A Good Start

As Momzy would say, it looks like 2011 is off to an auspicious start. Yesterday I joined Phil, Ellen, Jon, and Penny on a hike in to the Skookumchuk Rapids. At first it seemed like a foolish idea given my state of health, but I was determined to give it a go. I brought along a book and a thermos of hot chocolate in case I had to return to the car ahead of the rest, but all that extra preparation turned out to be quite unnecessary. I set my own pace and managed just fine. Didn't reach for my inhaler once! Even so, it was very nice of Jon to drive me back o'er the last quarter mile or so. Here's the happy crew during our picnic break overlooking the rapids.

Looks like the dogs were more interested in lunch than a photo op! And they didn't care about the sea lions frolicking in the water or the eagles flying overhead. In fact, the silly pups slept through one of the most thrilling moments of the day when a young eagle swooped down on Penny's car en route up to the rapids - the raptor was so focused on a still-warm roadkill lunch that it nearly flew into our windshield! A stop at the Fibre Works Gallery/Studio near Maderia Park topped off the wonderful day. Boy, did I sleep well after all that activity.