Aug 27th - Mon - to Campbell River
We intended to end up at Port McNeill today but after a late start and some shopping in Courtney, we decided to stay in Campbell River. We got a spot in an RV park right on the water and enjoyed a stroll before dinner. Marg & I relaxed in the hot tub later. We heard the rain start just after going to bed.
Aug 28th - Tues - to Port McNeill
Grocery shopping this morning so we arrived at my brother Doug’s place in Port McNeill around 4. Rained most of the way and continued all evening. Doug & Judy have a couple of acres so they have lots of room for us to park and hook up to electricity and water. Doug works for CanFor (Canadian Forest Products) and they are on strike right now. He had to put in a shift on the picket line today but he was back by the time we got here.
Judy fixed a nice dinner so we relaxed and enjoyed good food and good company. It was cool enough that Doug lit a fire in the wood stove in the family room and everyone got very lazy!
Aug 29th - Wed - Port McNeill
Judy had to work today. She works 3 days a week for a veterinarian. My nephew Dennis, who lives right next door, has a wireless internet connection that I can use so I caught up on emails while the others checked out the gardens, greenhouses and Dennis’ farm. Running some errands in town used up the afternoon until happy hour(s). We had a fire in the outdoor firepit and ate dinner outside even though it was a little cool. Dennis was recently engaged to be married and we met his fiancé Nina.
Aug 30th - Thurs - Port McNeill
Judy had to work again today. After Doug returned from doing a little job with his backhoe, we went to Telegraph Cove and wandered the boardwalks and whale interpretive center there. Telegraph Cove is a little settlement that used to be a sawmill and has retained a lot of its old buildings and character.. Stopped by the house to pick up propane tanks and back into town for a couple more errands and some groceries.
The weather wasn’t too bad so Terry, Marg and I checked out the local 9 hole par 3 golf course. Very short, nicely maintained. We each just took 3 clubs and Marg & I ran into more trouble than you might imagine from first looking at the course - Terry did well.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Aug 24th to 26th - Parksville
Aug 24th - Fri - to Parksville
We drove to Parksville today to meet up with brother Doug and his wife Judy. They live on the north end of Vancouver Island (Port McNeill) and are in Parksville to attend a wedding.
We arrived about 1:00 after stopping for some groceries in Nanaimo. We set up, had lunch and went looking for a liquor store for some beer. Guess property is at a premium all over Vancouver Island as we ran into parking problems again where the liquor store shared a very small parking lot with a grocery store.
When we got back, Doug & Judy had arrived - just in time for happy hour(s). Before we had time to fix dinner, Judy’s Mom & Dad (Carl & Pat who live in Parksville) and Judy’s brother - John - arrived for a visit. The weather was nice and we sat out and chatted until past the 10 o’clock quiet time.
Aug 25th - Sat - Parksville
Doug & Judy set out on their bicycles to Coomes but we can’t keep up with them on bikes so we choose to drive there. It is a small town with a large assortment of touristy stores including a market/restaurant that has goats living on the sod roof - appropriately known as ‘Goats on the Roof‘.
Before we went to Coomes, we went to view sand sculptures that had been entered in a competition. There were 3 group entries and about a dozen individual entries. The imagination and sculpting talent is amazing. My nephew in Port McNeill (Dennis) has a wireless internet connection so I should be able to update photos on the blog.
While we were strolling around Coomes it started to rain - and then to pour. We had been keeping an eye out for Doug & Judy but did not see them. After a late lunch when we got back, we went to see Doug & Judy. They had been caught in the downpour and gotten soaked.
Marg & Dad arrived about 5. They had been to Pemberton to see brother Bob and caught a ferry at Horseshoe Bay. Doug & Judy went to dinner with friends and the rest of us had to move inside for dinner as the weather cooled down. It started to rain about 11 and rained off & on during the night.
Aug 26th - Sun - Parksville
Doug & Judy attended the midday wedding while Marg, Dad, Terry & I went first to show Marg & Dad the sand sculptures and then went golfing. The weather had cleared up for a nice 9 holes of golf on a pretty course in Qualicum Beach.
We all gathered for drinks and dinner. Judy’s Mom & Dad and her brother came again so they could see Dad & Marg. John brought his ukulele and Judy got out her guitar so we had some entertainment as well. We had to put out the awning and get cozy to avoid some rain but it wasn’t too cold.
