Larch Plateau

The weather continues to be ridiculous this fall!  It's warmer and much much drier than usual - in fact, we're breaking records!  And Remi and I are loving it.  Even though it's getting dark at 7:00 PM, it still feels like summer through the day.  We were out in 20+ degree weather again today!

Yesterday we headed out to Manning Park in the wee hours with our friend Bobby.  After a quick stop at McDonalds (it's ok when you're calorie loading for a long hike) we headed up into the mountains.  

I should mention that Maggie didn't join us on this hike.  After July Mountain in September, Remi and I decided that the arthritis in her ankle has become prohibitive.  We want to preserve the function that she has, so no more long hikes for Maggie-pants :(  It was not the same without her and we're both beyond choked about having to leave her home.  Luckily she was relatively easily fooled with her regular walk and copious amounts of treats, not to mention our hiding our boots and backpacks from her and sneaking out through the basement.

On the way up we ran into the stupidest bird I've ever seen.  This juicy bird stood less than 4 ft from me and didn't fly away from us until Remi "booga-booga" ' ed at it.  Stupid.

The start of the plateau.  Larch are deciduous conifers, meaning that they have needles, but unlike evergreens, their needles change colour and fall off in the fall.  They are stunning!  Some of these trees are likely over 2000 years old.  Amazing!  They don't get very tall because of the cooler conditions at elevation.  The hike is about 18 km, with about 800 m elevation gain.  We hiked up to an altitude of just over 2 km.

 Our picnic spot!

 

 

More larch.  We couldn't get enough of them!  Unfortunately, most of Remi's photos were blurry and most of mine are too dark - just means we'll have to head back up there next year!  Beautiful hike that we'd be happy to repeat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall is so beautiful.  I was quite taken with all the foliage changing colour.

 

 On our hike down we ran into (as usual) whiskey jacks which we fed (as usual).

 

 You may notice that this little ingrate below has the audacity to vomit on my backpack.

We'll be repeating this hike next mid-September for all of you dying to see something so ridiculously awesome.  Guests encouraged (as usual)!!!

S

Gardening Update

The weather continues to hold!  Here are a couple of recent shots.  Still waiting for the tomatoes to ripen (we've had three ripe ones!) and going to likely pull the broccoli out tomorrow and harvest that tiny squash.

 The summer squash are finally flowering, but I don't see them fruiting in October so we'll just enjoy the pretty flowers!

 This was spicy!!

 Remi's also started woodworking.  These are the boards for our coffee table in progress!

 He also refinished a couple of the kitchen chairs.  So handy is my husband!

S