Week Five: Olympic Mountain, the Ferry Ride back to Canada and a Book Club Presentation

July 5/18

We drove Highway 101, up north, following the shore line. We wove in and out of great lookouts and views of the mountains and cliffs and the turquoise water of the inlet.

Entering Mount Olympic State Park, we found a place beside an oyster farm in Hamma Hamma, to eat lunch. Slower traffic, like us, needed to make use of turnouts as soon as there were five cars behind us otherwise you could be fined. The road zigzagged up and down the mountains until we reached the campground in Port Angeles. Our campsite was at the back of the campground, away from the road with a view of the snowcapped, Olympic Mountain and Hurricane Ridge. 

It was refreshing to see smaller, more interesting trailers and tents at this campground. Children biked all around the grounds, played in the big field and even the dog park was of a fair size.

We decided to put up our awning, which gave us twice the space. At previous campgrounds, we either weren’t allowed to put up the awning, the site wasn't big enough or it was too windy, so this was our chance to try it out. The awning provided us with an extra room and more privacy.

The temperature was perfect, 16 C, while at home everybody was cooking in the next heatwave.

Bijke: There was this guy, Barney, at the dog park. A said he was a Scottish Terrier. He was totally black and crazy fun. We played chase, while A talked to his human. Barney is two, just like me.

The next day we explored the town of Port Angeles. We walked the waterfront, the Pier and Bijke swam at the small beach. He was hesitant at first, as he’d never swam in salt water, but it didn't take long or he swam and barked at the waves as if his life depended on it.

Bijke: Tonight, there was a dog named, Winter, at the dog park. I chased her around and tricked her, by going in different directions. She didn’t get it. I had fun.

On Saturday, we spent a couple of hours at the Salt Creek Recreation Area. The beach was filled with driftwood, seaweed and rocks. Bijke had a happy day, running in the ocean, sniffing at seaweed, crabs, sticks and seashells. After lunch he dug tunnels, buried a rock and dug it up again and again. We went for a long walk, listened to the sound of the waves and inhaled the scent of the sea. Looking across the Straight of  Fuca, we were able to see the Vancouver Island town, of Sooke. We’d visited the beach of Sooke in 1997. I remember being terrified, as there were big warning signs regarding cougar attacks. Albert only carried a small pocketknife, which was pretty useless in case of such an attack.

Two boys were practicing standing up on their surfboards, a few kids were swimming and we waded through the Salt Creek. We had a lovely day. The sound of the surf had such a calming effect.

On Sunday, we took down the awning, did laundry, cleaned the trailer and hitched it behind the car. 

Early Monday morning, we took the ferry  to Victoria. The views were spectacular. We could clearly see Mount Baker, Mount Olympic and the Hurricane Ridge and when we looked ahead we saw the city line of the town of Victoria. By ten o’clock, the cheerful Canadian border guard welcomed us back into Canada.

Bijke: I didn’t like walking on the ferry. The ground moved and I kept losing my balance, but A and M convinced me it was okay. The best thing on the ferry was being petted by big and little humans.

Road construction in Victoria slowed us down and driving down the Malahat was crazy, but we managed and after we ate lunch at a rest area, we couldn’t wait to get to North Cowichan, to see the kids.

Sharon and Loesje were talking to the neighbour, when we arrived. Before anyone could prevent it, Bijke escaped and was licking Loesje all over, which scared her.

Bijke: As soon as I saw the little human, I wanted to lick her, kiss her. A and M were allowed to do that, but they told me, “No, Bijke! Down, Bijke! Don’t jump on Loesje!” I didn’t like it.

We were so happy to see Loesje and Rikst and Johny. It had been way too long since we had held our youngest granddaughter. 

Once Bijke was out of the way, Loesje and Beppe had an apple snack in the  ‘nail house'. We also counted the snails on the tree in the front yard. Loesje loved the little snails that clung to the branches and we counted at least twenty.

Andrew came for a short visit with Grace and Georgia. Loesje adores the girls and copied everything they did.

Johny prepared a wonderful meal of lasagna and a green salad, while Sharon had brought a delicious quinoa dish. 

We walked Bijke after supper and retired in our snail house, early. It had been a long day.

A little voice called, “Beppe! Beppe!” What a lovely alarm clock. Rikst and Loesje were already sitting outside, drinking smoothies. After breakfast, we all checked out the sales in downtown Duncan and then Albert drove me to Sharon’s house, who was hosting my book club presentation.

It was a lunch meeting and during my informal talk about the couriers in war-time Holland. We created our own sushi, filling the seaweed sheets with various vegetables, smoked salmon and home-made mayonnaise. To keep the once filled sushi rolled up and eat it without spilling was another art I had not mastered. These self-made sushis were delicious and much less work and preparation for the hostess.

One of the ladies was married to a Dutchman and she shared many war stories from her in-laws. We also talked about the Canadian fathers, who had returned from the war and never spoke about their horrendous experiences while fighting to liberate Europe.

After the lunch presentation, Sharon drove me home and I had a chance to play with Loesje.

Loesje, Rikst and Pake had eaten lunch in the snail house. Later in the afternoon, she watched the World Cup soccer game, Belgium - France, on the couch with Pake.

After dinner, we played in the garden. Loesje ran many laps and then ‘fell down’ and pretended to cry. She is so funny and delicious.

We had a quiet evening in the trailer. I was reading, Roadkill, by Barry Grills. It’s a story that is hard to put down.

Bijke: There are so many noises outside the trailer and they come from every direction. I get confused, bark and A and M tell me that I’m okay and the noises are nothing. Arrff

On Wednesday, we FT with Mia. She is thirteen, today and so grownup!

Loesje went to daycare, but before she went she had two big blueberry poohs and needed two baths. We cleaned, shopped, packed and got organized for our camping trip to Qualicum Beach, tomorrow.

We went for a nice hike at one of our favourite trails at Providence Farm; the community farm employs people with mental challenges, sell produce and offer dinners called, From Farm to Table. Ever since Rikst and Johny moved here we have enjoyed walking these trails. Blackberry bushes line the paths, but they are not quite ripe. A few years ago, we found a fairy house - an old tree stump overgrown with moss and tiny ferns, and tiny door openings and window crevices on either side. The house is still lovely, even though it’s a bit more overgrown with bigger ferns and wild strawberry plants and much harder to find. We showed Bijke, but he wasn’t the least bit interested as he had picked up the scent of a … some creature.

Bijke: Every time the little human comes close to me, she yells, “No Bijke. Bijke No!” Sometimes she doesn’t wear any clothes and she smells so good, I want to kiss her, but then everybody yells, “No Bijke!”