THE UTOPIA OF SOINTULA

The 800 or so residents of Sointula (on Malcolm Island) are proud of their heritage - a socialist commune 1901 by a group of far-sighted Finns that wanted to create a "utopia". The name "Sointula" means "place of harmony" in the Finnish language.
Today the Island boasts a more diversified population, but still retains much of its founding philosophy and lifestyle. It is no cute, commercialized tourist trap. Instead, Sointula is genuine, from the commercial fishing boats in the harbour, to the oldest cooperative store in British Columbia, Canada, to the network of gravel roads that allow access to a natural wonderland.
Our dear friends Kathleen and Jim Blohm are new residents of the this unique community full of free thinkers and artist. We will keep up with their progress at their blog site: http://roughbay.blogspot.com.

THE FERRY TO SOINTULA FROM PORT MCNEILL
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NOTICE THE BRA FLYING ON THE SOINTULA FERRY DOCK PILING ON THE RIGHT SIDE (click on picture to make it larger). FREEDOM STILL EXITS!
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VIEW FROM KATHLEEN AND JIM'S NEW PROPERTY IN SOINTULA
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LOU AND KATHLEEN IN FRONT OF THE SOINTULA CO-OP WHICH IS THE OLDEST IN BRITISH COLUMBIA.
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OUR DEAR FRIEND KATHLEEN WHO IS A NEW RESIDENT OF SOINTULA.
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WILL YOU FIND THESE IN THE WINDOW OF TIFFANY'S?

You will not find these on the Fifth Avenue in New York! They are a necessary accessory up north in the wilderness. Attached to your belt loop "Bear Bells" make noise and therefore let the bears know that you are around. They really do not want to encounter you so making lots of noise gives them a chance to avoid you.
On the other hand one shopkeeper laughed and told me the Canadians call them
"Dinner Bells".

What real woman wear!
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LAGOON COVE TO MOUND ISLAND

We truly enjoyed our stay at Lagoon Cove and on our departure there was a bucket full crab and freshly picked oysters from Jeanne and Wayne who work there. We were very touched by their generosity. We decided that we would go to Mound Island and explore remains of an ancient Kwakwaka’wakw harvest habitation site. The beaches are white with the shells of thousands of years of the tribe eating barnacles and clams. We explored the mounds that give the island its’ name that are really the sides of their dwellings that have long since decayed. These mounds throughout the forest are made from the ash of countless fires with bone and shell remains that is referred to as a midden.
We hiked along the beaches at low tide amazed at the number of shell fish inhabiting the shore. A squirt of a submerged clam would startle us but not as much as the bear paw marks that indicated we had company. It looked as if the bear had been digging for clams as they often do at low tide. Upon our return to "Wings to Seventh Heaven"(the dinghy) we noticed a magnificent Bald Eagle flying over head.
We had lunch and then began our voyage to Port McNeill and Sointula.

Lagoon Cove after traditional "Happy Hour" where complimentary freshly caught prawns are served by owner. People from all the visiting boats bring additonal hors'douvres, beverages and stories about their adventures.
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Baby Swallows wait for mom to bring dinner. They have gotten so large they no longer fit in the nest in the background.
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Notice the extruded stomach of the giant starfish eating crab bait. The Dungeness looks on in the background.
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Seventh Heaven anchored while Lou and I explore the island.
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Eagle soaring over head.
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Ashore on Mound Island for a hike.
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Exploring Mound Island with Seventh Heaven anchored in the distance.
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Deep impressions in the ground mark the native dwelling sites of the Kwakwaka’wakw Tribe
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Seymour Narrows to Lagoon Cove

We timed the narrows on an ebb tide and it was a sleigh ride reaching speeds of 12 knots at times. We felt very fortunate that "The Mysterious" noise did not reoccur! We reached Lagoon Cove in the Broughton archipelago by 3pm. We enjoyed the 5pm "Get together" and met some new interesting people and saw some old acquaintances. As usual the freshly caught prawns were provided by the Marina. There is no cell phone service or wireless internet here. Bill, the owner of Lagoon Cove has graciously provided internet for his guests to use.
We have been prawning and crabbing with some luck here. I was able to pick some fresh young Sea Asparagus and I am currently soaking it in fresh water to remove some of the salt. I will blanch it for 3 minutes and it will be ready to use in salads or as a vegetable which can be sauteed in virgin olive oil and garlic.
Tomorrow we will go to Mound Island and hunt for native trading beads.

APRIL POINT LODGE JUST BEFORE SEYMOUR NARROWS

We arrived in Campbell River on Tuesday, June 21st for an appointment with a mechanic from "All Tech". He checked the alignment of the transmisson, the bolts on the flange and the adjustment that Louie had made to the altenator belt. He determinded that the combination of the slipping loose belt and the the loose bolts most likely was responsible for the mysterious noise and vibration. He suggested that we stay fairly close to Campbell River for a day or two just in case it reoccurrs. We moved from Coast Marinia to April point to be closer to the ebbing tide which occurs at 7AM tomorrow. We will continue north to Blind Channel and then the next day ride the Greenpoint Rapids and the Whirlpool Rapids to Johnstone Strait then up Havannah Channel, through Blow Hole to Lagoon Cove.
April Point is a lovely lodge. They have recently built a new spa on the waters edge.
We had lunch at the main dining room and loved it!

Lou on the beautiful grounds of April Point. In the background is the new Spa and beyond that is the tidal zone just before the infamous Seymour Narrows.
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