Lone Butte with a Very Special Family
(written July 19)
Lone Butte is home to a very special family.
This family is a huge reason why our trip has been possible, and that’s because our van came from them. When we were searching for the perfect van, they came in and generously offered their family van as a contribution towards our travels.
This is the family of one of my best friends, Elger Krahn.
(scaring the kids with bugs)
Elger and I met at Camp Squeah, where both of us were part of the Senior Leadership Training program and stayed on as staff in the summer of 2002. We connected because of similar music tastes and skateboarding, and have been friends since. I was the best man at his wedding, we went to Zambia together in 2008, and have had countless memories shared throughout the past 18 years of our lives. Though we live much different lives now, we still spend time talking together and hanging out whenever we can.
After our time in Kamloops, we spent one night at a lake before heading to Lone Butte, just outside of 100 Mile House, where the Krahns live. We were greeted by Elger and his wife Jenn, and their three beautiful children, Declan, Charlie-Bel, and Abrim. We arrived just before the kids had to go to bed, so we spent the evening without the kids, catching up and sharing about our trip. It also just so happens that we had made it the day after Elger’s birthday, so this was an extended birthday weekend for him.
(hanging with charlie-bel by the fire pit)
The next morning, I had a great time playing the role of crazy travelling uncle for the kids, touring them around our van with all the hidden compartments and the pull out bed. Showing them our route on our map gave them a glimpse as to how big our province was, and how much time it takes to drive around. We spent time outside playing soccer and disc golf as well as foraging around for wild strawberries, mushrooms and roses.
That night, we were welcoming Jenn’s parents, Ken and Iris, for dinner. I’ve known Ken and Iris since Elger and Jenn were dating, and throughout that time, I’ve had the opportunity of cooking numerous meals for and with them. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know their entire family, and so it was very exciting to have them over for dinner.
(with ken and iris falk, jenn's parents and long time friends)
We decided to make temaki (hand rolled sushi) using classic California roll ingredients. It was fun watching Annika and Charliebel work together on pulling apart the imitation crab (pollock), and Jenn and I had fun working on our knife skills. It was a simple and easy dinner, and it gave us plenty of time to sit around the table and chat without stressing about the food.
That night, I had my first go at tattooing. Elger and Jenn had bought me a tattooing kit for my birthday last year, and so it was time to give it a shot. It was definitely a nerve-racking experience, but as I worked through the nerves and Elger worked through the pain, we created a very permanent memory for his birthday.
(annika and charlie-bel, working on the prep for dinner)
Sunday was more soccer, tattooing, cooking, and playing with the kids, and Annika had her first lesson on a dirtbike. It was really nice to spend so much time with the kids, taking a relaxed approach to everything that we were doing, and enjoying each other’s company. For a few days, we forgot about everything else, and it was very refreshing. (Of course, having running water, a proper bed to sleep in, and a dishwasher and stove added to the refreshment!)
Monday morning, our last few moments in Lone Butte were upon us, and after explaining to the kids over and over again why we had to leave, we took off down the driveway. I’m not sure when we will see them again, but I know that when we do, it’ll be like no time has passed.
(mate cocido, a drink made by caramelizing sugar and yerba mate using coals from the fire before steeping in hot water, straining, and finishing with milk)
(annika's first ride on a dirt bike
(result of a first few cracks at tattooing)