A visit to memory lane - Vancouver Island // A Photo Jounal

Where I'd want to live

For some reason ever since I was little the draw of Vancouver Island has been something that has been hard to shake. I grew up visiting my Great Grandmother in Nanaimo almost every summer. The memories of visiting her are some of my strongest from childhood. From the taste of her Kuchen (cake) to stealing blackberries together from the neighbours, and hearing her giggle. The island calls, I think one day I'll move here. One day.

Vivid memories

We used to go with her neighbour (a former firefighter) on his boat to go salmon fishing. I still like fishing, and don't get to do it nearly enough. We'd get up early and take his boat out - he was kind enough to always let me pull one in. I also remember being completely grossed out by sea lice (look it up). He was a good man, taught us how to fillet and clean the fish. I often wonder why it's this stuff I remember from my childhood.

Learned tastes

It was on the island that I learned to love the taste of the sea. I love oysters, and muscles and clams. I wish my kid would like these tastes too, but I guess without the associated experience of digging them out of the sand with your hands it just seems like gooey slime. I remember going out with buckets and picking clams when the tide was out with the locals. Bringing the bounty back to the beach, putting them in buckets of fresh water with oatmeal so they'd clean themselves. Then, we'd play all day anticipating cooking them over the fire with a bit of garlic and butter. It doesn't get better than this. Unfortunately it's been overpicked quite heavily - so it's almost impossible to have the same experience. Maybe way up north....

(The photo above is an oyster farm.)

Peace

There's nothing quite like being around the ocean in the early morning, and at the close of day. It's pure peace. I know solitude living near the mountains, but the ocean for some reason brings me peace. It's different. The sound of the waves quiets my mind like no where else.

We'll be back...

As I was flipping through pictures of the island, it brought back so many good memories. Vivid ones and even a few sad ones. I miss my great grandma, she was amazing and I wish my daughter could have met her. I'm glad I could show her a few of the places we grew up visiting, and I hope I can show her more in the coming years.

If you haven't been to Vancouver Island I highly recommend it.

Perhaps you'll make some of your own island memories.

Where were the photos taken?

(All of the above photos were taken in Fanny Bay. Near Comox, BC. Famous for oysters and a great place for a holiday. I highly recommend it. The low tides are great for SUP, kids and dogs. They go out forever, and when they come back it warms the pacific over the sand. Perfect)