Manning Park Photo Essay

I got up at 6:00am on Monday so that I could have a shower, finish packing, head over to the apartment, help Chad finish packing, and then hit th road by 7:30 so we could be in Hope by 9. Thanks to Chad crazy neighbour (the one who 'God Bless'es you in the elevator) we were half an hour late because he had to talk to Chad about apartment prices and all this bullshit that really didn't matter. I was ready to clobber him.

Leaving the apartment on our way to catch the HWY.

Chad driving my car. I trust him more.

I love driving through Chilliwack. I love all the farms.

We thought we were going to arrive at our breakfast destinantion early so we made a pit stop in Chilliwack for some water and milk. Turned out this pitt stop made us late.

The resurtant we stop at every year in Hope. The foods not very good but its tradition! A bunch of us met there at 9:30am for breakfast.



I had a chedder cheese omelet and potatoe pancakes. Most greasy fattening thing ever but so good! Chad had the 'light' breakfast.



We then wandered around Hope looking for a liqour store. I totally had a city girl moment and got creeped out when I went into the gas station to pay for gas and I saw how gross it was.



Chad bought this for his beer. He had been looking for weeks for a beer foamy but none of the stores in the city had them. Luckly, Hope did.



We arrived at Lightning Lake at 12 and sat around and had lunch. Other family members met us there since the cabin wasn't available until 3.

Chicks hanging out.

Ryan breaking my chair.

Elise and Francesca teaching Massey to swim.

Me attempting to hide from the sun.

Dinner time - Day one. Lasagna and Salad. Yum yum yum!

Zio Bernard vs. Laura

I think you know who won.

Fuzzy Bathroom Me in the middle of the night.

Nothing like waking up to a mouse in the house. I can't help it. They are so cute.

My beautiful burn from the lake. It was so painful I couldn't sleep with any sheets even though it was so cold at night. Really really not smart.

We spent the whole day in the front yard following the shade.

Zia Maria stealing Cristinas alcoholic beverage.

Chad reading a book. Notice Raymi's business card is his bookmark!

Me and my favorites make the Italian flag!

Under the shade of an evergreen.

A very lazy and relaxing day.

The cabin from the front. Yes it holds 50 people.

Us.

The beached whale decided to take a nap after his very strenuous day.

The men starting the BBQ.

A red shirt to match a red face. It was Chicken night.

The 'kids' were suppose to do the dishes. Ryan was the only boy I caught in the kitchen.

The Rossi's build a fire.

Bambi! I wanted to catch it so I could have some venison. I know. I'm bad.

Marshmallows.

The last ones out by the fire. We look like we've been lost in the woods for days.

HAHAHAHAHAHAH awwwww. Morning Chad!

The cabin from the back.

Thats right, the cabin that we rent is called the Last Resort!

A walk around Lightning Lake. Chad had a cane becuase of his hurt foot. Aww poo boo boos :(

So pretty.

Papa Rossi & Mr. Ciavarro

Rainbow Bridge. I jumped off this many years ago.

Mama Rossi.

There are like 12 different looks going on in this picture.

Chad was a little exhusted and a little in pain at this point.

Nappy time back at the cabin with Flat Eric.

The Scotch Drinkers.

The water fight that involved my dad dumping a hugh pot of water on Uncle Jim, then loosing his footing causing him to tumble down the hill. All the adults were scared that his stitches were going to burst. All the kids were histerical. If only I had caputured the moment.

Do they look related?

Sausage & leftover Chicken night.

Chad icing his foot. Worked like a charm.

Packing up the car after dinner. Some people left Wednesday night. The rest left Thursday morning.

Dancing or something.

Bi bi Manning Park. See you next year!

Hope Slide. My Favorite.

Sunset in the 'wack.

It was a most relaxing weekend and I was so happy to actually be able to sit and do basically nothing the whole time. It was so cute the group of us that just sat around in a circle the whole time chatting and reading and knitting. It was wonderful.

The only downside to Manning are the inevitable post Manning blues that happen every year the day after everyone gets home. Its such a great bonding time that everyone looks forward to that we all hate having to go home.

Thankfully I have 400 pictures to look at to remind me of it all. Excessive yes, but well worth it.

To see all 371 photos of Manning click Here.