What a wonderful time of year for some exploration around BC.
We drove across BC to spend Thanksgiving week-end with Charlotte and
Devon at their new home in Nelson. We were
their first house guests and were treated to a wonderful few days of hiking,
exploring and feasting.
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| Charlotte and Devon found a new lakeside home |
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| We paddled from their house | |
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| and enjoyed multiple feasts |
We also checked out the local ski resort, where we plan to ski during our next visit.
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| Whitewater |
The highlight of our visit was a hike into the Valhallas. We started out on a narrow trail through the forest and continued up through snow to our destination, Gimli Peak
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| Devon and Charlotte cross a creak |
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| we saw several mountain grouse on the trail |
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| we gained elevation and reached winter conditions |
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| Gimli Peak |
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| on top of the world |
We added a couple of side trips to our Thanksgiving visit in Nelson. On our way east we stopped to visit Vancouver friends and admire their amazing new house in Naramata. We wined and dined and hiked in the hills above their home.
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| Al, Chris, Anne-Marie & Irene above Okanagan Lake |
You may recognize their architect by the signature sloping roof.
Did you guess the architect? The answer can be found here:
http://www.blueskyarchitecture.com/OKANAGAN.html
On our way back home we stopped again in the Okanagan, this time to visit friends who live near Vernon. They took us on a wonderful tour of local wineries.
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| Bill, Irene, Al and Jan at Mission Hill Winery |
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Our hosts also took us to an amazing spa called Sparkling Hill, created by the folks at Swarovski. You really have to see it to believe it.
Check it out here: http://www.sparklinghill.com/
Closer to home we stopped to walk in the coast mountains.
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| Joffre Lakes Park |
When we arrived home and looked out our front window we were treated to a view of the full moon rising over Wedge Mountain.
We live in such a beautiful part of the world.
