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To paraphrase Charles Dickens: 'It was the best of times, and it was the worst of times!
The fall in Port Renfrew was a continuation of the splendid summer we had shared. The weather remained warm and sunny, with barely sufficient rain to enable the salmon to make it up-river to the streams, in order to spawn. It was a very busy time for our hatchery. We often forget, or take for granted the great and dedicated work done by the staff and the volunteers on our behalf. Millions of fry are released annually to supplement nature's arrangements. A good part of the responsibility for the great fishing in, and around, Port Renfrew, and it's success belongs there.
With the great weather, and fishing many anglers, and other visitors, were able to extend their season. Eventually the number of rainy days increased, temperatures dropped, and it got windy. Fall was setting in for real.
Quite a number of storms blew in, up and down the coast, with the predictable results. There were frequent power outages, well over a dozen throughout. While most could be repaired within 6 - 8 hrs., some took a while longer. In some cases one outage followed another closely so that in practical terms we were without power for a day, or two.
The winds, and storms, which were the cause for this upheaval, also provided very good surfing conditions for most of late fall, and all of winter. Surf was up! Surfers could be found nearly everywhere between Jordan River and Port Renfrew, practicing their art. Often to the enjoyment, and entertainment of groups of onlookers.
Port Renfrew gradually moved into winter mode. Things began to slow down. The number of guests at the Restaurant, Pub, and Hotel diminished. We 'locals' regained our town. The last of the firewood was being split and stacked. People had, and took more time for their friends and neighbours. Thanksgiving and Halloween were celebrated, and much fun was had by all, especially the children and younger folk.
Still, some of our residents took barely time for a quiet breath, before beginning with their plans for expansions, changes, and new enterprises to better serve our visitors, and community during the next year. More of that later.
It was a stormy night when, on Dec.4/03, early in the morning Matthew Cordin passed away, due to a freak accident. This really affected the entire community, since Matt, as we called him, was a kind and well liked young man. We miss him greatly. Aside from working at the hatchery, his main contribution to the town was as a volunteer fireman.
A rather subdued Christmas and New Year's season came and went. This was not enhanced by an ongoing flu epidemic, which stuck around, in one disguise or another, for over three months.
January started with a surprisingly cold bang. On Jan. 2/04 we were blessed with a 4 inch snowfall. Not a great surprise in itself. We expected the snow to disappear in a day or two. Alas, this was not the case. Instead we were stuck with cold temperatures which kept the snow from melting, though all around us it quickly disappeared, and daily 'dustings' topped up what little did melt. We really did begin to wonder when another 10 inches arrived Jan. 6/7. Only in, and around, Port Renfrew, or so it seemed, did the snow stay. It took until Jan 12 for the snow to start to disappear. Whew, for us "that" was a WINTER. Who would have imagined that in these days of global warming we would get a solid snow cover for a week and a half? Seems like crazy weather inversions are happening everywhere, not just in temperate Port Renfrew.
On Jan 18/04 a real pillar of our community passed away, after fighting cancer for over a year. Ann Del Farrish was a lot more than just the local chief of the Ambulance Service. She was a tireless spirit, deeply involved with her town, and most of it's activities. Her greatest gift to us may well be the PRHSSS, which she founded, and for long years single-handedly carried. We lost a friend whom we won't ever forget.
Life goes on, and Port Renfrew is a resilient community. The weather soon returned to it's previous pattern. Cool and rain, windy, cool and sunny. We began thinking of spring, and our plans for it.
A small hardware store was quickly put into effect at the site of the Osprey Cabins. One or two new cabins made an appearance as well. Now we don't need to drive, cursing, to Sooke for that missing, or forgotten, screw, that pound of nails. An expanding stock of hardware, and other offerings, souvenirs, etc. is on offer.
Two new houses began to rise. One, a family home, at a site at Pacific Mists, the second one, a large home with B & B facilities, at Peter and Connie Hovey's Trail Head Motel.
Trees and branches, and other debris of the winter storms were being removed. By the time March turned into April much refurbishing was in progress.
The old Hotel, under new ownership, which had nearly burned down a year ago, also saw some activity. New siding has been installed, and the larger, and much more suitable deck completed. 'Alcatraz', the small cottage on the rocky spit, beside the pier, a very popular accommodation, is no more……..only to arise again, larger, better, and with greater comforts. More cottages are planned. A mobile kitchen, in front of the deck, will provide many a tasty morsel for the hungry hiker.
The Light House Pub, and the Motel, have survived the winter well, and are ready to serve it's clientele with it's usual splendor and hospitality, provided by the same management team, the Wasners.
Jess Hick's Coastal Kitchen Café, which appeared, phoenix-like, at a new location last year, is ready to address a variety of culinary demands. The ice-cream stand is open. Just a little way down the road from there, across from the Osprey Cabins, you will find the San Juan Bistro, again under the management of Andrew Hofmann, providing his eclectic, and tasty menu.
he Beachcombers Crafts Store is located, as you might expect, in Beach Camp. You can find it behind the old Fire Hall. Betty and Kurt Wisselmann will be glad to show you their varied offerings, ranging from local art to t-shirts and post cards.
Obviously there are many other services available, and I refer you to the many other areas on this web-site. The motels, B & B's, and House rental opportunities are ready, and at your pleasure. Early bookings are encouraged, due to rising demand, especially during the summer months.
The same holds true for the various Fishing Charters and Boat Tours. The fishing this spring has been very lively, and satisfying. Halibut lead the list of early catches, and some beauties have been caught, though many other species are biting too.
The Marina, on the far side of the estuary, has re-opened, and has gasoline available as well. So? Seems like we have done it again. Passed through fall and winter. Now in spring we are putting the final touches on our preparations, that we may make your stay in Port Renfrew more comfortable, entertaining, and rewarding.