Even
though the crocus tried their best to bring colour to the south facing
hillsides in Calgary during April, the lingering spring scenery felt drab.
Time for a quick reprieve. Off to Vancouver Island we went. But first we had to drive through the snow-covered mountains and of course wait in numerous road construction line-ups. If it’s not winter in Western Canada, it’s road construction season.
Having
spent most of my life around mountains, going to the ocean is somewhat like
flying to the moon for me … well, not really but you get what I mean. It’s an
entirely different landscape for this mountain gal.
Trees with blossoms lined the streets, and a lazy seal soaked up the sun’s rays while we waited for the ferry. I couldn’t stop smiling.
Since it was off-season for tourists, we found a room right on the ocean in one of our favourite places - Parksville.
The
tide chart said it starts to recede at 6 AM and is at low tide by noon.
Perfect. We spent the mornings exploring forests, waterfalls and toured north
on the ocean highway always cognizant that we needed to be at a beach by
lunch time.
Still wearing a scarf, gloves and a parka I held fast at wearing shorts. This was a holiday and darn it all. I was going to wear them.
The beaches were covered with layers of shells that left trails of movement behind them. The gulls, herons and eagles stopped by to search through the tide pools and remains that were scattered about.
I
squealed when I spotted my first starfish hidden among a rock crevice and the seals
swam by barking encouragement as I searched for more treasures.
Each
day, while the tide was out, we watched people carrying five gallons pails and
shovels as they headed out to a sand bar. They spent hours digging. What in
the world were they up to?
Curiosity
won and I asked around. They were digging for gooey ducks - the world's largest
burrowing clams. Geoduck (their real name) means to dig deep.
They use a syphon hose (which can be up to three feet long) to suck in water, plankton and tiny organisms. After they’ve eaten, they spit out cleaner water than they took in via another hole - such environmentally friendly creatures!
The only indication they are far below the surface is if you see a small circular hole in the sand. When you walk over or close to a gooey duck’s burrow, they spit out their water often hitting you - not intentionally of course.
Geoduck facts: - some live up to 168 years and often remain in one burrow
- they can grow up to 8 inches long and weigh between 1 and 3 pounds
- they’re full of iron, Omega 3 and protein and can be eaten raw, sliced or cooked
- Geoducks are valued at $150 per pound in some markets and are said to be a sweet, briny, crunchy delicacy (I cannot verify this)
During one of my beach rambles, Jillian, (the main character in my books), popped into my head. She told me she didn’t like where her new story was going. And then she mentioned she wanted to change the opening scene. Really? Of course I ignored her. Initially. Because what does she know? But she was persistent and she made some great suggestions. When she expanded on her ideas, I could feel myself smile and then I chuckled. What a cheeky character. She certainly keeps me on my toes. Does she realize how much work these changes will be?
