May 24th - Thurs - Watson Lake
Decided to stay another day so we could get caught up on laundry and internet/computer stuff. Most campers left the park this morning so we had the laundry room to ourselves, both for laundry and to access the internet since wifi did not work at our site. We put up our sign at the Sign Post Forest. Weather was lovely.
Rigs started coming in again at 3:00 and included Dalbert & Linda who we had met in Dawson Creek. It was nice enough to sit outside and chat for a while after dinner.
May 25th - Friday - to Whitehorse
Started out cloudy but cleared up to make a beautiful day for a drive. We stopped at Rancheria Falls and walked along a trail/boardwalk to the waterfall - great break. I made lunch in a rest area just out of Teslin and then we stopped at a gift shop in Teslin that has some really wonderful animal mounts in “natural“ settings. We were stopped for a while for a bridge resurfacing project not far past Teslin. Checked into an RV park (2 spots down from Dalbert & Linda!) and then explored the town a bit before dinner.
May 26th - Sat - Whitehorse
Stayed a second day as we thought there would be lots to do here. Would have been if the weather hadn’t turned cool, windy and rainy. Boat rides don’t look too interesting in such weather. We did some grocery shopping and tried to find a couple of light bulbs for the 5th wheel. Then we visited the info center and discovered that we cannot take some of the groceries that we purchased into the US (Alaska). Will have to plan meals to use any forbidden items. Weather cleared enough to check out Miles Canyon.
I spent HOURS today figuring out how to put pictures with captions onto a CD to send to some people who do not have high speed internet access to view our pictures. Finally figured it out and got the CDs created.
A couple pulled in beside us late this afternoon in a motor home pulling a small jeep. They had come up via the Cassiar Highway and did quite a bit of damage to their jeep (broken headlight, 2 broken “fog” lamps, rock chips in the windshield, rocks in the radiator) by rocks thrown from the motor home tires on gravel patches on hills. We plan to take the Cassiar Hwy on the way back!
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
May 22nd to 23rd - Liard Hot Springs, Watson Lake
May 22nd - Tues - to Liard Hot Springs
There were only a couple of towns in B.C. that got snow last night and Fort Nelson was one of them!! Took our time leaving to let the snow melt off the roads. When we got on the road, there was not a cloud in the sky - beautiful!
We forgot to put more water in the 5th wheel so we stayed in a private RV park across the road from the Hot Springs. It is so early in the season for them that their sani-dump was still frozen and unusable. We drove through the provincial campsite - the spaces are large and mostly angled so you can park a big rig without problems. Would definitely stay there if we were up that way again.
Really enjoyed the hot springs. We got there late so the attendant said we could use the hot springs tomorrow without paying again.
Wildlife Watch: 1 moose; 6 cariboo; 1 deer; 20 Stone sheep
May 23rd - Wed - Liard Hot Springs to Watson Lake
Went for a soak in the hot springs before I made a nice breakfast. We met a nice couple in the park (Milo & Marie) but they are going to Skagway first so we won’t see them again unless we cross paths somewhere down the road.
Another lovely, sunny day. The scenery is wonderful, always changing. Only about 150 miles to Watson Lake so an easy driving day.
We checked out the info center and the Signpost Forest before we checked into an RV park. It is a gravel park in the middle of town and there was one rig in it when we drove past coming into town. When we got in about 3, there were 3 other rigs. Then rigs started coming in steadily until about 6.
We needed a couple of grocery items and walked to the only grocery store in town. One look at the prices and we only bought what we had to have now. Hope the prices are a little lower in Whitehorse. At $8.00/lb, we won’t eat many baby back ribs!
We did not have a sign for the Signpost Forest but the RV office just happened to sell sign “blanks”. So we got out the Dremel that Terry had to take with us and made a sign. There are over 61,000 signs as of Sept 2006 - crazy place.
After a nice steak dinner on the barbeque, we went to the Northern Lights Centre (planetarium) and watched a 45 minute presentation - first on stars & the universe and then the northern lights.
The long daylight hours are starting to mess up our sleep clocks. Don’t feel like we should be going to bed at 10 when it is still full light out. On June 21st there will be 21 hours of daylight.
Wildlife Watch: many buffalo - one large herd with 8 calves, several singles or twos; 2 black bears; 1 grizzly with 2 cubs; 1 cariboo
There were only a couple of towns in B.C. that got snow last night and Fort Nelson was one of them!! Took our time leaving to let the snow melt off the roads. When we got on the road, there was not a cloud in the sky - beautiful!
We forgot to put more water in the 5th wheel so we stayed in a private RV park across the road from the Hot Springs. It is so early in the season for them that their sani-dump was still frozen and unusable. We drove through the provincial campsite - the spaces are large and mostly angled so you can park a big rig without problems. Would definitely stay there if we were up that way again.
Really enjoyed the hot springs. We got there late so the attendant said we could use the hot springs tomorrow without paying again.
Wildlife Watch: 1 moose; 6 cariboo; 1 deer; 20 Stone sheep
May 23rd - Wed - Liard Hot Springs to Watson Lake
Went for a soak in the hot springs before I made a nice breakfast. We met a nice couple in the park (Milo & Marie) but they are going to Skagway first so we won’t see them again unless we cross paths somewhere down the road.
