(Warning! This post is picture intensive! Remember...just click on picture to enlarge)
We started Monday morning off in our usual fashion and then headed back into Princeton to do some grocery shopping and get propane. I took a few pictures of the scenery along the way (this time I was on the right side of the truck to get better pictures)...Tulameen River
No trucks are allowed on this old bridge...
So we had to take this bridge and go around into Princeton to the main street where there is a nice new Cooper's Foods store...
We "did our thing" in town and then headed back. This is the first bridge (over the Tulameen River) out of Coalmont towards Granite Creek...
And the second bridge just before the campground (over Granite Creek)...
We spent the rest of the afternoon puttering around, reading...and welcoming more people to our group.
Tuesday (June 24) was a bit of a rainy day as we helped prepare for the Poker Ride. Here are Don (West Kootenay Club) and Steve having a morning chat...
Ralph and Sheila (South Cariboo Quad Squad) are camped beside us...
Steve and I were in charge of selling T-Shirts for the Poker Ride. Steve helped me sort them into the different sizes but I pretty well took care of selling them while he went out on some rides over the next few days...
Mike and Steve pulling out old staples from the sandwich boards...
About mid-afternoon Steve joined a work group that went up to Ernie's place (he is the fellow that owns the field we are camped in) to get firewood....Travis, Michele, Gerry, Sue and Orval...
Time for a cocktail next door...me, Greg, Bob, Ralph and Sheila...
And the day ended with a campfire... Chevy (one of Ralph and Sheila's dogs), Ralph, Ted, Zan, Wayne, Sue, Wes, Diane, Don, Dianne, Orval, Travis, Edith, Sheila and Jeff...
Wednesday we woke to clear sky...well, there were a few fluffy white clouds around but so much nicer than yesterday! Steve went on a quad ride with a group going to Lodestone Lake while I stayed behind selling T-shirts and chatting with everyone as they got things organized...
The group of riders getting ready to head off on their quads/side-by-sides...
Lodestone Lake...
Coquihalla Lake...
Ice Cream stop in Tulameen...
The group of riders getting ready to head off on their quads/side-by-sides...
Ice Cream stop in Tulameen...
Sounds like they had a great ride...for a look at all of the pictures Steve took, click on this link-Lodestone Lake Ride.
That night Zan and Ted (Cowichan Valley ATV Club...our club) cooked a turkey dinner for a group of us. Here is Zan monitoring the deep fryer ...
Carving the turkey...
Time to chow down! Vicky,Wayne and Linda filling their plates...that's Ted in the background...
Steve, Vicky, Don, Wayne and Linda (didn't quite get all of Linda into the picture...sorry Linda!)...
Zan, Marlaine, Betty and Ted...
It was an absolutely delicious dinner...and certainly not expected out here "in the wilds"! Thanks so much, Zan and Ted!
After dinner, Steve got the group campfire going and we were all starting to gather around it when big drops of rain started to fall. Hoping it would pass, we tried to stay put but it didn't take long to realize that we were in for a major downpour and boy, did we get it! Complete with some thunder and lightning! That sent everyone scurrying for cover. We sat under our awning for a bit and when the puddle of water started to grow out of control, we decided to head inside.
Thursday we just hung around camp, selling T-shirts and helping out wherever we could. There were a couple of guided rides that took groups out...
That night Zan and Ted (Cowichan Valley ATV Club...our club) cooked a turkey dinner for a group of us. Here is Zan monitoring the deep fryer ...
Time to chow down! Vicky,Wayne and Linda filling their plates...that's Ted in the background...
Steve, Vicky, Don, Wayne and Linda (didn't quite get all of Linda into the picture...sorry Linda!)...
Zan, Marlaine, Betty and Ted...
It was an absolutely delicious dinner...and certainly not expected out here "in the wilds"! Thanks so much, Zan and Ted!
After dinner, Steve got the group campfire going and we were all starting to gather around it when big drops of rain started to fall. Hoping it would pass, we tried to stay put but it didn't take long to realize that we were in for a major downpour and boy, did we get it! Complete with some thunder and lightning! That sent everyone scurrying for cover. We sat under our awning for a bit and when the puddle of water started to grow out of control, we decided to head inside.Thursday we just hung around camp, selling T-shirts and helping out wherever we could. There were a couple of guided rides that took groups out...
The Quad Riders ATV Association of British Columbia (ATV/BC) is having a raffle...for $10/ticket, you get a chance at...1st price: Honda TRX500PGE Canadian Trail Edition Quad
2nd price: Commander ATV Track Kit
3rd price: Honda TRX90XE Youth Quad (we'd like to win this for Conner!)
