Summer Hodge Podge

So summer highlights began with Mike & Gord's sailing adventure...circumnavigating Vancouver Island on Gord's sailboat, "Moonshadow"...I left them readying for the voyage in Blaine Harbour, June 16th...and hoping for fair winds to set sail that day.

I, on the other hand, was soon to have my own "adventure" on the trip out to Alberta to pick up Jessie, my dear granddaughter! I left late on Friday afternoon (27th June) and got just beyond Rock Creek, when it hit! A wild turkey...out of the blue...smashed poor Westy's, until now, unflawed windshield - BOOM! it hit like a sledgehammer!! I looked in the rear-view mirror to see the poor thing roll off my roof and onto the highway...in the path of oncoming traffic! He was a goner...I, fortunately, could still see out of the driver's side...slightly shaken, I continued on. A long weekend ensured I was unable to get a replacement until I reached Edmonton. Jessie & I made the trip back with the new windshield & without further incident, camping overnight in the stunning scenery of the Rockies.

One of the high points for Jess & I was biking a portion of the

Myra Canyon Trail Challenge on July 6th...after about 5 hours in the saddle we'd done close to 40 kilometers...not bad for a couple of novice cyclists! We also did a short road trip, visiting friends,

at Chain Lake, then on to visit relatives in 100 Mile House & Lone Butte, after clearing the road of debris of a fallen tree...

We picked up Jake ("Tiger Williams") in Kamloops, on our way back to the Okanagan, and Kim & Sheldon came out from Edmonton to collect both kids...then....

the next chapter of the summer began....

Ann & I headed over to Tofino, Vancouver Island to hook up with the sailors at Hot Springs Cove...flying in to meet them on a Beaver...wheee!
The hot springs are almost surreal..it's a beautiful place, so happy to be able to visit it again! We had a lot of laughs, saw some beautiful sights and it was refreshing to rediscover the coastal treasures once more....

I was home less than a week, when it was time to fetch Mike ("the sailor home from the sea") & our two youngest grandsons, Max & Rylin back to the sunny Okanagan - the boys spent a week with us...swimming, Channel floating, kayaking, making patio stones & other fun activities!





The boys were picked up by Mom & Dad (Emily & Tim) Aug 8th and the wedding preparations began......

Our neighbours, Kim & Tijmen asked us to be their witnesses on their big day...Aug 9th ; we were happy to have the honour! Even Sweetie, the cockatiel was involved! It was a happy time for all...family, friends, dog, cats & birds...

Off once more, on the hiking road...to the Kokanee Glacier near Nelson, B.C. for 3 days of sightseeing & hiking, with the Penticton Adventurers Club! Did you know...??? Porcupines will eat your tires, wiring,brake linings...etc; good to know if you're doing an overnight hike....thankfully, we weren't! But we did do approximately 21 km. one day - whew, were we tired after that one! The wildflowers were awesome and we had great weather! What more could one want from this life!

and summer wasn't over yet......

lots of time yet for more hiking and another trip?? (maybe in the Westy....)

Back to normal life...but first a wedding

On May 3rd we helped Mike's youngest brother, Dave, celebrate his marriage to Jen...a lovely girl! The ceremony & reception were held at their beautiful home in Squamish, B.C. What a wonderful day...lots of good food; family & friends were on hand to applaud the union! As so often happens, it's a rare time when family members get together to visit and catch up...

Then back home to our ritual of hiking 2x a week...on one hike early this month we "bagged" some walnuts...from a farm on the Naramata bench!! Two bags full, sir....a heavy load for Fran...Mike & John....

We had visits from Mike's Mum & also, friends (Les & Corrine) we met in Puerta Vallarta this spring....which prompted us to take the time to discover the beauty of Linden Gardens in Kaleden (a local nursery & gardens)...we ended up going there 3x in May! What a delight! They are on a bench overlooking Skaha Lake.....and well worth the $5 garden tour admission!
Later in the month, I did a hike on my own...well, with the Penticton Outdoors Club, Mike opted not to go....it was to the Keremeos Columns, something I've been curious about for some time....rather unique basalt rock formations above the town of Keremeos. From the hike we could see "K-mountain" on the south side of Keremeos. It was a very warm day...and my curiosity was satisfied ....been there, done that!!

