THE LAST DAYS OF SUMMER

Summer's over
Now it's Fall
Quite the nicest
Time of all!

It's the end of summer. Time goes so quickly and for the most part, it was a lovely summer. We had some rain at the end of August that spoiled the last few weeks of holidays, but once it was September the hot weather returned for awhile so we were able to enjoy some excellent adventures.

I went on a kayaking trip -- first time ever! You can read the details of this adventure on my travelthroughhistory blog. It was a lovely day paddling up the Indian Arm, stopping for a salmon barbecue on one of the tiny islands. Certainly one of those experiences that will remain in my memory forever!

My friend Patrick came to visit so we went up Grouse Mountain on the gondola one day. Another first for me! We enjoyed browsing around the mountain top, taking lots of photos, seeing the sights and having a little picnic. I've written about it on my travel blog too.

One of those warm days my son, his wife and I went for a picnic to Locarno Beach. We intended to go swimming but chickened out. However we enjoyed lounging in the sun watching the sailboarders and ships in the harbour.

I had lots of picnics this summer both at this beach and at the pool and beach in Stanley Park where I often went swimming. Now it's the first day of autumn and a chilly wind is blowing. There are clouds with a bit of sun. But autumn can be a lovely time too. And next weekend I'm looking forward to another big adventure in the mountains when my friend and I go on a little weekend trip to Three Valley Gap. Another first!

CELEBRATING THE END OF SUMMER

Sechelt Shoreline

Summer's almost over, although I'm still hoping for a few more beach days. After a steaming hot weekend on the Sunshine Coast last week, the weather took a down-turn and it got rainy and cold. Later this week, the sun has been making a valiant effort to return. I hope it does as I don't want the summer to end. I've been enjoying every moment of it!

Late summer blooms

Last weekend I was up on the Sunshine Coast at the Festival of Written Words. It had been some years since I'd been there so it was good to return. It brought to mind the week, several years back, when I spent time at a women writers' retreat at the lodge there. That old lodge doesn't exist now, much to my disappointment. Apparently it was constructed of temporary sections that began to deteriorate, and they haven't build a new one. Too bad, one of the features of the Festival was after the day's end when writers and readers gathered for wine and cheese in the lodge and got to talk personally to the guest writers after their presentations.

We had fun there last weekend though, and it was inspiring to be there. So this week I have spend much of the time at home getting a lot of writing done. Now it's the weekend and some sunshine is in order. I see gray skies though.

Pretty soon I'll be busy preparing for my Fall classes. And my friend Patrick is coming from Germany for a visit. We are hoping to make at least one trip to the islands when he gets here. I'm hoping for a warm Indian summer during September. There's still lots I want to do including a few more picnics at the beach. I don't want summer to end!

Sunset across the water