Poltrack Blog

While we were staying in Naniamo I took the opportunity to visit some of the nearby Provincial Parks. One of these was the Roberts Memorial Provincial Park, which features a walk through the forest to the shore. I was most intrigued by the erosion patterns in the sandstone, reminded me of bones A view from the shore I saw a familiar sight on the forest floor on the path when I spotted a patch of Indian Pipes ( Monotropa uniflora ). These are common in New England and I was happy to see them in the Pacific Northwest. The  forest While I was there I saw some picnickers and a family catching crabs A path among the ferns A magical place   www.poltrack.net

The skies were on fire on Saturday at the New Ipswich Athletic Association.    As in years past the fireworks were provided  by Mike DeBlasio. Mike is the owner of DeBlasio Masonry Inc., a masonry firm that deals with difficult and challenging projects. Mike’s company has done many repairs and restorations of  historic building in Boston. He like fireworks and does a great job. His team has been doing these shows for 19 years. Some big ones being wired for the show Preparing the show in the afternoon Lots of preparation required Nightime NIAA   www.poltrack.net

Low tide at the Tofino Botanical Gardens. I didn't attempt to walk out to the nearby island because I understand  that I might get mired up in this mud. It looks solid doesn't it? This is where snowshoes might come in handy I love this view And I love this view   www.poltrack.net

I was bit surprised when I visited Combers Beach in Tofino in the early morning and saw a woman in a wedding dress carrying a camera and tripod. Her husband was carrying a large photo and was also dressed for the occasion. I learned that they were celebrating their second wedding anniversary by taking a self portrait of themselves holding a photograph of their first anniversary which shows them holding a photograph of their wedding. I've been married 43 years and I think if we tried this the photo would look like a view down a long tunnel. I wish this couple well and since I didn't get any contact information I hope at some point they see this posting through the magic of Google and social media. The bride dressed in typical beach attire Finding footing amid the driftwood Happy Anniversary to these folks   www.poltrack.net

I ran out of reading material while traveling to visit family in Vancouver Island and realized I needed something to read on the plane ride back home. I asked Google to show me a bookstore near me was directed to a funky used bookstore in Nanaimo. The proprietor was helpful when I asked for a book for a plane ride. I settled on Lake Wobegan Days by Garrison Keillor which was just what I needed as we sat on the tarmac at O'Hare for an hour. Mural on wall at the Arbutus Bookstore  Arbutus bookstore in Nanaimo, BC   www.poltrack.net

Before I left Vancouver Island I wanted to see the Pacific Ocean. We made the 3 hour drive along the narrow roads through mountain passes to get to Tofino, a very popular tourist destination. Long Beach has miles of beach and is popular with surfers. It was a beautiful day when we visited. The sand is fine and hard packed. When I visited in the 1970s the beach was a parking lot full of campers. I was pleased  to see that has ended. Floral display Miles of sand and water This couple from Montreal asked me to take a photo with a Polaroid camera. I decided to take a photo of my own with the hope that somehow they will see it   www.poltrack.net

My parents celebrated their honeymoon in Vancouver. Among the photos was this one of my dad in 1946. Note the Thunderbird House Poles on left and right. They were carved by Charlie James in the 1900s. These poles were used to support the main bole of the longhouse. (January 1946) In the center is a replica of the original Thunderbird House pole. It was carved in 1987 by Tony Hunt. The original pole is in a Vancouver museum. (July 2017)   www.poltrack.net