The Carey Adventures

Title: Holes

Location: Pender Island, British Columbia, Canada

Photograph Copyright Peter West Carey

Title: Some Need Ice, Some Don’t

Location: Haffner Creek, Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, Canada

Known as mixed climbing, or sometimes called dry tooling when no ice is involved, climbing technical rock with ice tools is often necessary when the ice doesn’t make it all the way to the ground.  Unlike the ice climber on the left, the mixed climber will attempt to simple place his tools and not smash into the rock, relying on balance and proper placement to advance up the rock. 

Photography Copyright Peter West Carey

To Purchase or License A Copy Of This Photo, Contact Me.

Title: Rock And Ice

Location: Haffner Creek, Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, Canada

Sorry no settings today.

Photograph Copyright Peter West Carey

No really, I forgot what this blog post was going to say.  I started my blog writer and then walked away from the computer.  Only to return to a blank slate and a blank mind.

Maybe I was going to write some grand Year In Review post as is the rage at this time of year.  But I think I’ll save that for January 2nd when the year to that point (otherwise known as January 1st) will be MUCH easier.  It has been an amazing year and my head spins to think of how utterly distant 2008 is to me.

I’ve learned to let go of a lot I have no control over.  I’ve learned to not judge things, events, people so quickly to being good or bad.  It seems those tales I read my daughter over and over finally got into my head.  A big pile of cement was placed on top last night with the reading of Fatima The Spinner And The Tent, a story once again pointing out you can never really know where you’re going, but it’s best to do your best each step of the way.  For one day, you will need all you have learned if you’ve taken the time to learn it.  Or something like that.  In essence, not seeing your lot in life as intrinsically good or bad because you never know what’s around the next bend.  Be happy, enjoy what you have.  That kinda stuff.

A year ago, I had a really hard time with that.  I wanted something that will never be and my anger at not being where I wanted in life was clouding all of my life.  One of those self fulfilling things.  If all you see is gloom, chances are you’ll get more gloom.  If what you really want is to see the sun, chances are the gloom doesn’t look so bad.  And nothing ever stays the same anyway.  Focus on what you desire and whether you buy into all the hippy-dippy intentions, manifesting, chanting to the moon stuff or not, it’s a decent way to live.  Some call it setting goals and in my personal life I’ve seen it work fairly well to keep those goals in front of me as a reminder of where I want to go, whether I make it there or not. 

The trick is to also be open to all the other stuff going on in your life while focusing on those goals.  Focus need not mean tunnel vision.  It’s key in life to ask for help when needed and be willing to accept it, even if you didn’t ask.   I know a lot more people today than I did a year ago because of asking for help, learning from others and being open.  I am very thankful for those from my past who are still with me, the long time friends, some of them since before elementarily school.  And I am very thankful for those new friends who have popped into my life this last year and made it an amazing ride.

Unlike some reaching midlife (no, I’m not even close yet, I plan to live healthily to 100) and dealing with a major life changing event, I ran for a bit.  But not far.  I have a daughter which helps temper my past inklings to get jacked up on adrenaline.  And I didn’t run far.  Ok, Australia was far.  But that, honestly, was running to something.  It is a place I always wanted to visit and curiosity, and cheap airfare, got me pointed in that direction.  I tend to seek adventure by nature and maybe that is all just running away.  But I doubt it, I’ve grown more reasonable and responsible by having someone in my life to care for.  She’s still forefront in my thoughts.  She is someone I could never run from and will always be my call, bringing me home time and again.

Maybe I was going to write about all the new friends I’ve made?  I doubt it, because my fear of leaving someone out and hurting feelings is holding me back from that.  It’s one hell of a list containing some new groups: writers (bloggers in disguise), bloggers (writers in disguise), travelers, climbers (this group had become so small from my lack of climbing in the past decade, that it feels like starting over).  And additions to old groups.  I don’t count my blessings by the quantity alone, but by the quality.  This may sound odd, but I don’t always make friends so easily and it’s been one thing I’ve worked on this last year.  Just meeting people and making friends for the sake of friendship, connectedness.  I had no magical goal in mind for his and honestly didn’t think about it much until February of 2009.  It’s best not to set goals with friends except maybe to value and cherish them.

Or maybe I was going to write about all the fun trips: Utah visiting old, grand friends, Mexico to brave a tropical storm with more friends, Oregon offroading (and the smashed window of the truck), The TBEX Roadtrip to Chicago, Pennsylvania for a day or two to say goodbye, Australia to say hello to strangers who became friends, San Francisco for some good IT work and music, British Columbia to experience an RV in small places (with a big interior), Cape Disappointment which is named all wrong when the sun is out and you’re yurting it, Ocean Shores for more comfort from friends than I thought possible and much needed healing to begin, Hawaii for pure adventure and fun (more posts from there in the new year!) and then home.  I’m sure I left a trip or two out, the beginning of the year is blurry.

But that all sounds braggadocios, doesn’t it?  It’s hard to express thanks for a wonderful life and not sound that way.  Sure, not everything has gone how I would have liked it to this last year.  A change in martial status (as a friend of mine so gently put it) which seemed inevitable at the beginning on of the year, eventually came true.  But it’s never the end, I’ve found out.  I actually already knew that and would readily tell friends when dealing with hardship, but having lived it for a while, I’m glad to know I wasn’t lying to them.  Even with that big life change which some consider earth shattering, life continues and it is indeed what you make of it.

