Mom-Day Adventure: Elk-Beaver Lake Park in Dots and Floral

Hello, my friends! Welcome back to Mom-Day Adventures! After a 2 week hiatus due to a combination of a pandemic scare and a dental appointment, Mom and I got together for a lovely stroll at Elk-Beaver Lake Park, followed by lunch.

I always dress prepared for anything - you never know what the weather's going to be, or even the terrain.

I walked several kilometers in this outfit today! 

• Jacket - Paparazzi, thrifted, Vancouver; last seen here in September 2021 over coral
• Baby blue blouse - vintage 80s, thrifted; last worn here in November 2021 with wintery blues
• Skirt - Compania Fantastica, consignment, Vancouver; last seen here in August 2021 with my first Fluevogs
• Shoes - 5YMedio; last worn here in April with yellow and studs

Early in the morning, I had hopes that the clouds would part, the wind would die down and the threat of rain would pass. 

It sadly did not. I didn't wear this outfit open at all. 

The jacket is an all-time favourite of mine. 

That's all embroidered on black denim. 

I took the jacket off while we had lunch, so I did look like this briefly. I've had this blouse forever. 

I shall create spring through sheer force of will (and bright colours). 

I layered a full vintage slip under this, and I have nylons on.

The skirt is also a favourite - it has a wide elastic waist.

Masked up - I wore my mask while walking around in the diner. 

And on the bus and in the bank, later. 

I wore the jacket as my outerwear, but I was cold most of the day. 

I did remain incognito, and wore headphones. I didn't feel like interacting much with people today (other than Mom, of course). 

Accoutrements: 

I love a warm silk scarf. 

• Purse - Danier Leather, thrifted
• Scarf - Ed Hardy by Christian Audigier, vintage 90s, consignment
• Gloves - consignment
• Mask - by Cat

The stuff: 

These shoes are very comfortable - they are well-balanced. 

White bling: 

I like wearing pearls to go for a walk in the woods, don't you?

• Belt - Banana Republic, thrifted
• Pearl necklace - consignment
• Brooch - Sarah Coventry, vintage70s, vintage fair
• Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
• Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes

I hit the sweet spot with this jacket that I got Mom for her birthday. 

I think she likes it. Love the matchy shoes! 

I told her I had to take a picture of her new azalea. 

"My gardening friends will want to see this!" Isn't it pretty?

We drove north of town to Elk-Beaver Lake Park, where we last visited in December 2021 (here). 

This time, we parked at the north end of it, the Elk Lake side. This play-park is new! I used to come here in the summer of 1984 with my bestie Janet when we were 16, and sunbath in my bikini, read Judith Krantz novels, play the Police's "Synchronicity" on our ghetto-blaster and flirt with boys. Those were some good times! We were here nearly every day all summer - I was so tanned (and that's the last time I deliberately tanned!).

This section is called Hamsterly Beach. Mom actually learned to swim at Elk Lake when she was a kid. 

This is our path, and that's the lake there. The water seemed very high. 

We headed left and were immediately in the woods, among the cedars, beech, balsam firs and Douglas firs. 

The underbrush is ferns, salal, wild roses, honeysuckle, salmonberries and more I can't name. 

Do you like paths leading into greenery? 

Then this post is for you! 

Trees covered in ivy.

Slowly strangling. 

Salmonberries in the wild

"They're called that because of the colour," said Mom helpfully. 

This bench is perfectly placed. 

One of the few views onto the lake. 

It was very windy, and the water was choppy.

However, we were plagued by "no-see-ums", clouds of insects for almost the entire walk. They got in our faces, our hair, and I brushed them off Mom and myself every so often. Gross. 

The ground and edges of the lake are very boggy and marshy. 

On the far side where the land is thinner is where Elk Lake and Beaver Lake join. 

On the opposite side is a beach and the tiny building is the Victoria City Rowing Club - Canada's Olympic rowers train here (link here - our women's team won gold last year). 

On the left side is the Pat(ricia) Bay Highway. We could hear the roar of traffic every so often - this is the main route to the ferries to the mainland, and the connector to Victoria and Sidney (plus the huge area of North, Central and South Saanich municipalities). 

Back to trees! 

It's off the beaten path! 

The beaten path. 

It's dirt, some rocks. It was muddy in places. 

Mom and I just soaked in nature. 

We heard tons of birdcalls.

The "krawk" of ravens, the trilling of redwing blackbirds. 

Looking up always puts thing in perspective to me. 

This is my favourite kind of forest. 

I love cedar trees and firs.

These two trees seem locked in an embrace.

They twisted together as they went up. 

They've been growing around each other for years. 

Your eyes are not fooling you - that's a little tunnel underneath them. 

Although it was chilly and windy, the rank smell of the arum lilies (aka skunk cabbage) permeated this area.

There they are on the lower left with the big leaves. I also see lots of horsetails there - a prehistoric plant.

These trees look like they're having sex.

It's a threesome. I feel rude for looking! Ah, stop staring! 

There are a few ginormous houses along the lake on this end.

The one on the left is quite new (and massive).The one on the right looks like 1950s-60s (I grew up in a neighbourhood full of houses - only way smaller - like this). 

The absence of sun has kept a lot from blooming. 

But I was happy to find pink and white in addition to the blue-bells.

Another peek at the lake. 

The sky is just white. It's nothing weather. 

A small cove with water frothing with algae.

You wouldn't want to step in here - it's deeper than it looks. 

This tree looks like it's going to fall in. 

On a clear day, you can see the line of mountains in the USA on the horizon. 

More paths, you say? 

Happy to oblige. 

It was so cold, this person has their fireplace going. See the smoke coming out of the chimney?

The darker grey spots in the sky in this pic are a cloud of bugs! Ugh, get off me! 

This is the beech area. 

They all rustled together, drowning out the traffic.

So many friendly trees along here! 

See the branches reaching across? 

I loved the bright neon green tips of new growth on this tree. 

"It's balsam pine - the needles are flat," said Mom. 

We strolled along - Mom's very adept with her walking poles. 

She thanks you all so much for your sweet wishes for her birthday yesterday. I thank you too. Group hug! 

As we headed back to the car, the air brightened. 

Would the sun come out? 

Nope. 

But all this green is still so beautiful, and balm for the soul. 

I spotted a robin. 

Caught in the act! 

This is the bottom of a stump from a tree that had fallen over.

That's about 15 feet to the top. Imagine how tall the tree was! 

Oh, here we are, back at the cedar stand. 

There's something so calming about them. 

Reeling from the vast wonder. 

My cup is full.

I'm so grateful for these days. 

To spend the day in nature with Mom, just chatting and enjoying each other's company. 

We had the special at Floyd's: baked jalapeno mac & cheese with chicken (I had my chicken spicy).

A great shot of Mom! The necklace was a birthday gift from a friend, and the blue sweater was a recent "oh, I forgot about this" find when Mom cleaned out her closet. I've totally lost clothes too - I get this! 

When I got home, Vizzini was ecstatic to se me. 

"Snrk...you were gone?"

Oh, don't get up or anything. 

"All right, I won't."

Thank you so much for another wonderful adventure, Mom! 

I love you!