Haida Gwaii (trip of a lifetime)

I am still in disbelief that I won the trip to Haida Gwaii, visited it, saw the way folks live there and returned safely to a forest fire filled mainland British Columbia.

Here are a few pictures.

Our first stop after departing from the ferry was to the Haida Gwaii Heritage Centre.  Great place and great restaurant is Kay Bistro.  One of the many totems we saw on our trip.

A piece at the museum.  I was busy snapping photos - only to come across a sign that read - Sorry, do not take pictures.  

Another piece of artwork.

Haida Gwaii is beautiful.  A place out there ~ all on its' own.

Beyond Words ~ John Prine ~ (went north)

My Beyond Words by John Prine is now safely in the hands of my brother (the retired postman).  I took it up for him to read/play the guitar and left it with him while we went to Haida Gwaii.  Upon our return, I could sense he thought this book to be a treasure.  I told him, you keep it...it is obvious to me you are getting much more use out of it than I will.  He was so happy, I was Beyond Words - happy for him.  

Oh My, My. . .

In the midst of forest fire territory here...yikers - eerie and very frightening.  We left upon the notice of evacuation alert.  We were not taking any chances.  We arrived home some 10 or 11 days later, hoping all would be well.  Lordy, we could not stay from home without the provisions needed.  The fires are no where near being in control - Beautiful British Columbia is burning up.  However, I am staying put, at home, until a full evacuation order is in place.  

I thank the fire fighters, the support system in place, the emergency response, and the list goes on.

In the meantime, I will go out and try to get a breath of fresh air...near impossible, but I will see how badly my eyes will burn this evening.  

Take care - all the best - everyone.

John Prine/Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands)

I will be wearing this little gem when I travel to Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands.

I truly hope I do not have to reply to ---John Who --- but eh, who knows.

I rearranged some words to the tune of Milwaukee Here I Come / John Prine.

I'm gonna get in that blue ranger and I'm gonna drive

Down from the mountain side to Haida Gwaii

It's gonna be one heck of a trip - oh golly gee

Haida Gwaii here I come from Deka Lake, B.C.

Haida Gwaii

Nearing completion of arranging our trip to Haida Gwaii.  Lordy, I am not a travel agent but the fine folks at tourism Haida Gwaii gave me all the steps in the right direction.

I am so looking forward and very excited to visit the islands.  It amazes me Haida Gwaii was not touched by the ice age.  The beauty of the islands, for sure, is breathtaking.  

Yours Truly

Yours Truly, (the short one with the wonky eye) receiving my Ten Year Pin for service to our Ladies Auxiliary.  Oh, such fun I have with those gal pals!

Our Wind Storm

Here are a few photos of the wind storm/hurricane (whatever the heck swept through our area).  It was wild and the clean up will take a very long time.  Thankfully, no houses were hit, nor humans.  Many boathouses, boats, outbuildings are no longer.  It was a wild day/night.  No power for 21 hours.  

Near the creek.

At the creek.

The creek you cannot see.

From this point - for about twenty feet there are 17 more trees down at my neighbors' home/lot.

Wild.

  

A New "LYDIA"

Oh my dearest Lydia has received a revamp!  She is a Beauty, for sure.

Lydia now awaits a visit from her Donald.

Donald and Lydia - John Prine

Haida Gwaii

Not certain how many people are familiar with Haida Gwaii - islands off the coast of British Columbia.

My noisemaker and I have talked for years about paying a visit to the islands.  There was always something that caused us not to go.

We had been lip flappin' about two months ago about the Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii.  I told Noisemaker I will have to check out a couple of websites...see what I come up with.

I came across http://www.gohaidagwaii.ca/  I visited the website and saw they had a contest.  Smucksville, I entered and I won!

A four day adventure, it is most exciting.  Accommodations, ferry, and some restaurant gift certificates included.  A spa visit - lordy - I have never had a manicure, a pedicure, nor a facial.  

I am so looking forward to the trip - hopefully all will be happening very soon.

My biggest question - will they say John Who?

Lydia - make over/renovation

Lydia - currently under reno/make over.

She is a Beaut for sure.

Have to get her a straw cowboy hat in order to fix her hair correctly.  I am quite certain after that Donald will be calling.

I do hope she does not get flattened.

Puzzles

Wow - one heck of puzzle to complete, but eh, so much fun!

As you can see from the picture all puzzle pieces do belong to the final puzzle picture.  Smucksville - this is the best puzzle I have ever done.

A star, an elephant, letters, hearts, dogs, a turtle, the list is endless - there were 50 mazed puzzle pieces in total.  Loved every minute of it.

The puzzle was titled Penguins. . . here is the finished picture puzzle...

You will have to look very closely to view all.  It was great fun.

Hope all went to vote today.  I reside in the beautiful province of British Columbia.  Today is our provincial election day.

Peace.