Wayne and I took a quick trip to Richmond including a dinner stop in Steveston Village, BC. It's cute with lots of shops and restaurants, but what really caught my eye was the working harbour. There were lots of fishing boats varying types. Looking at their sizes, some must fish the Fraser River and nearby Strait of Georgia. Others looked like they could handle the open seas on the west side of Vancouver Island or north to Alaska.
Also, there is the Gulf of Georgia Cannery. The once busy plant that operated from 1894 to 1979 is now a historic monument dedicated to a fishing industry that has dwindled over time. It wasn't open for tours when we were there, but I bet it would be very interesting. Maybe on another less quick trip.
I like visiting touristy towns in the off season. I bet the businesses appreciate it as well. While we were there, we went to Steveston Marine & Hardware. It is an amazing place with just about everything a private or commercial boater could need. Can't make it to Steveston, just go to their website and shop to your heart's content. - Margy
Wish I could have met you there, but as it were, I was busy tutoring after a lunch date with a friend. Maybe next time! Glad you enjoyed Steveston. It is quaint, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather and his brother used to run fishing canneries up and down the BC coast, when my mother was young.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to visit that museum some day.
Steveston is wonderful, isn't it? Long time no see, must include it on a trip to the coast soon.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Isn't Steveston Marine & Hardware wonderful?
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Steveston - in fact, my whole family did - parents, grandparents, even my great grandparents lived there. All generations of my family had/have businesses there - laundromats, restaurants, bike stores, water taxis, barber shops, etc.
It always feels like another world from Vancouver, despite its close proximity.
It's changed a lot in the last decade - lots of gentrification and definitely has become more trendy and hip (completely unheard of, say, 15 years ago). Nevertheless, it's still one of my favourite places in BC. Of course, I'm completely biased. ;)
Yes, what a wonderful place to visit. We were there some years back for a quick driving tour and always planned to go back... Anything with water and boats!!
ReplyDeleteI love to visit little villages like that - it looks quite charming. My father was a commercial fisherman in Alaska in the 50s and 60s - that museum would probably bring back a lot of memories.
ReplyDelete