The Forbes family moved to Gold River in 1973, and started exploring and enjoying adjacent Nootka Sound. Cam Sr. was a steam engineer for the Gold River pulp mill, and he moved to Gold River with his wife Julie and their four children Cameron, Dean, Laura and Christy.  In 1992 Cameron saw an opportunity for a lodge for the fishermen who enjoyed fishing without hiring guides, so he started the ball rolling by applying for a foreshore lease in Tlupana Inlet which is now the site of Critter Cove. His brother Dean, Laura and his folks Cam Sr. and Julie joined him once the lease was obtained. They bought an old fish farm with hundreds of feet of dock and a floating building and towed it into place. They added four bunkhouse rooms, a hand pump for gas, and a coffee pot - and opened in 1993. Since then almost every year there has been an addition, expansion or reconfiguration making Critter Cove the place for fishermen it is today. The family expanded too. In 1996 Catherine moved to Nootka to work at another lodge. After several boat rides in between lodges, they married in 1998. Bryce and Tucker followed in 1999 and 2000. Catherine also comes from a fishing background. Her grandparents opened Painter's lodge in the 1930's, but it was sold from the Painter family in 1949. Catherine was a guide in Campbell River for a dozen years before venturing to Nootka. This photo taken the summer of 2011: Cameron, Catherine, Tucker, Bryce, Julie and Cam  You'll see Cam Sr., Julie, Cameron, Catherine, Bryce and Tucker on the main docks. Laura and Al run the Pit Stop so you'll see them on the gas dock. Thankfully Julie still makes all the fresh pies and other desserts in the restaurant. Nootka History: There's way more to Nootka than just great fishing in calm water. Nootka is called "The birthplace of BC" and was the first stop in North America by Captain Cook in 1778. The first European in BC was Juan Perez from Spain in 1774. Both Perez and Cook met the Mowachat people at Yuquot (Friendly Cove) and traded with them, which was the start of the sea otter fur trade. Here are a few links to detailed history of Nootka: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nootka_Sound http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nootka Here's the story of John Jewitt who was held captive for two years by Chief Maquinna at Friendly Cove: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_R._Jewitt In addition to all the history at Friendly Cove - it's just beautiful and well worth a visit. This Friendly Cove slide show works best if you mouse over the bottom of the photo and arrows will pop up: Back to top of page |