Friday to Thursday, September 15 to 21, 2017 (Fort Camping, Brae Island Regional Park, Fort Langley, BC)

Friday morning I took off mid-morning to run a few errands before taking the rental car back. Steve picked me up at noon and we went to Bernhausen Diesel to talk to them about the video/audio clip. I had transferred it to YouTube and emailed it to them earlier this morning. At least now they know the sound. The owner said that the only option at this point is to put the truck on the dyno machine when it's up and running. They have it installed in the pit but it still has to be wired in, tested and a little training will be required so it's uncertain if it will be available before we head south.

When Steve first met the owner he gave him a tour of his 2017 Ford in the shop. The box and  wheels were off as he was part way modifying the suspension, tires and wheels. All back together now and with a body wrap too!

Front suspension

Rear suspension...

Back home at around 1:00, we decided to get out for a power-walk, taking our usual 3 mile route. There is a Paddle Wheeler docked near the pub...

After our walk, we got down to some chores...Steve cleaned out the basement storage of the trailer while I did a few loads of laundry.

Saturday we had arranged a get together for lunch in Burnaby with family in the area. We headed out mid-morning because we needed to stop at an insurance agency and buy road insurance for the fifth-wheel. Last night we were relaxing outside after our work was done and Steve said "did we get insurance for the trailer?". He has no idea what made him think of it...but it turns out, no we hadn't, the tag on the licence plate expired last May! Wow, don't know how that happened. At least we were parked for most of that time!

With that done, we continued into Burnaby to Earls Bridge Park which is actually on the Burnaby/Vancouver border...next time we'll pick a spot closer. The traffic was horrendous...a lot of volume on a Saturday along with road construction (and missing our exit off the freeway didn't help!)

But everyone made it! Left to right, around the table...Esther, Paul, cousin Bev, Rob, Grant, Angela, Chris, me, Steve and cousin Cheryl...

A couple of hours later, after a wonderful visit with everyone, we were out in the parking lot saying goodbye. Grant (on his new to him Harley) and Cheryl...

It was great seeing everyone...we'll do it again next spring!

Sunday, with rain in the forecast later in the day, we got out for a walk in the morning. We took the trail here on the island that goes to Tavistock Point.

Nice mansions on the other side...

When we got back, Steve checked the weather forecast and found that the rain wasn't due to start until mid afternoon, so he decided to wash the trailer roof and toppers.  He was just finishing up when the rain started.

At 3:30 we headed back into the city...this time to Coquitlam and Chris and Angela's. They are having a family dinner. We had a lovely visit with Angela's family...and a delicious dinner! Left to right around the table...Chris, me, Angela, Lucy, Luigi, Nonna, Joe and Marco...

It was about 7:30 when we all said goodnight and headed home...thanks for a great evening, Chris and Angela! The Fraser River as we go over the Port Mann Bridge...

Not very exciting this week...time to get some chores done! Monday Steve wanted to tackle a leak in the shower stall. He had noticed water in the basement below the shower when we had arrived...time to fix it! But first of all, we needed to make a trip to Home Depot for some caulking.

On the way home, he dropped me off in Fort Langley. I wanted to pop into the insurance agency there and get a quote from them on travel insurance. I have been doing a bunch of research and getting quotes for our 6 months down south this season. It's pretty costly...over $2000 for the two of us, so I am doing a lot of checking around.

When I got home, Steve was working on the shower stall, resealing all sources where water could get through.

Tuesday we had rain again...so it was an inside day for the most part. After our morning showers, Steve checked for any sign of the leak...to his dismay, it's still there. It doesn't seem to be coming from the drain...so he re-sealed other spots where he thought water was getting through. Paul's Mobile RV Service stopped by to have a look at the broken hinge on our screen door, so Steve talked to him about the leak. He gave Steve some suggestions on what may be the problem. So he worked on that while I worked on a blog update.

Wednesday Steve discovered that this leaky shower problem is becoming a bigger issue...he can't seem to figure out where it's leaking. All of his efforts haven't fixed it! We had another chore day...Steve washed one side of the trailer while I vacuumed and cleaned inside.

I guess some water splashed into the fridge vent while Steve was washing because all of a sudden the fridge started beeping with a warning...Li Op. (Limit Open) This first happened last winter in Quartzsite when we had a company come out to wash the rig. The fellow had sprayed so much water up into the fridge vent that the switch was wet and had to be taken apart, dried out and reset (thanks to the help of Earl then, Steve knows what to do). This time the switch wasn't wet but I guess it must have sensed some moisture. Steve was successful in resetting it...yay! Once taken apart and dried you need a strong magnet held up against the relay to reset it.
This is the switch out of it's protective case...

