Thunderbird Ridge

We didn't do nearly as much hiking as usual this summer. Partly this was because it took the snow a long time to clear.

We did get in a hike to Thunderbird Ridge though, with beautiful views of Kennedy Lake. Our friend Richard joined us. Thing Two gashed his knee leaping from rock to rock but dealt with it very matter-of-factly. He had even packed his own first aid kit.

The trail is not long but is quite challenging for the boys. It's quite wet and has lots of slippery tree roots and rocks to clamber over.

Tofino

We spent a week in Tofino, on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

The beaches were reminiscent of New Zealand -- blank sand, cold water, forest. I had bought a wet suit but it was clear the boys weren't going to survive without one. Fortunately every other store in Tofino sells wetsuits. We went boogie boarding almost every day, even in the rain.

We also went on a whale watching tour. I got terribly sea sick and threw up until I had nothing more to throw up. A gray whale came right over to out boat and started swimming under the boat, surfacing then back to the other side. It was an awesome sight, even if I was hanging over the side of the boat feeling terribly ill.

At the end of the day, when we were frozen from boogie boarding, we relaxed in the hot tub then curled up with the laptop to watch a movie.

Playland

Thing Two and I went to Playland. I don't usually do amusement parks but let myself be persuaded to go on a few rides. I did not enjoy it. But the shadows were pretty.