April 21 – April 28, 2012 (Fort Camping, Brae Island Regional Park, Fort Langley, BC)

Saturday again...wow, these weeks are going by so fast!  We’ve been here for 3 weeks already!  We’ve had a mouse trap set up in a corner of the kitchen where the slider comes in since we arrived here.  There have been no signs that we have an unwanted visitor (no droppings left behind) but since Steve saw one fleetingly when we were stopped at Camping World in Burlington on our way north, we have kept a trap out.  Well...this morning there was one in the trap.  The funny thing is that I stood right beside it pour our morning coffee and didn’t even notice it...ewwwww........!  I guess the little critters manage to get in any little nook and cranny they can find so we will just be leaving that trap set up in that corner...to catch them as and when they decide to come for a visit.

We are meeting some cousins and close family friends for lunch today at the Cactus Club in Coquitlam today.   Glenna doesn’t know it, but since a milestone birthday is coming up for her in a couple of weeks, we are also using this get together as a surprise celebration.  We left shortly after 11:00 so that we would have plenty of time to stop and pick up the cake and flowers before meeting everyone at 12:30.  Well that darned traffic...coupled with all of the road construction going on made our drive very frustrating...but we actually managed to make it exactly on time.  So much for wanting to be there early so that I could get the cake and flowers into the restaurant before Glenna arrived...she and Cameron (her son) pulled in the same time as we did!  Oh well...surprise!

[Left-to-right: Bev, Chris, Steve, Dianne, Esther, Glenna, Cameron, Nicole and Cheryl]


Considering I had made reservations, we were very disappointed with the table we were given...a booth in a dark back corner next to the washrooms....oh well!  Nonetheless, we had a good time and it was great seeing everyone...it was close to 3:00 by the time we were outside saying our goodbyes.
Sunday we decided to go for a long bike ride to Edgewater Regional Park.  It was supposed to be a mainly sunny day today but it ended up being cloudy for the most part...it was warm though.  Once we got home, we had a light lunch and then I baked some cookies while Steve sat outside reading.  I joined him outside in the “semi-sun” for a while before getting ready to head over to The Fort Pub.  We are going there to watch the Canucks/LA Kings hockey game.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t a good night for the Canucks...they lost in overtime and are now out of the playoffs. 

After a lazy start to the day Monday, we headed out for a powerwalk down the trail here in the park to Tavistock Point.  We had a good 45 minute walk...with the first drops of rain starting about 5 minutes before we got back.  It sprinkled a bit but it really didn’t amount to much.
After lunch Steve was off to ITB to have them buff the paint touch-up that they had to do when they changed the boat loader rear mounts.  He was gone most of the afternoon.  I puttered around for a bit and then sat outside reading.  It wasn’t sunny but at least it was warm.
Tuesday we woke to the sound of rain on the roof...yup, I guess they were right.  Rain is forecast for today and it is supposed to get even heavier tomorrow....and rain, it did!  All day!  We hung out inside all day reading and watching TV.  Well into the afternoon it became evident that the rain wasn’t going to stop and if I wanted to get out for a powerwalk, I would have to suck it up and head out in the rain with my umbrella.  So I did.  Needless to say, I was soaked by the time I returned 45 minutes later.
Wednesday was a repeat of Tuesday....day 2 of rain. But as I did yesterday, I went for a nice long powerwalk...and like yesterday, got soaked.  Although an umbrella is helpful, it doesn’t stop your arms and legs from getting drenched!
And...Thursday was a repeat of the rain...day 3...is it ever going to end?  We are looking forward to going over to Victoria Saturday...it doesn’t rain as much over there and I hear they have sunshine!
Friday was a work day...thank goodness the rain had subsided because Steve’s work was outside packing things into the truck.  He had to find room for all of the stuff that we normally keep in the trailer but will need to take with us over to the Island.  I cleaned inside and started packing our suitcases.
Saturday morning we were up and at it early but it was still close to 10:00 by the time we pulled out of Fort Camping and headed to Econo Storage where we were putting our fifth-wheel into storage.  The spot we had to maneuver into is 10 feet wide and is between two other RV’s.  Since we are 8 feet wide, it didn’t leave much room but Steve managed it with no problems.  After we disconnected, Steve drove the truck around to the back of the trailer so that we could move the bike rack from the trailer over to the truck.  It was 11:00 by the time we were all finished and on our way to the ferry.  I don’t know what I was thinking when I thought that we might make the 11:00 ferry...it would be the 1:00.
We plan on being on Vancouver Island for the next 5 to 6 weeks....likely heading back to Fort Langley sometime during the first week of June.  So, stay tuned until then...when we resume our adventures!

