CAMPING In JULY 2020

MacDONALD CREEK PROVINCIAL PARK

Arrow Lake lies in a valley in the West Kootenays between the Monashee and Purcell Mountain ranges. It has become a favourite destination repeatedly, and here we were again and I wondered if I could capture something different on my camera. What caught my attention were the wild flowers blooming along the lakeshore and up the little path to our trailer. A perfect camping location once again.

In the morning we read about God's delight for his children and how he sings over us. I asked to hear his melodious voice, and not long after as I sat in silence at the beach I heard the waves lapping on the shore in gentle rhythms and I had my aha moment of hearing God's voice in nature.  Serendipitous moments that made my heart respond in thanks.  

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SHELTER BAY PROVINCIAL PARK

We were so excited to pull into this small park that does not take reservations to find lots of empty sites. 

A couple of years ago we realized how many different BC provincial parks where we had camped, so a goal was set to reach our list of 50 different parks before our 50th Anniversary which is in 2021. 

Shelter Bay on Arrow Lake became that magical haven for one night marking the 50th park.

Wildflowers in abundance along the lakeshore.

A spectacular lake surrounded by mountain ranges in ascending and descending hues of forest green and rocky browns, topped with snow caps, the colours changing from morning till night as they caught the slant of the sun. The lake mirrored the cathedral heights above and beckoned us for a paddle in the rich hues of blues and greens like a painters palette.

We paddled toward the Galena Bay ferry as it crossed the lake, waving our paddles at friends who had just left on that sailing.

Paddling got us up close to the rocky banks of the lake which were carpeted with mosses and lichen.

Dainty flowers appeared in rock crevices, noticed by one with an eye for detail. The Reindeer Moss stood about 4 inches tall in its thick patch of delicate details.

The evening sun setting on the mountains was so rich, and it marked the end of a special day in our camping history. Our hearts were glad as we sat around a campfire till drooping eyes took us in for a cozy night. Shelter Bay will always hold a special memory.

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BLANKET CREEK PROVINCIAL PARK

This park is also on Upper Arrow Lake and has the distinctive feature of a fresh water filled lagoon in the campsite which is perfect for swimming. It is circled with a sandy beach in which three of our grandchildren were anxious to dig holes and channels to refill over and over and finally were brave enough to play in the cool water.

Grampa and Miss L on firewood brigade and after splitting it all it was time to wait for it to dry out for a splendid evening campfire.

Snuggles when there was nothing better to do.

A Tiger Lily poses for the camera. A pleasant walk took us us to Sutherland Falls. While I watched this scene the others scampered up to the top of the falls.

The adventure continued with finding tiny specimens in nature.

We were not at fault for the carving in the tree but it was a good place to pose. Great memories camping with daughter Shelley and her family in this park for 3 days thus ending camping in July.