Saturday to Tuesday, June 15 to 18, 2019 (Thunderbird RV Park, Campbell River, BC)

We had a pretty darned lazy start to the day Saturday...and once we showered and had breakfast, the rest of the day wasn't much different, for me, that is! Steve basically spent the whole day editing pictures...that's what happens when we're out doing things and having fun!

So while he was hunkered down inside, I sat outside relaxing and doing a little knitting...another pair of "toastie-toes" slippers finished! Guess I'm going to have to figure out another knitting (or crochet) project.

Steve did have one reprieve from pictures, though...my brother, Don and sister-in-law, Rhonda stopped by for a visit on their way home from a camping trip over to Quadra Island. Sounds like they had a good time and good weather for their 2 night inaugural trip with a new tent that attaches onto the back of their SUV.

We spent a couple of hours catching up and then they continued on their way home to Bowser, about an hour south of here. Great seeing you...and looking forward to seeing you again when we move down island to Qualicum Bay!

After they left, we both "resumed positions" until just after 4:00 when Steve joined me outside and we enjoyed a drink in the late afternoon sunshine.

Sunday (June 16) was another beautiful day...that slipped by so quickly! I spent most of the morning doing laundry while Steve put the finishing touches on a blog update. After that he got to work preparing everything for tomorrow's fishing trip to Loveland Bay on Campbell Lake.

Once he was done that, we made a quick trip to Walmart to pick up a few things for tomorrow's trip. After that, it was time to relax...so we took our chairs and a drink over to Ray and Anne's and had a visit with them.

Monday (June 17) morning we were up and out just before 8:00 and waiting in the River Sportsman parking lot for them to open so Steve could buy a some worms and lures needed for today's fishing trip.

He wasn't long, and we were soon on our way. Unfortunately, it took us an hour and half longer to get there than it should have. It has been years since we were last there and Serena (our GPS) didn't even have Loveland Bay Provincial Park on it...and we were a little leary on the directions Google Maps gave on my cell phone. Added to that was there is no cell signal as soon as you leave Campbell River. Normally there are highway signs indicating distance to the turnoff to a Provincial Park but there weren't any. We had stopped and asked 4 different people for directions but got conflicting answers...so to make a long story short, we ended up back in Campbell River at the Visitors Centre asking them for directions.

Now that's a pink building! And look at the giant spiders on the wall. The building is located behind the Visitors Centre in Campbell River...

And we're finally headed in the right direction...approaching the John Hart Dam. We had already been here earlier and met a guy on the bridge who told us in broken English that this was not the way and there was nowhere to turn around so we should back up...geez buddy, if you don't know say so!

The turn-off onto Loveland Bay Road....

We had 11 km/7 miles of gravel road that at times was quite washboardy...

We made it! Definitely not big rig friendly...

It was after 10:00 by the time we finally got there. We easily found our good friend Jim, who is up there on an annual "guys" fishing trip with his 2 brothers, Ian and Wayne, along with Ian's son, Colin. Steve and Jim are high school buddies that have shared some good times and have had many successful hunting and fishing trips together. This provincial park does not have a day-use area...very odd...so after talking to the Park Operator, he said we could launch the boat but we'd have to park the truck outside the gates.

Rather than off-loading our boat, Jim suggested that Steve just go out fishing with him in his boat...nice, thanks, Jim! So we unloaded the things we'd need for the day when Steve realized he had packed everything accept his fishing rods! They're normally mounted on his ATV but he forgot that he put them in the trailer front storage when we went ATV'ing.  Luckily Jim had a spare rod...whew! Steve drove the truck outside the park where he found a parking spot for it.

Ian and Colin had already gone out fishing...and once Jim and Steve were ready, they headed out. Wayne also headed out in his boat. Fish on, guys!

I set up my chair on the beach and settled in for a relaxing time enjoying the view...I had my knitting along with my kindle so I was all set for my few hours while all of the guys were out fishing.

The fish kept nibbling the worms off Jim's hook but he finally got one to the boat. The gal at the River Sportsman recommended to Steve that he should use a plug and fish at 10 feet...not even a nibble!

We lost our sunshine but it was still calm out...

Ian and Colin were the first back...they had caught 4 trout. They usually catch and release but one  got himself hooked badly and wouldn't have survived. After cleaning it, they joined me on the beach. Next in was Wayne...and a little while later, Jim and Steve with one small fish caught.

We all spent the next few hours catching up...although we just saw Jim (and Nan) last April, it had been absolutely years since we had last seen Wayne and Ian...and Colin was very young. Lots of laughs and good stories!

Wayne, Jim, Steve, and Ian's son Colin...

There has been very little rain so most of the rivers and lakes are extremely low...

It was just before 4:00 when we gave them all big hugs and handshakes and said goodbye. Such a fun day and a beautiful spot! Our rig is way too big to get in here...not to mention the 11 km gravel road. As I've said before, we miss being able to do this type of camping...that's when having another, much smaller RV would be nice LOL!

Back over the dam...

We were home by 4:30...so it took us 2 hours to get there this morning and only a half hour to get home! Too funny!

To give you some idea of where we went, here is basically the route. I had to draw it free-hand because Google Maps would not go over the John Hart Dam...

With a full moon the tide was very high this evening...look at how high the water is in the estuary!

Tuesday (June 18) morning we woke to sunny blue sky but it was windy and it is forecast to be windy all day. Steve settled in with the laptop to work on picture editing...the result of being out and about doing fun things.

I felt like getting out and doing something rather than just sitting...so I hopped on my bike and with my walking pole tucked away in my backpack, I headed into town. I checked out a couple of stores in the Discovery strip-mall...picking up a couple of things at the Dollar Store. I was only gone about an hour or so but it was nice to get out and get a little exercise.

By 1:00 Steve had pretty much had enough picture editing and needed a break, so we had a bite to eat and then both headed out for a bike ride...doing our usual route, out to the end of the spit and back and then along the waterfront into town. Riding against the strong wind was a challenge but super easy being pushed along in the opposite direction.

Boats having some repair and/or maintenance work done at Ocean Pacific Marine Store and Boatyard. We pass by here on our bike rides...and it's always interesting to see the boats...or should I say ships...or yachts...

Back home, Steve took care of a few chores outside while I worked on a blog update. After it was posted, Steve continued with more picture editing while I sat outside reading.