Friday to Wednesday, September 23 to 28, 2016 (Fort Camping, Brae Island Regional Park, Fort Langley, BC)

We woke to rain Friday morning...and it pretty well rained all day. Consequently, it ended up being an "inside" day. Steve relaxed in his chair enjoying a combination of watching "his" shows on TV and reading. I puttered around doing all sorts of "stuff"...banking, ordering contacts, etc, etc.

About mid afternoon, I decided to go for a walk into town...the rain had subsided to just a mist so it wasn't too bad. I wandered around town a bit, picked up a few veggies at the market and then headed home.

While in town, the Cops for Cancer - Tour de Valley 2016 rode by...

Saturday's weather was much better...it didn't rain all day! We still had a pretty lazy morning, though.

Steve decided to knock off another thing from his "to-do" list and headed outside late morning to clean the barbecue. While he did that, I puttered around inside and also had a great chat with one of my "besties" Glenna. Wonderful catching up...let's do it in person next time!

After lunch we decided to get out for some exercise...hmmm....bike ride or walk? We decided on a walk...it's Saturday and the paths will be busy so it's easier to walk around all the peeps than to ride (or at least, less stressful).

 This little fellow wasn't at all afraid of us...

The river was busy today...

On the way back, Steve and I parted...he returned to the campground while I went for a stroll into town to check out a little shop that sold clothing. As it turned out, the shop is no longer there so I wasn't all that far behind Steve getting home.

We sat outside lounging in our chairs for the rest of the afternoon...reading/snoozing. But by 4:00 it was just getting too cool, so we went inside and hunkered down in front of the fireplace.

Sunday was another pretty lazy day....well, actually...a very lazy day. Although not sunny, it was quite mild out, so we spent most of the afternoon sitting outside...Steve reading and I was knitting.

At 4:00 we headed out...Deb and Ray have invited us over for dinner at Deb's Dad's place. It is his caregiver's day off so Deb would be over there cooking...and invited us to join them. Unfortunately, Deb had her plantar fasciitis flare up again so was unable to stand/walk but she had a lot of help prepping dinner and then I helped with the final dishes. So glad you didn't cancel...it was our last chance to get together before they head south for the winter.

As usual, we had a wonderful meal with great friends...so nice meeting Deb's dad too! He has a lovely home in a beautiful area of Surrey...and at 87 years old, is so lucky to be able to remain there. His live-in caregiver was a great find, Deb...so glad it worked out!

Steve, George, Deb and Ray...

Monday ended up being a chore day. Steve decided to wash the boat...well, he actually did "quite a number on it", a 3-step process...oxidation, polish and wax. As a lady passing by said..."the fish will appreciate all your hard work!" LOL    

While he did that, I decided to knock one off my "to-do" list and tackle the purging of my closet and cupboard...getting rid of 2 big garbage bags of old clothing, shoes and handbags. There...I've done my bit to lighten up the rig!

We loaded the boat back onto the truck then once we were finished our chores for the day, we relaxed outside for the rest of the afternoon. A thick layer of clouds rolled in and when we started to feel some raindrops, we moved under the awning and Steve got the Campfire-in-a-Can out. Shortly after 4:00, John and Pat joined us for one last visit...they leave in the morning for the states. So great meeting you and spending time together...I'm sure our paths will cross again...safe travels!

Tuesday morning Steve went through his clothes and added a third bag to go to a thrift store. By late morning we were ready to head out to take care of a few errands. We started with a stop at the liquor store in Fort Langley, then onto the elementary school parking lot where there was a clothing donation box, followed by a drive into Langley to a recycling depot that took electronics...there, we have disposed of almost 60 pounds of unnecessary weight from the trailer!

After a quick stop at Walmart, we were back home. We had lunch and then since it was such a beautiful sunny day, we decided to go for a bike ride. We rode along the river trail all of the way to the campground at Derby Reach and back...our favourite ride, especially on such a lovely day!

I made a batch of trail bars...and by that time, it was 4:00 and time to relax outside in the late afternoon sunshine.

Wednesday was an absolutely beautiful sunny day...but you can definitely tell it's fall. There is a chill in the air, especially when not in the direct sunshine. I did laundry in the morning...while Steve watched "his shows" on TV, waiting for it to warm up outside.

After lunch we decided to take a stroll into town. My left knee is causing me some grief so I needed to take it easy. I'm so glad that I have an appointment with my Orthopedic Surgeon on Friday to get a injection of "super-lube" (Synvisc-One),

This is the lowest we've ever seen the Fraser River. Even though we are many miles from the ocean this part of the river is still tidal so maybe there are exceptionally low tides happening...

