Living Virally: 5% of 40 Days and 40 Nights

Episode 5

So, week 12 of self-isolating has passed and the government is now allowing some of those prohibited enjoyments back into our lives; yoga, golf and limited restaurant/pub services. For me and best of all, my favourite coffee place has re-opened. An almost sacred place where I have passed many enjoyable hours reading newspapers and watching Penticton go by.

 During week 11, we enjoyed lunch with my sister at a local restaurant on the very first day they opened to the public. Change was in the air. We were required to wait outside for about 10 minutes before we were escorted into a virtually empty restaurant. Not allowed to choose a table and we were seated at a table that was clearly 2 metres away from the next occupied table.  We were offered paper menus to be destroyed after we were done with them; but encouraged to use our phones to download their on-line menu. No water glasses but bottled water was available for a price. Servers were a bit standoffish. (2 metres)  Our food was dropped off at the end of the table and we were expected to serve ourselves from there. Dirty dishes, the same way, moved to the end of the table where they would be picked up by a staff person wearing gloves and a mask.As a male I must admit to a bit of a phobia being around people wearing rubber gloves. To pay, we used our phone to scan a QR code left on the table which took us to a web site where we could peruse our bill and then use the phone to pay the check. Welcome to the new reality.

Un-necessary travel outside our home area is still frowned upon but week 12 saw us escape into the mountains for a two night stay at the freshly opened Chute Lake Lodge located 30 kilometres in the mountains above Penticton.  Our plan was to visit and bike into Myra Canyon and the lodge is located just a short 25 kilometre bike away from the entrance to the canyon. Myra canyon is home to 18 visually stunning trestle bridges.  We have traveled this section of the KVR on three previous occasions. 

Since the last time we traveled, 14 of the trestles were destroyed by a massive wild fire in 2003 and were quickly rebuilt over the ensuing years. But to our dismay, the canyon section was closed to the public because of the difficulty to maintain the required 2 metres distance while traversing the narrow trestles. Over 75,000 visitors visit the canyon each year, most through the warmer months. Definitely not this weekend.      Photo: myracanyon.com

So plan B was an 11 kilometre hike into Elinor and Naramata Lake. The trail into the lake is part of the Highlands Trail/ High Rim Trail but is also used as a Forest Service road and for half the route, a logging road. This unfettered access means lots of use by four wheelers, atvs and dirt bikes.  No quiet back country trails this weekend. 

If I have one word to describe this trip, it would be WET. We arrived early on Friday and enjoyed the last few dry hours we would experience, exploring the newly renovated Lodge, grounds with a little fishing on Chute Lake. From dinner on, we experienced everything from light drizzles to torrential downpours that viciously exploded onto the tin roof of the lodge. As we enjoyed a wonderful dinner in the Lodge on Friday evening, we watched puddles grow into ponds.

 

The rain continued throughout the night, waking us several times when it sounded like a steam train was steam rolling through our room. Waking, we discover that overnight the puddles had become more like lakes. Hiking boots or rubber boots was the topic of conversation over breakfast. 

 

As the morning wore on, the rain became a light drizzle. Chanting our mantra of “We won’t melt”, we headed out for Elinor and Naramata Lakes.  Thanks to all the vehicular traffic, the trail/road was dotted with huge pond size puddles requiring some deft footwork to get around them. The four wheelers and atvs were having a great time roaring through them at high speeds creating giant tsunamis like waves. The car washes in Penticton were going to see some serious business today. Lunch was eaten hunkered down under a tree to keep our sandwiches dry.

 

Saturday night was a replay of Friday night with a great meal and more rain. But hey, we didn’t melt.

LIving Virally: Time Loops

Episode 4

I have found a name for our current life style. It is called a “Time Loop”. As defined by Wikipedia “A time loop or temporal loop is a plot device whereby characters re-experience a span of time which is repeated, sometimes more than once, with some hope of breaking out of the cycle of repetition. The term "time loop" is sometimes used to refer to a causal loop ; however, causal loops are unchanging and self-originating, whereas time loops are constantly resetting: when a certain condition is met, such as a death of a character or a clock reaches a certain time, the loop starts again, with one or more characters retaining the memories from the previous loop.”

