Part 1 – Mowhinna Creek Campground – Salt Spring Island, British Columbia
Sunday, September 8, 2024 – Mowhinna Creek Campground – Salt Spring Island, BC – site 47
Left our trailer storage area at 10:30 am, which is amazing considering that I am not a morning person. So, getting up early is not something I look forward to regardless of what the day happens to portend.
But off we went without a hitch. Actually, we did have a hitch. Which of course is something you really need when pulling a trailer!
First stop – the Canadian border at Peace Arch in Blaine, Washington.
The Peace Arch is valued as a symbol of the peaceful co-existence of two nations and marks the western edge of the longest undefended border in the world. And just because we had absolutely adhered to every regulation we could read about regarding bringing food and alcohol from Washington State into Canada, the only questions we were asked by the nice man who held our life in his hands were 1) where we were going in Canada, 2) how long we would be in Canada, 3) did we have any firearms in either the truck or trailer, or 4) were we carrying any live animals on board? I wanted to answer that Mr. C. was a live animal, but I thought better of messing with the guy. Over the years it has been my experience that border crossing folks have absolutely no sense of humor. So, I showed remarkable restraint, and we were allowed to proceed onto the hallowed grounds of Canada after about a minute of intense questioning. So, now what to do with our time between noon and our 5:15 pm ferry reservation? Have lunch, of course!
So, we went into the thriving metropolis of Tsawwassen to look for any café or restaurant where we could find a place to park. Believe me, you haven’t lived until you have been in a town and your truck and trailer together are 45 feet long. (And we have a small 25-foot trailer. Imagine towing a 36-foot trailer! No, don’t even go there. It’s too horrifying to even imagine.)
Anyway, we found a place to eat (White Spot Restaurant) right next to a large parking lot and enjoyed a very nice meal.
After lunch we headed for the ferry terminal. When we got to the ticket booth, we were so early that the ticket lady had to call and see if we could get in line or if not, we would have to leave the area and come back later. Luckily, we were allowed to get in line. And yes, we were the first in line. So, 4 hours later, we were the second to the last vehicle escorted onto the ferry. (See how that works!)
But even though we were worried about getting totally bored for those 4 hours, they went by in a flash. There was so much activity going on at the terminal, we were absolutely captivated watching ferries come and go and all the employees doing this and that. We even heard an announcement for the driver of a black EVO to return to the ticket booth. We then saw the EVO sneaking in and out through the lanes trying to escape the police car that was right on its tail. Apparently, the driver had gone through a booth without paying. But just like at an airport, there is a tall structure that looks like an air traffic control tower where the entire terminal can be closely monitored. So, this poor EVO driver really didn’t have a chance. And since you too may have no idea what an “EVO” is, allow me to explain. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, popularly referred to as the ‘Evo’, is a sports sedan and rally car based on the Lancer that was manufactured by Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors from 1992 until 2016.
So, now we are on the ferry for a very calm crossing.
Looking down on our trailer from the sun deck
Then on to Ganges and our camp site for the next 4 nights.
After supper it was an early to bed. Suffice it to say we were so tired neither of us opened our books. That my friends, is a rare occurrence.
Monday, September 9, 2024 – Mowhinna Creek Campground
Slept in until 9:00 am. (We really needed the rest.) Then after a big breakfast, we decided to take a ride up the northern part of the island. We had been on Salt Spring Island 20 years ago for a wedding (nephew Rolfe and Rebecca) but had not been on this Gulf Island since. And since Rebecca calls Salt Spring Island her “favorite place on Earth”, we decided to pick her brain about what to see and do while we were here. So, with a list in hand, we hopped in the truck and away we went.
Our only stop on this first day was for seafood in Vesuvius at the Seaside Restaurant. Nice outdoor seating right next to the ferry terminal where we watched a ferry come in and leave. And we realized we could take that ferry when we left on Thursday for Vancouver Island. It would save us several miles (excuse me) “klicks” of driving. Plus, the boat was fairly small, and it looked like it would be fun to ride.
Picture of the ferry from our restaurant table
Then we decided to go to the Mount Maxwell lookout. Right! We made it quite away up the very poor road. But when it not only got rougher, narrower, and steeper, we turned around. Four-wheel drive truck and all, but it was just a bit too much for me. When Andy asked me if we should maybe turn around, I instantly answered yes. And there is still no question in my mind that we made the correct decision.
Then back to camp for me to sit outside our trailer and read while Andy took a quick hike around Ruckle Park where Rolfe and Rebecca had been married.
Upon his return to camp, it was time for happy hour. Then dinner and Andy back to his book and me to write up this post.
Then lights out thinking about what mischief we could get into the next day.
Tuesday – September 10, 2024 – Mowhinna Creek Campground
I actually slept until 9:00 am this morning. And it was delightful. I think I mainly sleep better in our trailer because I don’t have a cat cuddled up to me all night. Plus, fewer commitments at home that I sometimes worry to death when I should be sleeping peacefully. But the fact of the matter is that I love being able to sleep until I jolly well feel like dragging my old bones upright from delectable horizontality. And I know. It sounds like we take these mini vacations just to rest and relax. And you would be spot on! We appreciate our getaways so that Andy can take a break from our homeowners’ association on which he serves as treasurer and from his busy gigging schedule. But don’t get me wrong. We love our busy lives, but the 3 or 4 times a year when we can take a respite from reality, we kick back and relax like we can’t at home.
So, for today, it was more adventures on the beautiful Salt Spring Island.
And during our drive we saw some beautiful countryside. We climbed up and down over hill and dale, passed freshwater lakes, feathered friends,
encountered a myriad of saltwater inlets,
St. Paul’s Catholic Church, which is Salt Spring Island’s oldest church built between 1880 and 1885. Founded in 1878 by Father Doncklele who was the first Roman Catholic missionary on the Gulf Islands,
Fulford Harbour
and more farm stands than we could count. At one farm stand we bought tomatoes, pattypan squash, and beautiful green beans.
