I slept more last night than I have since the hives started, and this morning felt halfway human for the first time in months. I took Cookie and Kai for an early-morning walk on the harbour. There are few things I love more than a paved, accessible, waterfront walk. (On
Continue readingTag: Vancouver Island
wmtc: cpmvfsgu day 3
We had another good breakfast at Popsey’s, then hit the road to Victoria. Campbell River is halfway between Port Hardy, the northernmost town on the Island, and Victoria, at the southern tip. We really felt the change in climate, from the north and west coast cool, temperate barely-summer weather, to
Continue readingwmtc: consolation-prize mini-vacation featuring special guest urticaria: day 1 and 2
This is the time when wmtc turns into a travel journal, which I write almost entirely for myself, for a record of my travels. First of all, we were supposed to travel in April, an ultimate road trip that would take in everything I could want in a vacation, from
Continue readingwmtc: in which i reflect on the joys of summer in north vancouver island, especially during the pandemic
In 2015, Allan and I moved into an apartment, for the first time since leaving New York City in late 2005. We had rented a series of houses for 10 years. Now the market had changed and it was clear there were no houses for rent in our price range
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Lucky Lager: the Island’s working-class beer thrives despite craft craze
Originally published by beermebc.com Lucky Lager: the Island’s working-class beer thrives despite craft craze – Beer Me British Columbia by Larry Pynn Guest contributor Larry Pynn is a longtime Vancouver Sun writer who became Read more…
Continue readingwmtc: picket lines, pupdates, and the 51st parallel: 10 things on my mind
It’s been a while. 1. Mom went home. My mom went home two weeks ago, after spending seven weeks here. I was sad to see her go! We had a great time, and it got better as we went along and settled into a routine. The dogs must especially miss
Continue readingwmtc: island day trip with mom: grant bay and winter harbour
As we enter the last week of my mother’s extended visit, we took one last day trip, out to Grant Bay, on the west coast. As I’ve mentioned, there are no paved roads to the Pacific coast in the North Island. In fact, only two roads on the whole island
Continue readingwmtc: island day trip with mom: whale watching cruise from telegraph cove
The pictures tell the story this time — all Allan’s. It was an amazing experience, far better than I expected. We also learned a lot about whales. It was such a privilege to be around these magnificent animals. We weren’t out 10 minutes before we saw orcas, humpbacks, and porpoises.
Continue readingwmtc: island day trip with mom: alert bay
This week’s day trip was fascinating, meaningful, and so much fun. We went to Alert Bay, toured the U’mista Cultural Centre (us for the second time, my mom for the first), and participated in a traditional salmon barbeque through Culture Shock. Know before you go: residential schools and the potlatch
Continue readingwmtc: weekend trip with mom: a few days in the comox valley
I thought it would be fun for my mom to see a different part of Vancouver Island. I didn’t want her going home thinking the whole island is a sparsely populated rain forest! Plus it’s more fun stuff to do together. I booked an Airbnb in Royston — just south
Continue readingwmtc: island day trip with mom: sointula
This week’s day trip with my Mom was the town of Sointula. One of my libraries is located in Sointula, so I’ve been there a couple of times, but had never had an opportunity to explore the town or surrounding Malcolm Island. Sointula has a fascinating history: it was founded
Continue readingwmtc: extended mom visit
My mother is visiting from Oregon. That visiting from Oregon part still looks weird to me, since for my entire life — and her entire life until a few years ago — my mother has lived in the New York/New Jersey metro area. After her first great-grandchild (my great-niece) was born
Continue readingwmtc: backyard baby bear
This adorable little dude was not actually in our backyard, but close enough! He or she was just over the back fence of our next-door neighbour’s yard. He was crying and mewing so loudly, we were worried he was scared or in distress. So I spoke to a conservation officer
Continue readingwmtc: spectacular photos of bald eagles in port hardy
Check out these incredible photographs of bald eagles at Storey’s Beach in Port Hardy, created by my friend sM. The story is here. I wish sM would post more photos! There must be dozens of other great shots that don’t meet her standards for public viewing. But these will give
Continue readingwmtc: in which we become homeowners?!
We are buying a house! The list of things we said we’d never do is really beginning to pile up! An SUV, a third dog, and now this. All our lives — until now — renting was the only thing that made sense. The price of real estate in NYC
Continue readingwmtc: the north island report: alert bay, eagles, and our first ontario visitors (photos to follow)
When we moved to Port Hardy, I was sure that none of our Ontario friends would ever visit. It’s so far away, and not an easy place to travel to. I was so happy to be wrong! Two sets of close friends have reason to be in Vancouver this year,
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Albertans, in their ‘bitumen bubble,’ may have missed the significance of West Coast Green goings on
We Albertans have been living in a bit if a bubble – a bitumen bubble. As a consequence, we may not all have noticed what’s been happening on Canada’s West Coast. So the potential significance of the victory in a federal by-election Monday by Paul Manly of the Green Party
Continue readingwmtc: the north island report: what is going on with the price of gas?
I normally don’t complain about prices, and I dislike when other people with privilege do so. But for every rule, there’s at least one exception, and this is it. What the hell is going on with the price of gas?? Gas is always expensive in our area, often a good
Continue readingwmtc: first bear sighting of the season
We see bald eagles every day here, and we’ve seen lots of elk — but they never stick around for a photo. This little guy was munching away, and let us get some pics from the safety of our car. It was a beautiful privilege to see him. No lectures
Continue readingwmtc: the north island restaurant report: where to eat in port hardy and port mcneill
I was sure that one of the downsides of moving to a small town in a relatively remote area would be a serious lack of food choices. I’ve been very happy to be wrong! There aren’t a lot of restaurants here, but what’s here is very good — well-prepared, fresh,
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