"Luv-N-Life"

It was written on the back of a shiny new ski boat pulled by an Audi...so it's no wonder these people are "Luv-N-Life". I have to wonder however, if they are really happy with their lot; if they are any happier than those of us with a PT Cruiser and old fixed up boat borrowed from a friend. I think not.


Today my sisters and I were definitely lovin' life and it didn't take no brand new boat or fancy wheels. Nope! We drove out into the middle of nowhere (when you start a Chilliwack and then drive into the mountains for practically forever...you KNOW you are really nowhere) in a '94 VW Gulf with no AC, windows down, music blaring. We were headed for a hike up to Lindeman Lake, following what Janelle called "easy directions". In reality, they were easy, it's just that when you drive 20 minutes into uncivilized wildlands inhabited by only those as crazy as us (or crazier...I mean, tenting in the boonies, really?), you start to wonder if you missed a turn. Soooooo after a 20 minute delay for more directions that lead us back to where we were already headed (Janelle let me slap her for that haha)...we drove for another 20 minutes and low and behold: cars!!! This was a happenin' place! Apparently half of Chilliwack was out there climbing up to Lindeman Lake. We quickly parked, put on our shoes (or in my case, strapped on my 'clodhoppers' as Danae calls them) and headed onto the trail.





It's funny how the little things make you laugh after a long car ride like that. We were practically giddy as we started our hike. After finding some lady's wallet and then rescueing her from spewing sunscreen we were officially on the trail. It was easy enough: wide, gravel trail, pretty flat, cascading river to the left - believe it or not we started off jogging! THAT didn't last long. This hike was a lot more 'hard core' than we first thought. We had steep inclines to battle, rocks to climb over, logs to leap and bears to fight (okay not really but we did have to avoid some crazy guys with no shirts and flipflops). We quickly found out that we were not really in-shape, well besides Danae, who's strength seemed inexhaustable. We hiked and hiked, sweating like pigs, getting eaten by black flies and tripping over stumps but we finally made it.

The lake was AMAZING. Emerald green, glittering in the sunlight, the sound of laughter echoing across the little valley. And it was COLD! but we all went in, right over our heads. Most refreshing thing I have ever felt. After chillin' there for awhile, we headed back down. (Again with the giddiness and the jogging.)

Back into the our oven-like vehicle, windows down, music blaring...you know the rest. But again I come back to the 'Luv-N-Life' sign. What better way to enjoy life than to spend a day with people you adore, in this beautiful world God has blessed us with, exerting your God-given muscles, and just drinking in the wonderous day. The contented feeling of a day well spent warmed me as we drove the long road home (not literally warmed...it was hot enough, thank you). It wasn't a vacation, nothing very excessive but it was fun, more than fun, and it just reminded me of how much I LUV LIFE!

See photo page for more!