a quick snowshoe tour of the lake

A still quiet morning in Annis Bay.

My friend Andrea gave me a call this morning. She asked if I wanted to go snowshoeing with her again. We both had the day off work and so began to discuss options.

Our last adventure of this sort was in the field between our homes, but that snow had already melted from the rain. 

A drive up to Larch Hills Nordic Ski Area yesterday revealed a pretty bumpy, icy road to get there, and might involve more car than outdoor time since we would be getting a late start.

A quick call to Moiya and Dave to confirm the conditions at the lake and the plan was set. 

This would be  Andrea's first trip to Larch Haven. 

We made it there by 1130am. We saw signs of neighbors, a plowed road, a plowed driveway, but no person in sight.

Andrea loved her visit.  

Here are some of her observations that linger with me as I reflect back on the highlights of my day. 

She said:

No containing my joy.

• You must feel so grateful to have access to this beautiful area.
• (Audible gasp) A creek? I could stand here all day listening to it.
• What a beautiful view of the lake.
• It's so peaceful here.
• A train going by! The sound of it is muted, soft and rhythmic.
• Thank you for sharing this beauty spot with me today.

But the thanks go to her. It was a gift to me, seeing the familiar through her eyes, hearing through her ears. 

As you can see from the photos, it was a misty day. 

The water was calm. 

Only one train went by that hour. 

We got to wave at two of my loved ones, Uncle Glen at work by a window, Aunt Moiya waving from her porch.

There was just the right amount of snow for a quick snowshoe tour. 

Energized by the walk.

I suggested there should be a part II of this adventure on another day. 

Perhaps we will tackle the grandfather trail.

In the afternoon I listened to a recording of Mary Oliver reading from her book "A Thousand Mornings" at 92nd St Y on Oct 15, 2012. 

It was relaxing to soak up her words on the heels of such a lovely winter walk. 

Her phrase, "Attention is the beginning of devotion." fits with my day.

Bonnie

A Midnight Swim

Photo Credit: Rebecca Johnson

Night Falls at the Shuswap

Bonnie: Anyone of you women in for a midnight swim?

Arta: Absolutely not.

Mary: I already took a swim today.

Miranda: It takes me too long to warm up when I take an after-dark swim.

Bonnie: Well, that was three definite no’s.  The sky is beautiful.  The water is still.  But all I get is three no's.

~ Arta 

The Little Canadian Stream

Photo Credit: David Doral Camps

The Little Canadian Stream

Who was the last person to be the gardener at the Little Canadian Stream?

Whomever it was, thank you for the waterfall.

A picture like this produces longing in the hearts of all who have ever played at that spot, or even who have tended children who are playing at that spot.

Arta

The Wind and the Waves

.. a different day, but similar wind and waves ...

August 2, 2018

At 5:30 pm the wind came up again.

And this time I could see the waves from my house beating the shore.

All of the children wanted to take a swim so we walked down across the tracks to the Ramp Camp. We watched for snakes, or a lizard or anything that would skitter across our path. I sat at the beach while Michael ran into the waves with his snorkel and mask. Alice ran down the beach for her lifejacket and soon joined him. I could hear them laughing with every wave that knocked them over. Soon they were bobbing with the water, but still the gasps of delight were coming.

When Michael got cold he came out, but our towels were all down the beach. He was so frozen he covered himself with the pads that belong on a beach chaise. “Thank you, grandmother,” he said when I told him I would walk down to the Shady Beach to get him a towel. But of course, I couldn’t walk down with Alice still in the water. I tried to coax her to swim along with me, but the cold hit her at that moment and she was out, running down the beach, now crying for a towel, herself.

We sat at the Shady Beach reading a French version of the book, Captain Underpants. They wanted to know if I could read French. Yes. I did not tell them that just because I can read it, doesn't mean I can understand it. They wanted instant translation. That wasn’t necessary since they know the story and before I can finish any sentence, they jump in with what the correct English words should be.

The white dock was bobbing in the water, and now warm, they decided to ride the waves while standing on the dock. What made this successful is that the water had beat the dock into shore and so they could scramble on and have the joy of bobbing while close to shore. Michael fell off, banged his shins on the rocks below. Now I could explain to him what the term, barking your shins means.  He cried for quite a while.

