One cannot help but make connections on Salt Spring Island.. the island, the people, they invite you in and you are easily lulled into their world...
We were fortunate enough to go back to Salt Spring this past weekend to spend more time with Janet, Kevin and Kieran! Also, to enjoy the hypnotically relaxing effects of the Island.
As Jeff was working on Thursday, the boyz and I went out adventuring on our own. We just hopped in the car and went where the road led us.
At first, we were led to the park. It then became apparent that the boyz weren't up for a big trail walk or ocean visit. They wanted to go....to a bookstore! Yes, bookstores have been a top priority and agenda item of late. So, as I was checking out a brochure on Studio Tour locations on Salt Spring, I found Morningside Organic Bakery, Cafe and Bookstore. Perfect!
Of course all the roads on Salt Spring are windy, lined with green trees and some with ocean or lakeside views. Spotting deer on the side of the road is quite common. We saw all of this on the way to Morningside. Yay! Turns out, Morningside is right next to the Fulford Ferry Terminal and is surrounded by a few eclectic little stores and galleries right by the water. Very quaint, very Salt Springy. :)
We were drawn to the bookstore and cafe right away with its funky welcome sign, adobe entrance and small patio...the walls covered in meaningful quotes....leading to sparkling windows with books on environmental topics and a bakery to knock your socks off!
Before we even ordered, we were drawn to a book in the window called, That's Why We Don't Eat Animals, by Ruby Roth. We asked if we could read a copy of it. Manon, the co-owner, had a copy for us and we sat down to enjoy it. The book articulated some of the reasons why we have chosen to be vegetarians, was educational and beautifully illustrated; reinforcing our views and giving us new perspective.
It didn't take long for us to get into a chat with the owners of the store, Alan and Manon. Alan noted our interest in the book and asked us how we liked it. Simultaneously, Lucas found a petition for saving seals and information on the topic which we discussed with Alan. Josh talked to Magnon about making root beer from scratch with MyKL as well as making rose petal beads. She shared her knowledge of goji berries and cacoa beans. Alan and Manon expressed being quite inspired by our journey and suggested that I speak at conferences and on a CBC radio show with the boyz! As we left, Alan gave us a book on Super Foods as a gift for 'making his day'. Wow! What a genuinely wonderful meeting! I was so touched by the feedback and was reminded of how special this trip is for all of us.
Throughout our stay on Salt Spring, we continued to make connections, connections with people, connections with nature, connections with books, art and food.
Interactions like these and how they come about tend to occur naturally in our everyday lives, especially while on the road as we explore new places. Traveling encourages us to really open our senses to all that is around us. This is the ultimate joy of an unschooling lifestyle ... with moments of authentic life learning, socializing, creating and expanding which shapes our world view and helps us to develop passionate interests; bringing us joy and wonder.
