May 22 – 28, 2011 (Fort Camping, Brae Island Regional Park, Fort Langley, BC)

Another week here at Fort Langley has slipped by again...and the weather has been “so-so” at best.  This has been the coolest, wettest spring since the early 50’s.  Steve has coined a new term...”May-vember”.

Sunday was our 29th wedding anniversary.  It was awfully nice that the hockey game schedulers decided to have the game start at noon so that it didn’t interfere with our dinner plans!  The only time we are interested in and watch hockey is during the playoffs and our Vancouver Canucks are playing.  Go Canucks!  Before the game started, we decided to get out for a walk along the Fort-to-Fort Trail.  We stopped to watch a fellow catching a small sturgeon....


We arrived at The Keg in Langley around 5:30—after having to phone the restaurant for directions since Serena took us to an address which she insisted was The Keg’s...but there was no Keg in sight!  Turns out, she had us turn left and it should have been right...hmmm...just don’t know about this GPS technology sometimes!  I thought we would be arriving early enough to beat the crowds but I was wrong...it was already packed with a 40 minute wait.  Luckily there was room at the bar so we had a drink while waiting for a table. 
We walked into Fort Langley Monday morning to watch the May Day Parade.  It drew a huge crowd to the town’s main street.  It even got quite warm out for the few minutes that the sun tried to break through the clouds. 

The Vancouver City Police Motorcycle Drill Team...


















This week we decided to unload our bikes from the back of the trailer and take them out for some rides.  We both really enjoyed out bike rides and it renewed our intent to get new ones...maybe we’ll finally get our Christmas presents!

Our first ride ended up being cut short when Steve's back tire loosened and became jammed up against the frame.  Of course, we had no tools with us so I had to ride back to the trailer and get a wrench...
Our ride the next day was more sucessful...we rode all the way along the Fort-to-Fort Trail to Derby Reach...



We stopped there and went for a walk along one of the trails...no bikes allowed on this one...

There are some heritage buildings...




Milkhouse...










The scenery along the path is really beautiful...


The old train station in Fort Langley was open...it is now a museum...



There is a miniture train set-up inside one of the box-cars...


And here is a real train...

We also got the results of Steve’s PSA test and although the count was down, it is still in the gray area so the doctor wants to do a biopsy.  Not the news we were hoping for but it’s good to get it checked out.  So we will be heading back over to Victoria next week.  The biopsy is scheduled for next Thursday but we are going to head over on Tuesday.  Again, rather than take the truck, we are going to borrow Chris’ car.
Steve did some research on local bicycle stores and on Friday we went to Bicycle Sports Pacific in Langley.  After discussing our needs with the sales fellow, we decided on the Trek Navigator 2.0.  The only problem now is getting rid of our old bikes since they won’t take them as trade-ins.  He suggested we try a place on the Langley by-pass.  Sports Replay is a consignment store for used sports equipment but they will also buy it, giving a store credit.  This worked out great for us because they also sell new equipment so we will be able to put the credit towards new helmets.  Back home, we washed our bikes and got them spiffy’d up ready to take them to Sports Replay in the morning.  We had no idea how much we would get for them but were hoping for at least $50 for the pair...they were about 18 years old, after all.
We were at Sports Replay shortly after their 9:30 opening time Saturday morning.  The manager came out to take a look at the bikes and after saying they were in good shape for their age, offered us $120 for the pair...sweet!  We both got new helmets and Steve got a pair of new riding gloves and we only had to pay $4.85 extra.
We then headed to the bicycle store to buy our new bikes.  They would have to build my bike as well as put the fenders, kick-stand and water bottle holder on both bikes.  It would take about an hour and a half.   No problem, we would go meet Chris and Sheannie for lunch at Earl’s Restaurant in Burnaby, pick up his car and be back around 2:00.
The trip into Burnaby re-confirmed Steve’s dislike of the “big city”...he hates all the traffic.  But we arrived at the restaurant shortly before noon and even had no problem finding a parking spot for the truck.  After a great lunch and visit, we said our good-byes and I drove the car back to Langley while Steve followed in the truck.   Our new bikes were ready.  One final thing we wanted for our new bikes is a transport cover to keep them clean while on the back of the trailer. Unfortunately the only type the bike shop had were single covers, not large enough to cover both bikes.  He suggested we try one of the motorcycle stores—they might have one large enough to cover both bikes.  After stopping at a couple of places on the way home, Steve had no luck. They have storage covers but they aren’t suitable for transporting.  Another option would be to see if any of the RV places have them.
We took our new bikes out for a short ride along the Fort-to-Fort Trail before relaxing in a little late afternoon sunshine.  That’s it for this week.  We plan on enjoying our new bikes for the next few days before heading back to Victoria.

