I went on an adventure this past week!!!
Well, me and the family. Camping with twin four-year-olds is busy, I tell you, but it was good to unplug, and fabulous to spend time by the lake.
Sadly, I only got my guitar out to play once, but what an epic spot. How did six days go by so fast? This was our view from the campsite. Can’t beat that, eh?
I haven’t done a blog post in over a week, so I figure a catch-up Ulog is in order.
Where did we go?
Well, we packed up the tent trailer (OMG so much stuff), strapped the paddle boards on top, loaded up the 4Runner and drove seven-plus hours. We went on a ferry, across a lake, and into the Kootenay Mountains.
We spent the first night at one of our favourite spots. It’s secret, so I can’t tell you the name of the place, but every time I get to go there it’s magical.
The Secret Spot.
Our secret spot is along Slocan Lake, which is a super deep body of water. In fact, there might be a prehistoric creature or two living here.
According to tales from one local, there used to be two scuba diving companies operating by this lake. They both packed up on the same day and left… never came back. Saw something under the water that freaked them right out, I guess. There are underground tunnels, and this lake is so deep it doesn’t freeze in the winter, so I guess anything is possible.
Regardless, I love swimming in this lake, just nice and close to shore. It was still in shadow when we hiked down the mountain to the water, but the kids kept warm climbing rocks and playing.
Then the sun came over the ridge, and I scoped out a spot for myself.
The water is so clear here.
The rocks soaked up the sun, but there was a crisp wind. Still, I wouldn’t miss a chance to get into this lake. Bathing in wild water, especially this water, is good for the soul.
After my dip, I sat on the rock for a while, admiring the view.
This region of British Columbia, Canada, is so beautiful. The Valhalla Provincial Park is pictured below, and you can’t see the most impressive of the peaks in this picture, but you get a sense of the grandeur, at least.
Unfortunately, there’s a forest fire on this ridge below. Hopefully they get more rain and no lightning. Wildfires are pretty normal in BC in the summer, but the last couple years they’ve been worse than usual.
Gratefully, the smoke wasn’t bad while we were camping.
We packed up again, got on the road, and went to our destination, The Whistle Stop Campground outside of Nelson, BC.
Camping on Kootenay Lake.
You cannot beat this view.
This is Kootenay Lake, now. And Nelson is this amazing town known for a high percentage of hippies and creative types. They serve organic tacos at the concession stand in the park, just to give you an idea. There are so many schools here—people move here to raise kids. People are strange here, but a lot of that is a very good thing.
There’s art everywhere, too. I loved this sculpture.
This dancer towers above a hillside park. Everything in Nelson is on a hill. Steep hills, too. Some of the roads are so steep they make me nervous.
At the top of the little hillside park was this bright, colourful osprey, and the words, “Soar stoic as an osprey.”
Yes, there are two older Subarus parked above that bird. Typical Nelson.
Here it is cropped, and the saying below:
Love that. It really gets me for some reason.
Anyway, we had a whirlwind trip, with some paddle boarding and lots of driving around.
Sleep?
I didn’t sleep that great, because mommy hearing means I wake up at every little noise, and there are more noises when in a campground in a tent trailer. Though I must say looking up at the stars in the middle of the night when I woke up to pee was sorta nice. So quiet, so many stars, so not awake, yet totally awake at the same time.
It stormed the last night, with rain and enough wind that we had to readjust the awning so it didn’t fling up into the air. That was the kicker, worrying about having to pack the tent trailer up in the rain. It dried out though, with the sun and the wind that morning.
I don’t like feeling vulnerable when there’s a lot of wind around. I like solid structures with wind. And our little tent trailer (big tent trailer—like two king sized beds) is pretty solid, but… I’ll take a house in a storm, thanks. Or a camper van.
The kids slept through it, of course. Tired, we managed to appease the children, get everything packed, go into town for lunch (I got exactly 45 minutes of shopping in a place where I wanted hours, but mama will take what she gets), and head out.
Homeward bound.
We got a late start on the drive home, but we stopped in Nakusp at this playground my kids love.
