Blast from the Past!

Since leaving Tofino on Monday, we spent two days on Pender Island. For those of you who don’t know or you might not remember, my mum and step-dad spent about 8 years living on Pender in the early 90’s and Shawn and I spent a summer working there in 1991. It was so neat to go back there and to see all the places that we spent time. We started our visit by stopping off at Southridge Farms, the little country store that Mum and Arne owned on the Island and where we lived that summer. It was so neat! Despite a few cosmetic changes like walling in the porch and adding a little café, the store was mostly unchanged – even the stock on the shelves was very similar! We then went to Bedwell Harbour to see the resort where we had worked. Unfortunately, it had undergone a serious remodel in 2003 and looked nothing like we remembered. It was, however, very beautiful and we spent a lovely day lazing by the pool and having dinner at the pub!

Today, we are on Salt Spring Island. Shawn and I have been here once before and love the relaxed atmosphere. The boys spent much of yesterday fishing off the dock at the campground and then swimming in the pool. Today, we wandered into town for a look around the shops and shared some gelato. The weather has finally warmed up and it is beginning to feel more like summer!

Tammy

What a Weekend!

Okay, I know I have said it before, but it can’t possibly get better than this! Friday morning we left Goldstream Provincial Park bound for Tofino. For those of you who have never had the chance to drive over the Malahat and to visit this amazing little town, add it to your bucket list today. The drive through old growth forest passed the little town of Chemainus known throughout the west for the amazing murals that have been painted on almost every flat surface was really beautiful. Shawn and I were filled with nostalgia as we again found a spot from our memories along the way and stopped at a lovely little rock outcropping alongside a mountain stream. Watching the kids dip their feet in the freezing cold water just like we had done as teenagers 19 years ago was a wonderful moment.

Arriving in Tofino, we were thrilled to find that the campground we had booked was not only as beautiful as we had expected, but that it was located directly on an ocean beach with extraordinary views. Friday night, we decided to hang out there while the children enjoyed the playground and were fortunate to meet a great family from Oak Ridges who joined us for our campfire. While sharing a lot of wine, we passed the evening chatting and even got to enjoy the hot tub that they rented with their cottage.

Saturday morning we headed into town and met our instructor from Pacific Surf School. Robbie was energetic, enthusiastic and infinitely patient as he explained the basics of surfing and took us through the steps of getting up on our boards. About 30 minutes later, decked out in 5mm wetsuits and booties and strapped to a 9 foot surfboard, we entered the 50 degree water. As expected, Riley was the superstar quickly mastering the technique and getting up on his feet as he caught big waves. Braedon, Shawn and I all had brief periods of great success making it to our feet and then crashing into the ocean. My biggest challenge was remembering to put out my front foot as I moved from paddling on my stomach to attempting to stand up on the board and I kept finding myself perched on my knees instead. Shawn’s biggest challenge was managing to get out far enough into the big waves without getting tossed around before he could get on the board. For all of us, the three hour lesson was incredibly fun and enormously exhausting. Simply walking through the incoming tide and jumping through the big waves in order to get out far enough to attempt to surf was draining, but trying something so new and challenging was wonderful. To top off an incredible day, the “Crab Lady” visited our campground late Saturday afternoon and Shawn and I purchased a Dungeness feast that we enjoyed while sitting at our picnic table. The children, who strangely don’t like crab (whose kids are they anyway?), dined later.

Sunday morning we awoke to drizzle, but didn’t care as we headed out to Ocean Outfitters to board our 36 foot whale watching boat. Since the swells on the ocean were high, we took the inside passage on the trip out to the hot springs and rather than whales were excited to see 2 bald eagles and 6-7 sea otters. After arriving at the island and completing the 2 km walk along the boardwalk, we arrived to the natural hot springs and enjoyed a long soak and a fabulous Father’s Day picnic that we brought with us. The springs themselves were gorgeous with tumbling waterfalls amongst the rock and temperatures around 101 degrees. After a three hour stopover, we re-boarded the boat and headed for open ocean where we were captivated by 3 California Gray Whales who surfaced two or three times quite near the boat and 1 juvenile Humpback who was curious enough to check us out before raising his tail and diving spectacularly right in front of us. To top off an incredible tour, we also saw two gigantic sea lion bulls sleeping on the rocks. It was a truly great day!

