Happenings in the Bay

April and May have been busy months for George.  He arrived back in Port Harvey in the middle of April and began getting things ready.  The yard was cleaned up.  The Mellow Yellow (truck) is now in the bush and not a lawn ornament anymore.  The Shirley Bear (boat) is now away from the house along with the bayliner.  They are parked quite neatly together by the estuary.  The junk by the walkway has been cleared up and moved to the back of the yard.  Grass was mowed, the new generator shed was finished and the lines were run for the power on the dock.  The power boxes have been set up and have been tested by Seajay, Western Star and Stella Marie.

On another sad note, our neighbor Doug (Red Shoe named for him) had a massive heart attack on May 4 and fell in the water at his dock.  He was missing for 4 days and was found at the light at the Broken Islands.  George had noticed that his boat was at a funny angle at his dock and when he could not reach him on the radio, went to investigate.  The dog was on board, one engine running and the stern line tied, but no Doug.  An extensive search began with the Coast Guard and RCMP.  The dive team was out and sonar was also used but no Doug.  The tactical unit found him on Tuesday morning, when they were on their way here to do a ground search.  It was determined that he had a massive heart attack and did not drown.  I guess he wanted to see everyone in the bay again before he made his way down or up Johnstone Strait.  He was a legend on the coast and spent his life on the water.  We will miss him terribly as he was very special to us.  He would have been 81 in June.  The Red Shoe will live on in his memory and everytime we tell the story, there will be a small tear.

May, so far has been a busy month boat wise and we are ahead of last year already.  We expect to be busy this year.  Supplies will be acquired in the next week to restock the store.  Ice cream will be a treat this year as we purchased an ice cream freezer for all those treats!

Sad Times

It is with heavy heart that we find that one of the legends of East Cracroft Island has passed on.  Bill Barber from Lagoon Cove lost his brief battle with cancer on April 6.  He was a legend in the Broughtons with his stories and knowledge.  He will be sorely missed by all but will be remembered by all .

Another friend also succumbed to cancer recently.  Gloria from the Coastal Messenger also lost her battle on April 12.  She was a warm and loving person who will be missed by all whose lives she touched.

On a happier note, George will be returning to Port Harvey this week to start getting ready for the season.  I am still here in Alberta at our hardware store in Red Earth Creek, but will join him in May.  It will be a welcome site for me as I have been gone for 5 months already and miss my pillow!  George will be busy getting the dock ready, putting in the power, sorting out the store and The Red Shoe.

BCSPCA will be one of our stops this spring as we would like to get another puppy.

New Addition

We have a new addition to our family!  Quinn Pearson was born March 21 in Grande Prairie Alberta. A little sister for Signe!  Melissa, Darren and Signe are very happy as well as us.  We hope that in the future they will once again come to Port Harvey and we will have 2 boat greeters!

Waiting to begin

It is that time of year again when spring cleaning must begin.  It will be a little slower starting this year.  George is anticipating being back in April to start.   It will be a busy season this year thanks to the Seattle Boat Show and to Cpt'n Charlie.  Canada Day will be super busy and we already have several reservations.  It will be an exciting time.