It seems our loop is a “time loop” and not a "causal loop". So here were are in week 9 and a process of loop resetting has taken place with the government starting to open things. To celebrate, we enlarged our bubble by organizing a get together with friends in a local park. Each couple brought their own chairs, booze and food. We set up our chairs in a circle using the government approved 6 feet of separation. As there were nine of us, the diameter of the circle became quite large. For you math types, the circumference of our circle became 48 feet so using the formula D = C/π meant our circle had a diameter of 15.281757 feet of distance between some of the couples. Since most of us are deep into our 60’s and those 70’s rock concerts left some of us with hearing loss, there were a lot of “huh”, “say again” and “didn’t get that” going around. To be fair, it was also very windy that day.

The only other change to our days of sameness was to make another attempt to summit Mount Nkwala. We picked a pretty good day with some sun and cloud that would keep the temperatures in check. The views were boringly spectacular as usual.

The rains have kept the meadows moist and well covered in a beautiful array or flowers. We took time on this trip to capture them. 

Arrowleaf Balsam Root 

White Yarrow 

Numerous trails proliferate up, down and around Mount Nkwala. The trails are shared by both hikers and mountain bikers. This is one of the reasons that we got some what side tracked on our first attempt to get to the summit. There are too many trails that don't really have any destination other than to create some gnarly berms, banks and kickers.

Indian Paintbrush

Scarlet Gilia

We decided to take the trail that looked the most traveled with the hope that we would at some point find ourselves taking photos from the summit of Mount Nkwala. Along the way we ran into a few obstacles. Nothing that couldn't be straddled and gotten over.

Bitterroot

Shooting Star

Our chosen trail walked us through a lovely heavily wooded meadow. Sadly some of the stately old trees had succumbed to rot and wind but made for a lovely photo opportunity.

Three Leaved Phachelia

Scentless Chamomile

Well, is seems that we have been foiled again. No summit. Our well traveled trail took us on a lovely wander around to the back side of Mount Nkwala where we came to a well traveled dirt road that we are told would eventually take us to the summit. We did try a trail off the road that wandered up toward the summit but as we climbed it became smaller, less clear until Mother Nature took it completely back. 

We will be back but I think we will wait till the wild strawberries are ripe. If we don't make the summit, at least there will be a snack. 

Wild Strawberry 

Living Virally: Ground Hog Days and Days and Days

Episode 3

It is week seven in self isolation and life rolls on. Each day passes with an almost unerring similarity, like a really, really boring version of  Ground Hog Day.

• Wake up between 7 and 8 AM, make a pot of coffee
• Deliver a cup of coffee to Nonie still in bed
• Go for a run, a bike, a Zoom yoga session
• Go on line to catch up on the world and what crazy, stupid things Trump has said or done that morning
• Make lunch and decide who is cooking dinner
• Once or twice a week, hit the grocery store hoping to find toilet paper and yeast
• Binging Netflix, Amazon Prime and see what crazy, stupid things Trump has said or done that afternoon.
• Fondle golf clubs (Editors note: golf courses have reopened at the posting of this blog and fondling has terminated)
• Start dinner
• Pour a glass of wine, must be 4 PM some where
• Eat dinner
• Hit the Lazy Boy for a few hours of regular TV
• In bed by 10:00 PM
• Repeat

Wait a minute, except missing my weekly two hour coffee break, golf, travel, swim sessions and the fact I usually never fondle my golf clubs, the above pretty well describes my regular life.  A certain amount of self isolation for seniors is nothing new. The government has mandated that the entire province, the entire country must live like most seniors. Welcome to our world suckers.

Nonie received an unexpected change to her routine in week 5 when her quilter’s guild was tasked to make medical gowns for a drive up-virus testing site being set up in Penticton. A task right up her alley and she easily made the shift from manufacturing quilts to medical gowns.   

