Sunday, November 14, 2010

Whippletree and Beyond



Last week, the grey drizzle brought about a softness to the day. This weekend, the cloud and fog enhanced the richness of things, deepened textures, and awakened the boldness of colour.

I feel as though I have just traveled a great distance. But really, I was only in my own backyard.... well, sort of.  My friend and I went adventuring with our cameras, about an hour north of Victoria. Our first stop was Whippletree Junction...a small cluster of colourful old buildings that have been converted into shops and studios. It is a wonderfully bizarre place....a garden strewn with dozens of teapots, a courtyard surrounding an odd sculpture/wishing fountain made of old machinery parts, and long abandoned objects like an old printing press that have been left to rust and adorn the garden spaces.








After spending a great deal of time, utterly fascinated with the moss growing between the bricks, we moved on to a place I had never been to before. As soon as we drove into Cowichan Bay, I was enchanted with the place. I can't believe I have lived in Victoria for 10 years, and I have never seen this amazing little seaside village! There were organic bread shops and cafes, vintage candy stores and all kinds of funky little buildings along the small oceanside strip.








And while we were taking pictures of all these interesting things, I could hear a loud roar coming from the harbour. Then, many loud roars. So I walked out on the pier, towards the commotion, and there in front of me, on a neighbouring dock... a mountain of sea lions! Mostly sleeping, except for one or two loudmouths who had to let the entire town know their business. These guys don't smell pretty either.





One minute, they are snuggled next to each other, having an afternoon snooze....the next, wide awake, startled by a boat coming into the harbour. Except for that little guy on the right....he slept through the whole thing. The sound was amplified dramatically.




So, I moved on to more peaceful subject matter.

The day went by way too fast. These short November days are unforgiving to photographers seeking the light. The drive home was over a mountain pass, thick with dense fog and drizzle. But, as you know, this weather doesn't get me down....it brings me to life. I saw new places that tweaked my imagination and sense of exploration. And there are so many other places like this I have yet to discover on this beautiful island I call home.

21 comments:

  1. It is always wonderful to find interesting things in your own backyard (so to speak)

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  2. oh jamie.....what a gorgeous place. i know i would love it there.
    and these photos are beyond brilliant !
    the boots with the succulents growing from them...oh swoon....and that boat.....wow !

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  3. dear lord, but you live an enchanted life. those boots! oh my!!! what a fabulous, fabulous place that you have shared with lucky us - what fabulous, fabulous photos. you are amazing.

    xoxo
    Debi

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  4. what a fantastic place you found to explore - there is such richness in these photos and your story telling. i so love it here in your space.
    i dream of visiting your part of the world one day. but i also feel sure you would find richness and beauty right here in my backyard if you came to visit. it's just your way - you know how to find the beauty in anything.

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  5. Did you hear that? It was my jaw that just hit the floor!!! Oh Jamie...you captured magic here...every single photo. And the harbor seals...they make me smile so big. Thank you for filling my heart with joy this morning. xoxo

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  6. i love that beautiful island you call home and these photos are achingly lovely xoxox

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  7. What a wonderful photo shoot you were on Jaime! So many unique and wonderful things you saw. That is one nice thing that I enjoyed about all the rain we go this summer was all the lovely moss. It is very pretty. I love the little plant in the teapot. Very picturesque!

    Hope you are having a wonderful week friend!
    xo Catherine

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  8. I want to crawl into your page and wrap it around me feeling the amazing beauty enveloping like a warm fuzzy blanket. Those are some amazingly magical pictures. ~sigh~ You have quite the gift.

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  9. If you come to London, I will happily show you around, as long as you promise to take me exploring with you if I ever make it to your piece of the planet.

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  10. It looks like you had a beautiful trip :) Oh! and the sea lions! so cute :D Those places seem like a dream!

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  11. I needed that. Oh, I needed this little vacation with you so badly today. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing it. Really, really. Thank you.

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  12. I had to come back and tell you that I love the story of your mother's name. Love it! I hope you'll "give" her that poem. Tell her it's from an admirer, a friend of yours who admires the woman she raised.

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  13. I want to see all of this! It looks like the most magical place in the world. (Also, with a name like Whippletree Junction, how can it not be. :)

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  14. Wow, these photos are stunning. And the sea lions, I guess I'm glad I can't hear (or smell) them, because as they are here, I adore them. Thank you.

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  15. Looks like an amazing day trip. You've done justice to the name 'Whippletree'!!! Love these!!!

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  16. It's Thanksgiving day here in the States. We are all piled up watching the parade. So, I have the perfect time to drop by and visit friends. I wanted to tell you that one the things I am thankful for today is blogging and the way it has made my world so much bigger. Thank you for the friendship, the wisdom, and the inspiration I have found here. I am so thankful for you.

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  17. I feel like crying every time I see pictures from the Island and realize how far away it is. You know that deep down twisting, wrenching, sinking feeling in the gut that makes you feel heavier than ever? Longing ever so much for the next time I can make it there. Thanks for all the pictures. Whippletree Junction? What a great name for an obviously great place!

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  18. oh the boat, the sweet photo, of the boat.
    xo

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  19. This post has just put Victoria (and Whippletree and Cowichan Bay) on the top of my travel list! I don't know how or when I will ever manage it, but it's a priority. =)Oh my word, this is just so indescribably enchanting. Thank you so very, very much for taking me on this journey with you.

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  20. OH my gosh! these are fabulous, I have always wanted to take a summer and just hit the road exploring island hideaways. This place now moves to the top of my list.

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