An Old Lady On An Island

Last week, a chance encounter with a couple our age who moved to our island in 2022 from Alberta. She shared that they thought it would be romantic to live on an island. And is it, I asked? She looked at her husband; their faces lit up. Yes, she responded, definitely.

There is something special about living on an island. I see it in the faces of strangers when I mention we live on an island. They look at us with astonishment, surprise, and sometimes, envy. They ask a hundred and one questions. Is it expensive to take the ferry? What is health care like? Are there wild animals? Does everyone know each other’s business? Have you been welcomed into the island community? What is there to do on an island?

I have always had an affinity for islands and asked those same questions before we purchased our island home more than 20 years ago, hoping one day to live there permanently. And last summer we made the move.

The allure of islands begins when the ferry leaves the dock - whether returning home to our island, heading off for a holiday on Saturna Island, visiting friends on Prince Edward Island, or taking the now-discontinued ferry from Sidney to Anacortes on Whidby Island. The cries of seagulls fill the air. I breathe deeply. The rhythm of the waves soothes my soul. The vision of an island in the distance fills my heart. While some ferry travellers are heading home from work, many are heading off on vacation or to visit family and friends. Adults chat and laugh, children hang their arms over the side, and puppies stretch out on the warmth of the deck.

Next comes the drive along quiet roads. Coming home from visiting our kids the other night, we did not meet a single car as we traversed the island. We only slowed down once for a deer grazing on the side of the road. Night had descended, and the sky was bright with stars. When we opened the car doors in the driveway, the frog chorus welcomed us home. The cows lowed in the field, and bats swooped overhead. If I had to find a word to describe that moment, it would be silence.

This Pacific Northwest island where we live is a slice of heaven. Hiking trails stretch from one end of the island to the other through dense rainforest. No wild animals, except for the occasional cougar or bear that swims over. One day on our property last week, we saw pileated woodpeckers, robins, juncos, flickers, chickadees, blue jays, towhees, varied thrush, deer, and a beaver who decided the grass was greener by our pond. Almost daily, ravens, turkey vultures and eagles swoop low across our field. Along my favourite oceanside trails, I see herons, ducks, otters, seals, sea lions, and occasionally, orcas. We can swim, kayak or curl up with a book along the shore.

The island has a bus system, library, LifeLab, grocery store, community gardens, food bank, community meals, and a handful of churches, pubs and restaurants for the 4,500 residents. There are an unlimited number of volunteer opportunities and numerous causes to support. We can buy fresh produce and bread at the weekly market, enjoy outdoor concerts, and go on studio and garden tours.

Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? But here’s where the old lady part comes in. We are on the young side of old, so living here for another 5-10 years is realistic. But…there are no sidewalks, and eventually, the trails will be too difficult to walk. There is a waiting list of nearly 1,000 people for a family doctor. All medical specialists are off-island. Everything costs a bit more on the island - groceries, gas, and household items - costly on a retirement budget. We need a car to get everywhere, including the hiking trails. The only way off the island is by ferry. Passengers 65+ are free on certain days, but it will be expensive if we need to travel frequently for medical services.

Does that mean we will move? No, not anytime soon. We have a loose plan based on health and circumstances and, if life becomes difficult here, we will move. Where? Well, to Vancouver Island - more densely populated but with all the amenities we will need as we age!

We are now packing our bags to visit another island, one where I have been before and am eager to return. After three weeks in Vietnam, we will head to Bali, much bigger than our island, with a population of almost 4.5 million people. We will spend most of our time in the hustle and bustle of Ubud, in central Bali, surrounded by temples, rice paddies and volcanic mountains. But we cannot visit any island without spending time oceanside. On Bali, we will walk along beaches, eat at seaside warungs, watch surfers tackle huge waves, and enjoy brilliant sunsets.

Now that we are retired, we plan to make time to visit other islands around the world. We dream of exploring Malta, Ireland, the Azores, and the islands of Greece. A walking holiday in Japan is also on our list. Our trips may not be as adventurous as our bodies age, but as long as our health allows us to island hop, we will continue to do so!

What islands have you visited on your travels? Any recommendations?

I’ll be taking a break from blogging while I travel, and will be back in May - although you may hear from me now and then! If you are interested in following my travels, you can find me on Facebook and Instagram at @agelesspossibilities.