Tuesday and Wednesday, April 26 and 27, 2016 (Fort Camping, Brae Island Regional Park, Fort Langley, BC)

Tuesday morning while having our coffee we debated what to do today....wash truck/clean inside of the trailer, or go for a bike ride. The bike ride won out...Steve prefers a cloudy day for washing the truck and the forecast was for cloudier conditions tomorrow.

We haven't had our bikes out since we were here last fall...they have a few more marks on them from bouncing around on the back of the trailer, but otherwise they are good. We headed out to Glover Road, across the bridge and took the trail along the Fraser River...

What is that in the river? Ogopogo...Loch Ness Monster? LOL

We rode down to the Edgewater Campground in Derby Reach Regional Park...and stopped in one of the sites for a rest...

Looking to the west...

 ...and the east...

On the way back, Steve spotted all this colour...we had to stop and take a picture. There must have been a homestead here at one time...

I led the way back...

Derby Reach Regional Park has hiking trails starting from the historic old Edge Farm...

The outfall from the Salmon River into the Fraser River...

The trail is very popular and gets busier closer to Fort Langley...

 And back across the bridge...

An hour and a half later we were back home...ahhh...it felt good to get out on the bikes again! The old legs felt a little like jelly though!

After lunch, we headed into Langley so Steve could get a hair cut...while he was doing that I checked out the nearby Safeway store. Once Steve was done, we drove to Gold Key Isuzu so Steve could talk to Dave, our service rep, about the truck. He made arrangements to drop it off in May. Hopefully for the last exhaust brake squeal "fix"!  (Wouldn't that be awesome!)

Wednesday was a total chore day! After our usual start to the day, Steve headed out to get started on the truck. I helped him take the boat off and then got started on my chores. We had a busy day...Steve washing the truck ( a whole day job!) and me cleaning the inside of the trailer...which even included defrosting the fridge!

We leave for Vancouver Island tomorrow...looking forward to seeing Rob, Angie and the kids!

Saturday, Sunday and Monday, April 23. 24 and 25, 2016 (Fort Camping, Brae Island Regional Park, Fort Langley, BC)

We did a first this morning...we joined a crowd gathering outside of Costco waiting for the doors to open at 9:30.  When we pulled into the parking lot, I was surprised at the number of cars already there...obviously lots of others had the same idea. However, on this trip to Costco, we had no problem finding a parking spot!

We were back home shortly after 11:00 and started on the chore of storing away all of our purchases. I knew it was going to be an expensive shopping trip, but...yikes! Well, we're stocked up on those "Coscto sized" items that we use often...and have room for in the rig (coffee, olive oil, coconut oil, vitamins...just to name a few).

After lunch, Steve headed off into Langley to an ATV/BC meeting. This was a face to face meeting with the Director and Trails Manager of Recreation Sites & Trails BC The lady responsible for bringing in the new registration, licensing, rules and regulations also clarified many issues. Steve found it very informative and enjoyed getting re acquainted with many of the people we've met from various clubs over the years.

While he was gone, I coloured my hair, did a couple of loads of laundry...and basically puttered around the trailer all afternoon, until Steve got home at 5:40. A little while later, we had a wonderful Skype call with Rob, Angie, Conner and Bryce...we are so looking forward to seeing them next week! 

Sunday, we headed out late morning...we're finally going to visit Chris and Angela! They just moved into their new home and we could hardly wait to see it. On the way through Fort Langley, we drove by a British Car Show being held at the Community Hall...

The cars were parked on the front lawn...

 ...and on the street out front...

Before reaching Chris and Angela's place, we made a stop at Home Depot...to pick up a house warming gift. Their first home has a small yard, so some outdoor equipment will be required. After making our purchase, we continued the short distance further to their duplex...and were greeted with big hugs!

Our tour of their home started with the backyard. They have some yard work to do and plans to expand the deck. Look at the size of that rhododendron! Wow, beautiful!


After they gave us a tour, we sat in the livingroom...

Dexter seems to be settling into his new home...this is the first time he has lived in a home with stairs!

After chatting for a bit, we decided to go to a local pub for lunch...John B Neighbourhood Pub is just a few blocks away...

After a great lunch, we returned to Chris and Angela's place where Chris unpacked their house-warming gift...a Ryobi battery operated lawnmower! The batteries are interchangeable with other Ryobi products.

We visited with them a little longer...and next thing we knew it was after 4:00. Time to head home. So after big hugs, we headed off...wonderful seeing you both! You have a lovely new home, Chris and Angela...we couldn't be happier for you! Looking forward to seeing more of you over the next month!

Monday morning we had our usual casual start to the day and then after breakfast and showers, decided to get out for a walk. We went across the bridge and walked along the river.
Steve took these pictures from the bridge...looking west. Our campground is on the right...







