My birthday falls somewhere close to the long Easter weekend. In fact, I was born on Easter Monday. Which means that I can combine the long weekend with the need for a birthday treat in order to do something extra special. And lucky for me, I have good friends who are more than willing to use any excuse to get out-of-town and go on an adventure.
Birthday cheesecake made by a friend with homemade toasted caramel toasted port!
One of my favourite things to do is rent a cabin on a beach somewhere along the BC coast. I am blessed to live next to the ocean and within a day’s trip of many, many islands. There is something about sailing away on a ferry that feels like leaving everything behind, no matter how short the ride might be.
This year we chose Quadra Island. The island is 310 square km in size; it is 32km long and ranges from 2km to 15km wide. Located off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island, it is separated from the island by Discovery passage. Which means that our trip involved one ferry ride from Vancouver to Vancouver Island, then a few hours drive north, and then a short ferry hop across to Quadra.
The cabin was perfect. A view out overlooking the beach. Hot tub on the deck. I could lie in bed and watch the waves, and their soothing sound lulled me to sleep and gently woke me in the morning.
The view from my bed!
There were lots of hummingbirds, both at the feeder and the flowers.
The beach was full of character and interesting discoveries. Driftwood that looked like giant sea monsters with eyes and faces, rocks that were full of colour and personality.
When the tide receded, abundant tidal pools filled with creatures like sea stars and crabs. And things that eat those things!
A well camouflaged heron!
And, oysters everywhere.
I returned a ball to a lovely old dog and met his owners who were harvesting oysters. They offered to shuck one for me to try on the spot. Having never tried this, I gave it a try. It was delicious! I thought it would be gross and gelatinous. Not so. It was lovely and firm, and salty.
It was a great weekend. There are so many more islands to explore. I hope I have enough birthdays!!!
A Fish and a Bicycle 
Luckily there are enough of us that like to “cabin” that we can do a whole bunch a year 😛