... this time, Bonnie finding joy in the waves ...

When we left to walk up to the cabin, a train was going by. Today I have been emphasizing “staying a respectful way back from the train”, a concept they are not that happy with, but I am staying with the concept.

Alice can’t help running down a steep path when she sees one. This time she noticed the road down to the Ramp Camp, took a good run at it, slid on the loose gravel and experienced a good slide on her bottom, which was only covered by the thin fabric of her swimming suit.

 She had a right to howl over that. So she was my second casualty while I was watching the kids at the beach.

Betty just played up and down the shoreline. When it was time to go home, she walked barefoot, skipping from one fine, sandy spot on the road to another, while I carried her shoes up the hill.

We went straight to the ice-cream island when we got home, although Alice went straight to have a warm soak in the silver claw-footed tub in my bathroom, howling again for her mother at both the hurt and the indignity of the slide on the road.

 “I just can’t help myself from running,” she wept to her mother.

Arta

Before and After Look

Glen felling trees / the extension ladder far right

More for the "Before and After" look at the beach

The "after" look will be in subsequent posts.  Here is the look of this space when I got down there.


Much work had already been done.


There was a big burn pile by the waters edge.


Laynie had pulled out of the forest, what Glen had been cutting down.


The Douglas Firs still towered high in the sky.


Together, Glen and Laynie were looking for a space for a swing.

Piper in her water safety vest

The children played in the sand.

"Cover me with a towel, please, grandmother."

They have no idea of how much work is going on at the beach, essentially for them.


I couldn't maintain the work pace, for the bar is set high with Glen, Connor and Laynie.


I am tired.  I can still lay down on a hard surface and go to sleep in about 30 seconds, so I take advantage of that skill, and find a place on the sand.


This works for me and I sleep for two hours.


When I wake up, Betty wants to test out my space.  I am fine with that.


Arta

Two Man Airlift into the Water

The Woods are on the dock giving children airlifts into the water.
The children keep coming back for more and more fun.
Some of them do a high dive.
Others go up with their legs kicking and then cannonball.
A few only have the courage for a small throw.

The weather has been hot.
The water is warm.
Children stay in the water long into the evening.

Clear water right up to Alice's knees.
I have no idea what she is thinking she will do next.

There are kayaks, tubes, paddle boards, lawn chairs, umbrella
and rocks to be moved from one place to another.

Today is my second day, going to the water later in the day.
I didn't even shiver when I went in.
Dave Wood passed me and said, "I am so hot, I have to go in for another dip."
And he did.

Arta

Adult Boat Ride

evening sky at the Shuswap
Photo: Tonia Bates

“Adults Only Boat Ride”, called Tonia when she walked into my house tonight closer to 8 pm than 7 pm.

“Five minutes, can you make it?”

 I can get my hands out of dishwater so fast.

 I grabbed two adult life jackets.

I don’t know why.

 I only need one.

I put on a gray sweater and ran for the van which already had five other adults: Marcia and Art Treleaven, Wyona and Greg Bates, and Tonia Bates.

 Each of them was carrying some sort of bag.

 I looked in Tonia’s.

She had her camera and a type of sour soothers.

I looked in Wyona’s: she had diet Pepsi for all, Peanut M&M’s.

These people are serious cruisers.

I had some trouble getting onto the dock until an extra plank was added to a walkway that was already there but through which I would have had to wade in 6 inches of water.

The boat circled out from the dock. The sky was amazing. Selfies for the blog were being taken.

Then the sunlight coming through the clouds, horizontal to the earth became the photographic focus. 

Just like the rays that fell upon Joseph Smith in the first vision, except these where level with the sky and covering the whole earth as far as I could tell.

We cruised by the houses down in Annis Bay Estates: 59 of them.

... cherry trees at the Bates' house
Photo: Tonia Bates

Some homes with kitchens and front rooms full of light, one cabin with festive white lights outlining the cabin, a couple of places having bonfires in the evening, some in total darkness, one very small cottage with a wood pile larger than their whole place.

They must overwinter on their property.

