A Perfect Day For A Wedding

The day was perfect…not too hot, not too cool.  The sun was just warm enough to make it very comfortable.  Add to the great weather, a gorgeous waterfront, a couple in love and you have the perfect ingredients for a beautiful fall wedding.

Five years ago we got a message from Kathy, Ron’s cousin.  Her girls, Kayla and Jess, were going on a western adventure and we were part of their tour.  I remember how fun it was to have family come and visit.  We did some hikes and sightseeing and enjoyed their company.

Oh look, Beavertails!

Fast forward to today and another adventure was happening.  Kayla and Steven were getting married.  We, of course, arrived early for early but it was such a beautiful place to be so all was good.  When we got there, the wedding pictures were happening.  

We were able to have a little visit with Kathy before things got too busy.  

We wondered around the perfectly manicured lawn thanks to Todd! The wedding was supposed to start at 3:00 but no one seemed in a rush.  At one point, a plane flew around, taking pictures.

Around 4:00, they asked everyone to have a seat and we waited.  The stepdad’s brother received a phone call and he put it on speaker so all of the guests could hear.  Everyone was ready to go but the minister had not arrived.  We wandered around while the wedding planner tried not to look too worried.

Around 4:30, they asked everyone to find a seat.  The minister came in with a flurry scrambling to prepare herself.  The bridal party made their way from the house and the wedding proceeded.  

Some kids went by on standup boards and a canoe and stopped to take in the celebration.  A sailboat sailed by and two swans were close to shore.

No one minded that the wedding started later than expected.  Everything seemed to be happening at just the right time.  Soon we were being asked to sit in the beautifully decorated dining tent. Every little detail of this wedding was planned.  

The meal was delicious with choices of salads, potatoes, rice, chicken, salmon and beef.  Then came the desserts.  The speeches were emotional and heartfelt.  There was a lot of love and tears happening.

As the sun was setting, the photographer rushed the bride and groom over to the lake to take some breathtaking photos.  

From start to finish the day was perfect…as Jess would say, “pray real prayers for a good day.” After the dinner and speeches, we said our congratulations and goodbyes and headed to the car.  The party was just starting.  If we hadn’t been so full from the delicious meal we could have stayed for a beavertail.

This wedding had it all..including the Beavertail truck!

We were so happy to be a part of Kayla and Steven’s perfect day!

Days Like These

Days like these come every once in a while.  The ingredients are perfect weather, no plans, and an invitation from good friends. Kevin and Pam sent us a text that they were on their boat at an island near Old Fort Henry.  We parked at the Fort and carried the kayak down to the shore.  We texted Pam across the channel and told her that we were on the way.  I paddled in the kayak while Ron swam toward the island.  

Kevin and Pam had spent the night and they had just finished their breakfast when we “pulled in.”

We sat on the boat enjoying the breeze and talking.

We went for a walk across the small island just to see the other side.  Pam and I went to the tower where Pam and Kevin’s kids use to take the island by force many years ago. Thankfully, we didn’t have to do any battles on this day.

We walked back to the boat and the sun was getting hotter.  We jumped in the lake.  The water was refreshing and it felt so good.  We floated around for a while and then Pam started lunch.  They fed us well.

After lunch, we visited some more and then had to get going.  Ron wasn’t told to “go jump in the lake” but that is exactly what he did.  

I paddled beside him and we made it back to the other side.  It took us a little while to get our bearings but we did manage to find the path that where we had started from and got back on shore.

It was just one of those days…a perfect one!

A Full Friday

We loaded our canoe last night and made plans to get on a lake this morning.  

We put in at Gull Lake and paddled into Little Gull.  

The lakes were quite small so we went around the perimeter until we found where the portage was to get into Puzzle Lake.  The “puzzle” is how could we ever carry the canoe?  The portage is short but not a smooth path.  We decided walking the portage was good enough.

We loaded the canoe and drove home and switched vehicles.  We took the scenic route to Westport and on to Charleston Lake.  