Another lovely, sunny day. The scenery is wonderful, always changing. Only about 150 miles to Watson Lake so an easy driving day.
We checked out the info center and the Signpost Forest before we checked into an RV park. It is a gravel park in the middle of town and there was one rig in it when we drove past coming into town. When we got in about 3, there were 3 other rigs. Then rigs started coming in steadily until about 6.
We needed a couple of grocery items and walked to the only grocery store in town. One look at the prices and we only bought what we had to have now. Hope the prices are a little lower in Whitehorse. At $8.00/lb, we won’t eat many baby back ribs!
We did not have a sign for the Signpost Forest but the RV office just happened to sell sign “blanks”. So we got out the Dremel that Terry had to take with us and made a sign. There are over 61,000 signs as of Sept 2006 - crazy place.
After a nice steak dinner on the barbeque, we went to the Northern Lights Centre (planetarium) and watched a 45 minute presentation - first on stars & the universe and then the northern lights.
The long daylight hours are starting to mess up our sleep clocks. Don’t feel like we should be going to bed at 10 when it is still full light out. On June 21st there will be 21 hours of daylight.
Wildlife Watch: many buffalo - one large herd with 8 calves, several singles or twos; 2 black bears; 1 grizzly with 2 cubs; 1 cariboo
Monday, May 21, 2007
May 21st - to Fort Nelson
May 21st - Mon - to Fort Nelson
The weather was lovely when we left Dawson Creek this morning but it changed to scattered clouds, then intermittent showers and now rain. Not snow yet!
Stopped for a couple of photos and to make lunch today but otherwise drove straight through to Fort Nelson. Not impressed with the town - a couple of undesirable RV parks and one just OK where we are. And, probably no fault of the town, diesel is $1.25 a liter - for our U.S. friends, that converts to $5.00 a gallon! And the exchange on money is going against us now. We are getting slightly less than 10 cents on the dollar right now.
We checked out the local museum after we set up here. Quite an interesting collection - one building stuffed with all sorts of displays - animal mounts, old household items, old military items, old signs; a building with old vehicles, most in running condition; a Hudson’s Bay “manager’s” house that was large and fancy for it’s time; a large trapper’s log cabin; and lots of miscellaneous stuff all around the grounds. It was breezy and too cool to loiter very long but it was interesting.
Have wifi at our site so I managed to get the pictures posted that I mentioned in yesterday's entries.
Wildlife seen while driving: 3 moose, 2 bears, 1 coyote and 12 deer.
The weather was lovely when we left Dawson Creek this morning but it changed to scattered clouds, then intermittent showers and now rain. Not snow yet!
Stopped for a couple of photos and to make lunch today but otherwise drove straight through to Fort Nelson. Not impressed with the town - a couple of undesirable RV parks and one just OK where we are. And, probably no fault of the town, diesel is $1.25 a liter - for our U.S. friends, that converts to $5.00 a gallon! And the exchange on money is going against us now. We are getting slightly less than 10 cents on the dollar right now.
We checked out the local museum after we set up here. Quite an interesting collection - one building stuffed with all sorts of displays - animal mounts, old household items, old military items, old signs; a building with old vehicles, most in running condition; a Hudson’s Bay “manager’s” house that was large and fancy for it’s time; a large trapper’s log cabin; and lots of miscellaneous stuff all around the grounds. It was breezy and too cool to loiter very long but it was interesting.
Have wifi at our site so I managed to get the pictures posted that I mentioned in yesterday's entries.
Wildlife seen while driving: 3 moose, 2 bears, 1 coyote and 12 deer.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
May 18th to 20th - to Dawson Creek
May 18th - Friday - to Quesnel
Packed up and left by about 10 am this morning. Stopped on the outskirts of Quesnel to stock up on groceries.
Terry decided to drive to Barkerville with the 5th wheel and stay at Wells. Changed his mind when we saw piles of snow on the roadside and edges of RV parks. So we visited Barkerville for a while and drove back to Quesnel. We hit a tour at Barkerville where the guides acted the part of Barkerville residents in the late 1800’s. They stayed in character the whole time and it was very entertaining.
Stayed overnight in a forgettable RV park in Quesnel.
May 19th - Sat - to Dawson Creek
Beautiful weather today. We stopped in Chetwynd - “Chain Saw Sculpture Capital of the World” for some lunch and to take pictures of the sculptures which are quite amazing. Check out our pictures.
We went to a tire shop in Dawson Creek and got one new tire for the 5th wheel. For some unknown reason, one back tire was wearing very badly. The guy in the tire shop could not tell what the problem was but said the other tires looked like new.
Many people in the RV park where we are staying are heading to Alaska. We invited one couple over after dinner as it is their third trip to Alaska and we wanted to find out what they recommended to see. They have been full-timing for 5 years and are going to work-camp in Kenai this summer.
May 20th - Sun - Tumbler Ridge
We saw an ad for ATV Mud Bog races which we wanted to see today but they were cancelled. So we drove to Tumbler Ridge (60 mi south of Dawson Creek) and then to Monkman Provincial Park (10 mi paved, 25 miles gravel) to see Kinuseo Falls (pictures posted).
