Sunday to Tuesday, March 17 to 26, 2013 (North Saanich, BC)

Wow, another week+ has gone by!  It was a much busier week with various appointments and outings.  Sunday we did something that we wouldn't normally do...since we are retired, we finally decided to take advantage of some last minute deals and booked a 2 week vacation to the Mayan Riviera, Mexico!  We have booked one week at The Grand Mayan Riviera Maya and one week at The Mayan Palace Riviera Maya...both resorts are in the same complex and just outside of Playa del Carmen.  To top it off...we even managed a direct flight from Victoria to Cancun, one of the last return direct flights for the season. Steve's Uncle Gord and Aunt Esther from Edmonton AB will be joining us. We had a great time with them in Los Cabos in 2011.

Sunday afternoon, Angie, Conner, Steve and I decided to go for a hike around Durrance Lake.  It was a busy place this lovely afternoon...lots of fishermen on shore and out on boats as well as hikers.  We got the last parking spot in the small parking lot and after loading Conner in the snuggly...and onto Grampa...we were on our way.

It is a beautiful walk around the lake...

It was a nice hike around the lake taking less than an hour.  We stopped at the boat launch...








...and took Conner out of the snuggly...

After a stop at the Red Barn Market, we headed home...








Conner was happy to see his Daddy...

Monday Steve had a dentist appointment then stopped in at Pacific Controls Ltd to visit his former co-workers. Then he dropped off our quads at SG Power for servicing plus Steve's quad had been making a strange clicking sound from the right rear tire area when turning sharply to the right.

Tuesday I had a doctors appointment.  We also met my brother, Dwight, at noon on Tuesday for lunch and he sharpened our kitchen knives (he owns a mobile knife sharpening company...KnifePro) . When we got back to the house there was a phone message from SG Power that our quads were ready... being so late in the day that would have to wait until tomorrow.

Wednesday Steve went to pick up the quads and was told there was a brake switch on order for my quad and they hadn't taken anything apart on Steve's quad to further investigate the clicking noise.
Steve was miffed...a wasted 40 mile/60 km return trip at 7mpg! The mechanic said that many people don't want to pay for the time to investigate any further. Steve told him that a phone call would have been nice to discuss that,  plus he doesn't want a breakdown in the middle of nowhere. If Steve wanted to hang around for a bit the mechanic said he would start tearing things apart. So he went to hang around the parts dept. and ordered spare spark plugs and air filters. The mechanic had found that the bearings in the CV joint was the source of the clicking noise so that whole assembly had to be ordered in. Should be ready early next week. When Steve returned to the truck he discovered that he had been ticketed 10 minutes before. $40.00 reduced to $20.00 if paid within 14 days...Sheesh! Being a little flustered about the whole fiasco with the quads he forgot about the 1 hour parking. You'll get our money on the 14th day and not a day sooner!

My day went much better...Angie, Conner and I met "the girls" for lunch at Fifth Street Bar and Grill in Victoria.  Lynn (holding Conner), Gwen, Janet, Me and Angie...

Friday evening (March 22), our son and his girlfriend (Chris and Angela) came over from Burnaby for the weekend...a visit with us...and of course, to see Conner!  Grampa and Conner waiting patiently for them to arrive...

Saturday was a very relaxing day...just spending time together as a family was wonderful!  We went for a walk in the neighbourhood...after getting Conner secured in the carrier on Rob, we were off down the driveway...

We headed up the hill and took a trail that we haven't been on in a long while.  There used to be a nice view over the rooftops over looking the ocean and Salt Spring Island but the vegetation has grown so much...now there is just a bit of a view through the tree branches...and there probably won't even be that once the leaves are on the trees!

We continued to the end of the trail and to the top of the hill...the homes up here have lovely views...

After going into Sidney for coffee with Steve's Dad, we enjoyed a relaxing evening at home...good family time!  Here is Auntie Angela with Conner...

...Uncle Chris...

Chris is comforting Conner while Mom quickly finishes up in the kitchen...

Since we are going to Mexico on April 6, we needed our summer clothes and, of course, they were all in the fifth-wheel...in storage...in Langley!  But we had a plan...I would go back to Burnaby with Chris and Angela; spend the night (and see Chris' new basement suite); drop Chris off at work Monday morning and then have the car for the day...he would then drive me back out to the ferry after work Monday.  Before we left, Steve took a picture of Chris, Angela, Conner, Angie and Rob...

I enjoyed a great visit with Chris and Angela on the way back to the mainland...and even met Angela's parents when we dropped her off...very nice! 

