pushing west...

Apparently driving from Nova Scotia to the Interior of BC wasn't enough. We had to make it all the way to the West Coast to feel like the trip was complete, and so, five days after we arrived in Nelson (and found our house), we headed westward once again. Destination: the Sunshine Coast. The roads from Slocan City to Hope were the worst we'd encountered; along the Coquihalla we crawled along at 50 km/h while semi trucks stopped to put on their chains, all against a backdrop of eight-foot snow walls on either side of the highway. I was very glad to see the evergreens and open farmland of the Fraser Valley.

Happy skier graffiti in Nelson

Kootenay Lake

A visit with Jenny and Sage in Slocan

Shelter Bay ferry towards Revelstoke

A windy day on the wharf in Salmon Arm

Shuswap Lake

Almost like Nova Scotia, right?

 After a couple of days recharging in Salmon Arm, we made it to Vancouver, where we met up with cousin Janet and Avery on Commercial Drive. Best location for a home, ever: we just rolled out of bed and had breakfast at JJ Bean! I could get used to that...

Howe Sound, headed to the Sunshine Coast

But to the ferry we were called, where a familiar mix of anticipation and impatience made me nostalgic for the Coast all over again. Though I didn't document in photos, we made it to the Sechelt pool in time for Eowyn's birthday party. Hooray - the waterslide was open for business. Swimming, hot tubbing and chasing kids around the "river" in the pool meant we were tired and ready to devour cupcakes afterwards. Thanks to Brett, who baked 18 cupcakes for a party of five (including adults)...meaning there were cupcakes to be had for breakfast the next morning.

Hello, coastal rainforest!

Three days of reacquainting ourselves with the lovely places and faces of the Coast followed...and I found myself questioning our decision to move to Nelson. We'll just have to make frequent (fair-weather) trips out to dip our toes in the ocean, cuddle new babies and their parents, and perhaps attend a full moon bonfire on the beach if we're lucky.  And of course, there's Komasket Music Festival to look forward to!

Cliff Gilker Park, Roberts Creek

Skating with Solomon and Russell at the Gibsons Arena

Best vista ever, at Roberts Creek Beach

Our boat is still floating! Hoorah.

It's a little worse for wear, but at least it can hold a 40 lb. child.

Momentum carried us through our last day on the Coast, and the ever-present fear of missing the ferry pulled us away from good friends Grace, Traci and kids, Kenji and Astarte (our boat in need of much TLC). A wonderful and completely unplanned morning of music and hugs at the Gumboot warmed my heart so: thank you Shauna, Sarita, Robin, Nina and Marney for your smiling faces! We'll be back for yoga classes, knitting and more.

A trip to the Coast would not be complete without a banana pecan muffin from Wheatberries, and so, muffin-in-hand, we waved goodbye to our former home feeling loved and reassured.

Thanks to Lesley and Malcolm in their new Vancouver home for the visit and the most excellent Greek/Pasta fusion supper, and to Liz for the very early morning coffee date, tucked in under the Skytrain line amid the bustle of Broadway and Commercial.

Back to the mountains we go...