Saturday, October 29, 2011

Crowsnest to Christina Lake; then Vancouver BC

We have not travelled through the Crowsnest since 1972, but this summer saw us pass through it four times. The Frank Slide was our first stop with time spent in the Interpretive Centre. Now, the town of Frank AB was a mining town where in 1903 a very large portion of the east side of Turtle Mountain broke away and caused a massive slide, killing 90 people. What an amazing, natural, historic monument to such a devastating event for the approximately 600 people who lived in Frank! Turtle Mountain is now closely monitored for the next "slide event" which could occur at any time.
From our campsite in Christina Lake, this glorious sunset marked day's end. We were in search of Summer(Edmonton was cold and wet with flocks of mosquitoes) and in Christina Lake, we found it. Most days were 100+F and evenings were very warm, but no mosquitoes. Bill and I read many books beneath the awning as it was too hot!(for us anyway) to do anything else. Oh and getting there, we burned out our tire monitors on the front tires of the MH, travelling DOWN the Creston-Selmo mountain! The monitors were melted to the valve stems! We did enjoy our time here though, but found that travel through the US States of Idaho and Washington would be much easier.
We travelled to Vancouver BC to visit Kendra; while there we hiked in the Cappilano Valley; amazing moss, timbers, waterfalls, rapids and humidity! Even Caper had a chance to exercise his legs up and down this valley. Very nice! It is always great to visit Vancouver as we get to enjoy bistro cafes and some of the shopping (Morgan Crossing) that Vancouver has to offer. We stayed at Pacific Border RV, which is located right at the border crossing near White Rock!

September News!

Well, despite my good intentions, I have missed posting the whole month of September and almost all of October. Not good! This is not because we have been sitting still, or that nothing is happening in our life, but more that I have become an e-book reader and the computer has not been a high priority. I will try to remedy that situation.

September found us first at the 80th birthday of our dear Uncle Freddie in Strathmore, AB. What a fun weekend of celebration! Amazingly, Uncle Freddie had had surgery on August 24th and although tired from the affects of anesthetic, he was able to take part in and enjoy all the festivities. Aunt Doreen had arranged for the rental of their downstairs lounge and card room, complete with a full kitchen, so we nieces and nephews went to work! It was work, but fun at the same time! It was great to meet new friends and catch up with our Western cousins.

Here's the family minus Michael. Nadine and Daniel who had been at the birthday breakfast the day before this was taken. The festivities included Sat breakfast, Sat night dinner for out-of-town friends and Sunday dinner for family and friends complete with a community cake and ice-cream. Speeches and entertainment rounded out the night. My favourite part was U Fred, friend Gord playing duet on piano and friend, Ken on keyboard playing The Power of the Blood. WOW!