Thursday, September 27, 2018

Anniversary Weekend


Our 13th Wedding Anniversary was on the 24th of September - we decided back in August that based on the business we had in September that we could actually go away for a short weekend break  so last Friday we drove through a "rain event" to Ucluelet (near Tofino) which is about a 2.5 hr drive from our home to a little cabin by the ocean that we've rented before.  Buddy was along for the ride as well.  The drive was interesting as there was so much rain coming down that waterfalls were literally dropping off the mountain on to the road, a road that has been washed out as recently as last fall and is still under construction to try and repair it.  By the time we got to Ucluelet we were a little worried about whether we would be stuck there but fortunately by our drive back on Sunday the waterfalls had stopped.



Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet
 Even in raging rain that coast is spectacular.  We got to the cabin about 330 pm and stayed inside the entire evening as the rain would not let up.  Fortunately, we had a small two burner grill so we made beer infused bratworst on a bun - and it was delicious.  We brought all our own groceries so were well stocked.  We turned on the tv and saw that Ottawa had 2 tornadoes touch down and there was much damage.  My oldest stepson and his girlfriend live in Ottawa so we quickly texted them - they were fine but without power which they didn't get back until 2 days later.
Heron hanging out on the dock out front of our cabin

Saturday morning we woke up to no rain and skies which were trying to clear - fabulous hiking weather.  We took Buddy and went to one of our favorite places on Vancouver Island, the Wild Pacific Trail which is a bunch of trails right above the cliffs on the wild Ucluelet side.
Blue Heron at sunset (same one, he obvbiously likes this area)
 After a couple of hours there we went back to the cabin to relax, the sun had come out and it was beautiful.  Mr Heron switched spots several times but cooperated for some photos.

It was a short but nice relaxing weekend, we've been to the area several times and didn't feel like we had to run run run to see everything, just ate, drank (me cider lol), hiked and relaxed.  We needed the short break although we could have easily used another day there.
Really bad selfie, I cut part of hubby's head off and Buddy chose to lick me at that moment
We are now back at home enjoying some beautiful sunny fall weather.  Early September brought us 10 days of heavy duty rain so now everything is green and our grass is back growing like crazy after going dorment in the hot hot sun and dry conditions.  The leaves are starting to change colour and we are in one of my favorite times of the year.

In other news my stepdaughter, who has had her learners license since she was 15 turns 21 in three weeks.  She has struggled with learning how to drive, we tried to teach her, bought her lessons, then she moved back to Alberta without getting her license.  She was scared to drive, had zero confidence and as a result made scary driving choices.  She suffers from ADD so it is 10 times harder for her to learn how to drive than her brothers.  Anyway, as an adult she was bound and determined to get her license, even bought a car 6 months ago to practice on.  She tried to get her license in July and failed, parallel parking tripped her up.  After several more lessons both paid( by her now) and with her brother yesterday she finally got her license.  I did not think this day would happen for her, she hated driving so much I honestly thought she would never get it.  It just goes to show perseverance pays off, even if you fail the first time.  We are very proud that she actually stuck it out and made it happen.  Now she gets to pay for costly insurance lol.

That's what shaking in our world.  Cheers!

20 comments:

  1. Happy anniversary to you both. A weekend on the Pacific coast is a great idea! Must do that some time.

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    1. Thanks Peter! I highly recommend it, especially the Wild Pacific Trail. There are about 4 different loops you can hike and all of them lead to the ocean cliffs, absolutely breathtaking views

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  2. Happy anniversary! Congrats to your stepdaughter for finally getting her license. Our daughter got hers exactly a year ago at age 22. She drives 4 miles to and from work every day and doesn't really go anywhere else. She wants to learn to drive on a highway now. Yikes!

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    1. I know you didn't think your daughter would ever get her license (several years ago) and now look at them both go! My stepdaughter is in a similar situation, likely she will only drive in her small area and then might go further in summer when she wants to figure out how to get to the beach lol

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  3. Excellent photos. What a location! Happy anniversar!

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    1. Thanks Mitchell! Our island is really beautiful, I am so lucky to get to live here

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  4. Happy Anniversary to you both! I'm glad Buddy got to share your celebratory weekend away. Love Mr Heron, great photos.
    Well done to your step daughter, I'm almost 52 and still can't drive - the Uk roads are probably at lot safer for it! xxx

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    1. We enjoy travelling with Buddy, he is such a good dog and respectful of other places. Never chews on anything and no accidents. He happens to love hiking too. I am not sure I would drive in the UK either, roads are so much narrower there! No need if you don't want to as long as you can get around ok.

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  5. Absolutely gorgeous area! We should definitely check it out. And, might I add that you are looking so lovely & relaxed in the picture as well. Beautiful!

    So happy for your step daughter - congrats to her for her effort & persistence!

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    1. If you ever come to the Island definitely check it out, everyone goes to Victoria but Ucluelet and Tofino are really beautiful.

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  6. Happy Anniversary from Butte Montana.

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    1. Thanks Contessa - happy you guys are on the road now!

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  7. Happy anniversary, it sounds like a lovely place to celebrate. And congrats to your stepdaughter! Enjoy watching the leaves change.:-)

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    1. Thanks Priscilla - thanks for visiting! I love our leaves here, we have some of the largest maple leaves in the world

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  8. My daughter did not get her license until she was over 21. There was no reason, no obstacle. I think she liked being driven around and not having to find parking at her college. She knew how to drive by her father and drove friends' cars for years.

    That is a lot of water. Congratulations! I am glad you brought food so you did not have to get out to eat.

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    1. We rarely eat out when we bring the dog, if we do we only get takeout. Apparently the restaurants around there are so busy they don't take reservations and all have 1.5 hr long waits so we definitely weren't into that. Much easier to pack cheap groceries from home.

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  9. I would hazard a guess to say that pictures of those places are even more spectacular in a storm than in bright sunshine. Glad you got to experience both actually. And your wedding anniversary was my 60th (yikes) so in my humble opinion you have good taste in dates! And well done to your step-daughter on getting her licence - all the more impressive for someone who is afraid and/or has other difficulties!

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    1. They actually sell storm packages at the hotels there, but I prefer hiking in non-rain. Happy Birthday!!!

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  10. Happy Anniversary! What a lovely place to spend your time hiking, relaxing and just being together.

    Congrats too, to your stepdaughter. My daughter was 22 when she got her licence, my son was closer to 19. I think those few additional years made them more mature drivers...though that didn't keep either from having a few fender benders.

    Have a great week!

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    1. She is definitely more mature now than at 17 or 18, all the boys have been in minor fender benders and one son a major fender bender (no injuries but wrote off his car) so we just have to know that will likely happen (winces)

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