July has been a hot month. We have seen little rain and temperatures averaging around the high twenties and on some days over 30c. Its a proper summer with sprinkler bans and everything. For those in the UK who have not been to North America one of the big pleasures on such days is a Slushy. If your as old as me you'll remember Slush Puppies. Its the same principle, a crushed ice drink, the big difference being your not limited to flavours of Blue and Red. Here Coke, Sprite, Mountain Dew and various other soft drinks all come this way and like a lot of things in north America they come BIG!
Generally the dogs are not so great in the heat, although both Loki and Duffy love to bask in the sun at any opportunity they can only walk very short distances before they start panting very seriously, but we're timing our walks to suite cooler times of the day and things are working out.
Last weekend we made a trip with the dogs to Chadsey Lake (known locally as Lost Lake) on Sumas Mountain. Our little Subaru handled the heavy gravel off road fairly well - Take note boy racers this is what the Impreza is really designed for. The only down side to the little off road trip was I gave the car a complete wash before we decided we'd make the trip and by the time we reached the end of the gravel road its fairly safe to say our car had taken on a sandy dirt tone over the paint work.
After the drive we had around a 20 to 30 minute hike through forest to the lake itself. The the trail was extremely clearly marked and for the most part a well worn path, with only the odd encounter of brambles and my personal favorite Devils Club, which as the name suggests its not to be tangled with if at all possible because it will most certainly leave more than just a mark if you brush against it.
The hike down to the lake let the dogs enjoy one of their passions, SQUIRREL!! and there were lots about. Much to the dogs frustration squirrels know they are safe up the tree and just about exactly how high the dogs can jump. They will sit just out of reach eyeing the dogs and chattering at them while the dogs whistle and whine in frustration back. Duffy is not above futilely throwing (and I choose the word carefully) himself up a tree only to fall about 3 feet short of the tree hugging rodent.
The selection of wild berries here in British Columbia is a big change for me. They have plain old Blackberries growing wild but they also have Thimble-berry, Huckleberry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Salmonberry to name but a few, not being the largest berry fan in my opinion they often taste a lot like dirt. That said with a bit (a lot) of guidance from Jaime, picked at the right time they do taste a lot better.
Once we arrived at the lake it was time for lunch followed by some basking in the sun, a spot of failed survivalist fishing, you'd think if you spend the time whittling a hook the least the fish could do is bite. We then had a wander around the lake, the water was amazingly clear and no wind meant it was flat and actually warm, well the first few inches were warm anything deeper we shall classify as not bitterly cold. With the day being so warm it was nice to have a swim, Jaime I and the dogs were all in.
No that is not the Canadian Manatee it is in fact the Ultra White Brit - Do not adust your set the glow is real.
July has also been a special month, Jaime's sister Lisa has had second daughter, Marin just two days ago. Baby and mum are both very health and we were able to go visit a few hours after she was born.
