Nora from Ruckersdorf Germany WW 85

July 16th to 25th

Nora had been in Canada since Spring. She arrived in the Okanogan (Naramata) for a family reunion and then travelled to Vancouver Island before coming here. When I read that Nora's English was excellent I wasn't  expecting a level of expertise, Nora's English language skills are polished, and she has a better command of the English language than many Canadians. Nora was studying Modern History and was waiting for a placement to a Master's Program in Hamburg.

While Nora was here we fished at Susan Lake (Leo and Nora braved the cold water and swam) and hiked into Redburn Valley up to McBeath Ridge, both with Leo and Max.

Leo and Nora, Redburn Hike July 21

 Nora also went to a Summer Kick Performance with Darlene, Leo and Max. Nora became good friends with Leo who by this time had a truck. So one afternoon when the weather was warm they went swimming at Cedar Lake. As well once evening Leo and Max and the helpers from Goldenwood Lodge enjoyed a campfire together.

Nora helped with the garden and lodge, and one day helped me survey on our woodlot. Leo, Max and Nora helped Loren put up the hay for the horses. And Nora sanded the railings for the stairs at the cabin.

Nora said she had a 'real Canadian experience' while she was here. I guess the most 'Canadian' things Nora did were hiking and putting up hay in the Rockies.

Julian and Leo May 9th to 31st, WW 81 amd 82

Julien from Fress Sur Moselle and Leo, from Beessang both left a lasting impression on our place. Independent, self- motivated and full of life, these two travellers rarely sat still.  Julien a windmill mechanic was in between jobs and travel and Leo is waiting to continue his training as a ski guide.

While they were here they helped to plant the garden, pulled up a fence line, washed windows, mowed lawns, fixed a fence, cleaned the barn loft, but had most fun helping Loren recycle  boards and start to build the woodshed at the ‘la Cabin de les bois.’  A name they gave the cabin at Al’s spot.  They even painted a plaque and placed it over the cabin door.

While they were here, there was still too much snow at mid elevation to do a lot of hiking. But Loren, Leo and Julien  did hike to the cairn on Willowbank Mtn. We went fishing at Susan Lake (it was a very blustery day, but great for photos), visited the Mount Seven launch site and one Saturday they kept us company on a trip to Kamloops to drop Loren off on route to buy the ‘good truck.’

WillowBank Carin

Leo and Julien caught a ride with neighbours as far a Kelowna and then hiked onto Vancouver.   Then they went to Vancouver Island to hike the West Coast Trail.  In mid- June they met Leo’s Father, John-Luke and Brother Adrian; together the 4 of them travelled to Whistler, then up to Jasper.  They had planned to do more hiking, but got caught in the rain storm that flooded Calgary, so on June 24^th, they returned here and stayed at ‘la Cabin de les bois.’   They were the first to stay overnight in the cabin.  

Gravel spreaders_Machine Shed
 

While here they hiked up to Gorman Lake and when they returned here the dogs discovered that they had brought a marmot back under the hood  of their vehicle.   After much confusion and Loren’s great lasso, the marmot was put in a cage, and after dinner Loren and I ferried it back to the parking lot at Gorman. That marmot had a real story to tell his friends.

Red Indian July 1

The next day, John-Luke, Adrian and Julien headed back to Vancouver for their flight to France. Leo stayed with us a couple of days and then headed over to Eagles Rest Farm (Krys and Les’) to help there. Since that time Leo, Loren, I and friends Doug and Darlene, hike to the ridge on Red Indian.  Then Loren, Leo and Max (another helper from Eagles Rest) hiked up to the back of Redburn, Leo, Max, Loren, Nora and I went fishing at Susan, and they rode the bikes down from Susan to the Bluewater bridge.  Saturday (July 20) we all hiked to the end of Redburn again, only this time Leo hiked to the summit.  July 21 Leo, Max and Nora helped us bring the hay home.

Leo and Nora Redburn

 It is Oct 2 and Leo is still in Golden. He stayed on at Krys and Les' until mid August, where both Max and Leo were a big help with bringing in the hay. Then Leo went to work at Innovation Builders where will work until next week. Then he plans to travel in the US for a while.

View from Red Indian July 1

 

Javier and Laurine from Toulous, June 1 to 14th WW 83 and 84

Javier and Laurine from Toulouse, France June 1 to 14^th.              

Javier and Laurine had been woofing in Quebec, where they bought a car and headed down to the states and across to Vancouver Island and then over to Vancouver, and then back up into the Rockies to help us.

Because they had their own vehicle they were very independent of us. They met the helpers from Goldenwood Lodge and ride shared to visit Yoho and Banff Parks. And we walked from here and hiked up to the bluff on Willowbank Mtn. 

 Loren put the rafters and tin on the cabin woodshed. Laurine cleaned the cabin from top to bottom, even vacuuming the logs. Javier sanded old boards, and both applied the finish to the boards for a bed Loren was building for the cabin.  They both weeded and mulched in the garden, and Javier mowed the lawn.