The Outdoor Life Adventure Co.

The Olympic Torch

The arrival of the Olympic torch brought an opportunity for some fun, a chance to be a part of something bigger, and something historical (so I told my children). I have to admit I wasn't really excited about the torch and I'm not big on anything that presents itself as something more than it is. Fire on a stick... right, whats so exciting about that. But being a good parent and realizing that despite how I may feel my kids should have the opportunity to go and see and make their own assumptions. We wandered down to the school where the torch was going to start its journey through the city and I'll have to say as the crowd started to grow there was an energy starting to build.

The kids were immediately excited as bright red flags were handed out and someone announced free hot chocolate and timbits were available just inside. As the first runner appeared and his torch lit the energy level went way up, way fast. And as he took his first steps and started to run things got a little crazy. The kids of the families poured out of the school grounds with the runner and joined him on his journey. It was quite a sight, and I had to admit at that moment I was sold. However there would be time to reflect later, I had to find my children among the mass of bodies running along fences, on the road and in and out of parked cars.

Seemed harmless enough initially.

And hey, if you get to hold "the stick" I think that's pretty cool too.

This Weather is Getting Me Down

I don't know what happened to Jack Frost, whether he's taken leave or is wreaking havoc somewhere else in the world, I just want him back. The warmer temperatures of late are really getting me down. Our fields are bare, the ground is muddy and slushy and our rink is fading fast. These conditions are reminiscent of a season not yet due to poke out its ugly head yet... spring. So Jack, a little help please, a north wind would be nice and some snow to replace the snow that left. Is that too much to ask?

Remember When?

  
Remember these kids? In an earlier blog I bragged about there ability to negotiate an unseen trail relying on tree blazes alone while breaking trail in a foot of fresh snow. Very Impressive.

Well this group was chomping at the bit to get out there again and show off their stuff. So we set a date and spent the last day of 2009 on The West Twin Trail and incorporated a lunch break as well. It was cold, the thermometer said -11C but the humidity made it feel closer to -18C and once we stopped moving for lunch there were mumblings of cold toes and fingers. Keep moving! Was the cry of the day and they did. They forged large circles around our lunch area while munching down their food. Created little paths all around and moved in a follow the leader type style. The little ones (4yr olds x2 and 3yr old ) initiated a game of hide and seek, cute. Once again I had to be impressed with their diligence in keeping warm, cheeriness and staying ahead of the adults, they had fun! Us, the adults, made the best of it. My toes are still cold.

 Last year the snow was so deep the little ones couldn't make it to the sign, and we had an additional big kid join us who last year opted to snowmobile with dad. Not this year!
 

Taking a Little Time to Chill

With all the craziness of the Christmas season over, we decided to take a little time and leave our "to do" lists behind and head into the forest. Toting along the whole family we decided an appropriate outing would take us to the Ancient Forest Trail. It's pretty easy and rambles along for about two hours before completing its loop and returning us to our vehicles. Good pick for the kids aged 18mths, 3yrs, 7yrs, 9yrs and 10yrs(x2), a couple of non "outdoorsy" people and grandma and grandpa.

We had a gear exchange and ensured everyone was dressed appropriately to ensure there were no complaints of cold or discomfort. I stole into my stockpile of hand and toe warmers for all the kids and we were off! The weather was sunny and -7C. Perfect. Once we geared up with snowshoes we started a journey away from cell phones, ipods, and lap tops and immersed ourselves in this ancient place. We had a great time, had lots of stories to tell when it was all over and created some memories that I will cherish forever and I hope they will too.

Gearing up.

 
Water break at the Big Tree.

These trees are huge!

 Ha! This is what happens when you leave the trail!

Even our North Van chapter had a great time!

All in all it was a great time to chill with our family.

Our Tenants

Despite where we live, at least two hours away from any major center, we are surrounded by the hustle and bustle of our tenants as they go through their everyday activities. Some of our tenants are pretty shy, some pretty obnoxious, but most are quite well behaved and move about their business of living and pay us no mind. I've had the privilegeof meeting a few, some were pleasant experiences and only a very few left me somewhat uneasy as I felt they encroached on my personal space. Sometimes we catch a quick glimpse of them before they move on to the task at hand, others we only know they were around by little clues they leave behind. Here are just a few we've been lucky to "meet".

I consider it a good day when we've had time to connect with our "tenants".
 

