The Story of a House

I've been meaning to do this for awhile, but today discussion on Tapestry, about homes, got me down to the scanner with a mitt full of photos. Here is the story of our house, from Long Beach to Tofino.

This is where our house began its life. It was part of Abbott's Store - a store and several out buildings - at Long Beach, near today's Kwisitis (formerly Wickaninnish) Centre. I assume it was built here, but perhaps it was moved here? Not sure. This photo comes from Pacific Rim National Park's building inventory. When the national park came in, buildings were moved or razed. This building was moved to Tofino. (Notice the leaded glass windows, which we saved and moved. The main one visible here is now on the front of our house. Perhaps not the wisest move [have you ever tried to clean leaded glass?] especially as they are single-paned, but they look pretty.)

Look at our little house, sitting amidst the stumps and trees. Apparently it was a wetland (which is very apparent when it rains here; our backyard becomes a lake). Apparently there were salmon in what is now our backyard. 

Up in the air you go, little house. Whitey Bernard owned the house then. He got a big-ass crane and lifted it up. Then he built a second floor below this first little part and also added the back. 

And this is how the house looked when we bought it back in 1990. It was essentially a two-storey "L" with a large deck and carport filling in the space to make a box. 

About 6 years later, thanks to Pattison Architecture (and the bank), we did a huge renovation and the house looks like this. (This was about 6 months after the renovation was "completed." I think we finally finished the interior last year and still have to tile the backsplash.) 

It was nice to say goodbye to teeny tiny tubs, shag carpets, glittery wallpaper, ... but it's very cool to know we can tell some of the story of our house and that a few pieces still remain. (See that leaded glass window?) 

Haven't Been to Tofino?

Okay, I said I was going away, but this is just too funny. (Via Tourism Tofino.)

Hiatus

While I won't flatter myself to think that there is actually someone out there in the blogosphere wondering where I've been, I thought I just check in and give a quick update. (I do have a few followers!)

A lot has been happening the past few months, which has meant I've had to focus my efforts. Much as I love it, The Heart of Tofino had fallen off what is doable for me at the moment. So, I'm officially going to take a hiatus until after Labour Day and cross "Update The Heart of Tofino" off my To Do list for a few weeks. If nothing else, I'll go easier on myself.

I will be checking in over at Long Beach Wild (www.longbeachwild.com) from time to time, however.

The Tofino Collective & Mr Booth (again)

Why have I not seen this before? Reading it made me feel a little old and extremely un-hip—especially since I've known Zina since she was a baby—but finding things like this makes me fall in love with Tofino all over again. Knowing we have such a well of creative people who want to be here, makes it one of the best places on the planet. Make sure you check out the Like Minds page. I see they're just re-emerging after a little hiatus (believe me, I know how that happens when you're trying to run a blog or five), but I look forward to reading and seeing more of what they'll create very soon. And speaking of creative Tofino folks, Duncan Booth has two more podcasts up and available for download here.

Hera Medal Comes Home

The President's award, given to Nigel Campbell over 100 years ago for his part in the rescue of passengers from the Hera, has returned to Clayoquot Sound thanks to the efforts of The Tonquin Foundation. You can read more about it here. Thanks to everyone who played a part in its return.

The Big Year Tour of Tofino

The good folks at Chocolate Tofino have pulled together the film locations used in The Big Year, which was shot in Tofino in 2010. You can read more here.

Debunking Tofino's Volcano

The tourist season is upon us, so let's just nip this bit of misinformation in the bud: Lone Cone, on Meares Island, is not a volcano. It was serendipitous that I was thinking about this. Yesterday I came into a treasure trove of west coast history books. Most of them I had, but there were some gems I was delighted to add to my library. In the box was Lone Cone by Dorothy Abraham, which I already have, but am always happy to see and be reminded of. Some lucky friend or family member will get this copy.

Lone Cone is a memoir of Dorothy Abraham, a World War One war bride who found herself in the Tofino area (her husband homesteaded on Vargas Island).

It may have been Dorothy who actually started (or at least put the "fact" in print) that Lone Cone was an extinct volcano. On page 17 she refers to Lone Cone, "an extinct volcano." So, sorry, Dorothy and others who want to believe. Lone Cone is not a volcano, extinct or otherwise. Geologist and writer, Jackie Windh, debunked this years ago in an article in the local paper, The Sound. Then, just yesterday after I was going through the box of books and did a little Google search, I found this article.

Congratulations, Hjalmer Wenstob!

I am so proud of my friend and local carver, 19-year-old Hjalmer Wenstob who is having a carving installed in the Vancouver Airport this afternoon. He was one recipient of a YVR Art Foundation scholarship. [I've updated the photo, which was obviously taken at the event. Here is Hjalmer and his grandfather, Wayne.] There are a few short stories here and here. (And here's the original article from when he first won the scholarship.)

Repatriating Historic Hera Gold

No doubt you know that this coastline is often referred to as The Graveyard of the Pacific. Hundreds of shipwrecks litter the waters just offshore. In most cases, the "first responders" to these wrecks were local people who rescued, sheltered and returned the survivors to Victoria. At times, they were honoured for their part in these rescues with medals like this one:

The inscription reads: To Nigel L. Campbell in recognition of his heroic services in effecting the rescue of five men from the wreck of the American schooner "Hera," November 27, 1899. This medal is now in the hands of a dealer in the UK and Tofino's Tonquin Foundation is trying to repatriate the medal, which is estimated to cost about $2000. Here is more on the story and you can read a bit more on the Hera here. It would be great to see this important artifact back in the region. Please consider a donation, large or small, to the Tonquin Foundation.

How do you "Picture Tofino?"

If you haven't had a chance to complete the arts, culture and heritage survey, please take a moment to do so now. Here is the on-line survey. Give the arts, culture and heritage committee (of which I am part) your thoughts and visions around these topics. For more on the projects of the Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee, visit here.