We looked at the log cabins, at the new million dollar home, at the A frames, at a trailer whose carport is larger than the trailer. Greg’s bare feet were propped up on the deck of the boat where there are two seats in front of the driver.

Wyona was beside him, passing back treat to everyone. Art offered to let me drive a boat, since I told him that I had never done such a thing before.

I declined. I don’t have my licence yet. I do want to go get a fishing licence, because Michael, being a six year old Albertan, cannot fish in BC unless he is with an adult who does have a licence.

At home we circled slowly past our own homes, amazing to us since as teens or children, none of us ever dreamed of owning places like these.  We studied the beach.  And the docks that are ready to go out in the water.

... evening sunset from Arta's deck ...

In the end there was a promise of another boat trip tomorrow night.

Time? 6 pm.

 I can be ready.

Greg offered to tip the driver tonight.  The driver deserved it.

Arta

The Lake as Ice

Another Picture from Moiya

Look how far across the lake the ice goes this year!

David really wanted everybody to see this one.

Wind, Waves and Water

 ... blackberries sitting in a thimble berry cup ...

I was late doing my 10,000 steps today. I was so late that I had 9,500 to go and it was already 5 pm, so I started the steps on the shady side of where Pillings Road connects to Bernie road. Near the end of my journey I could feel the wind in the trees and I wondered if the waves would be on the water. So Joan, Betty, Alice and I walked down to the beach, Betty pulling a small wagon and Alice skipping ahead until we had to stop for a train. We stopped to look at the wood that had been bucked up and is ready to go back up beside some house for winter. A couple of days ago I was walking down the same road and heard a chain saw ahead. I know enough to turn around and walk somewhere else if I heard the buzz of a saw.

The wind had already brought a tree down, a large one, and it fell across the road, just missing the trailer where the Wood Families store their life jackets. A blessed save. Alice and Betty ducked under the tree and I found a way around it, bypassing the Wood trailer and ducking under the still immature cherry tree. I sat at the water’s edge and watched Alice, now in a life jacket.

She was learning how to let the waves bob her back into shore. In a storm and at the water’s edge they grind a person right into the cement and make it impossible to stand up, one wave over-taking another. Baby Betty, barely two years old joined the fabulous fun but when the waves broke at her knees, she turned and ran back up the ramp. I loved the feel of the warm wind and of the waves breaking at the shoreline. I loved watching the two little girls learn about the power of the waves and the wind.

Alice also enjoying blackberries
eaten from a thimble berry cup.

The wind was still high as we walked up towards the houses. I could see the wings of fireweed seeds in the air as I looked up the channel of space between the trees that is the road. I took some fireweed stalks and gave them to the girls so they could fling them through the air and multiply the parachutes that were rising to the sky and then tumbling with the wind along the expanse of the road.

I stopped to pick some handfuls of blackberries.

Two times. Both going down to the lake and coming back up.

I only have to touch the vine and the berries fall into my hands – so sweet.  I wondered if I will pick enough to make jam.

By the time I got to the stairs my fitbit was buzzing on my arm: 10,000 steps.

The finish to a lovely hour of wind, waves and water.

Arta

Water Across the Trans-Canada

We were driving to town.

The ground was saturated with water. It was running down the Larch Hills in sheets and spilling over the cliffs in new waterfalls. “I don’t know if we will make it back home,” said Wyona looking at the water gushing down the run-off troughs.

 On the way back home we came to a long line-up of vehicles just east of Canoe and I was getting ready to take the alternate highway around Mara Lake for the rain was still pounding down. Moiya grabbed her umbrella.  She had purchased a new one at the pharmacy. “This umbrella was 25 pounds in London and look, now it is $16 here.” Those were the words that convinced Moiya this was a deal not to miss.  She bought her umbrella in tandem with one Wyona was getting.

Moiya used the umbrella on the way home, hopping out of the car to catch up to a road-crew member who had just disappeared over the lake edge of the highway. “Stop, Moiya, stop,” Wyona was calling from the car. But she couldn’t be stopped and the workman told her he was checking the debris in the culverts under the road to see if the water could even run through them.

Cars in single file, we finally drove by the site, water ½ over the highway and a digger pulling tree limbs and trunks out of the pools of water that swirled on the highway.

The rain pummels the ground
as the sun sets, at the Shuswap.

