I got my Dream Job

[stuphoto]

As some of you probably figured out, I prefer smaller towns rather than bigger cities.
Plus the ocean has been calling me for the last few years.
Which is why I built a kayak more suited to the ocean than lakes.

Well today I got the call I was hoping for a month ago.
I have been hired to drive bus on Hornby Island for the summer
I will be heading that way tomorrow or Wednesday.

If you are visiting the island this summer please let me know and I imagine we can arrange a meeting.

Oh for those ( like myself ) whom have never been there,
Here is a story about it.
https://www.thestar.com/life/travel/201 ... north.html

[seewood]

The Thatch is one of my favorite pubs...

Hornby is a terrific little Island.

Oh, and congrats.
If you have a day off, a kayak tour of Nanaimo harbour with a finish at the dingy dock pub. One of my favorite pubs...

[dirtybiker]

Fantastic !

Good times.

[OKkayak]

Nice. Never been to Hornby, been to Denman, but not Hornby. Will have to hit it up one of these days, kind of hard to make it as a day trip though.

Best of luck to ya

[Queen K]

Great News! And when they find out how great you are, they're gonna keep you on. Or give a fantastic reference!

Either way, I am so happy for you Stuphoto! Way to go!

[just popping in]

Dream jobs are few and far between, congratulations! You are my smile for today.

[stuphoto]

Thank you everyone,
I needed to find a small RV or something to live in today and wasn't really having much luck until an hour ago.
I was offered use of a Funky old Camper for $10 a day
On a beautiful property overlooking the ocean.
It does need some work, but I am a handy guy.
Needless to say I took it instantly.

The owners of the transit were surprised, that sort of thing just isn't available there.

[stuphoto]

Thank you Trucker,
I will have the time.
One bus, 4 or 5 drivers, one is full time.
From 10 till 2pm then it starts up from 4 until 8.
On Friday nights it runs until 11pm.
It just runs through the summer.
For me it is a dream come true.

My plans are leaving around 7am.
I thought the Midway gas station was open until 7pm but it closes at 6pm during week days.
Oh the small town life

[Babba_not_Gump]

You will find some nice Upper Cretaceous fossils just laying there begging you to pick them up.

You'll find more than old Cretaceous fossils on Denman and Hornby Islands.

I lived an hour or so south of there in my final high school days. We would tour the islands checking out the naked hippy chicks.
If they're still there, well, they are about fifty years older.

You've been warned.
Keep your eyes on the road.

[stuphoto]

I was about to start praying that their daughters and granddaughters have replaced them, until I remembered what I saw at Jewel Lake today
Lets just say, I know why airlines are charging some people for 2 seats.

[Even Steven]

[Merry]

Good luck in your new venture. If you get the chance, post some pics so we can all see what the place looks like.

[stuphoto]

Oh Steven,
I have driven bus for 7 years so no big deal.
I honestly loved the job just not being gone for home for several months straight.
Now everyone I have no family left, it's time to do what I want and live life again.

I have played that movie while driving down Big White during a nasty snowstorm.
The young people loved it, one older lady was less impressed

Good luck in your new venture. If you get the chance, post some pics so we can all see what the place looks like.

Great idea Merry,

I have already chatted with a moderator about just that.
I will probably bump my Iceroad thread and have the name changed to Adventures at Work.

The town is around the same size as Midway population wise and my guess is the island is around the same area as Midway and Greenwood together.

I may have one free serviced campsite for family on a first come first serve basis.
Some people on this board are like family to me

[Queen K]

Stuphoto, any news? Did you keep on for the Fall? What say you?

How is it going?

[stuphoto]

Hi Queen,

Thank you for the bump, I was going to post an update but have been a little busy the last few days.
I am just switching phones, and don't have my photo account set up on this one yet so I will have to add the pictures later.

Anyway
The season has ended, and I had an amazing time.
The bus only runs during the summer due to funding, however they are working on getting the next school bus contact.
Which should get us the money we need for year round service.

When this happens I will most likely be driving less and taking on more of an admission roll.
Something I would rather do.

I have been asked to stay on the island and am looking for a sailboat to buy and move into.
It won't be new, or pretty to start with. However that could change quickly.
I have met a retired yatch builder whom has offered my his assistance when needed.
It turns out he has admiring my kayak since he first saw it.

For the winter I will be doing some cleaning jobs to help pay my bills, however I am also looking for a space suitable for my darkroom.
Plus I have been offered a woodworking shop to build some boats and have several people interested in buying them.

Oh, I have also met a beautiful woman who lives here in the summer.
It honestly might not lead into anything, but you just never know

So all in all, it was an amazing summer.

Today we had a traditional Hornby Wave Off, which is lining up on the beach to wave at the last ferry leaving the island.
Shouting to come back next year, or never come back.
The ferry gets involved shooting off their water cannons and spinning circles

I will keep you updated in the next few days when I buy my new to me boat.
I am looking at 3 in the local harbor, which haven't been touched in many years.
They all need a considerable amount of work, but I can probably get one for cheap and fix it up.