Marg said that she thought our niece Katrina (brother Bob’s daughter) lived in Tumbler Ridge. So I left a message for Bob asking for her number. Got the number when we got cell reception again and she and her boyfriend ended up meeting us for a quick visit while we ate lunch. It was really nice to see her again. She has been living in northern BC for many years so she is “all grown up” compared to the last time I saw her.
When we got back we took the obligatory pictures of the “mile 0” signs in town and tried to wash off the worst of the dirt from the truck - rain showers and gravel roads make a terrible mess!
Downloaded pictures from the camera, added captions, updated the blog and now will head over to the RV clubhouse for wireless access to the internet. It is not reaching all sites here.
Packed up and left by about 10 am this morning. Stopped on the outskirts of Quesnel to stock up on groceries.
Terry decided to drive to Barkerville with the 5th wheel and stay at Wells. Changed his mind when we saw piles of snow on the roadside and edges of RV parks. So we visited Barkerville for a while and drove back to Quesnel. We hit a tour at Barkerville where the guides acted the part of Barkerville residents in the late 1800’s. They stayed in character the whole time and it was very entertaining.
Stayed overnight in a forgettable RV park in Quesnel.
May 19th - Sat - to Dawson Creek
Beautiful weather today. We stopped in Chetwynd - “Chain Saw Sculpture Capital of the World” for some lunch and to take pictures of the sculptures which are quite amazing. Check out our pictures.
We went to a tire shop in Dawson Creek and got one new tire for the 5th wheel. For some unknown reason, one back tire was wearing very badly. The guy in the tire shop could not tell what the problem was but said the other tires looked like new.
Many people in the RV park where we are staying are heading to Alaska. We invited one couple over after dinner as it is their third trip to Alaska and we wanted to find out what they recommended to see. They have been full-timing for 5 years and are going to work-camp in Kenai this summer.
May 20th - Sun - Tumbler Ridge
We saw an ad for ATV Mud Bog races which we wanted to see today but they were cancelled. So we drove to Tumbler Ridge (60 mi south of Dawson Creek) and then to Monkman Provincial Park (10 mi paved, 25 miles gravel) to see Kinuseo Falls (pictures posted).
Marg said that she thought our niece Katrina (brother Bob’s daughter) lived in Tumbler Ridge. So I left a message for Bob asking for her number. Got the number when we got cell reception again and she and her boyfriend ended up meeting us for a quick visit while we ate lunch. It was really nice to see her again. She has been living in northern BC for many years so she is “all grown up” compared to the last time I saw her.
When we got back we took the obligatory pictures of the “mile 0” signs in town and tried to wash off the worst of the dirt from the truck - rain showers and gravel roads make a terrible mess!
Downloaded pictures from the camera, added captions, updated the blog and now will head over to the RV clubhouse for wireless access to the internet. It is not reaching all sites here.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
May 15th to 17th - 100 Mile House
May 15th - Tues - 100 Mile
Another trip to town to check the mail - nothing for us. Dolly got a bath and a haircut today - easier to do here in a larger sink. Then I gave Dad a haircut. Terry & Marg fixed a fence section that would allow a coyote to crawl underneath. We had hoped that Terry could see and shot the coyote(s) that has been killing Marg’s lambs but we haven’t seen any since a couple of days after we got here.
Neighbor Joseph joined us for dinner today. He lives in Germany and is here for short visits several times a year.
May 16th - Wed - 100 Mile
Miscellaneous chores today - moved leftover small hay bales to a different barn, fenced off two round hay bales so the sheep won’t eat them over the summer, picked up a couple loads of sticks and swapped forks on the tractor for a bucket. After lunch, time for some gardening before Marg and I went to play golf. We play at a 9 hole par 32 course with wicked slopes but shorter yardage. I shot a 44 so was pleased with that.
May 17th - Thurs - 100 Mile
The power company marked trees last fall that were dead and could fall on power lines so they could be removed before they caused problems. Yesterday a crew came in and cut down the trees on Marg’s property. The property owners are responsible for the trees and limbs once they are down so this morning we cleaned up one tree that was in Marg’s garden area. We hauled the branches to the burn pile, added a couple of bags of burnable garbage and 3 bags of junk sheep fleece and lit the pile.
Marg, Terry and I went to town and our forwarded mail was finally there. So - north to Alaska!!!! - tomorrow.
This afternoon we took a drive to Canim Lake and Mahood Lake. We walked into 2 very pretty waterfalls and then cooked hamburgers over a fire at a campground at Mahood Lake. I wanted to post to our blog before we leave tomorrow so this is it.
Another trip to town to check the mail - nothing for us. Dolly got a bath and a haircut today - easier to do here in a larger sink. Then I gave Dad a haircut. Terry & Marg fixed a fence section that would allow a coyote to crawl underneath. We had hoped that Terry could see and shot the coyote(s) that has been killing Marg’s lambs but we haven’t seen any since a couple of days after we got here.
Neighbor Joseph joined us for dinner today. He lives in Germany and is here for short visits several times a year.
May 16th - Wed - 100 Mile
Miscellaneous chores today - moved leftover small hay bales to a different barn, fenced off two round hay bales so the sheep won’t eat them over the summer, picked up a couple loads of sticks and swapped forks on the tractor for a bucket. After lunch, time for some gardening before Marg and I went to play golf. We play at a 9 hole par 32 course with wicked slopes but shorter yardage. I shot a 44 so was pleased with that.
