Beachward ho!

My daughter-in-law, Zenny, loves Vancouver Island, the forests and the ocean as much as I do. She and Jon had a dream of moving here for years. They finally made it a few years back. But then Jon's work took him to the Okanagan, to Penticton. Much as many people covet this location, I know, as an ocean-person, what it feels like to be landlocked in a deserty terrain, with only fresh-water lakes around. The landscape may be pretty, but feels wrong. The trees arent the right kind of trees. Ripples dont do it for wave-watchers.

So when Zenny's work slowed this winter, I enticed her here for a visit, promising her a trip to the beach, balm for both of our souls.

THIS is what has so far prevented it:

Front yard.

Back yard.

This is most unseasonal weather for the Island. In the course of one day we have sun, wind, sleet, hail and confusion.

Tonight the sun came out and there was color across the evening sky. This drives us crazy as it means at the beach, a glorious winter sunset is unfolding.

Argh!

We are waiting for one day of clear roads, to make a run for it. The mountain pass is deadly in slush and snow. Zenny needs her "ocean fix" before returning to the desert. And I need one just because it has been so long since I had a good, satisfying beach walk, heard the waves, breathed the salt air.

Meanwhile, I am living like a queen. Each night she prepares some delicious thing to eat, refusing to let me wash one dish. Tonight was an incredible quinoa salad with prawns. Be still, my heart!!!!!

I told my sister Lori we have been sadly misguided, in our lives. We thought we needed husbands, when what we really needed was WIVES!!!!!!

I am so determined the weather will give us just one day at the beach, soon. Then I will have to relinquish her to Jon, and begin hunting and foraging again.

Winter Fields

                                     

Snow has crept all down the hills now in this valley, and this morning it was standing room only waiting for one's turn to get their winter tires put on. The South Island already has snow, my youngest daughter reports, sitting cosily beside her fire this chilly morning. Mid-Island we are expecting it to get very cold tonight and to snow tomorrow.

The mountain passes in both directions are deadly in snow and ice; we are not looking forward to it. They have been telling me the predictions are this winter will be the worst in fifty years. Yikes!

My son Jon sent these photos from the Okanagan, where he and Zenny spend most weekends out in the wilderness, nearly year-round. These deer were so unconcerned with their presence, they were able to get quite close to them.

Some of them were still reclining during the photo shoot. 

This winter Jon equipped Zenny in camo gear so now she can trek with him

without freezing half to death.

(Would you believe this tiny girl is the one who

dismembers and cuts up the elk carcasses?

And helps pack them out of the bush?)

Since Jon was ten, he has loved the wilderness: hiking, camping, fishing, boating. In recent years, he added hunting to his list of pursuits. [As far as I know, no animals were hurt during this photo shoot:)]

Off to check out the terrain.

And finally home again, snug and sound, where Yogi

is happy to have them back.