Week five and another break to the cycle of sameness was necessary. So a mild hike was in order. This time we headed to Okanagan Falls and a hike up to the top of Peach Cliff.  No mountains today, just a lowly cliff.

photo: www.exploreoliverbc.com

Of course as expected on all our hikes in the Valley, the cliff delivered an awesome 360 degree view of the valley.

Peach Cliff was the home to the Dusty Mac Mine. The mine operated from 1969 to 1976 producing $34,000,000 in gold and silver. 

Reference: Roed MA and Fulton RJ (eds), 2011 Canadian Geology South Okanaga Geology Committee, pg. 106, 161,162

With the snow gone, spring had arrived like a lion and the hill was covered with a carpet of Sagebrush Buttercup flowers.

I am starting to sense  an increase in grumpiness in the world, myself included.  While we have a certain level of freedom to get out and about, there are still limitations placed on what used to be our normal activities. That and the lack of a firm time frame in which we might see our lives return to normal seems to be forming into viral hot buttons. Don’t get me started on having to witness the self destruction of Trump's America. Living as close as we do to the elephant, its destruction can only make our recovery more difficult. 

So another hike is in order. We chose Mount Nkwala, a 1,019 metre mountain overlooking Penticton. The weather was a mixed bag but we needed the escape so off we went.  As we ascended, clouds started to pile up, black and ominous with scattered pockets of rain visible around us.

As we enjoyed lunch, a large and very black cloud began to form over Nkwala’s peak as a slight rain started to fall.  Nothing we haven’t seen before. Lunch over and with our eyes focused on Nkwala's peak, we headed up. Within minutes the gentle rain turned in small bb sized ice pellets which then became marble sized ice pellets a few minutes later. Perhaps it was time to head home.  

The rain continued to follow us as we made our way back down. There are a number of trails that wander around Nkwala so inadvertently we explored a few of them as we made our way back to the trail head.

No, we were not lost. 

Nkwala is not finished. To quote Arnold, "We'll be back".

Living Virally- An Erupting Passion

Episode 2

January 28- BC Public Health Announcement: Case 1- A man in his 40s from the Vancouver Coastal Health region who recently travelled to Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the COVID-19 outbreak. He has since recovered from the virus, meaning he is asymptomatic and was cleared by two consecutive tests performed 24 hours apart.                              cbc.ca/news – Time Line COVID 2013

We first heard the news of the coronavirus around the end of January. Based on our previous viral experience and future travel plans, our interest in this news item was definitely  heightened.   

Feb. 11, 2020 - COVID-19 named:  The World Health Organization announces the respiratory disease caused by the novel corona-virus has been named COVID-19. Officials say the name was chosen to avoid the stigma of associating the illness with any particular country and that other names could be inaccurate.  Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C.: 2

cbc.ca = Time Line COVID 2020

March 7, 2020- Care home outbreak: Two residents at the Lynn Valley Care Centre test positive for COVID-19. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the care home is now considered to be the site of an outbreak. Henry begins recommending “social” or physical distancing as a way to slow the spread of the virus across the province.  Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C: 27

cbc.ca/news –Time Line COVID 2020

I was to attend the Vancouver Rugby 7’s tournament starting Friday March 6^th. By March 2^nd two cases had been identified in BC. There was some governmental discussion about whether or not to allow the tournament to proceed but not acted upon so the decision was made for me and off I went. By that Friday there were 27 cases confirmed in BC. I was joined by our son and 40,000 other fans for two days of cheering and beering. Canada won the bronze in a thrilling game against Spain. 

March 11, 2020- Pandemic declared: The World Health Organization declares the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. The province says the British Columbia Pandemic Provincial Co-ordination Plan is in motion, and focused on containing the corona-virus by breaking up transmission chains.  Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C: 45

cbc.ca/news – Time Line COVID 2020

Arriving home on Monday March 9^th after flying through YVR, it seem prudent that I self isolate at home for the recommended 14 days. Little did I know that I would soon be joined by 1,000’s of other British Columbians and soon the entire country.