The main draw is being held on July 19 at the Summerland Jamboree but an early bird draw for a Honda EU2000ITC Generator will be held this Saturday after the Poker Ride.
Linda and Don heading out for a quad ride...
This is "Blu"...she loves quad riding in her special padded box with Glen and April...
Steve and I went out in the afternoon to hunt for some geocaches. Bob and Sue had put out eight special caches and for $5 you could purchase the co-ordinates and as long as you found five of them, you would be entered into a 50/50 draw...
Steve took pictures of some the old Granite City buildings in the area...
This is the Coalmont Cemetery...
...and we're back home...
Dave (Elkford ATV Club) traded in his old machine for a new 2014 650CC at the Can-Am dealer in Tulameen. Dave was our ride tour guide when we visited Elkford 3 years ago...awesome area...
That evening we sat around the campfire...as you can see, lots of campers/ATVers have arrived...
Friday was a busy day as more and more campers arrived for the "big event"...the Poker Ride tomorrow. Honda also arrived bringing a number of quads for people to try out...
Steve went on the "Blakeburn Ride" today...a guided ride to the old townsite of Blakeburn....here are all the quads getting ready to head off...
If you are interested in seeing the pictures Steve took on this ride, click on this link - Blakeburn Ride.
Reichert Sales & Service also arrived Friday afternoon with their display of Can-Am quads. Apparently this Tulameen Can-Am dealer sells more Ski-Doos and ATV's then any other BC Dealer. Dave and Dennis purchased new quads while here...
At 5:30 registration for the Poker Ride started...and my goodness, Vicky and Linda were busy, busy, busy until well after 7:30. Steve and I registered and bought our hands...all done and ready for tomorrow morning!
That evening it was time for the "Talking Stick" to come out. This is where everyone around the campfire is encouraged to tell a story.
For the second year in a row Rick (Comox Valley ATV Club) had the best story and got his name on the "Talking Stick" again...
One of the prizes being given away tomorrow at the Poker Ride is a "Campfire-in-a-Can". Last winter Steve was approached by Campfire-in-a-Can to use some of our blog pictures (of us using our campfire) and managed to get one donated as a raffle prize. They decided to test it out tonight. Here are Wayne, Linda, Jamal and Rick sitting around it...little did they know that Rick and his grandson, Jamal, would later end up winning it!
Saturday, June 28...Poker Ride day! The activities started with breakfast being served starting at 7:00 and the ride starting at 9:30. Registration and Poker Hand sales were also open this morning for those who didn't get to it last night.
Before the ride, Steve walked around taking pictures...
Looking towards Granite Creek Rec Site from the far end of the field...
Nice shirt!
Steve with his new buddy, Travis. He is a 23 year old autistic fellow that has taken a real shine to Steve. He's from Edmonton visiting grandparents Orval and Edith. Orval has lent him one of his side by sides that he drives by himself...and can he ever drive!
Quads are lining up to go...
Almost our turn!
And we're off!
Checkpoint 1...
Jeff, Ralph and me...I'm drawing our first hand...
Checkpoint 2...Sue, Bob and Steve...drawing our second hand...
Steve and Gary...lunchtime! We were up high in the mountains...elevation around 5900 feet...it was pretty chilly!
Line up at checkpoint 3 in Tulameen...
I'm drawing our third hand...with Carol and Dennis...
Checkpoint 4 in front of the Coalmont Hotel...
Steve drawing our fourth hand...with Cynthia and Rob...
Then it was into the hotel for a beer! Me, Steve and Gary...
Our final hand was drawn back at homebase...me, Mike, Marlaine and Vicky...
All poker hands had to be back in by 3:00 so that they could all be checked. There were over 200 riders out today, so you imagine how much work that was! But shortly after 4:00 everyone started assembling to find out the winners. First of all they started with random draws...and lots of prizes were given away. We didn't win the $3000 first prize....or the second prize trailer...we didn't win anything! Oh well! Our good friend Mario from the Powell River Club won the trailer...way to go, Mario!
Betty, Ted, Zan, me, Dave, Susie and Greg...
Rick McDonald from the Comox Valley ATV Club is the winner of the Campfire-In-A-Can...Jamal, Bob and Jeff...
Don lost his coffee mug so after it was found by others he was reunited with it...chain and pad lock included...too funny!
After all of the prizes were awarded, we joined in on a delicious pulled-pork dinner...and then it was time for a campfire.
Me and my buddy, Chevy...
Steve went on the "Blakeburn Ride" today...a guided ride to the old townsite of Blakeburn....here are all the quads getting ready to head off...