I doubt all but my parents are reading this far which means it’s time to cut it. 

Thank you to all the old friends who have remained in my life and helped me out this last year.

Thank you to the new friends who I didn’t even know existed at this time last year. 

Take good care of yourself

pwc

Title: Crossing The Waters

Location: Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada (MAP)

Photograph Copyright Peter West Carey

Title: Craddock Beach

Location: South Pender Island, British Columbia, Canada (MAP)

Photograph Copyright Peter West Carey

In September, Pam was fortunate enough to be invited by BC Tourism for a little spin around the Gulf Islands of British Columbia, Canada…..in a 32′ RV.  Fearing the worst may happen if she didn’t surround herself with a crack squad of experienced Road Trip experts, she still found a valid reason to invite Kelly and I.  This was something new for both Pam and Kelly, neither of whom had driven such an RV.

The trip was a lot of fun and I still have posts to write about our adventures.  There was one little mishap though.

What you are about to witness is a re-creation of actual events, followed by Pam’s “Lessons Learned” session when we returned our dented RV to Fraserway RV in Langley, BC.  If you’d prefer to read Pam’s rendition of events, her blog does a wonderful job of that.  And for the record, the dent is bigger than the video shows, plus we could not open that door again.

Title: Lots O Starfish

Location: Galiano Island, British Columbia, Canada

Photograph Copyright Peter West Carey

Title: Lone Heron

Location: Gulf Island, British Columbia, Canada

Photograph Copyright Peter West Carey

It’s hard to imagine these beautiful islands ever having an off season.  I’m talking here about the Gulf Islands off of Vancouver, British Columbia .  Lush with evergreen trees and rocky beaches, these emeralds in the sea beckon year round.  Personally, I LOVE the off season for travel just about anywhere.  Sure, I have to put up with some less than ideal weather from time to time, but the off season is a great time to relax away from the crowds.  And crowd avoidance is high on my ‘must have’ travel list.

Taking BC Ferries from Tsawwassan on BC’s mainland to Galiano Island, Pam, Kelly and I depart as the sun drops below mountainous Vancouver Island.  After spending some time on the outer decks, soaking in the fading light to the South, we head inside to escape the chill.  Plus, it was dark out there!  Not much to see along the Strait of Georgia except distant lights at night.  We seat ourselves in the forward section of the boat, Pam and Kelly reading over local information provided on the boat, chatting amongst ourselves but not that quietly.

“Are you staying on Galiano Island?” asked the girl who’s seat we had accidentally invaded while she was up.

“Just for one night and then we have an early ferry reservation in the morning for Pender Island.  We’re bummed we don’t get to stay longer,” we let her know.

“Oh, you HAVE to stay longer than that.  And the boats between islands don’t take reservations, so you could just grab a later one.  Here, let me check.”  She then pulled out a ferry schedule and proceeded to decipher the sometimes crazy arrangements of islands and boats and directions to let us know there was a 5:45pm boat the same day.  And if we missed that one, there was one around 8pm.

It turns out Kayho worked at the information booth on Galiano Island and was indispensable in suggesting multiple activities and hot spots to hit around the island.  Not only had she found us extra time on the island, she had also filled it with local attractions,  many of which we’d never think to visit without her recommendation.  If you’re reading this, Kayho, Thank You!!

Without having a summer time visit to compare it to, I’d say Galiano is definitely quite in the off season.  Many of the B&Bs we passed were still open and all of the parks were accessible, though.  On Kayho’s advice we hiked out to Pebble Beach to find it deserted (and we’d later find, thanks to an article in the New York Times, that this beach can be clothing optional in the warmer months).  The Bluffs; deserted. The hidden spot Kayho suggested with panoramic views to the North, where I subsequently sliced my hand open while falling on sharp rocks; deserted.  Our campground at Montague Harbour Provincial Marine Park, almost deserted.  We met five other humans, two blue herons sand about 40 starfish on our 1.5km walk around the park.  There were only two other campers in the park that first night and it was blissfully quiet.

After some exploring it was time for breakfast and if you follow any of my previous trip you will know that means bacon.  It’s just a thing, I like bacon on a road trip.

“We’re not serving breakfast today.  Only Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Plus our cook is gone,” answered the gal behind the counter at Sturdies Bay Bakery & Cafe when I asked about breakfast at 11:30am.

When I offered to cook it myself I saw a moment of hesitation while she laughed kindheartedly and sent us to the bakery counter for delicious pastries.  As we sat reading newspapers left by other patrons, munching on our various non-bacon meals, I was happy for the lack of a packed, bustling bakery.  I was happy the roads were uncrowded, making navigation with our 32′ Winnebago easier than expected on the tight, country roads.  I was happy we didn’t have to worry about a long lineup when we went to catch our ferry.

I was happy to have the feeling as if we had the entire island almost all to ourselves.  It gave us unfettered access to nooks and crannies, and it made roaming and exploring a lot more fun.  A lot more relaxed.

If you’re looking to get away from the crowds and are looking for an island where you can feel at home, Galiano Island is worth your time any day of the year.  If you don’t mind some damp, gray days and a relaxing walk on a beach all to yourself, it is absolutely worth a look in the off season.

Quick Facts

• Located in the Gulf Islands off Vancouver Island in British Columbia
• Population: 1250
• Service by BC Ferries from either Tsawwassen near Vancouver, or Swartz Bay hear Victoria.
• Official Website