Tammy

Livin' it up in Victoria!

It has been a wonderful week! After leaving Seattle, we spent several relaxing days at Deception Pass State Park in the Northwest corner of Washington before taking the Ferry across from Anacortes to Sidney. Since then, we have enjoyed four amazing days in Victoria at a beautiful Provincial Park called Goldstream, where we are surrounded by old growth forest and the deer are as friendly and plentiful as squirrels in our Ontario parks. I am also pleased to report that after more than four weeks of colds and coughs, both boys and I are finally starting to feel like ourselves again. The only unfortunate event occurred on Tuesday when we decided to have Braedon’s chest checked out at a local walk-in clinic. Although he has been feeling much better, he has continued to sound somewhat dreadful and the wonderful doctor on-call was forced to give us the bad news that with a return of asthma symptoms, he cannot scuba dive and as a result we cannot complete our certification in Vancouver as expected. As you can imagine, both he and I were kind of disappointed, but with so many other great things to look forward to, we are both enthusiastic about our other adventures!

On Monday, we spent our day looking around Inner Harbour and returned Tuesday morning for a visit to the Aquarium where only local fish and animals are contained in several huge naturalized tanks 15 feet below the surface of the ocean. It was really neat and included a narrated presentation where a diver caught and showed-off some of the bigger animals, while explaining their role in the ecosystem. Later that afternoon, I was able to finally cross something off my list that I have wanted to do since Shawn and I first came West in 1991 (but was too poor as a student to afford!) and was excited to accompany my three handsome escorts to afternoon tea at the Empress. It was wonderful! The kids thoroughly enjoyed the experience and received several compliments on their behaviour and manners from the staff and other patrons. Shawn and I were pleased to find that it was every bit as enjoyable an experience as we had hoped and was worth a 19 year wait. Riley enjoyed his time so much that he decided to purchase a small porcelain tea set at the Empress Gift shop and served us all his version of afternoon tea the next day.

On Wednesday, we decided to stay out of the city and spent the day enjoying the Visitor Centre and the park. After so much time in the dessert, the lushness of Vancouver Island is breathtaking. It has been a cool and rainy spring, which has meant the return to our warmer clothes, but has also resulted in a forest literally dripping with vines and moss. As we travelled the path to the Visitor Centre, we were amazed to find Maple leaves the size of dinner plates, and a forest so alive with birds, you actually had to raise your voice above the chatter. We spent the afternoon completing a most amazing hike to the summit of Mount Finlayson – probably the best summit hike that Shawn and I have ever done! The terrain was very steep and rocky and the ascent from sea level to 419 metres was completed in only 1.5 km. The top section of the trail required us to climb straight up the rock face using hands and feet to get up, over and around the rocks. It was very tiring and required a lot of effort, but was such a different kind of trail that we loved every minute and the view from the top was well worth the effort.

Today, we spent some more time in the City. At Riley’s request, and with a heavy dose of nostalgia, we decided to return to the same Old Fashioned picture place that Shawn and I went to when we were 17 and 20 and to have a family portrait done. The photo turned out beautifully and we intend to hang the two pictures side by side when we get home. Since Riley is keen to have a Western theme in his bedroom, he also had an individual shot done in costume and makes a very adorable gunslinger! After our adventure in costumes, we had intended to have lunch at Don Mee’s, my all-time favourite Dim Sum location. Unfortunately, we arrived at the wrong time and dim-sum was not available, so made a quick decision to have Italian instead. Lunch was yummy, and thankfully we were able to find some honey buns for dessert (the reason I go to Don Mee’s in the first place!).

Tomorrow morning, we plan to rise early for our four hour drive Tofino. Long Beach is another of our favourite places and we are looking forward to surfing lessons on Saturday and a relaxing whale watching tour for Father’s Day on Sunday. This adventure just keeps getting better and better!

Tammy

Heading North!

