Choco Ice Cream

 Hullo!! Do you remember when I visited Gramma earlier this year? She showed us how to make ice cream out of frozen bananas!! So we are going to try it at home now...

We typed up the recipe because the scan Gramma sent was a bit fuzzy to work off of...

We have been stockpiling over-ripe banana slices in the freezer...

Now we put them in the food processor...

And gather the other ingredients while the slices soften a tiny bit.

Maple syrup, cocoa powder and instant coffee... We actually had to go and buy instant coffee cause it's not something we keep in the house!

Alright, we are ready... let's whaz it up!

There it goes!!! 

Look... it's ready! That was fast!

I know... bananas as ice cream? It really doesn't taste like bananas. We have a banana-phobe in the house and in a blind taste test... there was no "ewwwww... banana!!"

Time to dig in!!! It was delicious!

More Swimming Holes!

 Hullo! Yes, yes, more swimming adventures with Rose!

But these will be more "fun" and not just a race to see how many spots we can go to in one day. And so we need supplies...

Swimming always needs supplies!

First we have some Snicks... they are plastic weighted snakes that the humans throw and then dive for... they are not competitive... no, absolutely not.

Then there's the water ball to throw around...

And finally, the water pumper guns!

Mama thinks those are the most fun but Rose is less keen... possibly because she doesn't have decades of experience of how to fire and reload FAST!

And we've got the towels, water shoes, sun screen and goggles!

 Let's go!

The first spot is on the Nanaimo River (of course) but farther upstream that last week's challenge. There's a bit of a walk under the power lines...

Someone is excited!

There are tonnes of Oregon Grape bushes under the powerlines! Loaded with berries...

Not sure we are going to be canning Oregon Grape jelly this year, but this is good to make note of for next year.

And then we reach the drop off...

The river IS way down there... somewhere... but we are not going down that way.

We are going this way...

And then this way... you can see the blue-green water down there...

It's a bit of a steep trail...

But there's ropes to hang onto...

And then... finally... we are here!!!!

It's gorgeous. The water is warmish and uber clear and there aren't tonnes of people here on weekday mornings... 

There are lots of big boulders in the water and some of them you can jump off of, into the deeper water...

The only thing with this spot.... 

Is the scramble back up!

Alrightee!! That was fun... and now we are going to another spot - on Haslam Creek. This was a place we had identified last year as being a potential swimming hole.

Rose hasn't been here before but she is game to try it out!

And... well... she was not impressed!!!

Oh the swimming hole is nice enough, super clear and cool water but... the scramble down from the suspension bridge was epic and Rose was muttering that she is NOT a mountain goat....

But for beauty... well, you can't beat it. And the scramble was worth it... according to Mama. But Rose says "NO!"... so this place will NOT be on future swimming hole challenges. Ah well... You don't know until you try!

2024 Swimming Hole Challenge

Hullo... er... why are we starting with this photo? Sigh... Because humans think it's uproariously funny when we see a sign that says "Caution Bear Sighted in Area". Sigh...

Ah, here we go! Sandy Bear here!! Reporting on this year's Swimming Hole Challenge. This is an annual challenge that Rose has been doing with Mama for... oh... let's see... 5 years? It started with going to 10 swimming holes in one day and then upping it from there. Let's see this year's first spot!

#1 Lower Englishman River

This is a beary nice spot but, typical of Englishman is a tad cold... but not as cold as Upper Englishman. That's Rose in the middle with her arms up. The water is crystal clear which is beary nice.

But because of the cool... er... cold... water, it doesn't score high on the swimming hole list. Definitely not the Top 3. This was a new spot this year.

#2 Cameron Lake - Beach

This is a perennial favourite!! You can't beat the views, the water temperature is beary nice, and crystal clear. There aren't tonnes of people and it has sandy spots.

We like to come here as a regular spot for swimming adventures. Can't go wrong with Cameron Lake!

#3 Cameron Lake - Beaufort Point

This is still on Cameron Lake but farther along and is a beary odd little spot. The gravel slopes BEARY steeply into the water, so within 10 feet of shore, you are in over your head. A great spot to cool off fast... not so good for little kids!

