Shuswap Three: More Pictures!

More Shuswap pictures.
My one cousin just can't get enough.
These are Shuswap, Jasper and Margaret Falls near Sicamous, British Columbia.

Shuswap Part Trois!

Shuswap Pictures Part Two

Here are more pictures I have taken over the years of one of my favourite places on earth.  Cheers!

Pilling's Beach, Shuswap Lake

Shuswap Pictures

My cousin is having a new stain glass window made with the colours, shapes, and textures from photographs that the family has taken on the family property on Shuswap Lake.  I finally added some of my pictures to the medley.  I hope they will prove helpful.  It is one of my favourite places to take pictures and I shall continue to capture the natural, least altered beauty of one of my favourite places on earth.  Enjoy!

Larch Haven Blog: Shuswap Pictures

Summer 2011: Tubing Down Shuswap River

The adventures continued as Teague suggested tubing down a river and those of us interested gathered bathing suits, life jackets, floating toys/boats/rafts, and slathered on sunscreen.  We headed to Enderby and the Shuswap River, a 30 minutes ride away from the cabin.

We arrived at the Enderby Visitor Info Centre and began a conversation about which point we should enter the lake,and where we should jump out.  We laughed hard when we were told the trip we wanted to take was 6 hours long and it was already 3 pm.  On the map it looked like such a short piece of river but 6 hours was a long time to float and our time was limited.  We were told the river was faster and deeper than usual in August, but we were sure we could handle it.

With a chosen piece of river selected and a map as a guide we proceeded to our designated entrance point.  We found our spot, parked a car at each end of the trip, blew up boats and tubes, then jumped in.

Alicia and Teague

We entered where the river was at its fastest, but quickly realized that one person's idea of a fast river is different than another person's.  This section of the Shuswap quickly slowed down as we began to meander between the river banks, lower mountains, small cliffs, and past houses.

Nathan and Cheri, deflating a small useless surf board.

Teague enjoying a slow float in a small tube.

We looked at the vegetation, but none of us were able to identify what we were seeing.  We chatted, we listened to the quiet, and made jokes about the fast moving river that was not fast at all.

Tonia (me) and sister-in-law Cheri

Summer 2011: Margaret Falls

While the summers are loaded with activities and fun on the family property at Shuswap, sometimes you just need to get away and enjoy another part of the beautiful Okanagan.  Half way through August, such a day rolled around and my brother (the activity planner for the summer) decided it was going to be a trip to Margaret Falls located in Herald Provincial Park near Tappen, British Columbia, a short drive from the cabin.  

We don't all fit in the same car, as we are too many in number, so we divvied up rides, organized snacks, then packed people in and set out.  Once reaching the falls it was time to take the short 15 minute walk from the parking lot to the actual falls, through the gorgeous forest drenched in greens, a flowing stream (Reinecker Creek) and thick forest floor.   

Most of the falls visitors

Nephew Zachary

Zoe and a picture intruder, Sabrina,
who jumps in many photos. 

Brother Teague, the summer event organizer

I was reminded once again that real forests are busy, messy places where trees, vegetation and the like fall to die and are promptly covered in fungi and moss in a delicate chaos.  Nothing ordered and arranged in this small piece of wilderness.

For example this huge fallen tree with Alicia climbing its trunk.

Nephews seeing how far they can climb

As we frolicked about we saw several birds, of which there are 70 types in the area.  We found small worms crawling along the forest floor, soon picked up and crawling along our hands.  We saw people jumping along the creek bed, climbing over fallen tree trunks, landing on slippery rocks and splashing each other in fun.

Crossing one of the bridges

We finally arrived at the 200 foot high falls, whose water cascades down a gulley along a steep cliff.  Not very wide but breathtaking and loud like a thunder storm.

Margaret Falls

Many years ago, several family members came to the same falls to see several people climb into the small pool below and attempt to climb up the falls to enter the small cave about 40 feet from its base.  My dare devil brother Teague and several of his children came prepared with bathing suits and towels ready for the adventure of the watery climb.

