the last piece

we pulled into camp, a camp that i grew up going to when it was at a different location.  but this spot i also grew up going to, mesachie lake, with church families camping and swimming. there is a smell there that comes just after the rain that reminds me of walking with my dad, and i can't help but think it is the only place in the world that smells like it, fresh and crisp.  the lake is stunning and clean and so beautiful, it holds so many memories, memories of walking on logs, rain, friends and our family.

we set up our trailer and settled into living for the next little while.  our days were easy, simple and lovely.  riding zip lines, finding unique trails, spotting bears, playing at the lake, boat rides, night fires, conversations with good friends, blessings all of it.

rachel had a great walk picked out for us and the thought of this walk was romantic.  a wild flower reserve. we each picked a flower to spot along the way and our eyes were open for them for the first few steps, and then the running started and then the rain and then the fact that we were no longer in the reserve but on a golf green...we tried. 

on our second walk we found a bear, a water walkway, spit bugs and sun.

we drove across the island to spend the day with my dad, his dear friend, the sheep and the bull frogs.  from there we took the girls to the place i first spotted my sweet scott, camp qwanoes. we walked the cabin lines and the back road, we shared the day with friends.  blessings, all of it.

i feel so blessed to be able to spend such precious amounts of time not only with my family but with those who have been apart of our lives for so long.  it is a blessing to walk through life with kindred spirits that are willing to engage you and challenge you, sit with you and invest in you.

 this was the last of our island adventures.  we left with full hearts and new memories and experiences.  i count it all joy.

continued

with grandma on her very own adventure and moved, we continued on our journey.  the next leg was spending time with friends.  rob and sam with emily and olivia was the first stop.  we parked the tailer in the meadow and spent our time enjoying cups of tea, beautiful conversations that challenged my heart, and moments together that built upon our friendship.  i will always be so very thankful for this family and their friendship to us.
we celebrated fathers day with a quick trip to tofino.  we stopped at all the normal places along the way, tea in port alberni, gas just past port, park stop in tofino and then on to chestermans beach.  this trip we picked up two extras that we found along the way...kat and chett fichett, who are part of the hallway living at trinity.  we rode, jumped waves, built sandcastles, sat and listened to the roll of the waves and enjoyed amazing company.  maybe a favorite day for me, something about salt water in your hair and the smell of neoprene on your skin that does it for me.  shared experiences, moments and smiles that are not easily lost or forgotten.  time with others is valuable and cherished in my heart. time spent in creation, the smells, the sights and sounds.  i could have stayed there forever.
reluctantly we piled into the truck to head back at the end of a great day.

our days following included horseback riding, more tea and conversations, more 'grandma attic' readings at night time, more time, time with each other, time to just be together.

these were our days with the baus and fitchetts.  from here we rolled down island to camp imadene where more friends and adventures awaited us.