On the Road Again - to Greenwood

We left at 10:45, up to Chilliwack for fuel, passing this little dog on the way and then had a winding trip through the Hope Princeton where we stopped for a break and saw a deer grazing on the front lawn of the R.C.M.P office. We saw the old mine in Hedley, fruit in Keremeos, farmers bailing hay and many wineries. Osooyos was pretty but very busy. We parked overnight in Greenwood at the old cafe site at 6:20 p.m. and sat outside with a beer and looked like the 'Greeters from Greenwood'. Of the passing traffic (we were 50’ from the highway) all the bikers waved to us, 50% of the truckers did and many cars had eyes straight ahead. Our favourite trucker, we had passed going up hills and he passed us going down, all day, honked and waved as he had to keep on going.

Canadian Snowbirds

We're not the only ones called snowbirds. Here's the genuine thing. Everyone went over to CJ and Joan’s tonight for the Canadian Snowbirds fly-over. We were on their rooftop deck with some even on the roof itself. The Snowbirds put on a great half hour show with many different routines plus just two planes flying across in front.

In Langley

We were out to Chuck’s RV Clinic for a couple of small adjustments and went over to McDonald’s while we waited. In keeping with Langley’s Car Show and Shine reputation, there was a 50’s mural painted on the wall. Very correct in the details.

Party Time

We co-hosted a party for the gang with Glen and Leah at Glen's house and had a great time. We were impressed with the house and garden improvements he's made. It is a perfect yard for a gathering, large and backing onto green space. There was the usual tournament with Chuck's washer board game which looks simple but is definitely not and of course crib. glen BBQws 2 salm on and they were delicious. A good time was had by all.

Vancouver Day

We went into Vancouver early on Tuesday to avoid rush hour and played tourists. We stopped on South Granville and I explored antique, furniture and decor store and art galleries. Next was 4th Ave., a delight with more stores including a Japanese porcelain one, although the character meant 'elegant' not flower like our Hana, kitchen specialties and Sophie's Cosmic Cafe, a great restaurant, fun with giant fork and spoon on the door. We drove out to Spanish Banks and strolled along this lovely beach with the Vancouver skyline and freighters in the background, volleyball nets in front.

Allison and Charles are home

We had a small gathering to see Allison and meet Charles. It was so much fun to see family, meet some of their friends and hear about their plans. I gave them their covered book with African animals and colors and they were delighted with their copy of the family tree.

Family Tree

Well, building on my sister Rosemary's genealogy work, I'm updating the family tree to give a copy to Marika and Allison's fiance Charles who are new to the family. Not knowing the Word program, I'm doing the cut and paste method amidst many naughty words!!! Paul's come over twice to help get face sized pictures organized to add the the names so newcomers can see what they're up against. I've made a book cover for Marika, based on the colors of their wedding and one for Allison and Charles based on Africa where they live.

Blaine

Busy week: eyes checked, teeth checked, a trip to Chuck's RV for small repairs to blinds, window screen and Island drawer. Today we went down to The Asian Buffet in Bellingham. Next we shopped: Costco, WalMart, Circuit City and the Dollar Store. Then we enjoyed a visit and garden tour at Chuck and Barbs. They always have the best veggie garden and blueberries, raspberries and cherries are ripe now.

Ladies Lunch

We enjoyed our annual Ladies Luncheon at Elisabeth's today. We had 15 there from our Friday night pool crowd and the usual good food and company, outside in the sunshine.

Visiting Chris and Julie

We had the 'condo girls' down to our campground for happy hour Saturday and had a lovely time.
Sunday we went out and visited with Chris, Julie and family. Josh is now taller than his dad. We heard their plans for revamping their yard. It is such a peaceful country drive and there was a perfect view of Mt. Baker down in the U.S.

Protecting the Protect-a-tow

Time for chores this week. The Protect-a tow is a rubberized cloth that connects from the motorhome to the car, under the tow package, designed to stop rocks from bouncing up and hitting the car. A couple of steel connections are wearing 2 small holes so I got a thin veggie grill tray from the dollar store and am sewing 2 patches on for protection. Next time we have the car hooked up, we'll see if we can reverse ends for the attachments.

Stanley Park

Ron picked me up at the ferry in Horseshoe Bay and we stopped and drove around the Park on the way home. It's so beautiful and has been a while since we did that.
We looked at the totem poles representing various events of the Native People, saw the Clydesdale horses pulling the tour trolleys and had our picture taken at the lighthouse Point in front of the Lion's Gate Bridge.

Detour around the bear

James and I headed to the park through the woods at the end of their street but as I caught up with Lexi, James was backing out with the stroller. Apparently a bear was in there eating berries so it was the long way for us.
We went down to the waterfront and up to Sechelt for a swim Sunday afternoon. What a beautiful pool with mountain and ocean scenes on the walls. The red tube is a giant slide from 3 floors up that whirls you outside and down to the pool. Hana went on it 6 times and Lexi is waiting to go taller.

Gibsons and grandkids

Ron and I went over to Gibsons today and enjoyed seeing the kids. I stayed 3 days and among other things, taught Hana how to sew on the sewing machine. It has a push button for power and I thought that would be good for a 6 year old, but after 3 days practice, Hana preferred to use the foot pedal because she could control it more. At one point, she'd been playing dress up before she joined me. She learned to do everything, wind and install the bobbin, thread the machine and loved changing stitches. We hemmed the LR curtains, made a color book for Trey and I finished a book cover for Suzanne. Hana made a sleeping bag for her stuffie horse, named Cleopatra and did the embroidery on front with 2 different stitches and colors. Hana said, I love sewing Omi. Maybe I'll do more and start my own company so I can sell things. I agreed and she said, 'well not right away, I'm only 6 you know.'

Happy Canada Day

We are settled back in at our home park. I'm enjoying the pool as much as ever and doing 80 lengths 4 times a week. Must start walking as well and always seen too busy.
We had a big celebration with bocci and 'golf' tournaments, hamburgers and the works. Dave, Ron and I set up 3 Bocci courts, then Dave and Ron ran it. You drew for for partners and Ron and Larry ended up first, winning a thermal cooler stool or towel. It was lots of fun with about 80 of us attending. We went to CJ and Joans after for their party and watched the fireworks from their rooftop deck, a great time.