I thought I had enjoyed my event of the day, but at 8 pm the rain began to pound again on Moiya’s deck. We were working on a project.  I couldn’t concentrate. I had the feeling which one word can’t describe: “I am safe on the inside of this warm house and there is a terrible fury outside.I am afraid, but just a bit”.

Wyona and I watched a hummingbird that didn’t move from the edge of Moiya’s hummingbird feeder. “The stillest I have ever seen a hummingbird,” Wyona said. She picked up the phone to Greg and said, “I know you have been waiting for a rainy day to go out and wash the car. Now is that rainy day.” Not only would the car have been cleaned, but whomever did it would have received a full body massage.

I walked out on the deck to capture the smell of the rain and to feel the 100% humidity.

The hummingbird had moved from the birdfeeder to a wind chime.  I was happy to share the space with it.

Arta

Defying Gravity - A Post from Moiya

At this time of the year we sometimes get this picture.




 I have icicles that are defying gravity.

Look closely and you might see what seem to be icicles heading straight for the sky.

We also get this unbelievable landscape of ice on the water with such straight lines.

It almost looks like a farmers field with summer fallow.

Wish you were all here to enjoy this!

Love Moiya

The Classic Summer Storm

... waves breaking on the dock ...

Over the years, I have come to associate a combination of thunder, sheet lightening, pelting rain and high waves with the long week-end in August.

That storm didn’t materialize.

The storm did come later in the month.

... looking to the west and seeing how high the water is
splashing by the wet marks on the rocks ...

Rebecca and Bonnie took Duncan and Ben down to ride the waves. Rebecca was soon back up at the house telling me to bring my camera and join them since it was an event not to be missed. I don’t know what it is that is so magnificent: the wind coming from the west along the Salmon Arm of the Shuswap? the waves beating the docks until they are along the shoreline? the teen-age boys riding the paddle boards and the kayaks? Bonnie waiting for the next wave and then leaping in the air as it is about to cover her? Rebecca taking pictures and her hair billowing in the wind? the foam on the waves as it pulls back from the shore and into the water.

Perhaps it is everything together. I ventured out further than I wanted to go and it wasn’t long before I had been dashed back to shore flat on my back. Getting up from a prone position with the waves slapping down on me was something I hadn’t thought about when I got into the water. At least I had the good sense to be within calling distance of Rebecca.

Arta

The Kayak, Part II

From Bonnie:

David shot away from the beach without a glance backward.

Off he kayaked over the cement boat launch, past the docks, and beyond where the water drops off, where tentative feet no longer have the security of touching down to rock bed to reassure themselves that the shore is still in walking distance.

I felt myself out of air, then realized I was on shore, and reassurance would be found in releasing my held breath and letting go.

Two New Kayaks

June 29, 2016 ... a beginner's voyage

From David:

This is my first home day.

Its almost noon.

Mom and I raced to the beach to have some time together before we pick up Jeremy.

 I tried out my new Kayak.  We have two of them.

I learned how to use my paddles as a squirt gun.

I unlock the two paddles so they are separate.

Then I fill them fully with water.

When I put them back together; they squirt water everywhere.

... not bad ...

I love it.

It is so fun. It was tricky at first, but then got super easy and fun.

I have already gone 1/3 of the way across the lake.

... getting my weaponry ready ...

I have not figured out how to aim the water stream at someone yet.

It mostly goes over my shoulder and squirts my mom's phone.

 I love the Lake. Please, everyone come out soon and I will take you for a ride on my boat.

David

Nostalgia

From Bonnie Wyora:

It's a beautiful sunny Saturday.

 The apple tree and cherry trees by the noisy and quiet cabins
are getting ready for you to visit.

The water last night was so perfect
(once David and I got in) that he said,
"Let's never get out of the lake.
The water feels amazing.
I can walk as deep as I want and I am still in the ramp."

Not many boats out on the lake yet.
The loudest sound right now are some very chirpy birds.

David says "Don't forget your bug spray."

Wyona Paints the Shuswap

Many years ago Wyona took Chinese paint brushing lessons and practiced a great deal.  She has picked up a paint brush again and while at Shuswap Lake created these stunning water colour paintings.