Just a quick update to let everyone know we are doing well. After so many great guest blogs, I feel like it has been ages since I last sat down to write and am enjoying the chance to recall our latest adventures! Since we left the bigger group, we have been travelling consistently North and West making a gigantic diagonal line from Moab back toward the Western Coast. Although Braedon and Riley have continued to struggle to get over their long-lasting colds, both seem to be feeling much better and are on the road to recovery. Despite being surrounded by coughing children, Shawn has managed to fight off the germs, but unfortunately, I have not been as lucky and spent today curled up in the trailer with my book. Fortunately for me, my family took great care of me and after lots of rest, I am feeling much better this evening!

After more than three months across the border, we are certainly enjoying our last few days in the US. From Saturday until Monday, we spent a few days at Willard Bay State Park – a reservoir on the Great Salt Lake. The weather was beautiful and the scenery spectacular. Our campsite was just steps from the beach and behind us were some of the loveliest green mountains we have seen so far. To Braedon’s chagrin, the water in the reservoir was fresh and clean, rather than the salt water he was hoping for, but we all enjoyed a lazy day at the beach. To everyone’s excitement and since there was a rental outlet right on the shore, we all decided to rent a Sea doo and water skis for a couple hours. Riley was the only one little enough to be pulled up on the skis, but we all enjoyed the chance to ride the Sea doo and to be dumped off by Shawn as he took corners a little too sharply!

On Monday morning, we backtracked a little to Antelope Island State Park and had a swim in the Salt Lake. In our original plan, we were to have spent two days at this park, but when we arrived, a posted sign indicated that there were large numbers of biting gnats in the park and we decided a shorter visit would be best! Our swim was incredible and just like Shawn remembered from his childhood, due to the fact that the salt content in the water is five times that of the ocean, we were all able to float with our hands and feet in the air. To add to the excitement, after our swim, the salt quickly dried on our skin and left us all sparkling like characters from Twilight!

Today, we are in Seattle. We are staying at a lovely RV park just on a little lake just south of the city. The area is lovely and lush with lots of green trees and grass. Unfortunately, it is also the wettest place we have seen in a very long time and it has rained continuously since we got here! To dry off, yesterday, we headed to the Pacific Science Centre and saw Shrek in 3D at a humongous IMAX theatre. Today, we just had a mellow day with the kids playing at the park and enjoying a swim. We will be here until Saturday morning when we move to Deception Pass State Park for a couple of nights before taking the Ferry to Vancouver Island on Monday. It has been 19 years since Shawn and I spent a summer on Pender Island and we are very excited to share our love of BC and some of our favourite places with the kids!

Tammy

Slick Rock Country and the Grand Colorado - A Guest Blog by Noreen and Len

“Alone at last!” Probably Tammy, Shawn and the boys words after more than a month of company and pretty frenetic activity. Now they can slow down a bit and start enjoying things at their own pace.

It has been a grand trip and we have certainly all enjoyed the sights and the company. I’m very glad we made the decision to share this part of their journey. When Len and I were here last spring, we said that the Colorado Plateau was the area that we wanted to experience with them. …and experience it- we have, as you could probably tell from Kim’s, Annette’s and Cassandra’s blogs.

Our final days have been spent in Moab and we were pleased to finally get the heat that everyone, but me has been craving. Kim has finally put on shorts and our comforters are packed away.

On Monday, it was Braedon’s 11th birthday and he got to choose the activity. He chose the pool for most of the day, where he practiced with his new underwater camera. Then, he, Riley, Cassandra and Tammy went on a 3 hr horse back tour into the Colorado Canyon. The boys had ridden previously and they did very well. It was Cassandra’s first experience and as they headed up the rocky trail, she was having second thoughts. Soon, she was feeling pretty comfortable and did an awesome job. After the horseback ride, we had Braedon’s birthday dinner and a great ice-cream cake.


On Wednesday, I was able to cross an item from my bucket list – rafting the Colorado River. We all, (including Annette, who had to be persuaded) went on an all day rafting and inflatable kayaking excursion. We travelled fourteen miles, did seven rapids of differing sizes and had a wonderful barbecue lunch at the same dude ranch where Tammy and the kids had done horseback riding. Kim, Riley, Tammy, Braedon and Shawn took turns in the kayaks, while the rest of us were in the raft. Shawn dumped the kayak once with Braedon in it and that was the end for him. Cassandra was even persuaded to go in the kayak near the end of the day. It was a wonderful experience for all with our energetic guide named Kenna.