...and then east...

After our three mile walk, we relaxed for a bit, had lunch...and then headed off for our doctor appointments. We really would like to find a new doctor...too many times we make appointments only to have them re-scheduled for another day. This is something that is tough in our lifestyle because we really have to plan our time with so much we need to do during our short time here. The other thing we hate are the wait times...our appointments were for 12:30 and 12:40. We were finally called into a room at 2:00 (going together to hopefully speed things up)...and the doctor didn't come in to see us until 2:30. So that was a 2 hour wait! This is the third time this has happened. Never before have we heard so many negative comments from fellow patients.

On our way home, Steve dropped me off in Fort Langley so that I could drop off my prescription for renewal. I enjoyed a leisurely walk back to the park...where I found Steve relaxing in his recliner watching one of "his shows" on TV.

And there you have it...that's what we have been up to for the last few days. Another couple of days and we will head over to the island to see Rob, Angie, Conner and Bryce! Looking forward to that!

Oh...and we have heard from Jim and Barb (Jim and Barb's RV Adventure). Last winter we spent time with them in Quartzsite and after finding out they were planning a trip to Alaska this summer, we offered to show them the Greater Vancouver area...and recommended they also take in Victoria. So when planning their route, they decided to go along the Oregon coast up through Washington State, through the Olympic Peninsula, over to Anacortes...and take the ferry over to Sidney, BC. They will be there on May 2...perfect timing! We plan on showing them around the lower island (Sidney and Victoria) where we lived and worked...and then come back to Fort Langley and show them around here. Really looking forward to seeing and spending time with them again!

Thursday and Friday, April 21 and 22, 2016 (Fort Camping, Brae Island Regional Park, Fort Langley, BC)

Thursday morning was pretty lazy...both of us enjoying being "on the grid" again. Of course, I had nine days of blogging to catch up on.

Late morning we headed off to do some shopping...I wanted to do a Costco run, it has been awhile! As we drove through Fort Langley, I took a picture of a building that has been under construction for the past couple of years...it finally looks like it is almost finished. I believe there was quite a bit of controversy over the construction of a 'modern' building along the main street...locals not wanting to take away from the quaintness of this small town.

Before Costco, we went to Walmart and London Drugs...I had a little shopping to do there while Steve wanted to talk to the peeps in the camera department of London Drugs to see about getting his camera cleaned.

Trying to find a parking spot in the Costco parking lot proved to be impossible...what the heck is going on today? We purposely decided to shop today (Thursday) rather than tomorrow or the weekend. There were cars driving around and around looking for a single spot...so the chances of us find 4 spaces in a square together were pretty slim! This was like Christmas at the mall! With the traffic jammed up, we thought we'd never get out of there...but finally, we made our way out. I guess we'll have to do our Costco run another time. So much for lunch at Costco LOL!

Back home, we had lunch and then I settled down at the table with the laptop to take care of some banking and then continue working on the blog. Meanwhile, Steve off-loaded the bikes from the back of the trailer, washed them, pumped up the tires...and got them ready for riding.

Friday morning we woke to cloudy skies...yup, today the rain and cooler weather is supposed to settle in for a few days. We've been extremely surprised at the fabulous weather we've had since returning to BC. We expected to be in jeans and coats from the time we left Alabama Hills but have spent more time in shorts!

Just before 10:30 we headed off to meet Deb and Ray at Peace Arch RV Park. They arrived there at the end of March and it is a park we want to check out since it looks like we won't be able to get into Fort Camping in November when we get back from our trip.

Peace Arch is the first RV park we stayed at when we left the island after retiring back in 2010. It had been very over-grown back then and not a great experience for our first stop. However, things have changed over the last six years...it is still heavily treed but they have been trimmed, making it more big rig friendly. They have lovely gardens in the courtyard behind the office...

Ray and Deb showed us around and then we stopped at the office to see about booking both storage for our rig while we are gone, as well as a site for our return, until we leave in early January, 2017. As it turns out, you cannot pre-book storage...if any spots are available, you must take and pay for it immediately. They could not say if a spot would be available come October...they were full right now. So we reserved a site for our return at the end of November...and we'll have to continue looking for storage options for the rig.

After that was done, we hopped into Ray and Deb's car and went to Big Ridge Brewing Co. for lunch...enjoying good beer, food...and friends! Great catching up with Deb and Ray!

On our way home, we thought we'd give Costco another chance...today, there were a few single parking spots available but nothing for us. Decision made...we will be there at 9:30 tomorrow morning when they open!

