Sand between the toes

We've just returned from a five day trip to Egg Island, a low barrier island at the mouth of the Copper 

 Packing seemed almost as momentous as preparing for a three-month field camp, but once we'd got everything up the trail to the car... we really were on holiday.  A quick 10 minute flight transported us to a different world of space, sand, wind, and roaring surf.  

We had an incredible weather window.  Often very windy, and out on the beach you'd need to wear two layers of wool and a windbreaker, but it was dry and sunny. 

The risk of bears is minimal, and visibility is incredible.  

The boys could be free, and spent much of their time in their own world at a distance from us.  

Peter ran and ran.  Leif looked for beetles and played in the sand.  

We also reached a new era in sibling companionship.  

The last trip we did like this was to Hook Point, when Leif was 5 months old.  I have an image of the two of them on the beach (below), but most of my memories of that trip was keeping Peter (just turned 3yrs) occupied.  

This trip was different.. they had soo much fun together-- lots of make-believe, and just pure silliness. Soft sand is perfect for wrestling and tumbling. 

Dish-washing

Freedom  

Peter can easily out-sprint me now

Rocking to sleep on a buoy

Bracing the wind

Warmish pools on the beach

Super fun to have a family base-camp after 20 years of summer island tent-living.  Peter was a great help with cooking and pitching tents.  Leif was not!

Lots of good food.  How great to be able to bring a cooler on the plane!  

And, we enjoyed beach pea greens with every meal

The downhill ski area.  Great for running and dramatic snowboard crashes. 

Leif loves anything alive.. or recently dead

A found tennis ball in the pocket!

Maybe the first time a winnie the pooh tent has been on the island... our thrift store play tent made a good nap shelter on windy day outings

Peter.. asleep under a jacket!

An amazing chance to see a humpback whale skeleton

Our days had some sort of rhythm with meals and naps, but it was bliss not to juggle work or home life.  Time for exercise, sleep, reading, and just enjoying time together. 

Buoy races on the dunes

A little T-ball practice

The wind died down on our last day, and we tried boogie-boarding

Leif is saying more and more words, but his thoughts are still transparent and I love the inside view.
Here he is wondering whether Peter is absorbed enough in his own world...

Apparently, in this instance, he was!

Warming up between waves

Leif doing a beetle-on-it's-back impersonation.  

After much beetle observing, he figured out they often land on their back after flying. They can right themselves without help.