We both finished packing our suitcases and then I emptied the fridge, putting what little that was left in it into a cooler to take with us. We are dropping the 5th-wheel off at Fraserway RV in Abbotsford to continue diagnosing/fixing the problem we are having with the creeping bedroom slider (remember...this issue delayed our departure north last June, and it still wasn't resolved). Since the technicians will need access to the slider mechanism under the bed, nothing can be on the bed. It was a little tricky finding a spot for all the stuff that usually is transported on our bed but we managed.
It took us a little longer than expected to get packed up but we were on our way at 8:30. Our appointment at Fraserway RV was 9:00, so shouldn't be a problem...except...as we got to highway 1 east, traffic was backed up due to construction. So we were 10 minutes late.
We got the 5th-wheel unhitched, all the paperwork taken care of and were back on the road heading west to the ferry by 9:30...arriving at the ferry terminal in time for the 11:00 sailing. This is the causeway leading to the ferry terminal...
We arrived at Rob and Angie's place at 1:00...and Conner was still down for his nap...sheesh! However, by the time we brought all of our things up from the truck, he was awake. I was a little disheartened when he took one look at me and started crying but it wasn't long before he came around. Such a cutie...although his mom and dad said he was having an off day.
I think he was just hungry...
We spent the rest of the afternoon visiting and playing with Conner...
Friday morning, was another early morning for me...Conner and Angie joined me shortly after 6:30. He was such a happy little guy as Angie fed him cereal for breakfast. We had a relaxing morning...Steve continued editing pictures; there wasn't much more I could do on the blog until he had pictures ready.
Gramma put a bib on my head...silly Gramma, that's not where it goes...Rob, Angie and Conner went into Victoria to look at new cars...Angie's little VW Golf died a couple of days ago and it wasn't worth repairing so they thought they would take a look at new ones.
I had an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon regarding my knee (I keep a regular appointment every 6 months so that I don't have to go through a referral/waiting period to see this doctor). After I was finished there, we drove into Victoria to see Steve's Dad...he just moved into a residential care facility. It's really a lovely spot and we're glad a room became available for him...he needs the care provided there. We sat in the dining room with him having coffee and showing him pictures of our trip to Alaska. About an hour and a half later we were on our way back home.
Saturday Rob and Angie decided to go back into Victoria...they had narrowed down their new car selection and wanted to have another look. We offered to babysit Conner. I managed to get a couple of salads made for the 'Appy Party' that Angie and Rob were hosting for us that afternoon. We had quite a houseful of family and friends...unfortunately, Rob and Angie were longer than expected and didn't get home until after 7:00. By that time, my nieces and nephews and their kids had left and it was somewhat quieter with only adults left. Conner had been so good but by the time daddy got home, he was happy to see him! Angie arrived a little later in their new Hyundai Sonata Hybrid...very nice!Unfortunately, I didn't think to bring out my camera earlier in the afternoon, so I only got a few pictures later in the evening. This is my niece, Vanessa and sister-in-law, Helen...
Steve and my brother, Dwight, having a chat...
Another niece (Steve's sister's daughter), Amanda, entertaining Conner...
And the guys chatting...Rob, Nate (Vanessa's husband) and brother-in-law, Mike...
We had a very relaxing day Sunday...enjoying our time with Rob, Angie and Conner. We all drove into Sidney in their new car. After a little shopping, we drove along the waterfront and stopped for pictures.
Back home, I made lasagna for dinner and we just chilled for the rest of the evening.
Monday morning Rob and Angie needed to take the car back to the dealer for detailing and to finalize some paperwork, so I said that we would look after Conner. They are leaving this afternoon for Vancouver...Angie is taking Conner to Scotland for 2 weeks to visit her grandparents. Of course, I wanted to see the little guy as much as I could before they leave.
We had made arrangements for brunch with our good friends, Rob and Nancy, and I was a little concerned because I figured that our breakfast time at 10:00 would be right when he was due for a nap. But I didn't need to have worried...Conner was great! He sat in a highchair and entertained himself with a spoon!
