Bike Trip

Eric and Wendy jumped on their bikes and came to the Okanagan for a camping trip and stopped off to visit us before going on to their favorite campsite farther south.

Family and Friends

We hitched the trailer back up and headed north to visit family along the way, those we don't get to see too often, as well as old friends in and around where we used to live.

We checked in at the mill of course while there and caught up on some visiting with friends from the old days. Then our old boss took us out for lunch and we were able to have a good chin wag with him.

It's pretty tough getting to see everybody but we sure gave it a good try. We did get to see a lot of old friends we hadn't seen in awhile. The town is sure looking nice with all the flower beds and baskets in the town core and well as all the chainsaw carvings throughout the town and various neighborhoods. We were going to get out and get some pictures but we just didn't have enough time.

We were able to hook up with all the grandkids and great grandkids as well on this trip. Cheryl was thrilled to see Steve. We were parked at Tom and Sandi's as usual which works really well for us, so we just ran around from there and were able to get visiting in with them too.

Sandi's boy Shawn and his family came to see us while we were there also. All these kids have grown up and have kids of their own! Where did the time go?

Garlic Festival

We took in the Garlic Festival with Louise and Ron, Jim and Karen. It was quite interesting. They held it at a very nice little park I had no idea was even there. It was all grass and nice to walk on instead of dirt or a parking lot.

They sure had a lot of neat stuff in the various booths as well as garlic whatever that you can imagine. They had garlic eating contests and entertainment going on also. You wouldn't want to talk to me for a week if I ate that much garlic. It would have been coming out of my pores.

Gary Felgaard was the featured singer and there were many other performers as well throughout the day. Some were pretty good and some weren't. Better than me for sure.

There was a dog obstacle competition at the arena where we parked and it was free (favorite senior word) so we took that in as well. Some of the dogs and handlers were more experienced and some were new at it. It was too cute.

Friends from the Okanagan happened to be in the area at the same time so we had a gathering for a visit and more food of course.

Camping Weekend

The boys and families, as well as Shari's parents and us, all gathered for a campout in Penticton right on the lake. Jordan and Sam weren't able to come. Steve had so much stuff in that truck, they wouldn't have fit anyway.

We hauled our trailer down and the rest all camped in tents. The weather was great. Nice and hot. There was a couple of floats down the channel and lots of good food as usual.

Steve and Shari took a jet ski out on Skaha Lake but the wind came up and it was a pretty rough ride. We watched some wicked wind surfing while we lounged around on the beach. The speed and turns they do are amazing.

Wade and Karen took us all to Tickleberry's for ice cream. Ohhhh! To die for. Gotta go back there some day. We were able to have an open fire at Wade and Karens site also, as they were only a few feet from the lake.

We had a great time and good visit with all. Too bad it goes by so quick and everybody has to go home.

Reunion and Roof

We got invited to Ron's family reunion, so we hitched up the trailer and headed up to the Cariboo . It was held at a little lake out toward Little Fort. The road (more like a trail) down to the campground was pretty rough and slow going (one way only as well).

But the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow so to speak, was well worth it. It is a beautiful spot and we had a good time relaxing, visiting, playing horseshoes, watching the kids play and of course 'eating'.

Ron's Mom celebrates her birthday at these yearly events and she is in great shape for a lady her age. After the weekend we learned about the forest fire in our area back home and the evacuation. When we learned we couldn't go back home, we just stayed there.

It was a stressful day or so trying to find out about the fire and our house, but all was well, and we are so thankful for the many friends and relatives who called with concerns and offers of help.

We had planned to reroof the back side of Ron and Louise's house this summer, so we seniors got busy on that. Looks good eh!!

Calgary Stampede

Blake and Ann treated us to the Calgary Stampede, so away we went. The weather was good for the Stampede, although we did get some rain while we were there. More like a downpour.

We saw a lot of exhibits and walked around all day looking at stuff. That night we took in the grandstand show. Non stop action for almost 3 hours with all kinds of fireworks going off during the whole show. It was quite spectacular! Best show I've ever seen.

We went all over the place while there. Ann's brother has quite the green thumb, actually I think both of them are green. He has a wonderful flower garden at his place and had done all the landscaping at one of their sisters places as well. So we went to have a look. Very nice!

We all went to Edmonton and waited while Mandy took in a show of the current heart throb. Some brothers, I can't remember their name. It was her birthday present.

Craig crashed the computor and lost everything, so I had to get these few pics from the internet.

We had always wanted to see the Stampede and we had a wonderful time as well as a great visit too.

Easter Weekend

Jeanette and Hal travelled to our place, then we all piled into our car and travelled up to Ron and Louise's. Roger and Val came up from the coast and we had another great time. We always have a good time when we all get together.

We went up to Al and Heather's place for a visit while there, got to see Karen and Jim and Bill too. We decided to seize an opportunity and celebrate Jeanette's 65th since we were all there, even though it was a tad early.

We stayed most of the week and got to play some cards and had a lot of fun.

Happy Hours and Rare Site

It's now late March and we are busy with happy hours and cookouts trying to use up all the food before we all have to head for home. Also seeing everyone and bidding farewell before the mass exodus in all directions.

Pictured here also is a rare site indeed. I think I've only seen Craig swacked a total of three times in almost 19 years. He was really performing and quite funny as well.

Hawaii Cruise

Well, we went on a fifteen night, fourteen day cruise to Hawaii with Celebrity. I swore before we would never cruise with them again, but we did.

We rented a car and drove to San Diego at the end of February to board our ship. The sun was shining and the weather was warm. Little did we know that would be the last of that until we returned to California.

OK, off we go. By dinner time the ship was rocking and rolling. But wait. It would get worse. Much worse. Four days at sea, the wind howled, the seas were pretty high and it was cold.

People were laying out on deck loungers, fully clothed, with blankets up to their chins. Not many swam. The water wouldn't stay in the pools. Eventually they put nets over and shut them down.

Everybody was making the mad dash across the open deck for breakfast or lunch. A lot of people were seasick, including me, but not for long. Then the norwalk virus set in.

By the time we were on our way back, the majority, including staff, was sick with it. Everything on the ship was dripping in disinfectant and no one was allowed to touch any food or utensils. Everything was handed to you.

I was quarantined for 4 days and very sick. Exploding out of both ends. Need I say more? Craig only lost two days, but he wasn't sick. I missed most of my shore excursions and couldn't go to the Luau either.

The weather while in the islands was coolish and showery, but not as bad as at sea. We did manage to enjoy ourselves somewhat but would like to go back some day. NOT by sea.

The cruise line gave us a voucher for 6 days because of the virus to put toward another cruise, but it had to be within one year. To be fair though, the weather and rough seas weren't their fault.

Here are some random pics of some of the things we did get to do.