Oodles of Oysters

After saying goodbye to our visiting family on Sunday afternoon, we made our way from Ganges up Trincomali Channel to Wallace Island. We tied up at the Provincial Park dock in Conover Cove – so named for a previous owner of the Island whose claim to fame, among other things, was to first photograph a girl by the name of Norma Jean working in a factory – who would later become Marilyn Monroe. Legend has it that he told her at the time she should become a model.

He then went off to war and returned with a yearning to re-visit the Island that he worked at as a counselor when he was a boy. Finding that Wallace Island was for sale, he bought it with a dream of creating a resort. He returned to California, convinced his young wife to abandon civilization and comfort and moved to Wallace, building his home on Conover Cove and a number of cabins for visitors.

The original owers cabin at Conover Cove, Wallace Island, BC

The resort ran successfully for 20 years, but not without many colorful hardships including the owner falling in the well. The original owner’s cabin remains along with three others that, although in disrepair, are kept somewhat upright by donations from campers & boaters.

A cappella at the dock in Conover's Cove

We arrived late afternoon with the sun shining and hiked up to Princess Cove at the end of the Island. The trail was well trod for the most part, with a bit of a swamp in-between at the clearing, then up-hill to the peak of the ridge. On the way back Richard, always being one for adventure and never crossing the same trail twice, led us to an alternate path which got us “a bit” lost. We recovered to find our way back to the main trail and down to the dock where our dock-mates were BBQing freshly caught oysters. Being friendly as all boaters are, they asked us to join in. Soon the oysters were joined by appetizers from all boats and impromptu pot luck created for dinner.

All the "dockies" at the feed!

The host and chef Tom is a professional Coast pilot.

Also joining in were a couple from Vancouver, one from Summerland BC and another from Pender Island. A most salubrious evening! The oysters were big, sweet and yummy!