1) Gotta love cardiology dictations.I was reading the a note dictated on a pt from their last admission and the Doc had spent 3 paragraphs explaining why he was called and what the patient presented as as well as his treatment of the patient and then at the end added this little gem. "Just to mention prior to intubation the patient experienced cardiac arrest requiring CPR and atropine." ...nice
2) My new car has a CD player leading to the discovery of fabulous burned mixed CD's from 5 years ago.
3) Anyone else see the irony in the label seen at the grocery store of "freshly dried mushrooms"
4) Heading over to Victoria for a week of sailing. Hopefully the sunshine will hold out!! I will pack my rain gear.. that in itsself is usually enough to keep the rain away.
5) Going to a baby shower at 2pm between nights 2 and 3 is a bit like going to a party at 4 in the morning except the sun is out.
6) A visitor commented to me as I was about to go in to room for a procedure wearing a full face mask with eye shield . " it looks like you are going paint balling".. I only wish I was.. Rather I have learned that one can not wear enough facial PPE while irrigating foleys.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Needle Peak
Today climbed Needle Peak again. The first time I climbed this mountain was two years ago with friends from church it was a climb that was part of a few days where I had learned alot about trusting God, trusting others and being thankful for basics such as rope. I also learned that one doesn't have to be doing crazy things to get hurt because it was the day after a somewhat sketchy climb that I broke my ankle running on the grass =)
Today though it was just a fantastic hike in the sunshine. I went with N. We had gotten to know each other when I was working in Chilliwack a few years ago and have sorta stayed intouch via FB and now she works in ICU in Abby so we see a bit more of each other. We met up, got some pumpkin spice goodness and headed up the Coquihalla. The sun was out but the air was cool and we could see our breath as we started up the trail around 9ish. Its a bit of a grind up through the trees but soon breaks through to fabulous views as we continued to work our way up through the alpine scrub and on to a glacial debris field of sorts full of large boulders and rocks covered in lichen. The peak is almost always in view as well as sweeping views to the north and the other distinct Coquihalla peaks. We worked our way along the base of the ridge and then small scramble up the south side puts you on the ridge. Here large rocks are just haphazardly lieing around and piled. A little spoon lake and red scrub dot the landscape. Then it was the final scramble to the top. Remembering from last time we avoided the front side staying abit more to the middle. Then it was the top!!! So very rewarding with a 360 panoramic view of a sea of mountains. The absolute variety is astounding as you see the coastals with Baker, the shale peaks of Yak, Nak and Thaar, and then the tree covered hills of the interior. We were up by 1115 so had an early lunch and then just chilled for an hour. It was just as we were leaving the top we saw our first people. We went down off the ridge and then took a small detour working our way down the opposite valley and up onto the base of Flatiron ridge to a small alpine lake. Our feet appreciated the water and our eyes the views back to the peak we had come from. Then it was back the plateau, down to the alpine and then the cool blessing of the trees and the sweet wild blueberries.
Our view from the parking lot. Needle is the peak to the left.
We saw no people for the first three hours but there was a SAR helicopter buzzing us almost the entire time.
Up on the ridge looking towards the peak
The little spoon lake
Final scramble to the top
Looking back at the ridge and peak from by the alpine lake
Glacial boulder field
Yak. The next challenge on this corridor.
Today though it was just a fantastic hike in the sunshine. I went with N. We had gotten to know each other when I was working in Chilliwack a few years ago and have sorta stayed intouch via FB and now she works in ICU in Abby so we see a bit more of each other. We met up, got some pumpkin spice goodness and headed up the Coquihalla. The sun was out but the air was cool and we could see our breath as we started up the trail around 9ish. Its a bit of a grind up through the trees but soon breaks through to fabulous views as we continued to work our way up through the alpine scrub and on to a glacial debris field of sorts full of large boulders and rocks covered in lichen. The peak is almost always in view as well as sweeping views to the north and the other distinct Coquihalla peaks. We worked our way along the base of the ridge and then small scramble up the south side puts you on the ridge. Here large rocks are just haphazardly lieing around and piled. A little spoon lake and red scrub dot the landscape. Then it was the final scramble to the top. Remembering from last time we avoided the front side staying abit more to the middle. Then it was the top!!! So very rewarding with a 360 panoramic view of a sea of mountains. The absolute variety is astounding as you see the coastals with Baker, the shale peaks of Yak, Nak and Thaar, and then the tree covered hills of the interior. We were up by 1115 so had an early lunch and then just chilled for an hour. It was just as we were leaving the top we saw our first people. We went down off the ridge and then took a small detour working our way down the opposite valley and up onto the base of Flatiron ridge to a small alpine lake. Our feet appreciated the water and our eyes the views back to the peak we had come from. Then it was back the plateau, down to the alpine and then the cool blessing of the trees and the sweet wild blueberries.
Our view from the parking lot. Needle is the peak to the left.
View to the south/west and Flatiron. The alpine lake on the left at the base of the two snow lines
1)Happy Birthday Uncle Don!!
2) Thank you Valley Toyota for detailing my car for free. However I may soon be in for collision repairs as whatever the stuff you put on my floor mats to make them shiny has also made them so slippery my heel slips every time I press the pedals.
3) We were certainly the first people up Needle Peak this morning as evidenced by the numerous spider webs I walked into.
4) Emily and I went to the fair last week Saturday. True to BC form it poured but that didn't stop us from doing all sort of fair like things like seeing and petting all sorts of animals, doing some rides, watching tractor pulls, eating hot dogs and generally getting soaked.
5) "The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations" (Rev). Last week I was pretty convinced they were arbutus trees.. but this week I'm thinking they are maple leaves. That and whatever other trees that lines the trail adding the deliciousness of crunching leaves to the fragrant smell of ripe blackberries.
