Today was a nice sunny day with a high of 11C (51F) so it was cool and it was also very windy.
Janet & Dave didn’t know if they would leave today before the cold weather hit or what they were doing – they had an appointment with a real estate lady this morning so it depended on how that went but said they would let us know by early afternoon what they were doing. They arrived here shortly after 12 to say they were going to head home, we’re glad we caught up with them on Thursday; and we’re looking forward to visiting them on the island.
John and I didn’t want to go too far today as we feel trucked out but around 2 we decided to drive to Penticton – it was a pretty drive along the lake but guess who forgot their camera, so no pictures.
Penticton is quite large and very spread out with all the shopping you could wish for. We drove around town then stopped at Wal Mart to pick up a couple of things then stopped at Valu Mart in Oliver for a couple of groceries – I went into shock at the prices, sure wouldn’t want to have to buy groceries here for too long. Will have to check out a couple of other stores and see if their prices are any better – an example is a jar of PC dill stackers costs about $2.49 at home and they were $3.49 here.
We got home around 6 so I decided to see if I could get my brother in Australia on Skype, lucked out and we talked for about an hour. He and Ian are leaving next week – flying over to LA and are taking 3 cruises out of the states, they will be gone about 5 weeks so I wanted to wish them Bon Voyage.
Franneca called to thank us for the birthday card and Gift Certificate so we had a nice chat with her then with Mike. I asked if they were going to Octoberfest this year and she said they were passing – they have been Octoberfested out over the years.
John barbecued burgers for dinner and a nice quiet evening lies ahead. And so ends another great gift of a day and we look forward to another nice day tomorrow.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Today is our daughter-in-law’s birthday, Happy Birthday Franneca, hope you had a great day.
It was very cold this morning, just above freezing, so John wasn’t in a real rush to get out and hook the trailer up - it was about 10:30 by the time we pulled out of Birch Grove RV Park. We really enjoyed the park and it’s beautiful setting, it would be an idyllic summer spot.
The drive today was again beautiful with many ups and downs, the highest pass was 5065”, it’s not the going up that is so bad but the coming down! Again there were lots of twists and turns along the way and it was quite a long downhill run into Osoyoos but it was a pretty drive.
Coming Down Into Osoyoos
There are many, many wineries in the area and lots of fruit/vegetable stands so I am looking forward to checking out the stands and hopefully a few wineries.
We arrived at Desert Gem RV Resort in Oliver about 3:30 and have booked in for a week. It is a nice park with cement pads and currently is quite busy. They have good wi-fi so tonight is catching up, it sure doesn’t take long to get behind on my blog and pictures when I can’t post it every day.
I called Janet when we got here and they were just on the way back from a trip to Vernon so came over about 6 for a drink, then the four of us went out for dinner. The weather is supposed to turn cold and wet in the next day or two so they might head out tomorrow instead of Saturday so I’m glad we caught up with them today. It was good to see them again and get caught up on happenings since we saw them in July at Green Acres. We are looking forward to spending some time with them when we get to the island.
It’s about bed time so I am going to call it quits as it has been a long day. And so ends another great gift of a day and we look forward to another nice day tomorrow.
It was very cold this morning, just above freezing, so John wasn’t in a real rush to get out and hook the trailer up - it was about 10:30 by the time we pulled out of Birch Grove RV Park. We really enjoyed the park and it’s beautiful setting, it would be an idyllic summer spot.
The drive today was again beautiful with many ups and downs, the highest pass was 5065”, it’s not the going up that is so bad but the coming down! Again there were lots of twists and turns along the way and it was quite a long downhill run into Osoyoos but it was a pretty drive.
Coming Down Into Osoyoos
There are many, many wineries in the area and lots of fruit/vegetable stands so I am looking forward to checking out the stands and hopefully a few wineries.
We arrived at Desert Gem RV Resort in Oliver about 3:30 and have booked in for a week. It is a nice park with cement pads and currently is quite busy. They have good wi-fi so tonight is catching up, it sure doesn’t take long to get behind on my blog and pictures when I can’t post it every day.
