The years rolled by, the family evolved as many did back then. New partners, new loves, new jobs, new little farm. Lottsa good times and good people. But the old community evolved too, folks slowly moved on, or passed on and one day i realized Roberts Creek, the one i'd fallen in love with, wasn't really there anymore. Being only about an hour, including one ferry ride, away from Vancouver meant Roberts Creek and its environs faces steadily rising real estate prices and a steady influx of the city folks who could afford them.
We lived for 25 of those years on a small organic farm, couldn't see another human, could live the old life insulted from the gentrification slowly chocking that old lifestyle into submission. Roberts Creek is still a neat place, better than most for sure. Some oldtimers still live the outlaw life but not many anymore. Young families can't move in unless they are of the silver spoon variety. The newcomers drive shiny SUVs, ski at Whistler, and get a latte buzz.. The oldtimers drove beaters and raised kids, dogs, chickens, and pot at the end of long dirt driveways.
Haven't had much time for writing lately cause i'm movin north. Time for a change while i've still got a bitta time and energy left. The new paradise for me is Powell River South. The new hideout is about 3 hours including two ferry rides north of Vancouver. It's like stepping back in time, my old beater van fits right in, roosters crow at the break of dawn, dogs bark, and most thrilling of all kids go outside-unchaperoned-and play. The other day my youngest daughter and i hiked Palm Beach just down the road from the new hideout, it was glorious, it reminded me of the first time i visited Roberts Creek's beach all those years ago.
Goin north-it's the new west.