May 17th - Thurs - 100 Mile
The power company marked trees last fall that were dead and could fall on power lines so they could be removed before they caused problems. Yesterday a crew came in and cut down the trees on Marg’s property. The property owners are responsible for the trees and limbs once they are down so this morning we cleaned up one tree that was in Marg’s garden area. We hauled the branches to the burn pile, added a couple of bags of burnable garbage and 3 bags of junk sheep fleece and lit the pile.
Marg, Terry and I went to town and our forwarded mail was finally there. So - north to Alaska!!!! - tomorrow.
This afternoon we took a drive to Canim Lake and Mahood Lake. We walked into 2 very pretty waterfalls and then cooked hamburgers over a fire at a campground at Mahood Lake. I wanted to post to our blog before we leave tomorrow so this is it.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
May 13th to 14th - 100 Mile House
May 13th - Sun - 100 Mile
We got the fence finished this morning. Marg turned it on and we had current all the way so guess we did it right! Now we can only hope that we fenced the coyote(s) out and not in.
We made a quick trip to town for a few groceries before we went to Al & Cecile’s for a barbeque dinner. Friends Francis & Nicole, George & Pat and Sharon & Kelsey were also there. It was nice enough to sit outside for a drink and most of us put on a jacket and ate outside as well. Nice evening with super friends.
May 14th - Mon - 100 Mile
We are waiting for our mail to be forwarded from Spokane - it includes our new truck license tabs. Marg had to go to the dentist today and checked the mail but nothing for us.
I spent the time while Marg was gone doing some sewing for her. Hemmed 4 new pairs of pants (Marg has lost a lot of weight before and after her knee surgery!), shortened a tee shirt and mended a couple of other pairs of pants. After lunch, Marg & Terry added 4 rows of wire to the fence around the garden to try to keep out deer while Dad & I went to the shop and worked on a wishing well.
We got the fence finished this morning. Marg turned it on and we had current all the way so guess we did it right! Now we can only hope that we fenced the coyote(s) out and not in.
We made a quick trip to town for a few groceries before we went to Al & Cecile’s for a barbeque dinner. Friends Francis & Nicole, George & Pat and Sharon & Kelsey were also there. It was nice enough to sit outside for a drink and most of us put on a jacket and ate outside as well. Nice evening with super friends.
May 14th - Mon - 100 Mile
We are waiting for our mail to be forwarded from Spokane - it includes our new truck license tabs. Marg had to go to the dentist today and checked the mail but nothing for us.
I spent the time while Marg was gone doing some sewing for her. Hemmed 4 new pairs of pants (Marg has lost a lot of weight before and after her knee surgery!), shortened a tee shirt and mended a couple of other pairs of pants. After lunch, Marg & Terry added 4 rows of wire to the fence around the garden to try to keep out deer while Dad & I went to the shop and worked on a wishing well.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
May 8th to 12th - 100 Mile House
May 8th - Tues - 100 Mile
Terry didn’t think we had enough to keep us busy here so he made some more work. He discovered that the ATV with a round bale on a wagon behind it will roll down a slight incline by itself if the brake is not set. If there is a fence in front of it, the fence will lose and have to be repaired. The reason that Terry left the ATV unattended was that he had to open a gate and the donkey tried to slip through before Terry could close it again.
Terry & I went to Logan Lake in the afternoon to visit with friends and then stay overnight with Pat & Rick. We had a lovely evening at Lynden and Charlie’s - Claude & Val were there and we also met some new people.
May 9th - Wed - 100 Mile
Cousin Pat made breakfast for us and we got back to 100 Mile about 11:30. Marg was gone for the day and we were golfing with the ladies group so Terry took me to the golf course and picked up chicken for dinner for him and Dad. Marg & I both won little “junk” items in drawings at golf - think mine will stay in 100 Mile.
May 10th - Thurs - 100 Mile / Williams Lake
Marg had an appointment in Williams Lake at 11:30 so we went with also. We finally found our outline map of Canada to go along with the US map to mark states and provinces that we have visited. Williams Lake has a huge, beautiful tourist information center which Terry & I visited while Marg was busy. We picked up more brochures for our trip to Alaska. I took pictures which I will post when I have speedier internet access.
Marg & I planted some potatoes in her garden and messed around in the greenhouse before doing chores and fixing dinner. I showed Marg pictures on the PC in the evening as her internet connection makes viewing our pictures somewhat painful.
May 11th - Friday - 100 Mile
We ran out of propane sometime during the night so had to go to town for refills. Unfortunately, Marg had to put her nursing skills to use before we went to stitch up a lamb. She has a sometimes disobedient Border Collie (Sage) who will get it into her head to attack a sheep if they all start running and no one stops her right away. Terry was coming back from feeding hay to the cows when the conditions were right and Sage got hold of a lamb and ripped some holes in it’s hide. A shot of penicillin, a bunch of stitches and some lovely purple spray and the lamb was up and around.
After lunch we headed out to add an electric wire on top of a page-wire fence to try to keep out deer and coyotes. We had to staple an insulator to each post with someone on the other side to keep the post from loosening with the pounding. Then we wove wood slats through the page-wire to hold it more firmly and upright. Marg used a “swing saw” (blade on a week eater) to clear tall grasses and brush that was would hit the electric wire. We were all more than ready to shower and go to Francis and Nicole’s for dinner where we were joined by Allan and Cecile.
