Living in a Biosphere

RAIN & Snow in Whistler! 

Thu Sep 16
Fri Sep 17

If Wednesday's sunrise was marked by a stunning red sky, Friday's was marked by the absence of a sunrise.  The rain bought visibility down to less than 2km due to the heavy rain, Gambier Island barely visible across West Howe Sound. Early weather warnings were that we could see 50mm of rain by Friday evening, later raised to 100mm.  It's set to rain most of the weekend.

Whistler
The warnings now extend to potential power cuts with trees or loose branches weakened from the summer drought expected to fall taking out power lines.  One candle may not be enough!

The rain down at sea level does mean it has started to snow in Whistler.

Whilst the village is enjoying the same weather as us, alpine levels are seeing their first snow of the year both on Blackcomb and Whistler mountains. It might only be a few inches, but is only mid-September!

Blackcomb
Five weeks ago we were walking around the top of Whistler with blue skies in 25c at alpine level, just as the second heatwave was coming to an end.

We acquired season passes a couple of months ago when they were heavily discounted at a price equivalent to just 2-3 weeks skiing, but with complete flexibility across the winter and summer season.  We're going to have to sort out some boots and skis as my boots will not
Morning on Hopkins Landing beach

be here until we ship furniture from the UK, and they are getting a bit ancient. 

Thursday was a stunning day, if not a little fresh.  It didn't get above 16c but was one of those uplifting mornings once the sun was up on Hopkins Landing beach.

While Fred sorted out packing lists for the last items to go from Eastcourt House, I went for a run.  It felt a really fast time, but I still haven't cracked a sub 30mins - 5km, it has remained an illusive target.

We then headed off for an anniversary lunch at the Gumboot Restaurant, which sits next door to our favourite Gumboot cafe.  They are operating outside in the large garden (though probably not on this Friday!). My salad was huge.  Healthy, but huge.   I'll avoid the Wasabi and Honey dressing next time - lethal! Fred's noodle bowl with chicken a much more sensible size.

Back via a garden centre, Fred went shopping for Spring bulbs and I headed up Mansfield Road with Jack past a farm of the same name.  The horse and cart caught my eye.  The horse was so still, very still, it didn't move a muscle.  It looked real!

Round the back of the farm they had two old tractors (not sure what type) and a beautifully restored vintage truck.

I could not get close enough to see what make they were, but they all appeared to be well looked after.  Might take another visit when I get my camera and large lens back from service.



During the day Fred picked up from the Hopkins Landing FB page that Howe Sound or Átl’ka7tsem (pron: At-Kat-Sum) as it is known by the First Nations, has been designated the 19th Biosphere in Canada by UNESCO; an area of global ecological significance. The Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region, you can read more in this link.

Átl’ka7tsem, means 'paddling north' in the language of the Squamish Nation. It has another name, Txwnéwu7ts meaning “Paddling South” and pronounced: 'Chock-now-its. 

The area is quite extensive.   We are living within the black circle.

The map is here where you can see more detail and expand it in a browser.

It's great the diversity of the area is recognized though I'm not overly clear what the immediate benefits are. 

The impact seems to be much about communities working together for conservation, sustainable development etc.  More here.

The rain that arrived Thursday night, went on through all of Friday without a break. 

Jack, was unbothered and still went for a swim on the beach and then got rinsed off on the way back.

He looked a bit forlorn on our return!

Nick and Lizzie were due to head over from Van Friday evening.  Twenty minutes before they were due to depart a loud bang outside and our power went down.  

BC Hydro currently have six outages on the Coast affecting just under 4,000 properties.  We are a group of ten properties affected, the smallest.  The largest affects over a thousand.  I'm not sure we'll be very far up the priority list.  Nick and Lizzie have abandoned this evenings crossing.  Maybe tomorrow if the power comes back.    

Our outage is on the right!


Could be a busy weekend if they make it!  Fortunately I'm out at a wood fair on Saturday, helping staff the Coastal Crafters stand. In the warm and dry!


Wet Jack

Gambier Island

Keats Island




 

















 














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