Wonder tree!

Towering PineIMG_20150825_163950572[1]

A wonder tree!  She may not be in an ideal location, considering her 125 year old ‘twin’ that came down in a wind storm earlier this summer–and has now been rendered into rounds for splitting to keep the house warm!–

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But she’s a wonder when it comes to long pine needles.  Hers are nearly a foot long! This is an ideal length for learning the art of pine needle basket making!

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And that’s what I’ve been up to this week!

Oh, there was a hike too—a re-run to the Smallwood overlook to introduce Jim to the view.  This could become our new ‘Scout’ Mountain hike; it’s the closest to home.

It wasn’t raining this time.  The panoramic views were pretty spectacular, other than the smoke!P1180310P1180290P1180305

Forest fires to the South are keeping the lid on our sunshine these days.

Smoky Morning [Photo taken at 7:30 AM]

P1180314…all the better for staying indoors and finishing up my first basket!

–LS

And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food… [and baskets!]  Gen. 2:9

Delightful Rail Trail

IMG_20150819_085547380_HDR I am fast revising my attitude about rail trails… After last time’s rushed and  bumpy journey of twenty miles on a shock-less bike it was time to try one on foot!

A friend and I  did just that this morning first thing.  The trail was strung along through forest shade on the slope above Kootenay lake.  It was level and lovely and we were in no rush…

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Unfortunately, it dead-ended at an active railroad bed

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But thanks to my trusty guide we found our way down to the beach along little side trails, including an  abandoned railroad bed…

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…surprising an eagle on his roost along the way…

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(I know, he’s hard to spot in this poor photo…maybe next time I will take my good camera along….)

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The lake was as peaceful as the morning…IMG_20150819_100805307IMG_20150819_100830315 A lovely destination!

It’s a definite must-come-back with Jim!IMG_20150819_101105205 

Just over seven miles round-trip will be a breeze on a bike, right?IMG_20150819_112251407_HDR

We shall see. ( :

–LS

You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Ps.139:3; 16:11

Discovering the Kootenays…

Well, though my photos this week do a dismal job of depicting where we are, they’re the best I have for now…

We got off our tandem this week and did the unconventional–  a HIKE together up Morning Mountain. IMG_20150808_173023982IMG_20150808_173323127_HDRIMG_20150808_173726486_HDR

It was too hot, too dry and I was too on the edge of coming down with a bad cold to appreciate it fully, but we did discover a possible reason for this trail’s name—best hiked in the morning in the cool of day.

 

The following day we got really unconventional and took to ‘half-bikes’ (otherwise known as singles, in the tandem world) and did a stretch of the Rail Trail.

  IMG_20150809_164259601_HDRIMG_20150809_152345976_HDRThat may be a first and last such ride until I get some shocks!  Twenty miles was a lot to tackle considering the terrain—and my impending cold…

 

Then, not one to pass up a hiking opportunity, the following day I straggled out of bed early to join some local gals from church for a hike.IMG_20150810_093105924_HDR  IMG_20150810_092913102
(The droopy green one on the left is me.)

 IMG_20150810_095804210It was super great to share our ‘stories’ and get to know each other over the five mile trek with a 1,400 mile elevation gain (Thanks Strava for letting me know!).

 

But upon arriving home I was ‘shot’—the cold had finally caught up with me, despite the high-90’s heat of summer.  I’ve been taking it easy ever since. And that’s been my week in the Kootenays!

–LS

“Bless the Lord, o my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy…” Ps.103:2-4