March 16, 2020 - Strict physical distancing: Many British Columbians begin the work week from home, following directives from public health officials to stay home if they are able. Physical distancing measures ramp up further as the gravity of the crisis sets in for many. Gatherings of more than 50 people are banned in B.C., including sporting events, meetings, conferences, concerts and religious gatherings. Any businesses that cannot avoid large groups of people, like restaurants, bars and casinos, are ordered to shut down. Many restaurants move to take-out service only. Visits to long-term care homes are restricted to essential visitors only. The total number of cases confirmed through testing surpasses 

100, rising to 103. 
cbc.ca/news – Time Line COVID 2020

About week 3 we started to feel like we were trapped in a very boring version of the game of Life. We decided to break free and go for a mild hike to the top of Giants Head Mountain. Giants Head sits about 500 metres above Okanagan Lake.

Photo: castanet.net 

Thankfully they have provided a parking lot mid way that reduces the trek to the summit to 300 metres up with a  2.5 kilometre long trail. The gluteal muscles got a good work out to reach the summit.

March 17, 2020- Public health emergency declared: Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry declares a public health emergency in B.C., giving herself power to make verbal orders to the public that are immediately enforceable. Henry confirms three more deaths related to COVID-19. She also confirms 83 new cases of the illness, the biggest spike in a single day to date. Classes are cancelled indefinitely for B.C. students in kindergarten through Grade 12. The majority of the province’s 550,000 students are already home on March Break. Officials begin looking at new methods for electronic or online learning. 
Nationally, the prime minister delivers a stern message for Canadians still abroad: “It’s time to come home.”  Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C.: 186.

cbc.ca – Time Line COVID 2020

From the top we were rewarded with a 360 degree view of the Okanagan Valley along with a chilly south wind. 

As we descended back to the parking lot, we found snow still present on the shadier side of the mountain making the trail a bit slippery. Despite the snow, spring could be found making a valiant attempt to assert itself into the landscape.   

March 21, 2020- Businesses shut down:  The B.C. Ministry of Health orders personal service businesses, such as barber shops, hair salons, nail parlours and tattoo shops, to shut down immediately.  The province also releases details on the epidemiology of the virus in B.C. (Epidemiology analyses “the who, what, where and when of disease outbreaks” to better understand and fight them.) This confirms most initial cases in B.C. were travel related. Roughly 55 per cent of all cases are female, with many linked to the outbreaks at long-term care homes. Health Minister Adrian Dix says the provincial testing strategy has evolved to focus on clustered outbreaks, hospitalized patients and frontline health-care workers. Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C.: 424

cbc.ca – Time Line COVID 2020

Giants Head is the result of a massive volcanic dome.  Volcanoes have formed an important part of many of our adventures. In the past 20 years we have climbed on, around and into a number of volcanoes around the world.

Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii, Italy. Our first experience with volcanoes. The day we visited, the temperature reached 41 degrees. Which seemed very reasonable for a volcanic area.

Rano Kau, Easter Island. We visited Easter Island as part of a trip to Chile and Argentina. We were able to spend a few hours hiking around Rano Kau's crater rim.

That is when we weren't being stalked by those nosy Moai statues found below the volcanic dome of Ranu Raraku

March 26, 2020- Mandatory quarantine for travelers: Due to the increasing number of outbreaks at long-term care homes in B.C., Dr. Henry issues an order to stop staff from working in multiple facilities at once in an effort to slow the spread of the virus between centres. The federal government imposes strict, mandatory quarantine rules on travelers returning to Canada and promises heavy fines and jail time for those who ignore the warning. Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C.: 725

cbc.ca – Time Line COVID 2020

Villarica Volcano, Pucon, Chile. Villarica is one of Chile's most active volcanoes.  We came to Pucon with the single desire to climb the volcano. Weather on the mountain can be very hazardous so any hiking must be done on clear days. We arrived to rain and it rained on and off for the next two days. But luck was with us on our last day and we woke to clear blue skies. Game on. 

photo: en.wikipedia.org/

Villarica tops out at just less than 3,000 metres but were able to avoid the first 1,000 metres as we were driven up to a parking lot that once served an abandoned ski hill. They have tried to keep the chair lift running as this would knock off a bit more elevation for us tourists but not in service today.  First part of the trip was over a loose volcanic screed with the last section covered in an icy snow making crampons and ice axes necessary.