All fixed and back in it's case...

Thursday, getting extremely frustrated with the leaky shower stall that he can't seem to fix, Steve called Paul's Mobile RV Service to have him come out. Unfortunately, all he could do was leave a message for a return phone call...which he never got. He spent the day waxing the side of the trailer he washed yesterday...all the while waiting for a return call from Paul and worrying about the damage that the water under the shower stall may have done.

While he was outside waxing, I decided to tackle a job that I have been putting off...clean out my clothes cupboard. Once that chore was done, I continued work on our blog update.

Paul never did call back...so late afternoon, Steve tried to get in touch with him a number of times, each met with voicemail...sheesh!

Thursday, September 14, 2017 (Fort Camping, Brae Island Regional Park, Fort Langley, BC)

Thursday morning Steve left shortly after 8:00 to take the truck to Bernhausen Diesel. About an hour and a half later I was ready to head off to pick him up...but just as I was leaving, he called to tell me not to bother right now. They were going to quickly check the truck out for a soot trail that would indicate the location of the squeal. Unfortunately they couldn't find anything. Steve called me to email the audio of the squeal I had taken while on our way down the Coquihalla towing the trailer here.

It was around 11:00 when Steve arrived home. They hadn't been able to open the file I had sent, so I would have to transfer it to YouTube for them. But not today, we have a car rental one last day, it's beautiful out, so we are going somewhere we have never been to here in the lower mainland...Grouse Mountain-The Peak of Vancouver.

Grouse Mountain and it's ski runs are very visible from all areas of the Greater Vancouver area...that's it straight ahead. You can barely see the wind turbine to the right of the ski hill...

We made our way to the bottom of the mountain, parked the jeep in one of the massive parking lots, purchased an 'all day' parking pass for $8.00 and went in search of of tickets for the ride up the mountain. There was quite a long line for tickets...but, although not posted anywhere, you can also buy tickets in the Guest Services building. That way you could bypass all those in this line and go directly to the tram loading area.

This is the area outside of the Guest Services building...

The Skyride is the largest aerial tramway system in North America. The tram we'll be taking is just coming in...they depart every 15 minutes...

And one is arriving....

They really pack a lot of people into each tram but we had managed to get in front by the window. Once at the top, we headed along the trail to the Grizzly habitat for a Ranger talk. Along the way there are numerous wood carvings done by Glenn Greensides called Tribute to the Forest...

The first log Glenn found for his Grouse Mountain project was a 1200 year old tree that was found lying on the ground for 25 years in the Coquitlam water shed north east of Vancouver. The tree was cut into six pieces and transported to Grouse Mountain.

This log was the inspiration for the name "Tribute to the Forest". Through his eight year project, Glenn would find the 30 logs he needed through help of the member companies of the forest alliance of British Columbia.

Grinder and Coola are orphaned grizzlies who live in the five-acre alpine sanctuary. 

Grinder was found in 2001 in Invermere, BC. He was wandering alone on a logging road, dehydrated, thin, weak and weighing only 4.5 kg. His mother was never found so we’ll probably never know why he was alone. Grinder is outgoing and high-spirited. He has established himself as the dominant bear despite his smaller size. If you see Grinder and Coola play fighting, you can bet he started it.

In 2001, Coola was found orphaned on a highway near Bella Coola, BC. His mother had been killed by a truck and, of her three cubs, Coola was the only one to survive. Coola is an easygoing bear who’s content to let Grinder take the lead in new discoveries. He can usually be found submerged up to his neck in the large pond, carefully feeling around for his underwater 'bath toys' - a log, large bone and favourite rock.

We followed them to the other side of the bridge...

North Shore Tandem Paragliding offers to take you up with a skilled pilot (for a cost, of course). You can soar with the eagles on a 20 minute flight....no thanks but I think Steve would!

Next on the agenda was the Birds in Motion Demonstration...Witness the incredible hunting skills of the eagle, hawk and falcon. Prepare to be awed by the incredible flying skills of the Peregrine Falcon, the world's fastest living animal.
They started with a Bald Eagle..

These birds fly right over your head!

About to land on the handlers arm for a snack...

Swooping in for a snack in the tub of water simulating catching a fish...

The Harris's Hawk swooping over the crowd...

Next was the handsome Turkey Vulture...

Swooping over the crowd...

The Great Horned Owl...

Duck!!!!

A very cool looking bird...

