The Beautiful Town of Golden, BC

After our first full day hanging out around the cabin and big house in the woods near Golden, we headed to town. Golden sits right on the Trans-Canada Highway that runs all the way across Canada. It was a neat little town.









The town of Golden reminded me a lot of Steamboat with the snow and ski area nearby as well as townspeople and tourists. I felt my sister's presence strongly as I strolled through town and remembered the times I have bundled up with her to go exploring in Steamboat









It was great to see the covered bridge and the frozen river that I hear is raging with ice chunks in the spring.









Everyone took a turn being king or queen of the snow mountain as well.









We all enjoyed gazing up at the skyline of mountains all around.









We checked out the little shops: First we went to a used sporting goods store. They did not have anything we needed, but we did some drooling. We wandered into a bookstore/ coffee shop. They had a little waving queen sitting on the counter!









We then headed to the grocery store and purchased "forbidden fruit", Dragonfruit. For some reason it is illegal to import this in the US. It is a beautiful red fruit with leaves that appear tongue like. It tastes a little like kiwi.









Before our next adventure, we stopped at the park in town and wandered/ skated on the lake. It was not all that smooth, but was fun to try Amy out on the skates. It is amazing to see lakes freeze this solidly. Our fingers and toes also froze, but that was a small price to pay for the beauty of Golden!

Golden Adventure Pt 1- Just outside the cabin

Sarah, Gil, and I set off on our 700 mile drive to Golden, BC for a snowy Christmas break adventure extraordinaire. On the drive we enjoyed the gorge and stopped in The Dalles to visit the Veteran's Home in honor of Sarah's Grandpa. We continued up through Kennewick and discovered The Playground of Dreams which is a large wooden playground with so many places to discover and climb.




We ended our first day's drive in Spokane with the Friends pastor and his wife. Their Christmas tree was breathtaking and we had great conversation with them.




The next morning, we started out again. There were many books, books on CD, and music in the car. We had to stop at a Goodwill after discovering that one bag of shirts had been left in Beaverton. We really enjoyed seeing northern Idaho and the drive just kept getting prettier.




We crossed the border into Canada and continued after a brief stop in Cranbrook. The Canadian Rockies were breathtaking and it just kept getting prettier until it was too dark and we only had our imaginations. We arrived for a delicious dinner at Farview Bed and Breakfast and had a great reunion with our hosts, the Stobbes, who were a family I grew up, and our good friends with their three kids who are the Stobbes children and grandchildren.




After dinner, we headed down to the cutest cabin which would be home for the next week. After a game of Killer Bunnies, we headed to bed in anticipation of the next day.




Golden, BC is an hour ahead of us and far enough north that it takes awhile to get light. When Amy first started stirring I was convinced it was still night but when I finally did get up it was about 8:30am which is quite luxurious with a three year old sleeping in your room! We headed up to the main house for breakfast.




Sarah enjoyed doing some photography of a squirrel while I headed out with Mike for a snowshoe. Amy stayed at the main house where Grandma Olive held Sunday School for the kids. Later, we went into the town of Golden where Sarah purchased "forbidden fruit". Apparently, dragon fruit cannot be taken across borders and "helps you breathe fire" according to Amy.




Mike and I totally enjoyed bushwacking on snowshoes through up into the nearby woods. I was amazed at the view of the mountains just outside the main house and cabin, even on a cloudy day!




Meanwhile, back at the main house, Amy was having a great time with the other kids, getting dressed up by 8 year old Carolee and playing "Spy Club" where you solve mysteries. She also enjoyed playing a lot of Killer Bunnies at the cabin and stealing Sarah's bed and slippers.




After a break for lunch, Sarah and I were out again on the trails around the property. This time I was on skis and falling quite a bit but still loving it!




In the evening after one of our adventures was a pajama party complete with gingerbread house making and watching Polar Express. There was a lot of game playing and we learned a new game called Word Thief and taught our friends Killer Bunnies, and Wise and Otherwise. Sarah, Gil, and I played some Dominion as well.




I couldn't believe all the fun and beauty inside the house and cabin and just outside the door! Though I was amazed by the two national parks we visited and the town trips, this far from home but just out the front door adventure was the icing on the cake!

Frosty Hood River Mountain Hike

This was a magical frosty day in the orchards above Hood River. The first part was up hill so I put Amy in the backpack for the climbing. I had a hard time fitting her with her layers. When I put lot's of clothes on her she always says "I'm a hot dog bun" because of the layers bundled around her.






The frost crystals on the trees were breathtaking. This truly is a winter wonderland.






Sarah and I were discussing how much people miss if they only hike in the summer. Each season has it's wonder and joy. This hike is known for its spring wildflowers but it was so much fun in the winter as well.






The sky above us was blue even though below us was somewhat foggy. We continued our climb through the magical forest.






We got to the top and stopped for a lunch break, shaking the frost out of our hair.






We had a clear view of Mt. Adams, a mostly clear view of Mt. Hood, and used our imaginations for the town of Hood River and orchards below us.






We took our time soaking in the sun and enjoying this view.






After lunch, we started across the ridgetop through a long open area along an old dirt road. It was such a breathtaking view.






While we were enjoying the natural scenery, Amy got so excited to see a radio tower. This made me smile since my dad was a radio engineer. I'm glad she shares my love of radio towers!






We got to the tower and turned onto another dirt road leading back down the other side. Amy was doing some bounding and Sarah and I were enjoying being in this winter wonderland so much!






At one point, Sarah reminded Amy how much she loves her and they spread out their arms together. We are so blessed to have Sarah in our lives. She is a joy to hike with.






We got back to the road and had to hike on the road a bit to get back to our car. Amy jumped back into the backpack for the last bit but did manage to walk about a mile and a half on her own.






Sarah, being the photographer, took some time to take a few close up pictures of the ice crystals. Each one was so delicate. It was great to take the time to admire these.






What a great time, and since this was a short hike we had some time to wander in Hood River afterward. This has been one of our favorite hikes together. I would definitely encourage anyone to experience the winter air and get out for a frosty hike. The sunny days are no doubt numbered, and before long there will be more snow to enjoy, but until then, winter hikes are fantastic!