We were joined by a group of 20 somethings who when they saw how old we were, were quite concerned whether we had the right stuff to make the climb. Well lets just say we weren't the ones whining 1/2 way up the mountain. They were so impressed that they invited us to join them that evening and take a taxi up into the mountains to a remote set of hot springs to soak our weary legs and sip on some lovely Chilean reds. 

March 27, 2020- Modelling revealed: Health officials confirm two more deaths in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, bringing the provincial total to 16. Cases are also confirmed at two more care homes in the Lower Mainland, bringing the total of facilities affected to 11. The province unveils modelling used to help officials track the trajectory of the outbreak in B.C. and prepare for possible scenarios that will strain the health-care system. The data suggests physical distancing; travel restrictions and other measures have helped slow the spread of the virus by as much as half. Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C.: 792

cbc.ca _ Time Line COVID 2020

The trek was a grind and we reached the caldera with shaky knees. Some of the shaking may have been due to the fact we were standing on a hard lava plug inside the caldera. Every few minutes the vent would rumble and spit out a cloud of soft fluffy ash the size of  tea plates that would then gently flutter to the ground. The volcano had only been reopened a few months after its last eruption.  (It erupted again in 2018) Looking into the vent you could see the red glow of the molten lava. Thus was our molten passion for volcanoes erupted.

Mauna Kea, Big Island, Hawaii. From our condo, Mauna Kea's elevation is 4,207 metres. Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano is the highest point in the state of Hawaii. It hasn't seen an eruption since 2600 BC and is believed to be over a 1,000,000,000 years old. Due to its dormancy, elevation, dry atmosphere and lack of man made illumination, it has become home to 13 telescopic arrays. Most of Mauna Kea is under water so its actual height is closer to 10,000 metres from ocean floor to the summit. 

My desire for the trip up Mauna Kea was to lay claim to having made and thrown a snowball in Hawaii. Mission accomplished.  It was more of an ice ball. Sorry Nonie. 

Kilauea Iki Crater, Big Island, Hawaii. Kilauea is home to Pele, the goddess of fire and the name of our pet cat. The Kilauea volcano is still active, with the most recent eruption in 2018.








March 28, 2020- Fatalities rise:  Another death is confirmed in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, raising the provincial total to 17.  Health officials also confirm another case at a new long-term care home in the Fraser Health region. There are now 12 residential facilities affected by outbreaks.  Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C.: 884. 
cbc.ca – Time Line COVID 2020

We hiked the 12 kilometre Kilauea Iki Crater trail. The hike takes you along the rim of the crater then down into the caldera. There is almost no vegetation growing in the caldera and you find yourself suddenly going prehistoric. It felt like you had been transported back to what the world looked like when dinosaurs roamed.










At any minute we were sure one would come roaring out  from behind the curtains of steam escaping from the vents that dotted the landscape, their fearsome jaws ready to rip us into bloody shreds.

Napau Crater, Big Island, Hawaii. This crater is part of the Kilauea complex of craters. The trail will lead you to the closest view of  the Pu U Oo volcano that was and is currently increasing the size of the Big Island as it pukes lava into the Pacific Ocean. It is estimated the this volcano has added over 500 more acres to the Big Island while at the same time burying over 40 square miles of existing Island in fresh coat of  lava.

