It was only fitting that the first boat trip of the year for my friends with three week old Lucy was to Lucy Island. We were fortunate to be invited along and I was beyond excited to spend the day at the beach. Before we could leave the harbour, the boat had some mechanical problems that needed to be dealt with, so back we went to town and Cowpuccinos for hot chocolates while we waited for the boat to be fixed. It didn’t take long at all before we were out on the water again and headed to Lucy.
We couldn’t have asked for a nicer day. Blue skies and warm sun on our faces. The kids needed only sweaters and enjoyed bare feet on the sand. I so appreciate the natural calm and contentment that the kids immediately feel when we come here. I think the island’s obvious disconnect to the mainland with the lights, noise, and other manmade distractions helps with this.
We came home from last year’s thanksgiving trip at the cabin, to the aftermath of a 158 km/h windstorm and we saw further evidence of the windstorm here on Lucy Island as we walked through the forest. The forest had so much light streaming in and I was shocked at the size of the blown over trees and their huge root masses now upright. The trail would have been impassable had a crew not come out to make way for the new boardwalk built from beach to lighthouse.
There were so many signs of early spring to take in on the pathway. I love this time of year!
(click to see any of the pictures in this post bigger or more of them)
And of course I had to restock my shell collection since the giveway I did last fall. I found so many beautiful discarded shells once the tide made way for searching on the isthmus.
Cam and Keith got about an hour to fish before we left the island and caught one fine sized halibut. Perfect to eat the next day for a bbq lunch along with the couple crab we caught. I snapped a picture (below) of a female Dungeness before releasing her back into the ocean, with her massive ball of eggs. An incredible sight. I’ve never seen the egg mass so large.
what a beautiful place. a magical part of the world, for sure.
there is so much magic going on in all these photos, a little escape for my eyes. further persuasion to move more north along this coast where things are a bit wilder and there is much to exlore.
Wow, the massive ball of eggs on the Dungeness.
PS you should write a children’s book about Lucy Island…
That picture of Lucy on Lucy island is such sweetness. We need to come play at Lucy island one day with you all. Beautiful pictures (as always!)
ps. sending hugs from the 4 of us- we miss you guys!
Another beautiful oasis of photos, Annie, and I love how each time you photograph and write about Lucy Island there is deeper understanding, connection and meaning in the place for you. Places have a spirit, for us to absorb and fuse into our bones, if only we gear down to allow the slow to happen.
That crab-mama was amazing. I’ve never seen the eggs like that. What a gift and symbol of fertility.
I agree with you K, doesn’t it sound like a glorious place to live and play??
Thank you all! Denise, you are so right! I feel so lucky to live here.
K- I love that it’s wilder and less explored up here. I struggled living on the island, albeit central east vancouver island and the lack of public spaces. Almost no hiking, a few provincial parks peppered here and there filled with so many other people looking to explore like we were. We considered just going more north on the island to get more rural and then Haida Gwaii but I’m happy where we ended up.
Lise- Thanks for the suggestion. My husband in particular thinks that’s a good one.
We are so lucky to have so many special places to explore. I think it just goes to show that even the most unappealing places to live are likely wonderfully beautiful if you just look around. Most people would agree that they’d never want to live here and yet I love it- more than most places I’ve lived and certainly more than I expected to!
Tai- that would be so awesome to have you guys out this way for some adventures. I’d love to try and make that happen. We miss you guys too!
Thanks, Erin. I love what you say here especially: “Places have a spirit, for us to absorb and fuse into our bones, if only we gear down to allow the slow to happen.” I couldn’t agree more.
We are still loving the shells that you generously shared with us through your lovely giveaway. Each gift wrapped carefully to stretch out the joy.
Thank you!
~ Rachel
What a beautiful island and such lovely shots. I love seeing what the early signs of spring look like in your part of the world.