May 15 – 21, 2011 (Fort Camping, Brae Island Regional Park, Fort Langley, BC)

Another week has just flown by!  It has been great having Chris’ car...it makes it much easier to go shopping by myself...which makes me happy and Steve even more so! 

Sunday was another rainy day.  We did manage to get out for a good walk to Tavistock Point here in the park.  Good thing we took our umbrellas, though...we needed them on the way back.


Just a small shack being built across the river...

I had a great day Monday! After we dropped the truck off at Vancouver Axle & Frame, I headed out in the car all by myself...we were both going to have some alone time today!  It was still raining as I left the park just after 9:00...and it continued to rain on and off all day.  After wandering around some stores in Burnaby, I made my way to Coquitlam to pick up Glenna (she was working at home) and we went out for lunch.  We had a great visit...just too short as the hour (plus) went by way to fast!  After dropping Glenna off, I decided to go to Coquitlam Centre...I have a gift card for The Bay (retirement gift from work) that I might just have to start spending. 
I was back home by about 4:30...after a perfect day! Steve had enjoyed his day as well...relaxing in front of the TV while it rained out.  But he did manage to get out for a walk to Tavistock Point.
After a relaxing start Tuesday, we drove into Langley...and we actually got to wear our sunglasses!  Although still fairly cloudy out, the sun was managing to peek through...yay!  I dropped Steve off at Wholesale Sports and continued onto The Bay at Willowbrook Mall.  The watch that I bought yesterday needed to be sized...silly me had painstakingly picked out a new watch yesterday but hadn’t tried it on.  Of course, the bracelet-style band was too big for my “dainty” wrists.  Thankfully there is another Bay close by that I could go to get some of the links taken out. 
It was turning out to be a pretty nice afternoon so as soon as we got back home, we headed out on a long walk on the Fort-to-Fort Trail (on the other side of the river).  After a good 50 minute walk, we sat outside relaxing in some sunshine until it was time to go pick up the truck at Vancouver Axle.
Steve left just before 7:30 Wednesday morning to take the truck into Gold Key to have the steering pump replaced now that they have the special tool to do it.  This was to be just a quick job...so while he was getting that done; I showered and packed so that we could head to the ferry as soon as Steve got back.  We were going back to Victoria for Steve’s medical appointment Thursday morning.  I was expecting him back by about 9:30 so I was all ready and waiting...and I waited and waited...it was almost 12:30 by the time he drove in. The 25 minute job turned into 3 hours! We quickly loaded the boat back onto the truck and after securing the trailer, we headed off in the car to the ferry. 
We were just in time to catch the 2:00 p.m. ferry, arriving at Rob and Angie’s place just before 4:00.  Angie was off work that day and we joined her on the deck enjoying the late afternoon sun with a cool drink.  Later we went inside to watch the Canucks game while Angie prepared a delicious pasta dinner.  Rob was working a 4 to midnight shift so wasn’t able to join us...but the 3 of us had a great evening.
Thursday morning we were up and out of the house shortly after 7:00 a.m.  We arrived at the doctor’s office about 7:45 and Steve was promptly taken into the exam room at 8:00.  We were soon out and on our way across the street to LifeLab for a blood test.  The results of that will determine whether we are able to get on the road again soon.  Hopefully, Steve’s PSA count will be down and nothing has to be done other than have regular blood tests to watch it.  We’ll keep our fingers cross. 
After that we went for breakfast, to Island Savings Insurance to renew our ATV insurance, and then Steve got a haircut.  We also popped into Steve’s old office to say hello and were back home around noon.  I had talked to Rob while waiting for Steve, and he was trying to decide whether to go fishing or not before his 4pm shift at work.  It was a beautiful day and our plan was to catch the ferry back to the mainland, so he decided to go ahead fishing.  We quickly packed our suitcase and managed to catch the 1pm ferry.  Amazing...had we been trying for it, there is no way we would have made it!  Steve took lots of pictures...to show off our beautiful area to our new Canadian and American friends.   As locals, we tend to take this beautiful scenery for granted...
(Click on picture to enlarge)
Leaving Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island for the 1 hour, 35 minute voyage to the mainland...
Mt. Baker, Washington State...
Saltspring Island Ferry with Mt. Baker in background...
Vancouver Island...

