Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Touring the Cowichan Valley - Part 2

On Sunday, my friend Ann and I headed down to Cobble Hill to their regular Sunday market, and then wove our way back along the coast line. I love looking at marinas with their rows of ships, masts high in the air, as I wander along wharfs and check out seaside shops.

First we headed to Cowichan Bay, a little resort-type town with a few shops and restaurants (and the world's BEST bakery, where they mill their own grains) spread along the waterfront. I've been told there is a float home community here as well, though I didn't figure out just where it was, other than a couple of floathomes attached to the main wharf.














We were standing on the wharf admiring this old ship when the man who works in the marina told us it was built around 1918-1920 and has been for sale for some time now - he hopes someone will want to restore her to her former beauty.





After stopping for coffee and goodies at True Grain Bakery, and loading up the car with more baked goodies to take home, we headed on for Genoa Bay.
















Genoa Bay is the end of the road, so we backtracked toward Maple Bay. Halfway between Genoa and Maple Bays is Bird's Eye Cove, where Maple Bay boatyard combines with float planes and lovely float homes to create an interesting mix of images:













Then on to Maple Bay village, where children played on the beach this warm February day:





And finally back to Crofton, in plenty of time to take the dogs for a run at Osborne Bay Park, where the tide was out far enough to enable us to stroll along the beach.



It was a very good day.


3 comments:

Janice Gillett said...

My dad was a shiprite and i remember the name of this boat. I am fascinated by these old boats and the history attached to them.

When she was launched, Cora Marie was considered one of the finest vessels built in Coal Harbour (Vancouver, Canada.) Her original owner, William C. Shelley, of Vancouver, sold her to an American, Paul F. Johnson during the Depression, who reportedly sailed her as far as the South Pacific. During WWII she was used by the Navy to patrol the entrance to San Francisco Bay. (Then names Seyelyn.) She returned to Canada in 1951, and for a time served as a passenger and mail carrier on the Kitmat-Kemano run.

They want 850,000 USD for her..

Anonymous said...

Wow Janice that's amazing about the Cora Marie and to find that she is now in our back yard.

Jean I'm glad you took the tour and found some of our jewels. Genoa Bay Cafe has great food.

Else

Janice Gillett said...

Lets buy her!!!