Wednesday, May 15, 2002, 9:41 am, Powell River, BC
Once packed, we drove north of Sechelt, through the fine spring forest, to Earl’s Cove — spending an hour in the Egmont area while waiting for the ferry across Jervis Inlet. The crossing, too, was very fine, the sun magnificent on the blue waters — while we ate the salmon bun lunch G. had prepared — and by half past one we were in Powell River.
Texada Island and Malaspina Strait, Powell River, BC, 14 May 2002
There, we conducted the usual preliminary tour — the townsite is quite attractive — and then looked for lodgings, settling on an oceanside cabin on Malaspina Strait looking to Texada Island. The motel site has the appearance of a place under perpetual construction, but it is blissfully quiet, and its ocean-and-island view superb and restful. There are many seals in the channel, and birds abound: this morning a magnificent swan swam peacefully in the channels of the outcrops.
The cottage at Powell River, 14 May 2002
Once settled in, we returned to town to determine good hiking trails from the Visitor Information — and there I was promptly offered a meeting, for nine this morning, with its marketing manager. However, I cancelled this this morning. Afterwards, on the recommendation of information centre staff, we tracked down the ‘Seafood Shack,’ a floating store with a genial, Shakespeare-liking owner, at the main wharf past the ferry docks — and came away with scallops in the shell and today’s catch of prawn.
After brief stops at an Overwaitea and a gas station, we lingered nearly the entire evening over our meal – which proved entirely delicious.
And today another splendid morning.
*** 8:26 p.m.
Watching the mentally stunted pyromaniacs building their beer-fed fire on the shore ….
We had a fine hike today — 7 ½ km of forest trail to two falls – Fern Falls and Mimulus Falls – on Suicide Creek – reached by car by way of Duck Lake Road to Burma Road. G. did very well – even switching her walking stick to her right hand on the return leg. Much fine forest, including much arboreal graveyard and birds tender with their song. We lunched at ‘The Furniture’ by the creek at the farthest point of the hike.
Hiking Suicide Creek Trail, Powell River, BC, 14 May 2002
