Easter Long Weekend at the Lake (April 15-18)

(I posted this over on my Vancouver Island family blog by accident, but it belongs here....so... sorry for the repetition!) 

Steve, Alex and I spent the weekend at the lake.  We arrived Friday night before the sun was fully down, so got to enjoy the deep luscious blues that come with the end of the day.  

The view from Arta's/Doral's deck

As we were driving through Salmon Arm, I could see the moon nearly full in the sky.  But as we got to the lake, it was hidden behind the mountains.   

Peeking out at the top of the hill

As we got unpacked, I kept sneaking out the front door to see if the moon had finally crested the hill.   Finally, it was peeking out, but not yet high enough to rise above the level of the trees.   Still, it made for some beautiful photos!

The edges of the leaves look like a swarm of birds or bats circling the moon

New leaves on branches backlit by the moon

Here is a 15 second video clip (where you can see the branches moving).   In the background, you can hear the noise from the stream!

Here are a few photos of the stream in the morning light.  

You can see that the stream is way more full than usual.  I am guessing it the showing the magic of the spring thaw and run off?  I think that also explains the noise!   Here is a video clip.

I also started channeling my inner Arta, and found myself starting to pull weeds and rake leaves us.   What is happening to me?!  

Raking up by the raspberry canes

uh... now i have to move these to the compost pile?!

after the raking, these little flowers are visible in the lawn

and the little clovers are not as big as my pinky fingernails

Here is the garden before.....

dried remains of the bee balm

And here it is again after a bit of work (note the wheel barrow!).  This gardening stuff is harder than expected!

The little daffodils doing work with no help from anyone else!

But it was beautiful to be outside:  the sky was filled with light, and the air tastes delicious.   Still... the lower lawn might have to wait a few more days (muscles getting sore!)

Maybe i will save the bottom lawn for tomorrow?

We took a trip into town so Steve and Alex could go for a workout (I was doing no such thing after the gardening festivus).  The view on the trip into Salmon Arm was beautiful... the water was as clear as glass.  Check out this photo (just before Canoe):

Or, if you want to join us for 30 second video of the road trip?

By Sunday night the clouds started to roll in, foreshadowing the possibility of rain ahead.   Life in a northern rainforest?  :-)