April 18, 2005

April 18, 2005

Union Bay, Denman Island, Hornby Island, Courtenay / Comox, B.C.

DAY 305

 

Today was a sunny, warm day. Finally ! ! !

This morning we drove a few miles south on Island Highway 19A to the ferry landing at Buckley Bay where we bought ferry tickets < choke > to Denman Island, then Hornby Island. We took the ferry over to Denman Island, then drove across Denman Island and caught the ferry to Hornby Island. These 2 islands are close together, and both are close to the "big island", Vancouver Island. All the ferry rides are short. I had visited Denman and Hornby some years ago when I was out here visiting Pamela and Hein on a trip I took without Joanne. Denman and Hornby are very interesting, and this was an opportunity for Joanne to see them. Both islands are home to many "Escapees" from mainstream society. Hippies, and artists, and “bushies” make these islands home. We drove slowly across Hornby Island, exploring as we went. We stopped at the epicentre of Hornby, the Co-op store and artisans' centre. Most of the artisans' store fronts were closed, since it was Monday, and it's the off season for tourism. We browsed around the Co-op general store, then had a lovely fresh lunch at Jan's Restaurant, a small cafe beside the artisans' centre. Freshly prepared lunches using locally produced products. Salmon, crab, sprouts, home made guacamole and chutney, etc.. After lunch, we continued driving around Hornby, exploring. We stopped beside the beach, and took a long walk with Bo on the rocky shoreline, exploring tidal pools. Bo figures ... you never know ... if you've found a star fish once, there must be more out there to be found. We drove to a Provincial Park hiking trail, and took a long hike through thick, wet forest, to cliffs overlooking the shore. We drove to the far tip of the island, to Ford's Cove, where we walked out onto the large wharf serving fishing boats and recreational boats. The wharf is comprised of a series of floating dock sections. I had thought Bo was fearless, but such is not the case. He's afraid to step from one floating dock section to another. As we stepped from one floating dock section to another, with both sections of floating dock bobbing slightly, Bo would flatten on the dock we're stepping off, and whine, afraid to step a few inches over water to the next dock section.

We drove back to the ferry landing, and caught the ferry back to Denman Island. On Denman Island we continued exploring, stopping at a small apple orchard to buy some apple cider. Bo was excited about the peacocks walking around the yard. We drove to Denman Village, and browsed around the general store, and some artisans' shops and gift shops. We drove back to the ferry dock, and while waiting a few minutes for the ferry to start loading, Bo and I went for a short walk along the beach adjacent to the ferry dock. The water at the shoreline was filled with shell fish, including oysters. I picked up three oysters, thinking it would be a good opportunity to learn something about oysters, like how to open / shuck them. I tossed the 3 oysters into the box of the truck, and we drove onto the ferry for the short ride back to Buckley Bay. When we arrived at Buckley Bay, we turned south, to drive 2 km. to Fanny Bay. From the Denman Island ferry dock we could hear the sea lions all the way at Fanny Bay honking / barking. I remember Pam telling me the last time I was out here that sea lions congregate at Fanny Bay, to feed on the plentiful herring. We drove north back to Union Bay, dropped Bo off at the trailer, then drove to Pam's and Hein's. We were planning to take them out for dinner. When we arrived, I asked them if they would show me how to open oysters. Hein got their special oyster shucking tool, and we went outside for an oyster shucking lesson. Hein took an oyster, and with the special oyster shucking tool, pried open the shell. With the tool, he showed me how to cut the oyster off its shell. Then ... to my surprise, he picked up the oyster meat with the tip of the tool, and popped it into his mouth. OH ! ... Okay ! I took the next oyster, pried it open successfully, cut the meat off the shell, popped the slimy little piece of snot into my mouth, and swallowed hard. Hmmm ... tastes just like a salty, slimy little piece of snot ! You know, I'm always willing to try something once. Some things, however, don't warrant a second experience. Eating raw oysters right out of the shell ranks in that category. Hein says they’re better with a bit of Tabasco sauce. Yeah ... whatever !

We all loaded into Pam's car, and she drove us north about 20 km. / 12 mi. to the small twin cities of Courtenay and Comox. We went to an upscale Italian restaurant in Comox for dinner. Afterwards, we drove back to their house, and visited a bit more, until fairly late in the evening.

DSK