refreshing happened in the desert..

yes, the desert!

we came to our long-awaited week of holidays with much anticipation.

drove long up and down winding highway, past forests and rushing rivers, down canyons and up steep inclines, through our beautiful, beautiful B.C.  Then down, down into the dry, dotted landscape, the brown hills and the fertile valleys: vineyard rows, fruit trees gathering sun all surrounding the lake like a jewel.  

contemplated possibilities of small town life - slowing down, no Walmart or mall nearby.  

arrived at an oasis of relaxation - the sandy willow-shaded beach just a minute's walk from our cabana, warm water for swimming, friends to enjoy for us and the kids, and the incredible opportunity to not run after our almost 2 year old for a whole week!  bliss (don't get me wrong, of course we missed him terribly - but it was wonderful).

biking the canal with its system of weirs was a favorite activity - we did it five times throughout the week. meg and I also cycled all the way to Osoyoos one morning, 19 km.  the trail itself goes for hundreds of km, the parts we did were just a part of the bigger Kettle Valley Rail trail. 

ben brought his windsurf board and the kids enjoyed trying to balance on it

finding fish with mekaia's little buddy, J

synchronized swimming with lesina

i sat back last week.  read my book, talked with friends, played with the kids.  slept a bit more than usual, cooked a little less.  kayaked alone around the lake in peace and quiet.  swam and biked and drank a slurpee for the first time in years.  laughed a lot around the campfire after the kids were in bed.  sat by the lake at night and looked at the stars.  i feel very grateful for the refreshing that happened in the desert.  

see you next year, oliver.