Winter Solstice

I'm very happy today, because from now on, the days will get longer...and hopefully warmer. Pagan traditions of worshipping the sun, where developed around the winter solstice and even Christmas has both a pagan and a Christian past. We don't worship the sun, but we do worship the "sun of righteousness, who rises with healing in his wings." (Malachi 4:2). This is what Charles Wesley was referring to in his Christmas song, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." This day gives me great hope that the darkness will be swallowed up by the light. I'm celebrating the great Light of the world who comes to bring healing and life!

The cat didn't come back!

So, another cat died in my house-sitting saga. It was expected (the cat had cancer) but I'm starting to think that maybe people with animals shouldn't allow me to house sit for them.

Quality Falls and Bergeron Falls

So a bunch of new found friends (Jordan, Jessica, Jeremy, Arlene, Arthur, and Kateland) and I jumped into a van on Saturday and headed towards Tumbler Ridge to hike to Quality Falls and Bergeron Falls. Quality Falls is a very short, easy hike and very interesting waterfall. Nice place to get your feet wet and I've heard in winter is a good place to learn to climb ice.
Bergeron Falls is the tallest waterfall in northern B.C. Its a 5 km hike out to the falls. The first kilometer is uphill and the rest of the hike is quite flat. It took us one hour to hike out and probably a bit faster on the way back. Very steep cliffs at the falls. Great view. We found some wild blueberries at the viewpoint. I would like to hike to the bottom of the falls someday.

Sand Sculpture Competition

So, I joined an 8-person team in a sand sculpting competition in Slave Lake. I had no idea what to expect but thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Its an annual competition and this year's theme was "A Tribute to Aboriginals in Canada." We built a dream catcher...and we WON! First place received 3000, which we split between the 8 of us. It was a beautiful day, got some exercise, worked as a team, had fun...and made some money. Here are some pics from the day.

For more competition details go to: http://www.slavelake.ca/rainbow/portal/alias__Rainbow/lang__en-US/tabID__3332/DesktopDefault.aspx

Sukunka Falls and pictures from the Peace Country

Sukunka Falls is located approximately 45 km south of Chetwynd via the Chetwynd-Tumbler Ridge Highway (#29) and the Sukunka Forest Service road (no sign about the falls). Its a narrow service road. Probably best to drive behind a truck that has a radio...so you can pull over for trucks with huge loads. At km 21 of the Sukunka Forest Service road, there is a pullout which provides a good view of the falls (took me about 40 minutes to drive from the main highway). There are a series of 3 falls. The first picture is the main falls. There's a cool little beach right nearby. I hear that there is fishing here too...but I didn't have anything with me...or a license. Anyways, great little spot. You can walk right up to the edge where the falls are. Probably not the safest thing...but I did it anyway.
View above the main falls.
View of the cascades from the upper view point.

The Alaska Highway begins in Dawson Creek, which is about 1.5 hrs north of Grande Prairie. I decided it was time to take a picture of the sign...and make it official. I've been to Mile 'O' of the Alaska highway. These are Indian Paintbrushes. BEAUTIFUL!
Canadian Fireweed.
Chetwynd, B.C. Cool town. Lots of wood art and carvings throughout town.
Wood carver at work.

Berry picking

So, I went berry picking. Just south of the Wapiti River I found a spot that had alot of wild strawberries. Notice how small they are in my hand. Wild-strawberries have great flavor and make icecream or cereal taste amazing! Found a few saskatoons as well. See how red my fingers are from picking. Took about 2 hrs to pick the strawberries.

I found a bunch of saskatoons east of Grande Prairie. Its a bit early for saskatoons since the clusters were not all completely ripe...but I am too impatient. See how black my hands are from picking them. I picked an icecream pail full in about 2 hrs.
Friendly doe nearby.

Kinuseo and Flatbed Falls - July 11th

So, I decided to drive to Tumbler Ridge, B.C. yesterday. Found a short cut, just past Beaverlodge that cuts off 45 minutes from the drive through Dawson Creek. There were some rough places in the road...but Doris (my car) survived. The Tumble Ridge area is GREAT. Lots of things to see if you're the outdoorsy type. It took just under 3 hours to drive there. First, I went to Flatbed falls and to the dinosaur tracks area (see pics). Then I went to Kinuseo Falls (65 km south of Tumbler Ridge). GREAT water fall. For a leisurely view, there's the two lookout spots. I climbed down the steep gully cause I wanted to get to the bottom where you're in the mist of the waterfall. I ended up climbing up a different spot which wasn't too smart, but I made it out alive and found some sunglasses along the way (see pic). I took the Dawson Creek route on the way home - great drive and saw some canola fields that desparately wanted their pictures taken.

Flatbed Falls

Dinosaur tracks

This is the view just before the falls (above).

View from the falls lookout. Notice the red trees. This is pine-beetle damage. Unbelievable amount of dead trees.

Jade Lake (just before you get to Kinuseo). Canadian fireweed in the foreground.Canola fields near Dawson Creek.

Room with a view

My grandpa was admitted to the hospital several weeks ago. He will probably stay in the hospital in long term care until he leaves this earth. Room 513 overlooks the city of Grande Prairie. I noticed how green the trees were in the city one day and had to take a picture. He has quite the view from his window. He's blind.

Kakwa Falls

So, me and my sister's family drove out to Kakwa Falls. No easy task. You CANNOT drive out there without a 4x4. I was thinking of taking Doris (my Ford Taurus)...but its a good thing I didn't take her. Its only 190 kms but it took us 4 hours to drive. Definitely 4x4 country. Had to cross 22 creeks. Some very small ones...but some were a couple feet deep. Kakwa falls is beautiful! You can actually walk behind the falls. Unfortunately we couldn't, but next time I go I want to. Sometimes you have to work hard to see beauty. We saw a bear on the way. Also some other wildlife including a LYNX. Incredible!

Some of the views along the way.

Alberta rose. Alberta's flower.
One of the streams we had to cross or drive through.

Doesn't this all make you want to come and visit Grande Prairie!

50 State capitals

Check out my blog on tagging the 50 state capitals. http://50statecapitals.blogspot.com/. Not including Washington D.C. I'm at 27.

Staff Retreat

We left for Vancouver Island on Monday for our staff retreat. WOW! I was amazed by the beautiful scenery, the bonding moments amoung the staff and the wonderful hospitality of the Hamm's. They treated us to delicious meals, a beautiful cottage and a ride on their 64 foot yacht to Salt Spring Island. Absolutely amazing. Spent time at Buchart Gardens (which I haven't been to since I was 12).

The Hamm's flew most of us out their on their personal jet.This is the view from their patio. You cannot see where the swimming pool ends and the salt water begins. BEAUTIFUL!Here is a pic of the cottage. If only you could see each of the rooms. Great place for a retreat. Five foot grand piano in the living room, overlooking the water.I didn't sleep at the cottage. Myself and the Burns (can you spot them on the yacht?), stayed on their 64 ft yacht. Poor us. :) Totally amazing! 3 bedrooms, kitchen, living room and more. I was laughing because I was blown away by how incredible this was.This was my room.Here am I driving the yacht...which was very cool. Lots of instruments for navigation. We went to Ganges on Salt Spring Island. Quaint little town.
Also went to world reknown Buchart Gardens.
I stood on these rocks when I was 12. Should find that picture.
Gail found a plant that wasn't fully planted and decided to help the little one out. Thanks Gail!