Here’s the lake across from the playground.
I know this is a long post, but I’ve got to tell you about this girl I met.
It was dusk, and a couple of young women were on the other side of the playground by the swings. Well, I love swings. So I went over, and I didn’t mean to sneak up on the one, but I surprised her as I went for the swing. Remember, getting dark.
She looks up, and says, “Who the f*ck are you?”
I’m like, “I’m a mom, and my kids are playing over there, and I want to swing.”
And she lights up. She’s like, “That’s so cool! When I’m a mom, I’m gonna be like you. I’m gonna swing forever.” Then she apologizes for being a little drunk, gets on the swing next to me, and just like that, I’ve made a new friend.
She was 20. Half my age. And she made me proud to be who I am, in that moment. I still play on the swing set, and fly in my mind. That makes me happy.
Anyway, we left to catch the ferry. We rolled into our driveway at 2am. It’s taken me so long to post because my house is a disaster of laundry piles and stuff that still hasn’t been put away, but I think I’ve got a decent night’s sleep under my belt now, so that’s good.
Home sweet home. This is the little lake view where we live. I love BC. So beautiful here.
That was a loooong post, but such a great trip. I'm glad to be able to share it with you.
Thanks so much for reading!
Whatever happens, keep singing your song!
Peace. @katrina-ariel
All images mine unless otherwise credited.
Author bio: Katrina Ariel is an old-soul rebel, musician, tree-hugging yogini, and mama bear to twins. Author of Yoga for Dragon Riders (non-fiction) and Wild Horse Heart (romance), she's another free-spirit swimming in the ocean of Steemit.
dragon art: Liiga Smilshkalne
CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR WITNESSES
Welcome back 🙏 was missing some thing everywhere and then realised our Princess went on a break in nature's lap.👌 Seems you back from heaven...so far from city chaos to amazing so clear and so mesmerising views of the hill to have some good times👌...wonderful place ...especially your secret place..lovely view.....
Posted using Partiko Android
You made me smile so big with this comment. Thanks for the wonderful welcome back! Yes, it's so beautiful where we went. And at the same time, I live in the country so home is good, too. ;) 🙏💖🙏
Thanks "Princess" ...that wat was missing now and then...the ever charming and relaxing Smile.👌...good i make it happen 👍
Posted using Partiko Android
You sure know how to make someone feel loved, my friend. Thank you! Yes, swinging is the best! My next poem is actually about it. lol! Something light for a change. ;) 💖💖💖
Looks like you really had a lovely time and the place looks absolutely beautiful honey 💚💚💚
It was a fantastic trip, yes. So glad I could share it with you, and I'm glad to be back. ;) 💖
very cool! i love yhe osprey and that trailer is off the hook
fun fun fun ... so glad you got to get away and enjoy life. again ahhahahaha yay
The osprey. I climbed quite a hill for a picture of that painting. So colourful, so gorgeous. lol! The tent trailer. Makes camping easier, for sure. None of that sleeping on the ground stuff, especially with kids. ;) Thanks for the sweet comment, my friend! 💖
Thank you for your continued support of SteemSilverGold
Btw...this post deserve a curie vote....just my wish..you get it👍
Posted using Partiko Android
Aw, so sweet, thank you!
Perfect adventure, an excellent story (as always), great photos... and I am a little bit jealous :))
Oh, I really need mountain right now!
Mountain energy is something real, for sure. I don't do well without mountains around... Hills at least. Sorry I made you jealous. ;) But thank you for reading! So glad you enjoyed it. 💖
what a great share of where you were away to. Beautiful pictures probably don't fully portray the grandeur of where you were. Glad it was a good break for you.
You know it. The pictures don't even touch the beauty of the places. Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to comment. It was a great break, but also good to be back. I missed PYPT! ;) 💖
so did I .. well mostly ... I was able to pop some info into the morning session and was able to listen in to part of the evening one.
Team Good Alpaca loves this post! Nomnomnomnom!