6) Happy tomorrow birthday to my favorite older sister Elena!!!
2) Thank you Valley Toyota for detailing my car for free. However I may soon be in for collision repairs as whatever the stuff you put on my floor mats to make them shiny has also made them so slippery my heel slips every time I press the pedals.
3) We were certainly the first people up Needle Peak this morning as evidenced by the numerous spider webs I walked into.
4) Emily and I went to the fair last week Saturday. True to BC form it poured but that didn't stop us from doing all sort of fair like things like seeing and petting all sorts of animals, doing some rides, watching tractor pulls, eating hot dogs and generally getting soaked.
6) Happy tomorrow birthday to my favorite older sister Elena!!!
7) Not only is Rosie a fabulous friend she is also a incredible and qualified rabbit judge.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Gulf Islands
On the first day of school Rosie and I headed out and joined the over 65 crowd on the morning ferry to Saltspring Island. Very glad not to be in school.. but yet still grateful for it as it allowed us to do useful sort of things like solve problems like " if Melanie lives 102kms from the ferry terminal and travels an average of 90kms/hr and her ferry leaves at 1010, What time do Rosie and Melanie have to leave?" as well as "if Rosie kayaked 5.5 kms in 1hr and 10 minutes, how many km/hr does Rosie paddle?". Unfortunately Grade 5 math didn't also allow for things like rush hour traffic and the ebbing tide current in Trincomali Channel but the rest of our lives experience does =)
We put in at the bottom of Long Harbour. Paddling the length of it and then crossing the small channel across to James Bay on Prevost Island
We set up our camp right over looking the ocean beside the apple orchard. This old apple orchard was the source of apples for the best P.Grace breakfast ever last October when we made apple pies for breakfast for Tristian's B-day
The Lighthouse at Portlock Point. We tucked into a little beach here and chilled for lunch.
We then let the superferry swells carry us through the slop rounding Portlock and then headed up the western side of Prevost which is rather treed and boring.
Cool rocks at the entrance to James Bay
Step 3: position pot in tidal pool. Be sure to check tide chart to ensure the tide is not flooding. Reposition pot as necessary as tide ebbs. Continue to frequently change the water within the stacked pots. Check frequently. Step 4: Once you realize that it is not going to be ready that night secure jello in place that the raccoons can not get it and find something else for dessert. The jello was ready the next morning.. unfortunately we were moving camp sites that morning so it was carefully packed up to eat at the next site.
On Thursday morning we paddle back to Saltspring. Loaded up our kayaks, stopped in Ganges for some fresh meat and then drove to Southerly Point (on the north end of the island) and launched from there to Wallace Island
It was actually very good and refreshing. And tasted like fun =)
Wallace had nice walking trails includeing this one that took us out to the reef on the point.
Lots of wildlife- seals, porpises ect. No whales tho.
The island did have some neat rusted out old tractors and trucks in one of the meadows.
On Saturday morning we headed back to SaltSpring and immersed our selves in the fabulous market. Full of flowers, fresh baking and produce and all sorts of handmade art from the local community. We
We put in at the bottom of Long Harbour. Paddling the length of it and then crossing the small channel across to James Bay on Prevost Island
The next morning we set out and with the current circumnavigated the island clockwise. The north end was all little coves and bays with houses but the south/eastern side was all all rugged cliffs and deserted beaches.
The Lighthouse at Portlock Point. We tucked into a little beach here and chilled for lunch.
Arbutus Trees
When your backpacking you need to make your own entertainment/kill time. I was determined to mix up the general camp food and make Jello. Step 1: Boil the water in the medium pot. Pour into the small pot and mix with the cold fresh water. Step 2: Place small pot in the large pot and surround small pot with cold sea water. Change water q10mins until jello begins to cool.
Step 3: position pot in tidal pool. Be sure to check tide chart to ensure the tide is not flooding. Reposition pot as necessary as tide ebbs. Continue to frequently change the water within the stacked pots. Check frequently. Step 4: Once you realize that it is not going to be ready that night secure jello in place that the raccoons can not get it and find something else for dessert. The jello was ready the next morning.. unfortunately we were moving camp sites that morning so it was carefully packed up to eat at the next site.
On provost our tent was backed right up against lots of tall dry grass on the edge of the orchard. The second night there was definitely something VERY large crashing around in the bushes as well as a great number of shiny eyes peering from the darkness watching us play scrabble =) It was rather comforting to know there were no predators on the islands =)
On Thursday morning we paddle back to Saltspring. Loaded up our kayaks, stopped in Ganges for some fresh meat and then drove to Southerly Point (on the north end of the island) and launched from there to Wallace Island
Wallace was a bit of a surprise. On our chart and in the kayak book it describes a nice typical campsite in Conover Cove.. the usual tent pads and outhouse.. But wow.. shock and awe as we rounded the point and turned in.. Yacht City. There were huge boats with more of the over 65 polo shirt and visor crowd. Whereas this area gets a tent icon on the chart it must have entire chapters in the Yachting books.
We set up our tent and then tried out the jello
The next day we set out to circumnavigate Wallace and the Secratary Islands to the north of it. The best thing about private islands is that by the power invested in me as a citizen of British Columbia the beaches are public property up until the high tide line. So you are welcome to have lunch on any beach you want.
You know you are far into the backcountry with signs like these (haha)
The island did have some neat rusted out old tractors and trucks in one of the meadows.
On Saturday morning we headed back to SaltSpring and immersed our selves in the fabulous market. Full of flowers, fresh baking and produce and all sorts of handmade art from the local community. We
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