The Pied Piper

I sit and watch my children; they appear to be under a spell. They sit quietly, eyes open wide as they listen to a well-spun tale told by a man who captures their hearts with his playful manner and explosive gestures. Chris, who we met only a month ago, waved goodbye to, and waited anxiously for his return.

He entered our lives through a quick phone call seeking out a staging area for his climb up Mt. Sir Alexander. We were quite happy to accommodate him and after a short visit waved goodbye to him as he rolled out of our yard with his bike and trailer. He was to pedal from our place to a trailhead of his own making and head up for a summit attempt. He had food for 28 days and left his emergency contact information should he become overdue. We all waited while his car remained a constant reminder that he was out there somewhere with a deadline to meet.

Then as we returned from the river one day he was standing in the yard smiling and waving hello. The kids became ecstatic immediately and piled out of the truck with all sorts of questions for me initially and, as they warmed up to our guest again, many more for him. We spent dinner listening to and asking even more questions, and after the kids were treated to “show and tell” by Chris; crampons, ice climbing axes, mountaineering boots, emergency beacon, inflatable boat all to see and touch.

We are blessed to be some of the first to see his pictures, and even more fortunate to have him share with us.

 

It’s getting late and the kids still sit quietly, eyes glazed as they see pictures of bears, mountains, rivers, glaciers, and monster crevices flash by on the computer all the while Chris weaves them together in a grand tale. He is a skilled storyteller and mimicker of the sounds of rumbling and crashing of glaciers and rockslides, my kids are mesmerized.

I finally whisk the three of them off to bed and tuck them in as they continue their onslaught of new questions. “Mom can we climb mountains with Chris when we get older?” “Can we climb mountains as a family when we get older?” “ When will we be old enough?” I smile and say goodnight, knowing they would all dream of climbing mountains in their sleep.

We'll Take "The Works"

With a group from the prairies joining us for a few days and asking the age old question, "What is there to do out there?" we threw back a few suggestions. We could hike the old growth cedar forest, view spectacular waterfalls, jet boat on the river, tour an old road through a pristine wilderness setting, or take in some spectacular views of the mountains and glaciers. Sounds good they said. What in particular sounds good we asked. All of it they said. We'll take "the works".

Hiking through old growth forest.

Some of these trees are over 1,000 years old. 

 

We made it to the falls!

Heading down an old forestry road searching for wildlife. 

 

Heading into the Rockies.

The Fraser River. 

Hang on! Our driver is out for some fun!

Our driver loves to ensure EVERYONE has a good time!

Tired after a whirlwind three days? Yes.

The smiles are still pasted on their faces and ours.

Come and Gone

It came and went, the weekend where we open up the gates, put the horses somewhere safe and let the dirt fly. A small crowd arrives sporting dirt bikes, quads and all terrain vehicles. Children and adults gear up and head out into the fields to put the pedal to the medal and have an all around good time.

I can't say we participate, we have no "motors" and are quite content to propel ourselves the old fashioned way... by foot. Now its not to say we're a bunch of wet blankets because we are not. We love to watch our friends enjoy themselves, cheer the kids on as they gain confidence on their machines and wring our hands nervously at the site of wipe outs. We head out to the fields on our bikes and join in the fun, a little slower and a different kind of joy but we return with the rest with stories to tell.

Some of the kids sporting their "rides", mine are on their bikes. :)

I for one had a great weekend and a great ride!

Boring? Hardly.

As I rolled out of bed this morning I was planning my morning trek. Should I walk the road, or maybe down through the fields? They both seemed like two options that were becoming a little boring. I was trying to come up with other options, other places to go to put that freshness back into my mornings. The clock revealed that I was already a little behind and I opted for the quick and accessible. I walked our property.

I packed up my camera to seek out the bear tracks I had found the day prior and headed out the door. The first thing I noticed as I headed through the gate was a beautiful dew covered spider web. Hmmm maybe this walk wouldn't be as stale as I anticipated.

As I headed into the fields and down to the river I saw that this morning was unlike any other morning I had yet to experience in my treks. Same place but today everything was different. Mother Nature has a way of staying the same but orchestrating a new beauty everyday. Today it was the fog, lighting, dandelions gone to seed, spider webs... I was reminded of the amazing place we live.

 

 

  

Boring? Hardly.

 

3 Days, 2 Nights

This place is beautiful! The three waterfalls, water color, and mountain setting makes this a paradise right out of the movies. Better yet, this place is nestled way back where most don't even know it exists. I think you'll agree three days and two nights is a worthwhile investment to experience this up close and personal.