Extreme Spring Break - North Pole Vacation

Living on an island as we do, we consider the calendar carefully when planning family vacations. Taking the ferry in either direction on a weekend during the months of May - September, or during holidays, without a reservation, is inadvisable. The hassle aside, there is also the expense, then the time on top of that . . .

We have ski passes to Mt. Washington, and it seemed a natural choice to rent a condo, and enjoy the spring break an easy hike away from the lifts and lodge (read: bar). We decided to go for it and rented a chalet with a bedroom for everyone, also sauna and hot tub, for 4 nights, so we were quite psyched.

We booked a month in advance. As the day approached, the weather became stormy. The day we headed up, the power went out on the hill. We forged our way up, over a road with snow piled higher than our 4-wheel drive trucks on either side. We cozied in for the night. After a night of hearing the howling winds, and marvelling that the power had not gone out yet, it did, first thing in the morning.That meant no skiing.

Our deluxe accomodation did not have a working fireplace, or any way of cooking. We had the top 2 floors of our chalet. A single dad occupied the first floor with his 3 daughters and their friends. We were able to impose on them to let us boil water and cook breakfast. At that point all of our electronic devices were still charged, and an eerie stillness prevailed, the snow muffling the sound of the snowplow as it circled endlessly.I was able to text friends who had been planning to join the fun not to bother battling the storm below in order to drive partway up a closed road with waist high drifts of snow. "Change of plans!" We shoveled the deck and barbequed our lunch. On the other side of an afternoon of a few too many hands of crib and vodka spritzers, we were relieved to have the power back on for a late dinner.

Our second full day dawned clear and beautiful with 2 ft. of fresh powder. It was absolutely stellar, so light and fluffy! My husband, a former ski racer, counts it among his top 10 days ever. We made a full day of it, and I'm glad we did because the next day the weather turned to shit again, or should I say not perfect snowbunny conditions for moi. The guys toughed it out for an hour or so, then it was back to shovelling (again)  a path to the hotub and barbeque. By that night the worst of the storm had passed, leaving extremely cold temperatures and persistant blowing snow to prevent us skiing the final day.

It was with some relief that we passed the last of the snow on our way down the mountain.

 It had indeed snowed other places, the mainland, and , freakishly, Victoria,  but although it was cold enough for hail, and winds had taken out power,there was no snow in Courtney, where we headed to stock up on perishables. Thanks to the management of Chateau Cona, the 2 free nights in the summer does go a long way toward making up for any inconvenience, I'm sure we'll have good weather for that.

Summer Events and Places To Be - Cumberland

Cumberland
When family visited recently, we played tourists with them, our destination was the nearby historic mining town of Cumberland. This tiny town, 10 minutes from Courtenay,
Older homes along the approach from the old Island Highway offer a picturesque approach that opens into a sloping valley surrounded by mountains. This leads right into town and becomes the main street, with its' clapboard facades and frontier feel. Fortunately, this charming rusticity includes cafes where one can get a decent frappucino, sushi, or (East)Indian Food. Thus, fortified, we wandered the several blocks that constitute the downtown core. This being a Sunday, most of the quaint stores and shops were closed.The museum was open, and we stumbled in, thankful for its' dim coolness. The charming young man behind the counter seemed surprised to see us. Resisting the lure of black licorice "coal" candy, we pushed on, drawn to explore the warrenlike rooms, covering two floors, containing everything from vintage women's undergarments to war memorabilia. The children ran ahead, tapping at the keys of an ancient typewriter, gawking at the massive iron lung used to treat victims of black lung, and spending ever so long running back and forth in the dusty atmosphere of the realistic coal mine created in the bunker-like atmosphre of the basement, which contains an actual cave.Upstairs, we adults watched movies documenting the history of the town, it's ebbs and flows of immigrant labour and sickness, buildings and fires.At one point the largest Asian population outside of San Francisco lived here, and jewel toned silks and richly lacquered furniture, leave a colourful reminder in the glass cases that line the walls.
When the coal dried up, during the Depression, the town did too, Courtenays' poor little sister languished for decades. Recent years have seen a renaissance, a celebration of the towns geography. Mountain bikers have discovered the many old logging roads and created new trails. The hardcore sports enthusiasts who are drawn to Mt. Washington year round come to stay at the local hostel. The local pub attracts homegrown and specialty talent. There is a great vintage store on the main street, and the necessary antique stores. If you tire of poking about in the shops there are walks to mine sites, and of course beautiful Comox Lake, just at the edge of town.

Last Day of Skiing/ First Day of Spring

The Last Day of Ski Season

Cloudy skies and fresh powder provided ideal skiing conditions on the final weekend of the 2007/08 ski season.Sunday was capped off by the annual Slush Cup event, in which men, teenagers, and children go off a specially constructed jump, into a pool of icy water. A truly shocking and amusing event, in which much is revealed, ( people wear saran wrap, g-strings, spandex) and there is always the unexpected ( small children got the biggest air).
Saturday began early with the annual season passholders' breakfast. It was great to see all the families out filling up on pancakes and bacon. With the long lines and repeat servings, some seemed to be stocking up until next year.In the afternoon, the dummy downhill had many creative entries, some resembling humans, all brave enough to plummet to their eventual demise for the entertainment of all.
This weekend seemed to me perfection. It had all the elements that make this area truly great,mountains, small lift lines, friendly family fun, and a short drive home ,(under an hour for Qualicum types) to where the daffodils and cherry trees are blooming, beside the sea.