Friday, October 16, 2015

An Ocean of Memories

Gary and I are unique (and awesome?!) in the fact that we share the same jobs; science teachers and photographers. We both have a love for the outdoors, nature, and gorgeous scenery.  For me, a lot of these passions came about through my childhood.  We grew up going to Vancouver Island several times throughout the year to visit family and then go whale watching, fishing, and camping.


We had a small Zodiac and could fit my mom, dad, and all five kids on it (and sometimes even my oma, too!)  We saw the grey whales migrating each Spring Break and we caught our limit of salmon every summer.  There was so much fresh air and togetherness--what a feeling!




I fell in love with biology. When you clean a salmon, you can't help but be in awe of how it's put together (and what is in it's stomach!)  When you see grey whales swimming next to your boat, you can't help but be amazed at the sheer size of them.  When you fling bull kelp at your sisters, you can't help but notice the colourful array of seaweeds that litter the coast (and the fun brown algae, Fucus,  that you can pop!)  When you learn how to identify male and female crabs by the V-shape on their underside, you can't help but check it out each time (and then hide them in your sister's boots.)  There is so much to learn and the beauty is never-ending.


When I'm on the beach, I'm brought right back to those feelings of playfulness, relaxation, and exploration.   Every year, for the past 8 years, we head back to Vancouver Island to explore Ucluelet and Tofino with our family.  I hope that my kids will see and feel the beauty, experience the awe, and embrace all there is to learn.  We even named our oldest son Kai because it means "ocean".




{Same spot 20 years apart--Long Beach in 1994 and 2014. I wonder if my kids will have a picture here in 2034. }


We live in such an incredible world and I'm grateful to have experienced a childhood where we could spend so much time just being in it--in the moment and in the beauty.

Do you have a childhood tradition that you have continued into adulthood?

Love,
Louise


2 comments:

  1. Grey whales swimming by your boat!! Now that is an adventure! Holy smokes Louise! I actually love holding the heart of a trout in my hand and studying it. But I do not have the soul of a biologist.

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    1. It was pretty incredible seeing them spout and the barnacles on their body! The sea lion rocks were pretty cool too, I can still hear my mom saying "Not so close, Jack!"

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