If you are interested in seeing the pictures Steve took on this ride, click on this link - Blakeburn Ride.Reichert Sales & Service also arrived Friday afternoon with their display of Can-Am quads. Apparently this Tulameen Can-Am dealer sells more Ski-Doos and ATV's then any other BC Dealer. Dave and Dennis purchased new quads while here...
At 5:30 registration for the Poker Ride started...and my goodness, Vicky and Linda were busy, busy, busy until well after 7:30. Steve and I registered and bought our hands...all done and ready for tomorrow morning!
That evening it was time for the "Talking Stick" to come out. This is where everyone around the campfire is encouraged to tell a story.
For the second year in a row Rick (Comox Valley ATV Club) had the best story and got his name on the "Talking Stick" again...
One of the prizes being given away tomorrow at the Poker Ride is a "Campfire-in-a-Can". Last winter Steve was approached by Campfire-in-a-Can to use some of our blog pictures (of us using our campfire) and managed to get one donated as a raffle prize. They decided to test it out tonight. Here are Wayne, Linda, Jamal and Rick sitting around it...little did they know that Rick and his grandson, Jamal, would later end up winning it!
Saturday, June 28...Poker Ride day! The activities started with breakfast being served starting at 7:00 and the ride starting at 9:30. Registration and Poker Hand sales were also open this morning for those who didn't get to it last night.
Before the ride, Steve walked around taking pictures...Looking towards Granite Creek Rec Site from the far end of the field...
Steve with his new buddy, Travis. He is a 23 year old autistic fellow that has taken a real shine to Steve. He's from Edmonton visiting grandparents Orval and Edith. Orval has lent him one of his side by sides that he drives by himself...and can he ever drive!
Jeff, Ralph and me...I'm drawing our first hand...
Checkpoint 2...Sue, Bob and Steve...drawing our second hand...
Steve and Gary...lunchtime! We were up high in the mountains...elevation around 5900 feet...it was pretty chilly!
Line up at checkpoint 3 in Tulameen...
I'm drawing our third hand...with Carol and Dennis...
Checkpoint 4 in front of the Coalmont Hotel...
Steve drawing our fourth hand...with Cynthia and Rob...
Then it was into the hotel for a beer! Me, Steve and Gary...
Our final hand was drawn back at homebase...me, Mike, Marlaine and Vicky...
All poker hands had to be back in by 3:00 so that they could all be checked. There were over 200 riders out today, so you imagine how much work that was! But shortly after 4:00 everyone started assembling to find out the winners. First of all they started with random draws...and lots of prizes were given away. We didn't win the $3000 first prize....or the second prize trailer...we didn't win anything! Oh well! Our good friend Mario from the Powell River Club won the trailer...way to go, Mario!
Betty, Ted, Zan, me, Dave, Susie and Greg...
Rick McDonald from the Comox Valley ATV Club is the winner of the Campfire-In-A-Can...Jamal, Bob and Jeff...
Don lost his coffee mug so after it was found by others he was reunited with it...chain and pad lock included...too funny!
After all of the prizes were awarded, we joined in on a delicious pulled-pork dinner...and then it was time for a campfire.
Me and my buddy, Chevy...
It was a great day...a great 55 km ride and lots of fun! For a look at all pictures taken throughout the day, click on the following link - ATV/BC 2014 Poker Ride - Coalmont.
Sunday, six of us went out and rode the Poker Ride route again...this time taking down all of the ribbons and signs marking the way. It was also an opportunity for Steve to stop along the way and take more pictures of the beautiful scenery.
On the KVR (Kettle Valley Railroad) Trail...
White Sands Beach on the Tulameen River...
Lunch time! Wayne, Gordy, Dave, Mario and Steve...
Tulameen River lookout...
Mario and Gordy...
Another great ride...another great day! If you'd like to take a look at all the scenic pictures Steve took on this ride, just click this link - Poker Ride Ribbon Clean-Up
As usual, we relaxed around the campfire that evening. As you can see, the majority of campers left throughout the day, leaving just a small group. Here are Greg, Mike, Orval, Dave, Gordy, and Mario...
...and Mario, Ralph, Greg, Susie and Vicky...
On Monday (June 30), Steve went on a ride with Orval and his grandson, Travis. Judging by the pictures, they had a blast...lots of mud, water and even snow! They rated this ride a 4 out of a 5. Here are a few of the pictures...
If you'd like to take a look at all of the pictures he took on today's ride, just click on this link - Orval Ride 2014-06-30.
While Steve was out on the ride, I really didn't do much of anything other than read my book...I'm now on book 6, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, in the Diana Gabaldon Outlander Series.
Tuesday...July 1st...HAPPY CANADA DAY! We had a pretty lazy start to the day and then Steve decided to attempt to adjust the shocks on our quads...well, he started with his. The tool he borrowed just didn't work, so he put it all back together...perhaps he'll just have to have it done when we take the quads in for servicing. Here is Jeff lending him a hand...