April 14 – April 20, 2012 (Fort Camping, Brae Island Regional Park, Fort Langley, BC)

The weather forecast for this weekend is for sunshine but although there was some, it wasn’t nearly as nice as I had expected.  But on the positive side, it didn’t rain.  Early Saturday afternoon, our very good friend and my one of my “girl’s get-away buds” arrived to pick me up...Steve is getting a break from me for a night while I go spend some time with Glenna.  After a tour of our home on wheels and a bit of a visit with Steve, Glenna and I headed off.  Our first stop was Fort Langley for a little wandering around and then into Burnaby for some shopping...then Coquitlam for dinner at a Greek restaurant and finally to her place for a lot of catching up.  Steve spent the afternoon waxing the boat...and enjoying some “alone” time.


Sunday morning Glenna and I were up at around 8:00 feeling amazingly good considering we had gone to bed at 2:00 after spending the evening drinking wine and chatting.  We enjoyed a relaxing couple of hours with coffee before getting ready to head back out to Fort Langley to drop me off.  I’d had a great time with Glenna...it was wonderful seeing her again and spending time with her.
Sunday afternoon Steve put another coat of wax on the boat while I walked into town to the convenience store for some milk.  I had planned on driving into Langley to do some grocery shopping but decided that would take too much effort.  Since the main thing we needed was milk, I decided to just stroll into Fort Langley.  When I got back, Steve had just finished and we relaxed inside watching TV.  Just before 4:00, we decided to go outside for a walk...we ended up doing a 40 minute power walk!  I certainly hadn’t expected to expend that much energy...quite frankly, I didn’t think I had it in me today...but it felt good.  After dinner we settled in to watch the Canucks game...a very disappointing outcome...they need to win the next 4 games to stay in the playoffs.

We woke to the sound of pitter-patter on the roof top early Monday morning...it was raining just as had been predicted for today.  I thought we would be hunkering down inside all day due to the rain but we did managed to get out for a walk into town.  However, other than that, we didn’t do much.  I’d say we had a pretty laid-back day.
Tuesday we were up and out shortly after 9:00.  There is one final thing Steve wants for the truck before it is “finished”...an air horn.  So we headed out to check a couple of places.  We sealed the deal at our third stop...Peterbilt Trucks.  They will install one that goes under the truck...not the big flashy chrome ones mounted on the roof that Steve wanted as it would require the removal of the head liner and storage compartments...but nonetheless, one that produces the sound he is after...and is much cheaper to install.  He will take the truck in on Thursday to have the work done.
After stopping at Safeway and then Walmart to pick up a few things, we headed home.  It wasn`t raining (yet) so we thought we would get out for a bike ride.  The big map at the day-use area indicates a “trail” that goes east to another regional park, so we thought we would try it.  It’s described as a trail along a quiet country road...well, it`s anything but a quiet country road!  We rode along it...with a steady stream of cars, pick-up trucks, dump trucks and semi`s passing us...not exactly the ride we were expecting.  After about a half hour we decided to turn around...there were some dark clouds looming and we thought we should try to get back before it started raining.  And we just made it...the first drops of rain started just as we arrived home...whew!
Wednesday was another pretty laid back day as we lazed around inside while it rained off and on outside.  We did manage to get out for a power walk late morning...going down the park trail to Tavistock Point and back.  After dinner we settled in to watch the much anticipated playoff hockey game...it was do or die for the Canucks tonight...they must win to stay in the playoffs.  And they didn’t disappoint this time...winning 3-1 against the LA Kings.  Game 5 is back in Vancouver on Sunday...we may just have to go to The Fort Pub for that one...
Steve was up and into the shower first thing Thursday morning...and was off to his 8 a.m. appointment to have the air horn installed on the truck.  I lazed around with my coffee for a while before getting started on my house cleaning. It was shortly after 1:00 when Steve arrived back home.  After lunch we loaded the boat back onto the truck and then thought we would get out for a bit of a bike ride before the rain set in.
Last week Steve discovered that there was a Canadian Museum of Flight in Langley so we thought that we would go check it out today (Friday).  It was shortly after 11:00 by the time we were ready to head out.
The museum is housed in a small hanger at the Langley Regional Airport.  They could certainly use a larger hanger since the inside is just jammed-packed full as well as there are displays outside which really should be inside.  Here are pictures we took at the museum...(Click on any photo to enlarge)...
This picture is actually taken from inside the compound but the entrance to the museum is on the left just behind that blue fence...

