CAMPING IN THE TIME OF COVID - JUNE

June opened new opportunities for us to escape the city to Provincial campgrounds
 in the Okanagan Valley ... such a freeing experience.

"Then followed that beautiful season... summer...
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light.
and the landscape lay as if new created
in all of the freshness of childhood."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Time to look up into a beautiful arboreal campsite, or down low through a field of clover, to listen to the birds or come up close and personal with a dragonfly. We hiked along the lake and shivered around a campfire visiting with good friends.

Three nights at Okanagan Lake North Provincial to try out our 'new to us' studio suite on wheels. This was one of few sunny moments in what was a wet and cool start to summer camping. 

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Moving on to Fintry Provincial Park

Fintry Estate has a history going back to 1909. The Packing house, Manor house and Octagonal barn are some of the original buildings.

I cannot wander along trails without stopping and examining the details of flower blooms. 

A long, steep, winding trail took us high up from the campground to Shorts Creek waterfall.

A surprise early evening visit from our three sons, living out their dreams in their 40's as I always said no motorcycles while they lived under our roof! The 45 minute ride on Westside road is apparently a bikers dream as it is narrow and very curvy. 

Looking straight at their mother are Karl, Ray and Terry

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Father's Day weekend at Herald Provincial Park on Shuswap Lake

Herald Park is a family favourite with this not being the first Father's day campout. Margaret Falls is a spectacular feature accessed right from the campsite, but the trail has been closed for a number of years due to a major washout of bridges.  With it being reopened this year we hiked to the waterfall twice and so all my photos seem to focus on that. The lake level was very high with lots of pollen on it but that did not deter the grandkids from swimming, kayaking and fishing. 

Ella was my photography shadow as she pointed out nature details just like I love. A rest stop gave her the opportunity to build a rock figure or inukshuk.

Woven bark on a cedar tree

We camped with two of our children and their families.  

Margaret Falls 

Four sweet granddaughters

On Saturday our campsite grew to 17 for the day with a wiener roast

 and lots of noise and laughter playing 'Heads Up.'

Sorry Dr. Henry if we were sitting a little tight.

What a treat for Wally to be surrounded by his children.
Father's Day 2020