When I came across this pic of horse chestnuts, it reminded me of that little hamlet on Vancouver Island where my friends Gary and Glynis live.
I met them in 1987 when I lived out there with Jamie's dad, and visited them every year, even after our break-up. I introduced Dale to them in 1991, and they drove the thirteen hundred kilometers to attend our wedding in 1993. Every year after, Dale, Jamie and I would either drive, or in later years, fly out to the island to visit.
We'd always take a walk around town because it was so fascinating - one hundred people living in thirty or so houses, which had all been brought in on trains and unceremoniously dumped to the sides of the railroad tracks for loggers and mill workers.
The owners of the mill, originating from the UK, brought with them a huge supply of horse chestnut trees which they planted in rows along the tiny "main street". Each tree has a stake with a plaque, commemorating the dates they were planted and for whom.
You can read more about Mesachie Lake here. Scroll down a bit to the picture captioned Bear Lake Park, and you can see the dock where Bill and I were married in 2007.
Have a good Monday.
