SEMIAHMOO CANNERY ON TONGUE POINT.

On Saturday, we visited the Semiahmoo Cannery on Tongue Point. To do justice to this picture of the old building, click on it twice to enlarge it. It was once the largest salmon cannery in the world.

The old building has a lot of character.

Character that will be its demise someday, as it stands slowly rotting away. I expect the money to restore a building like this is scarce or non-existent.

In that cove a ferry dock takes people across the channel to White Rock British Columbia or to Blaine which is just around the point. I want to kayak while I’m here, but Jim isn’t interested. One rental outfit works off the point. I talked to a family that kayaked to a spot on the U.S. side where they were entranced by a colony of seals with new little pups.

Another tourist attraction on the point is the Plover Ferry.

The wide paved bike/pedestrian trail that leads to the point, we learn, is part of the historic Pacific Coast Millennium Trail. What an appealing area to visit.

Another tourist attraction is the old pirate ships. Two of them entertain by having a battle at sea. We didn’t ride it, but we heard the gunfire as the two ships engaged.

Plenty of other boat rides are available to anyone wanting a ride on the Salish Sea.

We drove to the modern Semiahmoo Marina, very pretty, with  restaurants and related businesses about.

I liked the name of this guy’s boat.

But, the barnacle clad, old rotting piers at the cannery were much more interesting.
This mossy growth is everywhere on the old pilings. I swear, in the wake of even the smallest boats, the pier rocks back and forth as though they aren’t attached at the bottom. A bit disconcerting. But the gulls love it.

DRAYTON HARBOR DAYS

Good weather, tall ships, sail boat races, steamboat parades, amateur raft races, treasure hunts, carribean costume contest, arts fair and bark on the beach. All this and caliope music should draw you to Drayton Harbor Days in Blaine the first weekend of August. Parked two miles away, and we missed it! One tall ship was still sitting in the harbor when we arrived on Monday to visit the Peace Arch Park, but you can bet your booty we won't miss it next summer. The tall ships face off in two battle sails. In the mock battle they fire black powder (small 5 lb) cannon balls, but the sound gives an idea what it must have been like in a real seafaring war.
We drove the shoreline where tourists pour out of condos, cars, vacation rentals for clamming at low tide. Families were out in force walking their dogs, kids sluicing with boogie boards through the tide puddles. Many were pickniking at the tables lining the shore and in general having a great time.

We visited the point opposite Drayton Harbor at Semiahmoo Marina where the Historic Plover Ferry still runs as a passenger only ferry between the Marina and Drayton Harbor. On the roadside we spotted a bald eagle in a tall spar beside the road. He stopped traffic for minutes as everyone grabbed a gander.

It was serendipitous that we should find a 60 foot strip of blackberry vines next to the water with huge ripe berries just asking to be picked. We ate until we were full.
Jim calls this an abbreviated summer since we got a late start, but I'm already making plans for next year. Hope you do to. What a great place to have fun.