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5 days, 12 photographers and 1 very amazing guy

June 7-11, 2014

By Tineke Ziemer

June 13^th, 2014

day one - June 7

Thirteen of us set out bright and early on an action-packed adventure for our annual EWL Photography Retreat. Our destination: Cozy Cabins Resort in the Okanagan. The goal: get as many good photos as possible.

5 days, 12 photographers and 1 very amazing guy

day two - june 8

morning walk

The first morning at the resort, I got up early and spent some time at the lake, enjoying the mist on the water and the family of ducks basking in the first rays of sunlight. Then the group set off through the cedar forest to the quiet waters of Echo Lake and the peaceful rush of a private waterfall.

Rim Rocks

In the afternoon we did a pretty serious hike up to the top of a mountain to see the Rim Rocks. These are incredible geological formations made from lava that created spires 60 feet tall and a landscape that looks like it’s out of a movie. Unfortunately, they weren’t very visible from the peak of the summit. To see them clearly, you had to scale down a very steep cliff through “The Eye of the Needle” (a small opening below a giant boulder that is held between two of the spires - you can see Len and Maria passing through it in the photos below.) Only three of us were brave (or crazy) enough to attempt the hike down. I’m so glad we did - what a mind blowing view! And how incredible to see the life that still grows out of this barren rock landscape - trees and flowers grow right out of the rocks! This was definitely a highlight of the trip for me and seeing how adventurous Maria is, I have no doubt we’re going to have an incredible time together in Slovenia this fall!

Evening At the Lake

Evening came and gave us still waters for some great shots of the lake. Len, who was truly the hero of the trip, rowed the boat out into the lake and laid down in it so we could all get photos.

day three - june 9

We spent the third day in a series of hikes around the area. We started off at Shushwap Falls to see the hydro-electric dam and waterfalls, but most of us spent more time with our macros out because the rain the night before covered all the foliage and flowers in beautiful water drops. The afternoon was spent at Cascade Falls, on a short but steep hike through the cedar forest. Photos cannot possibly capture what it was like to be in a dense fairytale forest and round the corner to be suddenly beneath a powerful cascading waterfall. Breathtaking. The evening was spent driving a windy mountain road in search of “The Bluff,” an incredible look out point. Unfortunately, our vehicles couldn’t make it all the way, but we did have the opportunity to test Kathy and Cheryl’s muscle strength when they lifted a tree for all of us to drive under!

What are these photos about? (Optional)

day four - june 10

5:30am

We were heading into Vernon for the day so my wake up call came at 5:30am. It was supposed to be my turn for the shower, but seeing another misty morning on the lake, I could resist going outside in my PJs for some early morning images.

Davison Orchards

Our first stop in Vernon was at the very cheerful and charming Davison Orchards, with so much to see we couldn’t get to it all! We started with a fun tour of the orchards in the apple cart train (pulled by a John Deere Tractor.) The rest of the morning was spent visiting the animals in the petting zoo, eating delicious treats in the cafe, shopping in the market and trying to stuff six adults into the children’s playhouse for a photo! What an amazing place to visit - if you are ever in the Vernon area, I highly recommend it, especially if you have kids!

Follow that Bum! at Polson Park

After a quiet picnic lunch to the sounds of the stream around me, I was rejuvenated and ready to take some more photos. Polson Park has a zillion ducks! I became obsessed with the two baby ducklings and laughed and grinned and found genuine joy in watching them follow their momma wherever she went. Every once in a while they would get confused and start following the wrong bum. It wasn’t long before mom intervened and had them back on the right track. Seriously adorable!

Cruise Okanagan

The perfect end to the day was climbing on board the boat we chartered and cruising around Okanagan Lake as the sun went down. Beautiful skies, the wind through our hair, rest and relaxation!

day five - june 11

O’Keefe Ranch

It was time to head home after a very jam packed five days. We were all tired, but couldn’t pass by one final stop on the way. O’Keefe Ranch was a fun break from driving for a couple of hours and one last chance for some sillyness before we came back to the real world.

thought for the days

I learned a lot of things over the past five days. I learned that things don’t always turn out the way you want them to but all you can do is keep on going. I learned that my group of amazing students are even more patient and supportive than I already gave them credit for. And I learned that when I leave said group of students alone for too long, I may find a whoopie cushion on my chair. I learned that you can photograph anything through new eyes if you set your mind to it. I learned that 5:30am is the perfect time for photos and peaceful reflection. I learned that if you want lots of cake and candy you should be male and helpful. I learned that we all accomplished some pretty awesome things - facing fears, trucking on, trying new things! I learned that just because you are in your 70s and waiting for knee replacement surgery does not mean that you have to let that stop you from living life to the fullest! And I learned, beyond a shadow of a doubt, with more certainty than ever before, that I am the luckiest woman alive because of who I married. This man worked his arse off from morning till night for us ladies. He never quit moving (well, except that one time when he fell asleep while he was supposed to be making dinner,) he never quit helping, he never quit smiling, he never quit being the awesome, funny, caring, pest that he is.

Len, you made this trip for all of us. Without you, this would not have happened and it certainly wouldn’t have been as fun. You are EVERYTHING to me and I am so grateful that these five days brought us closer as we worked together as a kick-ass team. Laughing and talking until the middle of night, snuggled in the sleeping bag, was the best time I’ve had in as long as I can remember. You are everything I could ever ask for! I LOVE YOU!