What is one of your favourite childhood memories? Was it a family trip? Meeting someone special? Hanging with friends? We all have those few memories that stick with us as we grow up. Some refer to them as cherished memories to others they are fond memories. To me they are happy moments in my life.

One of my all time favourites is where I spent my 9th birthday. My family and I spent it in a historic town in British Columbia called Barkerville.( Barkerville Historic Town & Park ) This was a town that was created out of necessity after Billy Barker struck gold in Williams Creek. The town now boasts 125 buildings on site, costumed interpreters, theater shows and many other demonstrations. You can actually watch a series based on the town here: https://barkerville.ca/series.

My step-father instilled in me a love for all things old. We used to camp in out of the way places to find old ghost town sites. He collected many types of antiques and old relics. Everything from old spice tins to a doctors bag with instruments to an old barber chair. He loved items of the past and I absorbed all of it. I love old town sites, graveyards, antique shows and finding those small items from the past that put a smile on my face.

My step-father had friends that were working in the theater in Barkerville so we went to watch the show and celebrate my 9th birthday. I have so many memories of that trip. We spent time with the cast and crew of the theater after hours at a huge bonfire. I was young but I was also smart enough to know when the adults were getting blitzed. I actually still have the program from the theater that year with all of the cast autographs. My mom even used the kitchen in the staff housing to bake me a birthday cake.

We also went horseback riding. I still remember the horse I rode. His name was Shadow and he was a lovely brown with black legs, mane and tail. My mom, who has a slight fear of the equestrian beasts, requested a mild manner creature. She got one all right. Her girl didn’t want to go anywhere and just wanted to munch on the long grass. We had a guide that took us along the trails. I remember he had a rifle with him and I asked why he needed it. He said it was in case of cougars. Didn’t bother me any but if I was told that now I would probably just turn around and be gone.

I remember the bakery. OMG, the smells coming from that bakery were mouth watering. We bought a loaf of fresh sourdough warm out of the oven. It didn’t make it very far as we just nibbled on it as it was. It was just so darn yummy. They had a shop with replica toys that were around in the late 1800’s. There was a photography studio where you could take the old fashioned style pictures. We did that with my step-father dressed up in a military uniform. One of the only times you would see a picture of him without his sunglasses on. Also one of the few times my mom would stand still to have her picture taken.

Since that trip left me with so many happy memories, I decided that I wanted to hopefully be able to create an equally happy experience for my kids. I have planned out a road trip this spring where we will be doing a couple overnights on the way there and staying in a cabin while in Barkerville. Being that they are all older they can really appreciate everything this town has to offer.

I really need to see if I can find any pictures I have of the trip and that theater program. If I do I will make a small post just so you can laugh at nine year old me. Until next time – stay sane.