Day Three
February 8th

We have had such incredibly different views.... This morning there is sun and it would be impossible to pretend that we were facing China across the vast ocean; today there is a clear outline of the US coastline and the mountain chain that backs it. We see cargo container ships and self-unloaders and ferries in the distance. The winged wildlife (apart from the ubiquitous sea birds seen so far) has emerged from cover. We have seen and heard sparrow/finch-like birds but also some sort of jay (blue body with dark grey heads). The jays say that they haven’t been fed by tourists during the rains, and we should smarten up – so we did.

I have another wave category. This I started to be aware of after 4:30 in the morning. These were coastline-long waves coming in towards shore in a steady, even, almost gentle flow. Sure, they broke on the shore with a lavish crescendo, but despite their evident power, there was also an unmistakable peace in their continually regenerating force. In my comparison to our stages in life, perhaps this is not as much a specific age, but rather the bliss of those of any age who know who they are, what they must do and have the blessing of deep inner serenity. Ah – the truly fortunate.

At one point Andris thought about us driving to Port Renfrew, and although I would have gone with the idea (I didn’t want Andris to feel stir-crazy), I was happier that he came to the conclusion that if we came here to rest and read and “do nothing”, we should stay around here. However, that didn’t preclude a jaunt into Sooke to go to a bakery (though originally it was to get cell signal to call home as well as for me to log on) (Andris had been able to check his stuff before the connection went) – and go for lunch at the little place we had stopped in 2 days ago. Here, after a cheeseburger for Andris and a scallop burger for me (and fries for both) I asked the owner about the neat window safety grate that was made to look like a spider’s web, complete with spider. She told us that it came with the place when they bought it about a year ago, but she understood that the artist lived not far from PNP and that we would be able to tell by his gate – that was also a spider’s web. I remembered a sign saying “something about a forge” and thankfully spotted it on our way to PNP. The gate was open and we drove up, although the man in the large workshop looked a bit surprised to see us stop.

Marty (if I remember I’ll fill in last name later)(Gilbertson), soon warmed up and not only talked about his work in progress in the workshop, but then invited us into his home... first to the ground floor with artisan shop pieces, then to his living room. I should describe his home... but words fail me. It is a 3 story building, ground floor walk out but 2nd floor open ceiling to third floor back lofty area, with the front wall facing the Juan de Fuca Strait basically with all glass. There is a balcony all around the front of the house, with a side part under a bit of a roof. Inside is full of his metal work, though he told us that he also wired and did the plumbing (I think) which saved a bit on the cost. His metal work is in lamp stands and wall corners and serpentine wine bottle racks and bird wine bottle racks and pot racks and fire place wall and fire place utensils and fire place decorative ivy” and many many candle holders, not to mention a large candelabra. Downstairs we had also been greeted by two large black great danes, and upstairs on one sofa I commented “bookend” cats (one on each end) – and Marty laughed saying that there were 6 such animals! He had worked in the oil business in Alberta, sold the business to buy the property and build the house, and his wife kept (or started) a job. What a fascinating and very talented man.

The rest of the afternoon was spent on pictures and the requisite nap, followed by a walk down to the beach just past sunset (and a couple there took our first picture together of the trip - and virtually last) – and dinner of soup and bakery buns. A glass of wine, lemon pound cake, reading, writing and hot tub to end the evening!