We drove to Parksville today to meet up with brother Doug and his wife Judy. They live on the north end of Vancouver Island (Port McNeill) and are in Parksville to attend a wedding.
We arrived about 1:00 after stopping for some groceries in Nanaimo. We set up, had lunch and went looking for a liquor store for some beer. Guess property is at a premium all over Vancouver Island as we ran into parking problems again where the liquor store shared a very small parking lot with a grocery store.
When we got back, Doug & Judy had arrived - just in time for happy hour(s). Before we had time to fix dinner, Judy’s Mom & Dad (Carl & Pat who live in Parksville) and Judy’s brother - John - arrived for a visit. The weather was nice and we sat out and chatted until past the 10 o’clock quiet time.
Aug 25th - Sat - Parksville
Doug & Judy set out on their bicycles to Coomes but we can’t keep up with them on bikes so we choose to drive there. It is a small town with a large assortment of touristy stores including a market/restaurant that has goats living on the sod roof - appropriately known as ‘Goats on the Roof‘.
Before we went to Coomes, we went to view sand sculptures that had been entered in a competition. There were 3 group entries and about a dozen individual entries. The imagination and sculpting talent is amazing. My nephew in Port McNeill (Dennis) has a wireless internet connection so I should be able to update photos on the blog.
While we were strolling around Coomes it started to rain - and then to pour. We had been keeping an eye out for Doug & Judy but did not see them. After a late lunch when we got back, we went to see Doug & Judy. They had been caught in the downpour and gotten soaked.
Marg & Dad arrived about 5. They had been to Pemberton to see brother Bob and caught a ferry at Horseshoe Bay. Doug & Judy went to dinner with friends and the rest of us had to move inside for dinner as the weather cooled down. It started to rain about 11 and rained off & on during the night.
Aug 26th - Sun - Parksville
Doug & Judy attended the midday wedding while Marg, Dad, Terry & I went first to show Marg & Dad the sand sculptures and then went golfing. The weather had cleared up for a nice 9 holes of golf on a pretty course in Qualicum Beach.
We all gathered for drinks and dinner. Judy’s Mom & Dad and her brother came again so they could see Dad & Marg. John brought his ukulele and Judy got out her guitar so we had some entertainment as well. We had to put out the awning and get cozy to avoid some rain but it wasn’t too cold.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Aug 21st to 23rd - Monroe/Victoria, BC
Aug 21st - Tues - Monroe
A little fog in the morning lifted quickly. Barb made us breakfast and we just took it easy and did laundry until it was time to eat again! I used Barb’s sewing machine to fix a seam on a pillowcase and was able to show her how to use the needle threader on her machine which made her very happy. After lunch we went to Blue Boy golf course to play 9 holes. There was no one at the course as it had been raining on and off there all morning. We had great weather for our game. The course is very pretty. I am glad that we were playing with Larry & Barb as most holes were blind or needed tips to play smart. They warned us about hole 8 being “the hole from hell” and Terry birdied it - after struggling with the first 7 holes.
Another great dinner with good friends.
Aug 22nd - Wed - to Victoria
Breakfast courtesy of Barb again and then we left for Anacortes to catch the ferry to Vancouver Island. It goes to Sidney which is just north of Victoria. The ferry left at 2:00 and stopped at Orcas Island and Friday Harbour to take on more passengers. We were driving off the ferry (note - NOT backing off!) at 5:25 and were set up in the Fort Victoria RV park with dinner on the barbeque by just after 7. Quite a bit of traffic noise here.
Aug 23rd - Thurs - Victoria
We went back to Sidney this morning and wandered & shopped along a very nice main street. The lady in the RV park office said they have a street fair every Thursday but it did not start until 5:30.
We next visited Butchart Gardens and could not have had a more lovely day to do so. Summer is a wonderful time to see the gardens as everything is in full bloom - truly gorgeous. I could have spent more time there but Terry was a very good sport about the time that we did spend so it worked out OK.
We then decided to go to the Underwater Gardens which are in downtown Victoria. Parking turned out to be a huge pain so we cancelled that plan and drove along a “scenic drive” along the water before heading back to the rig for an early dinner.
