Bella Coola

Bella Coola, also known as Nuxalk (New Hawk), was the home of the Nuxalk nation, who lived throughout the central British Columbia coast until, tragically, they were hit by a smallpox epidemic in the 1860's. Survivors moved close to the mouth of the Bella Coola River, which became a Hudson's Bay fur trading post.

Today, on the small town waterfront, you will find an assortment of fishing boats, an old cannery, a tidal estuary and the BC Ferries dock. It is the only port between Vancouver and Prince Rupert that provides road access to the interior of BC. 

What I did not know is that it is the grand entrance to what is known as the Great Bear Rainforest. This is what our friends wanted us to experience when they booked a grizzly bear tour on the Atnarko River.

It was an early morning start.

We were given life vests and got into our tour guided raft,

with instructions about keeping quiet. 

The stillness of the morning air, added to the overall breathtaking beauty. 

I took a quick shot while we waited,

the sun shining on the mountain in the background,

almost too bright to be picked up by the camera.

We were still waiting quietly, or barely moving, when we spotted the first bear.

Quietly our guide entertained us with a bit of history,

and personal stories as he rowed us along,

our eyes taking in the stunning views all around. 

Travelling with friends is the best!

A view of Mount Stupendous ... 

named so by Alexander Mackenzie's journal entry when he saw it and wrote, 

"Before us appeared a stupendous mountain, 

whose snow-clad summit was lost in the clouds." (July 17 1793)

He also described this place as a "friendly village".

Wildlife was plentiful ... mergansers perching on logs, 

beautiful tiny birds flitting about and

bald eagles high up in the trees,

scouting out their next fishing spot. 

In the shallower sections we could see the water teaming with salmon, 

on their migration for spawning. 

 For the bears this is easy and perfect timing to fill up before winter. 

My H was counting the number of fish one bear caught and promptly devoured, 

I think the count was 7 or 8 within a very short time.

We saw two large grizzlies like this one 

and another one with two cubs, but we could not get close enough for 

good photos. 

Seagulls added to the wild beauty.

Three relaxing hours of floating on the river -

 something we never would have thought to do, 

had it not all been arranged for us. 

Bella Colla is remote, few people seem to know about it

and it remains raw and natural in its beauty. 

After the tour we were on our way to Pyper Lake in the Chilcotin.

Three of us riding caravan style, the one behind us towing their RV

up the steep 18% incline and switch back gravel road,

 before we hit normal roads. 

Once we got to a place where we could safely stop,

we parked and put together  a roadside picnic lunch.

Another couple of hours of driving before we got to John and Marg's cabin,

where I'll begin my next post. 

A More Northern Adventure

To celebrate their 50th wedding Anniversary 

our friends John and Marg (MGCC) 

sent out an invitation to numerous friends several months ago,

to join them on a trip to their cabin in the Chilcotin. 

We left from Horseshoe Bay early Tuesday morning to Nanaimo.

From there we had a four hour drive to Port Hardy 

on the northern part of Vancouver Island.

The next morning we were to leave at 7:30 AM for Bella Coola,

but with a delay due to wind and waves, 

we didn't leave until about 1:00 PM.

It was all good, since we were in great company.

Just before we left, the sun even came out.

The ferry was not large, a lower deck that held about 45 vehicles,

a middle inside deck with seating and a food bar

and an upper deck to get the best views.

It was still windy! 

So much so that for some time we were happy to just sit, because of the rocking. 

A few shots to let you get a feel for the beauty all around  ... 

And yes, the captain slowed down several times 

to let us enjoy sightings such as these.

We saw orcas and dolphins. 

It turned out that because of the delay, 

we saw the sun set before we got 

to the inside passage of the trip that I had been looking forward to. 

However, the sunset colors were gorgeous! 

The last hours on the water the ship moved  in complete darkness. 

We heard a rumor about the crew having gone to sleep. :)

We docked at midnight, got back into our vehicles,

and were pretty happy to get to a Mountain Lodge for the night. 

The next morning, we enjoyed a continental breakfast

and then headed out to do some exploring.

At this point we were only three couples,

a few more joined us at John and Marg's cabin the following day,

taking their RVs by land, rather than going the long way. 

It's always nice when you don't know what to expect, 

and these beautiful falls (Clayton Falls), 

with bowl-like formations shaped by the water,

just happened to surprise me.

The mist and the fresh air in the woods,

friends to share the trail with

and huge cedars ... were all part of a very fun day!

Feeling small ...

and here again! 

Oh Lord, our God, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth!

When I consider the heavens, the work of Your fingers, 

the moon and the stars, which You have set in place,

what is mankind that You are mindful of them,

human beings that You care for them?

Psalm 8:1,3,4

To be continued ...

Coq au Vin Meatballs

This is a new recipe to me - a meal I enjoyed at a friend's house this summer. I'm posting it here to add to my recipe collection. It's a wonderful fall/winter comfort meal, served with mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

3/4 pounds ground chicken or turkey

3/4 pounds ground pork

1 egg

1/3 cup bread crumbs

1//3 cup parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2-3 slices thick cut bacon, chopped

1 onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups cremini mushrooms

1 cup white wine

1 cup chicken broth mixed with 1 tsp mustard

1 cup cream

1/2 cup milk mixed with 1 Tbsp cornstarch (if needed to thicken sauce)

1 bay leaf

sprinkling of thyme or a few thyme sprigs 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a baking pan with parchment or aluminum foil.