March 31, 2020- 1,000 cases:  B.C. surpasses 1,000 cases of COVID-19, with a total of 1,013. Health officials confirm five more deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities to 24. Dr. Henry confirms there are now outbreaks at 19 long-term care and assisted living homes in the Lower Mainland.  Officials stress there is "zero" chance that physical distancing orders will be lifted before May. On a positive note, Henry says more than half of B.C.’s total case count — 507 patients — have recovered from COVID-19.

cbc.ca – Time Line COVID 2020

Most of the time, Pu U Oo's lava travels through  tubes formed by hardening lava and were not visible to us till it spewed out into the Pacific. Especially beautiful at night. On occasion the volcano will become more active and increase its lava production. This extra lava will break out onto the surface. The latest eruption was in 2018 with lava flows causing $800 million in damage destroying  houses and roads. 

The hike is an 19 kilometre out and back trek starting on a massive lava field. Lava fields are usually bare of  any vegetation. Every once in a while we would come upon small islands of vegetation missed by the lava flow. These are called kipukas. We came upon one kipuka  that contained a strip of paved road. From the lava fields we moved  into dense rain forest. We passed several small craters but forest was so thick that they could not be seen from the trail despite being only a few metres away.  

The trip was worth it as we were rewarded with a clear view of a smoking Pu U O o. There was a trail crossing Napau crater that would get you in for a closer look at the crater but access is forbidden as there is the extreme danger of running into hydrogen sulfide gas which can cause serious lung injury and death. That and you never know when it might erupt again. Even from the look out, we could smell rotten eggs as the wind shifted in our direction. 

April 1, 2020- Recoveries:  Officials say 1,066 people in B.C. have had confirmed infections with the novel coronavirus. Twenty-five people have died, while more than half of all confirmed patients — 606 in total — have fully recovered.  Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C.: 1,066

cbc.ca – Time Line COVID 2020

Pu U Oo Volcano, Big Island, Hawaii.  After the hike, there was no way we were leaving Hawaii without getting a closer look at Pu U Oo.

Photo:  usgs.gov 

So we signed up for the expensive “Feel the Heat” helicopter tour out of Hilo airport. Feeling the heat is accomplished by taking the doors off the helicopter. Supposedly this will allow us to feel the heat as we soar over  Pu U Oo's caldera. .

Missed the small print that said that Pu U Oo was on most days shrouded in mist and fog and getting near it was not allowed if covered in cloud.  Luck was with us as it cleared for a few minutes allowing us a foggy peak at the crater.

More missed small print, we aren't actually able to fly over the crater due to the above mentioned hydrogen sulfide gases emitted by the volcano. We flew out to the ocean where we watched the lava boil out an into the ocean. 

Not a lot of heat but it was still a really cool adventure.

April 8, 2020- Self-isolation plans:  The government of B.C. announces it is now mandatory for returning travellers to have an approved self-isolation plan upon arrival. Those who don't will not be allowed home until they do. All provincial parks in B.C. are also closed to deter travellers during Easter weekend.
Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C.: 1,336

Cbc.ca _ Time Line COVID 200

Mount Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom), Tongariro National Park, North Island, New Zealand. I am not really a Lord of the Rings Geek but when given the chance to see Mount Doom up close, how could I say no. Mount Ngauruhoe first erupted about 2500 years ago and the most recent was in 1977.  Climbing  the volcano is verboten as it is considered sacred to the local Maori's.  A number of Ring scenes were done at the base.

See blog “To Quest or Not to Quest, That is the QUESTion” February 2019

Lake Taupo, North Island, New Zealand. The lake is actually the caldera of the super volcano Taupo. The lake is over 600 square kilometres so it must have been one hell of an eruption.

See blog “Life is a Barrel of Dwarfs" February 2019

Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, North Island, New Zealand. Mount Maunganui is a 230 metre high lava dome located just off downtown Tauranga. The temperature was in the high 30's C with 50 percent humidity the day we climbed to the top. Discovered New Zealand beer that afternoon. 

See blog “Plenty to Sea and Do" February 2019

I fully expect that volcanoes will continue to be a part of our future adventures. We are hooked.