I celebrated my second birthday on the island this weekend, rounding into year two living here.
When I first arrived, I puzzled over restaurants shutting down around 8 p.m.
I called the Cove, “town.” Got corrected a bunch.
In other words, I didn’t feel like I totally fit in.
But somewhere between then and now — amid power outages and hitching rides in snowstorms — things shifted.
I not only love this place, it’s home.
So I feel confident to compile my own Bowencentric list about feeling at home on the island. Here it is.
You feel like a real Bowen Islander when:
- You recognize a deer by location, gate and yes, attitude.
- The deer recognizes you back.
- You notice when the people who work on the ferry get a haircut.
- You would never, ever, ever, tailgate anyone on the island — like ever. (Or is that just me? We’re all going to the same place people!)
- You suddenly have a hankering to throw an axe.
- So you go out and you throw one. (I’m not saying it’s hitting the target yet, but it’s a start right?)
- You realize getting lost on the local hiking trails is actually sort of the whole point, even if you intend to hike the Handlogger’s Trail and end up at the top of Mount Gardner.
- You have parked in the ferry line-up at least one time when you’re actually just running in to get a latte at The Snug!
- You spot someone in Vancouver or on the mainland with the orange Bowen ferry sign on their rearview mirror and you can’t help it, you smile and wave.
- Tourists stop and ask you for directions to things like, “the big maze” or the “really old tree,” or “the beach,” — and you know what to tell them.
- You suddenly understand what people mean by Island Time.
- What else makes you feel like an islander? Tell us your own “you’re a local when. . .” story by emailing me at the paper. Thanks!