I came prepared with tripod and camera ready to practice my photographic skills transforming the chunky waterfall as its heavy contents thundered down a rock cliff, into a captured image of a soft flowing mist of delicate water.  Much of photography is visual manipulation and I was ready to practice these techniques.  

Family near in the pool, near the falls, getting wet.

Lightning Up My Life

When my family gathered in BC for several weeks in August, we experienced yet another gorgeous storm at Shuswap.  This one however came with a bit of fright, concern and nature reminding us who is in charge.  From my parents cabin/house, we can see storms coming from the north-west (on the left) and they slowly descend across the lake, mountains and beach to the east (righthand side).

North-West View

North-East View

On August 11, just as we were approaching the yearly meteor shower, a storm began inching its way across the horizon, joined by an array of colours soaking the sky.

Storm Approaching

 From each home on the property, from each road, each outcrop, each vantage point the camera is able to capture a separate view, as though each photo was taken at a different lake.  

Sky Darkens

During this storm a phenomenon occurred, the storm stopped half way across and paused waiting for me and others to grab our cameras to begin composing shots.  I took a few shots of my parents view, then ascended to the top of the road, another vantage point, and set up tripod and camera, capturing the mountain across the lake.

Mountain in Storm Across the Shuswap

Then the thunder and lightning began.  Several years ago we experienced the most charged storm we had ever witnessed, not being able to count to three between lightning flashes and explosions of thunder for about one hour.  This storm began to sound as though it would be a repeat.  The lightning lit up the sky and I moved higher, my first time trying to capture lighting.

First Lightning Shot

Nope.  Not so great.  I began adjusting my camera on the tripod.  As I bent over and peered through the lens the loudest and I mean LOUDEST noise I have ever heard ripped out of the sky.  A clap of thunder that caused me to drop my camera (still attached to the tripod), stumble two steps backwards, then grab my chest making sure I had not been hit and I was still alive.  My heart was racing.  My mind was in shock.  I was still solid flesh and bone from what my hands could grab and my head could process.

"TONIA!  ARE YOUDKL SDF LKD FOI OIEJ FNSDOKJNF!!!!!!"

I heard someone yelling at me from below.  From one of the houses.  I did not yell back.  I was still processing what had happened.  One minute later my sister and father appeared, driving up the road, to see if I was OK.  They saw that I was alive but a little jarred and informed me that lightning had shot across the sky just behind me after the clap of thunder, into the forest, producing two pillars of smoke which rose up into the air.  A potential forest fire. 

My cousin and uncle appeared in a truck with shovels in hand thirty seconds later; my brother and another uncle appeared on mountain bikes another thirty seconds later to head into the forest to see if a fire had begun; another uncle arrived on foot holding a shovel ready to fight a forest fire.  Some people disappeared into the forest, others headed out in vehicles along the highway to inspect the forest from above, and my father and sister made sure I was OK.  Once recovered, I moved my tripod so I could keep trying to get shots of the lightning.  Truly addicted to photography or crazy.  Not sure.  

After inspection and no further smoke or flames, the family retreated to their homes as wind had blown the storm the rest of the way across the lake, and with no protection for my equipment and after realizing that I had an almost near death experience, I too retreated to my parents home.  No more good shots taken.

Once in the living room, I could not hold still.  I had to go out and try again.  Wrapping my camera in a plastic shopping bag, I ventured out onto my parents porch.  Finding a safe spot under the roof overhang, adjusting the shutter speed etc, and practicing a few times, I was ready for lightning. 

The camera was facing my Aunt Moiya and Uncle Dave's cabin as most of the sky action was happening there.  After many shots, I got these two.  I screamed with delight and awe after each shot.  "I GOT IT!  WOOHOO!"  

Lightning Above Moiya's House

Lightning at Moiya's: Take Two

Those shots got me addicted and I kept at it for another two hours.  Watching.  Waiting.  Adjusting.  Lightly pushing buttons.  Not always succeeding, but getting a few more shots of the east view from my parents patio.

Splitting the Sky

Finding Ground

 Sometimes, I was able to see a flash in the clouds, press the shutter button and hope a lightning strike would descend from the clouds at the right moment.  Other times I would push the shutter button and see illuminated clouds and the storm raging on.  But no lightning.  Still quite gorgeous.  Especially those blues.

