Sunday to Sunday, May 3 to 10, 2020 (Peace Arch RV Park, Surrey, BC)

Another week has gone by...and although things were pretty well the same as in previous weeks, we did manage to get out and do a little more.

Sunday (May 3) was a very strange day, weather-wise. It would be clear blue sky and sunshine one minute and then dark clouds would roll in and it would pour...it did this all throughout the day. It was pretty much our usual day...a power-walk around the campground (about 1.5 miles/2.4 kms), reading, TV, and a bike ride around the campground late afternoon. Oh...I did work on a blog update too.

Monday (May 4) was another mixed bag weather-wise...but no rain. Basically the same as yesterday, except Steve worked on his "songs project"...and feeling antsy, I went for another walk around the campground in the afternoon.

We woke up to clear blue sky Tuesday (May 5) morning...and it ended up staying pretty clear all day, making for a beautiful drive into Vancouver. Steve took our faulty inverter/charger out of the trailer so we could drop it off at Pacific Yacht Systems...the local warranty repair dealer.

We headed off at about 1:00 p.m. The traffic was fairly light with so many businesses shut down. We're approaching the Alex Fraser Bridge that goes over the Fraser River...

 Fraser River...

 Over Annacis Island...

The tall buildings in the distance is downtown Burnaby...from here the highway took us west to Knight Street in Vancouver...and then straight north to Pacific Yacht Systems near the Vancouver Harbour.

After dropping the inverter off, we took a different route home so that we could stop in north Surrey at a cell repair shop...uBreakiFix, an appropriate name for the business! I had dropped my cell in the gravel and shattered the screen. Well, it turned out that it was actually the screen protector that had shattered and not the screen itself...whew! $11 later I was a very happy camper!

Our next stop was at a post office to ship a parcel over to friends in Victoria. We had picked up some lights for the inside of their fifth-wheel while in Quartzsite and had planned on just dropping them off to them when we went over to the island. Well, at this point, we don't plan on going over until September, so rather than make them wait, we mailed them over.

We arrived back home just after 3:30...so exciting having an afternoon out, LOL! Not much sunshine left by late afternoon, but we managed to find a patch and sit out for happy hour. Our neighbours, Roland and Carol joined us...physical distancing protocol in place...

Wednesday (May 6) was a cooler day...we had had rain through the night but other than a few sprinkles, it was not a bad day. The big highlight of the day was the announcement in the afternoon by our Premier on the planned opening up of the Province...we were glued to the TV at 3:00 p.m. for that...
Unlike many other places that imposed strict “lockdown” policies, B.C.’s approach was to require safe operation of a broad range of services designated as essential services, to protect our health care system and maintain access to key services and supplies. Many non-essential businesses remained open, provided they could operate safely.

"BC's Restart Plan" is a 4 phase plan...we are currently in phase 1, the operation of essential services.

The big news for us comes with phase 2, which comes into effect mid-May...and includes "expanding our social bubble" to include extended family. YAY!

With phase 2 comes (all under "enhanced protocols") the re-scheduling of all elective surgeries that had been cancelled, and the opening of medically related services, retail sector, hair salons, barbers, restaurants, pubs, etc, etc.

Some Provincial  Parks will be opening their day-use areas May 14 in time for the long weekend. Camping in most Provincial Parks will open June 1.

Phase 3, will be June to September...if transmission rates remain low or in decline, and also under enhanced protocols...includes the opening of hotels/resorts, select entertainment (like movie theatres), film industry, schools (mix of in-class and on-line as appropriate).

Phase 4, to be determined...Conditional on at least one of the following; wide vaccination, “community” immunity, broad successful treatments...and includes convention, live audience sports, concerts and tourism.

Medical professionals speculate it could be 12 to 18 months before a vaccine is developed. Until then, the challenge for all British Columbians will be modifying our behaviour and protective measures cautiously to allow for greater interactions without putting the health of our loved ones, friends and neighbours at risk.

So, that's the plan "in a nutshell"...only time will tell how it all works out.

Thursday (May 7) we were back to full-on sun...and the forecast for the next 4 days is spectacular, with temperatures going to the high 20's C, mid 80's F. With the nice weather, we decided to go to Elgin Heritage Park for our walk...so much nicer than walking around the campground!

