To the Mountains

A trip to BC is not complete without some camping.  We chose to go back to Glacier National Park, two hours east of the farm, where we last camped when Victoria was one year old (you can see a photo from the 2004 visit further down in the blog):

At the end of Great Glacier trail plus a bit.

Victoria at about the same spot in 2004. 

At the end of Great Glacier trail plus a bit.

Fun photo - the young couple who took the photos for us also took some photos of us setting up for the shoot.

Enroute on the Sir Donald Trail

Enroute on the Sir Donald Trail

Benjamin working on his bouldering skills

Benjamin working on his bouldering skills - pantless.

Yup, this was an easy hike says Benjamin.  Note the boots and 443 (MH) Squadron hat.

Impressive bridges that Parks Canada has put in.

Lots of bear sightings while we were there but we did not see any.

The kids were always the ones to get the fire going and to look after it.  I guess I am out of a job.

A bit of rain at the end of the camp.  Benjamin helping strike camp.

Stopped at the "Last Spike" on the drive back. An important part of Canadian history.

Stopped at the "Last Spike" on the drive back. An important part of Canadian history.

Back to the Farm - Farm Animal Edition

Of course, lots of time to spend with the animals on the farm (you will also find some old photos from ten years ago):

Tor, the gentle giant.

Still, Tor gets lunged around a bit by Sarah to get back into the swing of things

Cow girl

Cowboy

Cowmum ?

and even Benjamin who is most impressed.

A few years ago. Victoria on the much missed late Sundance in 2006

Heading into the water in 2006 on Sundance

A few years ago. Victoria on the much missed, late Sundance in 2006

Liz and Johnathan on Sundance in 2006

Horses like a good splash too.

Benjamin checking up on the sheep. He fed them many, many apples.

And the chickens were certainly not neglected with Benjamin around.

where did the eggs go ?

Back to the Farm With the Cousins - In Pictures

The flights were long but all went well. We arrived well after midnight in Kelowna so we were grateful my parents booked a hotel so we did not need to drive to the farm until the day after.

A few pictures (okay, I lie - there are a lot of pictures).

Home on the farm

And, of course, not just a pretty place but the cousins were visiting !

What a line up.

Lots of riding in the truck.

and, of course, we needed a zip-line.  Serious business.

Zoom

and doing it two handed would be too easy.

No zipline for Benjamin but we did build him a swing

Traditional annual('ish) family photo

Never too early to start

and not letting a bit of rain interfere with a campfire

and time for a range session

The shooters

and, of course, the boys need to checkout the muskrat's place

meanwhile, Benjamin helps with the raspberries the kids picked.

and picking saskatoons.

and Benjamin eating saskatoons.

Abby being very patient with Benjamin on the cabin porch.

Hide and Seek at Quaaout Lodge

Nice to have a bench and table your own size.

Seat with a view

I love being on the farm "this much"

Which way back to the house ?

oooh ... tractors to drive

crazy tractor driving

Making a scabbard for "the" knife he made in NZ

Finished scabbard with Grandpa/Leather Instructor

Victoria's turn.  Making a purse.

The finished product

Johnathan also made an axe handle.

And Liz had time for yoga.

The end (or this blog post anyway - one more farm blog post to go).