Thursday, August 24 to Sunday, August 27, 2023 (A trip down Island to Kyle's Kottage, Lake Cowichan, BC)

We had a relaxing start to the day Thursday (Aug. 24)...we are going down island to visit good friends, Ray and Deb Kyle, at their beautiful home on Lake Cowichan and planned on arriving there mid-afternoon. 

With the suitcases packed in the car, we headed off at about 11:00, taking the (old) coastal highway south. My sister-in-law, Rhonda, had recommended a great spot in Qualicum Beach, so we stopped for lunch at the Fern and Cedar Brewing Company.

We both ordered their Moonlit Dark Ale..."Robust dark ale using roasted specialty malts and noble hops for flavours of coffee, chocolate and earth. 5.3% – 13 IBU". It was delicious!

Since we knew that Deb would be cooking up a storm for dinner tonight, we shared a 2-piece order of fish and chips. It too, was very tasty...

We arrived at Ray and Deb's just after 3:00 and after great big hugs, they helped us bring our stuff into the house. Next thing we knew, we were sitting out on their deck enjoying Ray's margaritas! Ah...let the weekend begin!

It was a little too breezy down at the dock today, so we stayed up on the deck...

Besides, Deb had to tend to the roast that she is smoking on the Traegar...'A Pork Loin Roast wrapped in bacon and basted with peach whisky sauce'...sounds terrible, eh? LOL!!

It's done and it's now over to Ray "the master carver"!

Completing tonight's dinner menu were twice-baked potatoes (absolutely amazing!) and a salad with Deb's homemade dressing. Deeeeelicious!

Oh my...and a selection of after dinner shots...

But first...Deb made a very decadent Chocolate Tart with blueberries and strawberries for Steve's Birthday today (Deb knows how much Steve loves chocolate...and, yes, he is spoiled!)

Happy Birthday to you! Ray gave Steve a Sympathy Card for his birthday...too funny! He also got a nice card from Deb. No candles on the tart...tomorrow I will pick up a small cake so the kids can sing Happy Birthday to Grampa. Yup...Kyle's Kottage is being invaded with more 'Colibabas'!

Friday (Aug. 25) morning and a beautiful start to the day! Unfortunately, though, smoke from the wildfires is coming in and is going to get thicker...

Rob, Angie, Conner and Bryce will be arriving after lunch so Ray and Steve prepared the "toys"...Steve cleaning the spiders and debris out of the kayaks and then they both inflated the tube that will be towed behind the boat. While they were doing that, Deb and I made a quick trip into town for a few groceries and then did some prep work for dinner tonight.

Yup...it's getting pretty smoky out there!

A houseboat heading out from the marina...

The kids arrived just before 1:00 and after introductions, we helped bring their things into the house and to the bedroom upstairs. Bryce decided to get a quick ride on his skateboard...his latest endeavour...

After showing the gang around the house, the boys could hardly wait to get down to the water. Bryce is testing the water...

And then decided to just "go for it"...

Conner too...

Steve got a number of action shots!

Next, they both donned their lifejackets and took the little boat out for a row...

No water activities this afternoon for the adults, though...just some chillin' time on the dock watching the boys have a ball!

Then it was time to head up to the house deck...

So Deb could tend to tonight's dinner...chickens that had been sitting in a brine since yesterday...and ready for the rotisserie...

Meanwhile, the boys found a box of Amelia's (Ray and Deb's granddaughter) magnetic blocks and created a very tall tower...

Dinner is ready!

Ray took a picture from the loft of everyone at the dinner table (thanks, Ray!)...

I picked up half a chocolate cake so that the boys (and the rest of us) could sing "Happy Birthday" to Steve. He also got lovely homemade birthday cards, a lottery ticket and a few bottles of 'specialty' beers from Rob, Angie and the boys. Happy Birthday, Grampa!

After dinner Steve wanted to show Rob, Angie, and the boys the Lakeview Park Campground next door, so while they went for a walk, Deb, Ray and I relaxed on the deck. This picture is taken from the beach at the nearby campground...

They ended the day with a hot tub...

Saturday (Aug. 26) morning Conner helped Deb make blueberry pancakes for breakfast. He took his job seriously and learned a lot from Deb. Good job, Conner!

After a delicious breakfast, followed by the kitchen clean-up...Ray insisted Steve take the kids out in the boat for a tour of the area...

Conner taking the wheel...Look at that smile! Bryce took a turn as well but Grampa forgot to get his picture...

Time for a ride in the tube...

Just the boys...

Rob with the boys...

Grampas turn with the boys..

A 1:10 minute video of the water fun!

Angie saying cheers!

Thanks for taking a picture of the Colibaba Clan, Ray!

Deb grilled burgers for lunch today...boy, talk about being fed well! Afterwards, the boys wanted to try skiing. Ray and Deb had a pair of skis for Conner to try so all of the guys headed off to a quiet spot on the lake. Unfortunately, the adult skis ended up being too big and heavy for the boys, so Ray took them on a tour thru the channel into Bear Lake...

A small float cabin...

Back at the dock, it was margarita time...here is Ray showing Angie and Rob how to make his special recipe...

It was a hot afternoon so we all had a lot of water time. Steve is in the water...and that is probably Bryce who just jumped in. He spent a lot of time in the lake!

Deb and I...

Bryce watching his Dad dive into the water...

Everyone except Steve and Ray...

Rob and his special diving technique...

Rob and Bryce...

The people next door have a diving platform and were fine with the boys trying it out...

Conner and I going out in the kayaks...

Then it was Rob and Angie's turn...

Conner and Bryce taking out the row boat after them...

After a wonderful day playing in the water...boating, tubing, kayaking, rowing and lots of swimming, we all headed up to the deck to so Deb could tend to the ribs she had smoking on the Traegar. 

Rob and Angie enjoying the view before dinner...

Again, Deb out did herself in the kitchen! Ribs and her homemade baked beans...along with more corn-on-the-cob. Delicious!!

Time to chill on the deck after dinner...

And the end to a fabulous day! Thanks Ray for all of the boat rides...including trying to dump Angie and I off the tube! LOL! 

Sunday (Aug. 27) morning it was time for one last tube ride. Steve and Rob manned the boat by themselves as Ray's back was just too sore after yesterday...Angie, Conner and Bryce in the tube. 

A houseboat being towed back to the marina by a small speed boat...someone isn't having a good day!

After a quick hot dog for lunch, it was time for the Colibaba Clan to get packed up! Steve and I are looking after the boys this week since Mom (a teacher) has to return to work a week before the boys start school. So we are taking them back with us to Courtenay for a few days. Steve had fun getting everything into our small car...but he did it! Conner on one side...

And Bryce on the other. Now they can't play with or fight one another...LOL!

After great big hugs...the boys said goodbye to Ray and Deb...and Mom and Dad...and we were on our way. 

We cannot thank Deb and Ray enough for opening their beautiful home to the Colibaba Clan and hosting such a fabulous weekend! Great memories were definitely made! 💓

Tubing down the Cowichan River is very popular in the summer and with the hot weather, it is packed...

Just over 2 hours later, we pulled into Puntledge RV Park. This is the first time the boys have stayed with us, as well as being away from Mom and Dad overnight. They are excited and so are we...but first, we had to find room in the trailer for all of the stuff that was packed into the car. We managed, but definitely different than just having the 2 of us in it!

After dinner, we walked down to the river with the boys. Stay tuned to hear about our week with Conner and Bryce! Good night from a very smokey Courtenay!