Hi, Jo. It's a long story, but Ocean Falls was founded in the early 1900s as a company town (timber and pulp mills). The last company moved out in the 70s (I think) and the government tried to take over but it wasn't able to make a profit so they decided to bulldoze the town. The remaining residents were able to stop the process but only after most of the downtown area was destroyed. A few businesses have tried to move in over the years and make a go of it, but they all failed. Now, most of the people living here are in Martin Valley (a suburb of Ocean Falls that's a mile away)and are retired.

We don't have a narrowboat itinerary sorted. We need to sell this boat before we make the move, but I imagine we'll start in your neck of the woods -- David's brother and sister-in-law live near Thirsk. But it will really depend on where we find the boat we want to buy.

Cheers!

It really is a cool place. In fact, every time we're here we're tempted to buy property -- there's just something special about it that I can't quite describe. We've really enjoyed the last three weeks. Not only have we gotten heaps of work done, but lots of exercise as well!

That's one of the things we like so much about cruising the Inside Passage -- there's so much history. Everywhere we go, we're following in the footsteps of Vancouver. It's pretty cool.

I'm getting excited about it, as well. Too excited, in fact. I really need to focus on what we're doing right now and stop thinking about all of the things I want to do once we get back to Kingston -- first and foremost, packing years and years of our personal possessions and raising Cambria's waterline a few inches.

Thanks, Liesbet. I'm really glad you mentioned Jo's blog in your haunted train tunnel post. One of the neat things about it is that she lives in Yorkshire, so her local walks will help me get a better feel for our future home. :-)

Nice! What a coincidence about Yorkshire. Based on her walks, it is an amazing area over there! And, the walks have benches and a place to eat cake!!! So different from the woods where we go hiking now. :-) I do prefer the quiet, though...

We've already got our first major walk planned -- the Lyke Wake Walk through the North Yorkshire moors. It's 42 miles (one way) and if you complete it in 24 hours, you become a member of the club and can buy a badge. I wonder if they have any benches along the way because cake is always a good idea! http://www.lykewakewalk.co.uk/

It really is sad, Anabel. Had there been any forward thinking by the government before they bulldozed most of the buildings, the scene was set for a vibrant tourism community that caters to fishing, wildlife viewing, tours to nearby natural hot springs and more.

I know. It's one of my favourite buildings in town.

Thanks, Melbee!

Thanks, Maple. You're so right. BC is incredibly beautiful. We've been cruising the Inside Passage in our boat for the last 8 years and can't seem to get enough of this place!

I really is a cool place . . . and some believe it's haunted. I haven't seen any evidence myself, but I did go into a house once that raised the hair on my arms and gave me goosebumps.

Last Trip Home
My children took me to the dock,
The Prince sails at twelve o’clock,
We boarded at Vancouver North,
From Burrard Inlet, we set forth,
Sailing across the English Bay,
Ocean Falls, we’re on our way,
Into the rollers of Georgia Strait,
The ports of call, cannot wait.

Vancouver lights, they faded fast,
Campbell River, we went past.
The tide we hoped was almost slack,
Memories of Ripple Rock come back,
As we crossed that terrible place,
Up Johnstone Strait, we kept apace.

Was not so long, there's Kelsey Bay,
Queen of the North, getting under way,
Her whistle blew, she left the pier,
Not knowing this was her final year,
Someone said, on another day,
She was lost near Hartley Bay.

As we passed, the lights dimmed quick,
The fog was eerie and pea soup thick,
As we entered Queen Charlotte Sound,
We feared that we would run aground,
As the waves hit the wheel house glass,
We prayed for this hell to pass.

To our relief, we entered calm waters,
Spotting Whales, Porpoises and Otters,
At Rivers Inlet, the Salmon jumped high,
But the Captain said we'll pass her by,
We sailed up the Sound of Fitz Hugh,
Past the bustling cannery, Namu.

We spot Grizzly's, as they lurk,
On the shore of Channel Burke,
Sailing up the North Bentinck Arm,
To Bella Coola in all it's charm,
Off loaded there, all kinds of goods,
At that town in the coastal woods.

Through the rip tides of Mesachie Nose,
Labouchere Pass, the cold wind blows,
Then we arrive at the Channel Dean,
Most beautiful place I've ever been.
Off to the right is Mackenzie Rock,
Alex Mackenzie's last place to dock,
We passed the hot springs at Eucott Bay,
There Frenchie and Simpson use to stay.

At Cousins Inlet, on our second night,
Ahead, we could see Martin Valley bright,
As we turn past Coolidge Point,
Once stood there a brothel joint,
Looking ahead what to our surprise,
Behold the sight, we're mesmerized.

The mill is gone and there no more,
At Cousins Inlet southern shore,
The homes once there, all burned down,
Only trees and brambles cover the ground,
Martin Inn lays in great despair,
No money or time for any care.

We walk solemnly up front street,
Till the mist of dam, felt good in the heat,
My children knew what I did yearn,
As they poured the ashes from my urn,
My ashes caught the warm summer breeze,
They settled on the maple and alder trees.

It was only then my life flashed by,
My children had their final cry,
I could hear so faint the whistle blow,
Remember the rain and winter snow,
And the children playing in the street,
Their boots all wet, and soaking feet,
Then I heard the Raven Calls,
I'm finally home at Ocean Falls.

Douglas A Jubb
Edited by Linda Williamson
2016

David and I think your poem is absolutely brilliant -- thank you so much for sharing it!

Thank You very much. Feel free to pass it along to your many other boating friends. I've had a few folks say they feel they are there taking the journey as they read it. Ocean Falls has a special bond for the many people who lived there. Regards Doug

I was told the road that I took a picture of (the one with the dog) was 10th street, but I haven't seen a map so I can't be sure. And yes, it is really sad. There's something very special about this place and it's a shame that it's going back to nature so quickly -- there should be children playing in the streets and neighbours chatting on the corners.

Yes, it was 10th street you took the picture of with your dog walking ahead of you. It was once wooden like many of the streets, but they paved it in the late '70's. Why, I don't know, since it is now disappearing too.

It's definitely an interesting place to spend some time and explore.

You won't regret it! Ocean Falls is the best example of a former company town that I've seen along the Inside Passage. It's just a shame they didn't save more of it.

My only regret is that we never saw it during its hey day -- the contrast would be really interesting.

What's really interesting is talking to someone who used to live here! From all accounts, it was an amazing place to grow up.

I didn't know that but it makes a lot of sense.

It's a shame that the building was left open to the elements. It'd be in good condition today if it hadn't. In fact, apart from the buildings that are inhabited, it's in better shape than any other and was interesting to walk around.