Mt. Maxwell on Saltspring Island...

Top deck of the ferry...

Entering Active Pass between Galiano and Mayne Islands...

Boat traffic in Active Pass...

Ferry from Vancouver entering Active Pass...Coastal Mountains behind Vancouver in background...

Older Spirit Class Ferry...
Lighthouse Station on Mayne Island...

One of the new ferries, the Celebration Class with the 2010 Olympics Theme...

Picture (a little blurry) of Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, Vancouver...

Friday was an absolutely gorgeous sunny day!  Shorts and flip-flops...yay!  I decided to go into Langley back to The Bay...I didn’t like the outfit I had purchased last Monday so wanted to return it.  After a little grocery shopping, I was back home around 2pm.  Steve had called Camping World in Burlington, Washington only to find that they could not service our 5th wheel until mid-June.  Well, we are not going to wait around here until then, so I guess we won’t be making that quick trip across the line after all.
Steve had also been busy resealing the side window and some of the seams of one of the slide-outs.  We had a leak during the week and we don’t know whether it was from all the rain we had or the water from spraying it down when washing it.  All we know is that the carpet under the couch was soaking wet.  We managed to get it dried out after leaving the space-heater on it all day and night.  Hopefully, the work he did on it fixes the problem.
Later that afternoon, after another walk to Tavistock Point and back, we sat outside watching all the long weekend campers arrive.  With all the sun and heat we have had the past couple of days, the gravel road had become very dusty....slow down, you guys!!

Finally a sunny day to show off the Fraser River with the coastal mountains...



Fort Langley and the bridge over to Brae Island Regional Park...
We woke up Saturday morning to rain...as predicted.  I feel so sorry for all the campers that came in just to enjoy the long weekend...gorgeous for the few days before and then, bam...rain...sheesh!  We had a very relaxing morning...well, until I decided to vacuum and in doing so, ended up cleaning out the kitchen cupboards.  A long overdue job that I had been meaning to do...especially since we have lived in the trailer for over a year now.
Sheannie was going to drive Chris out to pick up his car so we made plans to meet at the Olive Garden restaurant in Langley for lunch.  My favourite restaurant!  After a great lunch, Sheannie headed home to visit her new nephew and Chris came home with us for the rest of the afternoon.  I helped Chris with his resume...unfortunately after 6 ½ years as an Animator with Next Level Games in Vancouver, he has been laid off (along with over 8 others).  The company just can’t secure projects to keep them on.  I think this might be a blessing in disguise for Chris.  He has wanted to move on but just hasn’t gotten his portfolio together.  Now he has no choice...and his main focus is to get a demo of his work together.  He is actually hoping to secure a job with one of the big companies in California.  Yay...we’ll have someone to visit down south in the winter!  We wish him luck in his job search...he is very talented and we are sure he will do well in the future...he just needed this kick in the butt to get him going! 
Well, that pretty well brings you up to date on our week.  We’ll have to see what happens Tuesday...whether we will be able to move on or not.