After dinner we went back to Sidney to check out the street fair. They block off several blocks of the main street and put up booths. Again, parking was a challenge - there were lots of people shopping.
We purchased 24 hours of wireless internet access so I have to get this blog done and posted before my time runs out.
A little fog in the morning lifted quickly. Barb made us breakfast and we just took it easy and did laundry until it was time to eat again! I used Barb’s sewing machine to fix a seam on a pillowcase and was able to show her how to use the needle threader on her machine which made her very happy. After lunch we went to Blue Boy golf course to play 9 holes. There was no one at the course as it had been raining on and off there all morning. We had great weather for our game. The course is very pretty. I am glad that we were playing with Larry & Barb as most holes were blind or needed tips to play smart. They warned us about hole 8 being “the hole from hell” and Terry birdied it - after struggling with the first 7 holes.
Another great dinner with good friends.
Aug 22nd - Wed - to Victoria
Breakfast courtesy of Barb again and then we left for Anacortes to catch the ferry to Vancouver Island. It goes to Sidney which is just north of Victoria. The ferry left at 2:00 and stopped at Orcas Island and Friday Harbour to take on more passengers. We were driving off the ferry (note - NOT backing off!) at 5:25 and were set up in the Fort Victoria RV park with dinner on the barbeque by just after 7. Quite a bit of traffic noise here.
Aug 23rd - Thurs - Victoria
We went back to Sidney this morning and wandered & shopped along a very nice main street. The lady in the RV park office said they have a street fair every Thursday but it did not start until 5:30.
We next visited Butchart Gardens and could not have had a more lovely day to do so. Summer is a wonderful time to see the gardens as everything is in full bloom - truly gorgeous. I could have spent more time there but Terry was a very good sport about the time that we did spend so it worked out OK.
We then decided to go to the Underwater Gardens which are in downtown Victoria. Parking turned out to be a huge pain so we cancelled that plan and drove along a “scenic drive” along the water before heading back to the rig for an early dinner.
After dinner we went back to Sidney to check out the street fair. They block off several blocks of the main street and put up booths. Again, parking was a challenge - there were lots of people shopping.
We purchased 24 hours of wireless internet access so I have to get this blog done and posted before my time runs out.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Aug 19th to 20th - Washington
Aug 19th - Sun - Rochester
We were planning to go to the fair with Dean and family but it rained during then night and is still cloudy & drizzly today. Terry & I picked some blackberries before he & Dean went to the casino to take part in a poker tournament. Dean got knocked out pretty quickly. Terry lasted a little longer - 16 out of 30. None of us won the $20,000 drawing at 4 pm!!
Aug 20th - Mon - to Monroe, WA
HATE the traffic in the Seattle area! We left Rochester about 9:30 and hit slow traffic right away on I5. Stopped at Camping World for a new sewer hose and got right back into slow traffic. We pulled into a rest area to dump the tanks and then had MORE slow traffic on I405. We arrived at Larry & Barb’s (friends we met in Alaska) in Monroe about 1:30 We traveled about 110 miles!
Barb made a great steak dinner, we put out the slides on our rig in their nice long driveway and “so to bed”.
We were planning to go to the fair with Dean and family but it rained during then night and is still cloudy & drizzly today. Terry & I picked some blackberries before he & Dean went to the casino to take part in a poker tournament. Dean got knocked out pretty quickly. Terry lasted a little longer - 16 out of 30. None of us won the $20,000 drawing at 4 pm!!
Aug 20th - Mon - to Monroe, WA
HATE the traffic in the Seattle area! We left Rochester about 9:30 and hit slow traffic right away on I5. Stopped at Camping World for a new sewer hose and got right back into slow traffic. We pulled into a rest area to dump the tanks and then had MORE slow traffic on I405. We arrived at Larry & Barb’s (friends we met in Alaska) in Monroe about 1:30 We traveled about 110 miles!
Barb made a great steak dinner, we put out the slides on our rig in their nice long driveway and “so to bed”.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Aug 11th to 18th - Washington state
Aug 11th - Sat - Spokane
We had a lazy morning at Skip & Kathy’s and then went to Ella Mae & Don’s to pick them up for a trip to Fort Spokane. It is only about a 70 mile drive so we were set up in the RV park at the Two Rivers casino/RV park/marina complex before dinner. After dinner we had to check out the casino and did not get back to the rig until midnight.