Snowbird from Canada`s aerobatic demonstartion team...

 Entrance into the hanger via jet engine housings...



A folding bike...

The hanger is just packed full of memorabilia...

















It was hard to get good pictures of the static displays as all the aircraft are parked so close to one another...
                                                            
Dehavilland DH 100 Vampire...

 Beachcraft twin...

Steve exiting the Beachcraft twin...

This Handley Page Hampden Bomber was recovered in the Saanich Inlet on Vancouver Island after spending 44 years 600` below in the ocean...restoration is going to take some time...


Avro CF-100 Canuck Canada`s first all Canadian design and built Interceptor from 1950...

McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo Fighter

Hmmmm....I wonder if I can sit in this Voodoo?...

No signs saying I can't...

                                                                                  Voodoo & Handley Page Hampden Bomber (behind me)

After about an hour and a half we were done...time to go do a little shopping before we head home.  Yesterday when Steve had the air horn installed they had to tilt the cab...and...he forgot about the magnetic satellite radio antenna mounted on the boat rack...consequently the wire broke and now we have to buy a new antenna.  Our first stop was at London Drugs to see if they sold them and how much...hmmm..a bit much...let's go next door to Walmart and Radio Source to check on their prices.  Well, it turned out that the cheapest one was at Peterbilt (Steve had costed them there on Thursday)...so off to Peterbilt we went.  He ended up getting one that is made for truckers...it mounts to the side mirror...so he doesn`t have to worry about it when tilting the cab (but it also cost a lot more money)...









April 8 to 13, 2012 (Fort Camping, Brae Island Regional Park, Fort Langley, BC)

Since our stay here doesn’t vary a lot from day to day, I thought I would combine a number of days into one post.

Sunday was a beautiful day so we thought we would go for a powerwalk for a change today instead of a bike ride...gotta mix it up a bit!  We took the trail here in the park to Tavistock Point and after 45 minutes and 4.03 miles (about 6.50 kms) we were back.  It felt great to get out for a good walk!  Steve spent the afternoon outside reading while I baked cookies and then went for a walk into town (just a little more exercise for me).

Monday we made a trip to Costco...there’s one right in Langley.  Steve actually dropped me off and went to Wholesale Sports to check out fishing regulations on the Fraser River.  It turns out you require a saltwater licences to fish this part of the river...too bad.  It’s not worth buying a saltwater licence to only use it while here.

After lunch at Costco...can’t go to Costco without having a hot dog/Pizza lunch...nutritious (haha) and cheap!...we headed home and got ready to go for a bike ride.  We took the Fort-to-Fort Trail to Edgewater Regional Park...another good ride...roughly 11 miles/18 kms.

I'm still amazed at how low the water is right now...just wait a month or two as the snow pack melts...


Tuesday was a work day.  As Steve got ready to wash the truck, I walked into Fort Langley to run a couple of errands.  Once back, I started on the laundry...Steve was washing the truck...and was still washing the truck after I had finished the laundry!

Wednesday we were up and out on our way to ITB shortly after 9:00.  Although our appointment to have the work done wasn’t until tomorrow, Steve had called them Monday regarding the solution they had proposed.  There had been two options and after considering it further, Steve had changed his mind and decided on the original option—to completely remake the mount.  So to speed things up, they suggested we come in today so that they could take measurements and have the part made and ready for installation tomorrow.  After we had finished at the service department, we stopped in to see Bernice, the saleswoman who had handled the design and building of the truck.

