FLOWERS AND FIRE

So - here we are and well - here we are again with pictures of our garden.

We do leave the park once in a while but what really holds our attention when we aren't working is what's in bloom or what's growing or what's ready to eat!

We are finding it hard to believe that it's the end of July with our next camping hurdle is upon us. Derek and I equate our working season to a marathon with the long weekends being the hurdles. The August long - which is British Columbia's Family Day - this Monday - is one of the largest. Summer is in full swing ..... This weekend promises to be very busy especially since after some cool and wet weather we will be back into the heat -- 35C to 38C here in the Okanagan. 

Here is a picture of one of the amazing poppies we had in our front garden for the last few weeks. 

And the amazing rudbeckia. I showed you them a couple of posts ago but they really grew to impress.

This post was to be full of pictures from our day at the Fintry Estate Summer Fair on July 12th. Unfortunately, Derek and I were too busy working to go but thankfully Cassia was able to attend with friends of ours. I was able to take this picture of Cassia visiting with the Alpacas early in the morning. Cute eh?! Quite the hair cuts.

Last week Cassia's Aunt and Cousins came to visit us for a few days. Here is Cassia with her only cousins - Krysta and Tylar. She was one excited little girl when they arrived. They have the same eyes - right?!

Krysta helping Cassia with strawberry picking. Cas is the designated picker because she is the only one that can get in the cage.

A group photo before they left - Lisa is Derek's lovely sister.

Just as they were leaving we entered into the most exciting event of the summer. A wildfire began on Sunday night about 10 kms south of the Park due to a lightning strike. It was reported to have been contained but by Monday night it had flared up again. This time it took on a life of it's own.

These pictures were taken Tuesday morning when we had strong southern winds.

Although we didn't notice it much smoke wise, for the remainder of the week the fire burned in the end covering 450 hectares. The major issue for us was a week of sporadic electricity and water. For Tuesday and part of Wednesday we had neither electricity nor a cell phone signal. It was a bit strange having no contact with the outside world. 

Thankfully by the end of the week cool wet weather arrived and the crews were able to contain the fire - open the road back up and get the electricity back on line.

For Wednesday and Thursday we felt like we lived in a militarized zone listening to five planes fly by for hours on end. 

So - that was interesting for sure. Our first dealings with a close wild fire. Sadly, they are all to common here in the Okanagan. 

Back to the garden...... our sunflowers are out and doing well. Nice to look out our windows to a bunch of yellow.

Although I really dig the red variety.

Of course they are swarming with bees - I got this shot today. Pretty neat.

And, well, that's all I have for you.

Seemingly all very calm but we are having a crazy ride here at Fintry. Since Derek and I are used to smaller parks the summer has been full of issues and challenges. Thankfully we have a super group of employees - Britt, Avalon and Landon have been stellar - very hardworking and a joy to be around. I'll have to get pictures of them before too long. As well as a great Supervisor and Contractor helping us out and getting our backs.

You won't be hearing from us again until next week as we host our biggest camping party of the summer!

Teresa 

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