Aug 12th - Sun - Fort Spokane
Breakfast, casino and a sightseeing trip around the area after lunch back at the rig. Another visit to the casino convinced us all that we did not like this casino much. The slot machines take paper money or coins but pay out (less than $100) in coins. It is pain playing the coins or always cashing them in at the cashier.
I ended up a little ahead - made up Terry’s loses.
Aug 13th - Mon - back to Spokane
We left early and stopped at the Northern Quest casino in Airway Heights on the way back to Spokane. Played a couple of hours and then had lunch at the buffet. With the points on our player club cards, it cost Terry & I $3.10 for a good lunch. Played a while longer and then continued back to Ella Mae & Don’s. We parked at the curb and just slept in the 5th wheel without putting any slides out.
Aug 14th - Tues - to Ocean Shores, WA
Good friends Bill & Georgia (from Spokane) are staying in a state campground near Ocean Shores so we decided to join them for a couple of days. I did a load of laundry at Ella Mae’s before leaving so we left about 9:30 and expected to arrive about 4:30. Like many good plans, this one did not work.
Between Ellensburg and Cle Elem (on I90) we blew a tire on the 5th wheel. As we pulled to the shoulder to have a look, we saw a sign saying “Rest Area 1 Mile”. The blown tire was shredded so we limped to the rest area hoping that the remaining tire on that side would hold up as it had a 3 inch cut on the side wall. We changed to the spare and slowly drove to Cle Elem where we could not get Goodyear tires. Back to Ellensburg (23 miles) where we still could not get Goodyear tires so we settled for 2 tires from Les Shwab. They fit us in fairly quickly and we were back on the road with an estimated arrival time (Wanda) of 7:20.
Bill & Georgia had secured a site for us at the RV park and met us with a couple of Scotches! Barb & Larry from Monroe (our Alaska traveling friends) have a lot at Ocean Shores that they had offered to us for camping if we were in the area. Barb had emailed a permission slip so we went to the local McDonalds and paid for internet access to receive the slip. We then had the address of the lot and spent some time looking for the address in the dark but did not find it. Ask Bill how he likes HIS GPS system!
Aug 15th - Wed - Ocean Shores, WA
Found the lot this morning and determined how we could most easily park. Returned to the state campground, packed up and moved. Bill & Georgia had met a couple in the campground that they knew (Chuck & Cherie) so we invited them to join us for dinner. By the time that we picked up some firewood, hit the grocery store and unsuccessfully tried to fill propane bottles, it was time for dinner and a campfire.
We leaned back in lawn chairs for some star gazing and saw a great shooting star (meteor) and a fast moving satellite. Larry & Barb’s lot is on a canal (23 miles of them in Ocean Shores) in a quiet neighborhood. It is set up with water & electric for 2 RVs so we really enjoyed it.
Aug 16th - Thurs - Ocean Shores
Misty rain this morning letting us know why the area is so green. It cleared up mid morning so Georgia and I could do some shopping while the guys got propane and visited the casino so they would not have to join us for shopping. They did end up at a couple of stores after lunch! Back to the rigs for R&R after such a taxing day! Georgia and I walked a couple of blocks down the road and across the sand dunes to the beach. Lovely day.
Aug 17th - Fri - to Rochester, WA
Hard rain and a thunder storm last night. I made us all breakfast before we started packing up. The guys got rained on a couple of times as they were doing the “outside” stuff. We parted company with Bill & Georgia - they were heading to Richland, WA for sprint boat races and we were going to Rochester to see son Dean and his family. We got a spot at the Lucky Eagle Casino (cannot park at Dean’s) and had Dean, Jennifer, Victoria and Cameron over for dinner. Cameron is going to be 6 on Oct 31st and is very shy at first. But suddenly he will start talking and becomes quite the entertainer - kept us all laughing. Victoria is 13 and is as tall as her mother (5 ft 2 inches).
Aug 18th - Sat - Rochester
Dean & Jennifer had us and Jennifer’s parents (Jack & Marty) over for breakfast today. Then we drove out to see the 2 spec houses that Dean and Jack have built about 45 minutes from here. 2 very different houses side by side on 5 acres pieces of property - very nice.
The casino beat us up this afternoon. Terry found that we could get internet access in the motel across the parking lot so I can update the blog. Hate it when I get a week behind!
