September 15 ~ This was our easy going day as we went to the library and
walked around a bit.
September 16 Supporting
Teachers on the Picket line & Exploring a bit of the area
We joined many teachers on the picket line at a nearby
elementary school. The local support was
great in this community. Marty got
talking to a fellow teacher and she said she use to teach in Prince
Rupert. Marty asked, “Which
school?” The lady said that she taught
in Prince Rupert from 1982-1988 and that she had a position at Westview. Marty said so did I. They both took off their sunglasses.
Then there was a huge explosion of excitement and hugging as they
recognized each other. Apparently, they had some wild, fun and exciting
adventures both at school and outside of school.
Later we had a nice walk through part of the
Mouat Park Trails. It was a quiet,
scenic walk after we passed the tall wired fencing on both sides of the
trail. Before reaching the end of the
trail towards Ganges, we were invaded by lots of international students on one
of their “educational excursions.”
This is one amazingly tall Douglas fir tree.
We were standing in front of a popular statue at Ganges
waterfront.
September 17 Grace Islet Protest, Mouat Building, Library
While we were on board our boat, someone knocked
to tell us about a protest at Grace Islet.
Protest? Sure, we will join a protest!
There is a disgraceful activity happening on Grace Islet in Ganges
Harbour. First Nations are outraged by
the disrespect of the BC Government and Archaeology Branch in allowing the
destruction of First Nations ancient burial grounds on Grace Islet. When we arrived, there were several canoes,
kayaks and motor boats around one side of the islet. People were gathered on the rocks (Salt
Spring Island side) across the islet, drumming, singing and chanting.
The owners called the police who soon came to discuss the
issue about the illegal fencing that the workers were erecting around the
perimeter of the property. As you can see
in the two pictures, there was metal fencing below the tide line and rebar
(that was hammered into the ocean’s floor) attached to orange plastic
fencing. We later learned that the
police requested the owners to remove all fencing below the high tide line.
Pictured below is Chief Don Tom of the Tsatlip First
Nations. He was accompanied by two
cultural workers, Simon Smith Jr. and Simon Smith Sr. On this day, Chiefs from
Coast Salish Nations issued a STOP WORK ORDER to the construction crew on Grace
Islet. The order was written to Minister
Steve Thomson, the BC Archaeology Branch and the site owner. The order read: “Continued desecration and building on top of
First Nations burial grounds on Grace Islet, near Salt Spring Island, B.C. TAKE NOTICE THAT we hearby CANCEL your permit HC 2011-343 and are hereby
directed to stop work…”
On our way back to our boat after the protest,
Marty quickly recognized SY Betonia. As
we approached the boat, we spotted Roth and Silvia rowing back to their
boat. They were visiting a friend on
Salt Spring and were on their way to Friday Harbour in a continuing effort to
sell their boat.
We toured the Mouat building, which is mainly the home of
Home Hardware and several other small businesses. Mouat’s Trading co. Ltd. ranks as one of the
oldest independent retailers in B.C. with five businesses that have a dominant
presence at Ganges waterfront. The Mouat’s
Store has been in continuous operation in Ganges since 1907. The Mouat building itself was constructed in
1912 and has since been renovated and added to over the years. The original structures remain intact. Mae was trying to crack their safe.
Who is the ‘HEAVY WEIGHT’ champion?
Mae attended a Teachers’ General Meeting in the
afternoon. After the meeting, we had a
tour of the island with Ann Marie, to her home, for a nice visit.
September 18 ~ Voting Day, Library
Today was a day for voting, and going to the library while
ending with a short evening walk with Rose.
Mae casted her vote, at the POLL POLE on Rainbow Road on Salt Spring Island. Mae was able to vote
outside of Prince Rupert.
We were visited by, a nice family of eight swans. They were looking for some handouts. We don’t believe in feeding wild life but
it’s disappointing to see adults bringing bread for their kids to feed to
them. Feeding bread to birds is actually
dangerous, as bread will swell up in their bellies and cause digestive problems
and even death.
There are many of these farm stands around Salt Spring. Purchasing fresh produce by using the honour system. The produce is laid out with a price board and a money jar. People take what they need and make their payment into the jar.
September 19
Another relaxing day of going to
the library and checking out the community swimming pool. The pool was nice and small. The hot tub was near large windows, which
gave it lots of natural light. On our
way home (our boat now,) the wind was picking up and Marty noticed a couple
rowing back to their boat against the wind and tide, so he swung back and towed
them. They were very appreciative, as it
was getting too lumpy for rowing.
September 20 Farmer's Market & Sailing with Ann Marie & Tom
The beauties of fall.
Afternoon sailing
around the entrance to Ganges Harbour.
Tom was a natural at the wheel. He was enjoying himself so much that he did
not give up the helm very easily.
She is the perfect “deck fluff.” She was funny when she said, “Tom and I
would love sailing… we wouldn’t have to do anything.” Ha! Ha!
Ha! There’s a phrase Marty read
in a magazine “There’s something broken on your boat. You just don’t know what it is yet.” Another saying is, “Cruising is making
repairs in exotic locations.” Once all the boat work of repairs, scrubbing,
washing and polishing is done, (Ann Marie did none of those things,) we can
relax.
A perfect day for
sailing!
Hmmm? What are the
chances of Ann Marie and Tom getting a sailboat? We ended the evening anchored, to watch the
sunset and have dinner: with a tasty oven roasted chicken, vegetables and
potatoes with Japanese radish. Ann Marie
and Tom provided good appies, a nice wine and really good lemon squares for
dessert. It was a great day with good
people.