The next day (Friday) the bus dropped our friend Mike off in front of our house. We met Mike in the Rio Grande Valley a couple of years ago. He is a retired American lawyer who calls Alpine, Texas home right now. He left his motorhome in Alpine and is on a tour of the west coast by train, bus, ferry and bicycle! Pretty adventurous!
Friday afternoon we went down to Dick's Fish & Chips on the dock and filled up on halibut and cod before heading back home for a couple of drinks and more conversation. Saturday we took Mike down to the local fishing pier where we got Norma to face the forty mile per hour wind for a photo with Mike.
Entertainment on the pier was provided by a young couple with a rented rod and reel who pulled in an 18 pound Spring Salmon while we watched. He was troubled with a rented reel that broke as soon as he tried to reel the fish in as well as the fact that he had caught the fish by the tail so the hook was not set as well as it could be. Between several of us we got the drop net into the water and he maneuvered the fish over the net just as the hook came loose! He managed to save the fish and was quite proud of his catch.
When we left the pier we decided to take the ferry over to Quadra Island where we explored a bit before ending up at the Heriot Bay Inn, a small waterfront pub and restaurant where we spent a few hours gabbing with the locals, eating chowder and watching the scenery. It was a very enjoyable day!
Saturday morning I drove Mike down to the bus depot where he was catching the bus to Port Hardy and the ferry to Prince Rupert. From there he is taking the Alaska State Ferry system up the coast of the Alaska Panhandle. How far he goes, how long he spends and how he gets back to Texas will depend on the weather. What a great way to travel.
So now Norma and I are spending the day eating leftovers and relaxing. Some might say 'recovering'.
Great pic and I bet you guys had fun! I can imagine that salmon, wow.
ReplyDeleteThis is a way for you and Juan to get up here again. Amtrack up to Seattle and then ferry and bus. You just have to get Juan to retire. ;)
DeleteWhat a fun time you had now relax for a bit before the next bunch of fun.
ReplyDeleteSo I guess that's the definition of footloose and fancy free!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Croft and Norma. Great time and hospitality. Quadra Island was very nice. It is also nice to know that between the three of us we can solve all the political and social problems of Canada and the US (at least after a wee dram of "rye"). I have made it to Prince Rupert. A chilly and rainy trip. Just a couple whales spotted. Boy, it was about 18 hours all told. But (expensive) wine and a nice piece or prime rib on the ship got me through it. I hope to post a bit later, but it may need to wait and be from Juneau. And that is a 24 hour ferry ride. If that ferry is half as nice as the BC ferry was, I will be OK. Hope to see you guys in the Baja.
ReplyDeleteWe really enjoyed the short couple of days Mike and it would be great to get together again in the Baja! Yes, that ferry is not known for it's cheap food but it is good it was calm enough to enjoy it (keep it down)! Enjoy Prince Rupert and the Panhandle, I hope the rain holds off for you.
DeleteGood to have a break from retirement and visitors now and again ;-)
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