Before heading home, we stopped at Safeway...I went in to pick up a couple of things while Steve went next door for a haircut.  We had hoped we would make it home before the rain started but unfortunately, we didn’t make it...so much for Steve’s clean truck.  But once home, he quickly rinsed off the mud splatter...then we settled in for an afternoon inside reading and watching TV while it rained and rained...for the rest of the afternoon, evening and night.  Oh yeah, we watched the first playoff game (hockey) between the Vancouver Canucks and LA Kings...not a good start for the Canucks...

Thursday started off with cloudy skies...but no rain, so we thought we would go for a bike ride.  We did what has become our usual ride...the riverside trail down to Edgewater Regional Park and back.  Once back, the sun had actually decided to make an appearance so we sat outside reading.  Unfortunately, it was one of those afternoons where it was really hot when the sun was out but there were also lots of clouds around...so it would get quite chilly too.  After awhile there seemed to be much more cloud than blue sky so we headed inside.

Wow...I can't believe it is Friday again already!  And...Friday the 13th to boot!  Steve's appointment to take truck into ITB had been changed from yesterday to today so he left shortly after 8:30 this morning for his 9:00 appointment.  I continued my relaxing morning...and decided I had better write this blog.

It was about 10:00 when I decided I had better get cleaned up, do the dishes and maybe head out for a walk...the sun was trying to make it through the fog and clouds.  Finally at 11:00 I headed out for a good fast walk...going across the bridge, along the Fort-to-Fort Trail for a bit then into the residential area, around back to the main street (Glover Road), down to the end of the shops and back to the park.  I was gone 45 minutes and had worked up a good sweat...so I felt like I had had a good workout.

Steve called at 12:30 to say he was still at ITB and would be a little longer yet...too bad he didn’t take a lunch!  The sun seemed to breaking through the clouds in earnest now, so I opened the door to let some fresh air in...I’ll make some cookies first while I wait for it to warm up a bit more out there.  I had a bit of a glitch when I started making the cookies, though...I didn’t have any flour.  Hmmm...what can I use?  Have you ever had cookies made with pancake mix?  Interesting...

It was going on 4:30 by the time Steve got home...that had certainly taken a lot longer than expected.  After something to eat (he hadn`t had anything since breakfast this morning), we settled in for a relaxing evening in front of the TV...waiting for the Canucks game to come on.  Unfortunately, it was another disappointing game...

Saturday, April 7, 2012 (Fort Camping, Brae Island Regional Park, Fort Langley, BC)

We woke to clear skies this morning...it was foggy to start but the sun burned it off quickly.  It is going to be a beautiful day!

After a very lazy start to the day, we were finally ready to head off on our bike ride.  Today we are going to take the Fort-to-Fort Trail, past Denby Reach Regional Park all the way to Edgewater Regional Park.  The trails were very busy on this beautiful, sunny Easter weekend Saturday.  We took lots of pictures...many are a repeat of last year’s pictures but the Fraser River and the surrounding area does look different this year because the water level is nowhere near as high as it was last year....yet...


The mountains are beautiful...



We stopped for a break at Edgewater Regional Park...

There wasn't this much beach along the river last year...

We stopped on the way back...this is Derby Reach Regional Park...

Some fellows fish along the river edge...


Just shy of two hours and almost 20 kms later we were back home.  We quickly changed into shorts, grabbed a bottle of water and set the chairs up in the sunshine....ahhh...that’s more like it!

We spent the rest of the afternoon sitting outside reading...there was a brief period where the breeze got a little chilly so we went inside for a bit but that was only for about a half hour or so.  The campground is very busy this long weekend...almost all sites are taken...so it is just a hub of activity around here.

After dinner, we settled in to watch the Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers game...yeah...we decided to watch this game at home rather than at the pub...there will be plenty of opportunity to go to the pub to watch the games as Vancouver leads in the standings as they head into the playoffs.  The Canucks didn’t disappoint tonight, winning in a 3-0 shutout.

Tomorrow is supposed to be another beautiful day...we might just have to go on another bike ride.