Xmas Update 2010

Merry Christmas; it`s that time again. We had a rather lazy year. Mainly because we only logged for one week in the fall and with not much of a log market, my forestry work was very sporadic. The lodge was as busy at previous years, but we favoured self-catered groups, so the workload was less.

Once the winter lodge season was finished near the end of March, we headed south hoping to enjoy some hiking. But the weather didn’t cooperate and the snow chased us north of Tucson Arizona and after hiking in snow and mud we headed to Oregon Pipe National Monument. Overall we had a great break and found some areas that we hope to visit again this coming April. On the way home we visited with my parents in Chilliwack, where I met up with my best high school girl friends for a trip to Kingfisher Lodge on Vancouver Island for a spa retreat. It was very decadent with tonnes of laughter!

In May and June we focused on the garden, while Loren and willing workers, Anne and Shawn planed the wood for and finished the floors in the cabin. Later in July our willing worker Simon finished cleaning and treating the cabin interior logs.

Also in July Loren finally found the perfect boat for lake fishing. So right up until it was too cold in the fall, we spent many days camping and fishing.

Loren celebrated his 50th Birthday twice this summer. The first was a neighbourhood party with a good friend who turned 50 in July. Mom, Dad, my Uncle and Aunt were here that weekend to help celebrate, since they were headed to our family reunion in Alberta. We closed the lodge for the long weekend in August to attend the reunion. The days before and after the reunion we hosted family from Denmark and BC. It was great to see everyone again. Dad is the oldest Danish descendant here in Canada.

In early August I went sailing near Victoria with Dorothy and her friend Shirley. Dorothy had arranged the trip for Shirley`s birthday. We didn`t experience much wind, but we had a great time sailing from Sidney to Pender Island and then to Victoria Harbour.

Then we had a surprise party for Loren on his birthday in August. Our good friend Della managed to organize our Chilliwack friends (like herding cats) for a weekend here. Loren thought the lodge was booked by a group gathering for a get-together (and I quote him saying; `I think this group is going to be a problem`, after they sped up the driveway). A half hour later he walked into the lodge to fix a plugged drain (quote as he left the house to fix the drain; `I told you this group was going to be trouble`) only to be surprised almost to tears, by the group who had decorated the lodge with large posters of him sporting his white behind while body surfing in Maui.

This fall we logged at the woodlot and finished the pond. Then last week Loren, Linnaéa, Andrew, Mom, Dad and I, took a `family vacation` to Cuba. It was so nice to spend time together without daily responsibility and in such a relaxed atmosphere. It was Andrew and Linnaéa`s first time south of the US, so it was a real experience for them. Andrew especially enjoyed the Cuban people. My Auntie Lee and Uncle Gerry house sat while we were away. It was a good break for them as well, and we were glad not to worry about home.

 

Linnaéa is working full time here at the long term care centre and has started school for Registered Nursing at Douglas College in Vancouver. She is part-time for now and begins full time in the spring. Andrew is working here in Golden doing carpentry and sound gigs when they come up.

In a nutshell 2010 has been great, we hosted several great willing workers, climbed Redburn Mountain (something I`ve been wanted to do for a while), fished more than I thought possible, visited with family and celebrated Loren`s milestone. Now we move onto sleigh rides and the holiday season.

We hope this greeting finds you well and enjoying the holidays, and we wish you all the best in 2011.