May 12th - Sat - 100 Mile / Cache Creek
Another unplanned activity this morning. Terry was feeding the cows and the large bale fell off the wagon. He could not get it back on so came back to get the tractor to load the bale on the wagon. Marg & I went back with him and discovered that the reason the bale fell off was a flat tire on the wagon which tilted it enough to dump the bale. We got the bale out of the field where the cows are and took the tire off the wagon so we could get it fixed.
Since we have worked so hard, we rewarded ourselves with a trip to Cache Creek (just over 1 hour drive) to meet Rick and Pat for a game of golf. Unfortunately, the course is very hilly and we had to work climbing hills. We thought we would finish work on the fence but by the time we had lunch and picked up the tire on the way home, there was not enough time for fencing. So Marg & I went to the shop and made a new handle for a pitchfork out of a birch branch. Yes, we could have purchased a new handle for $17 or a new fork for $40 but we figure we had more than $17 worth of fun making the handle!
Terry didn’t think we had enough to keep us busy here so he made some more work. He discovered that the ATV with a round bale on a wagon behind it will roll down a slight incline by itself if the brake is not set. If there is a fence in front of it, the fence will lose and have to be repaired. The reason that Terry left the ATV unattended was that he had to open a gate and the donkey tried to slip through before Terry could close it again.
Terry & I went to Logan Lake in the afternoon to visit with friends and then stay overnight with Pat & Rick. We had a lovely evening at Lynden and Charlie’s - Claude & Val were there and we also met some new people.
May 9th - Wed - 100 Mile
Cousin Pat made breakfast for us and we got back to 100 Mile about 11:30. Marg was gone for the day and we were golfing with the ladies group so Terry took me to the golf course and picked up chicken for dinner for him and Dad. Marg & I both won little “junk” items in drawings at golf - think mine will stay in 100 Mile.
May 10th - Thurs - 100 Mile / Williams Lake
Marg had an appointment in Williams Lake at 11:30 so we went with also. We finally found our outline map of Canada to go along with the US map to mark states and provinces that we have visited. Williams Lake has a huge, beautiful tourist information center which Terry & I visited while Marg was busy. We picked up more brochures for our trip to Alaska. I took pictures which I will post when I have speedier internet access.
Marg & I planted some potatoes in her garden and messed around in the greenhouse before doing chores and fixing dinner. I showed Marg pictures on the PC in the evening as her internet connection makes viewing our pictures somewhat painful.
May 11th - Friday - 100 Mile
We ran out of propane sometime during the night so had to go to town for refills. Unfortunately, Marg had to put her nursing skills to use before we went to stitch up a lamb. She has a sometimes disobedient Border Collie (Sage) who will get it into her head to attack a sheep if they all start running and no one stops her right away. Terry was coming back from feeding hay to the cows when the conditions were right and Sage got hold of a lamb and ripped some holes in it’s hide. A shot of penicillin, a bunch of stitches and some lovely purple spray and the lamb was up and around.
After lunch we headed out to add an electric wire on top of a page-wire fence to try to keep out deer and coyotes. We had to staple an insulator to each post with someone on the other side to keep the post from loosening with the pounding. Then we wove wood slats through the page-wire to hold it more firmly and upright. Marg used a “swing saw” (blade on a week eater) to clear tall grasses and brush that was would hit the electric wire. We were all more than ready to shower and go to Francis and Nicole’s for dinner where we were joined by Allan and Cecile.
May 12th - Sat - 100 Mile / Cache Creek
Another unplanned activity this morning. Terry was feeding the cows and the large bale fell off the wagon. He could not get it back on so came back to get the tractor to load the bale on the wagon. Marg & I went back with him and discovered that the reason the bale fell off was a flat tire on the wagon which tilted it enough to dump the bale. We got the bale out of the field where the cows are and took the tire off the wagon so we could get it fixed.
Since we have worked so hard, we rewarded ourselves with a trip to Cache Creek (just over 1 hour drive) to meet Rick and Pat for a game of golf. Unfortunately, the course is very hilly and we had to work climbing hills. We thought we would finish work on the fence but by the time we had lunch and picked up the tire on the way home, there was not enough time for fencing. So Marg & I went to the shop and made a new handle for a pitchfork out of a birch branch. Yes, we could have purchased a new handle for $17 or a new fork for $40 but we figure we had more than $17 worth of fun making the handle!
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
May 6th to 7th - 100 Mile House
May 6th - Sun - 100 Mile
Marg received a phone call yesterday asking if she would judge sheep and grade scorecards at a 4-H judging rally today. And, by the way, did she know of someone else to help her? Guess who her helper was? Marg (will lots of assistance from me!) had to judge/rank four market lambs with reasons for her ranking. Then groups of 4-H kids had to do the same thing and then we had to grade their scorecards. There were other “stations” for kids to judge - horses, cattle, chickens, rabbits, pigs and floral arrangements. They had 20 minutes at each station. It was an interesting experience. We arrived there just after 9 am and were done shortly after 1 pm.
