June 10

Road trip! Today was an escape day, a day to go on the road. After much internal debate and some external discussion, we all went to Vancouver Island today. A family trip instead of a motorcycle ride on my own. I wanted to spend some quality time with my kid, I didn’t want to leave Krista behind to deal with teenage energy. Twenty years ago I would have leaped at the chance to ride my bike to quote a job; on Vancouver Island nonetheless. We left the cats behind and rolled on down the highway to an amazing part of BC.

Nothing like a spur of the moment trip: “Honey I have to go to Campbell River.”

“When?” came Krista’s reply.

“In two days”

She said she wasn’t coming, she was too busy.

Marijke came home from her Moms on Tuesday. I recanted on the freedom and simplicity of a motorcycle ride and chose to bring my girls along for the ride. I am happy I did. Tuesday I told my wife I thought they should come with me. That was yesterday. One day is not a lot of time to plan a road trip. Thankfully we were able to pull it off.

I write this from the shores of the Georgia Straight, fifteen km south of Campbell River. My amazing kid came along begrudgingly. My wife had her trepidations, but I think she’s happy I didn’t leave the two of them alone.

We left home at eleven o’clock, we hoped to make the 2:50 ferry from West Vancouver, if not the 3:15 from Tsawwassen would get us to Duke Point a little south of Nanaimo. As is usually the case someone forgot something at home. This time it was all three of us. we circled back home and grabbed Krista’s sunglasses, my inhaler, and Marijke’s jacket.  One day we may be able to leave without forgetting something. One day.

We cruised up the Coquihalla in Kristas Subaru Forester. We made great time and pulled into Tsawwassen by 2:45. We had lots of time to catch the 3:15.

On the ferry ride, things are surreal with covid restrictions and they are requesting people to stay in their vehicles. This is in direct contrast to my last trip to the island when they would not let anyone stay on the car decks. In the passenger area, there are signs everywhere to maintain social distances, there was tape blocking other rows and the gift shop and cafeteria were closed.

On the island, we planned on making the most of the opportunity and made a plan to see Nana and Great Nana as well. I wish my kid was as excited to see the island as she is about finding a shopping mall. She begs to go to the mall, I ask her what money she has to spend.

She smiles and looks at me, ”can I have some money?”

I think it’s time she learns about money.” Coronabreak,” I replied. “No money, honey”

She will have to suffer with the beauty of Vancouver Island. She thinks a mall is better than a beach. I hope in the next few days I can share the deep love of nature that I have, instead of her fixation with everything retail.

The coronaverse has opened up accommodations so we elected to stay at a waterfront place in a two-bedroom cabin. From the internet, it is hard to figure out what to book, I was relieved to have options. This trip we are very happy to have found a nice cabin in the woods. It’s in a secluded campground on the water called Pacific Playground Resort.

They even have fire pits. I love having a fire and the raw nature of it fills me with peace. I hope one day my little girl will feel the same, instead, she says it’s boring. Boredom can be a good thing it empties the mind and allows the soul to recharge. Fire is mesmerizing; it consumes my attention while it consumes the wood. Thirty years ago wood was free, now ten bucks will get you one bundle, enough for a nights fire.

I stared deep into the fire and got lost, lost in the flames and coals, lost in the basic energy of the world. Fire danced like a burning ballerina, spinning and twirling. The flames licked up to fade back and retreat into the darkness of the coals. Hot burning embers glowed as if alive, breathing with radiance and heat.

My wife and kid lumbered off to sleep, leaving me alone with the fading fire. I watched the coals and the last of the flames disappear. I felt strengthened by our adventure to the island. I felt connected to the basics that we live with. Covid, protests, and the real world felt a lifetime away. Refreshed, I released a breath and gathered strength for the coming days.