I called Janet when we got here and they were just on the way back from a trip to Vernon so came over about 6 for a drink, then the four of us went out for dinner. The weather is supposed to turn cold and wet in the next day or two so they might head out tomorrow instead of Saturday so I’m glad we caught up with them today. It was good to see them again and get caught up on happenings since we saw them in July at Green Acres. We are looking forward to spending some time with them when we get to the island.
It’s about bed time so I am going to call it quits as it has been a long day. And so ends another great gift of a day and we look forward to another nice day tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Selkirk Loop is an international loop with a unique scenic drive that winds through Idaho, British Columbia and Washington State. Unknowingly, we started the loop at Sandpoint, Idaho and then followed it from Creston to Balfour and then as far south as Nelson. Today we decided to follow the loop as far south as Salmo, unfortunately the rest is back in Washington State so we didn’t do it.
At Salmo we turned west and went to Trail before heading north through Castlegar and Nelson to home. Again, another beautiful drive with wonderful scenery and we felt right at home as we passed Erie Lake and drove through the Beaver Valley! We drove for quite a ways along the Columbia River, and all day we were surrounded by mountains.
Today's Scenery
The Nasookin, a sternwheeler that is now a cottage near Nelson
We stopped at the Post Office in Fruitvale as I had some stuff to mail to Kel and we were very impressed with the lady in the P.O. as she was very helpful, now I hope Kel gets her parcel quickly!
This morning was not great weather wise, it would be sunny then would cloud over and rain a bit then the sun would come out again but once we left the park it turned very sunny and warm with a high of 17C (64F) and stayed like that until we were almost back to Nelson, then it turned rainy and cold. When we got home it was cold and drizzly so not good for sitting outside. We were glad I had put chilli in the slow cooker for dinner so John didn’t have to barbecue.
Dinner is now over and John is looking forward to watching the Tudors while I will enjoy a good book.
And so ends another great gift of a day and we look forward to another nice day tomorrow.
At Salmo we turned west and went to Trail before heading north through Castlegar and Nelson to home. Again, another beautiful drive with wonderful scenery and we felt right at home as we passed Erie Lake and drove through the Beaver Valley! We drove for quite a ways along the Columbia River, and all day we were surrounded by mountains.
Today's Scenery
The Nasookin, a sternwheeler that is now a cottage near Nelson
We stopped at the Post Office in Fruitvale as I had some stuff to mail to Kel and we were very impressed with the lady in the P.O. as she was very helpful, now I hope Kel gets her parcel quickly!
This morning was not great weather wise, it would be sunny then would cloud over and rain a bit then the sun would come out again but once we left the park it turned very sunny and warm with a high of 17C (64F) and stayed like that until we were almost back to Nelson, then it turned rainy and cold. When we got home it was cold and drizzly so not good for sitting outside. We were glad I had put chilli in the slow cooker for dinner so John didn’t have to barbecue.
Dinner is now over and John is looking forward to watching the Tudors while I will enjoy a good book.
And so ends another great gift of a day and we look forward to another nice day tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Today was mainly overcast with just a few breaks of sunshine and a high of about 10C (50F).
Today we did the Slocan Loop – we went north to Kaslo, northwest to New Denver, then south through Slocan and South Slocan, over to Nelson & back home. What beautiful scenery – lots of snow covered mountains and beautiful views all the way.
We stopped at the Visitor’s Center in Kaslo and toured the SS Moyie. The SS Moyie was a passenger carrying steamwheeler that was built in 1898 for the Canadian Pacific Railway and steamed on Kootenay Lake until 1957. She was the last passenger carrying steamwheeler operating in Canada. Passengers would board her and take the boat to Nelson where they could catch a train to Vancouver.
SS Moyie
We were amazed at how elegant the passenger quarters were, there was a sitting room, large dining room, staterooms off the dining room and washrooms.
Passenger Dining Room & Lounge
Every third window across the top had a black and white picture in it – mainly of the mountain scenery in the area.
The lower level was the cargo level and it carried all sorts of goods, including vehicles and fresh fruit and vegetables, as I said an interesting stop.
John wanted to visit Kaslo as he had ancestors who lived here in the late 1800’s. We got the web address for their archives so as soon as we have wi-fi he will search and see if he can find any mention of his relatives.