Shuswap Summer 2011

Back in the 1960's my grandfather Pilling had the far-sighted intelligence to buy a piece of property 550 kilometres away from Calgary, as a family summer vacation spot.  With his purchase of 60 acres of land his descendants have lived a good number of summers and enjoyed the forests of British Columbia and the waters of Shuswap Lake.  Anyone who visits is very fortunate and many of his relatives are deeply grateful for his wonderful gift to us all.

Here is a post of pictures from this past summer, as I made the trek from Manitoba back to British Columbia to enjoy my family and the land we have the good fortune to play, live and work on.  Doral and Wyora had nine children, who had 40 grandchildren, who now have approximately 50 great grandchildren.  When we descend on the property, we descend en force.  Here is our family blog:

Larch Haven

Tonia's Lens: Summer 2011

You Can Take the Woman Out of London but....

Yes I did it.  I watched the Royal Wedding.  After having danced and chatted with fellow graduates until midnight on Thursday at the end of year party, I woke up at 4 AM to head to a friend's house and watch the events unfold.  Here is why I watched:

After having lived in London every summer for 4 years and almost one year after that, 

I miss the vibrant, eclectic, pulsing city at least once per week.  

Changing of the Guard up the Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.

I was able to hear the names of the places I visited, the streets I walked, the ones spaces that came to dwell in my heart as historical connections to the past that healed my reckless existence.  

Greenwich Village looking out from the Old Navy College.

Art installation at Trafalgar Square using the roots of trees from a
South American rainforest to increase awareness of the destruction of these forests.

On the London Eye with Marcia and Art, looking out over
Westminster Abbey and Houses of Parliament.

Almost 30 years ago my Aunts and Uncles woke all us Pilling kids up at 3 AM Shuwap, BC time and we watched Diana and Charles wed.  They had a long stretch of foam mats, blankets, pillows that we cuddled under wondering why we were so lucky to be up partying at this hour.  I  also remember a delicious selection of treats, although I cannot remember what they were.

My Grandpa Doral Pilling in the shores of Shuswap Lake in the 1980's.

To see an inner bird's eye view of a magnificent gothic abbey.  Having been on three tours during my stay with various groups I remember the six crystal chandeliers are 6 feet high but are dwarfed in comparison to the actual height of the 102 foot nave.  I believe 3,000 people have been buried or memorialized inside the building.  A juxtaposition of a new relationship budding from the surrounding lives that have ended. 

From Google Images, goingtolondon website.

Having attended Evensong on several occasions at the abbey, I wanted to hear the boys and men's choir one more time.  Mmmmm....love their soprano to bass voices intermingling and resonating of the stone of the Norman interior.

Thank you CBC for this shot!

Thank you CBC for the live coverage.  Thank you to my father who let me move back in with him while he was living in London and while I was in my late 30's.  Thank you mum my who was our part-time roommate and the one who took me to so many West End shows I lost track of how many times I have seen Billy Elliot, Wicked, Oliver, and Sister Act.

Greg and I on the top of a double decker bus,
just south of his flat on Regent Street.

Wyona, Marcia and I in Camden Town Market, North London.

My time in London was brief but will stay with me for years to come.  

You can take a woman out of London, but you can't take the London out of the woman.

Teague and Cheri Film

Teague and Cheri (my brother and sister-in-law) have been making films with their kids for about 10 years now.  They have been posting them on YouTube for the last few years and I thought I would share them with you.

Here is the most recent one created on the Larch Haven property.  This is a mock-u-filmary of Blues Clues, Sherlock Holmes and Twilight.  Due to the business of the school year, at this time only part one is complete and posted in YouTube.  Here is a link so you can enjoy the creativity, stellar costumers and award winning acting:

Blue Twilight at Scotland Yard

Take and look and let us know here or on YouTube what you think.  Enjoy!