Monday morning, I dropped Chris off at work just before 9:00 and then drove out to Econo Storage in Langley.  The first thing I noticed was that two of the sliders had again creeped out a couple of inches. Guaranty RV had told us to put the slider switches in the off position after the sliders were in so that they don't creep out. Well that didn't work!  It didn't take long to pack up our summer things and once that was done, I drove to the mall and had a great time shopping and wandering around.  I ended up with a new swim suit for Mexico!  It has been a long time since I have had a day to myself and I really enjoyed it!

I was back in Burnaby around 2:40 and decided to go to Brentwood Mall.  I knew it was fairly close to where Angela worked and Chris had said that she was off work at 3:00, so I texted her and she met me at Starbucks at 3:30.  Before we knew it, it was time for me to go pick up Chris and head out to the ferry. 
He dropped me off in plenty of time for the 7:00 ferry...I took this picture from the foot-passenger waiting area as the ferry was coming in...





Steve picked me up and when I got home, I found Conner and Rob just chillin' together on the couch...

Tuesday, Steve, Conner, Angie and I had a quiet morning (Rob was up early and off to work).  It was just after 1:00 when Steve headed outside to putter around on the truck and Angie, Conner and I headed into Victoria.  We were going to check out the stores at the new UpTown Development.   I found a pair of white shorts and some flip-flops for Mexico.  Angie tried on a few things but nothing really took her fancy other than a pair of nice sandals. 

It was after 5:00 by the time we got home.  While we were gone, Steve found out that his ATV was ready so he had gone in to pick it up.  So no more dusty desert trails...we are now all set to go out riding with the Cowichan Valley ATV Club this weekend in the mud and water!

Tuesday to Saturday, March 12 to 16, 2013 (North Saanich, BC)

Well, as you have probably guessed by now, I am not doing a daily blog...we are at our "other home" for a visit and have been spending lots of time with our new grandson, Conner.  We really haven't done much this week...just getting out for walks when weather permits (it's been a pretty rainy week!).

I got my haircut Wednesday and then Angie, Conner and I went to Costco for a little shopping.  Of course, Conner just charmed all the ladies out shopping!

Friday, Steve and I gave our quads a good cleaning in preparation for going in on Monday for servicing.  After that we met his dad in Sidney for coffee and then did a few errands before heading back home.

Friday night, we babysat Conner while Rob and Angie went out on a date.  Conner was just perfect the two and a half hours they were gone...he slept...so much so, that Steve and I kept checking on him to make sure he was okay!

This morning, Conner sat with grandpa...having a morning chat...






And gave us a little smile...it's quite amazing how much we have seen changes in him in just the past week...

Next week we will be busier...doctor, dentist and eye appointments...and lunch out with my "old" co-workers. Looking forward to connecting with them again!  Steve has plans to go shooting with son Rob and a couple of buddies. I also must schedule more "get together's" with other family and friends...I've just been very lazy this week!

Sunday and Monday, March 10 and 11, 2013 (North Saanich, BC)

Sunday was a nice relaxing family day as we spent time with Conner...and of course, his mommy and daddy (Angie and Rob). 

A little play time...

Just after 1:30, we all got ready and headed into Sidney to have coffee with Steve's Dad.  Yay...I get to go for a car ride...

We met him at his usual coffee place at 2:00...Conner slept through most of the visit with his great-grandpa. 
It wasn't a particulary nice day but it wasn't raining and it wasn't windy, so after coffee, we went down to the waterfront for a walk and some fresh air.

Monday morning, Rob was up bright and early...especially since we had lost an hour with the start of daylight savings time...to head to work.  Steve and I were up shortly after 6:30 and settled in for our usual coffee start to the day.  It was getting close to 9:00 when Angie and Conner came downstairs...just in time to get ready to go out...we are meeting our very good friends, Rob and Nancy for breakfast at Mary's Blue Moon Cafe.

They met Conner for the first time...

Ahh...there's a smile!

 

 You'll note he has a different outfit on...Conner had a little accident and needed changing but unfortunately the restaurant didn't have a change table in the washroom...nor did it have much of a countertop...so it was quite hilarious as Angie and I changed him balanced on the edge of the sink and the tiny bit of counter that there was! 

A couple of hours of chatting and catching up and it was time to head home.  It was so good seeing Nancy and Rob...hopefully we'll get a chance to connect at least once more before we leave.  Back home, we had a very lazy afternoon...Angie went for a nap while Conner, Steve and I chilled watching TV.  Actually, it wasn't long before Conner was asleep for his nap.

Later on, Steve and I managed to get out for a good power walk, getting back not long before Rob got home from work. 

After dinner, it was bath time for Conner...first was the hair wash...

...then time to get right in the water...

He loves his bath...

Ahhhh....that feels good!

