Father's Day

Energetic Start!

Sun Jun 20th 
Father and Son - special

Father and son off for Mixal Lake 'Father's Day Event'.

Wake me by 0800, so we can be off for 0830 Nick instructed.  We were ready for the off, soon after 0830.  Nick planned to swim the length of Mixal Lake at 2.2k return (he does that sort of stuff) and I was going to SUP (Stand Up Paddle-board) it, kneeling down.  I am new to standing on a paddle board so wasn't going to risk the whole journey vertically!  I did do the last 100m standing up.  This was already after an early morning dog walk.

So off we set.  Nick does a lot of open-water swimming off Kitsilano Beach, so came equipped with his 3mm thin summer wetsuit, ear-plugs, swimming hat etc. etc.

It was a stunning morning.  The lake was reflecting the trees and mountains around and there were so few others around.  The only people I was aware of, were a couple who appeared to have camped on the smaller island on the lake overnight.

Jack, was slightly frustrated he was left behind as the echoes of his whine echoed around the lake.  He was ready to jump on the paddle board before I'd got on it.  What a sea-dog!

Apart from the 'splish-splosh' of Nick's front-crawl, it was extremely quiet.  Until that is, it was shattered by dog walkers trying to call their dog back on the side of the lake we weren't sure there were any tracks on.  Now on the list for things to explore.

There are two islands on Mixal Lake.  A large one fairly close to the dock and one about half way down the lake. 

As I was looking out first thing, I thought I saw something metal or reflective on the island, but thought no more about it.

On the paddle back, there were two paddle boards and a very small inflatable on the island.  There were two people who'd been camping on the island overnight.  What great fun!   Less risk of bears, though they can of course swim!


I imagine if you do it regularly enough, you build the strength and stamina to tackle long activities.

Not content with the swim early this morning he did the 'Grouse Grind', up the trail beneath the cable car that takes skiers up Grouse Mountain in Vancouver BC.  

It's an 800m vertical climb over 2.5k.  Rather him than me!

The clue in this is the presence of the cable car! 

The interesting part of the swim/paddle was as Nick came past the larger of the islands two Loons 'set-off' their alarm call, perhaps thinking a predator was swimming down the lake towards them. If you listen carefully to the video, you can hear them!   It's the first time we've been aware they actually make any noise!

Back at the dock, I had a swim to cool off, sans wet-suit, hat and ear plugs.

The rest of the day was fairly relaxed around the garden and lakes.  Jack went swimming again, and again  ...... and as the sun dipped below the cliff/rockface beside the house, Jack's energy levels finally waned and he crashed out on the deck.





















Comments

  1. LizJune 21, 2021 at 1:34 AM

    A bit quieter than swimming and sailing in cornwall !! Liz

    ReplyDelete
  2. BobJune 21, 2021 at 2:03 PM

    So no hiking (or was it running?) to the top with your boy? Bruv

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MikeT67MJune 21, 2021 at 3:06 PM

      Nick might have run it, I took it as a steady climb!

      Delete

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