We said goodbye to Chris, Angela and Isaac just before 8:00 Tuesday morning...thank you both so much for all your hospitality over the last 10 days! Looking forward to seeing more of you as we spend the rest of the summer close by!
We actually got away a little earlier than we thought we would. There was a slight smoky haze all the way from Hope...
Once in Merritt, we stopped for an early lunch and then went to pick up the truck at the Best Western Hotel. Buster was sitting exactly where we left him and started up no problem...whew! Before leaving, we went inside to thank reception for allowing us to leave the truck in their lot for the last 10 days.
After fuelling up Buster, we continued our trek up to Tunkwa Provincial park...I followed Steve in the car. The first thing we did after arriving at the lake was to park the truck at the boat launch then I drove Steve to the boat. It was a good thing I hung around because he couldn't get the boat off the shore. The lake level has dropped since the last time he used the boat. Even with both of us pushing we couldn't get it back into the water. Steve grabbed an oar and shoveled the mud from behind the stern finally freeing it. Steve motored over to the boat launch and we got to work loading it.
It was a hot and 31C/87.8F afternoon as we finished packing up. Luckily the fridge was still running and all seemed fine with the rig. About 2 1/2 hours later, we pulled out of our long stay site, said goodbye to Tunkwa Provincial Park, and headed to Logan Lake. We did not take any pictures of a deserted campground. Our throats were extremely dry and irritated from the smoke and Steve even lost some of his voice for the remainder of the day.
We pulled into the Rec Centre parking lot and parked by the "Shovel" and after leveling, I did a minimal set up inside. Because there are so many fires and smoke throughout the province as well as road closures at times we decided to just head back to the coast and hunker down for the summer. Since we cannot get into Peace Arch RV Park until Thursday, we will stay here for 2 nights. The air here so far is much clearer than Merritt.
Buster doesn’t look so big now…
Friends that had rescued our bikes and turned on our additional propane tank for us after our evacuation, dropped off our bikes. We can't thank you guys enough for all your help!
By the time we were settled, we were hot and tired so walked over to the Pick and Shovel Pub for a cold brew and dinner. We both enjoyed a delicious dinner and a couple of beers. Thoroughly exhausted we didn't stay long.
Back at the trailer, these fellows came to do a photo-shoot of their car by the "Shovel"...
We woke to a very smoky day Wednesday (July 14)...not exactly what you want to spend a lot of time in, so after doing some chores, we basically spent the day inside reading and doing some odds and ends. Later in the day Chris and Jane stopped by to pick up the stack of firewood we had unloaded from the truck. No way were we leaving a truckload of firewood at the park. Thanks for taking that off our hands guys!
There is a lone doe that calls this area home...not at all afraid of anyone, not even dogs...
The breeze actually cleared a lot of the smoke by mid afternoon, so we sat outside under a tree reading until it was time to get ready to head to Chris and Jane's for dinner...
They have a beautiful log home about 25 minutes away near Face Lake...
Neighbours joined us for drinks and dinner. Marla and daughter, Cassandra...chatting with Jane and Steve...
Our hosts, Chris and Jane...
Thanks so much for your hospitality, Chris and Jane! A delicious dinner...and wonderful meeting your neighbours too! We have enjoyed our time with you and although we met some of the Logan Lake ATV Club members, we were so looking forward to meeting more and enjoying more riding in the area. But, alas, it was not meant to be! Darned wildfires! Sure hope you do not get another evacuation order...your home and all the others in the area are in a beautiful community. They were previously evacuated and stayed many days in their trailer where we are currently parked. Since their recent return home they have been very busy running fire hoses and sprinklers throughout their property as well as trimming the many trees 6 feet up from the ground. Good luck and stay safe!
The sky was smoky once again as we drove back to Logan Lake. We've never been able to capture the actual red glow of the sun...
We think they have sailing classes and rentals here...
During the heatwave the water must have been nice and warm when the tide came in...
We walked to the end of the trail then started to head back...
We saw a couple of kids swimming when we got to the end of the pier...
There's some beautiful homes all along the waterfront from old to some still under construction...
An old trestle across the mud flats...
We turned around at the pump house...
Near the end of Blackie Spit...
Time to head back...it's getting hot but at least we have a breeze...
Sailing classes for the kids...
