Tuesday, July 30, 2013

weekend pics, the sunshine coast

our sunshine coast weekend away didn't start out very well.  picture this... three hours away from vancouver, complete darkness, lost, sleepy wife who wants a bed, and no iphone connection. you get the picture, yes? 
 
once we finally arrived at our destination and fell into the wonderfully comfortable bed and had a really long and restful sleep we woke up to sunshine and the night before faded away.  our weekend, according to kai, was all sorts of "awesomeness and fun".  i couldn't agree more. allow me to explain it to you.



first there was ruby lake resort, where we called home from friday to monday.  although the cabins are dated and small, the grounds 'rustic' (the place could use a freshen-up) we would return in a heartbeat.  ruby lake resort is cozy, the lagoon that separates the cabins from the restaurant is tranquil (a picturesque floating bridge gets you across), the staff are helpful and friendly (i.e. the server from the on-site restaurant waited for us on the night of our very late arrival), and the atmosphere serene.  you can't help but relax and enjoy.


we saw a beaver!!!!! 



ruby lake resort is also a sanctuary for all kinds of birds

 
 

 

 

 
ruby lake, across the street from the resort, is beautiful.  the best part?  the water is clear and warm!  one of the amenities we enjoyed most was the long dock out to the lake (for guests only!).  my boys jumped off that dock countless times wearing smiles from ear to ear.  one morning we took a rowboat out to a nearby island to explore and swim some more.  it was all sorts of wonderful... it just might be the best swimming spot on the sunshine coast.
 
 
 
 


 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 


 



 
the skookumchuck narrows hike was a lovely one.  once we filled up on baked goods from the bakeshop by the parking lot we began our hike.  the hike took us to the narrows connecting sechelt and jervis inlets... the tidal rapids apparently make fascinating viewing but on this particular day they weren't very strong yet the whirlpool effect was still obvious.  the scenery upon existing the lush forest trail was quite spectacular.  we decided it was the perfect place to settle down and picnic.  we enjoyed a lovely picnic lunch of prosciutto filled sandwiches and drinks that the staff at the ruby lake resort restaurant prepared for us.  and?  we saw a woodpecker doing its thing and a snake

such yummy treats on offer at this bakeshop in the forest!  and the owner is super friendly too.



 



 




 



 
 



 
 


 

 


an afternoon at katherine lake on it's small sandy beach was nice too, especially for kai who could dig and build in the sand.  the water is calm and warm which made paddle-boarding worth trying.  it took me some time to be comfortable on it but kai was a natural... after a brief introduction he hopped on and away he went.  it was his favourite activity.









 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
i hope you had an awesome and fun weekend too!