Moneca Miles, front right side, at home with her siblings in Gowland Harbour; Quadra Island, 1934.

My parents and grandparents were homesteading on Quadra Island during the Depression Years. Quadra is one of the larger islands in the Discovery Island group. It is a short ferry ride across Discovery Passage from Campbell River on Vancouver Island. Campbell River is a drop off point for loggers and fishers on the north coast. A little further up is the town of Port Hardy, a stopping point for cruise ships going to and from Alaska. The highway winds beside the waters of Active Pass, through Seymour Narrows, the dreaded rapids and tide rips, tamed somewhat since the top was blown off the huge undersea pinnacle called Ripple Rock in the 1950's. Many ships and lives were lost there in the past.