Scott Stanfield
Record staff
Carolyn and Steve Touhey are in the business of making memories for guests who visit Two Eagles Lodge, the bed and breakfast they own in Union Bay.
Since opening nearly a decade ago, the couple has hosted visitors from around the world — and hosted numerous weddings, celebrations of life and house concerts.
“At the breakfast table, it wouldn’t be unusual to have a couple from the UK, a couple from Australia, a couple from Germany, us, and maybe someone from Canada here as well,” Carolyn said.
Steve likes to hang out with guests on the front porch while Carolyn likes the diversity of events and activities they host.
How they came to land in Union Bay is something of an adventure for the Touheys, who hail from Maryland south of border. Carolyn and Steve first discovered the Island in 2004 while in Vancouver for a business trip. They were hooked. Ocean views, mountaintops, country roads, eagles, sea lions — they knew they wanted to make this place home. It wasn’t long before they returned to sign a contract for their 12 acres in Union Bay.
Carolyn later discovered the Provincial Nominee Program, which selects entrepreneurs ready to invest in the economy and create jobs. Their application was accepted. By 2007, they had opened Two Eagles, which has since won numerous awards.
“He’s the comedian and I’m the cook,” quips Carolyn, aka Blossom or Mrs. Claus.
Mr. and Mrs. Claus make annual appearances in costume at Mount Washington. They also support a variety of non-profits with donations of stays at Two Eagles.
A contractor by trade, Steve pretty much single-handedly constructed the B&B.
“Not only handy, he’s good-looking,” Steve said with a laugh.
If they can find time to travel, their idea of a holiday could be a “fly-and-flop” at the end of a B&B season, or an adventure involving scuba diving or skiing. Cruises and camping are other options. But since they live on the Island, there is little incentive to venture far from home.
“This whole area, there’s so much to do and see,” Steve said. “I think that people who grow up here and live here, they don’t really appreciate it because it’s just normal, versus coming from a different area and saying, ‘Wow. This is all here at our back door’.”
The Touheys have a daughter and two grandsons living nearby. Another grandchild is on the way. They also have two horses (Angel and Princess), chickens and a dog (Cosmo), who is a rescue from the SPCA.