One Week in Heaven, Part III

Last year I took the opportunity to purchase a new Olympus Stylus Tough camera, which are both water and shock proof, with several models also freeze proof.  Each model is designed to be used in the water for a certain duration of time and at a specified depth (varying from 30 minutes to 45 minutes, and 3 feet to 16 feet deep).  My camera was acquired when a newer model as replacing the first model and I jumped at the chance of buying it for $160 rather than $300.  It is such a popular camera with my nieces and nephews that they regularly ask to use it while at our rocky beach during the summer.  They also discovered that under water movies are fun too.  Due to its outer strength, I am more than happy to share.  Here are the best pictures taken over other the last two summers.

Nephew under water.

Launch time!

One Week In Heaven, Part II

My body rose early.  It was a morning my brain was done resting and it woke up my body, a little earlier than usual.  One of my last days to sleep in and enjoy the silence of Shuswap mornings as my REM dreams passed through my head, and I woke up.  7:30 am.  Far too early for a holiday morning.  But I was up and the kayak was calling.  My brain took my body up out of the bed, out the screen door, to the edge of the small cliff, where my eyes observed a quieter summer lake than I had ever seen.  "People won't be up for another 2 hours...perfect time for you, the phosphorescent orange kayak, lifejacket and paddle to head out onto the polished, glass surface of the water to meditate in the stillness of nature."

My body dressed and headed down to the beach and it was only me, a few birds, silent fish in the water, a few buzzing bugs.  No boats.  No people.  Little noise.  Out I went, splitting the surface of the water with the bottom of the kayak...trimming the liquid upon which I rested in two.

My brain did what it usually did when I my body is moving and breathing to the rhythm of my muscles.  It began processing.  The past year in a far off country...my experiences as an educator, its triumphs and disappointments...the inner contentment I finally felt as a single grown-up...my decisions to move, to start anew, or at least take a break from the place I had lived for so long...my brain hopped and skipped over these thoughts and on the lake I remained along with the assorted creatures.

One Week in Heaven, Part I

In years past I have had the great fortune of spending 6 - 8 weeks at Annis Bay just outside of Sicamous, British Columbia on a small H-shaped lake called Shuswap Lake.  Land on the shores of the lake my Grandpa Doral  and Grandma Wyora purchased back in the 1950's, the place my cousins and I were partially raised on.  There being 40 of us, that is quite a group.  If it had not been for this parcel of land, my nomadic family would probably know very few of our relatives, and very little about each character.  It has been our great fortune to have a place to return to every 2 - 3 years to reconnect with those with whom we share genes, quirks and the recurring hilarity that is life.

(Pears ripening on one of the many fruit trees on the property.)

This year I was only able to spend 1 week at my parents' cabin as I had just completed a looooong vacation in Europe and North Africa.  In the week, with 23 immediate family members, 21 of them present and existing in the same space, much occured.  Here are the best stories and pictures that I collected over the week.

(Little Audra in front of the 'cabin'.)

Flowers When I Die

Rather than telling you about the funeral I attended this weekend, the death of an extended family member, I will share with you the pictures of the flowers I took of the stunning bouquets that celebrated this woman's life.  The beauty of life in the shapes of flowers. 

My aunt and I were also thinking about our own imminent deaths and what each of us wish for our funerals.  You may think that discussing, planning or wondering about one's non-life is creepy, odd, or strange but what do you want people to do in honour of your life and death?  All a part of a will and living will in the 21st century.  Here are my thoughts with the flowers. 

My choice would be to have a memorial service sitting around the stream right below Arta's cabin at Shuswap Lake.  No one in suits, dresses, or skirts, attend in casual attire.  No one presiding or being in charge other than my immediate family members.  If they wish, they can find a friend who may want to be the MC.  I like MC's (only the ones who leave out the lame, tacky jokes). 

Cremation would mean that I would be able to be buried in two places: in the plot that my grandfather bought my mother and her siblings when their sister died unexpectedly.  The second spot: spread some of my ashes in the foliage and forest bed at Shuswap Lake in Wyora's forest.  Leave it undeveloped and in its naturally magnificent state.  Perhaps at one point I will even make my own cremation pot at the pottery wheel under Glen's balcony.