Islands and the far North

We finished up our time in Canada with a couple of weeks based in Victoria with Joel's parents. We both took some short trips that we staggered so there was always one of us plus grandparents on hand. Joel took his two unavoidable work trips (Atlanta and NY) and I took my annual solo trip to recharge. Last year I went down to LA for a couple of nights to stay with our friends there and this year I went to Yellowknife for three nights to meet up with two of my best girlfriends who live there.

The boys enjoyed being enrolled in daily private swim lessons at the rec center down the street. This is one of the glorious things about the amazing Canadian rec centers. Everything is so organized and so CHEAP. They swam every day and I had them out on the ice skating twice too.

My trip was exactly what I needed. A few uninterrupted nights of sleep, wine, good company, glorious Northern sunsets and steaming plates or Arctic char. What's not to love? I almost bought mukluks and then I decided that was perhaps the most silly thing a Californian could possibly bring home.

Once we were all back in Victoria we drove up the island to Campbell River to do one last family visit up there. The boys got to go out on a fishing boat with their great uncle and they absolutely loved it.

Our drive home was another three day haul ending with our a/c unit exploding when we went over the state line into California and finally hit Summer weather. So we drove home with cups of ice and lots of respect for that really vital part of our car. The boys did great, they showed great resilience in the face of lots of adversity on the last leg. That's why we travel anyway! Personal growth, resilience, adventures and memories.

This is where we lost our a/c. It was 104 degrees outside. 

Road Trips in the Pacific Northwest

We road-tripped up the coast of California, Oregon and Washington in June after school ended for the kids. We've been in Vancouver, Victoria, Penticton and about to head to Saltspring Island.  I do love to write glowing reviews of our family travels but this one is peppered with some trials. It's been a LOT of driving and frankly the kids dislike (actually hate) it and we're not big fans of sitting down in the car either. We have all agreed we are all happier flying and then maximizing our time on arrival with lots of very active stuff. Now we know, we'll definitely not plan further long road trips.

We have been outside a lot and doing the best with inclement coastal weather. I always warn Californains heading up here in Summer to pack some warm socks as well as full rain gear. But did I remember to do that? Hah! It is really cold compared to pretty much anywhere. We're talking an average temp of 65 where we currently are in Sooke BC and while this is the "dry" season we've had rain seven days in 2 1/2 weeks so far! We grew up here so we remember the drizzle but we've gone wimpy after all the sunshine we've had for the last 12 years. It's not an unwelcome break if one needs to escape steamy temps for a few weeks. I will admit to now being ready to defrost a bit somewhere a lot warmer. Ah well.

Sometimes life gives you really tasty lemons

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood. The sun was high in the sky with not a cloud in sight. The chilly morning had finally settled on being an 18 degree afternoon. I dropped our car off at the mechanic shop and headed over to Good Earth natural foods to wait while they changed my headlights. After selecting a gluten-free slice of pizza and a greens drink I found a spot on the patio where I could watch the three (!) mechanics all working on my car gesticulating and shouting loudly enough in Spanish that I could almost hear them from where sat half a block away. Then they got a jack. Apparently I'm not the only one who has trouble changing the lights on this car.

When I showed up to pick up my car the patriarch of the garage sidled over to me with a bulb in his out-stretched hand. "Why? Why they made your car have bulb like BMW?"

I paid for my yuppie-bulbs but as I was turning to leave the mechanic appeared in the doorway again heaving a large box full of lemons "here, you take?"

In the end he made sure I had a grocery bag full of lemons from his tree.

When I got home, the 8 year old boy who lives next door was standing in the driveway with a rake "I'm clearing out your garden" he announced proudly "so you can plant things here." He was indeed clearing out a leaf pile I'd hidden behind the Wisteria.

An hour later the rake was abandoned for dinner time but there was a big dent in the leaf pile. I split my bag of lemons into two and placed the second bag on the doorknob of his house. Above me in the window he and his four year old sister waved to me waved to me gleefully from their seats at the dinner table.