uchuck’s whistle sounded and we had to go.

Three hours was not nearly enough time in this stunning place, but we had to board again or be stranded until the next boat came in on Wednesday. The ride home was as pleasant as the one there, and the winding 1 1/2 hour drive back through the fir and cedar forests of Strathcona Park brought us safely home. A day well spent….

Holidays are supposed to provide rest and renewal (in my humble opinion). Sometimes they seem to have the opposite effect, but not this time: I am definitely rested and renewed. What a blessing.