We had a lazy morning at Skip & Kathy’s and then went to Ella Mae & Don’s to pick them up for a trip to Fort Spokane. It is only about a 70 mile drive so we were set up in the RV park at the Two Rivers casino/RV park/marina complex before dinner. After dinner we had to check out the casino and did not get back to the rig until midnight.
Aug 12th - Sun - Fort Spokane
Breakfast, casino and a sightseeing trip around the area after lunch back at the rig. Another visit to the casino convinced us all that we did not like this casino much. The slot machines take paper money or coins but pay out (less than $100) in coins. It is pain playing the coins or always cashing them in at the cashier.
I ended up a little ahead - made up Terry’s loses.
Aug 13th - Mon - back to Spokane
We left early and stopped at the Northern Quest casino in Airway Heights on the way back to Spokane. Played a couple of hours and then had lunch at the buffet. With the points on our player club cards, it cost Terry & I $3.10 for a good lunch. Played a while longer and then continued back to Ella Mae & Don’s. We parked at the curb and just slept in the 5th wheel without putting any slides out.
Aug 14th - Tues - to Ocean Shores, WA
Good friends Bill & Georgia (from Spokane) are staying in a state campground near Ocean Shores so we decided to join them for a couple of days. I did a load of laundry at Ella Mae’s before leaving so we left about 9:30 and expected to arrive about 4:30. Like many good plans, this one did not work.
Between Ellensburg and Cle Elem (on I90) we blew a tire on the 5th wheel. As we pulled to the shoulder to have a look, we saw a sign saying “Rest Area 1 Mile”. The blown tire was shredded so we limped to the rest area hoping that the remaining tire on that side would hold up as it had a 3 inch cut on the side wall. We changed to the spare and slowly drove to Cle Elem where we could not get Goodyear tires. Back to Ellensburg (23 miles) where we still could not get Goodyear tires so we settled for 2 tires from Les Shwab. They fit us in fairly quickly and we were back on the road with an estimated arrival time (Wanda) of 7:20.
Bill & Georgia had secured a site for us at the RV park and met us with a couple of Scotches! Barb & Larry from Monroe (our Alaska traveling friends) have a lot at Ocean Shores that they had offered to us for camping if we were in the area. Barb had emailed a permission slip so we went to the local McDonalds and paid for internet access to receive the slip. We then had the address of the lot and spent some time looking for the address in the dark but did not find it. Ask Bill how he likes HIS GPS system!
Aug 15th - Wed - Ocean Shores, WA
Found the lot this morning and determined how we could most easily park. Returned to the state campground, packed up and moved. Bill & Georgia had met a couple in the campground that they knew (Chuck & Cherie) so we invited them to join us for dinner. By the time that we picked up some firewood, hit the grocery store and unsuccessfully tried to fill propane bottles, it was time for dinner and a campfire.
We leaned back in lawn chairs for some star gazing and saw a great shooting star (meteor) and a fast moving satellite. Larry & Barb’s lot is on a canal (23 miles of them in Ocean Shores) in a quiet neighborhood. It is set up with water & electric for 2 RVs so we really enjoyed it.
Aug 16th - Thurs - Ocean Shores
Misty rain this morning letting us know why the area is so green. It cleared up mid morning so Georgia and I could do some shopping while the guys got propane and visited the casino so they would not have to join us for shopping. They did end up at a couple of stores after lunch! Back to the rigs for R&R after such a taxing day! Georgia and I walked a couple of blocks down the road and across the sand dunes to the beach. Lovely day.
Aug 17th - Fri - to Rochester, WA
Hard rain and a thunder storm last night. I made us all breakfast before we started packing up. The guys got rained on a couple of times as they were doing the “outside” stuff. We parted company with Bill & Georgia - they were heading to Richland, WA for sprint boat races and we were going to Rochester to see son Dean and his family. We got a spot at the Lucky Eagle Casino (cannot park at Dean’s) and had Dean, Jennifer, Victoria and Cameron over for dinner. Cameron is going to be 6 on Oct 31st and is very shy at first. But suddenly he will start talking and becomes quite the entertainer - kept us all laughing. Victoria is 13 and is as tall as her mother (5 ft 2 inches).
