Walking in White Rock

Eunice and I decided not to walk the usual circle from the RV park down to the border and back and head for the beach. We loved walking along the promenade, smelling the salt air and watching the seagulls and herons on the shore.
Next we headed up town and checked out some shops and admired the beautiful gardens that White Rock does. Like many other communities, they compete in the 'Communities in Bloom' contest and it is evident all through the city.

New Westminster Quay Public Market

We had a great time last night with Helen and Jim. They came over for 'happy hour' (happy coke cola) and we returned to their place and sat around their fire pit and continued our visit by candlelight and flames.
I went to New West today with Ron and explored the Quay on the waterfront while he played in the pool tournament at the Royal Towers. New Westminster was founded in 1859, named by Queen Victoria, thus is called the 'Royal City' and was the first capital of the colony of British Columbia. The Fraser River has been a vital part of everything from the 1850's to now. The Market had some interesting crafts, excellent green grocers and I ran into a end of summer sale and picked up 2 tank tops.
We are looking West with the Patulla Bridge and Port Mann behind and a tug towing a large log boom. Then you look west to the Royal Star, an old paddlewheeler turned into a Casino with the Annicis Island bridge behind and the Quay to the right.

Tragic Hot Air Balloon Crash

As we were driving to pool tonight, we saw a colorful hot air balloon flying in the East. It landed in a field beside Hazelmere RV Park, 4 miles away from us. It loaded 13 family and friends and as it took off, it burst into flames. 11 were injured and unfortunately, 2 killed. The balloon then fell onto the RVs, causing their propane tanks to explode, destroying 3 RVs and 3 vehicles. Boy, there but for the grace of God, goes us.

High School friends

Today we met at the Sheraton Hotel in Guildford for lunch with our fellow graduates from our high school, St Ann's Academy in New Westminster. Knowing we graduated in 1958, that makes it a 49th year reunion. It was great to be together with the 8 of us able to attend from the lower mainland. Now we're planning a larger reunion for our 50th next year.

Ladies Luncheon

Elisabeth gave her 2nd annual ladies lunch today. The weather looked like it might rain so she had a long table set for 17, stretching across the family room. As you can imagine, we had a wonderful time with our wonderful friends. Every subject under the sun was discussed. We all feel so thankful to have the rich friendships we enjoy. Here we are with me at the head of the table and Spike on his chair at the other.

Visit to the Aquarium

I met the Ingrams at the Vancouver Aquarium today and had a wonderful time. I haven't been here since I took my kids, about 30 years ago. It is an amazing place and you could spend days there. We looked at the Pacific Coast fishlife, the jellyfish display, then went to storytime. The girls made fish shapes out of playdough and attached them to the walls, then played 'Doctor' helping the stuffed seals get better. We watched the beluga show outside in the sunshine, then saw it again downstairs at the inside viewing area. Even Trey was fascinated by it.

Cops and Robbers

Imagine our surprise, when we looked out of the windshield of the motorhome and 2 armed R.C.M.P were sneaking up on a 5th wheel across from us, shouting "come out with your arms up".
We had seen a young woman moving stuff from a small older trailer into an newer, bigger 5th wheel during the day and thought nothing of it. We'd moved last year from the Alpenlite into our motorhome. There were 5 police cars finally and 3 people were led out to the cars in handcuffs. Both trailer and 5th wheel were stolen, as well as the truck. Never a dull moment around here.

More Beach time

We had a great time in West Van, on a rooftop deck celebrating Bridgette's surprise birthday party last Saturday. Then, Sunday we celebrated Rick's in their yard with music and all. Wednesday we had a lovely visit with Jennie and Paul at their newly renovated rooftop condo. Great job and great patio.
I pop down to the beach for a walk, a couple times a week. Here's one of White Rock's public art examples, the Mosaic Steps at East Beach. Each step has been decorated with colorful tile pieces, designed in sunshine patterns, thus the name "Walking on sunshine". The steps go right up to Ash St. above and have beautiful public garden on each side with relaxing areas.

Daily Deer

It's amazing to me that there are deer in the front yard 3 times a day. When Ron and I travel around the province, I am looking constantly for all kinds of wildlife. Here, the deer come out of the yard across the road and nibble on the vegetation in the yards of everyone of the street. We'll sit quietly on the front steps and watch them munch along about 15 feet away.
Gibsons really is carved out of the wilderness. The route that their nanny takes to walk Hana home from school, had a bear on the path, a half hour later, in June. Needless to say, the route home was changed.

Advent Calendar

I know this is out of season, but last fall I made this with Hana's help, for the girls. I didn't take a picture for my book, recording my fabric art projects so I decided to do this now. I was enjoying being with the kids outside in the sunshine while Hana and Lexi 'buttoned' the Christmas items onto the Christmas tree sketched on the wall hanging. Hana shows the finished project.

Beach Time

We're having lovely warm days and when Suz and James get finished work, we head for the beach. Hana and I are working on collecting 'beach glass' so we're always on the hunt. I've been to 4 different beaches with them so there's lots of opportunity to enjoy. This picture doesn't do Suzanne justice - she's doing the cardio bootcamp and is down to a tiny size after her 3rd baby. Her pants just hang on her and it's time to go shopping.

Gumboot Cafe

Suzanne and James just love living here on the Sunshine Coast and I can see why. We had a leisurely morning and then drove up to Robert's Creek for lunch at the Gumboot Cafe.This building has been added this year and you eat out on a hyge deck overlooking a large front lawn completely enclosed by a tall cedar hedge. It is the greatest place to meet friends while children run and climb to their hearts content and the parents have a few minutes to have a conversation together.

Going to Gibsons

Ann left the family dinner with the Ingrams and took the 8:20 p.m. ferry from Horseshoe Bay back to Gibsons with them for a 5 day visit. Here we are starting out from the terminal with the view of Howe Sound.

Brown Family Dinner

We had a wonderful family dinner at Marg and Brad's today with 11 families attending. Auntie Floss, my mom's sister, and husband Ken were there so that made it really special for us. We're on to the next generation now so really enjoyed 8 kids from 6 months to 13 years. We had lots of great conversation, catching up, crib games and food. Here's Floss and Ken and kids playing cards, even Trey.

Grandkids

Just enjoying life with neighbors and friends. It's nice to be back in the park and I'm back swimming 70 lengths 3 or 4 times a week for my exercise.
We had Chris and Julie and their kids down today. Here's Chris and I in the pool with the 3 kids, while Julie took pictures. Isaiah's waterwings were forgotten so he thought he was so smart, using the styrofoam 'weights', he thought he could swim. We spent an hour in the pool and then Opa BBQed hamburgers for us.

White Rock Beach

We're having some lovely sunny weather and I really like to walk along the sandbars down at the beach. White Rock is such a pretty place and has many interesting things to see. Here's one of the funky stores on the waterfront with a Kermode Spirit bear out front.