Silly San Juan Island

We began our journey early on a chilly October morning. We set out at around 7am from Bellingham, to catch a ferry in Anacortes that would take us to San Juan Island.

We had some tasty breakfast on the ferry ride.

After a couple hours of leisurely bicycle riding through the San Juan countryside, we reached our first stop, a national park called British Camp. This was where a group of Englishman settled on the island years ago, and built a camp with all they needed to live on the island. The road leading into in it was lined with spectacular Arbutus trees. 

There were some beautiful old maple trees that the settlers left standing.

These are the only residents left in the settlement.

Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus a.k.a. electrified cat tail moss

And then we were off on our bicycle adventure again...

We came across some very photogenic Alpacas.

This yellow submarine was built as a tribute to The Beatles.

Eventually we arrived at our final destination for the day, San Juan County Park, after riding about 27km.

We had a little kaleidoscope fun...

Beautiful Arbutus

Frank found some very late season blackberries, and decided to take the opportunity to improve his hand-mouth coordination.

We woke up to the pitter patter of rain on our tent, and decided it would be a good morning for some breakfast in bed. This lovely breakfast consisted of quinoa, carob chips, coconut, walnuts, almonds, and pumpkin seeds...yay!

And then off for some more bicycling through the lovely Autumn forests.

Along the way we visited Pelindaba Lavender Farm, and discovered the vast array of uses for lavender. These included lavender salt, pepper, chocolate sauce, bug spray, cleaning detergent, candles and soaps.

Our final stop was at American Camp, the island's other national park, on the southeast corner of the island. It consists mostly of grassy meadows with deer grazing in them.

After riding all around the the island, for a total of 66km, we took a peaceful ferry back to Anacortes, as the sun was sinking below the horizon.

Marvelous Mamquam Lake

On Sept. 12th we embarked upon yet another beautiful alpine adventure. We were joined by our friend Beth, for this 3-day endeavour. The first day we drove up to Diamond Head trailhead in Squamish, BC, and proceeded to hike 11-km to the Elfin Lakes campground. It was clear blue skies and the views were epic.

 Here's Beth and in the background is Elfin Lakes and a volcano called Opal Cone (the tree-covered, flat-topped mountain in the middle there).

 Frank spinning staff at the Elfin Lakes campground.

 On the second day we shed our heavy camping gear and headed off for our day-hike to Mamquam Lake.

Sorbus aka Mountain Ash.

A riverbed with Mt. Garibaldi looming up in the background.

Columnar Peak (left) and a rock formation known as the Gargoyles (right).

After about 5km we began crossing this barren volcanic landscape, and came across a small turquoise alpine lake.

Mt. Garibaldi from a different angle, revealing this massive glacier.

A bed of moss growing in the middle of the barren landscape, near a small alpine stream.

After about 9km we caught our first glimpse of Mamquam Lake.

After 11 tough kilometres we made it to Mamquam Lake. It was very scenic and refreshing to swim in. Now all we had to do was make it back another 11km, to Elfin lakes, by dark.

Mamquam Glacier.

 Curious Whiskey Jacks.

They're quite friendly.

We made it back to our tents at Elfin Lakes just as the sun was sinking below the horizon.

On the third day we hiked back down to the car, with sore feet and tired muscles. We hiked a total of 44km in 3-days, we were very satisfied and felt it was a mission well accomplished.