Reverse Migration North

The reverse migration north was great this year as we drove a different route.  This year we took the Cassiar Highway north.  What a treat!  What amazingly beautiful country.  We drove this way due to all the fires in BC, Canada.  I am so glad we made this route change this year.  Poor BC is still burning up---British Columbia is nothing but beautiful!  I really truly feel for all the families that are suffering through these fires.

I thought driving would work out with my knee, but I did find it pretty rough and challenging.  I had a lot of discomfort from sitting and then getting in and out of a tent.  Knee surgery and camping is a challenge.  My PTs did teach me how to get in and out of a tent.  The combination was a bit rough.

My knee is doing great though and this week which is week four after surgery has been a big leap forward.  Tomorrow will be the start of week five!  My knee is feeling stronger, the discomfort level is lower, and my PT exercises are really helping me heal/recover.

Photos from the journey north and not in order.  I would like to get this post posted!

Tent life and camping with the Kindle which is just about perfect in my world.

The start of the Cassiar from south to north.

Tally needing a dip to cool off along the road.

There are several great campgrounds on lakes on the Cassiar.  I loved this spot and could have stayed for a few days if I had a kayak to explore the lake with!

Really can you beat BC campgrounds--NO!

Look at these tropical waters! Once again water gal Tally loving the swim!

This is the fire just over the pass from Radium, Hot Springs and yes it was that close to the road earlier int he day.

The line up of cars waiting to be lead down the road as the fire was roaring here!

The fire just exploding!

Just to give you an idea of the magnitude of the fire.

We drove through fire smoke hazy for days!

It is tough traveling!

Enjoying another of BC's wonderful campgrounds!

The southern entrance to the Cassiar Highway.

Cassiar Highway, narrow, mellow, and very enjoyable with great views!

Single lane wooden bridge

Chef Christian in camp preparing another great meal!

My knee did give me some grief driving.  I really don't recommend knee surgery and 2,500 miles of car travel.

"The Girls" . . . Are we there yet?

Dead Man Lake Glutten Free Pizza

We all sleep in our tent together which we all seem to love!

UGH--the knee!

After Costco . . . we are buying far less these days as we don't eat gluten and we can order more on Amazon all the time.  We only buy a bit of TP  to use for packing.  We order more through the year as someone always will ask.

Packing up the totes to take to the post office to ship up to the village.

The airport ritual . . . I have the dogs and bags as Christian drops off our rig for storage.  Once we are all in the airport  \we check in and hope our flight will be on time, and not affected by weather.

We are back in the village and ready for another school year . . . actually, we just completed the first week of school!

Strength from a Little Rock

I found this rock in the park by our house on August 1st. Some great person who I suspect is a kid painted this rock along with a few others and left the rocks around the park. Another one had a saying on it that I spotted.  This one really hit home with me as I recover from my meniscus tear repair I had on July 21st.  It was a nice reminder that we all need strength no matter what at different times for different situations.  My surgery is very minor as far as knee surgeries go. I still get frustrated along the way to my knee recovery.  I need to remind myself to take it easy, and to be patient!  Time is really one of the major stepping stones to healing.

July 31st, I had my stitches removed!  Before and below after.  I only lost the stitches and not my tan!

Really amazing only 3 small stitches to work orthotopically on a knee.

Aug 31st bike ride to home from my PT session. Time, patience, great surgeons, and outstanding PTs are all part of the healing process underlined by strength!  Thanks for the reminder little rock you will be placed back in the back for someone else to draw strength from.

Summer Knitting Calls for Smaller Projects on the Needles

Right before I had to frog back as there is a rather glaring cable mistake!  Check out this fun colorway called After Shock. The name is for our 5.8 earthquake we had in Montana this June.

Farm-To-Market Fingerless Mitts if you ever want a project that is not boring to knit—knit the Farm-To-Market Fingerless Mitts!  When you get to the gusset you have several different things going on and you must pay attention and trust the pattern.  Luckily it is an Aimee design from PDS which means it was tested and there are no mistakes!  The other bonus to knitting this pattern is you will become addicted to the process and can not stop as it is a very fun knit! 

Baby Booties How many pairs of these cute booties have I knitted over the years . . . I have NO idea.  I do know they are one of the best baby gifts. A dear friend of mine designed these felted booties and they are always well received and worn.  Any 100% wool can be used as they are meant to be felted in the washing machine.  I often use left over yarn for these booties.  One yarn I really enjoy felting with is Malabrigo Worsted.  All that is needed is one skein of Malabrigo Worsted yarn knitted on size 11 needles will make a large pair of booties with some yarn left over. This is the first pair I have used buttons for the ankle closure.  I usually use velcro and sew the Velcro on by hand or use a sewing machine.  I had no Velcro or sewing machine with me so I made the dive into buttons.  The blanket stitch around the booties just makes them as cute as can be!

This hat called Downtown Crossing was knitted up in June and was just sent off to one of my “Knit Girls” in Port Townsend.  Another great design from Polka Dot Sheep.  PDS Publications produces great patterns that are well written, with a nice lay out for notes, and downloadable from Ravelry.