Peachland-y Keen

Aug. 3-6th

Alright, after a month of camping and general lollygagging with some beautiful island people in beautiful island places, we decided to make a solid effort to head east. Our first stop was the Okanogan. As the Okanogan is a region made up of a bunch of different towns, we honed in on a couple of friends living in the area, leading us to Peachland; Which is just as charming as it sounds. 

Spending two nights parked on the beachside curb, there couldn't be a nicer place to wakeup. Unfortunately the wind was out of control, and after trying to keep hold of our stuff and a couple hard knocks to the head we decided to take shelter. Being in the Okanogan and never more than a couple clicks away from a vineyard, it was wine o'clock. 

We like wine, we drink wine, we wine tour, we know people who understand wine (and by proxy occasionally drink good wine). So when we roll up in our campervan with yesterday's clothes on and a fragile baby needing a nap, we know we're not throwing off sommelier vibes. What's worse was our frantic exit, as Tyler suddenly realized that he had forgotten his bike (the only thing of value we didn't sell before leaving Vancouver) at the park. Nothing confirms everyone's notion that we're Cousin Eddy like double fisting your tastings before throwing cash on the bar and running out the door. Sorry Brenda, we don't care that the chardonnay was aged in an oak barrel.

As mentioned, we have a couple friends who live in Peachland--As an added bonus to their stellar personalities (and aforementioned knowledge of wine) they had blooming fruit trees. We felt like we hit the lotto as they sent us packing with fresh apricots, cherries, jam and even a homemade pie. Honestly, the way to my heart will forever be genuine kindness, positivity...and home cooking. With beachside park-ups, wine tasting and gorgeous fresh fruit, Peachland had us thinking this would be an amazing place to settle down! (You'll find this a common theme as we visit towns and cities across Canada). But seriously, Peachland is, well, a peach.

Feeling peachy!

Strathcona Park, Vancouver Island

July 15th-23rd

Key Takeaways: 

• Strathcona Park on Vancouver Island is one of the most beautiful places.  
• The best campsites are free.
• A Rainbow Community gathering is in our future (want to come with?)
• Quiet birthdays are cool too.

We left Campbell River with our bellies full of fish and chips and wandered around some old logging roads in search of a recreational site to camp. Using a borrowed 10-year old backroads map, we knew there were once rec sites in the area, but kept coming up on abandonned/closed down roads&sites. Still a bit sheepish of logging roads with no cell service after our flat tire, we settled on a new-ish rec site that was conviently completely free. Having a legit waterfront campsite for the cost of nothing can't be beat!

Not bad, eh?

We love our early morning coffee walks!

Finally sun was shining and we decided to make a move towards Strathcona Provinical Park. We had a few hikes we wanted to do, and we wanted to strike while there was a temporary break in the rain. Although a huge park, we based ourselves around Buttle Lake, and explored the area. It's where my new found obsession with alpine meadows bloomed. And although I'm not sure they are considered alpine meadows-- there's mountains, lakes and wildflowers all in the same vista and it makes me heart sing and glow and jump for joy! You'll also notice the transition from tuques and sweaters to bathing suits in this post. This is the stretch where summer weather finally made an appearance. 👏

After Strathcona Park we decided to keep heading west to the Gold River area. Gold River is a town with laundry and some groceries and two liquor stores. I really feel like they've got their finger on the pulse. While hanging around Gold River waiting for our laundry, we bumped into a free-spirit named Tree who invited us to checkout the Rainbow Community gathering just outside of town. Never hearing of it, he told us more about the community- Just some nature-loving, freethinking folks who share a couple good meals and conversation each day. You had us at "good meals" Tree. Buuttt if you know us, you know we get stuck in places once the old van gets put in park, so we didn't make it out. See you next year, Tree. And blessings.

We ended up staying at Muchalat Lake for almost a week. Since the weather started to feel a lot more like summer, we lounged at the beach, read books and swam a lot. I also celebrated my birthday lakeside-- being far from crowds and cell service, one of the quietest birthdays to date-- A sunny day with Tyler and Jamie, long afternoon paddle followed by evening champers and campfire nachos. Following a year of significant change, substantial solotime, which lead to some serious reflection, and noteworthy shifts in perspectives and priorities, this birthday celebration was so fitting. Simple and wonderful 💕

Birthday bliss!

Cowichan Lake, Vancouver Island

June 30th- July 10th- As we began our journey with nothing but optimism and excitement, things unravelled very quickly. With many solid days of rain, a missed ferry, a teething baby, a lost (AND FOUND in the lake the next day) diamond ring and a flat tire, we definitely felt like the universe was trying to tell us something. But if you've spent any time with us, you'll come to know that "It usually works out" is a common catch phrase around these parts. And well frankly not to brag but, it has indeed all worked out. 

nothing a little muddy buddy can't handle

So how did the first 10 days in the van kick-off? Not only was it puncutated with some noteable mishaps, it also began with a jolt of reality-- The last time we took off in a van for an extended amount of time we were childless and enjoying a dry, hot Mediterranean climate. This time we've got a whole other human in the mix and need to contend with Canada's fickle weather---There's a lot more gear involved. It took us the better part of a week to get ourselves functionally organized and figure out how it was all going to work.

ok, so after missing the ferry we did stay in a cheap motel for the night
and totally brought the motel vibes up to level 10/10

I know that I had mentioned that we're generally heading east, but before that we actually went more west to Vancouver Island and started the journey spending two weeks around Cowichan Lake. 

a lake front fern gully paradise to work out the intricasies of van-ning

Something unique to B.C, there are 1700+ recreation sites across the province. Pretty basic and remote campsites and generally found down old or active logging roads, these have been the most beautiful places to set-up camp. Oh! And most don't require reservations, and they are inexpensive, ranging from free-$15/night- Really jiving with our travel style at the moment. 

bedtime beach sit

no cell service, no t.v, it's been awhile since we've had uninterrupted hours together

...unfortunately those logging roads can sometimes be unkind - J gets it

Ok I'll admit, not a great resume for the first week BUT so many silver-linings, sweet moments against beautiful backdrops. Also now we know how to change a tire, spend whole days entertaining a baby outside in the rain. With a whole lot more ground to cover, things can only go up from here!