Thursday dawned very hot and the plan for the day was the Fiery Furnace hike in Arches National Park. This is an area of fins and canyons with no trails. The only way to see it is by ranger led tour. Once you start the tour, there is no turning back so I decided to forego this hike, as climbing rocks, using arms and legs to boost yourself up etc. is not my strong suit. It was very cool in the amongst the rocks. Len says they were very numerous, with tight crevices, ascending and descending, that required a lot of shoulder and footwork. The group came back very hot and tired and after a little more exploring of some Arches, the pool was very welcome. We finished our day with a lovely Mexican dinner on our final evening together.

Friday, our last day, we quickly packed up and headed North about 10 miles to the bike trails. The plan was for everyone but Annette and I to test out the Slick Rock trails. In the end, only Shawn, Kim and Riley enjoyed the challenge of those trails while Annette, Len, Cassandra and I did the extremely hard downhill trail. (HA-HA) Tammy and Braedon played sick in order to avoid both. (Just kidding, they both had colds and needed a rest!)

We then headed to Green River State Park to wile away the time until the sad leave- taking of Kim, Annette and Cassandra by bus (which was an 1 ½ late) to Las Vegas where they were going to catch their flight home. We then spent a nice evening teaching the boys how to play euchre. They both did very well.

Tomorrow will be our leave-taking from them, They will go west and we will go east and not see each other till August. We will miss you and have enjoyed the time we spent together.

Len and Noreen

Top of the World! - A Guest Blog by Annette

Mesa Verde, the green tabletop in the Ute Mountain Range of southern Colorado.Arriving here made one feel as if they were "on top of the world looking down on creation", so to speak. We entered from Arizona (after visiting the Grand Canyon) and dropped down several hundred feet of elevation as we crossed the painted desert, through the towns of Tuba City and Cortez, before we started up. An interesting detail of this ride involved time. The Navajo reserve was on one side of the hwy and the Hopi on the other side. One nation was on standard time and the other on daylight saving time. As a result, two clocks in every store!!! Then we found out later that they have no love for each other.

We went up to 7,000 feet on long switch backs and hairpin corners to reach our camp in the national forest. Mesas are like your outstretched hand. Each finger is a mesa with deep, deep valleys in between. As a result to get from one Mesa to the next one you have to travel back along the one you are on.

The reason to come here is to see the cliff dwellings, (fore runners of our condos) where the ancestral Pueblo people lived in the 800 and 900``s. And in order to see the best ones we needed tickets. By 8am we were at the line up gate and were fortunate to get our choice. The day involved a tour of a cliff village. These villages are built under overhangs, on rocks that provide a great deal of shelter. Along with seeing their rooms, plazas, and work areas, we were able to descend into a ``kiva``, the ceremonial room of the people. To get into the kiva one goes through a narrow hole onto a ladder and down about 20 ft. to look at a small round room where they sit and pray. I just pretended that it was the St. Catherines Cathedral and said a prayer for all of you. My Sunday service!!

The museum provided many samples of the pottery and crafts that these people made. Multiple dioramas showed their life style. They were farmers and had for years lived on top of the mesa but for some unknown reason decided to move. During the course of our visit here we were able to see three different cliff dwellings, each with their own beauty and challenging route to get there.

If this is not a good enough reason to visit this area, then the night sky should do it for you. Because of the limited population in this area, there are very few lights at night and the stars are totally startling in their clarity. The big dipper was always right over our heads, and as a result Len has figured on rain for the last week!! Not.

Before closing I must comment on my good fortune in being here, a trip I always wanted to make. When Shawn and Tammy said they were coming I invited myself along without any real plan to do so. That changed when Noreen told me she and Len were joining them and that I would be welcome to share their castle. So, here I am on one of the most exciting and enjoyable trips I have ever taken.

Thanks everyone.

Annette