The rain was starting to settle in by the time we got home. Steve changed into his comfy clothes and settled in front of the TV to watch "his shows". I walked down to the gatehouse to book a site here for our return to the area in September. We are able to get a site from September 10 to October 10...after that, we will put the rig into storage and visit the kids (on the island and in Coquitlam) before we leave on our trip to Africa and France.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016 (Travel to Fort Camping, Brae Island Regional Park, Fort Langley, BC)

We had a relaxing morning...no need to rush, we have a short drive to Fort Langley and check-in at Fort Camping at Brae Island Regional Park isn't until 1:00. It was about 11:00 when we were all ready to head off...but before we did that, we took one final walk down the trail to take a picture of the river. The river is really raging now as the warm weather has raised the water level since we arrived. This is the pool that Steve was fishing at a couple of days ago...no longer calm waters...
A good resource for finding many of these campgrounds is sitesandtrailsbc

We made our way back through Chilliwack, stopped at Heritage Park to dump our holding tanks...and then hit highway 1 west.

The Tulip Festival is on right now in Abbotsford...huge fields of colour...beautiful on this sunny day!

We took the exit off the highway, heading north, making our way to the quaint little town of Fort Langley...driving past one of our favourite places, The Fort Pub...

...across the bridge...and arriving at Fort Camping at about 12:40. Dawn, at the gatehouse welcomed us (they have changed things...you now go up to a window instead of inside the gatehouse). She completed our check-in...and let us know that they are still working in the park, falling trees. Also, I guess the tree fallers broke a water main and now there is a "boil water advisory" in the park for a few days while they get the lines flushed...sheesh!

We made our way to our usual site (C-01) and
 started our setup. Today is Fort Camping's first day re-opening after all of their winter guests have left and it was busy...with a steady stream of RV's arriving. We relaxed with our lunch and then continued...getting completely set up, including the outdoor carpet (still lots of Arizona dust on it!), solar lights along with rope lights outlining the trailer.
By the time we were finished, we were ready to sit down in the shade and enjoy..."Home Sweet Home"....ahhhh....

Monday and Tuesday, April 18 and 19, 2016 (Tamihi Creek Recreation Site, Chilliwack, BC)

We are really into a nice stretch of warm weather...again, way above seasonal temperatures for this time of year! The forecast is for a cooling trend towards the end of the week...when we are back in Fort Langley; maybe even a little rain. So for now, we will enjoy the blue sky and sunshine!

Monday morning we drove into Chilliwack to fill a propane tank, fuel up with diesel and fill our blue 5-gallon water containers. We were actually able to do it all at one place...The Husky Travel Centre. They not only sold propane but also had the best price on diesel...89.9 cents/litre (for our American friends, that's $3.41/gallon...but then, look at the dollar difference too!).

After we were finished there, we stopped at one of the many Tim Horton's in the area so we could have a coffee and get "connected with the outside world"...yes, the internet! I got caught up on some email and took care of some things that couldn't wait...unfortunately, I didn't get as far on the blog. Again, that is going to have to wait. Steve managed to get caught up on his stuff too.

Back home, I did a little baking while Steve put his fishing rod together and then headed down to the river. There aren't many areas within walking distance of the campground to fish with the high water level from the snow melt other than this one pool, but no luck. Notice the log on top of that rock...the river level can get much higher...

He had also off-loaded the quads...tomorrow is our last day here and we are getting out on the trails for a ride!

It was shortly after 10:00 Tuesday morning when we hit the Tamihi Trails. We started off with extra layers on but it wasn't long before we were stripping them off. Yes, another warm day! As far as I am concerned, I'm glad I have a GPS because all I did was follow Steve...and there are trails all over the place that go up and down the mountain, Here I am, crossing a stream...

Chilliwack River in the distance...

Steve stopped in the middle of the stream for a better photo...

And here I come again...

Unless you're riding the roads the trails are in the timber with limited views.

As I've said, this area is heavily treed...and look at the size of that one! Okay Jim and Barb, not nearly as large as the Redwoods in your blog :-)

I don't like being off camber and on 3 wheels!

Stumps with trees growing out of them...

Yee Ha!

We actually found a clearing where we could enjoy lunch with a little view...and some sunshine!

We followed this trail up and up and up...to the snow...

There wasn't much use continuing on as we were just going to run into more snow. The campground is at 440' of elevation and we were at about 3600' here...

Chilliwack River below...

Chilliwack and the Fraser Valley ...

We stopped and they ate, not too concerned about us...

We got back home at 2:00...a good 4 hours and 44 kms out on the trails! Steve immediately got to the chore of loading the quads back into the truck while I put stuff away inside. With that done, we had showers and then sat outside in the shade...keeping an eye out for rafters. A couple did come through but no pictures this time. Actually, the river has really risen and is raging even more...I guess the warm temperatures is really getting the snow pack melting!

Tomorrow we will pack up and continue on the final leg of our journey "home"...from where we started last October 12. Definitely looking forward to getting back on the grid...have lots of catching up to do, not only on the blog but paying bills, appointments, and visiting family and friends.