Elgin Heritage Park lies on the banks of the Nicomekl River and is home to a gorgeous wetland, a meadow, a forested area and the Historic Stewart Farm. The park's most important ecosystem is its wetland which features a tidal river, a salmon-bearing creek, and many ponds and marshes. Wetland habitats are rare in British Columbia, so please help us take care of the ones in the park by staying on trails and keeping dogs on leash at all times. By doing so, you will also protect the many animals (including shorebirds, barn owls, and fish) who live here.
We parked in the large lot and headed off on the trail...even the ducks are social distancing:)

 Hairy Woodpecker...

 Nicomekl River at low tide

We haven't explored this part of the trail yet...

Young Bald Eagle...

 Redwing Blackbird...

The North Shore Mountains...

Mounds of oysters...

Lilac bushes...

Historic Stewart Farm is closed due to Covid-19 and is undergoing some major renovations/maintenance. We had quite an extensive tour of it back in April 2017, if interested click here to check out that blog post...the house and barn are very interesting...

The orchard in bloom...

 Ward Marina

Pacific Dogwood Tree, BC's official floral emblem...

Our walk was about 3 kms/l.86 miles...a great walk in a beautiful place on a beautiful day!

Friday (May 8) we decided to again take advantage of the fabulous weather and take our bikes to Mud Bay Park where we had walked last week.

Before we could do that, though, we had a grocery order to pick up. Again, a number of items were not filled on my order...guess we'll be making a trip to Safeway early tomorrow morning.

With lunch and bottles of water packed in the backpack, we headed to Mud Bay Park. Steve unloading the bikes...

Above and below next to a pumping station...

 Mini grass islands...

Plane taking off from the Delta Heritage Air park...

Lunchtime. Our butts were starting to get sore so decide to go just a little bit further...

The trail follows along many farms and it's that time of year where they all seem to be spraying liquid manure on their fields, including the fields that surround our RV Park! 

 Mount Baker in Washington State...

 Nice estate...

 We almost made it to the Boundary Bay Airport about half way before turning around...

 We wondered why there were all these old pilings in a shallow muddy bay...

Then we noticed this sign a little further down the trail... (Click to enlarge)

 Ahh...shade!

We had hoped we could ride the whole trail that goes all of the way to Tsawwassen, about 26 kms/16 miles...but as Steve kept saying "remember we have to ride back too, and you've had a recent knee replacement". By the time we got back, our butts were soooo sore! We had ridden 22 kms/13.7 miles. Next time we are going to drive the bikes to Tsawwassen and ride the other half of the trail.

The first thing we did Saturday (May 9) morning was make a trip to Safeway to pick up a few things I needed for dinner tonight...that didn't come in our pick-up order from Save-On-Food yesterday.

Once we were back home, I got right to work cooking...Chris, Angela and Isaac are coming out for dinner tonight. We are expanding our social bubble a little early (we initially heard that phase 2 was effective May 15...turns out it is May 19). They both have been working from home and only going out for essentials, and walks where they physical distance...same as us (well, not the working part LOL), so we weren't too worried about it.

With the lasagne all ready to go in the oven and carrot cake made, I was able to join Steve outside to relax in the shade. He had been busy cleaning and setting up the chairs.

Apparently Isaac refused to have his nap, so they decided to let him fall asleep in the car on their way here. They arrived just after 2:30, and managed to put a sleeping Isaac into his stroller without waking him. He slept there while the rest of us sat in the shade chatting...it was over an hour before he finally woke up!

He just wanted to cuddle with daddy once he woke up...

But it wasn't long before he was wide awake and after some juice and a snack, he had his mom and dad running after him. He wasn't sure about the dog, Jack, next door...Jack got a little too close so Isaac hid behind my leg. Next, it was the bunnies we have running around here! He didn't catch any of them though!

Dinner time...lasagne, Caesar salad and garlic bread...and red wine, of course! Thanks for bringing a bottle, guys!

After dinner, and before dessert, we went for a walk around the campground...then it was time for carrot cake and more visiting.

A 3-generations of Colibabas picture...love!

Mother's Day, Sunday (May 10) was another gorgeous day. I was spoiled with Steve making breakfast...thanks honey!

I forgot to take a picture of the flowers Chris, Angela and Isaac brought me yesterday...thanks guys, they are absolutely beautiful!

We had a wonderful video chat with Rob, Conner and Bryce...and then headed out for a power walk around the campground.

The rest of the day was spent outside in the shade reading....an awesome Mother's Day!

Canadian COVID-19 cases:  Confirmed 69,981           BC cases: Confirmed 2,353
                                               Recovered 32,994                            Recovered 1,719
                                               Deaths         4,993                            Deaths         130

Stay safe and healthy everyone!