Aug 18th - Sat - Rochester
Dean & Jennifer had us and Jennifer’s parents (Jack & Marty) over for breakfast today. Then we drove out to see the 2 spec houses that Dean and Jack have built about 45 minutes from here. 2 very different houses side by side on 5 acres pieces of property - very nice.
The casino beat us up this afternoon. Terry found that we could get internet access in the motel across the parking lot so I can update the blog. Hate it when I get a week behind!
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Aug 4th to 10th - Spokane
Aug 4th - Sat - Worley, ID
We moved all the way (½ hour drive) to the Coeur d’Alene Casino near Worley today. We found a spot to stay in the parking lot and went to the casino. Barry & Yvonne and Larry & Cam joined us about 2:30. We all had dinner at the casino and then we said goodbye to our friends.
Aug 5th - Sun - Spokane
Another short move today - we drove to Spokane and parked in Bill & Georgia’s back yard. We had a wonderfully relaxing day catching up with Bill & Georgia and then Georgia made us a great dinner.
Aug 6th - Mon - Spokane
Bill was supposed to work today (he is retired but got talked into a temporary job delivering landscape materials!) but the delivery was cancelled at the last minute so we were able to spend more time with them doing such exciting things as washing the bugs off the front of the 5th wheel.
We also played “golf” and “bowled” on their Wii game. This is a game that uses a TV and handheld controllers that are moved like a golf club, tennis racket or your arm (bowling). A sensor “reads” the movement of the controller and your “swing” is shown on the screen as a golf shot or a ball bowled. This also allowed us to escape some of the heat of the day in their basement.
Aug 7th - Tues - Spokane
We took the 5th wheel in for some maintenance today - slide adjustments, wheel bearings and brake check. We did errands while it was in the shop and then drove to Skip & Kathy’s (Terry’s brother) and parked in their driveway. We extend across the sidewalk but they live on a cul de sac so it is OK. We are staying in the house while we are here so we don’t need the slides out.
We arrived in time for drinks, dinner and much talk after a tour of their lovely new house.
Aug 8th - Wed - Spokane
I spent some time this morning working on Skip & Kathy’s computer. They have a new PC with the Vista operating system so Skip’s digital camera would not download to the PC. I found a new program on the internet, installed it and it worked. We also discovered a program already on the PC that Skip can use to edit pictures which was a nice bonus. Then we fixed the fax machine that would not accept incoming faxes. Productive morning.
Next was a visit and lunch with Terry’s Mom and her husband (EllaMae & Don). More computer work as I showed EllaMae how to view pictures that I had sent her on a CD.
Skip had a new barbeque delivered today so we had to have steaks to check it out - it is a keeper based on the steaks!
Aug 9th - Thurs - Spokane
Rabies shot for Dolly, haircut for me and then golf with Skip & Kathy at Qualchan golf course. It was a perfect day for golf - slight breeze and temperature not over 80. Pretty course in great shape. Oh yes, I also spent more time on the computer between appointments finding a new program so Kathy could sync up her Palm Treo Verizon phone with the PC. Took a couple of tries but got that to work too.
Aug 10th - Fri - Spokane
Skip & Kathy were having company for a lunch meeting so we picked up my new contacts in CDA and ran a few other errands. Then we visited with good friends Dan & Dottie. They moved to a retirement complex so we got to see their new apartment. We think we could be quite happy in such an apartment when/if we get tired of full timing. We had too short a visit - and another short computer session to set up our blog in Dottie’s “favorites” as she lost the address in the move.
Kathy arranged for an insurance agent (and friend), Debbie, to come for dinner and show us what she could offer us for medical insurance. We will stay with our Cobra coverage (extension of Terry’s insurance from work) until it expires next year and then make a change.
Another great dinner with rotisserie chicken on the new barbeque and fresh corn from a roadside stand.
We moved all the way (½ hour drive) to the Coeur d’Alene Casino near Worley today. We found a spot to stay in the parking lot and went to the casino. Barry & Yvonne and Larry & Cam joined us about 2:30. We all had dinner at the casino and then we said goodbye to our friends.
Aug 5th - Sun - Spokane
Another short move today - we drove to Spokane and parked in Bill & Georgia’s back yard. We had a wonderfully relaxing day catching up with Bill & Georgia and then Georgia made us a great dinner.
