O Canada!

This year's fabulous summer vacation was to visit my sister in Canada. Even J was able to come this year and we spent a whole week in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. (Allie got to spend four weeks! My sister took her after she was in town to be the green bridesmaid)

Here's my niece and Allie in the lake a few blocks from my sister's place. It's very beautiful, great to swim in, oh, and there's that incredible view of the Canadian Rockies!

J. and I actually had a nice time in the 12 hour car ride up. Although, I was a bad passenger and J. drove through Eastern Washington, (Tri-Cities to Spokane) which is an endless 300 mile trek of flatness, and yellow grass, interrupted occasionally by a sad, scraggly tree or a dust funnel cloud.

Once in Canada we had a great time visiting, going to the lake and swimming, walking into town to the bakery for fresh pastries and coffee...*sigh* The other outstanding feature of the vacation was a visit to Fort Steele, a sort of turn of the century Canadian pioneer town, which is actually pretty cool. Many of the buildings are intact/re-furbished and some are "working" as they work back 100 years ago (Like the blacksmith, with huge billows and they actually make sell-able items like fireplace andirons and dinner bells) Some of the people are around town in period costumes, it was really quite interesting- my sister's kids as part of their schooling get to stay at the Fort and live as they did 100 years ago. The kids got to pan for gold, and Allie found twelve "flecks" of gold.

It was great visiting my sister, though, it makes me miss the fact she doesn't live close anymore. She did find a use for the ugly green shawl, she uses it as the table runner on her dining table.

All in all it was a great time. When I got back I had to go in for a medical procedure and get a bit of my cervix removed. Thankfully, this is all that needs to be done and I'm all clear. I did have my appointment re-scheduled yet again by the office wonder twins, but thankful now its all over.

I can't believe there are only a few weeks of summer left!