Roderick Haig-Brown
BC - Campbell River, Haig-Brown House, Miracle Beach
A River Never Sleeps was one of the first fly fishing books I read. The author Roderick Haig-Brown quickly became a hero and favoured author. He was as influential in my early life as John Burrows, John Muir, Henry David Thoreau, and Ansel Adams. He loved the same places I did and wanted to preserve them.
I was privileged this week to visit his home along side the banks of his beloved Campbell River. The gate below leads to the river he cherished and fished often.
I first learned of the house when Harry Thurston, the Nova Scotian poet, spent a winter residency there and wrote the collection of poems titled Deer Yard with Alan Copper. The house is now a B&B during the summer and a visiting writer’s residence during the winter.
I was shocked to discover the Writer in Residence was Haig-Brown’s daughter, Ceila. She was working on a documentary film and kindly invited me inside to see the library. She remembered growing up in the house and playing as a child under the coffee table. I felt privileged to be in her company and grateful for her kindness.
The walls were lined with books and mementos.
I walked the grounds that had paths going in all directions and imagined all the times he and all the many writers in residence had strolled along contemplating the next word, phrase, or line.
It may be time to reread A River Never Sleeps.
Miracle Beach
This is a lovely Provincial Park and Campground. It was a quiet morning on the beach with overcast skies. Almost no one was there and low tide made the shore feel deserted.
The sun peeked in and out between the clouds and across the Strait the Canadian Rockys rose from the horizon. The light was flat but had a luminance that wrapped itself around you like a blanket.
What I am Reading and Watching…
Graham, Douglas (2010) The 80/10/10 Diet - taking a hard look at nutrition
Asprey, Dave (2019) Super Human - a plan to hack life backwards
Gallery & Art Shop
Check out my Gallery & Art Shop at Shop.RoamingForLifePhotography.com
Note: if there is any photograph of mine that interests you and is not listed in the shop, please contact me and I will make it available.
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Great Post Lloyd. I live in this area and it's always a treat to walk through the property to fish the Line Fence Pool. A lot of history there.
We are currently planning a cross-Canada trip and would love to hear your thoughts and experiences regarding vehicles. We're trying to decide between a travel trailer and a Class C motorhome which somewhat aligns with your recent changes. We have had a truck camper and now have a 25' travel trailer so are familiar with the major differences in terms of being able to leave a home base while exploring. What are you thoughts on this for a trip to see the country? Things like ease of overnighting on the road an parking close to or within major cities are two of our points of debate in addition to the ability to explore.
The photo of the Path to Miracle Beach is a beauty!