Several cousins, aunts and uncles have requested copies of the cabin pictures.  Pricing is still being decided.  :)

Views of the Shuswap from the Bates' cabin.

A stunning copy of a peek-a-boo view of the Shuswap.

Greg picked wild flowers for Wyona and she painted them.  I believe Glen was able to name every flower and berry.  Which ones do you recognize?

The most recent painting of the loud cabin as it looks now including the moss on the roof and the small tree growing through the porch.

Keep painting Wyona and creating beautiful works of art!

- Tonia

Heading to the beach with a friend

Today we went to the beach.

We had a water gun fight.



We played on the Wii.



The best part of the day was the water gun fight because I got to squirt my mom in the face.



The best thing I ate today was a grilled cheese.


I only ate three muffins for breakfast so I didn't have a stomach ache like I did when I ate six.



David

Topped up with happiness

... post pottery swim picture ...

Is the glass half full or half empty?

In my case, overflowing.

I am going to have a hip replacement.   I don't even have a date for it, but still I am thrilled.

The first thing that makes me happy is now I have a name for the reason I had to stop my 5 km walk every morning. There was a space of time where I was trying to find out what was wrong, why I didn’t have the mobility I wanted.

My Dr. said, “You are reporting far more pain than I can see should be there on the x-ray. I can’t tell what is going on.”

The muscular-skeletal doctor saw it on his x-ray.

And all of the doctors were noticing in the their offices as well, since I can't lay down on the examination bed, without physically lifting up this right leg to get it there.

I have no idea how long the line up is for surgery. I don’t even have an orthopaedic surgeon yet.

But I have a renewed hope that when am healed, I will be joining Bonnie on her late evening swims after her pottery class is over.

Arta

Catching Minnows

... I can get this one with my net ...

The Dollar Store?

Well, I usually think of it as the Fifty Dollar Store if I carry a basket around while I shop there.

One thing I haven’t bought at the Dolar Stoare is fishing nets. I see them there, fine nets on coloured bamboo sticks.

Others must buy them for there are always some in my garage. I don’t know who purchases them – rods with the fine mesh hanging from wire loops.

 ... so small I can hardly see them ...

I have been party to teaching children that rocks don’t do well in those nets.

 I also spent time trying to fix the nets with a thread and needle – some children just think carrying rocks is more fun that catching fish.

Usually it is easier to buy another net – if someone is going to town.

... goggles on / goggles off ...

This year there was a perfect net in the garage ... one with no holes. I don’t know if that is the one Ceilidh was using the day I watched her in the water.

She was patient for hours, standing over by the dock, her bucket safe on the wooden platform and her goggles on her eyes, then back to the top of her head, then readjusted to her eyes, dipping into the water again.

Pretty fun!  my choice of a great afternoon.

At one point she brought the bucket over so I could take a look at it. Either I have forgotten how small minnows can be, or I need new glasses.

 She had to show me exactly where they were swimming in the water, trapped until her task was over.

 “I can’t believe it. I spent the whole afternoon doing that, ” she said, slipping them back into the water.

Arta

Sunscreen

The Ultimate Water Fight Begins

Ever vigilant about the sun, I try to keep covered with a long sleeved shirt and a hat.

But the hat is not always at hand when I go out the door.

I believe in sunscreen as well.

"Take that for a good splash!"

I put it on but have noticed that it gets in my eyes.

So the application goes from my cheeks and nose downward.

Still I get that stinging in my eyes after I have been out working with my shovel and rake.

... women and children strategizing to get the best of Eric in the water ...

Thinking that I am touching my face and moving the sunscreen upward, I keep that in the front of my mind: no hands to the face.

Still my eyes sting. I default to keeping data about when this is happening.

This week I got it.

That is not sunscreen in my eyes.

It is sweat.

Salty sweat! I didn’t even know I could work that hard.

"Watch out for my underwater watergun"

."A bucket load of water for your head."
LtoR: Bonnie, Ceilidh, Rebecca

This week the forecast for heat is in the low thirties – though the 34 degrees might be called mid thirties.

 I am going to take care of the sweat by staying close to the water and with sunscreen.

Perhaps there will even be an "Ultimate Water Fight" again.

Arta