It was Jason B.'s brother's birthday (his name is Aaron too!) so his siblings and friends decided to go on a camping trip at a lake 2 hours from their home in Burlington. Trish arrived that week, so after her first night in Vancouver, we all packed off to take a drive down south! They camp a couple times every year...when we asked whether this camping was vacation, they said it's life!
Vancouver: North-West on the map
A: Jason B.'s home
B: Diablo Lake
Friday 1 May 09
Made a krispy kreme stop before stopping by at Jason B.'s place to pick up the camping stuff. The coffee was US$0.99! 1937 prices :)
While on the drive out to the lake, made a pit-stop at a look-out...a little cloudy and the sun was setting, so not much nice pictures. But it was steep!
Can you spot Tricia? :)
Jason B.'s ride - he jumpstarts it! I'll put up the video/pictures one day.
By the time we reached the campsite the sun was setting, so first things first - set up tent, and START FIRE! :)
Getting all cosy around the fire
Austin - Aaron B.'s dog. Too bad I don't have a better picture of him...he's a sweet pooch! He absolutely adores Aaron B., and actually whines and gets depressed whenever he's separated from him! Aww how sweet. I think it's the same for Aaron B. too :p
Enjoying home-made chilli soup, made by Jason B.'s sister...who is also called/spelled Tricia! Getting way to confusing here :p
Tricia B. and Aaron B.'s girlfriend, Sarah
Hunting for good marshmallow sticks!
Tricia T. & Aaron B.'s friend, Brett
Steps to make a marshmallow stick:
- Carefully select and pluck off a thin long branch from a tree. The trick is to pluck it while it's still green so it does not catch fire over the campfire. Also, ensure it is a comfortable length to allow you to stand a distance from the smoke.
- Shave off the marshmallow end to make it pointy, if not pointy enough
- Burn the pointy end in the campfire to 'sterilize' it
- You're ready to load on the marshmallows!
Throughout the 2 days and 2 nights, the guys were busy chopping wood (dead & fallen) for our campfire! Man were they kept busy. Although it's back-breaking work, they actually enjoy it...they just kept continuously at it even though we had enough :p But we enjoyed the fruits of their labour - our 2nd/last night was so comfortable - we felt the warmth of the campfire from inside the tent! I didn't even wake up once :)
Brett (in blue), Aaron B. (in cap) & Joe (another of Aaron's friends)
The girls enjoying the warmth of the campfire :) It felt quite shiok sitting around doing nothing...the girls weren't expected to lift a finger!
Campfire marshmallows!
Saturday 2 May 09
More wood! It's the big/thick ones that give the warmth...the twigs just catch fire easily.
The girls:
Rach, Tricia B., Tricia T., Sarah & me
We were bored so we decided to help hehe.
Trish trying her hand - under Aaron B.'s watchful eye!
Yowza!
Time to open Aaron B.'s presents! This is the one that Rach, Trish & I got for him..nicely wrapped by Trish in the moving car...kudos.
(With Austin looking on)
This one's from Jason B. - super comfy, ultra-padded flip-flops!
After opening the presents - my turn to chop wood!
I was paranoid that I'd miss and hit my shin instead @_@ (That's what Brett told us he witnessed before...) But actually all you need is a good amount of concentration, hand-eye coordination & momentum.
Teehee.
Disclaimer: After all that chopping, all 3 of us still couldn't get a chunk off -_-
Can't remember what flower this is...taken by Jie. Apparently quite rare to find it wild?
We played disc golf!
So it was one of my favourite parts of the camp - steak lunch! It was an awesome deal - angus steaks (6 slabs) for only US$10! We marinated them and grilled them...oh yum.
Joy.
Joy joy.
Burger patties!
This is the view from the public toilet (that's why Trish is holding a toilet roll!)
I like this jumping shot! :)
So after the energy from lunch, Trish & I continued hacking on that small piece of wood...and it FINALLY CAME OFF!! Woooo!
Aaron B. trying out one of his birthday gifts!
It was a super cute tiny fishing pole! (He cringed when I said that...he told me I can't call guys' toys "cute" haha...it's like calling guy's motorcycle "cute". No guy buys a motorcycle cos it's "cute"!) Meant for hikers...to fit into their backpacks. Was thinking of getting it for Dad but it couldn't really flick very far :/
Aw!
Didn't get too far either.
View of Diablo lake
2nd night where we playing cards games, eating non-stop, reading books & watching the campfire. Tricia B.'s pointy hoodie was a scream :)
Sunday 3 May 09
Packing up to go home!
Keeping the mega tent that kept us warm :)
Last flames from the fire.
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