Monday, May 5, 2014

O, Canada! A wilderness adventure


When Susan asked if I'd like to join in a women's outdoor adventure camp, I jumped at the chance.


Falconry.
Rappelling.
Cave exploration. 
Cutting with chain saws.

Hikes.
Paddling on the lake.

As many fancy coffee drinks as you want
and scrumptious catered meals.


SIGN. ME. UP!!!


Which is how I ended up teaching wilderness journaling classes at Camp Imadene  on the shores of Lake Mesachie, on Vancouver Island.


I'm not sure who was more startled, the beaver or me when we met up by the shore but he slapped the water with his tail and I beat a hasty retreat.

Oh, the living beauty of that forest.
O, Canada!
Oh, the joy of rubbing shoulders with Canadian women.




Carpets of wildflowers at every turn...



I could have stayed outdoors sketching for days and never tired of it.

The women in my workshops seemed to feel the same.







I got to operate a chain saw, walk alone through a flowered meadow full of birdsong,
hold a falcon on my gloved arm.


Camp for grownups is a wonderful thing.







Oh, what refreshment!
We're missing out when we send just the kids to camp.


I can hardly wait for next year.
Carrie has decided to teach welding and Thelma's coming back for another session of healing plants.

And I get to teach wilderness journaling again.


Ahhhh. Wilderness.