Island Time: A weekend on Pender Island

Have you ever spent any time on any of the Gulf Islands? I certainly feel very lucky whenever I get the chance.

Escape to Skookumwhat?

A couple of weeks ago, I was lucky enough to score an invite to a friend's cabin on the Sunshine Coast. Skookumchuck Narrows, to be more precise.

The Sea to Summit Trail.

On Monday I agreed to accompany a friend from out of town up the Sea to Summit Trail.
I like to hike, but he REALLY likes to hike. Probably my first mistake.  I was excited as I'd been wanting to do this all summer, and finally found someone who would attempt it with me. The Sea to Summit Trail takes you from the base of the new Sea to Sky Gondola, up to the peak. The guide book suggests it takes 3-5 hours. It took us three on the nose. I guess that's what you get when you hike it with a British Army Major. Stupid.

Lazy, like Sunday morning.

In my last post, I mentioned we spent the afternoon at the lake down the road from the ranch (Harmon Lake). This little spot has been a favourite swimming hole of the family's for years. It's tricky on weekends in the summer, as it is often filled with campers, making it difficult to find a private entry point.

Horsing around.

Recovering from the previous day's vineyard adventures, we spent Sunday, lazing around the ranch, visiting with our four legged friends, and swimming at the lake down the road.

Grape Run.

Last Friday, Kristin, Nicola and I headed out of the city with two intentions; enjoying a weekend adventure, and topping up our wine cupboards. We don't exactly have 'cellar' at this point in our lives. If I'm being completely honest, I have a difficult time keeping two or three bottles on hand.

Regardless, I really enjoy the B.C. wines, and even more so, when I have a chance to pick them out myself. I even find myself hesitant to drink the ones, that I hand picked from the winery. Visualizing where it came from seems to form a special attachment. Silly, I realize.

The first leg of the journey took us to the ranch, for a quick overnight, as it is the perfect 'hub' for adventures such as this, with the idea of hitting the road early the following day, to head to the Okanagan.

Knowing it was going to be a hot one, we made a quick stop to top up the water for the horses, and then headed down the dirt road towards the Coquihalla Connector.

This meant, doing some 'ranch jobs' dressed for the wineries. I'm glad the neighbours weren't around to witness how silly I must have looked cleaning out the water trough in a silk dress accessorized with a rhinestone bracelet. Of course.

 Cheyenne, however, appreciated my efforts.

The Lovely Leo.

Yesterday, we intentionally took the scenic route on the way home from Shuswap. We drove through the beautiful Turtle Valley, had a pit stop at a country store for some piping hot donuts (speechless), and drove through the huge expanse that is the Douglas Lake Ranch (Canada's largest cattle ranch). 

Our plan was to stop at our place for a quick overnight, to break up the long drive home, and check on my new brother (read: 'Leo' the horse). Temperatures were soaring (37 degrees). After a swim at Harmon Lake, we charged home to meet the new guy.

After strategically waiting for the hot sun to tuck itself behind the hill, we headed down to the barn to work with the horses. I know what you're thinking, "We?". For your information, yes, even I helped. I swear, I did. In my brother's jeans (Thanks Chris). It was a gorgeous summer evening, and despite being in the hands of a rookie, the new guy was extremely well behaved. I think we'll keep him.

Some of the Douglas Lake herd...

Lake Escape.

What are you up to for the upcoming long weekend? I've been invited up to Shuswap to log some hours on the lake. I'm excited to spend time with family, finally get into my book, and hopefully rid myself of those awful one-piece tan lines I've acquired. 

Serious business.

Here are some pictures from our last trip up there (a few weeks ago)-

Two Roads (trails) Diverged.

Did Robert Frost have GPS when he took the road less travelled? We certainly didn't. Last weekend (in an effort to take advantage of the scenic recreational opportunities at our doorstep), the girls and I hit the trails in Lynn Canyon. We were hoping to do the 'Lynn Canyon Loop' as I had done it once before, and it seemed like a good place to start. Long story short, we missed one turn, and what began as a two hour hike, doubled in length. Nicola was less than pleased, and we were wet. What started as drizzle, turned into rain, we had no reception, hadn't seen a map in an hour, and only a handful of trail mix between the three of us.