Heather and I have just returned from a one week visit to Port Moody, British Columbia. We wanted to spend time with Laurel and Nic, and the two grandchildren, Marcus and Owen.
There were two considerations:
- The logistics of travel between NS and BC.
- The experience/ comparison between the two places: Middleton and Port Moody.
Travel across Canada: NS to BC is not for the faint of heart. Fortunately, there are direct flights between Halifax and Vancouver. Arrangements are different today. In the past, we would work with a travel agent , have our tickets in hand. Today, more travel requires the use of cell phones. Regardless, we were able to successfully navigate the terminals, with help from the next generation (Nic).
Once in Port Moody, we were able to enjoy the local landscape. There are a number of shoreline trails around the Burrard Inlet. We were stunned by the number of citizens walking their dogs and riding bicycles. This experience culminated in a walk around Sasmat Lake in Belcarra Regional Park.
Should we relocate to Port Moody for family support? And enjoy the outdoor culture?
(check out Monet Tyler’s illustrated map of beautiful Port Moody and Side 2)
Back home today, we had to reacquaint with the positive in Middleton. That meant Sunday morning breakfast at the Green Elephant cafe in Kingston.
It included a drive to Margaretsville and a stop at the Art Shack Gallery.
Afterwards, we ran errands: a new Brickyard Red growler at Lunn’s Mill. Pick up the September issue of the Grapevine.
While we were too busy for reading. I did stop at the library back in Port Moody. I also noted that Laurel was reading ‘Theo of Golden’ by Allen Levi. Time to visit the Library in Bridgetown.
Post-travel Reflection
A few weeks ago, I was in contact with an old school friend in England, Andrew Ronay. He reminded me of my first trip around North America.
I was an undergraduate in Geography at the University of Birmingham. I joined BUNAC (British Universities North America Club). I flew to Montreal. Spent the Summer in Labrador at the McGill SubArctic Research Lab in Schefferville. After the field season, I picked up a Greyhound Bus ticket (99 dollars for 99 days,). Travelled Montreal – Mexico City – San Francisco -Victoria – Montreal, before flying home to England. (Aged 21) sixty years ago. It was easier then.
Ernest Blair Experiment 