Today's Scenery
This Was A Neat House & Cottages in New Denver
Our next stop was New Denver for lunch and I drove home from there as when it was time to pay for lunch John realized he had left his wallet at home (how convenient!).
Park in New Denver
When we got home it was quite cool but we decided to be brave and sit out and enjoy the view for a bit. A rental motor home come in beside us and we talked to the people for a bit, they are from the Netherlands and are at the end of a 3 week tour that started in Calgary and they are now on the return leg back to Calgary and home; they said they have really enjoyed our country.
We are now enjoying another quiet evening after a great day. Thanks Ginny & Gil for telling us about the Kootenay’s – we love the area.
And so ends another great gift of a day and we look forward to another nice day tomorrow.
Today we did the Slocan Loop – we went north to Kaslo, northwest to New Denver, then south through Slocan and South Slocan, over to Nelson & back home. What beautiful scenery – lots of snow covered mountains and beautiful views all the way.
We stopped at the Visitor’s Center in Kaslo and toured the SS Moyie. The SS Moyie was a passenger carrying steamwheeler that was built in 1898 for the Canadian Pacific Railway and steamed on Kootenay Lake until 1957. She was the last passenger carrying steamwheeler operating in Canada. Passengers would board her and take the boat to Nelson where they could catch a train to Vancouver.
SS Moyie
We were amazed at how elegant the passenger quarters were, there was a sitting room, large dining room, staterooms off the dining room and washrooms.
Passenger Dining Room & Lounge
Every third window across the top had a black and white picture in it – mainly of the mountain scenery in the area.
The lower level was the cargo level and it carried all sorts of goods, including vehicles and fresh fruit and vegetables, as I said an interesting stop.
John wanted to visit Kaslo as he had ancestors who lived here in the late 1800’s. We got the web address for their archives so as soon as we have wi-fi he will search and see if he can find any mention of his relatives.
Today's Scenery
This Was A Neat House & Cottages in New Denver
Our next stop was New Denver for lunch and I drove home from there as when it was time to pay for lunch John realized he had left his wallet at home (how convenient!).
Park in New Denver
When we got home it was quite cool but we decided to be brave and sit out and enjoy the view for a bit. A rental motor home come in beside us and we talked to the people for a bit, they are from the Netherlands and are at the end of a 3 week tour that started in Calgary and they are now on the return leg back to Calgary and home; they said they have really enjoyed our country.
We are now enjoying another quiet evening after a great day. Thanks Ginny & Gil for telling us about the Kootenay’s – we love the area.
And so ends another great gift of a day and we look forward to another nice day tomorrow.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Today was another nice sunny day, with a high of about 60F (15C) so quite pleasant. We left Creston about 11 a.m. as we only had about 80 km to drive so we took our time getting away.
The drive was beautiful, the road ran along the eastern shore of Kootenay Lake and the other side of the lake was all mountains so very scenic.
Today's Drive
The road was narrow, twisty and turney with lots of ups and downs so it took us a couple of hours to get to Crawford Bay where we had to get a ferry across to Balfour (this is the world’s longest free ferry ride and is part of the B.C. road system). When we got to the ferry landing we found we would have to wait for an hour for the next ferry and John didn’t particularly like the look of the ramp – he was worried we would bottom out on it, so he had lots of time to fret!
When the ferry came in John talked to one of the workers who said we should be okay but just to take it real slow, he also said that the other side was better to get off so that helped relieve some of the worry. Anyway, we made it on okay and it was a 35 minute ride across the lake.
We are now at Birch Grove RV Park & Marina, a couple of miles west of Balfour, and what a nice little park, it is right on the west arm of Kootenay Lake and our site overlooks the lake and marina.
Our Home & View for the Next 3 Nights
After we got set up we enjoyed sitting out on our cement patio with a cold drink and enjoying the view. The downside is there is no wi-fi, they turned it off the first of October, and there is only one TV channel – it is either watch CBC or nothing!! Oh well, I guess we will survive for a few more days without wi-fi and maybe I can pick up something somewhere so I can check my e-mail and post my blog.