Aug 6th - Mon - Spokane
Bill was supposed to work today (he is retired but got talked into a temporary job delivering landscape materials!) but the delivery was cancelled at the last minute so we were able to spend more time with them doing such exciting things as washing the bugs off the front of the 5th wheel.
We also played “golf” and “bowled” on their Wii game. This is a game that uses a TV and handheld controllers that are moved like a golf club, tennis racket or your arm (bowling). A sensor “reads” the movement of the controller and your “swing” is shown on the screen as a golf shot or a ball bowled. This also allowed us to escape some of the heat of the day in their basement.
Aug 7th - Tues - Spokane
We took the 5th wheel in for some maintenance today - slide adjustments, wheel bearings and brake check. We did errands while it was in the shop and then drove to Skip & Kathy’s (Terry’s brother) and parked in their driveway. We extend across the sidewalk but they live on a cul de sac so it is OK. We are staying in the house while we are here so we don’t need the slides out.
We arrived in time for drinks, dinner and much talk after a tour of their lovely new house.
Aug 8th - Wed - Spokane
I spent some time this morning working on Skip & Kathy’s computer. They have a new PC with the Vista operating system so Skip’s digital camera would not download to the PC. I found a new program on the internet, installed it and it worked. We also discovered a program already on the PC that Skip can use to edit pictures which was a nice bonus. Then we fixed the fax machine that would not accept incoming faxes. Productive morning.
Next was a visit and lunch with Terry’s Mom and her husband (EllaMae & Don). More computer work as I showed EllaMae how to view pictures that I had sent her on a CD.
Skip had a new barbeque delivered today so we had to have steaks to check it out - it is a keeper based on the steaks!
Aug 9th - Thurs - Spokane
Rabies shot for Dolly, haircut for me and then golf with Skip & Kathy at Qualchan golf course. It was a perfect day for golf - slight breeze and temperature not over 80. Pretty course in great shape. Oh yes, I also spent more time on the computer between appointments finding a new program so Kathy could sync up her Palm Treo Verizon phone with the PC. Took a couple of tries but got that to work too.
Aug 10th - Fri - Spokane
Skip & Kathy were having company for a lunch meeting so we picked up my new contacts in CDA and ran a few other errands. Then we visited with good friends Dan & Dottie. They moved to a retirement complex so we got to see their new apartment. We think we could be quite happy in such an apartment when/if we get tired of full timing. We had too short a visit - and another short computer session to set up our blog in Dottie’s “favorites” as she lost the address in the move.
Kathy arranged for an insurance agent (and friend), Debbie, to come for dinner and show us what she could offer us for medical insurance. We will stay with our Cobra coverage (extension of Terry’s insurance from work) until it expires next year and then make a change.
Another great dinner with rotisserie chicken on the new barbeque and fresh corn from a roadside stand.
Friday, August 03, 2007
July 30th to Aug 3rd - Canada to Coeur d'Alene, ID
July 30th - Mon - to Shuswap Lake
We drove from 100 Mile House to Claude & Val’s place on Shuswap Lake via Highway 24 - a lovely drive. Arrived about 1:00 after stopping to fix some lunch along the way. Claude arranged for us to park overnight in a neighbor’s lot so we were very comfortable. Val informed us that she was making supper for us - and a fine supper it was! Not enough time to catch up on everything but we tried.
July 31st - Tues - to Summerland
Auntie Jessie called this morning to say that she had to make a mandatory appearance at the first birthday party for a granddaughter so we told her that we would stop for lunch. We were invited to the birthday party but weren’t sure if we would stay. We drove to Summerland through Salmon Arm & Kelowna - again a very nice drive.
After lunch we went to Auntie Jessie’s condo to put together a new headboard. Turned out there was a missing vital part so we ended up trying to find something that would work in town. No luck so we did a couple of other small things and then Terry decided we could get the bed frame together with a metal plate and bunch of small screws. Auntie Jessie & I got the items, we fixed the bed frame and then we all went to the birthday party/barbeque for cousin Cheryl’s youngest daughter. Cousin Kelly and his wife Sam were also there so we enjoyed visiting with them.
Aug 1st - Wed - to Coeur d’Alene, ID
Our friends Barry & Yvonne from Hemet, CA are staying in the Blackwell Island RV park here. I called on the way and we could only get a site for Thursday but they have an area for dry camping if you are waiting for a site so we said we could do that tonight.