Nice ride outside of the Beatniks Bistro restaurant...

We wandered up one side of the main street and down the other checking out a couple of shops...then stopped for an ice cream cone. We sat down outside the diner...

...but decided to go across the street to a picnic table in the shade...

It was lovely walk...we wore off some calories and then added more...LOL! Back home we relaxed outside in the late afternoon sunshine until our site was in total shade...and it was chilly, so we put our chairs away and headed inside for the rest of the evening.

We are heading over to Vancouver Island tomorrow...can hardly wait to see Rob, Angie...and of course, our grandsons, Conner and Bryce!

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

Wednesday we both had things we wanted to get done around the trailer, but first we thought we'd get out for some exercise...so we hopped on the bikes and headed off across the river to the trail to Derby Reach.

A close-up of Mount Baker...

This time, instead of continuing on to the campground, we stopped at the Heritage Park...a 4.6 km (2.85 mile) bike ride. It has been a few years since we have stopped here. We checked out the heritage site...

Derby Reach Park was, at one time, the original site of Fort Langley, during the early 1800s. The fort operated as a Hudson's Bay Trading Post dealing in furs, canning and farming goods. The historic fort, since then, has moved south 12 kilometres to its new location where it is on display as a Historic Site of Canada.

Vancouver history is still on display in the Derby Reach Regional Park. There is currently a plaque and cairn recognizing the original site of Fort Langley, the Houston House and the Karr/Mercer Historic Barn. The Heritage Area includes historic sites, a day use picnic area, Derby Bluff sightseeing viewpoint, interpretive signs and some washrooms.

Built in 1909 by Alexander Houston, the Houston Residence is important for its historic significance in terms of its association with the Houston family, its location, and the period in which it was built. It is also an important example of a community-led restoration that combined the resources of the Langley Heritage Society and the Greater Vancouver Regional District.

The Houstons were an important family in British Columbia's history. Alex's father, James, is credited for being the first European to discover gold along the Fraser River, the first independent farmer in the Fraser Valley, one of 33 men to petition the government for an incorporation of the district, and one of the first councillors when Langley was incorporated as a District in 1873.

Alex took over the family cattle and dairy farming business in 1902 (after the death of his father). He was the only son of James and was himself an important pioneer in the Derby area. His family was very active in the community until the 1950's, having established and hosted the community May Day celebrations and donating land for a commemorative cairn across the street from his house, marking the site of the first Fort Langley. 

The farmsite stands on what was originally land occupied by the first Hudson's Bay Company Fort (1827) and later by the Townsite of Derby (1859). It is a focal point for Derby historical interpretations.

The Houston farmsite reminds visitors that resource-based industries found throughout the province (mining, logging and fishing) were only some of the major forces shaping British Columbia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The resource-based industries were comprised primarily of single men, while the small farms were comprised of families. Small-scale family farms like this one provided an economic base for the industries mentioned above, and they provided the social stability that was necessary for a growing colony.

With the bikes locked up, we found the trailhead for Houston Trail, a 4 km (2.5 mile) loop. We came across a garter snake sunning himself...

The trail makes its way through forested land along a gravel trail that sits above boggy terrain and mud...

See me in the tree. This tree looks like it started out growing out of a nurse stump that has since decayed away...

This tree is covered in ferns...

Unusual growth pattern...

After a great walk through the forest, we rested at a picnic table for a bit before getting on our bikes again and riding home.

Well, we certainly got our exercise this morning...before heading out, we had also done our resistance exercises! My knees (particularly my left knee) were screaming at me...what the heck was all that?! LOL

The rest of the afternoon was spent doing some chores...I did laundry and cleaned inside, while Steve did a little maintenance work on the boat loader. The motor has sounded laboured the last few times we've used it so he wanted to clean all the wire connections from the control box to the motor. Steve doesn't want to load the boat until we get a few miles on the truck to see if we still have a squeal issue with the truck.

Thursday morning we were up and out shortly after 9:00...on our way to Abbotsford and the Snowbird RV Show. As expected the squealing noise reared it's ugly head again just as we were nearing the Tradex Centre. Will this ever end!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Steve called Dave at Goldkey and gave him the good news. They agreed that we should put a few more miles on it to create a soot trail so they can pinpoint the leaky area.

Seminar area...