Terry spent some time hunting ground squirrels and marmots while we were gone - thinned out the population some. Later in the afternoon we replaced a broken post at a gate, cleaned up some areas in the yard and finally planted some irises.
May 7th - Mon - 100 Mile
Did some more cleaning in the yard this morning. Last fall a tree broke off and fell on the roof of the chicken house and made several large holes in the aluminum roof. So we (mainly Terry) replaced 3 sections of aluminum. After lunch Marg, Terry & I went to town for some shopping and errands. We had started dinner in the crockpot so Marg & I had time before dinner to transplant some tomato plants into pots in the greenhouse.
Terry purchased a Milepost book and picked up a handful of brochures in preparation for a trip to Alaska. We figure since we are already a ways north in B.C. that we might as well continue on to Alaska. We hope to leave here next week but we want to wait for new license tabs for the truck - ours expire on June 21st.
Marg received a phone call yesterday asking if she would judge sheep and grade scorecards at a 4-H judging rally today. And, by the way, did she know of someone else to help her? Guess who her helper was? Marg (will lots of assistance from me!) had to judge/rank four market lambs with reasons for her ranking. Then groups of 4-H kids had to do the same thing and then we had to grade their scorecards. There were other “stations” for kids to judge - horses, cattle, chickens, rabbits, pigs and floral arrangements. They had 20 minutes at each station. It was an interesting experience. We arrived there just after 9 am and were done shortly after 1 pm.
Terry spent some time hunting ground squirrels and marmots while we were gone - thinned out the population some. Later in the afternoon we replaced a broken post at a gate, cleaned up some areas in the yard and finally planted some irises.
May 7th - Mon - 100 Mile
Did some more cleaning in the yard this morning. Last fall a tree broke off and fell on the roof of the chicken house and made several large holes in the aluminum roof. So we (mainly Terry) replaced 3 sections of aluminum. After lunch Marg, Terry & I went to town for some shopping and errands. We had started dinner in the crockpot so Marg & I had time before dinner to transplant some tomato plants into pots in the greenhouse.
Terry purchased a Milepost book and picked up a handful of brochures in preparation for a trip to Alaska. We figure since we are already a ways north in B.C. that we might as well continue on to Alaska. We hope to leave here next week but we want to wait for new license tabs for the truck - ours expire on June 21st.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
May 3rd to 5th - 100 Mile House
May 3rd - Thurs - 100 Mile
I took the time this morning to catch up and update our blog. Takes a while when I am behind a week. Marg & Terry went hunting gophers but only hit one.
In the afternoon, Terry helped friend Francis haul some building materials in a little trailer. Marg & I used the time to work in the garden - partly prompted by cousin Pat giving Marg some iris corms that she was getting rid of. We were building a rock garden to display a large barn-board bird house so first we had to collect the rocks. Terry was his usual “get things done” person when he got back so we actually got the bird house placement done. But we did not get any iris’ planted as we were interrupted by a neighbor who arrived to pick up some well aged “fertilizer” for his garden.
Dad toured part of the farm in the ATV this afternoon. He is not real happy with his legs - has numbness and thinks he does not have enough strength in them. We have to remind him that he spent a couple of months not getting around much and then 2 weeks in the hospital so he needs to be a little patient.
May 4th - Fri - 100 Mile
Took Dad to the health clinic to get the rest of his staples out and then did some grocery shopping. We were having Francis & Nicole and Allan & Cecile over for dinner. By the time we made lunch and prepped for dinner, we only had time to plant a few iris’ before our company arrived. We played a few rounds of LCR after dinner to finish a very nice evening.
May 5th - Sat - 100 Mile
Went touring “out West” today. Drove over mostly gravel back roads to the Fraser River. We stopped at a picnic/camp area where we lit a campfire and roasted wieners for lunch. We crossed the river and checked out the Gang Ranch (large cattle ranch) and then drove back via Hwy 97 from just north of Clinton.
I took the time this morning to catch up and update our blog. Takes a while when I am behind a week. Marg & Terry went hunting gophers but only hit one.
In the afternoon, Terry helped friend Francis haul some building materials in a little trailer. Marg & I used the time to work in the garden - partly prompted by cousin Pat giving Marg some iris corms that she was getting rid of. We were building a rock garden to display a large barn-board bird house so first we had to collect the rocks. Terry was his usual “get things done” person when he got back so we actually got the bird house placement done. But we did not get any iris’ planted as we were interrupted by a neighbor who arrived to pick up some well aged “fertilizer” for his garden.
Dad toured part of the farm in the ATV this afternoon. He is not real happy with his legs - has numbness and thinks he does not have enough strength in them. We have to remind him that he spent a couple of months not getting around much and then 2 weeks in the hospital so he needs to be a little patient.
May 4th - Fri - 100 Mile
Took Dad to the health clinic to get the rest of his staples out and then did some grocery shopping. We were having Francis & Nicole and Allan & Cecile over for dinner. By the time we made lunch and prepped for dinner, we only had time to plant a few iris’ before our company arrived. We played a few rounds of LCR after dinner to finish a very nice evening.
