Hiking Lake Minotaur and Rafting with the Hansons

We finally got back to the cabin this weekend. The weather was cool and we decided to go for a hike. We opted for Lake Minotaur on the back road between Lake Wenatchee and Stevens Pass. It was a stunningly beautiful hike. We just had to get through the first, steep mile before it mostly topped off for the second mile. I guessed the kids were ready for it, but we weren't sure about Reed. Sure enough, Reed hiked the whole way there and back - nearly four miles, and a 1450' elevation gain! Thanks to Eben for holding his hand and pulling him along the entire way. This picture shows how steep it was.

 

 

 

After we hit the wilderness boundary about one-mile in, it leveled out a lot and transitioned from forest to meadows and wild bilberry fields.

 

 Charlotte picked a lot of berries - she could have stayed all afternoon picking.

 Lake Minotaur with Labyrinth Mountain in the background was a pristine alpine scene. Eben believes this might be his first alpine lake! I can't believe it has taken us this long to get him up in the mountains!

 

  The trail around the lake was absolutely delightful.

 Looking east with Lake Theseus in the background and layers and layers of ridges beyond.

 That afternoon Kim and Dave and their kids came for the weekend. The kids roamed the yard looking for marshmallow sticks and having adventures.

 The next day we floated the Wenatchee River from Lake Wenatchee all the way to the cabin. The water was quite low and it took a long time. But the weather was perfect and it was relaxing and beautiful.

Solar Eclipse and Visit from Cousins Pam and Craig

We were treated to a rare solar eclipse (90% totality from our house) today, August 21, 2017. We donned the magic glasses and watched as the moon blocked out the sun. It got fairly dark and the shadows and rays from the sun were very unusual. What an inspiring event to be a part of and a reminder of just how small we are in this great, big universe.

 

The following day we had a visit from two of Eben's cousins: Pam and Craig. We haven't seen them in quite awhile, but by the end of the night we felt like great friends. Craig lives in the area now and Pam was up with her three boys visiting him and camping out for the eclipse. We started out at the Civic Club with the kids playing together in the lake and then went back to our place for dinner.

Canadian Adventure Days Seven and Eight: The Pool, Hague Lake, and Returning Home

At this point in the trip we decided we should go into vacation mode and just relax a little bit. So we went running and hung out at the pool and hot tub in the morning. Then headed to Hague Lake again in the afternoon. It was awesome and just what we needed.

 

 

Final concert of the trip... 

 

 Mmmmm - birthday cake from our friends who just happened to be staying at the same spot and celebrating a birthday here!

 

Finishing the night with spades.

 

We smoothly packed up and I caught the two ferries back to Campbell River that I needed to catch. We unpacked the boat and car and reloaded the vehicles for the big push home. We ended up with extra time in Nanaimo before the ferry so we made the most of it by exploring a cool park on Horseshoe Bay with a big trail system.

 There were two balloon animal artists on board the ferry making free balloon animals for kids. That was the best idea ever! We finally got home, exhausted, at 10:30. What a wonderful trip!!!

Canadian Adventure Day Six: Rebecca Spit and Hague Lake

On day six, we headed west to Rebecca Spit on Quadra Island. Unfortunately we ran smack into a front of bad weather. We reversed and headed quickly back to camp where we made it into the Pavillion just in time to beat the rain. (Eben, who was anchoring the boat, was not so fortunate.)

 It did clear up quickly, though, and we took the car over to Hauge Lake - a warm lake on the island with sandy white beaches.

 

Canadian Adventure Day Five: Desolation Sound / Roscoe Bay / Prideaux Haven

Eben and Chris woke up early and went fishing - catching several salmon! We met them on the far side of the island in Squirrel Cove for a shorter boat ride east towards Desolation Sound.

 First stop: Roscoe Bay on West Redonda Island. The larger draught boats can only get into the inner harbor at high tide. In the Whaler we scooted right in. Just a short quarter-mile path leads to Black Lake and a great swimming hole.

 

 

 Reed is starting to do the crawl stroke!!!

 After lunch and swimming at Black Lake, we boated further east to Prideaux Haven - a group of islands bordering the mainland and the heart of Desolation Sound in the opinion of many sailboaters.

 The warm green water (70 degrees) and small islets and coves were magical. We tucked into a secluded spot and played away the afternoon. Even Meg and I went swimming here!