Thursday, March 13, 2014

Walking on Water


For a change, I'm rather up to date with photos. These were taken a little over a week ago.



sunrise2
The day broke in pastel shades of loveliness.

My younger son, Alex was visiting for the weekend and was sleeping in the next room. I miss living, breathing, laughing and simply being under the same roof as this man child of mine. But for this weekend, my boy was with me and all was good. As the day progressed, we lingered over a hearty breakfast - something in which none of us tend to indulge but the occasion of his visit seemed to call for it.



trail to blueberry
It was a pleasant day, just as the dawn had predicted and Alex and I decided to take Benny for a walk on a path I'd never travelled before - at least not in winter.




the way to blueberry
Beneath our feet was the frigid waters of Lake Baptiste. Thankfully, there were a couple of feet of ice between our boots and the water. That's Blueberry Island sitting way across the bay, and it was our destination for today.




freedog
Benny was thrilled to be off leash for a change and spent his energy running ahead and then back again to greet us. Snowmobile paths made for an easy route to follow.





ex tree
The water, snow, rain and wind have all done their part to smooth the bark off of these wood specimens.





Alex and Benny running
I think my son also enjoyed the freedom of walking on water. He soon picked up the pace and sprinted across the bay, with Benny in hot pursuit.





Alex and Benny running2
It took us about a half hour to get there. Benny and Alex arrived before I did.




Alex and Benny running4
By far.





Alex and Benny running3
It would be cool to have their energy.






Alex and Benny running5
Once we got across the bay, it was lovely to see Blueberry Island up close and personal.





blueberry with icicles2
In other seasons, it's a popular spot for rock climbing. And for getting stuck. In November, the guys who are working on our house watched as a helicopter was needed to rescue a few climbers who were stranded on Blueberry's face. I was taken with the crags, holes, swirls, cracks and layers on this rocky beauty.





blueberry icicles
Snowfalls, melts and freezes resulted in enormous icicles in a few places.





blueberry up close
By now, the wind had picked up and was blowing those clouds pretty quickly. It was time to head home.





house view from lake
We walked back against the wind and found it to be pretty chilly at times but our cozy home awaited our return. This is how it looks like from the lake. You can see that renovations are ongoing.

Thanks for walking with us. I'll be back with more photos before too much longer.

63 comments:

Frank Baron said...

I was energized simply by watching you youngsters cavort. Fine pics and words catch the spirit of the day. Well done. :)

Gary's third pottery blog said...

OH gosh, wow, I was just thinking how pretty the stone cliff looked, and of course people would want to climb it...you have all these cute little hills around there!

ADRIAN said...

Superb photographs. It is a grand place.

Andy said...

Spectacular winter photos!!

Tabor said...

I was cold just reading and viewing this. So odd walking to an island, but glad it was safe! That icy water fall was certainly intriguing. Today we have 40 MPH freezing winds and tomorrow it returns to spring. I am getting whiplash.

Anvilcloud said...

What a fine day that must have been -- walking on water when it's not too frigid outside.

Lisa Gordon said...

"I miss living, breathing, laughing and simply being under the same roof as this man child of mine."

Oh, I do know what this is like. I have had my "little boy" home with me for a week during his spring break. Sadly that all ends on Sunday. :-( They just never stop being your babies, and I think that is a good thing.

These are some really wonderful winter scenes, Hilary.

Happy day to you!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous photos. I have wonderful memories of a couple of holidays at Baptiste Lake ... took my first flight in a seaplane there. I actually have 2 paintings of that area that someone did for my Dad (painted them from photographs) that hang in our stair way.

Theresa said...

Thank you for taking me along to Blueberry Island. Love the pics and one can certainly see the joy in the pictures and by the photographer! I bet you had one tired dog by the end of the hike too. ;)

Gayle said...

Such a joy for you to let us tag along w/you and your adventures. Lovely to see your son cavorting with the precious Bennster. What a beautiful place you live. Such a far cry from the southern most southern California. The photos are so detailed and I looked for a long, long time. Always love your prose.

Leah J. Utas said...

What a grand day, and I love Blueberry Island.

joeh said...

Thanks, I enjoyed the walk. Next time I will dress a little warmer.

TexWisGirl said...

i could almost hear alex's laughter as he began running with benny. :) loved the ice flows!

Mage said...

That looks like so much fun. Benny and your son inspire me.

Brian Miller said...

nice...look at those rocks...its awesome...and smiling at benny in the tracks....brrr...i am ready for spring though...

Red said...

This is one of those famous walks of Hilarys...some great photos and a good story. Now this one's a first as it's walking on water. I don't think you can top this. Well , maybe you could walk on air.

Out on the prairie said...

It is fun to explore where one might boat. All looked like they were having fun, and some lovely pics.

messymimi said...

A beautiful, fun day! Is the island. as its name promises, a good place to canoe over to later in the year and pick blueberries?

Bob Bushell said...

Beautiful landscapes with Benny and Alex, I love your new home.

Bossy Betty said...

Oh, I loved this walk! I know just what you mean about missing those boys/men. My youngest is coming home soon and even though he won't be here much, it will make such a difference in the way the house feels!

ellen abbott said...

Snow and ice is so beautiful. Too bad it's so damn cold.

stephen Hayes said...

Great pics. I can only imagine how cols it must be to create ice that thick.

Indrani said...

Sheer happiness!
I too would like to run around there! Nice series!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I would venture to guess that Benny's pursuit of Alex was the only thing "hot" on your walk that day. :) Your photos are stellar, as always. And I can see why Blueberry Island would inspire adventurous spirits to attempt some closer investigation.

L. D. said...

You had a great outing. You have some beautiful rock formations there to get some great shots. You would have to be in the boat in another month. You sky shot is wonderful.

