Three Years Later - Some Thoughts on Relocating

I think it's our third anniversary of arrival in British Columbia. I wish I could figure out some "before" and "after" pictures for this post, but I haven't spent any time learning how to do that. I love looking at my vegetable garden and this picture does represent huge changes from our arrival 3 years ago. We had no paving stones in the driveway and the current garden plot was a mess of weeds. Today, I've got the best looking broccoli in the Kootenays!

I'd have to say that the past 3 years have been a huge learning curve. I didn't think I'd be spending time splitting wood, stacking wood, hauling wood, and making kindling. However, I actually really enjoy all of those activities. The first few times we had a big wind while I was here I'd be really nervous. I'm getting much more relaxed about it, but one can never really relax about that. I find B.C. has a huge number of natural hazards. Prairie people would always be on to me about the extreme weather. After 3 years here, I've learned that prairie people don't really have a clue about that. We've got falling trees, avalanches, rock slides, forest fires, floods, and power lines coming down. In this province, people are really expected to be able to manage themselves "off grid" for up to 72 hours. Our longest time without facilities so far has been 24 hours.

One thing that has been really good for me is that it's pretty nigh impossible to plan anything around weather. The forecast is usually wrong and you can't tell what is coming from behind the last range of mountains. This means that one has to be much more "open" to going somewhere regardless of the weather. I've been a bit surprised at how much faith some people put into the forecasts around here. Having lived a very regimented life as a school teacher for 30 years, it's been good for me to learn to "go with the flow" much more. Even the bit of school work that I've done has forced that situation upon me and I actually really like it. Retirement allows each day to be so different, but so does subbing and waking up and deciding it could be a good day for a hike or a ski!

The Pathfinders???

Dave and I went out today to walk the Wragge Creek Trail over in the Slocan Valley. As usual, you have to try about 3 or 4 times to find a trailhead to really get there. We had our B.C. Backroads book and a vague idea of where the trail was found. After walking to deadends on 3 different roads we managed to do about 9 or 10 km of walking and get absolutely nowhere! Nice to stop at Rosebery Provincial Park on our way home to soak the feet and enjoy the rushing waters of Wilson Creek. I had to reflect on the fact that I have absolutely amazing places to picnic within one hour's drive of home - it sure beats Beaver Creek!

Happy Birthday to Me!

My birthday present arrived today - a load of fill. There are so many pathways around here that are just a little too steep and awkward for the wheelbarrows that I decided I wanted to level things up a bit. I hope it works. One thing about living in the Koots - you never have to go to a gym. Between wheeling dirt piles around and an hour of wood splitting and wood stacking every day it helps to keep a person in shape! Happy Birthday to me.

Spring Has Sprung

The garden is growing well finally, although the veggies are very slow in my B.C. soil. The perennials are looking good. Yesterday evening we went for a walk around Mirror Lake and saw some wee Canada Geese goslings and some ducklings from a very plain looking female duck. A cinammon teal was visible on the lake - and this is about as far north as that duck will travel. Picture for this post is Leopard's Bane, an early spring perennial with the exact same yellow as the ubiquitous dandelion. I love this plant and mine is doing so nicely this year. The pottery vase was done by Andrea - a late Mother's Day gift from beloved daughter. For a beginner pottery attempt I think it's quite lovely and the Leopard's Bane looks very happy in it. Hurrah for spring!

First To The Post

This morning I had my first opportunity to vote AGAINST Mr. Campbell. It was a major ambition of mine, I realize, as I was the first recorded voter at our poll in the riding of Nelson-Creston. Equally important to the outcome of the election, is the outcome of the referendum on the question of the STV (single transferable vote) which could begin the process of electoral reform so very much needed in Canada. This referendum needs 60% of voter support; in 2003 it received 58%. Everyone I know in Kaslo is in favour of the change but when I go to the bridge club in Balfour it's the opposite story. Keep your ears tuned to the results - a possible change in voting procedures could actually happen!

No Longer A Cutblock

When we first moved here I prided myself on being able to only see one cutblock from one area of our house. After nearly 3 years of occupancy, I've come to really see the advantages of the cutblocks. It means there's a road to get up into the high country. That saves a lot of time in both summer and winter. The cutblock shown here is the one we can see from our front and west windows. Now, it's becoming quite a bit more visible because we keep cutting down trees in an attempt to get more sunlight on the garden. However, it's really our favourite ski hill now so there's a whole new attitude toward these unsightly B.C. landmarks. This picture was taken across the lake, looking west. It takes about 40 minutes to reach it from our place via truck or snowmobile. Interesting how much our feelings have changed in a very short time.

Mother's Day Feast

Had a lovely day yesterday, partly celebrating Mother's Day. I had calls from the kids, as well as talking to my own mother in Saanichton. I spent the morning in my garden enjoying the birdsong and relatively easy digging (this is a rockbound land)! In the p.m . we decided to canoe over to Powder Falls across the lake, taking a couple of beer and a dozen weiners and buns. The picture is me cooking dinner over an open fire. Mt. Carlisle doesn't show up well in this picture, but the light and shadow on its snowfield were miraculous. Two dinner companions were a pair of common mergansers showing off to each other. A paddle, a snooze on the lakeshore, and an open fire - what better way to celebrate being a mum?