May 5th - Sat - 100 Mile
Went touring “out West” today. Drove over mostly gravel back roads to the Fraser River. We stopped at a picnic/camp area where we lit a campfire and roasted wieners for lunch. We crossed the river and checked out the Gang Ranch (large cattle ranch) and then drove back via Hwy 97 from just north of Clinton.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
April 26th to May 2nd
April 26th - Thurs - Kamloops
Dad is doing OK. One foot seems to be still lacking some circulation as it is whiter and cooler than the other foot. Took him for a little walk around the ward.
Cousin Pat & Rick came to visit and have dinner with us. As we were preparing dinner, a friend of Marg’s drove by with her trailer to spend the night in the same RV park as us. So we invited her (Jane) and her daughter (Alisha) to join us for dinner.
Obviously we found somewhere to post our log. We went to the library and they had WiFi access. We also took the time to look for coordinates to set up our satellite dish. We have a zip code chart but not postal code chart. We set up the dish with some help from a neighbor and are now getting as many foreign (Japan, Australia, South Korea) channels as US channels! Could have watched a rousing cricket match if we had so desired.
April 27th - Friday - Kamloops and Logan Lake
After visiting Dad at the hospital, we went to Logan Lake (about 45 minutes from Kamloops) to see Pat & Rick. We viewed the house that they are currently renovating, saw my Aunt Adela’s house (Pat’s Mom) that she just purchased and saw Pat’s daughter’s (Morgan) house that they just moved into. Pat made us a great lunch.
Marg left for home from Logan Lake.
April 28th & 29th- Sat/Sun - Kamloops
Dad is doing great. We took him down the elevator and along a long hallway to go outside for a bit. He has been in the hospital for nearly 2 weeks so a breath of fresh air was a treat for him.
We added a couple of visits to the casino to our hospital visits. The first time we both won a bit. We ended up giving it all back but at least it gave us something different to do.
April 30th - Mon - Kamloops to 100 Mile House
Dad informed us yesterday evening that he was being discharged today. We packed up the rig and then picked Dad up at 9. Hooked up to the 5th wheel, dumped the tanks (no sewer hookup at the sites) and took “the back way” to 100 Mile. What I am calling “the back way” follows the Thompson River to Little Fort before joining Hwy 97 just south of 100 Mile. Pretty country and a lovely drive. Arrived in 100 Mile in time for lunch.
Marg had lit a small pile of branches on fire and it jumped to an old downed fir tree and was getting quite hot. So Terry & I ended up babysitting the fire and keeping it contained for several hours.
May 1st - Tues - 100 Mile
Marg had a large (200 lb) bag of wool and some loose wool from sheep shearing that she wanted to burn as there is no market for small amounts of non-premium wool. So we hauled it over to the burn pile, added some diesel and started another fire. Actually, we started with the loose wool and a load of sticks that we picked up. Then Marg harrowed a field while I tossed the bag of wool in a bit at a time. There was another bag of wool that Marg hadn’t decided if she was going to burn. Terry decided that it was going to get burned so he hauled it over. Then Terry & I collected two small wagon loads of sticks to add to the fire and get all the wool burned.
After lunch, Terry and I put grass seed on the field that Marg had harrowed while Marg took Dad to the local doctor to check on his medications. We had a hand crank seeder with a canvas bag that you fill with grass seed. Then I sat on the back of the 4-wheeler and cranked while Terry drove around the field. Yes, I know there are machines to do this!! We had a great start - Terry was in high gear and did not make a smooth start and dumped me off the back of the 4-wheeler. Since I was holding the seeder with both hands, I could not catch myself and have a couple of dandy bruises on my butt and thigh where I hit a platform on the 4-wheeler and a rock.
After Terry harrowed the seeded field again to cover the seed a bit, we went out to the field where Marg had fed hay to the cows all winter. In the field and between trees were mounds of cow sh*t that needed to be broken up and spread around a bit. This is done with the harrow. Pulling half the harrows behind the 4-wheeler allows you to get between the trees where you cannot go with the big tractor. I moved sticks and tossed cow stuff to areas where Terry could drive while Terry drove around the field and through the trees with the harrows. We did a fine job!
The sheep shearer called this evening to say that he could come tomorrow so Marg and I put all the sheep into barns in case it rains tonight. Nothing like shearing wet sheep.
May 2nd - Wed - 100 Mile
Friends Nicole, Allan and Cecile arrived to help us with shearing. This is the first time that I have seen or taken part in shearing and it was quite a production. We had everything organized and it went well. Terry was in charge of keeping a small pen full of sheep so the shearer could reach past a burlap curtain (manned by Allan) to grab the next sheep. Marg & Cecile each grabbed a front leg of the sheared sheep and with a push from the shearer pulled the sheep on its back to the hoof trimming “station”. Marg trimmed the front hooves while I did the back. Rolled them over and out the door. Meanwhile, Nicole was grabbing the fleece and dropping it onto a sheet of plywood on sawhorses where she picked out any big pieces of undesirable material (sh*t), folded the fleece and stacked them against the wall. She also kept the area swept clear of stray bits of wool trimmed from the belly.
Dad was busy sharpening knives for me and came out to “supervise” for a while.
Marg and I had mixed up a crock pot of chili and baked brownies last night and baked some corn bread this morning so we all had lunch after we finished the shearing about noon.
Not surprisingly, we all rested after lunch and Marg iced one of her new knees where she had been kicked by an unappreciative ewe. Marg and I then joined the ladies’ club for 9 holes of golf and dinner. We both kept noticing sore spots and muscles as we were golfing.
