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....)