The grand finally was the very fast Falcon, simulating a mid air catch...

The show was amazing and the handler was quite funny! It reminded us of the Raptor Show at the Desert Museum in Tucson, AZ. But it was now going on 2:00 and we were hungry, so time to walk back to the Peak Chalet to one of the restaurants. Along the way, there is a zip-line that crosses above the trail. Instructor asking if their ready...

And their off!

Disappearing into the forest...

A couple of deer that are not at all bothered by the tourists...

Plaza below the chalet...

The popular spot was Altitudes Bistro but it was closing for a private event at 2:30 and there was a line-up to get in. So we went to Lupins Cafe...where we still had a bit of a wait but I'm sure we also saved ourselves a lot of money!

Steve managed to grab a prime table out on the deck while I paid for lunch...

Another way of getting up to the top of the mountain is to hike the 'Grouse Grind'...it is a very popular trail that is quite the hike. I'd love to do it but just not sure if my knees could handle it...and once you start on your way up, there is no turning around (although, I bet you some have!) The Grouse Grind® is a 2.9-kilometre trail up the face of Grouse Mountain, commonly referred to as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.” Cooperatively supported by Grouse Mountain Resort and Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, this trail is very challenging. Keep in mind that there is a wide range of mountaintop trails that might better suit the average hiker.
This is a picture of a hiker at the top of the trail...

After lunch, it was time to head back up to the Alpine Plaza...

And the Peak Chairlift...

Doesn't look too bad...I think I can handle it...

The issue for me is sitting in the open chair. I am deathly afraid of heights but seem to manage as long as I am enclosed in a gondola or tram. Well...it scared the s#*t out of me on the way up! I had my eyes closed and was holding on for dear life most of the way...and it was so slow! I thought we'd never get up there! Not to mention my worst fear also materialized...it stopped mid way! Luckily it was only for a matter of seconds. The whole way up I was thinking...I'm not getting back on this...I'm walking down!

Made it...whew!!! The young fellow helping us from the chair said it's easier going down than it is going up...hmmm...we'll see...

The views are spectacular! We watched as a couple got ready to take off paragliding...

See all of the freighters anchored in the bay...

Very cool!

Another attraction (for an additional fee)....
The Eye of the Wind...Inspiring and revolutionary, this is the world’s first and only wind turbine that allows you to stand in a clear glass view POD at the top of the tower, three metres from its massive, rotating blades. Stand in awe of 360-degree views as you come face to face with the future of responsible energy.

However it was closed...

We wandered around the peak, admiring the views and taking pictures....

Unfortunately there was a lot of haze from the wildfires in Washington and Oregon...

I even took a selfie (was hoping for more scenery behind us in the picture but my arm wasn't long enough LOL)...

And now it's time to go back down....fine, I'll get back on the chair...

And it WAS much better...didn't love it, but I survived by looking straight out on the horizon enjoying the view...

That's Mount Baker in Washington...

Almost time to hop off....

We had about a half hour before the next attraction, the Lumberjack Show, so we wandered around checking out the snow equipment...

And had another visit to the Grizzly Bear habitat...

Pollinator's Garden...Located just off the path near BeaverTails, this specially crafted garden attracts pollinators of all sorts. With interpretive signage and benches, it is a wonderful retreat during your mountaintop adventures. Did you know that there are 56 species of native bees in the Greater Vancouver Area? 250 in BC? Thousands across Canada? Wild Pollinators such as wild bees, flies, butterflies, wasps, hornets, moths, hummingbirds and others play a very important role in pollination all around us.

At this point Steve's camera battery died and his spare was dead too, so these are from my phone.

And then it was time to get our seats on the bleachers to watch the show....
World-Famous Lumberjack Show...Grouse Mountain’s Lumberjack Show features a crew of champion performers showcasing their skills atop Grouse Mountain. An impressive outdoor set features two logging camps from the early 1900s, where Johnny Nelson from the Green River logging camp prepares to battle Willie McGee from Blue Mountain to determine the top lumberjack. The 45-minute show offers fast paced entertainment and features log rolling, a 60-foot tree climb, two-man peg and raker saws, axe throwing, and an exciting springboard chop - the only three-board event in North America.

We were on the green team. The axe is in mid air and he got a bulls eye!

Chainsaw carving...

A rabbit...

A very short video of the tree climb....

This was a very comical show of the logger's skills...

It was after 5:00 when we crowded onto the tram for the ride back down the mountain. What a great afternoon...so glad we were able to finally see the sights of Grouse Mountain!
Our rental...a Jeep Compass...