Saturday, August 13, 2011 Hottest day of the year for us so far, 31 degrees on our way to Dutch Lake in Clearwater. We're thinking we won't be getting set up until AFTER we swim! Dutch Lake is a special place for our family. This was a favourite spot for Mom and Dad Smith. We have shared many memories here with and without Mom over the years since Dad's passing. This year, Mum and Dad Holdstock will be there with us for the weekend. We are crossing paths,...

Eden: Carlos the bear, and swimming in the ocean. Eli: Almost being eaten by a savage sea lion while swimming at North Beach and dragging seaweed behind dad's truck. "It wasn't a seal, he had big black spots on his face" "Those are called eyes Eli" Mom: Sitting by an ocean fire with my family, laughing until I cried. Dad: The Pesuta shipwreck was pretty cool, but I really liked eating our first cedar plank salmon, that we caught ourselves, cut the plan...

"It is one of the worlds greatest tributes to the strength of the human spirit, that most of those who lived, and their children after them, remained sane and adapted in part at least, to the strange new world in which they found themselves" Bill Reid As we now find ourselves also living a life of notable change, we are forced not only to adapt to our new environment but are challenged to adapt from within. Our greatest feat is to accept the challenge...

August 2, 2011 Five-thirty Am A rose hued sunrise gives brilliant contrast to the fading grey dawn Exhaust fumes and cool, damp salt air The low rumble of a warming boat engine venting through water Ripe bait in the crab traps A morning breeze lifts waves to slap the bow, it’s cold for August when you’re moving On the leeward side the breeze fades and the water is flat again The downrigger carries the lure and the bait to the right depth Fish on The...

Haida Gwaii – wind, sun, sand, starfish, crabs, sea, salt, moss, cedar cooked salmon, bears up close and personal... It's exceedingly hard to find wifi so while I'm on, I will upload some photos worth a thousand words and they can speak for themselves! We will be in Haida Gwaii until Wednesday night. We catch the ferry at 11:00 p.m. for Rupert, headed for Telkwa again, at which point we are going to have to do some serious laundry!