Cape Lookout State Park, OR

 We like the Oregon state parks and Cape Lookout is a favourite.  It had a bad windstorm come through the area a few years ago and there are quite a few dead trees near the campground, but I like its brightness, its promixity to the beach, and the great trail nearby.  We had a nice bike ride along the beach here, too.  This is an easy place to catch the Oregon Coast Trail and there's a short hike (about 5 km) over to the hike out to Cape Lookout.  The Oregon Coast Trail continues to another huge beach and how far one gets to walk on the beach I will probably never know.  We found the park relatively quiet after Nehalam Bay State Park which was crawling with people.  The spring break in Oregon schools begins the week PRIOR to Easter so the parks were busy.  We had a "rest day" here and enjoyed some hiking and sitting around.  Lots of trillium in bloom along the trail.

First Leg of Trip West

 There are many times when I actually do like B.C. Ferries.  We were fortunate enough to get a sunny, uncrowded, relaxed crossing on March 17th.  I was only able to identify one leprachaun on the ferry.  I love the ride through Active Pass and always enjoy looking at the fancy homes on the islands and seeing the "other" ferry passing in the opposite direction.  Our brief time on the Island worked out well with a couple of days of sunshine and some good walks.  I managed to run each day on The Galloping Goose Trail near Newton X Road to Island View Road and my dad and I did some nice walks in Elk Lake and Centennial Parks.  It was good to get that head start on spring.  Even though it rained heavily at night, the morning we left, the sun shone over Victoria harbour as we took the ferry to Port Angeles, WA.  Victoria's harbour is a very pretty one when you get to see it. 

It's Easter

 A very early Easter this year and I have more things blooming in the garden than I've ever experienced in 62 years!  Came home from the west coast last night and today was able to enjoy some crocus, iris reticulata, heather and a couple of pulmonaria (in hot micro climates) in bloom.  It really does feel like spring here.  It had definitely arrived in the Columbia River Gorge and southern WA state.  Yesterday, we visited our favourite people in Rossland and there's still a good pile of snow but you can pretty much walk around on the roads in running shoes or sandals.  I was thrilled to be able to work in the garden today - getting ready to plant peas tomorrow - and most of the perennials are starting to grow.  I know that all my SK friends are waiting for mountains of snow to melt.  I sympathise.  I remember it all too well.  Happy holidays to my teaching friends in SK and let me remind you about Connie's Kaldor's song, "Spring on the prairie comes like a surprise."  Let's hope that it is soon. 

Back At 'Er

 It's springtime in the Kootenays today and we rototilled the garden.  This is actually going to be the area where we plan to do raised beds but it gets the most sunshine in the summer and we haven't managed to figure out the soil around here so we'll buy a bunch of bagged soil and try to grow stuff like we used to do in SK.  One thing I LOVE about here is that we get about two more months of gardening time.  It's a bit early this year compared to our past 6 years, but it is nice to be able to garden from the end of March through October. 

Carrying the Colours

 I've been given the honoured request to knit Christmas stockings for the grandchildren.  It's complicated!  Yesterday, my friend Effie loaned me some bobbins and taught me how to do this task correctly.  I can't say that I yet find it easier than my old tangled mess, but it does make the back side look neater.  Carrying 5 colours is a complicated business to me.  I'm going to learn some patience and there's only 15 more rows to go on the first stocking and I can get back into 'cruise' mode (thanks, Elizabeth).  I hope to have this mastered before too long.  A big thank you to Effie for her support in knitting with many colours.

Champion Lakes

 Thursday afternoon we had our second chance to ski at Champion Lakes, maintianed by the Beaver Valley Nordic Club.  There isn't an extensive range of trails, but it's lovely for an hour or hour and a half ski.  We got there on a very sunny day this time.  One trail,  which I have yet to try,  heads up to the Huff 'n Puff Cabin - I think this is one trail I'd prefer to try in spring as a hike so I can determine if it is truly skiable.    I'd recommend this ski spot to all if you're in the mood for a short ski.

Falling In Love Again

 I've spent enough time in Rossland this winter to realize how much I really do LOVE to x-country ski.  Yesterday, I tried out a new trail at Nancy Greene Park and had a lovely ski - snow conditions were perfect, bits of sunshine appeared, and there was no one out there!  The sign here shows the variety of trails in this park.  Last week we tried out Champion Lakes Provincial Park and it was a fine ski as well.  I get many benefits with the weekly trips to Rossland - the "boys", an extra night of duplicate bridge and a good ski.  Last Sunday and Monday, Dave and I had spent a night at the high country hut near Kaslo.  It was beautiful to be up there, but getting there is becoming a problem for me - the skis are heavy and my knee hasn't been happy since our journey there.  This year, x-country skiing is tops!