We arrived in Merritt shortly
after noon and found the Canadian Tire store where they had an easily
accessible sani-dump...we needed to fill up with fresh water. Right across the street was an Extra Foods
store so while Steve was busy with the trailer, I went across and did some
grocery shopping.
All stocked up, it was time to find our way to the rodeo grounds where the ATVBC Poker Ride was being held. It must have been close to 2:00 when we pulled into the grounds and were greeted by Don Frew, the fellow from the West Kootenay Club that took us riding around the Trail area last June and Steve had elk hunted with last fall in the Kootenays. He had a spot ready for us to back into.
It was really warm (finally) so we changed into our shorts and sat down with Don for a quick visit while we ate our lunch...then it was time for work. We spent the next couple of hours getting all set up... groceries put away, etc.
Once Zan arrived (he is the president of ATVBC and a member of our club—Cowichan Valley ATV) and got his truck/camper and quad trailer parked, it was time for the guys to set up a canopy tent. I was very impressed...Don actually read the directions!
Here is Steve, Don and Jeff working on it...Don is a member of a Kootenay ATV club (Trail) and Jeff is from the Prince George club...both are Directors of ATVBC.
Work in progress...
...and done! (Jeff, Steve, Don and Zan)
Now it was time to sit back down and relax...
...including Tazzie...
Linda, on left (Don's wife) and Marlene (Jeff's wife) getting ready to start dinner...
Doug sitting at the registration desk (he is a member of our club and another ATVBC Director). The red quad on the left is being raffled...
Late afternoon horse trailers started arriving...they were have barrel races this evening. After dinner Steve and I walked over to the stands to watch.
We had missed the actual events but some were still practicing...Steve got some great "action" pictures...
This is a shot from the top of the stands looking back at our camp area...
We sat out chatting with everyone for a bit and then I headed inside...I was getting eaten up by mosquitoes! Steve wasn't far behind me. We're looking forward to getting out on our quads tomorrow!