Sarah in September!

My sister came out to visit this past week and we spent an extended weekend adventuring around Tofino and Ucluelet. It was perfect with a day of storm, and a day of sun!

We spent the Friday afternoon on Wickanninnish Beach taking advantage of the storm surges ~ for the record, Sarah did actually get out of the car, and in fact spent hours on the beach with us taking pictures, in the rain, with wet feet ~ and for those who know her, this feat is most impressive. So most of these photo credits go to her!

Points south ~ towards Combers and Long beach respectively

Beach thunder!

It really started to pile up with the tide going out... Perfect afternoon

See ~ Sarah, outside... complaint free!

So we stayed at this super nice spot on Chesterman Beach ~ after Sarah shot down the idea of tenting with me.... immediately. I'm always so spoiled when she's around!!!

Chesterman Beach ~ in the winter, this is one of the best stormwatching beaches on the coast

Hot Springs Cove

Sarah and I made the trip up to Hot Springs Cove ~ Maquinna Marine Park ~ which is situated on the East coast of Hesquiat Harbour in Clayoquot Sound, 23 miles northwest of Tofino, on Vancouver Island

Enroute

We lucked out with amazing weather which was lucky considering the time of year and the storm we enjoyed the night before!

The town of Hot Springs Cove

... Sarah flew into town on her way home from vacation in Hawaii - what a tough life!

There's a beautiful boardwalk that takes you from the dock, through a huge stand of old-growth Douglas Firs and Western Hemlock to the series of small pools you can soak in!





We met this little cutie named Scrub on our walk back

It was such a awesome day.

Ben and Jake in Vancouver!

My little cousins Ben and Jake flew out from Toronto to visit this past week. We had a pretty action packed few days ~ and we lucked out with amazing weather.

On the Peak chair ~ Whistler mountain

We hiked the High Note trail as well as Singing Pass - with little complaint (a few 'how much longers' but that was it)



secret snowball formation....
Jake thought the snow was pretty cool

Cheakamus Lake down below



Whistling Marmots (Ben thought they sounded like a little girl screaming and was very concerned)


Singing Pass

Checking out the Whistler Skate Park
... and then we went ziplining

I just love these kids - i'm pretty sure they've had enough of me stalking them for pictures though

Jake gearing up for the 2400' line



Ben's turn...

Baby Rylie kept us entertained in Whistler - like at 4 in the morning when Jake decided it was time to get up! The time change was unforgiving.

We stopped at Shannon Falls on our way back to the city and had so much fun playing in the riverbed that we came back up the next day to play in the morning and had a nice picnic




I know... too many pictures

Ben's all about the peace-keeping these days

We had a sore knee (momentarily)



And we found some rad trees to climb....


We went to visit our other cousin Declan

Too bad we didn't have time for skim-boarding - that's the D-man's specialty!

We went to the Capilano Suspension bridge where Ben won the 'rainforest explorer' prize for Declan - he's pretty pumped


We visited the Vancouver Aquarium
I love the jellies...


Moon Jellies

These ones are some of my favorites - Lion's Mane

Pretty Anenomes

Wormy eels...

Urchins and stars and barnacles galore!

Declan really liked the Manta rays....

...and the sharks!