We’ve been at a ‘Hippy Camp’ for a few days, arriving Monday, missing the weekend people hordes. So it’s nice and peaceful here. The energy is reminiscent of A.R.E. Camp I took my children to (the best camp in the world— my opinion, now closed.)

The owner’s dog, Sophie was hit by either a gravel truck or a log truck and had her back leg amputated a week ago. I met her on arrival and marveled at her calm nature. I didn’t take her photo, didn’t think it was proper; Sophie looked like Harley’s sibling (dear Amy).

At midnight my phone went berserk with an Amber alert. After turning the sound off, in my stupor I tried to find the government notification tab to disable while Larry barked at me to turn off the phone.

Last week in Missoula, we attempted to replace my phone battery, to a sycophancy of broken promises. In the end, my old battery was re-installed the following day. It still won’t hold a charge and runs HOT. (Note to self: purchase new phone when home.)

I figured this Amber Alert was due to the change of setting ref the battery fiasco. Nope. In this part of Canada, regulations prevent the disabling of AMBER Alerts through iPhone settings.

Speaking of little four year olds, I met the neighbor boy Ronan. He LOVES birds. All birds. He knows probably a hundred by name, their characteristics, colorings, their feathers by sight, their unique sound, habitats…I want to reiterated, this little man is four years old. Again I didn’t take his photo, not prudent, however his beautiful face is forever etched in my memory.

At this local, Larry and Summer hiked while I remained behind reserving the next week of camps sites. We took the dogs to the local river to romp and play. And Larry encouraged me to go on a 6 mile bike ride along said river. We had bear spray, but that didn’t alleviate my fears by much. Plus it was hot as hell (100 degrees), I glowed profusely.

Next stop, Vernon. BC.

It’s so hot, I sleep with my hair bunched on top. This is after coffee.

I noticed a brightly colored bird in the distance (Ronan thinks it was a Western Tanager) and I took out my telephoto… Just the lens cover, phew. It took me 30 minutes to clean the tiny glass shards that sprinkled everywhere.