Bowen Island Birthday

Bowen Island…only a 20 minute ferry ride from the North Shore!  A mini island paradise a hop, skip + a jump from the city!

My brother-in-law Benjamin turned 50 last month + celebrated with a most righteous, jolly party on Bowen Island!  Mazel tov!!!  I have never been to Bowen Island, so I didn’t know what to expect, which always makes it exciting.

A very, very short ride on the ferry + the island is displayed in all it’s splendor before you.

Approaching the island reminded me of one of my favorite places to visit, near Los Angeles: Catalina Island.  Already my spirits were high!

We were on the ferry with brother-in-law Tom + Deb, the boys + Tammy.  Before the festivities we congregated on the beach near the party house.  The western shores of British Columbia are a driftwood dream!

The boys collected sea glass, shells + rocks.  They neatly lined them up on a driftwood log which I though made a pretty coastal arrangement.

You know how boys get to a certain age + avoid the camera lens like it’s the black plague?  Well I have discovered a super secret trick to get them to ham it up in front of the camera.  Say, “Hey guys, let’s do an action series photo shoot!  Like stunt man style!”.

I think we might have take 20 plus pictures in this series.

Six Million Dollar Man!  CUE BIONIC SOUND EFFECT!!!

We walked up to the house where the party was setting up.  It was a beautiful Mediterranean style house with insane views of the harbor.  Did I take pictures?  No, because I suck + have been afflicted with a severe case of the brain farts. lately.  But here’s the two sisters at the lush green secret garden gate.

We took a walk around the house + discovered a young fuzzy white tail buck munching on his dinner. He was so beautiful!  My zoom lens didn’t like me that day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BENJ!!!!!!

The three brothers Fayle.

A most joyous occasion!!!  Watasun was there playing – a three piece of guitar, bass + steel drum.  People be loving it, swirling + twirling, smiling + laughing!

Jeff was merrily dancing in a reverie trance.  Probably reminiscing about his days following the Dead.

I was doing the running man, the roger rabbit…I really wanted to do the Kid n’ Play, but there was no one there to do it with.

Watasun’s song, “It’s You” is featured in a video for the Vancouver tourism board.  DAYUM, this video makes Vancouver look like the most sparkly, magical city in THE ENTIRE WORLD!!!  And the song is super happy, making it an all time smile fest that makes you all want to come to Vancouver AND VISIT ME!!!!

I boned out of the party early because that’s the way I roll, while Jeff stayed on.  A lot of Benj’s friends camped out on the lawn for the night.  I was like aw, hell naw.  Jeff found an amazing B + B that we were lucky to stay at.  The island had a wedding of 150 + Benj’s party of 100 or more, so accommodations were scarce.  Here is the charming sitting room at The Lodge at the Old Dorm.

The B +B was a dorm built for the crew that worked on the Union Steamship Co. + is very attentively restored.  Breakfast is served at 9am, but arrive early (which Jeff grumbled at me for) relax in the sitting room + enjoy tea, coffee + a book!

Host Dan who is the nicest, most pleasant person ever makes a buffet breakfast that is known to be the best on the island!  And I’m telling you it’s sooooo true!  Granola, home made organic yogurt, fresh fruit, cheeses, egg cup with maple smoked bacon + home made buttery, flaky croissants that are to die for!!!!!

I am definitely coming back to The Lodge at the Old Dorm + I’m drooling thinking about that delicious breakfast!

Our plan of walking around town was squashed due to heavy rains + winds.  So, we headed out on a morning ferry, safe + dry on the upper deck.

It’s okay, we were tired.  ESPECIALLY someone that stayed on at the birthday party into the late hours!

I already can’t wait for summer – I want to go back to Bowen Island + enjoy the many hiking trails + beaches it has to offer!  Thanks for coming along!