Taking it up a notch

To take something up a notch means, according to the English idiom, to increase the effort or intensity exerted in a situation.

Today we didn't do a simple walk along the beach, but a 'real' hike. A real hike means, to me, a walk that requires going uphill.

This morning's snow 

Terry and I climbed a small hill today. Notch Hill is accessed off Powder Point Road in Nanoose Bay, Vancouver Island. My idea of walking for exercise was taken up a notch as I walked the first part of the trail which the map calls “steep”. I guess I'm not as fit as I think I am. First my gluteus maximus muscles pulled, until I really got going. Then I had to stop for breath several times, listening to my pounding heart. Then I shed one of my layers, that heavy sweater I knew I shouldn't have worn.

Finally the ground levelled off, sort of.

We listened for birds, but didn't hear anything until we broke out of the gloomy conifer forest to moss covered rocky outcrops and arbutus trees. Terry's binoculars were trained on a high tree with a tiny bird on it. Probably a Dark Eyed Junco. I looked behind me and saw a man standing quietly on the path. I wish I had taken his picture; he was just like a gnome, at home in the forest.

The view was worth the climb.

Looking towards Nanaimo

If it had been summer, we could have sat on the rocks and admired the bay and the views down Island for a lot longer than we did. We did see a Bald Eagle, and Terry was glad to add a Turkey Vulture to his trip list. But his hands were cold and white, and he was uncomfortable, so we completed the loop and meandered down again.

Red-barked Arbutus tree

 So many more trails to explore in the area!  

Garry Oak

Real Christmas holly!

Carpenter's Helper

Working in construction was never on my bucket list, but that's what I have found myself doing this past week.

SOWERs are supposed to be self sufficient, either pulling a trailer or driving a motor home. The idea is not to be a burden on the host, whose only responsibility is to provide a spot for parking, power, water and sewer connections. Nanoose Bay Pentecostal Camp is on Vancouver Island, near Port Alberni where I grew up. We had thought in the past about serving there. This project wasn't getting many SOWERs signing up, however, because of the high cost of bringing an RV over to Vancouver Island on the ferry.

Now a new four plex dorm was being built, and the camp administration was offering cabins to live in!

Our cute little house

Surely February and March were Spring months on Vancouver Island, we thought, so we signed up. We found ourselves the only ones signed up. At least we would have neighbours in March, a couple from Edmonton we had once worked with near San Diego.

Were we ever in for a surprise! A huge snowfall in many places in B.C. Also on Vancouver Island! It was a winter wonderland. Not quite like snow at home in Alberta, but heavier, and slushier. The temperatures were milder, too.

The first week was slow going, but finally the cement truck was able to pour the foundation. Progress!

Installing concrete forms

Uncovering boards

The pumper truck bringing concrete

Today I pulled nails out of boards the men had taken off the now-dried concrete foundation. I earned my title; now I am a Carpenter's Helper.

Carpenter's Helper

And there are robins here.

American Robin