Monday, May 03, 2010

Mosaic Monday : Whistler BC

Our family just returned from a 5 day escape to Whistler BC.  My husband attended a conference there, the kids enjoyed two days of snowboarding lessons, and I strolled about the Village, and spent the afternoons and evenings swimming in the beautiful indoor/outdoor pool of the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.  Yes, it was hard to come back.

Here is a "postcard" mosaic : Lost Lake; view from our balcony of the pool with 3 hot tubs (1 more inside!), putting greens and Wizard Express chair up Blackcomb mountain; the family at the Blackcomb Gondola in the Village; and funky photo of my daughter, taken by my son.
Whistler BC mosaic
After the conference ended, we took the kids to try out the Monkido adventure course, which was a real blast.  I was somewhat relieved that my son was 1 inch short of the adult course, so he did the kids course, and then I needed to stay down with him and watch my husband and daughter show us how it's done on the adult course.  I don't think I'm in that kind of physical condition at the moment.
Monkido Whistler mosaic
On the way home, we stopped to look out at the beautiful Brandywine falls, and admire the mossy forest in the area.  This cheery yellow violet caught my eye.
Yellow violet mosaic
For more photo mosaics, be sure to visit Little Red House this week.

5 comments:

Shady Gardener said...

What a Fun Family event! It looks like a wonderful place. :-)

Karen Anne said...

Hi,

I've been reading old posts, about the espaliered fruit trees and the grapes growing on your shed.

I'd like to do both things, and I wonder if you wrote up the nitty gritty about what structure you put on the shed and against the fence?

Thanks very much.

Garden Lily said...

Shady - Yes, Whistler was lots of fun, and the Monkido course was a great adventure - my daughter is talking about having a "monkido" birthday next year - we'll see.

Karen Anne - Thanks for asking. The best description of my espalier structure is in my 23Feb06 post, except that the wires didn't last long, they were since replaced by a tougher material, something like a clothesline, vinyl coated wire rope sort of material my dad brought me on a big coil. I also learned that the eyelet hooks are not good, they pull out too easily from the wooden posts. So it may be better just to wrap & secure the rope directly around the posts. The whole history of the espaliers is found here.

As for the grape trellis, the best photo of it may be in my 28May09 post. My dad built it for me, I think it is 1x1" material, nailed at the top to the fascia board, and secured at the bottom by the short pieces which hold it away from the siding, and level with the top. The posts themselves don't go down into the soil, they are held above it, so they won't rot. The grape vines are just tied to this trellis.

I hope you are considering growing either or both. I'd encourage you to do so. I've been very pleased with the espaliers, they are beautiful and very productive. And since last year's grape harvest, I am looking forward excitedly to more.

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Sounds like a fun getaway. I've only been there to ski but I really love that area. That adventure course looks like a blast!

Beth Niquette said...

What a GREAT post! I love those darling yellow Johnny Jump-Ups. They're actually wood violets. Johnny Jump-up is a local name for them. Happy Mom's Day, and have a fabulous week!

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