In the book we are planning to write, the preamble will read:
GREENWAY SOUND: a story of faith, love and courage, plus just a little insanity! Greenway Sound Marine Resort was opened in 1985 to serve the visiting boaters in the Broughton Islands, as the area was growing very fast. Desolation Sound was overcrowded, and our area was new and fun to explore. Combining Tom's marina experience with Ann's restaurant expertise, we were able to create a new destination resort for the boaters entirely from scratch, starting with a bare bay.
There were several basic things we needed from nature: Deep water, enough air and space, winter protection, and a good source of fresh water. Greenway was the only bay we looked at that had it all. Plus it had a place to walk nearby in the recently logged area. It was perfect. We applied to the B.C. Lands dept. for occupancy and got it in June 1985, just ahead of the fish farm land grab that followed . Our place most assuredly would have been a fish farm.
The paperwork went faster than we expected, so we hastily opened Greenway Sound Marine Resort in 1985 with one dock and the beginnings of the restaurant building. In order to be on site, we built the shell of the restaurant in Alert Bay, loaded it with all the components including the generator, and quickly towed it to Greenway. The idea was to be on-site to greet visitors and tell them of our plans, while we put the place together. We had no windows, water, power, or other facilities. We were truly camping in our own building, along with the birds that flew in and out, and the eager bugs that came upon the new trappings. We were pretty sure we had made the biggest mistake of our lives! But little by little, we assembled our place, and by fall, we had an enclosed building with lights, water, and plumbing. Wonderful!
 |
"Where's Greenway?" "I dunno. Let's go see. It's on the chart. Never been in there." |
Boaters would come in to see what we were doing, and some would stay overnight with us. We really had only moorage and ice to sell. But the summer of 1985 was the driest on record, and by August, all our neighbors were running out of fresh water for the boats. Greenway, via the radio, became instantly popular. We would listen to "Where's Greenway? I dunno. Let's go see. It's on the chart. Never been in there." We will always be grateful to those early boaters who supported us then. Greenway Sound Marine Resort would not exist without them.
As Greenway Sound Marine Resort is 34 nautical miles (nm) from the nearest town, with no roads in and out, we had to haul everything by boat or airplane. Our boat, the "Blue Bomber" was quite a topic of conversation, as it is an Ocean Racer converted to a freighter. Twice a week, for years, it ran from Greenway to Port McNeill, Alert Bay and back, crossing Queen Charlotte Strait in all it's glory and fury. "The Bomber" made over 200 round-trips of about 90 nm each , hauling drums of diesel, ice, food , lumber, cabinets, freezers, and stuff. We always hauled the garbage in and took it to the dump, which was appreciated by the bears. "The Bomber" has nearly been around the world on her own bottom, mostly with my bottom in it! Oh, the sea stories it could tell.
The second year saw the North 400 ft. dock built, along with the second generator building. We had acquired two wonderful 1200 RPM generators that we found in a railroad fire. They were covered with black soot, but underneath, the hoses had not even been hot. We cleaned them up and put them in service. They gave us continuous 24 hr. power, unusual for the area at that time. Boaters loved it, and we were able to put in a walk-in cooler for fresh produce, and open the restaurant, as we could now keep perishables.
The third year saw the commercial kitchen go in, and the restaurant open with gourmet meals. Now we were really busy, as everyone came to see what was going on. This is all happening without telephones. We had to order food and supplies over the Marine Operator. It was not until 1989 that we got an Autotel, the first service in our area. It was 1993 before EARS service started, and a fax became possible. Orca Air was an enormous help by making calls for us in town that we would radio in to them.
At one time, next to Greenway Sound Marine Resort, there had been an extensive logging operation. There was a road cut along the creek, up to our five lakes, and a huge area accessed for logging. We can find three distinct eras of logging, starting with steam, then gas, and finally diesel. There is still a steam donkey in our woods. It had been blown up, as the boiler is 50 ft. away from the base. There are remains of each era laying around. The area is now a Marine park with the help of the Forest Service. We donated a float, a ramp, set an anchor, and provided a truckload of lumber to the Forest Service to make a landing for boaters to tie their dinghys and walk up in the park. That has become very popular. (See our walking trails page for more information on the park.)
One night in the restaurant in 1991, I was walking by a table when a lady stopped me and said "I was born here on this very site 71 years ago. We came today on my birthday to have dinner with you and to see what you built." We had heard that there was a floating hospital in the area, and that it had moored on our site, but to meet someone who remembered the area from then, was wonderful. Edna Brown was with her, and she was able to tell us a lot. The hospital moved to nearby Simoom Sound where it resided for 40 years or so. One day, Ann & I were walking along the boardwalk at Telegraph Cove, and found a plaque on a building that said 'Simoom Sound Hospital.' We had found our hospital building, now resting on pilings.Greenway Sound Marine Resort went on to gain more buildings and docks, and became an important destination for many boaters. The restaurant still is full of diners most nights, and is the highlight of many boater’s summer cruises. Even a beauty salon was opened in 1992, and lasted for several years until the operator went on to other things.
It has been an incredible experience to see something we envisioned actually come to life and be successful for 15 years. We have good neighboring resorts, and the whole Broughton Area is a fun place to explore by boat.
In upcoming articles, we will share some of the events that happened that defy belief. That's why we wondered about our sanity. How on earth did we get into this?
In our hearts, we know why.
Tom & Ann