Thursday (July 15) morning, we pulled out of the Rec Centre at about 8:30 and after a quick stop at the sani-dump, we were heading south on highway 97C towards Merritt and eventually the Coquihalla highway as we made our way down to the lower mainland (the Greater Vancouver area). As usual, I was following Steve in the car.
We arrived in Surrey at Peace Arch RV Park just before 1:00. After registering, we continued to our site, D8. We commenced our setup routine...and were happy when we were finally able to sit outside and enjoy the clean air, relaxing with a bevie. I had the inside all done...Steve had most of the outside done but will finish off tomorrow morning. One thing we really noticed was the nearby highway noise...but that is something we'll get used to and it will soon just be "white noise".
We woke up Friday (July 16) morning refreshed...a great sleep and very quiet! After our usual lazy start, we both got to work...chore day today! Steve finished his set up outside while I defrosted and cleaned the refrigerator...hoping that would help it function better. With that done, I got started on the laundry, doing 2 loads...I will do bedding and towels either tomorrow or Sunday.
With our site all set up, Steve took a couple of pictures (we are directly behind the site we stayed in last summer). Buster is parked in the parking lot near the office.
Saturday (July 17) was a much cooler day...with temps around 20C/68F, it was very refreshing! and a nice change but it was also cloudy which seemed so strange.
A few chores to do this morning....Steve emptied and flushed the tanks while I went grocery shopping. No surprise that all the fresh vegetables in the fridge didn't survive the 10 days we were away!
When I got home and had the groceries put away, I put on a batch of yogurt in the Instant Pot and then made some of my favourite grain-free granola.
The rest of the afternoon was spent either watching TV or sitting outside reading.
We were both awake extra early this morning (Sunday, July 18)...Steve getting up just before 5:30 to put the coffee on. Seems our usual 6:00ish mornings are getting earlier and earlier! But we were back to clear blue sky and slightly warmer temps...a comfortable 25C/77F.
After breakfast we went for a walk around the campground...it's about 2.4 kms/1.5 miles, not overly long, but enough to get our blood flowing!
I finished off the laundry and other than that, we read...and Steve watched some of "his programs" on TV while I worked on this blog update.
Monday (July 19) and another beautiful sunny day! After breakfast, we headed off to one of our favourite walks...Crescent Beach. One thing we do enjoy about this area are all of the green space and hiking trails available...sure, we have to drive to them but no biggy since we have the car. So, you are going to get a repeat of a lot of the pictures we took last summer! LOL!
Low tide this morning...
A great 3.2km/2 mile walk along the waterfront! Beautiful! On our way home we drove through White Rock...
We didn't do much the rest of the day...I got out for a walk around the campground and Steve read or watched TV.
Tuesday (July 20) morning we woke to a bit of cloud but it cleared up, for the most part, a little later. Today we are going for another walk...this time Blackie Spit. We parked in the same parking lot as we did yesterday but instead of walking the waterfront, we took to the trails.
This little guy must be very used to people as he wasn't afraid of us...
Another great hike...same distance as yesterday!
We went straight home and after relaxing with a bottle of water, Steve decided to vacuum out the car before the sun came around. Other than that, it was another pretty lazy day. Steve worked on pictures over the last week so that I could get this blog done.
At 2:00, we watched a special news briefing about the BC wildfires...a State of Emergency has been issued as fires continue to burn throughout BC, mainly in the southern half. Apparently a weather system is on it's way bringing wind and dry lightning over the next few days in the interior...not good news! BC currently has 295 active fires and 1,163 fires to date this year.
Just before 5 pm we got a surprise visit from Colin and Tracy. Now retired Tracy is a former co-worker of Steve's that worked at Pacific Controls Ltd head office in Vancouver. They joined us for happy hour but we forgot to get a picture. They are camping here for a few days so we'll get one at the next happy hour :)
Love your friends log cabin! Some nice hikes you have. So glad as was well with the trailer and boat.
ReplyDeleteThanks, we were relieved to get everything out safely!
DeleteThat is one beautiful log home! Barb and I always wanted on when we were raising our family but when it came to build each of our homes we opted for stick built. Maybe our next one!
ReplyDeleteYou should see the interior! I’ve always wanted a log house too but figured they’re high maintenance with the dusting of interior logs etc. With that being said if we won a lottery….😉
DeleteWhat a lovely log home your friends have. Glad you are back from the fire zone. Looking forward to seeing you later this summer. :)
ReplyDeleteTheir house is pretty spectacular! Yes, we're glad to be back on the coast away from the fires and smoke!
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