Rock Hounding at Lac Du Bois

Peter  and Fernando. The area was central to the Hudson Bay Fur Brigade Trail over 125 years ago. In fact the trail crosses through Lac Du Bois. Gold mining was big in the area too. Tranquille Creek flows through the valley into the Thompson at Kamloops Lake--we're going to gold pan along the creek one of these weekends. There were many French Canadian Fur traders in the area and thus many place names in the Thompson region of British Columbia are French.

Pockets full of rocks.

What's that I see? Could my Fernando be limping? Oh no, a cacti caught in his paw again!

Following his dad up the hill proved to be a mistake. Fernando stepped on yet another cacti!

Home sweet home. In a past life I must have lived in this environment. I feel so comfortable on the land.

Difficulties building a home gym. Equipment is thousands of dollars. I need a great upper pully to do woodchops. They are one of my favorite exercises. Most pulley systems aren't long enough to do a decent woodchop--nor do they provided the right weights to do the job properly. They are either too light or way too heavy...but I am determined to make it work without sacrificing my fitness level. I found a great spin bike for a great price online. I will order that and then gradually piece together a gym.
Long weekend ahead. Plans pending. I need to read a text for Wednesday's class sometime.
Went out to Joey's with Peter last night after a quick trip to Peachland to check out some used gym equipment. It was nice to stop at Joey's--I hadn't been there in awhile.
Excited that finally Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy are shipping out of Canada. One can buy online in Canadian dollars and shipping is free on orders over $50. I really should get paid for advertising that tidbit. Old Navy makes slim jeans for kids, which are hard to find. The jeans fit Tabs and Mist very well--although perhaps this year the legs will be too short for Mist.

Thompson River Valley, British Columbia

A picnic on the way to fossil hunting. Could there be a more beautiful view?

Good ideas are born from frustration. Case in point: IQuest--my gym. Again a sign on the door--open at 8:30. Again I had to drive home, missing my workout. I took Fernando on a run up the back of the mountain in the rain instead. However, Ground-Floor Fitness up the street has inspired me ( Miranda and John have a home gym they recently installed). I am seriously determined to outfit my retro rumpus room with gym equipment. I don't need much. I figure it will pay for itself in a year. That way, I can spend the extra time and money taking yoga and latin dance. I believe I will love to get my weight lifting done fast and conveniently in my home before I start my day. I love my current workout--it is killer and efficient. I'll need to go shopping for the equipment I'll need to best replicate my existing workout. I won't miss the gym socializing as my gym is always empty at 6 am when I go and there's never any eye-candy :P

Mist has Web training each morning--she applied to be a school leader this year and they're training them at the school this week before school officially starts next week.
I start my MFA classes next week too!

Peter and I took our darling poopsies to "Return of Nanny McPhee"last night. All was enjoyable except I left my purse at the theatre. After returning home, I realized it. Thank G the theatre kids are honest people. It was there, waiting in the office on my return.

Rain, rain go away...