When we were registering John talked to a fellow for a few minutes and it turns out he and his wife are originally from Cambridge but have been in B.C. since 1974. I went for a walk before starting dinner and ended up talking to him and his wife for a few minutes. They were just getting ready to start a fire with another couple, who are leaving tomorrow, so asked us to come up later (they are up the hill from where we are) and join them. After dinner we went up to the fire and the owner and his wife also came and joined the group so we had a pleasant evening. They were all very nice and gave us some tips on what to see and do in the area.
By the time the we left the fire for home we were quite cool so are now warming up and watching a bit of TV but I don’t think it will be long before I head for my nice warm bed.
And so ends another great gift of a day and we look forward to another nice day tomorrow.
The drive was beautiful, the road ran along the eastern shore of Kootenay Lake and the other side of the lake was all mountains so very scenic.
Today's Drive
The road was narrow, twisty and turney with lots of ups and downs so it took us a couple of hours to get to Crawford Bay where we had to get a ferry across to Balfour (this is the world’s longest free ferry ride and is part of the B.C. road system). When we got to the ferry landing we found we would have to wait for an hour for the next ferry and John didn’t particularly like the look of the ramp – he was worried we would bottom out on it, so he had lots of time to fret!
When the ferry came in John talked to one of the workers who said we should be okay but just to take it real slow, he also said that the other side was better to get off so that helped relieve some of the worry. Anyway, we made it on okay and it was a 35 minute ride across the lake.
We are now at Birch Grove RV Park & Marina, a couple of miles west of Balfour, and what a nice little park, it is right on the west arm of Kootenay Lake and our site overlooks the lake and marina.
Our Home & View for the Next 3 Nights
After we got set up we enjoyed sitting out on our cement patio with a cold drink and enjoying the view. The downside is there is no wi-fi, they turned it off the first of October, and there is only one TV channel – it is either watch CBC or nothing!! Oh well, I guess we will survive for a few more days without wi-fi and maybe I can pick up something somewhere so I can check my e-mail and post my blog.
When we were registering John talked to a fellow for a few minutes and it turns out he and his wife are originally from Cambridge but have been in B.C. since 1974. I went for a walk before starting dinner and ended up talking to him and his wife for a few minutes. They were just getting ready to start a fire with another couple, who are leaving tomorrow, so asked us to come up later (they are up the hill from where we are) and join them. After dinner we went up to the fire and the owner and his wife also came and joined the group so we had a pleasant evening. They were all very nice and gave us some tips on what to see and do in the area.
By the time the we left the fire for home we were quite cool so are now warming up and watching a bit of TV but I don’t think it will be long before I head for my nice warm bed.
And so ends another great gift of a day and we look forward to another nice day tomorrow.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Today was a nice sunny day, but cool, the high was only about 50F (10C), hopefully it will start warming up.
John was off right at 11 a.m. when the hardware store opened to get the bolts he needed to fix the door, thankfully they had them, so he came back and got to work. It was pretty well an all day event to get it fixed but he did a great job, and of course once it was fixed he had to put the inside of the trailer all back together as he had had to take off the wall covering beside the door, the dinette valance etc. I must say that we were both very relieved that it was fixed and appears to be good.
I called my friend Janet who lives on the island this afternoon and lo and behold they are coming to the Okanagan on Tuesday for a few days so we are meeting for dinner on Friday night. We will be visiting them on the island but were surprised that we would be able to meet before then. As a side note – Janet and I have been friends since grade 2 (I won’t say how many years that is!) – wow! We are hoping to meet up with another old high school friend when on the island – should be fun.
I went into the grocery store today and then came home and did laundry so that was the extent of my day. Had lots of vacuuming to do once John finished up and then we relaxed a bit before getting dinner ready. Tonight will be another quiet evening. We are hoping to have internet tomorrow – will be interesting to see if we do.
And so ends another great gift of a day and we look forward to another nice day tomorrow.
John was off right at 11 a.m. when the hardware store opened to get the bolts he needed to fix the door, thankfully they had them, so he came back and got to work. It was pretty well an all day event to get it fixed but he did a great job, and of course once it was fixed he had to put the inside of the trailer all back together as he had had to take off the wall covering beside the door, the dinette valance etc. I must say that we were both very relieved that it was fixed and appears to be good.
