summer vacation - part 1 - nelson, bc

We recently returned from our trip to Nelson, BC (southwest corner of BC in an area called the 'Kootaneys'. It a beautiful little city situated in a valley along the banks of the Kootaney River. We came up here to visit with my hubby's brother and family. The weather was hot...STINKIN' HOT! [not a complaint, just an observation]

I had been reading the last HP book and still had about a quarter to go when we left for the trip. I managed to read two chapters while in the car (which I thought was pretty good, cuz I can't usually read in the car). I stopped at two one-chapter goes, as I thought it best not to push my luck. Over the next couple of days, I was able to find time to sit and finish up the book. Good thing because Wes and his cousins, Aaron and Chris, had all finished and were dying to discuss it with me. WOW!! JK Rowling is brilliant! LOVED IT! I won't say more in case there are some folks still reading.

While in Nelson, we wandered around the city centre; floated in the Slocan River and took a wonderful trip on the Osprey 2000 ferry over to Kootenay Bay and Crawford Bay.

















Crawford Bay is home to a wonderful group of artisans. We visited several shops including: North Woven Broom Company (commissioned by Raincoast Books to make 200 brooms for the launch of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; they also made the brooms for the movie version of Bewitched and several other movies/tv shows); Barefoot Handweaving; Breathless Glass; Kootenay Forge; and Dog Patch Pottery.



Brian (my bro-in-law) and Sylvia prepared the most amazing meals for us! We ate well and drank several bottles of wine over the course of our visit.



















In the evening, we played a game called "Things..." What a hoot! I'll never forget "your secretary"...man, did we get mileage out of that one. At one point, I was taking a gulp of water and Aaron made me laugh just at the wrong time and there I was choking and coughing water all over myself. There were times we were laughing so hard we were crying. I love laughing that hard! It's the best.

When we got to Nelson, there was one forest fire burning to the north of the city. By the time we left four days later, there were four burning in the surrounding area. Our final night, we started to smell the smoke and the skies were quite hazy as we left for home.

Next up, the Vancouver Pride Parade tomorrow and then Stephen and I are off to Port Townsend, WA for a couple days to celebrate our 25th anniversary.