Steve went with Ray in the boat while Deb towed the boat trailer over to the ramp...time to take the boat out of the water for the season before the lake level is dropped next week, possibly leaving the boat ramp high and dry. The lake is already extremely low, the paper mill in Crofton requires more water to keep operating and the river levels need to stay high enough for fish habitat so it's quite a balancing act. Once home, Steve lent Ray a hand cleaning it and then getting it backed into the garage.
After the work was done, it was time for some fun! Steve headed out in one of the kayaks and once I made it down to the water, I decide to give it a try. Deb helped me get in...just so graceful with my sore knee, LOL!
Getting out when I was done was even more fun...basically I was just dumped out! Thanks for your help Deb!
After a little swim in the lake, Deb and I got changed and then headed into town to pick up a few things.
Once home, Deb put together a lovely cheese and cracker plate for a light lunch and then it was time to get the swim suits on again and head back down to the dock. Deb and I floated on the water for awhile...
Ray doing a "cannon-ball" into the water near us...thanks Ray LOL!
Activity on the lake....
Wednesday (August 21) morning was a socked-in rainy start to the day. Ray and Steve went into Duncan to visit a tool store...a very well stocked one, I understand! While they were away, Deb and I sat out on the deck, under the gazebo out of the rain, with the firetable going.
Trying to resist all those carbs, Leslie and I had scrambled eggs and bacon. Once breakfast was over and the kitchen cleaned up, Deb and I relaxed on the deck while the others took the dogs for a walk.
Dave decided to take a dip in the lake afterwards.... Freya is the lifeguard on duty LOL...
Around 1:00 we got into the cars and headed into town for lunch at Jake's by the Lake. We managed to snag a table for 6 on the deck...perfect! And enjoyed a beverage and lunch...thanks so much, Dave and Leslie for picking up the tab!
The parking lot and park adjacent to Jakes is the starting point for many tubers who float down the Cowichan River...
Before we headed home, we took a short drive to a park where there is a good vantage point to see the tubers float...
(Leslie's pic)
Back at the house, it was time to get our bathing suits on and go down to the dock...where we spent a fabulous afternoon kayaking, swimming, floating and just plain relaxing...fabulous! Deb and Ray's neighbour Pat also joined us for a visit while we sat on the dock....
Dave and Steve went out in the kayaks...
Margaret wasn't too keen on the kayak when they tried putting her in it...
Next, it was Leslie and my turn to take the kayaks out...
(Ray/Deb's pic)
Leslie and I finished up our dock time with a hot tub before heading back up to the house...what a fabulous afternoon! So glad the weather co-operated today! (nice photo bomb, Dave!)
Dinner tonight was a smorgasbord of leftovers set out on the kitchen island...help yourself! Deb had also picked up a birthday cake as an early celebration of Steve's birthday. He was still full from our lunch at Jakes, but he had plenty of room for Chocolate Ganache cake!
We ended the day sitting our on the deck in front of the firetable....perfect!
Friday (August 23) morning we were back into clouds and rain. Deb cooked us Eggs Benedict for breakfast...delicious as usual, Deb, thanks! A great start to the day!
After packing up, changing the bedding and towels in our bedrooms, we were ready by 9:30. We gave Ray big hugs and thank yous a few minutes earlier as he had to leave for appointments in Nanaimo. And then giving Deb the same hugs and thank yous, we cleared out, leaving her and Freya in peace and quiet. Thanks so much for sharing your piece of paradise with us!
On the way out of Lake Cowichan, we stopped for a quick visit with an old school friend of Steve's, Dave Darling. He owns the local franchise of OK Tire. Since we had plenty of time, we also decided to give other friends, Jim and Nan, who live in Cowichan Bay, a call and stop by for a quick visit with them. Forgot to take pics in both cases :(
We took the scenic route to Cowichan Bay by turning off the highway just south of Duncan. The community of Cowichan Bay is a bustling touristy spot this time of year, even if it is cloudy and drizzly...