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

How lovely the photos, the adventure and the time well spent with you youngest. All fabulous. Oma Linda

Gail Dixon said...

Such beauty. Wow. The frozen water is incredible. And of course it's always a treat to see Benny. Looks like he and Alex both had a blast.

Sandi McBride said...

Oh that was wonderful! I enjoyed that trip so much I had to put my sweater back on..it always takes a while for your photos to come up so Iput the kettle on, stopped to stroke the sweet Cher then poured tea and when I got back there were all these snow washed colors on my screen and the wait was worth it!!!
hugs...Sandi
ps
sorry I haven't been by in a while, the RA is kicking my ass! Fingers especially!

WordsPoeticallyWorth said...

Snow can be picturesque at times. Some nice shots.

Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Beautiful scenes of the walk and the destination.

from Madrid said...

Winter is being finished, we must take what we have left of him. These places give thirst on summer.
Have a good one, Hilary.

Tomás.

June said...

How good it feels to see a boy and a dog running together! Meant for each other are boys and dogs.

You're really WEST aren't you! I hadn't realized you were so far out in the western plains.

Laura~Pretty Pix said...

I loved the walk.. and wonderful captures
Thanks for taking us along!

Anonymous said...

How cool to be able to walk to an island!! I wonder where the name "Blueberry Island" came from?

yaya said...

What a nice new perspective...seeing the island up close and then seeing the house from that view! I can't imagine walking across a big lake like that, but how fun! I'm surprised Benny can take the cold like he does with his short hair...that hardy climate must have him toughened up!

Kamana said...

my favourite is the third photo. what fun!

Birdie said...

And thank you to you for taking us on your walk!

Anita said...

On the second picture, before you said so, I realized that that was your bay - frozen and covered with snow! What a transition from warmer months. It'll be cool to see it thaw.

So nice that you have a son who likes hanging out with his mom. :) And Benny, too.

Cloudia said...

So very lovely! You 3 are just wonderful companions, and I loved walking with you



ALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral

=^..^= <3

Rita said...

Wow! Love the icicle waterfall! What a pretty island. Looks like you all had a wonderful time. :)

Unknown said...

What photos of Joy, Hilary! Your son and Bennie have such spirit. I remember actor Harrison Ford rescuing at least two people, as he is a helicopter pilot.

photowannabe said...

Gorgeous photos of your Paradise.
I could just feel the joy in both Alex and Benny. There is nothing like family time to recharge the soul.
Hilary, you really chose the right place for you to live. To have your own Blueberry Island right there is magical as is walking on water..(:0)

Jenn Jilks said...

How glorious! We used to take our cats for walks like this, on the ice.
I know what you mean about having kids home.
You sound very happy. Wonderful!

Glo said...

What a bright invigorating trek across the lake with your son and Benny and a terrific opportunity to check out the island first hand. A cozy home would be welcome indeed such an expedition!

Betty Manousos said...

hilary wow! what a spectacular! love your photos....thanks for bringing out the beauty of the winter landscape.
the sight of ben having fun in the snow brought back wonderful memories of our pet collie...tara. glad to see someone enjoying the snow!

big hugs~

Unknown said...

Wow. The images are stunning. There is noting like a day spend outdoors.

Barb said...

Hilary, how exhilarating! Your home is at such a scenic spot. I liked "watching" as Alex and Benny ran ahead. Great walk with you across the ice.

Anonymous said...

I wondered what your house looked like from the lake:-) Thanks for sharing. It was a lovely walk.

Hilary said...

Loved it!!! so beautiful! Benny looked like he was ecstatic!!

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

From the incredible sunrise view to the very end when we see your lovely new abode, this post was a joy to read and see through your eyes.

Scott Law said...

Makes me wish our Winter hadn't left quite so soon. Wonderful romp.

Friko said...

That’s what I call winter views. These are beautiful.

Elizabeth Grimes said...

Brrr! I don't get out with Joy as much when it's that cold out. I'm sure Benny enjoyed the exercise. I'm so glad you had Alex with you. Sounds like a perfect weekend.

Elizabeth Grimes said...

Brrr! I don't get out with Joy as much when it's that cold out. I'm sure Benny enjoyed the exercise. I'm so glad you had Alex with you. Sounds like a perfect weekend.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Beautiful, but your lovely photos made me shiver! I'm glad you had such a grand time with your man child.

CiCi said...

This was really fun seeing the energy and scenery. Glad you had a great escape to the island.

Maggie May said...

Benny hardly shows up in all that snow! He could have got lost!
Lovely photos.
Maggie x

Nuts in May

A Cuban In London said...

Thank YOU for taking us. That was a fun walk. Beautiful landscape and photos.

Greetings from London.

What Karen Sees said...

Love the sunrise, so peaceful. I cannot fully appreciate the snow at this time of year when I am dying for warm spring weather with every fiber of my being! Well that was a bit dramatic!! haha Great photos, looks like a fun outing!

Slamdunk said...

I always enjoy your photos--you even allow me to ignore how much I dislike the cold. Glad your son had a nice visit and looks like Benny may have had the most fun.

With the island, it is interesting how the landscape can change during the seasons--what was once difficult to access is not there for the enjoyment.

Daryl said...

now thats a walk .. i would like to do that sort of walk with that sort of destination .. what beauty ... but tell me whose ear/head is that in the first photo on the right in the deep shadow?

Linda said...

Absolutely lovely. I would have thoroughly enjoyed that walk. It is amazing to think of waling across a frozen lake. That mountainous island was gorgeous - a great place for exploring.

Lisa said...

I love the captures of you son.. The rocks the ice and that snow. All are so beautiful.