Delegate to our project via SteemConnect:
10 SP | 20 SP | 50 SP | 100 SP | 200 SP | 500 SP | 1000 SP | 5000 SP
I wondered where you went! Sounds like an amazing camping trip that you all needed. Good to have you back though.
Yes, I disappeared. Went through discord withdrawal. ;) It's good to be back, thank you! 💖
Oh my goodness, what a fabulous trip! I could look at your pictures for hours, just trying to imagine all the details. Those mountains, your views were crazy! You were able to camp right beside the lake? Were there other campers or were you all alone? Sigh..must have been heavenly! Your little guys are precious btw...thanks for sharing :) Good luck with the laundry, lol it never ends right?
OMG, the laundry. lol! Thanks for such a lovely comment! There were other campers, but the sites were far enough away from each other. We had a nice private-ish spot right above the lake (like a 30 sec walk up from where the pics were taken). Could look down and watch the kids from the camp spot. These mountains are incredible, it's why I love living in BC so much. :)
Wow... what a wonderful vacation. BC is so beautiful... we spent our summer on Lake Superior (near Pancake Bay Ontario) also a very beautiful place. Great post ... upvoted
Posted using Partiko iOS
Nice! It's always good to spend time near water, wherever you are, however you can. I'm sure it was lovely where you went. Thanks for the upvote and for taking the time to comment. 💖
I'd love to head to BC one day. The nature there just sounds divine. I love steemit for these little tours with people. It's all about road trips at teh moment it seems, although maybe it's just because I'm coming up to holidays and there's a road trip on the cards. How cute are the boys! how old are they?
BC is amazing. If you ever get out this way, I'd love to meet you and show you a few places! Yes, the nature is something special here, but all over the world there are places to connect with nature. Still, I'm partial to BC... except for the looong winters. lol! Road trips are awesome—honestly, it's my favourite way to travel. I hope you have fun on yours! And my boys are 4 years old. This trip was partially for their birthday. :) Thanks for the wonderful comment! 💖
I thought they might be twins. I absolutely loved 4 year olds they really are the best. They say the cutest things and a starting to come into themselves. I can see why you might be biased. It's pretty beautiful where I live too so I can't complain, but you know the grass is always greener and the mountains are always more beautiful on the other side of the fence xx
Posted using Partiko Android
Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by katrina-ariel from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, someguy123, neoxian, followbtcnews, and netuoso. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows. Please find us at the
If you would like to delegate to the Minnow Support Project you can do so by clicking on the following links: 50SP, 100SP, 250SP, 500SP, 1000SP, 5000SP.
Be sure to leave at least 50SP undelegated on your account.
That is some beautiful country to unplug too. You make jealous with these pictures just like @bigtom13 does with his, but I never have told him that, so keep it a secret.
lol. shhhhhh. I won't tell. ;) Yes, it's gorgeous country. So glad you enjoyed the post. :)
omg this is gorgeous i am sooo jelly nao i want to go there! it reminds me a lot of lake george in the adirondacks, but cleaner and less people. you sure do know how to vacation!
Canada is great for being less crowded. Sorry to make you jealous, but if you ever get up to BC, let me know! :)
Congratulations! This post has been chosen as one of the daily Whistle Stops for The STEEM Engine!
You can see your post's place along the track here: The Daily Whistle Stops, Issue 255 (9/12/18)
Thank you! What a high compliment! :)
Fantástico y maravilloso post, me gustaron tus imágenes hermosas de esos lugares geniales...
Beautiful photos. There's a play park near where I live, and I love going on the swings, or sometimes the roundabout (in the evening, when there are no kids around!).
Who the fuck are you? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Never know who is who. Neat that she sat down and swung with you :) that water is so clean! Wow, looks drinkable almost. But it shook the body a bit as it looks a bit nippy. Looks like y'all had a good time though!
Teletransport me please
howdy there katrina-ariel! whoa what kind of a hat is that? I've never seen anything like it but indeed it looks very chic on you.
The views are stunning, I'm jealous.
And then you get back home and the views are stunning. I'm jealous again.
wonderful post!