We spent the rest of the evening chatting and watching TV.  Rob headed to bed early (he has very early mornings)...Angie and Conner headed up shortly after but were soon back downstairs.  I guess Conner just didn't feel it was bed time yet.  So he cuddled with grandma for a bit and then fell asleep.  I'm really loving my cuddles with him!

Friday and Saturday, March 8 & 9, 2013 (Tulalip Casino and Travel to Vancouver Island, BC)

We woke to heavy fog Friday morning and it was cold!  With no electrical hookups, we couldn't have our portable heaters on so we had the furnace on low (50F/10C) throughout the night...but I cranked it up as soon as I got up!

We spent most of the morning packing the truck with things that we need to take over to the island with us after we drop off the fifth-wheel in storage once we get to Langley, BC. (Including everything required to go ATVing and a possible camping trip with the club.) So Steve was outside re-arranging things in the truck and packing things in while I was inside packing the suitcase.

By early afternoon, the fog had lifted for the most part and some sun was actually making its way through.  We decided to take a walk over to Cabelas (yes, another Cabelas Store!)...this is the front of Tulalip Resort Casino...

Once back from Cabelas, we just chilled out in the trailer sitting in our recliners reading and enjoying the afternoon sunshine as it poured in through the side window.  Just before 4:00 we headed over to the casino to "give our donation"...oh, I mean try our luck on the slots.  After a drink at the bar, we wandered around trying to find "that" lucky machine.  An hour later, we were back home...I had left $20 in various slots, while Steve decided only to spend $10.  The slots seemed to have changed since we were here last September...they've gotten far more expensive with the majority of penny slots having a minimum 40 cents to $1.50/bet...gee, why do they even call them penny slots anymore? Last September Steve paid for his new chest waders with his $304.00 winnings.

After dinner, we watched a few episodes of Homeland and then called it a night...we have an early morning tomorrow.

I was up at 5:00 Saturday morning...another cold morning!  It was only 27F/-2C...brrr! Before hitting the road north back into Canada, we were going to the local Les Schwab dealer to have one of the trailer's tires checked.  Steve had noticed an indentation in it and with the tires being less than a year old, we wanted to get it checked.

We arrived at Les Schwab shortly after 8:00 but had to wait for a semi-trailer first before they could inspect our tires. The indentation is supposedly normal on many tires...(really?)...however they noticed a small bulge in another spot and said the tire kissed something but they would warranty it under a normal road hazard condition.  They measure the tread wear (62% left)  and pro rate the warranty according to how much tread is left so we were still charged $78.00.  If its 25% or less you get a free tire replacement. Steve told them that he didn't agree with their assessment as the old tire didn't look any different than the new tire...(38% worn in less than 12 months?!) Oh well...it is what it is...they could of said sorry you hit something no warranty. Just over an hour later, we were on our way with a new tire.

We certainly have been lucky with the weather on our travel days and today was no exception...it was just beautiful!  We stopped at a rest area about 3 miles down the I-5 to empty our holding tanks.  That is something we find awesome with the rest stops in Washington State...a good deal of them have large free sani-dumps.

Then it was time to head north!  What an awesome day!

This is a shot of Mount Baker...

We crossed the Skagit River in Mount Vernon...

...and then as we got closer to the border, we stopped in Ferndale for one last fuel up...here's Buster with all the "big boys" at the Pilot Truck Stop...


About two hours after we left Les Schwab, we were sitting at the truck border crossing waiting in line to get back into Canada...it took about 40 minutes to get through and soon we were on our way to Econo Storage in Langley.


We were given spot 624 which is definitely the easiest spot to get into that we have ever had...right on the edge of the driveway through to another section of the storage facility.  So it took no time to get it parked and unhitched.  I emptied what was left in the fridge into a cooler while Steve took care of things outside.


Soon we were on our way to the ferry...the causeway to the BC Ferry Terminal...

We arrived at the terminal at 3:15, missing the 3:00 ferry...so we would have to wait until the 5:00.  We wandered into the terminal and grabbed a cup of coffee and then went back to the truck.  Steve read his book on the iPad while I unwrapped my new toy...a Kindle...now we both have something to read our books from.

So it didn't really seem all that long before we were boarding the ferry and heading upstairs to find the cafeteria...Steve managed to get a great window table...

One of the ferries that services the gulf islands...

We passed another ferry heading to the mainland...this was in Active Pass...

We arrived at Rob and Angie's just before 7:00...and we both got to hold our grandson, Conner, for the very first time...

The first of many cuddles...he's a very special little guy and we could both hardly wait to meet him in person! We are really looking forward to spending the next month at our "other home" getting to know him...and catching up with family and friends!