2. In a bowl, combine the chicken (or turkey) with pork, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, and seasoning. Shape into 1-1/12 inch meatballs and place on prepared pan. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes. 

3. Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet until crisp, a few minutes. Add the onion until soft. Add garlic and mushrooms. Cook another 5 minutes to caramelize a bit.

4. Add wine and cook a few minutes, then the broth, mustard, cream and bay leaf. Stir and allow to come to a boil and simmer about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with thyme. If sauce needs thickening, add milk and cornstarch mix.

5. Stir in the meatballs and bring to a simmer again. Serve with mashed potatoes. Enjoy!

Back to School Dates

Natalie, Makenna and Lacey are heading off to Grades 12, 10 and 8 respectively.

Daughters from each of our own three children. 

There is something about being cousins that overrules the difference in age

and it is such a delight to see them have fun together!

While we were driving to the mall, 

Natalie expressed her sadness at this being her last 
  "back to school" shopping date. 

That's who she is. She loves traditions and she loves her cousins.

At one store they had fun choosing crazy outfits for each other, 

outfits they would never buy but just enjoy trying on.

It made for good laughter in the changing  rooms.

 Makenna even found an outfit for me. 

I bet you'd like to see it ... the comeback bodysuit with a skirt!

At home we made personal pizzas and watched a movie. 

On another day my H took Landon and Koen golfing.

But he didn't think to take pictures. 

Now I wish I would have reminded him. 

These two are heading off to Grade 10 and 8.

Meanwhile, I pretty well take moment by moment photos ...

too many! 

I had harvested some of my lavender, thinking that the girls might like to make sachets.

Jack figured his mom would like this, so he didn't mind joining them at all. 

These youngest four are going into Grade 6, 4, 3 and 1. 

Jade came with me to get sachets 

and we grabbed this night light craft idea as we scurried down the aisle.

I was surprised again, how Dollar Store crafts could turn out so pretty!

They all love to paint. 

This is a unique year in that it's the first year that Makenna is attending school in Canada

and that we will have nine grandchildren, grades 1 through 12 attending the same school. 

It will keep things simpler,

keeping up with what's happening at school,

attending events, and cheering them on,

which we are privileged to do. 

All I can say is, where have the years gone? 

❤❤❤

My Favorite Weekend in August

I didn't post this right away as it was almost too much to share,

 but as I look back I see it more as sentimentally precious ... 

to think that the family would plan a surprise trip to Seattle,

every one having made the effort to free their calendar for this one day and night.

Apparently it was planned for quite some time to make this possible.

It was my birthday weekend. 

He told me to pack for a night or two, but didn't tell me where we were going.

We crossed the border and stopped off at Wood's Coffee,

where, when I entered, there they were! What joy!

We filled up the place! 

We also celebrated Tehya's 21st Birthday. 

My thought was that if this is all we did, it would have been enough. 

My heart was full! 

From there we drove to Seattle and stopped off at the outdoor University Mall.

It was such a beautiful day to walk around.

The littles came with us. 

Jack must have been with Papa when I took this photo.

The ultimate destination was the baseball game ...

a fun family sporting event we've attended in the past. 

Watching, cheering, visiting, moving about, 

waiting in line for a hot dog and just enjoying the atmosphere. 

We had rooms side by side - like family camp.

An older girls' room, a boys room and several adult rooms.

These two stayed with us. 

The next morning we met for breakfast, included in our stay - 

another favorite memory of times gone by. 

It also happened to be Paeton's 19th birthday.

So many reasons to celebrate. 

I think of how our family with married kids began to grow,

a little girl and then a boy ..

and here they are all grown up now! 

Just looking at this room filled with the people I love

fills my heart with a gratefulness I can hardly express.

I think of Jacob meeting Esau after being separated for many years,

and when Esau saw Jacob coming with his clan, he asked him who these people were.

And Jacob responded with, 

"These are the children God has graciously given to me ..." 

Genesis 33:5 

🤍🤍🤍

 

Roasted Corn Salad

We are in the middle of corn season here, so I'll share a summer salad that has become one of our favorites. It will be good to have it more easily accessible and shareable. This recipe takes a little bit of time, maybe 30 - 45 minutes  prep, but  it can be made ahead and is well worth it. These fresh flavors never disappoint. 

Ingredients:

6 cobs of corn 

1 avocado, chopped

1 cup grape tomatoes, sliced

1 shallot, sliced

1 Tbsp cilantro, chopped fine

Dressing:

zest of one lime

3 Tbsp olive oil

3 Tbsp lime juice

1/2 tsp salt

fresh ground pepper

1/2 tsp sugar

Method:

1. Remove most of the layers of corn husks and hair, then soak the cobs in water for about 15 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, chop up salad ingredients and mix the dressing. 

3. Place cobs on medium heat grill and cook about 15 minutes. Take off remaining husks and brush the cobs with butter. Continue roasting until parts have some char on them. The char is good and mostly disappears once the salad is mixed, so don't be concerned if it looks too charred.

4. Allow to cool, cut corn off the cobs and mix with the prepared ingredients and dressing. Refrigerate. 

If you do not have access to fresh corn, you can use frozen corn niblets, cooked in a frying pan with a little butter or oil, stirring  until you see some char.