 I kinda like this Newmar Class A motorhome...

It has two bathrooms...this is the en suite...

 Interesting...

A few hours later, we had seen everything and were on our way back out to the truck. It was nice checking out the RV's on display but we really didn't see a fifth-wheel with a floor plan that we liked better than ours.

Since we were in Abbotsford, we decided to go to Costco to fill our propane tanks...and grab a bite to eat. We made a stop at the new Cabela's store...without any success in finding anything for our Africa trip. We are looking for a couple of safari-type hats...they had some Tilley hats, but we really don't want to pay the $85 each for them. Hopefully, we can find some similar type ones that are a lot less costly! Too bad we didn't get them when we were in Quartzsite last winter!

Tuesday, September 20, 2016 (Fort Camping, Brae Island Regional Park, Fort Langley, BC)

This morning as we were having our coffee, Steve noticed a motorhome leaving the campground and it had "Kellogg Show" written on the back of it...so he 'googled' it. Turns out it is a family of 14 (OMG 12 kids!) living and travelling full-time. A little while later, they were being interviewed on the morning news...I guess they are here for the Snowbird RV Show. I just can't imagine that many people living in a motorhome!

Today we decided to take advantage of having the courtesy car and drive into downtown Vancouver to Canada Place. Since first seeing the ads on TV for "Fly Over Canada" we have wanted to see it, so I went online, purchased tickets (10% discount online) and we headed off. 

It was a beautiful sunny day! We're approaching the Port Mann Bridge that goes over the Fraser River...

Approaching downtown Vancouver....

...and Canada Place...

Now we had to find a parking spot...we ended up driving under Canada Place and into a parkade under The Shaw Tower.

We emerged up onto the street, just down from Canada Place.

FlyOver Canada is an amazing virtual flight ride in which you will “take off” into a huge domed screen to enjoy a breathtaking flight across Canada’s most spectacular sights. You will be seated in a suspended chair, with your feet dangling, in front of a impressive 4-storey spherical screen. The special effects including wind, mist and scents, combined with the chair’s motion, will make you feel like you’re truly soaring.

Although short and a little pricey at $20.50 each, it was an awesome experience and we would highly recommend it!

After the show, we walked around the area taking more pictures of the beautiful Vancouver Harbour on this sunny day...

Nice ride...

The Olympic Cauldron -
Thousands upon thousands came to see the majestic Cauldron lit during the 2010 Winter Games. With the Games complete, the Cauldron remains as a permanent landmark on the Jack Poole Plaza.

At 32.8 ft (10 m) tall and set against a beautiful mountain and harbour backdrop, the Cauldron continues to attract visitors and locals alike. More importantly, it’s a reminder of our city’s extraordinary Olympic experience and demonstrated ability to host large, complex, international events.

Busy Vancouver Harbour...

The Digital Orca sculpture acts as a sculptural conduit that allows the viewer to travel in time between the past and the future, also allowing the viewer to marvel along the way at the people and activities that created Vancouver’s thriving harbour culture. The sculpture also addresses the massive changes currently reshaping the economy of the Province.

Through the act of pixelizing an orca whale in three dimensions - a process that creates a crackling and unexpected sensation in the viewers mind - the orca cliché is turned upside down and what we thought we knew well is rendered exciting and new. On closer inspection, the colours and materials used in the sculpture’s surfacing evoke the everyday life of the harbour and the diversity of those workers on the working waterfronts of the Province.

The Artist, David Coupland -
Douglas Coupland grew up and continues to live in Vancouver. His first novel, Generation X, was published in March of 1991. Since then he has published nine novels and several non-fiction books in 35 languages and most countries on earth. He has written and performed for the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford, England, and in 2001 resumed his practice as a visual artist, with exhibitions in spaces in North America, Europe and Asia.

On our way downtown this morning, we had received a phone call from Dave at Gold Key Isuzu...they test drove our truck again this morning and there was no squeal. We could pick it up it up anytime. So after we were finished at Canada Place/Vancouver Convention Centre...we found our way back to our car, paid $10.50 for about an hour and a half of parking, and headed back out to Langley.

Before heading home, though, we stopped by Kal Tire to have the front tire (that was repaired last week) re-torqued.

Once home, we decided to get out for a little exercise, so we did a 40 minute powewalk down the trail to Tavistock Point...and then it was time to relax out in the late afternoon sunshine. John and Pat joined us for a bevie...and we enjoyed an hour or so chatting with them.