We arrived home just before 1:00 and after unpacking everything, we relaxed inside. An hour or so later, my brother and sister-in-law, Dennis and Suzanne arrived for a visit. They are from Kelowna and have been on Vancouver Island visiting family for the last week or so. We had a nice visit before they headed off to dinner at Dennis' daughter's place. They will be staying at Rob and Angie's house tomorrow, so we will be spending more time with them then. Looking forward to it!
This working barge builds and repairs the many docks on the lake...
And Steve took a little nap...although he says he really wasn't asleep...haha!
When the wind came up and it cooled down, it was time to move up to the deck...
Deb made a delicious dinner....Pork Tenderloin, fried rice and Caesar salad for dinner...yum!
We ended the day relaxing out on the deck with the firetable going....ahhh...
Wednesday (August 21) morning was a socked-in rainy start to the day. Ray and Steve went into Duncan to visit a tool store...a very well stocked one, I understand! While they were away, Deb and I sat out on the deck, under the gazebo out of the rain, with the firetable going.
Dave and Leslie arrived late morning. After they got settled in, we sat down to some very yummy chicken wings that Deb had prepared, along with leftover fried rice from last night. I also put together Caesar salad to accompany it. A delicious lunch!
By early afternoon, the rain had pretty well stopped...other than a bit of mist. We spent the afternoon under the gazebo visiting. Leslie and Dave, with Margaret in the middle...
The neighbours had a visitor in their yard...
Deb got the prime rib roast on the barbecue...the aroma as it cooked on the rotisserie got us all hungry as we sat near it...
Deb made her delicious Monkey Bread for breakfast...
Steve and Dave ready to dig in! (Ray/Deb's pic)
After another delicious meal, we cleaned up the kitchen while the cook retreated down to relax on the dock. We all joined her for a bit but once it cooled down too much, we headed back to "resume positions" on the deck. The infrared electric heaters cast an eerie glow but sure are nice...(Ray's pic)
After such a cloudy, rainy day yesterday, we woke up to sunshine Thursday (August 22). There were still some fluffy clouds hanging around but it was a much nicer day.
Deb made her delicious Monkey Bread for breakfast...
Dave decided to take a dip in the lake afterwards.... Freya is the lifeguard on duty LOL...
Friday (August 23) morning we were back into clouds and rain. Deb cooked us Eggs Benedict for breakfast...delicious as usual, Deb, thanks! A great start to the day!
After packing up, changing the bedding and towels in our bedrooms, we were ready by 9:30. We gave Ray big hugs and thank yous a few minutes earlier as he had to leave for appointments in Nanaimo. And then giving Deb the same hugs and thank yous, we cleared out, leaving her and Freya in peace and quiet. Thanks so much for sharing your piece of paradise with us!
On the way out of Lake Cowichan, we stopped for a quick visit with an old school friend of Steve's, Dave Darling. He owns the local franchise of OK Tire. Since we had plenty of time, we also decided to give other friends, Jim and Nan, who live in Cowichan Bay, a call and stop by for a quick visit with them. Forgot to take pics in both cases :(
We took the scenic route to Cowichan Bay by turning off the highway just south of Duncan. The community of Cowichan Bay is a bustling touristy spot this time of year, even if it is cloudy and drizzly...
It was great seeing you all. See you in "Q" at the end of December. :)
ReplyDeleteYou bet!
DeleteThat is a lot of cake, did you eat it all yourself? Looks like a great time was had by all!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I had to share...even the girls that are dieting couldn’t resist. Always a great time at Kyle’s Cottage!
DeleteWhat a fantastic time with you guys. That cake was really good wasn't it? We ate like kings and had a few drinks and a ton of laughs. Good times. Even managed to get a little exercise in walking the dogs and playing in the water.
ReplyDeleteAlways a blast with y’all!
ReplyDelete