When the 'kids' get older you just don't have the opportunities to travel together. In fact the last time we camped with our kids I think they both complained so much we decided never again. That was over 15 years ago.

So...armed with memories of wind storms, flattened tents, blisters, questionable food and wild animals..... here we are about to set off on our first (extended) family adventure. The trip really began with the preparations. Explaining the need for dry bags, rain gear and tarps wasn't easy when the sun here in the Okanagan shines in a bright cloudless sky.

Our daughters, their partners and a couple of grandchildren all piled in to two vehicles for our trip to the west coast of BC. Two kayaks were packed on the roof and plugged full of our stuffed dry bags. There were six people in our Ford Explorer as well as much of our gear. The other car, a small compact, held all our food and was affectionately called "The Fridge". For sure it was rarely out of our site!

Shane and I have gone on a number of kayak trips to the west coast with friends. This is a whole new experience for all but our youngest daughter who went on an ocean kayaking trip back in high school.

Our overloaded cars arrived at Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal with kayaks still attached and tempers in check. It was a perfect day to drive the Coquihalla Highway over the summit and down to the Fraser Valley. Bright sun, some wildlife and sparkling glaciers showed off in true Beautiful BC style.

The unfortunate part of the day was the smog in Vancouver. What is usually a beautiful sail from Horseshoe Bay showing off the coastal mountain range, became another dreary day in LA like smog. The bright spot was an interesting talk by a a Park's Board official on ocean life. Learned more about whales on that short trip than on our cruise to Alaska last month!!

Once on the island it was a short drive to Courtney where we spent the night with friends. They live on acreage and take in fawns who are orphaned. There were about 10 little spotted fawns all still needing to suck on a bottle. Once you've bottle fed a wild deer you can understand why their mothers are so skittish. A young healthy fawn can suck a bottle dry in about two minutes! It was great to see the grandkids with the fawns. Later that evening a young buck (probably from a group they had two years ago) came by for a visit. His rack was still covered in soft velvet. The kids fed him an apple, rubbed him between the ears then sent him on his way.

What a great way to start a holiday. Had a delicious seafood barbecue.... some good wine .... and good fun.