The past couple of months have been fun at home with new bird feeding stations, including hummingbird feeders.....after several not too successful attempts at still shots, I discovered it made more sense to do a video of the little winged attractions!!


and so goes life on Toy Creek Road!!

Travel in a Shoebox (Part Two)

So we had one more stop to make before leaving the desert, a quick visit to Salvation Mtn. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvation_Mountain(featured in the current movie, "Into the Wild")...where we followed the "yellow brick road" up to the top of Leonard's creation! 80,000 gallons of paint & alot of singular dedication on his part to "spread the message". He's a lovely, kind & gentle soul...some wonderful young folks came by one time and fashioned a new top for his hammock swing with strips of fabric, to give him a shady resting spot!

After rounding the bottom of the Salton Sea, it was time to head north again, past the windmills of Palm Desert, an overnight at the Devil's Punchbowl and along the north edge of the California Poppy Reserve.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antelope_Valley_California_Poppy_Reserve

Back out on the coast, we managed a brief visit with cousin, Jenifer at her Research Facility at Moss Landing in Monteray Bay. We had the opportunity to interact with one of her "pupils "...

http://slewths.mlml.calstate.edu/jz.htm


then it was time to move on...and so we zigged & zagged our way across California, finding snow in some areas near Lake Tahoe! (many campgrounds weren't open yet because of this)

However, it was a good day to hike down to Emerald Bay to see "Vikingsholm"http://www.vikingsholm.org/ on Lake Tahoe (also not yet open for the season) but a good way to stretch our legs! The "teahouse" Mrs Knight had built on the adjacent island was sight to behold! Then on to Sierra Hot Springs for an overnight stay....ah, relaxing in the meditation pool was sooooooo nice!
We found another natural springs further on, but as we left Shasta Recreation Area we lost the sun...even had a snow shower on the pass between California & Oregon.
We decided to try to reach Bay City on the Oregon Coast for a seafood dinner for our anniversary on April 30th.....love those oysters!


As we travelled north the weather got cooler & damper....reminding us that spring was still late arriving in our part of the world! (we hit Vancouver on May 2) But we had lots of warm memories to take with us from this first trip in Westy! And we'll be itchin' to get away again...soon!!!

Travel in a Shoebox continued.....

Coming soon!

Travel in a Shoebox

In April we decided to head for some sunshine....south, perhaps east??? The coast is always intriguing, whether sunny or inclement. For us, it was mostly the latter...but we were anxious to see how our little camper van would perform...turned out it behaved flawlessly. Unlike it's occupants...who have much to learn about the nuances of life in a shoebox. However, it must be said that we were very tolerant of one another and in fact, are still married...actually it went surprisingly well! So much so, we are ready to do another trip!

The trillium on the coast were "gigantic" and came in, not just white, but mauve, deep pink & burgundy colours! And the Sequoia (Redwood) trees were absolutely awesome! They were "this big...!!!!"


After some cool nights on the coast, our goal became one of looking for hot springs...we found some lovely natural ones, and spent time at several developed ones, too. Once we turned inland, heading east, we began to enjoy endless sunny days & blue skies!















It truly was spring, wildflowers everywhere, trees all in leaf....but I could hardly wait to get to the desert! And what rewards there....the cacti were in bloom, the lizards were out basking in the sunshine....we even had the good fortune to see a desert tortoise on our hike to 49 Palms in Joshua Tree National Park

Last hike in March

We, and our feathered friends, awoke to more snow on the ground...but it was a glorious day for a hike!

Regardless of the white stuff...spring is popping up all over....the buttercups are quite persistant and will not be deterred!! And the moss is thriving.....even here in the dry Okanagan! The oregon grape (I thought was a West Coast native...) is also quite predominant and very colourful this time of year!

There was a "traffic jam" as we encountered climbers on the Skaha Bluffs...a very popular spot - apparently climbers come from all over the world!

We squeezed by the climbers and carried on our sedate way.....scrambling over boulders, up & over the hill and headed for home! Tired but happy, with visions of buttercups & fuzzy burst bull rushes

dancing in our heads.....