On Sunday Naomi and I woke at 9:30 am and soon after eating breakfast we picked up Josh. We drove to Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and hiked from the main parking lot on the Crest Trail to Turtle’s Head Point that some people also call Rattlesnake Point.

It was great to get out into the cold mountain air hiking to oxygenate our blood. We saw a bald eagle sitting on the top of a fir tree near the top of the point. I quickly lined up the camera and zoomed in to capture a picture of this great bird that I had already heard talking before Naomi spotted it. The eagle eyed us over while we stood there gawking at it. I knew it would fly away if we continued to approach so we could get a closer shot but tried anyway. Sure enough we were too close and it took flight gliding away beyond the point.

On the final rise to the top is a rock staircase that I keep calling “The Stairway to Heaven.” To me it looks that way because as you approach it the steps lead straight up into the blue sky or as was the case today into a cloudy overcast sky.

The temperature was maybe minus 5 Celsius and felt just a little crisp with a slight breeze. It was a fine looking day. At the top summit of the point hill are a couple of heavy solid benches with memorial plaques on them honoring someone’s loved one. From here anyone can sit, relax and with their eyes drink in the beauty surrounding all about. We sat here and did just that. Breathe in the cold fresh air and look all about at the view wrapped around.

On the return walk we took the Juniper Trail down along the lakeshore and beach and through the picnic area. Naomi and Josh tried out a challenge of walking up the trail in reverse to the parking lot. They both concentrated and were successful. Our van was the only vehicle parked there. The park was quiet in the area we were at. We once heard a dog bark and a human voice but otherwise we did not pass by any person.

It was a good day.