Welcome to my Spring vacation!

 

Our trip began in the beautiful Kisilano Marina in Vancouver, British Columbia.

First order of business? Load up the boat with our supplies. Nick and Steve here took the initiative, and began to load all our heavy and valuable belongings.

Dave, on the other hand, felt his time might be better spent sitting down. Nice work, Dave.

After we were done loading, it was time for a little break. Steve took the opportunity to enjoy a cigarette, until Nick brought to his attention a strange smell -

Oh - ha ha! It's just toxic gas fumes from our engine.

Once we had resucitated Steve, we were able to get underway. Here is a beautiful view of Burrard Street bridge shrinking into the distance.

Here's a nice shot of Nick and Graham taking one last look at our wonderful city -

Mmm... a little foggy.

 

Fortunately for us, here was the view ahead. We were headed to Keats island, a charming little place that I had never visited before.

Closer...

Closer...

Closer...

Closer...

(We're almost there)

Before we knew it, out of the mist, appeared a warm log cabin just big enough for the five of us. We'd arrived! Alright - time to unpack - Nick and Dave?

Well, at least we found the beer.

Here's an example of Steve and Graham's enduring generosity. Just after they had set up the hammock, they were happy to let me have first dibs. Such great friends.

Here I am enjoying the hammock. Thanks a lot, Steve and Graham - you found a really great place to... what? What do you mean? Well I just got in! What do mean it's your turn? Hey get out of here! GET OUT! GET OUT!

This is a truly memorable shot looking out onto the water from the lawn.

This is a truly memorable shot of Steve catching on fire. The guy on the right, Chris, didn't come with us. He was a deranged camper who had been sleeping in the fire pit. We traded him a beer so he would let us build our fire in his "bedroom".

Hey Nick - let it go. We'll get you a new sandwich.

Once the fire had petered out, and Nick was able to salvage his sandwich, Colby led the whole group in a ancient tribal chant that was rumored to give the ancient peoples "a case of the giggles". Is it working, Dave?

Graham, starved for attention, threatened to jump off the top floor unless we let him do his chant.

Dave, not nearly as impressed with Graham's chant, is deciding whether to ask him to get a beer. Hey Dave - I'll have one too - all that chanting makes me thirsty!

After all that excitement, it was time for dinner. Steve was our chef for this evening, and prepared his famous marinade.

Steve's ancient family recipe required special ingredients and hours of marinading, so Nick cought a couple winks in the interim.

Graham held out for an hour, then passed out too.

Once the steak had finished marinating, we were all roused by the smell of cooking.

Nick thought the meal was so good he had to get up and capture the moment on film.

Dave and Chris thought the meal was so good they started hallucinating. We all came outside to see what the excitement was all about.

Now I personally can't see it, but everyone swore they could see Dave's face in this rock. Whatever.

Well, this mountain range does look a little like Nick, but I don't know. Most likely just a random formation.

If you look at this water just right, you can see a reflection that kind of looks like Graham, but again, its probably just an optical illusion.

Ok, this is kind of strange. If that doesn't look like Steve, I don't know what does. HEY STEVE! How's the weather up there?

Man, that's a good looking tree stump - but this was getting rediculous. What the hell did you put in that steak marinade, Steve?

"Some of those mushrooms from Graham's garden" replied Steve.

Graham looked at all of us in shock and dismay:

"What garden?"