America, America

We returned home from our visit to Canada. We enjoyed our visit but were happy to be home again. I love, love, love my country. Besides, gas and groceries are MUCH more affordable here.

In Washington we pulled into a rest stop for lunch. People pulling trailers were directed to an area where pets are walked and no picnic tables are available. Everyone else got to park on the other, happier, side of the rest stop. What's up with that, Washington? 

We pulled into a KOA south of Seattle for the night. I don't recommend that anyone else ever stay here. It was terrible. Unless, of course, you enjoy over-crowded campsites 4 inches from a freeway where motorcycles and semis continually rattle your head through the night.

This Is Living

Our last day on Vancouver Island, we hugged our relatives tightly and tearfully vowed not to wait another 20 years before we visited again. Our travels then took us to a University for William’s work. While he toiled away inside, the kids finished math homework and I read. With a good amount of worksheets completed, we went for a stroll together and foraged for wild blackberries. While ambling along and competing for the fattest berries, the boys discussed their respective plans for the future. William would like to be a geologist and sell the rocks he finds for money. Dabney wants to be an artist and teach art. Henry wants to be a professional skateboarder and 6^th grade teacher (where he will deliver very difficult math tests because his students will be able to handle it). Violet intends to be a princess by profession. And in these moments I was overcome with an immense gratefulness that my children were dreaming enthusiastically, musing hopefully, and considering their futures thoughtfully. These skills are absent when children are absorbed with gaming devices, their thoughts detached from reality and engaged in pointless concerns. Although I had been conflicted by our choice to dispose of the electronics, the days of separation only produced healthier, happier children who are now inclined to imaginative play as opposed to languishing boredom. I’m also thankful for my near isolation from phone and computer as it allows me to be present in the moment as well. Our electronics have a very limited capacity to make our lives better, and beyond that point they only begin to steal our lives away. As I take a deep breath of fresh air and gaze with wonder at stars that cannot be seen from within a city, I am overcome with thankfulness. I have not lived this much in years. 

Canada - Vancouver Island

We left Spokane with our tummies happily stuffed with camping pancakes and me safely pumped with coffee. This time, our drive took us out of America and into our friendly northern neighbor, Canada. (This blog should be more appropriately titled: Camping The North American Continent). Going north of the border is pretty cool, hey?  

We crossed over to Vancouver Island on a ferry.

On the island, the cloud formations wowed us.

Once we hit Comox, the kids and I got to meet the Canadian side of William's family. They are the only family we have who can boast an eagle's nest in the back yard. This is an eagle learning to fly. Sadly, eagles also eat blue herons. After decimating the local heron colony, these guys just don't seem so cute.

Violet enjoyed being the Pied Piper.

The boys scarfed Claire's creations down faster than the pugs did their treats.

We went for a walk down to the beach at low tide...

to look for sand dollars. 

NOT dead animal parts. That's disgusting, William.

Back at home, the Captain made a beautiful salmon creation.

Claire made a gorgeous huckleberry pie.

The pugs were too exhausted to do anything.

When Tom and Jackie arrived, we tried to figure out how everyone was related. Second cousins, second cousins once removed, or second cousins twice removed. Something like that.

This first dinner was a spectacular feast of royal proportions. I warned our hosts that they might have permanent residents on their hands if they continued to treat us this well.

The following morning, we were at the marina by 7(ish) to do some crabbing. 

The experts gave the kids a lesson on proper identification of crabs.

And introduced them to the world of professional fishing.

Then we got to tour the boat used for prawn fishing.

Later we ventured a 5 mile hike up Mt. Washington.

Where the whiskey jacks would do anything for a crumb of bread.

During and endless stream of chatter, Violet announced to Roger and Claire that her new name was First Aid Kit. Her middle name: Deer (like the animal and with a silent "e"), and her last name: The End. Then First Aid Kit Deer The End indicated that they could call her Kit for short.

In her journal, Violet said she liked talking to Roger because he's handsome.

This is a picture of a piece of bread she was given in order to take a bite and pass it on to her brothers. She proceeded to stuff as much of it as possible into her mouth (and nose) with apparent aspirations to vanquish the entire thing at once.

Snow angels are best at the end of July.

An alpine hemlock:

It was difficult to leave our Canadian family.

We love and miss you guys.

I'm sure the pugs are thankful for the return of peace and order and the safety of ground.