Luckily Rose is no longer a little kid!

Right then... next spot? Oh, of course... we now need an ice cream break!!

From Goats on the Roof, of course! Yummmmm!!!!!

#4 Brannen Lake

Well... this one was new last year and it has a convenient location. The water is warmish but not really clear. There are weeds as you swim farther out, although it does have a jumping platform...

This is probably a good neighbourhood spot but not really a "destination".

#5 Westwood Lake

This lake, on the other hand IS a destination lake. Sandy beach, warmish water (not super clear though) and also beary popular.

A good solid swimming hole contender but you need to know some off-the-beaten-track spots if you don't want to get run over by screaming children all day!

#6 Colliery Dam - Upper

This is a bit of an odd choice since it's technically the doggie lake... the water is warmish but uber murky.

But you can jump off this rock... and if you're lucky, dogs will jump off after you for the shear fun of it. Soooo... bonus points for dogs... but not much else. Unless you are desperate!

Double bonus... there are Saskatoon berries that are ripe!!

#7 Colliery Dam - Lower

This is more of a human swimming spot than a canine one. Nice sandy cover with warm water, not the clearest water, but not bad. 

Because it is a sandy cove, the water is quite shallow making it a favourite of toddlers... Can you see Rose there, in the middle?? By this point in the challenge, the humans are getting tired and it's more of a "jump in the water for 2 minutes" and then onwards!

Ooooh... and now is time for lunch too... A&W burger with onion rings... mmmmmm!!!

Gotta keep up our strength you know.

#8 Nanaimo River - Shelf

Don't ask me about the names for these next few... Rose and Mama know what they are talking about. The rest of us go... "where"?? The Nanaimo River has tonnes of uber-nice swimming holes. The water is warmish and generally nice and clear. What's not to love??

They call this the "shelf" because there's this shelf of bedrock that extends out from shore... and then drops off.

I think those are Mama's feet...

#9 Nanaimo River - Shallow Spot

Did I mention the names are a bit weird? This is a gravelly spot where the water is quite shallow on this side and deeper on the far side.

I wouldn't say it's a favourite spot but at this point, we are trying to hit as many spots in one day so... any swimming hole counts!

#10 Nanaimo River - Blue Hole

Also known as Deep Hole. This is a gem of a spot and hardly any hike at all!!

Deep enough to jump off of. Water is warmish and super clear. Tends to attract a 20-something party crowd later in the day. Probably cause it's not far off the road!

#11 Nanaimo River - Muddy Spot

Yes... well... generally a nice clear spot unless people are swimming. The shore is clay and mud so that tends to... haha... muddy the waters!

A good spot to cool enough if you are nearby. And there are often dogs here too...

#12 Nanaimo River - Cliff River

This is a super popular spot with everyone. A gravel bar and then beautiful crystal clear water. And if you're athletic, you can swim to the cliffs under the bridge and jump off into the water...

This is a perennial favourite and marks the end of our Nanaimo River spots on this year's challenge. There are other ones but they are a longer drive and/or hike and the humans ran out of oomph!

Where to now? Well, some ocean spots of course!

#13 The Lagoon

Meh. The water is warm and shallow but this year there was algae everywhere... Rose kept squealing "my hair" as she pulled strands of green stuff out of it.

#14 Departure Bay

Well, it's the ocean. It is not warm. Not even in the summer, but it is brisk! And clear. And salty. That's Mama I think... just to prove she went into the water!

Alright... one more spot! This is a 15 Swimming Holes in one day challenge and we need some freshwater to wash off the salt!

#15 Long Lake

This is probably a nice spot - sandy beach, warmish water. Not all that clear and very popular. This is usually where we finish our challenges... mostly because of the apres-challenge thing...

What is the apres-challenge thing you might ask?

A visit to Dairy Queen of course and a peanut buster parfait for ME and an Oreo Blizzard for Rose.

Whew... that was a good swim challenge!!