Ahh! The Lazy and Carefree Days of Summer

Please tell me they are not coming to an end yet!!

Better with Friends

Despite the distance that now separates Ann from us, our annual Birch Bay picnic was not compromised. This is a summer event that can not be skipped. I believe this was our fourth year of gathering with good friends.

One tradition we did not keep this year was to get a picture of all the kids sitting on a log. This is the best I could do, too bad we are missing two of them.

Today Ann and I headed up to Goat Mt with these five boys. Last time a few of us were up there, we could hardly see past a couple feet due to a whiteout. We knew we had to return and check out what was hidden behind the clouds. It was a good hike up there, but the payoff was worth it and the exercise was beneficial to all of us. Although I have numerous shots of mountains, I had not come this close or had such good angle of Mt Sefrit. And although I have countless pictures of wild flowers, they never cease to enchant me.

A Date to Remember

There was a place we wanted to go see. We had heard about it from different people and read about it in different magazines. All of our sources agreed it was a magical and magnificent place. We had a date in mind, the forecast predicted clouds and fog in the early morning but promised clear skies by late morning. We were planning on taking at least one or two of the boys, but they decided they all wanted to take a day to hang at home. So were gifted with a day all to ourselves. When we got to the trail head we realized we just had had an uninterrupted two hour conversation during the car ride. Wow, when was the last time that happened? We started up the trail in thick fog but it did not dampen our spirits, it just felt so good to be with each other, not to mention the benefit of the exercise. We met this couple that was coming down, they must have been in their seventy's. Not only had they been all the way to the top by the glacier, but they had camped there. Shawn and I looked at each other and thought the same thing, that will be us some day. Even if our health prevents us from backpacking in the mountains, we want to grow old together while enjoying each other's company. In a way, that's what we were doing on that precise moment. As we continued up and the curtains were still shut close in front of the views, we were rewarded with other glimpses of our amazing creation. There were marmots and picas peeking out of the rocks and gathering food.

We could hear this pumping, thudding noise from far away and suspected it was a grouse, but weren't quite sure. As we turned on a switchback, the noise suddenly came from behind us and as we looked down, Mr. Sooty Grouse was right there, puffing his chest up, showing his colors and hoping to find a mate. Occasionally, a wind would blew taking some of the clouds away and we would have little and quick glimpses of some peaks, but by the time we got the camera out, it was covered again.

Until the clouds just could not fight with the winds anymore and left for good.

It was now time to sit down, have lunch and take in the majestic beauty that surrounded us.

The real beauty of the day though, was sharing it with the man I love and with whom I'm growing old with.

Summer Snow

As the plane landed in Seattle last Sunday, the pilot announced the local time, 5:20 pm, and the local temperature, 95 degrees. What?? I had left Florida that morning where temps in the 90's are the norm, but Seattle? I have to say that it was quite pleasant to step outside and feel a nice warm breeze, with no hint of humidity. While I was away, the Pacific NW experienced a nice heat wave. Shawn and the boys enjoyed it by spending their days at the lake, windsurfing, sailing and splashing around. However, despite the heat wave, we still managed to find some snow good enough for some summer sledding. Returning to Artist Point with my aunt was on my summer list. A couple of years ago, we were not able to make it all the way up due to the snow. This year the road wasn't opened until late July, so now we finally had the chance.

She was amazed at the beauty and could not believe that it was all buried under snow just a couple of months ago; something I have a hard time wrapping my mind around it as well.

The boys found all kinds of stuff to get into and the end some of them got a little dirty, and wet, but that comes with the territory. I have learned that by now.

Skills Learned

A new talent was awaken this past week. Thomas has been playing the violin for a few years now and treated us all to beautiful music. His love for the violin rubbed off on Nolan and Thomas began teaching his cousin.

One evening we had a music party with some very talented local musicians. Their joy for music was contagious and many joined in. The couple by the piano bench has played for a long time and continues to do so with much energy and enthusiasm, I'm sure it's the music that keeps them so young at heart. Nolan did not miss any opportunities to practice his newly acquired skill. Thank you Thomas for sharing it with us.

Kayaking was another skill learned and improved.

These two would not tire of going out and would spend hours paddling in the calm waters.

"Hacky sack" and

paddle ball challenged our coordination

but we had lots of time to practice

It sure makes it fun to learn and play when you have cousins to share it with.

Although the miles between us are too many and the time between visits is too long, it does not keep us form being close to each other

and look forward until the next time we see you again.

Close Encounters

Being on Island you are bound to bump into some marine creatures. We just never imagined that one of these creatures would be a little baby seal.

We were spending the day at Rathtrevor Provincial Park, which has an expanse of shallow waters, you can walk for a long stretch and still have the water only at your knees. The boys did not waste time and ran right into the water, only to bump right into a little seal. She was obviously looking for her mom, and kept following and nuzzling anything that radiated any heat, in these case, the beach goers. We certainly tried to get away, and tried ever harder to keep our hands off her. When she wasn't targeting our little group, she would fine someone else.

At the end of the day she got really tired and still had not change her direction to go into deeper waters in order to reunite with mom. As you can imagine, there were many opinions, admirers and advocates for this little seal. At the end of the day, she was picked up to be taken to a recovery center. This too, wasn't without controversy, but everybody managed to keep civil.

Other exciting creatures were also found and analysed. The boys began most mornings by taking advantage of the low tide and explored the many tide pools.

The idea was to move all of the crabs from one tide pool to the next, so later in the afternoon they would have a "crab free swimming area", since some of the boys were not to keen on sharing the same waters. In the process some fingers got a little pinched and Ethan even got bitten by a little garner snake. Not to worry, the next day they were back at it again.

These boys almost turned into marine creatures themselves, one more day at the beach and there would fins starting to grow on their backs along with webbed feet.

Life is a Bowl of Cherries

Our past week was indeed very sweet and pleasant. How can it not be when you live in such tranquil little paradise.

You start your morning with breakfast outdoors taking in not only the aroma of the food but also of the sea that surrounds you.

The kids are free to roam without a care in the world, except maybe a little pinch from a crab.

Parents can sit back, relax and enjoy. The grown ups were not the only ones relaxing.

Reading was one of the boys favorite past time.

Who do you think enjoys this the most? The boy snoozing in grandpa's lap and cuddling with grandma? Or the adults who get to hold their precious grandchild?

Dinners were had around a big family table and the food and companionship was savoured.

Throwing rocks can be highly entertaining On the morning of our departure, the skies were sad as well, cloudy with rain after a full week of sun. It did make it a little easier to leave.

It was a week of filling up on the sweet part of the cherries, but a cherry also has a hard pit, and that's what I'll be dealing with this week. I'm thankful that God gave me the reprise and rest I needed, and I know He will give me the strength to deal with the pits as well.

When Cousins Get Together

The fun never ends.

Their play, creativity and imagination have no end. It's been a delight to sit back and watch it unfold. Here we are, only on the third day of our week togehter, I'm sure there will be much more to come.