First Day on the Road
Posted by Kristin Butcher
Okay, this is me bravely going where I have never gone before—blogging WITH photos on the BC Book Prize website. I’m also bravely geographically-going where I’ve never gone before—on a week-long tour through northern BC with three other nominees for the BC Book Prizes (Kari-Lynn Winters, Cathleen With, and Michael Turner). So far, so good—though I’m already exhausted. To quote Michael, yesterday was three days long. It was great fun—we each talked to students in two different schools (in Terrace and Kitimat) and then spoke to a wonderfully enthusiastic audience at the Kitimat Public Library in the evening. Between events, we took a tour of the Kitimat area and drove out to Haisla Village. After checking out the pier (I love piers), the others in the group—along with our leader and driver, aka the executive director of the BC Book Prizes, Bryan Pike—went for a walk along a woodland trail. My school presenter footwear (ie—high heels) aren’t great for hiking, so I stayed behind and guarded the fort (van). While on their excursion, the others discovered that we were parked directly across the road from the home and workshop of renowned carver, Sammy Robinson. He graciously provided us with a tour of his shop. He had stories to go along with all the beautiful pieces, and even showed us his loft studio. I was so jealous. It looked out over the water and was filled with sunlight. We stayed talking with Sammy for so long that we were pressed for time. Supper at the Sea Masters Restaurant wasn’t as leisurely as we would have liked, but it was certainly delicious, and our trusty driver, Mario Pike got us to the library in time for our evening event. By the time we got back to our hotel, it was ten o’clock, and knowing we were in for another busy day today, it was straight to bed for everyone.
Shari
Apr 13, 2010 at 08:26 AM
Whew! Sounds fun but exhausting! Good thing you’ve got Mario to burn up the pavement… I mean, get you to all your great events on time.