Happy Easter

We started our day with a home scavenger and Easter egg hunt and then went to St. Bart's Church where they had the most beautiful cross I have ever seen made with all the spring flowers and yellow forsythia. It is so bright in the Church that the colours aren't as bright in the photo.

We had brunch at a friends farm with peacocks and emus.

We saw our newest niece this afternoon and had a great visit with family.

Suzanne had told me that she had a turkey in the freezer for Easter dinner and I asked who was coming - you, she said. I said forget that. We had crab in the back yard in the sunshine.

Beautiful Sunny Days

Today there was a reading lesson,

 then a birthday party at the swimming pool. I spent an hour in the water, an arm's length from Trey as they bounced off a high raft into the water. Then they ate.

We had a lovely family dinner tonight, but first a visit in the sunshine and trampoline for the kids.

Shannon set a beautiful table with painted eggs as our name places.

Easter Egg Hunt

 I am loving my time with the kids after a 5 1/2 mon absence.
We went to an Easter Egg Hunt at friends and had a great time while the kids ran all over this huge property.

 Lexi has terrific balance for the egg relay.

My first Maze

I did my little marathon of car, bus, Canada Line (underground Skytrain), Blue Bus to West Van, ferry and car pick up on the Sunshine coast.

I love this trip but a tractor trailer got its jacks stuck on the ramp and it took 40 minutes to free him so we were late. Thank heavens for cell phones and off we went on a field trip with Trey’s class to a fir tree maze. I have never been in a maze so I wore red, in case I was going around in circles and someone had to find me to rescue me. All went well – the Gr. Ones were assigned a buddy Gr. 6 person. Trey got a friend of Hana’s.

Another Gr.6 boy yelled and pointed to us as we were running around – go the other way so back we went and around again and finally got to the center where the kids got a treat. Thank heavens for him, we might still be there. It was a very fun day. 

Beautiful White Rock

I started my more healthful living system ( diet) today and exercised by swimming 60 lengths. Unfortunately by 5 pm I had to have an Ocean Park Pizza so off we went. Delicious. We drove home via Marine Drive with Mt. Baker and the Cascades in the distance.

 

We absolutely live in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Our neighbours, long distance truckers were home and we enjoyed visiting with them so much.

Home Sweet Home

After unpacking and getting organized Jan and I enjoyed a visit while the local guys came over bringing beer and peanuts. She had visited us in Mesa and Desert Hot Springs and cooked us a lovely beef dinner tonight.  
Monday we left DHSprings in 95 degree sunshine and today we bask out in 45 degrees and happy to have that. A 40 degree drop is certainly noticeable.

Through Seattle

We'd planned to spend a day with  Mick and Linda but unfortunately they had an appointment this morning so we both declined and missed seeing them. 

 Today's trucks come in every colour compared to the past. 

 The Columbia River on highway 205 bypass was dreary.

We had sun again passing the Tacoma Dome

Next was snow/icy rain going through Seattle with sun on the other side.
They have really controlled the speeds through here.

We stayed overnight in Ferndale at the Cedars RV and saw on the morning news the Everettt had 6" snow and was a mess.We were very fortunate with the weather.

Came through the border at 10.00 am where they had 1 lane out of 10 open.Go figure. they must have been desperate for coffee.

Finshing California and into Oregeon

In 1850 California, called the Golden State became the 31^st state and by 1962 it was the most populated with over 37 million people today. The highest point is Mt. Whitney, 14,494” and lowest point Death Valley - 282’below sea level.

After 2 great driving days the weather went silly. We went from light rain to clear, then sunny and rain again and wind pushing us around. It changed every 50 miles. We stopped at Weed  CA for a McDonalds coffee and my teeth were chattering by the time I got to their front door. They have a great pull through truck parking area which was full when we got there so we pulled through and got a spot 2nd time and empty when we left..

The clouds came and went making interesting patterns.

 We passed into ORE after 2.5 days driving up CA. That is one long state. Here’s one of the 3 trailer trucks you pass in ORE where they are allowed.

And this is a wide load carrying a very long and large concrete beam which will be part of a bridge one day soon.

 We arrived at Eugene about 5:15. We were happy to pay RV fees and plug in the power.

Central California

 When we got up this morning, a truck was parked just 8” away from us. Don’t know how he pulled through so close without hitting our mirrors. Fuel was $4.23'9 At Pilot.
As we cruise up southern California, we pass vast stretches of land far as the eye can see.We saw fruit trees in their perfect rows and for the first time, we saw trees covered with plastic or netting, to protect from frost or birds? There are beehives in all the orchards; this is where your nuts and fruit come from. The water aqueduct is always running up the state.
We topped our Diesel at Joe's Travel Plaza at Westley for $3.88'9 a gallon.  Best price on the trip.

We’re into Central California now and drive through Stockton, named for a famous Naval officer from the Mexican War.This city celebrates an Asparagus Festival every April including the Deep Fried Asparagus Championship. Stockton was the 1^st California inland seaport. It was connected to San Francisco by a channel 60 miles long and 37’ deep. It has 1000 miles of navigable waters.

Next is Sacramento. Capt. John Sutter, a Swiss emigrant, was awarded a 50,000 acre land grant from the Mexican government in 1839, on which he laid out the town of Sacramento in 1848, the same year gold was discovered and the Rush was on. When you read this you have to realize how much of the US the Mexicans had ruled and claimed. This is the State Capital, chosen in 1854, and subsequently fought off challenges from Berkley, San Jose and Montery

Sacramento is the 2^nd CA inland city with an inland port. It’s an important highway, rail and river port for this important agricultural area. A deep water channel was carved to San Francisco in 1963.

We stayed at Rolling Hills Casino in Corning overnight.