We had our lunch there and Ron went for a swim.

 I was getting pretty tired on the way home and then I got a text, “6:00 at the Black Cat.”  

After a short turn around and perhaps a little nap on the couch, we headed to the Black Cat.  It’s fun connecting with cousins.  Gary was itching to get the instruments out and so it became a two hour night of music on the front porch of the old hotel.  

Time for bed…

Lower Rowe Lake Hike

The weather has been pretty nice so far this October but it looks like it is about to change.  We decided to take to the mountains on Friday before the white stuff arrives.

Ron started off the day by going to the pool to swim.  I started my day by not doing that.  

The days are much shorter so the hike has to be too.  It was a perfect fall day with clear skies and good temperatures. The hike begins from the Akamina Parkway.  

Right from the parkway, the trail is a gradual incline through the burnt out forest.  Regrowth lines the path which adds new life to the walk.  

After a slow process (for me), we entered into an area which had avoided the fire of 2017.  Looking bad, the view was worth the heavy breathing.

When we reached the point of heading to the Upper Lake, we decided to be satisfied with the Lower Lake.

We had lunch there…salmon (from Kitimat) sandwich. It was a beautiful spot on a really nice day.  I did have to slip on my jacket while we sat there but as soon as we headed back down the trail, it went back in my backpack.

The views going down the mountain were pretty spectacular but unfortunately this is when my knee starts to slow me down almost as much as my lack of oxygen does going up.

Earlier in the year, we would have been going through some streams but at this point of the year, it was pretty dry. There were a couple of waterfalls along the way.

By the time we got back to the car I had about 14,000 steps.  I hobbled into the house to soak in a warm bath and then lay on the couch.  RON WENT GOLFING!  🏌️‍♂️vs 🛌

Yesterday, we worked around the house, putting the gardens to bed, cleaning up the deck and making sure the snow blower is on the ready.

I guess it might be time to get the snowshoes out! ❄️

What’s Been Happening?

Our house has been getting some more attention but still no offers.  It sure would be nice to have it sell before we go home and mess it up.  The weeks have been flying by while we hang out at the lake.  We have been all over.  On Sunday, we went to the Sharbot Lake church where we pastored for 8 years.  Abby was with us and we came back to the trailer to kayak and swim.

Monday - we got going early to drop Abby off at school and then we toured around the Thousand Island Parkway and enjoyed the weather and the views.  

We had a visit in the afternoon with old friends from the first church that we pastored.  Ralph and Diane served us coffee/tea and cheesecake and then sent us home with their own maple syrup.

Tuesday - Ron and I drove to where my dad had a hunting camp for years.  

We walked all over reminiscing and looking for trails that had grown up lots.  

After about 20,000 steps, we found our way back to the car.

Wednesday - Ron and I went in different directions.  He went to Ottawa to visit with his uncle and cousins.  I went with Jenn and had a visit with Ron’s cousin, Kathy.  She has a little shop with lots of great things.  Jenn bought a pair of shoes and I splurged and bought new sandals and blundstone boots.  

An old friend, Thelma had us over for a delicious lunch.  We share the same birthday and it was really nice to see her and Rick.

Thursday - we took Sarah to the hospital to get her wrist checked.  She had hurt it in basketball and needed a doctor’s note in order to play in the games on Friday.  After over 7 hours of waiting, X-rays, and more waiting she received a cast instead of a note.  The poor girl was devastated at having to miss the games and more.  The orthopaedic nurse gave her a choice of cutting her shirt or a hospital gown.  Sarah was horrified at the thought of a lululemon shirt being destroyed and so she was rocking the hositpal gown.

Today - we were up bright and early to drop the newly casted girl off at high school.  She’s a tough one.  We then drove down to Prince Edward Country.  It’s always a treat to cross on the ferry.  

The beaches in the provincial park are so beautiful and we enjoyed walking in the sand.

We have had such amazing weather for September.  We are hoping to stay at least one more week before making our way back to alberta where the snow could fly anytime.