Walk down memory lane.....
June 19th - Prince Rupert, B.C.
Dana and I lived in Prince Rupert from March 1981 to September 1984. We moved to Rupert from Calgary where we had spent 3 years working rather than living. Prince Rupert was where we began to live. Driving into Rupert my mind was alive with some vivid and other sketchy memories. I remarked to Dana that Prince Rupert was a place of connections. Of course the main one was my Mom and Dad. Mom and Dad lived in Prince Rupert for several years in the late ’70’s. Dad loved it in Rupert. He really dived into the “sea” life. After he left Rupert he would often remark that he “had sea air in his blood”. I think Mom liked it too but maybe not as much as Dad did. We met some wonderful people in Prince Rupert, some who became friends for life. One who we metaphorically “adopted” as the child we never had. Although our lives took us in different directions we still exchange Christmas cards every year. (Love you Mima…) Our nephew Nate started his career in Prince Rupert. I have been fortunate to have been able to return to Rupert many times over the years on work related business. This is Dana’s first visit since we left in 1984.
We drive into town with Dana saying, “Oh, that’s new”, or, “I rember that”. The bones of the city remain pretty much as they were in 1984 but in many ways this city has changed a lot. We spent several hours driving around the city in the pouring rain. We drove by our old house on Talyor Street. It still looks neat and tidy, although it has changed colour and grown a nice wrap around deck. We drove through Cow Bay, the now busy tourist section of town. Back in the day it was “across the tracks” and nothing more than fish plants and docks. We drove out to Seal Cove where Dad used to keep his boat at the Coast Guard station. We tried to drive out to the new container port but access is restricted. I didn’t used to have trouble with access to these locations but now that I’m just on old retired guy no one knows me. We went to the Prince Rupert Raquet Centre where we spent 3 days a week for the better part of 3 years when we lived in Rupert. The 2 racquet ball courts where we played are now fitness rooms but the 2 squash courts are still in use. On our way out of the Centre we met a fellow who was just arriving. He smiled and said hi. I looked at him and said that we were just visiting. I mentioned that we played here a lot back in the early 1980’s. Then, it hit me and I asked him if he was “Ian”. He smiled and said, “Yes. I am Ian.” Ian played only squash and at the time was one of the top squash players not only in Prince Rupert but in BC. He said his knees never gave out so he just keeps playing.
We ate dinner at the Crest Hotel. More memories. Later on in the evening we walked around Cow Bay, watched the Eagles dive into the harbour for fish treats left by fisherman at the Yacht Club and had hot drinks at Cowpuccinos Coffee shop. At 9:00 we headed to the Alaska Ferry Terminal to wait for our ferry that would depart Prince Rupert for Alaska at 3:00 bloody a.m.
Dana and I lived in Prince Rupert from March 1981 to September 1984. We moved to Rupert from Calgary where we had spent 3 years working rather than living. Prince Rupert was where we began to live. Driving into Rupert my mind was alive with some vivid and other sketchy memories. I remarked to Dana that Prince Rupert was a place of connections. Of course the main one was my Mom and Dad. Mom and Dad lived in Prince Rupert for several years in the late ’70’s. Dad loved it in Rupert. He really dived into the “sea” life. After he left Rupert he would often remark that he “had sea air in his blood”. I think Mom liked it too but maybe not as much as Dad did. We met some wonderful people in Prince Rupert, some who became friends for life. One who we metaphorically “adopted” as the child we never had. Although our lives took us in different directions we still exchange Christmas cards every year. (Love you Mima…) Our nephew Nate started his career in Prince Rupert. I have been fortunate to have been able to return to Rupert many times over the years on work related business. This is Dana’s first visit since we left in 1984.
We drive into town with Dana saying, “Oh, that’s new”, or, “I rember that”. The bones of the city remain pretty much as they were in 1984 but in many ways this city has changed a lot. We spent several hours driving around the city in the pouring rain. We drove by our old house on Talyor Street. It still looks neat and tidy, although it has changed colour and grown a nice wrap around deck. We drove through Cow Bay, the now busy tourist section of town. Back in the day it was “across the tracks” and nothing more than fish plants and docks. We drove out to Seal Cove where Dad used to keep his boat at the Coast Guard station. We tried to drive out to the new container port but access is restricted. I didn’t used to have trouble with access to these locations but now that I’m just on old retired guy no one knows me. We went to the Prince Rupert Raquet Centre where we spent 3 days a week for the better part of 3 years when we lived in Rupert. The 2 racquet ball courts where we played are now fitness rooms but the 2 squash courts are still in use. On our way out of the Centre we met a fellow who was just arriving. He smiled and said hi. I looked at him and said that we were just visiting. I mentioned that we played here a lot back in the early 1980’s. Then, it hit me and I asked him if he was “Ian”. He smiled and said, “Yes. I am Ian.” Ian played only squash and at the time was one of the top squash players not only in Prince Rupert but in BC. He said his knees never gave out so he just keeps playing.
We ate dinner at the Crest Hotel. More memories. Later on in the evening we walked around Cow Bay, watched the Eagles dive into the harbour for fish treats left by fisherman at the Yacht Club and had hot drinks at Cowpuccinos Coffee shop. At 9:00 we headed to the Alaska Ferry Terminal to wait for our ferry that would depart Prince Rupert for Alaska at 3:00 bloody a.m.
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| Cow Bay, Prince Rupert |
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| Prince Rupert Racquet Centre |
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| Downtown Prince Rupert through the trees on a rainy day..... Or, as we know it, every day! |
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| Taken at sunset from the Alaska State Ferry Terminal in Prince Rupert. |
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ReplyDeleteLove you both too! I remember my first night there and being rescued by you and Dana. Great memories flood back to me and it brings me to tears to read your memories and see the photos. Thank you for this gift. The raquet center where you fortunately introduced me to a healthy lifestyle. The burgers at the diner across from the mill. The morning you took me out on your boat to drop shrimp pots and later that night feasting. Cat sitting and drinking tea with you both. Those great potato wedges at the commercial pub. Its like we did it yesterday but its 35 years ago.
ReplyDeleteGood memories stay strong! Love those eagles too. Darn beggers....dont they know how regal they are? Get out of the dump already!!! ��
Stay safe you rwo and keep those bird shots coming. They bring so much joy.
Big hugs
Mima