(Apparently there are about 200 farm stands on the island.) Then we stopped at the Salt Spring Island Cheese shop and purchased some delicious goat cheese. At the Tuesday Farmers Market in Ganges, we bought corn on the cob and a wool dryer ball.
And should you be as ignorant of dryer balls as I was until recently, allow me to explain. Dryer balls are commonly made of tightly compressed wool. They help prevent laundry from clumping together in the dryer by tumbling between layers and separating fabric. This action allows warm air to circulate better which can help reduce drying time. The movement of the dryer balls against fabrics can also help fight wrinkles, prevent static, and soften clothes. So, of course I had to have one.
Then we stopped at Buzzy’s Luncheonette, a small Jewish establishment where they proudly make their sandwiches with their own Montreal smoked meat.
Our final stop for the day was the Embe Bakery in Ganges. We had been advised to try one of their Eccles Cakes, but they were sold out. So, Andy enjoyed an Affogato, and I had a marvelous strawberry ice cream cone.
Then back to camp for a late afternoon read in the sun for me while Andy decided to take a nice beach walk.
So, off he went while I finished Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, winner of the Nobel Prize.
When Andy returned it was cocktail time and time to watch the Presidential debate. While we rarely watch debates, I really wanted to hear and see what each of the presidential candidates had to say. And once again I was reminded that there are responsible, caring people in this world, and others who are only in it for themselves. And I couldn’t help but wonder once again, why every American citizen over the age of 18 wasn’t seeing, hearing, and comprehending the same thing I was witnessing. One of the candidates was speaking like a wise and informed adult. The other candidate sounded like a spoiled 4-year-old with boundaries yet to be learned. And why anyone could believe that someone with a proven record of detestable behavior would care in the least what happened to them or to future generations is way beyond my comprehension. The thought that some of the listeners couldn’t see through all the elephant excrement left me absolutely repulsed! And very sad for what might happen to our country. Because the same people who depend most on social security, Medicare, Medicaid, low-cost medical insurance, and the rights of women to take responsibility for their own bodies, are the very ones who have the most to lose if an elephant is elected in November. An elephant, the symbol of the Republican party, supposedly represents intelligence, dignity, and strength. But that is not what I see represented any longer. I see just the opposite. So, for the immediate future the only thing I can do is forget about the whole mess and cook dinner. So, that’s just what I did.
After dinner it was read and write and lights out. Another wonderful day on Salt Spring Island.
Wednesday – September 11, 2024 – Mowhinna Creek Campground
Woke up several times during the night to the pitter-pat of rain on our trailer roof. Not a bad sound, but not a good omen for what kind of day we might expect upon awakening. But when dawn arrived there was a reduction of sprinkles, and patches of sun appeared periodically. So, although it wasn’t warm, it wasn’t cold either. We decided the first part of today’s road adventure would be a visit to the Embe Bakery in Ganges to see if they had any Eccles cakes with our name on them. But before I go any further, I should give you the reasons I was so determined to try one of these pastries. First, our niece-in-law Rebecca had told us we simply must buy one while we were visiting Salt Spring Island. The second reason is because Maisie Dobbs, the female private investigator protagonist in Jacqueline Winspear’s fabulous series set in post–World War I London, is crazy about Eccles cakes and orders them everywhere she dines. So, having read as many of the books in the series as I could find, I decided I too must find out what all the fuss was about. And boy am I glad they were available this morning. Not cheap. Six Canadian dollars for one very small pastry. But they are truly delicious. They are basically a spiced currant and candied citrus peel filled pastry covered with flaky sugar.
A whole Eckles Cake – looks big but it’s only about 4 inches wide. (It’s on a small plate.)
Cut so you can see the filling.
After leaving the bakery, we decided to visit the local arts and crafts store. Very nice works of art which included a wooden whale’s tail (fluke) that followed us out of the shop and now resides at Chez Carr.
A beautiful charcuterie board that didn’t follow us out of the store. (But I now wish it had.)
A lovely guitar that I also wish we had purchased, but figured Vicki could use this picture as a prototype.
Then we hit the local grocery store for a couple of provisions before starting another drive around the island.
One of the places that we found the most beautiful was Burgoyne Bay. I could have stayed there for hours just looking at the calm water and beautiful landscape.
As we were driving, I told Andy that I could happily live on this island. However, I would miss all the musical opportunities available to him where we live. And that I would also miss live theater and all the other cultural events at the level of competency with which we have become accustomed. Not to mention our dear friends that we couldn’t see on a regular basis. Or easy access for our relatives to come and visit us. So, although we plan to return to Salt Spring Island as often as possible, we think we’ll stay on Camano for the foreseeable future.
Back at our trailer we had a late lunch and Andy decided to take another exploratory walk. But for me it was to write up today’s events, which incidentally gives me a great deal of pleasure.
Oh, and if you happen to be wondering if Eccles cakes are in my baking future, if you don’t know the answer by now, you simply have not been paying attention or have never met me! (Of course, I’m going to make these as soon as I get home.)
After dinner we read our respective books until we could no longer keep our eyes open.
Tomorrow it’s on to Vancouver Island for 3 different camping sites. A total of 13 nights. And I can hardly wait. But I will really miss Salt Spring Island. The people are friendly, and the scenery is amazing. And I love all the farm stands. You can find everything from art to apples, corn to cucumbers, flowers to milled flour. And each time you are putting a bit of money in a local farmer’s or craft person’s hands.
Never fear Salt Spring Island, I shall return!
End of part one. Four more to come.