Late morning, Marlaine, Jeff, Steve and I decided to take a ride along the KRV to the AW in Princeton for lunch. It is such a pretty ride!
We parked the quads behind the restaurant...time for lunch!
Marlaine and I had a great time with our phones since we had cell/internet service in Princeton. After lunch at this very busy restaurant, we headed back. We came across this doe on the side of the trail (see her on the left?)...she couldn't have cared less that we were there...
Overlooking our campsite behind the island in the river...
We decided to by-pass the turnoff that would take us back to the campground and continued on the trail to Tulameen...for ice cream!
This was put on the trail to make you think kids are at play...in other words...slow down!
The General Store is "the place" for ice cream...everyone goes to Tulameen for ice cream! But wouldn't you know it...they'd run out of ice cream because of the long Canada Day weekend! Sheesh!
If you'd like to take a look at all of the pictures Steve took of our scenic ride into Princeton, click the following link - Princeton Lunch Ride 2014-07-01.
Back at camp, with the campground virtually empty, we found a nice spot on the river where we could take our quads to give them a bit of a cleaning....well, at least we managed to get most of the mud off them before loading them into the truck.
The rest of the afternoon (what little that was left) was spent packing things away in preparation for leaving tomorrow. It's hard to believe we have been here for 10 days! It's been an absolute blast...we both have loved every minute of it! Such a great group of people...we look forward to seeing them again in about a week when we all gather at Three Valley Gap (just west of Revelstoke) for the "Three Valley Gap ATV GPS Ride".
Sunday, six of us went out and rode the Poker Ride route again...this time taking down all of the ribbons and signs marking the way. It was also an opportunity for Steve to stop along the way and take more pictures of the beautiful scenery.
On the KVR (Kettle Valley Railroad) Trail...
White Sands Beach on the Tulameen River...
Lunch time! Wayne, Gordy, Dave, Mario and Steve...
Mario and Gordy...
Another great ride...another great day! If you'd like to take a look at all the scenic pictures Steve took on this ride, just click this link - Poker Ride Ribbon Clean-Up
As usual, we relaxed around the campfire that evening. As you can see, the majority of campers left throughout the day, leaving just a small group. Here are Greg, Mike, Orval, Dave, Gordy, and Mario...
On Monday (June 30), Steve went on a ride with Orval and his grandson, Travis. Judging by the pictures, they had a blast...lots of mud, water and even snow! They rated this ride a 4 out of a 5. Here are a few of the pictures...
If you'd like to take a look at all of the pictures he took on today's ride, just click on this link - Orval Ride 2014-06-30.
While Steve was out on the ride, I really didn't do much of anything other than read my book...I'm now on book 6, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, in the Diana Gabaldon Outlander Series.
Tuesday...July 1st...HAPPY CANADA DAY! We had a pretty lazy start to the day and then Steve decided to attempt to adjust the shocks on our quads...well, he started with his. The tool he borrowed just didn't work, so he put it all back together...perhaps he'll just have to have it done when we take the quads in for servicing. Here is Jeff lending him a hand...
Late morning, Marlaine, Jeff, Steve and I decided to take a ride along the KRV to the AW in Princeton for lunch. It is such a pretty ride!
We parked the quads behind the restaurant...time for lunch!
Marlaine and I had a great time with our phones since we had cell/internet service in Princeton. After lunch at this very busy restaurant, we headed back. We came across this doe on the side of the trail (see her on the left?)...she couldn't have cared less that we were there...
Overlooking our campsite behind the island in the river...
We decided to by-pass the turnoff that would take us back to the campground and continued on the trail to Tulameen...for ice cream!
This was put on the trail to make you think kids are at play...in other words...slow down!The General Store is "the place" for ice cream...everyone goes to Tulameen for ice cream! But wouldn't you know it...they'd run out of ice cream because of the long Canada Day weekend! Sheesh!
If you'd like to take a look at all of the pictures Steve took of our scenic ride into Princeton, click the following link - Princeton Lunch Ride 2014-07-01.
Back at camp, with the campground virtually empty, we found a nice spot on the river where we could take our quads to give them a bit of a cleaning....well, at least we managed to get most of the mud off them before loading them into the truck.
The rest of the afternoon (what little that was left) was spent packing things away in preparation for leaving tomorrow. It's hard to believe we have been here for 10 days! It's been an absolute blast...we both have loved every minute of it! Such a great group of people...we look forward to seeing them again in about a week when we all gather at Three Valley Gap (just west of Revelstoke) for the "Three Valley Gap ATV GPS Ride".
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