We had a beutiful day at our own “Reichenbach Falls” aka Shannon Falls. A scenic drive up the Sea-to-Sky Highway where several Petrels met for a picnic lunch, ceremonial wreath-tossing in honour of “the best and the wisest man I have ever known” and a trek up to the falls.
We later retreated to “Toad Hall” (home of Len and Elsa) for light refreshments, games and a jolly good time of Sherlockian fellowship.
Mark your calendars for our August BBQ
This annual event will take place in Lynn Valley on Saturday, August 11 beginning at 3:00 pm.
If you are thinking of attending and would like additional info, please contact me, your Consulting Detective. I would love to hear from you.
Shannon Falls is located just off Highway 99, 58 km north of Vancouver. BC. According to the BC Parks website, it is composed of a series of cliffs, rising 335 meters above Highway 99, making it the third highest falls in the province.
In 1792, Captain George Vancouver set up camp just west of the falls, which were named after Shannon who, in 1890 – 1900, owned the falls and surrounding area and used the clay deposits to make bricks. (you can’t make bricks without clay!)
The park also holds significant spiritual value to the Squamish First Nations, the first people to live in the area. They told of a two-headed sea serpent, Say-noth-ka, who lived in and around Howe Sound. According to legend, this beast travelled both on land and in the water. Some versions say it was Say-noth-ka who formed Shannon Falls by slithering and twisting his powerful body up the mountainside, wearing down a spillway for those cascading waters
Reichenbach Falls Switzerland – Source: Flickr
We will, once again visit Shannon Falls, as our substitute for the Reichenbach Falls. The resemblance is truly uncanny!
We will meet at the park at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 14th. Please bring a lunch and your comfy hiking shoes, as we will walk up to the viewpoint located up a ” 350 meter long walking trail through a forest of Western hemlock, Douglas fir and Western red cedar along Shannon Creek.”
We will then pay homage to Vincent Starrett’s mother by visiting her grave site in North Vancouver, leaving a flower and reciting from her famous son’s works. Next stop will be “Toad Hall” for tea.
If you require any additional information, please contact your Consulting Detective at the g-mail address provided here.
On Saturday, March 24th, approximately 60 people gathered in the Special Collections & Rare Books Department of the WAC Bennett Library at Simon Fraser University, atop Burnaby Mt. to attend the dedication and reception of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Collection.
Many thanks to Mr. Eric Swanik, Head of Special Collections. With the donations by Peter Wood among other Petrels, the collection now houses issues of the original Strand Magazine, letters, annotated editions, scrapbooks, magazines, society publications, and more. A great start to “Baker Street West” as Peter Wood called it.
Three speakers gave us more insight into: collecting (Robert Eighteen-Bisang), into the history of the Stormy Petrels (Len Haffenden) and into Sherlock Holmes (Mason Harris)
Pictured in front of the collection are: Mason Harris, retired SFU professor of English Literature; Eric Swanic, Head of Special Collections of SFU; Len Haffenden, long-time member of the Stormy Petrels of BC and editor of the society magazine “The Petrel Flyer”, and Robert Eighteen-Bisang, owner of the largest vampire/Dracula collection
25 members and guests of The Stormy Petrels of BC celebrated their 24th annual “Master’s Dinner” We also recognized Len as he enters his 20th year as editor of The Petrel Flyer.
Vancouver's Official Sherlock Holmes Society 