Sunday, November 08, 2020

Celebrating in the Woods

 


Regular readers might remember that we'd planned an outdoor Thanksgiving get together a couple of weeks ago that was rained out. Everyone had been so looking forward to it, so we planned a similar event to celebrate the three October/November birthdays in the family. 

Goldstream Park is nestled in a narrow valley at the head of the Saanich Inlet. The park is particularly popular in the autumn when the salmon spawn. Lots of cars filled the parking lot, but after arriving around 2:30, we had to wait just a few moments until someone left.


In the deeply shaded park little sun penetrated to warm us up, and we were very glad for layers of clothing including gloves and hats. 

In the river salmon swam upstream, laying their eggs where they themselves had once hatched. Gulls circled and watched for fish to weaken and die, pulling them onto sandy banks to feed on them. I didn't see bald eagles yesterday, but later they will come to gorge themselves on the dying salmon. It's an interesting and not-very-pretty part of the cycle of nature. 


A pair of Stellar's Jays flitted in the trees near our camp set up, perhaps looking for a treat to steal. They are notoriously greedy birds. 


Also very interested in our picnic was a curious squirrel. He finally decided there was too much commotion for him to steal a treat and scampered off elsewhere. 


Many of the trees here are cedar, but there are huge maple trees as well that carpet the forest floor with leaves, slowly decomposing to add nutrients to the soil. 


It was a casual gathering. People took off for little walks along the river while others stayed around the campfire. The two older grand girls became engrossed in a game that involved drying moss and bark against the fire ring. How easily they entertain themselves in nature. I love to see it. 


In that narrow valley darkness fell quickly. I happened to look up close to 4:30 and saw the last line of sunlight along the hill.


 Here are the birthday girls with cupcakes made by our youngest daughter. (In the photo our eldest daughter is in the middle and our daughter-in-law on the right.) Once darkness fell we packed up and headed home, smelling of campfire smoke and replete with a meal everyone contributed to. It was a fun time for everyone, and I'm so glad it worked out this time. Our wonderful Provincial Health Officer has encouraged us to limit time indoors with others and to be careful with how many people we associate with. For us it's just family at this point, other than school (for me) and work (for Tim). Our children are mostly working from home. 

25 comments:

  1. Oh, Lorrie, your pictures are brilliant - I can almost feel the crisp fall air, and the heat of your little cupcake candle wafting up.

    Happy Birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hooray that you got some "dry" weather to enjoy gathering out doors to celebrate the birthday girls! Wonderful photos. It's always good to see and be encouraged by ways around the mandates of these times to gather with loved ones and not to be isolated from fellowship!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a great way to celebrate, outdoors, fresh air, in nature. Perfect for kids. Dress warm and enjoy! Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Happy Happy Happy Birthdays!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Looks like a perfect way to celebrate. Outdoors can be so much fun. Yes, right now we all need to be extra cautious . WHere I live in Manitoba , we have been put on a Code Red, which means all restaurants are take out only, limit in gathering size.Masks are mandatory in all indoor places except private homes.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a fun way to celebrate! I'm glad the weather was reasonable too!

    Have a great week Lorrie.

    X Chy

    ReplyDelete
  7. The sky may have been blue but the wind was chilly!!
    Happy birthday to all 3 birthday girls.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy Birthday to the 3 birthday girls. Looks like such a fun event. I am so glad you were able to get together and have such a great time in nature.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a lovely way to celebrate birthdays. Great to have the camp fire too. I can imagine the fun and laughter you must have had. Have a good week. B x

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a lovely gathering! I'm glad you were able to do it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. How wonderful that you were able to get together for the picnic!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Dear Lorrie,
    A good campfire and good company is all one needs.

    ReplyDelete
  13. How lovely to gather outdoors to commune with family and nature. Nice picture of you birthday girls. Have a good week.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh what a great get together! A perfect spot for you since you love nature so much. So happy to hear you are following the guidelines. So many people don't and I worry about them. You have a great week! Stay well. Kit

    ReplyDelete
  15. Those are beautiful photos. We can still enjoy nature most days. A lovely way to celebrate!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Glad your outdoor birthday celebrations were a success!

    I'm grateful that I can work from home. So my close contacts are limited to my parents (and vice-versa).

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a lovely way to celebrate birthdays. Happy Birthday and may the coming year be just wonderful!

    We have limited people coming into our home except for our daughter and grandson. Right now we are trying the hunker down more as the numbers are going up.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your photos are so natural and pretty. The ladies in the birthday post photo are wonderful.
    Sun set is 4:40 or so here as of now.....
    But our days have been 70 degrees!
    Few fires as things are very very dry. I think there is a ban right now.
    But storms may change that tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Such a wonderful setting for an outdoor celebration. We love visiting Goldstream, and our last visit was in December when the salmon were just finished running and we spotted lots of eagles.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lorrie - these family gatherings are so precious. I was thrilled to hear that your grands were finding ways to occupy themselves in nature - hopefully that stays with them into adulthood. And happy birthday to everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Lorrie, how wonderful you all could be together in such a beautiful spot of nature. Truly, a Thanksgiving. Have a lovely day.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Family time and gatherings are just the best aren't they.
    Fabulous photographs of special time spent together.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a wonderful time - and such great photos of the family. A lot of birthdays can't be celebrated now - which is sad!
    Hugs - Mary

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comment. I read and value each one, cherishing the connections we can make although far apart. Usually, I visit your blog in return, although if you ask a question I try to contact you directly.

A Wander Through my Mind

  Nothing is so beautiful as Spring -  When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush; Gerard Manley Hopkins When I opened my bedroom...