sunday family hike

The weather was great so we decided to go for a hike at Skaha Bluffs.

As we headed out a giant big horn sheep ran past us....hard to see....a little late with the camera.

Next a deer was spotted grazing peacefully.

The cliffs.

We thought Dunkle Dave would appreciate some pics of the climbing bluffs.

Straight up!

More pics for Dave.

The craggy trail.

Check out this climber!



The girls.

Along the hiking trail.

Astrid screamed "snake" just before we all walked on this little rattler.

Seemed late in the season...but....

There it was.

Whew! Made it past the dagerous snake!.

Check out the guy hanging on to the cliff.

Check out his shadow as he propelled off.

The view from the other side once we made it up, up, up.

And then the trail went....up.

This beautiful thursday brought us to the NK'mip Desert Cultural Centre.

They have an amazing interactive First Nations exhibit.

The path as you enter the grounds.

The displays are works of art. They are wrought iron sculptures.

There will be many photos throughout.

The entrance to the trail to the village.

We had an awsome interpretive guide named Martin. He took us through the exihbit and was very informative.

Prickly pear cactus. Also known as jumping cactus. Ouch. You can boil off the prickles and eat the fleshy meat inside.

Martin and his enraptured audience.

The path heading back to the centre...there were a few unscheduled pee breaks.

Cool tipi.

As you get near the village...shadows working the land.

The tipi display in the village.

Canoe in the village.

Example of thatching.

Sweat lodge.

Inside one of the pit houses.

There was an incredible display inside.

Lots of artifacts for the kids to see.

The roof od the pit house. Showing also the beam ladder. Each home had a different pattern of knotches as a security code. Only the men used the ladder. The women and children entered through a small door.

Animal print impressions.

Entering the second pit house.

Settling in to listen to martin tell us more and hear him sing.

Can you imagine how long it would take to weave a poncho out of clematis?

The kids passing around artifacts.

This is a pine needle bowl.

More cool displays.

Then we went into the auditorium to learn about the Powwow traditions.

The kids had a chance to drum with Martin.

Astrid loved this very large stuffed coyote. You could buy one for 400.00. She suggested we use her learning investment. :>

Astrid had mixed feelings about the coyote pelt. Overall she thought it was cool.

Displays inside the museum.

More displays.

After our tour in was time for one last stop.

Gelato!

We went to Medici's in Oliver for some much loved gelato.

Mango and stawberry for the kids.

Salted caramel and cookies and cream for the mama. Yum!