I called my friend Janet who lives on the island this afternoon and lo and behold they are coming to the Okanagan on Tuesday for a few days so we are meeting for dinner on Friday night. We will be visiting them on the island but were surprised that we would be able to meet before then. As a side note – Janet and I have been friends since grade 2 (I won’t say how many years that is!) – wow! We are hoping to meet up with another old high school friend when on the island – should be fun.
I went into the grocery store today and then came home and did laundry so that was the extent of my day. Had lots of vacuuming to do once John finished up and then we relaxed a bit before getting dinner ready. Tonight will be another quiet evening. We are hoping to have internet tomorrow – will be interesting to see if we do.
And so ends another great gift of a day and we look forward to another nice day tomorrow.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Today was pretty overcast most of the day and I saw a high of 50F (10C) on the truck thermometer, so also pretty cool.
Our Trailer at Jim & Mary's RV Park
Our Neighbours - They Were Well Decorated
The drive today through Montanna and Idaho was very pretty, lots of mountains and lakes. There was a lot of mist on the mountains and in Idaho we did see some with snow on the tops of the mountains.
Today's Drive
The border crossing at Porthill was really good, the fellow asked how long we had been in the states (18 days), if we had any liquor (yes) tobacco (no) and if we had brought the trailer in with us when we left Canada (yes). Have a good day he said and away we went. Gotta love crossings like that! He didn’t even look at our passports!
We decided to stop in Creston, B.C. for the night, the first park we checked out didn’t have any big rig sites left so we came to another park, probably about the same price but the wi-fi isn’t working and if it does it costs $2/day – welcome back to Canada!
John got us level and I went to open the door – what, it won’t open so he moved the trailer around a bit thinking it wasn’t level and the door still wouldn’t open. Open checking it out he found the top hinge was broken – not a good thing to have happen! This had happened last year and Can-Am had fixed it so why did it happen again? John took the door apart, fortunately he had watched how they did it last year and he thinks that they thightened the bolts too much and they broke off – hopefully that is what caused it. Anyways, he has the right size bolts – at home in the shed in Kincardine, so we have our fingers crossed that there is a hardware store in town that will be open tomorrow and have the needed size of bolts.
We had a bit of a late dinner and a quiet evening. And so ends another great gift of a day and we hope that tomorrow John can solve our problems (thank goodness he is really handy – as he said all of those years having to watch his father fix things has paid off over his lifetime).
Our Trailer at Jim & Mary's RV Park
Our Neighbours - They Were Well Decorated
The drive today through Montanna and Idaho was very pretty, lots of mountains and lakes. There was a lot of mist on the mountains and in Idaho we did see some with snow on the tops of the mountains.
Today's Drive
The border crossing at Porthill was really good, the fellow asked how long we had been in the states (18 days), if we had any liquor (yes) tobacco (no) and if we had brought the trailer in with us when we left Canada (yes). Have a good day he said and away we went. Gotta love crossings like that! He didn’t even look at our passports!
We decided to stop in Creston, B.C. for the night, the first park we checked out didn’t have any big rig sites left so we came to another park, probably about the same price but the wi-fi isn’t working and if it does it costs $2/day – welcome back to Canada!
John got us level and I went to open the door – what, it won’t open so he moved the trailer around a bit thinking it wasn’t level and the door still wouldn’t open. Open checking it out he found the top hinge was broken – not a good thing to have happen! This had happened last year and Can-Am had fixed it so why did it happen again? John took the door apart, fortunately he had watched how they did it last year and he thinks that they thightened the bolts too much and they broke off – hopefully that is what caused it. Anyways, he has the right size bolts – at home in the shed in Kincardine, so we have our fingers crossed that there is a hardware store in town that will be open tomorrow and have the needed size of bolts.
We had a bit of a late dinner and a quiet evening. And so ends another great gift of a day and we hope that tomorrow John can solve our problems (thank goodness he is really handy – as he said all of those years having to watch his father fix things has paid off over his lifetime).
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