When Barry & Yvonne returned from golfing we met the 2 couples (Larry & Cam and Jim & Carol) who are their friends and who are working here for the summer. After drinks and visiting, we went to dinner with Barry & Yvonne and Larry & Cam.
Very warm weather!
Aug 2nd - Thurs - Coeur d’Alene (CDA)
We moved to our site this morning - luckily the spot was vacated early. A group of us were going to go to the CDA Casino but we were able to get a pontoon boat so we toured the CDA river and then the north end of CDA lake and to the CDA Resort golf course. There are a lot of beautiful houses along the river and an amazing new building with condos beside the golf course.
The RV park owners put on a get together with food and drinks for the people working here and their friends so we went to that at 5:30. Afterwards we learned to play 31 - a card game played at many RV parks. The hot weather continues.
Aug 3rd - Fri - CDA
More hot weather (with breezes) for our golf game today at the CDA municipal course. Our friends here already had 2 foursomes but the course allowed us to play 2 groups of 5 so we could join them. It is very obvious that Terry & I have not played much golf!
Dinner tonight was already planned before we got here and we were again invited to join in. Yvonne offered to make baby back ribs (our “recipe”) for everyone. We all contributed side dishes and we had a great meal. The sun & golf zapped everyone and the gathering broke up shortly after 8. All I wanted to do was read but figured I better get the blog updated while we have internet access.
We drove from 100 Mile House to Claude & Val’s place on Shuswap Lake via Highway 24 - a lovely drive. Arrived about 1:00 after stopping to fix some lunch along the way. Claude arranged for us to park overnight in a neighbor’s lot so we were very comfortable. Val informed us that she was making supper for us - and a fine supper it was! Not enough time to catch up on everything but we tried.
July 31st - Tues - to Summerland
Auntie Jessie called this morning to say that she had to make a mandatory appearance at the first birthday party for a granddaughter so we told her that we would stop for lunch. We were invited to the birthday party but weren’t sure if we would stay. We drove to Summerland through Salmon Arm & Kelowna - again a very nice drive.
After lunch we went to Auntie Jessie’s condo to put together a new headboard. Turned out there was a missing vital part so we ended up trying to find something that would work in town. No luck so we did a couple of other small things and then Terry decided we could get the bed frame together with a metal plate and bunch of small screws. Auntie Jessie & I got the items, we fixed the bed frame and then we all went to the birthday party/barbeque for cousin Cheryl’s youngest daughter. Cousin Kelly and his wife Sam were also there so we enjoyed visiting with them.
Aug 1st - Wed - to Coeur d’Alene, ID
Our friends Barry & Yvonne from Hemet, CA are staying in the Blackwell Island RV park here. I called on the way and we could only get a site for Thursday but they have an area for dry camping if you are waiting for a site so we said we could do that tonight.
When Barry & Yvonne returned from golfing we met the 2 couples (Larry & Cam and Jim & Carol) who are their friends and who are working here for the summer. After drinks and visiting, we went to dinner with Barry & Yvonne and Larry & Cam.
Very warm weather!
Aug 2nd - Thurs - Coeur d’Alene (CDA)
We moved to our site this morning - luckily the spot was vacated early. A group of us were going to go to the CDA Casino but we were able to get a pontoon boat so we toured the CDA river and then the north end of CDA lake and to the CDA Resort golf course. There are a lot of beautiful houses along the river and an amazing new building with condos beside the golf course.
The RV park owners put on a get together with food and drinks for the people working here and their friends so we went to that at 5:30. Afterwards we learned to play 31 - a card game played at many RV parks. The hot weather continues.
Aug 3rd - Fri - CDA
More hot weather (with breezes) for our golf game today at the CDA municipal course. Our friends here already had 2 foursomes but the course allowed us to play 2 groups of 5 so we could join them. It is very obvious that Terry & I have not played much golf!
Dinner tonight was already planned before we got here and we were again invited to join in. Yvonne offered to make baby back ribs (our “recipe”) for everyone. We all contributed side dishes and we had a great meal. The sun & golf zapped everyone and the gathering broke up shortly after 8. All I wanted to do was read but figured I better get the blog updated while we have internet access.
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