Dad is doing OK. One foot seems to be still lacking some circulation as it is whiter and cooler than the other foot. Took him for a little walk around the ward.
Cousin Pat & Rick came to visit and have dinner with us. As we were preparing dinner, a friend of Marg’s drove by with her trailer to spend the night in the same RV park as us. So we invited her (Jane) and her daughter (Alisha) to join us for dinner.
Obviously we found somewhere to post our log. We went to the library and they had WiFi access. We also took the time to look for coordinates to set up our satellite dish. We have a zip code chart but not postal code chart. We set up the dish with some help from a neighbor and are now getting as many foreign (Japan, Australia, South Korea) channels as US channels! Could have watched a rousing cricket match if we had so desired.
April 27th - Friday - Kamloops and Logan Lake
After visiting Dad at the hospital, we went to Logan Lake (about 45 minutes from Kamloops) to see Pat & Rick. We viewed the house that they are currently renovating, saw my Aunt Adela’s house (Pat’s Mom) that she just purchased and saw Pat’s daughter’s (Morgan) house that they just moved into. Pat made us a great lunch.
Marg left for home from Logan Lake.
April 28th & 29th- Sat/Sun - Kamloops
Dad is doing great. We took him down the elevator and along a long hallway to go outside for a bit. He has been in the hospital for nearly 2 weeks so a breath of fresh air was a treat for him.
We added a couple of visits to the casino to our hospital visits. The first time we both won a bit. We ended up giving it all back but at least it gave us something different to do.
April 30th - Mon - Kamloops to 100 Mile House
Dad informed us yesterday evening that he was being discharged today. We packed up the rig and then picked Dad up at 9. Hooked up to the 5th wheel, dumped the tanks (no sewer hookup at the sites) and took “the back way” to 100 Mile. What I am calling “the back way” follows the Thompson River to Little Fort before joining Hwy 97 just south of 100 Mile. Pretty country and a lovely drive. Arrived in 100 Mile in time for lunch.
Marg had lit a small pile of branches on fire and it jumped to an old downed fir tree and was getting quite hot. So Terry & I ended up babysitting the fire and keeping it contained for several hours.
May 1st - Tues - 100 Mile
Marg had a large (200 lb) bag of wool and some loose wool from sheep shearing that she wanted to burn as there is no market for small amounts of non-premium wool. So we hauled it over to the burn pile, added some diesel and started another fire. Actually, we started with the loose wool and a load of sticks that we picked up. Then Marg harrowed a field while I tossed the bag of wool in a bit at a time. There was another bag of wool that Marg hadn’t decided if she was going to burn. Terry decided that it was going to get burned so he hauled it over. Then Terry & I collected two small wagon loads of sticks to add to the fire and get all the wool burned.
After lunch, Terry and I put grass seed on the field that Marg had harrowed while Marg took Dad to the local doctor to check on his medications. We had a hand crank seeder with a canvas bag that you fill with grass seed. Then I sat on the back of the 4-wheeler and cranked while Terry drove around the field. Yes, I know there are machines to do this!! We had a great start - Terry was in high gear and did not make a smooth start and dumped me off the back of the 4-wheeler. Since I was holding the seeder with both hands, I could not catch myself and have a couple of dandy bruises on my butt and thigh where I hit a platform on the 4-wheeler and a rock.
After Terry harrowed the seeded field again to cover the seed a bit, we went out to the field where Marg had fed hay to the cows all winter. In the field and between trees were mounds of cow sh*t that needed to be broken up and spread around a bit. This is done with the harrow. Pulling half the harrows behind the 4-wheeler allows you to get between the trees where you cannot go with the big tractor. I moved sticks and tossed cow stuff to areas where Terry could drive while Terry drove around the field and through the trees with the harrows. We did a fine job!
The sheep shearer called this evening to say that he could come tomorrow so Marg and I put all the sheep into barns in case it rains tonight. Nothing like shearing wet sheep.
May 2nd - Wed - 100 Mile
Friends Nicole, Allan and Cecile arrived to help us with shearing. This is the first time that I have seen or taken part in shearing and it was quite a production. We had everything organized and it went well. Terry was in charge of keeping a small pen full of sheep so the shearer could reach past a burlap curtain (manned by Allan) to grab the next sheep. Marg & Cecile each grabbed a front leg of the sheared sheep and with a push from the shearer pulled the sheep on its back to the hoof trimming “station”. Marg trimmed the front hooves while I did the back. Rolled them over and out the door. Meanwhile, Nicole was grabbing the fleece and dropping it onto a sheet of plywood on sawhorses where she picked out any big pieces of undesirable material (sh*t), folded the fleece and stacked them against the wall. She also kept the area swept clear of stray bits of wool trimmed from the belly.
Dad was busy sharpening knives for me and came out to “supervise” for a while.
Marg and I had mixed up a crock pot of chili and baked brownies last night and baked some corn bread this morning so we all had lunch after we finished the shearing about noon.
Not surprisingly, we all rested after lunch and Marg iced one of her new knees where she had been kicked by an unappreciative ewe. Marg and I then joined the ladies’ club for 9 holes of golf and dinner. We both kept noticing sore spots and muscles as we were golfing.
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