Hello Halfmoon Bay/ Xwilkway.
We all know Halfmoon Bay is an active logging area and logging has been a source of income for many local families for decades. Who hasn’t cursed after getting stuck behind one of those snail-paced logging trucks on the highway on their way into town to catch a ferry. What could be worse? Maybe getting stuck waiting for train. Yes, a train. Did you know Halfmoon Bay had its own rail line? Back in the day, well over 100 years ago, there was an active logging railway that ran from behind Trout Lake west along a trail that became Highway 101 and down to the end of O’Brian Road. The Gordon Development Company operated and logged in the area and bought the new Climax Locomotive #124 built in 1913 to help get their logs to market. Logs were taken eight kilometres by trail and rail to the foot of O’Brian Road where they were dumped into the ocean and towed by tug to Vancouver. The busy logging railway ran for six years. If you hike in the Sunshine Coast Community Forest, look for the locomotive trail sign. Check before you go to make sure the area is safe to hike and not being actively logged. A plaque at the trail head tells the story and has great photos. Look closely on the trail, if you are lucky, you can see the original rail ties and log loaders on the path and even a few rusty cast iron artifacts like rail splices, or brake wheels – even railway spikes. (I found a spike on O’Brian road years ago.) Now that is what I call a crazy train.
The future of Coopers Green Hall might be in question as of late, but the park itself continues to rock and roll. Shake the sand off your dancing shoes from the fair and grab a lawn chair for the Lazy Days Summer Music Series. Located on an outdoor stage at Coopers Green Park rain or shine, there will be three Friday night concerts this summer July 29, August 12 and August 26 from 4 to 8 p.m. First up is the four-piece accoustic band Them Ordinary Things featuring a couple of our very own Halfmoon Bay favourite musicians, Simon Paradis and Paul Dwyer. Front man and founder of Foster Child, Jim Foster will be playing and always puts on a great show and has the best stories to tell. Mother and son duo Bellows and Strings will be also be performing. Food and drink will be available to purchase, more details and ticket information to come. Check out the Halfmoon Bay Community Association webpage at www.halfmoon-bay.ca for more info and updates.
Please send column ideas, suggestions and events, and questions about Halfmoon Bay to [email protected].
Enjoy your week, wear sunscreen and be a nice human.
