After much waiting and anticipation I have finally created my 100th post. I had been saving my 100th post for something very special. The only problem was that nothing seemed all to spectacular. After some prodding from my brother I have finally decided to just go for it. So here is a recap of some of the things I did this summer. Nothing to exciting but altogether I hope it is worthy of the title.
My Summer Break
Letterboxing
Every summer I try to go out letterboxing. This particular time I went with Aubrey and Shanoah. This was their first time and so here they are posing for the camera after finding the first letterbox. We only found 3 out of 6 which is always disappointing.
Deep Creek Hike
Frank, my mom, Kaleb and Shanoah and I went on a hike at deep creek. I love this place. The first time I went here was with my brother Barry. This time it seemed much different. Everything seemed greener. In addition, there were many more spots where you had to cross small ponds.
Things felt different for me also because I saw this place with a new perspective. I have been reading the Earths Children Series by Jean Auel. This is a story taking place during the period when cromagnum man and neanderthal lived simultaneously. While walking I thought about how these people would be assessing this land. I also wondered what all these plants were around me and if any of them were edible or had medicinal value.
End of Deep Creek
At the end of the creek you end up at the Spokane river. Near the end of our hike we all started getting a little paranoid. The hike took longer than expected and we were worried we would not make it back to the car before nightfall. We decided to take the dirt road back. We were traveling along the road when we noticed a trail leading back down to the creek. My mother and I wanted to take the trail but Frank was convinced that the car was just up the street a little bit. We tried to convince him the cars were on the opposite side side of the road but he insisted we go forward. We followed him onward until we came to the place he thought the cars were at. They were not there and we had gone to far to turn back. We decided to keep following the road. It was kinda funny because Frank started walking really fast and leaving us all behind. Later my mom asked why he did that and he stated he felt he got us lost and it was his responsibility to get us back safely. I thought that was sweet. When we finally got back to the cars we were are very exhausted, happy and accomplished.
Montana Trip
I went to Missoula Montana to visit my friend Staci. I only spent one night with her but it was so much fun. We went letterboxing several times. We went out to lunch and dinner several times and just talked. It was nice to catch up on everything. I really liked Missoula. There were so many people there walking around in the streets at all times of the day. We also went swiming on the last day. I hadn't swum all summer. The water was a little chilly but it was deep and refreshing. I hope I can go visit her again sometime. I wish I would have taken more pictures but it seemed I always forgot to take my camera.
Nakusp, B.C.
Aaron and I visited Nakusp early this summer. The first thing we saw was a dead bear on the side of the road. I was going to stop and take a picture but then thought it was disrespectful. It was disheartening to see the bear because I have only once ever saw one in the wild. They seem rare and special. It was sad seeing such a special animal dead because of humans.
The rest of the drive seemed long but beautiful. there was green everywhere. We saw many deer but strangely we saw no dead ones. Most of the trip was through the Rockies on this skinny little highway. This was nerve racking for me I was happy when we finally arrived in Nakusp. We stayed at the Leland hotel (pictured below). We were in Canada on business so we did not get to do to much site seeing. Not that there was much to see the town is quite small, but we did get to go to a movie for free.
I really love the small town feel. Someday I hope to live somewhere where I could bike where ever I wanted to go. I The first day there was a farmers market and I got a marble for my mother and I in a little new age little shop. We had to work the rest of the day until late in the evening. Later in the evening we walked around the town and looked at all the closed shops. Up on the eaves of the businesses were orb weaver spiders. The whole town was riddled with them. You had to be careful wear you walked or else you could run right into a web. I did not have that experience but I came so close that I was very careful afterwards.
The next day was Sunday and most of the shops were closed. We walked the beach looking for rocks for both my mother and I. Everywhere I visit have to get a rock. I think I picked up this habit from my mother. We left early to get back home.
We stoped in a town on the way back home, I forget which town , to shop at the Safeway for some items I can no longer find in the US. I did find what I was looking for plus a bonus. In Canada they have ketchup potato chips. When we were at the store it seemed that everyone was buying them. I had to get some for myself to try, seeing that I absolutely love ketchup. These chips are so strange in appearance. They are covered in a red coating and taste a little bit like salt and vinegar potato chips with and aftertaste of ketchup. I actually liked them and wish I would have brought home more. I wonder now if they ever tried to market these in the US.
Leland Hotel
The Leland hotel is the oldest hotel in British Columbia and it showed. Our room was very small and there was cobwebs on the lights. Within the hotel there is a lounge. Aaron and I had a couple drinks there. It was funny because everyone in the bar kept droping things including money. Although old the The Leland is located on a beatiful lake.
Arrow Lake
This last monday I turned 30 years old. I remeber when I was about 18 not being able to imagine my self at 30. I thought I would be depressed that I was getting so old. I am actually happy about it. I feel I am no longer a young adult but just an adult. This makes me happy. I am almost finished with school, only a year left, and then I will be starting my career. My birthday was pretty uneventful. My mother and father both forgot to call me on my birthday. My sister Kim was the only family member to call me (my brother Barry sent me an email). I hung out in my bedroom all day because the downstairs was 62 degrees. Anyone who knows me knows that is way to cold for me. I was feeling pretty down by the time my boyfriend came home (at this time only my friends had called to wish me happy birthday). Aaron walked in the door with this most beautiful Lilly. This really brightened my day.