The kids were home by the time we returned just after 11:00. Rob is taking Angie and Conner over to Vancouver, they are staying at Chris' (our younger son) place tonight and then going to the Vancouver International Airport in the morning. So they wanted to catch the 1:00 ferry which would get them to Chris' place in Burnaby by 3:30...that would give them some time with Chris and his girlfriend, Angela.
Before they left, we had to get some pictures...this would be the last time we would see Angie and Conner until Christmas.
Conner trying on his jacket that we got at Cabelas last March...it finally fits but the matching sweatpants are a wee bit big yet. (Yikes, I need a hair cut...haven't had it done since May 29th!!)
After they left, Steve and I drove into Victoria to see his dad. After a visit with him, we headed off for a little shopping before heading home. Steve started packing for his hunting/fishing trip while I baked a couple of walnut raisin loafs...one for him to take and one for me.
Tuesday was appointment day...after our usual morning of coffee and working on the blog, we got ourselves ready to head into Victoria. We met with our financial advisor...oh good, we should be able to afford new wheels and tires for the trailer! After that it was time for our annual checkups at the doctor...always fun..
Wednesday we were up and out by 6:45...to the lab for blood tests. No food or drink (other than water) for 10 hours...so let's get it over with so I can have my coffee! Once we were back, we had breakfast and then Steve finished up packing for his trip...and he was off. It was about 9:00 when he left.
Steve and I have always each taken a week away separately...when the kids were young, we would take it at separate times, i.e. he would go hunting with the guys and I would look after the kids; then the following month, I would go for a girls get-away and he would look after the kids. Of course, now with the kids grown, we each take our get-aways at the same time. Last year we missed our separate vacations because we left Canada early for the Fall RV-Dreams Rally in Oregon...so it's been 2 years...looking forward to the break!
Rob had stayed an extra night to spend time with Chris and would be on the 11:00 ferry this morning. As soon as he got home, he immediately started gathering and packing his things and was off to join the guys for a week of hunting and fishing.
I spent the afternoon running a bunch of errands and once home, enjoyed some alone time.
Thursday was a busy day for me. It started with a hair cut appointment at 9:00 (whew...finally!), followed by coffee at Vanessa and Nate's new place (my niece and her husband) at 10:15...Helen (my sister-in-law and Vanessa's mom) also joined us. Then it was onto another doctor's appointment at noon...followed by lunch at 1:00 with a one of my "old" work buddies, Gwen....too bad the others weren't available, Lynn and Delcie were both off travelling and Janet was in the process of moving back to Prince Edward Island (where she is originally from).
YAY...it's finally Friday, September 27th! The day I head over to Vancouver for my girls weekend! First of all, though, I had another appointment with my orthopedic surgeon to have an injection of some special stuff into my knee that is supposed to lubricate it. It's better than the cortisone shots I have had previously...hope it works, the prescription cost me $300! I'm hoping my extended health care plan covers some of it!
I managed to catch the 1:00 ferry and by the time the bus reached the downtown station, it was 4:00 and Glenna was waiting for me...let the fun begin! After stopping at a local pub for a drink, we went to Glenna's place where we had a wonderful evening of wine and catching up...and a yummy homemade pizza for dinner.
Saturday night "the girls" met at Sand Bar Restaurant on Granville Island for dinner. We had such a good time!! Left to right...Glenna, Bev and me...
Cheryl, Glenna, Bev and me (Bev and Cheryl are sisters and are Steve's cousins)...
After a fabulous weekend, Glenna dropped me off at Chris' place...yup, I was kind of tired after a late night of chatting and drinking wine!
Chris took Monday (September 30) off and we hung out together, going for a nice long walk, out for lunch and then to dinner at Angela's parents place. The rest of my week was driving Chris to work so that I could have the use of his car...nice that he doesn't go into work until around 9:00...then checking out shopping malls and just enjoying the day. One day, I met Angela at the school where she is a kindergarten teacher and she showed me her classroom and then we went for coffee afterwards...so nice. I really enjoyed the time spent with Chris and Angela...looks like we are having a wedding next September!!
