89 F/ 32 C

Down stream from Kamloops,
Ashcroft has a dry desert
climate to please us

~carliewired

My daughter and I arrived in Ashcroft late in the afternoon Friday. We had checked into our motel in Cache Creek, just up the highway. Then we found our way to the lovely old St. Alban's Anglican church which is the hub of all the plein air activities for the weekend. 

Friday evening is the registration and wine and cheese welcome for all the plein air painters. The volunteer group that manages the entire weekend gets high praise from us all. 

Saturday morning found us at our favourite bakery for breakfast. Then, we headed up to the Mesa Vista Road where I've painted before. It has great views of the Thompson River and the drylands. I got a shot of my daughter sitting on a memorial bench that had been added since our last visit. We had to mind the small cactus along the trail.

We drove back into town to sit under the big tree in front of the church, Our friend D showed up and painted my daughter while I painted the red front door. We moved on to lunch together in a nearby restaurant, then parted. My daughter and I drove to Heritage Park. I had a thought to paint the old caboose so we sat in the shade while other painters were painting, too. 

A and I had a quick visit to the museum in the afternoon. It was made available to the plein air painters just for today. 

It was a very warm day today. I found myself rather wilted mid afternoon. A and I retreated to the shade by the church, once again. 

Dinner was provided in the church hall with door prizes drawn as well. I won a lovely set of coasters with native designs. 

We had a chance to visit with our plein air friends over dinner. Some went off to paint some more before sunset. Some of us retired to our motel rooms. We wrap up tomorrow. 

My painting isn't really worth mentioning. I enjoy the weekend away to gab with other painters and have my daughter for company. It makes a great weekend for me.