THURSDAY
C and I (different C from NoLa trip) took a (fancy) B.C. Ferry from Tsawwassen. We saw seals and bald eagles, blue skies dotted with clouds, and forested hills.
On the ferry sundeck, I was charmed by a British 4-year-old playing games with her grandmother – “ready, steady, start!” is so much sweeter than “ready, set, go”.
After a few stops, we arrived at Long Harbor on Salt Spring Island (in the Canadian Gulf Islands). It is a breathtaking island. Our first stop, Salt Spring Cider Company, was both beautiful and delicious. We tried the full cider flight, lamb sausages, and cheese. The only miss: the “pickled” carrot ribbons which tasted like wet lavender (soooo gross). The drier ciders were especially interesting, and sitting outside in the shade of a picnic table umbrella on a sunny day, overlooking the meadow (sheep and goats below, birds above), was spectacular.
Next up: Salt Spring Island Cheese. So very good- and you could try anything. Unfortunately the goats were not visible during our visit, but you could see them making cheese, which was fun.
We popped into Esme Bakery but it didn’t suit us – first bakery in a long time I left empty-handed.
After that, we went to the other cider company offering tastings, Cider Works, and sat outside, surrounded by apple nursery starts (some spindly trees already bearing a couple of apples).
We stopped by the fanciest farm stand I’ve ever been to, Stowel Lake Farm Stand (newish construction, many big clear-doored refrigerators full of fantastically fresh produce, in addition to plant starts), for some local produce.
After we checked in at the house (Seahorse Cottage on Airbnb), we went to the bustling and excellent grocery store to pick up a few things, including an especially fresh and interesting cabbage and peanut slaw, which we paired with roasted chicken.
FRIDAY
I slept in, missing the sunrise, but still marveled at what a peaceful spot we were in- and how beautiful the Northwest is.
Breakfast in, then a jaunt along the northern part of the island, and back to town to pick up art supplies, takeout and a few groceries.
I practiced watercoloring (there’s so much room for improvement, but it was good to get my supplies out), took a short walk on the beach (rocky, filled with kelp in various stages of decay) while the tide was out, and read. So relaxing. For dinner we had roasted and sautéed vegetables from the farm stand.
SATURDAY
We awoke to a cooler day, and after breakfast we headed to the Saturday Ganges Market, which was full of amazing craftsmanship, but also full of people.
We shared a picnic table at Salt Spring Ales with a couple who had sailed to the island for the day- fun to chat with them, and the beer was great. Mutual favorite: the hazy IPA.
We meandered a bit and found Sean Goddard Insects. Although the studio was open (and the work impeccable), no one was around.
SUNDAY
More of the same, and then we took an evening ferry back to the mainland. A lovely vacation spot!
It Should Be Delicious 