Saturday morning Chris and I picked up Angela and went for breakfast before they drove me out to the ferry terminal. Yes, I'm going back to the island. I hadn't expected to but Fraserway RV is waiting for a hydraulic ram to be shipped and it likely won't be there for over a week...possibly October 11th. So I'm joining Steve back in Victoria (well actually North Saanich/Sidney) until the part arrives. Again, we are being delayed in our travel plans...we wanted to leave Canada around October 15th but now it's going to be at least a week after that since we still have a few things to take care of before we head south.
Now, here's Steve to tell you about his hunting/fishing trip.....
We had all decided if we were unsuccessful in our moose and elk limited entry draws that we would do a deer hunt on Vancouver Island. This will not be a serious hunt for me. I decided to just take my shotgun and hunt grouse. Because we hope to be leaving next week I didn't want to have the hassle of dealing with everything involved after getting a small island deer. The only butcher we know of that will still do game meat is in the Cowichan Valley so that's a 2 hour drive from Rob's house and he would have to do all that for me.
It was an absolutely beautiful day for my drive up to McClure Lake in the Cowichan Valley.
Quads are out...home away from home...queen air bed, catalytic heater, and CO detector...
Mine and Rob's camp...this is the highest we have ever seen the lake this early in the year...not a good sign if we get the rain they have forecast...50+mm!First morning hunt...with binoculars you could see the wide open Pacific Ocean in the distance...
Our son...Survivor-man Rob...
Rob heading to the top of the world...
We are camped on the far end left side...
After our morning hunt we spent the rest of the day getting firewood and setting up our tarps...
Time to duct tape all the spark holes in the tarp...it's supposed to rain tomorrow...Clouds have moved in...
Time for a brewski around the fire...
Oh...oh...this doesn't look good!
Rob had a successful moose hunt last year with Dave (blowing on the fire) and Jim's nephew Spencer standing next to Rob. Spencer brought along his son Riley for his first hunt.
Rob's camp now has a creek running through it...
The next morning...even the fire pit is in water...we have a decision to make...
Hmmm...is this just a lull in the rain?
Rob was up at 3:30 a.m. for awhile...the creek had flipped over his plastic bins that he was using as a table top for his BBQ and stove. In the morning he moved his camp up the road but not before having to buck up a tree that fell and missed him by 6 feet!
Spencer left the night before and Jim left this morning after his hunt...
Around 11:30 I made my decision...time to get out of Dodge!
When Rob and Dave returned from their wild chanterelle mushroom picking adventure they to decided it was time to go. Never had wild mushrooms before...they were good!
Beautiful Cowichan Valley scenery on the way home...
The plan was a 1 week trip however due to the flooding we were home by the 5th day.
Bucks only are allowed so of course only does and fawns were seen. Spencer managed to get a grouse and 10lbs of mushrooms. Despite the weather it was great getting in some guy time:-)
Great pictures! I would like to take a trip to McLure lake and was wondering if you could tell me what the roads are like? I would like to take our popup trailer there is this possible? Thank you
ReplyDeleteThe roads were in good shape then. There is active logging in the area so watch for logging trucks. This can be a very busy spot.
ReplyDeleteThat one picture of the road going up the mountain.. your son being on top of the world (picture "Rob heading to the top of the world", how do you get there from mclure lake? I have tried to locate on my back road map but cant, pls offer some directions, looks like a great trip!!
ReplyDeleteIf I remember correctly you turn right on Walbran Main and continue on to W 60 on the right. (I think) It's been awhile 🤔
Deletecool thanks :) love your blog, looks like a great trip, not too far over from mclure there is a plane crash up mt bolduc from ww II and also about 15 cool caves and a cabin.
ReplyDeleteThanks for tagging along on our blog! I've heard of the plane crash site but not the caves or cabin. Thanks!
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