I like living in a “ferry-dependent community.” It gives us this insulated quality. I like that Lower Mainlanders can’t wrap their heads around the idea that we need a boat to get here but we are not an island. I call the 8:20 “the first boat” although I know it’s not because getting up that early is something I can’t wrap my head around. I like that the corporation actually added a later boat (we got pretty mad) and has given us priority boarding (finally, sort of). I like that if you want to leave, it’s free. I will miss walking on and off the lower deck when the passenger ramp is built, but not the irrational fear of dropping something. If you haven’t gone lately you may be surprised to find a four-hour gap in mid-day sailings. I know I was.
After my first year here I realized I needed work that didn’t exist on the Coast. I began a job search in Vancouver, taking my 1979 Toyota Liftback Deluxe on the dreaded 6:20 once a week or so. After weeks of this, I perfected the onboard nap, using “16” as an alarm. This particular groggy morn I awoke in a panic, unable to recall where I had parked. I descended to the vehicle decks in search of my primer grey beauty, but as we approached Horseshoe Bay my anxiety grew until the “bump” set me to running around like the proverbial headless chicken. As the cars started to debark and the feeling of doom enveloped me, a memory came to the surface... I had walked on!
From the Denman Island run: two pickups, driven by locals, load onto the open deck vessel, one after the other. After the first truck stopped at the bow of the ship, the second driver exits and joins his buddy in the first truck. Soon after, some type of smoke can be seen billowing from the window as I imagine they are decompressing on their return to paradise. The 10-minute run isn’t long but long enough for both to forget that the second driver had actually driven on, as the two left together in one truck!
A good many shops, MELOMania Music and Elfinstones Rock and Gem among them, have a schedule of opening hours/days posted at their doors now. Most of our local businesses are open in some form so it is up to us to be there for them so they can be there for us. Message me with any news you have about your Creek business and I will let your community know what’s up.
Sunshine Coast Streamkeepers are at it again! Saturday, June 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., removing the invasive plants around Malcolm Creek. Meet them near the bridge over Malcolm Creek on the path to the beach. Dress for it and bring small clippers and PPE! They could use the help of someone with a pickup to haul the stuff away. scstreamkeepers@gmail.com for more details.
kellybacks@rocketmail.com
