I Can Ski!!

February 9, 2002

Mount Washington, a little known resort on Vancouver Island was the temporary home of the Gislason family this past winter. Comprised of only 9 lifts, this little resort is the ideal family ski area, not yet discovered by the world at large.

It was here, that Lita and Genevieve first learned to ski. By the end of the vacation, Lita was riding the chair lift and careening down the hill. Genevieve had mastered the bunny hill and kept shouting "Faster, daddy, faster!" when skiing between her dad's knees down the steeper slopes.

In all, Mount washington is an excellent resort for parents and kids alike. Some gentle slopes, some steep, some wide trails and some narrow. Even Alicia couldn't get enough of the perfectly groomed gently rolling terrain.

June 10, 2002

In a first ever castaway party, the Gislason clan and friends all joined Lita at the beach for her 7th birthday. The party was hidden in Castaway Cove, a few coves over from South Beach on San Juan Island. First, the guests received a mysterious map, obviously old with burn marks indicating it was saved from the fire at some point. The map included a starting point, date and time and little else.

Everyone invited got a small portion of the treasure map, and it was only by putting the pieces together could they discover where the treasure was hidden.

The castaways enjoyed Hansen's sodas and submarine sandwiches, chips and cupcakes. Pretty good fair for a bunch of ship-wrecked land-lubbers.

After lunch, the hunt was on for the treasure. Kids followed the map and dug where they hoped to find treasure. Nothing could be found. They were about to give up when a few adults pitched in. Even they had some trouble! But eventually someone struck wood. The chest was hauled up. Excited faces peered in as Lita pried open the box: the entire chest was full of candy! Hands grabbed, pushed and fights nearly broke out among these unruly pirates. It was a good thing none of them had guns or knives handy. The chest was empty in under 10 seconds.

After the treasure hunt, the Castaway Cove crew took up hammer, nails and logs and created the most seaworthy craft in the cove (the only craft in the cove): a raft. The raft ferried kids and adults alike up and down the beach. Debbie Daniels ended up swimming a bit (compliments of her husband) and Tim Daniels joined her shortly thereafter (compliments of Drew).

A lean-to was set up to provide much needed respite from the hot sun. Kids combed the beach, looking for other treasure (that wasn't buried), and Lita opened her presents with her friends gathered around on the logs. Everyone went home sandy, full and happy.

Mount Washington ski area has three small restaurants, well stocked pro and gift shop, a few bars, a liquor and grocery store and most importantly, ski lessons for kids! It's only about 1 hour from Nanaimo.

During the 2 hours the kids were in lessons each day, Alicia and Drew would explore new trails. And there were plenty. One ended in a little warming hut with great coffee and the best cinnamon rolls this side of the Rockies.

The lines were short, the weather was perfect, and the view of Desolation Sound (yes, you can see the water from the ski lifts) were gorgeous. We are definitely going back next year. Want to come? Let us know!