when I think of those days, it's in sepia

Tillcum Bay Marina, near Sechelt BC

I came across this photo of the place I lived until I was almost nine. The bottom of the pic shows part of the Tillicum Bay Marina. The inlet was lined with a large swath of white rocks, and was shaped exactly like a horseshoe. My dad kept his boat anchored there, and his friends all worked or lived nearby. I remember buying those individual bubble gums in the store, two for a cent. My brother, sister and I fished off the docks a lot, dangling our feet in the water to stay cool. Once, a group of large dog fish swam beneath my feet, scaring the crap out of me (they look like small sharks!)

Beyond the marina is Sechelt Inlet, where we dropped traps for crabs or went digging for oysters. We'd set up camp in the sand, draping boards and blankets across the huge boulders. We'd fish and swim and fool around all day until evening fell, then we'd light a fire and cook what we'd caught or dug up. My mom would play guitar, and we'd fall asleep under the rock tents, listening to the adults drink and sing.

You know, I don't remember ever packing up and coming home. I wouldn't be surprised if they woke us up at 4 am and got us home still high on beer and boiled crab.

It was a different time then.