Frannie's Blog

My photo
Vankleek Hill, Ontario, Canada
I look for beauty and truth in everything. It's not always there of course but I try to find it or make it happen. I love people who make me laugh.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Bella Coola


I'm back from my latest visit to beautiful Bella Coola, B.C. Above is a watercolour I did of the Estuary, looking across towards the original townsite. The town was moved, building by building, many years ago because of flooding and is now on this side. If you look carefully you can see tiny white shapes. These represent the remains of the Tallheo Cannery which ceased operation in the early 70's.

What follows is my account of my visit to the old cannery site.


We arrived in this powerful aluminum boat skippered by Jim, who also owns many acres on this side. The ride was a thrill in itself, with old rock n' roll music blaring and water spraying our faces. Jim took us along the coast for awhile where we were able to see many bald eagles and glacier streams feeding into the estuary.


This is one of the buildings we explored. All the rooms are beautifully maintained by Jim and his small staff and can be rented for stayovers. We opted not to stay this time because we didn't realize how comfortable it could be. Well, maybe next time.

Here is the entertainment lounge. The Wurlitzer works, 25 cents for any old tune from the fifties and up.


This is as close as I got to a bear.


The bedrooms are clean and cozy.


All the floors are gleaming.

The facilities work!

The windows let in the light through lacy curtains.

Next door is the General Store, now preserved as a kind of museum.


This room houses an old safe, maps and invoice records.


After exploring we all settled in the shade by the beach for a picnic.


In this picture: my granddaughter Alberta, nine-month old Rylan and his parents, Heather and Rod, who are friends of Andrew and Kim.


My son, Andrew, and his son, Finn, enjoying the moment.


Alberta of the Jungle!


After a little more exploring and trying to swim in the frigid waters (way too cold for me!) we got back into the boat and returned. Thanks, Jim, for your hospitality and for keeping this place so well.

10 comments:

Lynne said...

Great pics ! (Finn will thank(?)you later when he sees his photo.) So cute those grandkids.

Evlyn said...

Your photos and your beautiful painting are very evocative of a true Canadian summer experience. It is such a pleasure to look at them and remember similar days and similar places.

Melanie Statnick said...

Mt homeland is a beautiful place!. I love your mount and water. Great values

Unknown said...

Hi Frannie, Canada is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I have admired that land for so long and have always wanted to travel there but never have had the opportunity. I have a friend that lives in British Columbia and is a native that lives their lives around the salmon runs. I'll have to look up Bella Coola to see where we are talking about. The kids are simply adorable and your photography is awesome. Thanks for sharing. You can find my blog at
http://odielangley.blogspot.com and email at odie_langley@yahoo.com

Barbara Strobel Lardon said...

What a beautiful watercolor as usual.
I loved hearing your story and visiting this location in Canada with you. Your photography captures the feel of the countryside. I love the photo of little Finn on the log so innocent and with such abandon! Too bad we all can not stay that way.

translategerman said...

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Knatolee said...

Love the photos, and the painting is wonderful. The cannery is fascinating. What an amazing place.

Ronna said...

Fab shots!

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