It was shortly after 9:00 by the time we had the car all packed up and everything settled in the trailer to leave it for about 10 days or so. This is our first 'vacation' taking a road trip in a car in years...not hauling our home with us!
I took the first leg of the trip, driving through the traffic out of the lower mainland and Fraser Valley to a rest stop just before Hope, BC...a 120 km stretch that seems to take forever as you get out of the hustle and bustle of the Greater Vancouver area.
After a short break, Steve took over driving for the rest of the way to our overnight destination. There are just under 300 fires burning in the province so we knew we were in for a smoky trip once we left the coast.
Here we are nearing the July Mountain wildfire...
We stopped in Kamloops for lunch. Parked in the White Spot Restaurant parking lot were fire trucks we had passed on the highway from stations on Vancouver Island....Cowichan Bay, Mill Bay, Central Saanich and Metchosin. Steve got pictures of 2 of them as we left...
Wednesday (July 28) morning we were up and out early. Overnight the smoke had caught up to us and the car was covered is ash. We decided to drive an hour or so before stopping for breakfast.
We had a couple of "close calls" through this stretch. The first one was through an area of road construction that had an electronic sign, so my attention was on it when Steve yelled "Di, car!". A car was passing a long line of on-coming traffic in my lane...I slammed on the brakes and moved towards the shoulder allowing the idiot to swerve back into his own lane. That got our old hearts pumping!
Then we were stuck following a semi for awhile and he seemed to be all over the road at times. I managed to eventually pass him. Shortly after that the traffic ahead was stopped due to an accident...well, I guess the driver of that same semi behind me wasn't paying attention and didn't see my flashing hazard lights that Steve had turned on for me. Next thing we knew, he was beside me in the on-coming lane! Good thing that there was no traffic coming...as there would have been absolutely no where for him to go other than through us! There was a concrete guardrail on both sides of the road. He backed up back into his lane and a little while later, (probably had to change his shorts...STEVE :) he came out and apologized profusely to me. He told Steve that he had a load of liquids that kept pushing him forward...what a feeble excuse! The people in the vehicles directly in front of us all commented on what a close call that was. We were stuck there for about 30 minutes.
At this point, Steve decided it was his turn to drive...well, okay then! I had been driving for 3 hours by this time. The police vehicle was the only one left at the scene which must have been a couple of kilometres from where we were stopped.
We stopped in Hinton for fuel and a quick snack arriving at Dave and Leslie's around 4:00. 602 km/374 miles and 6 1/2 hours later. They have a beautiful RV lot at Pineridge Golf Course and RV Resort just outside of Seba Beach on Wabamun Lake. They are in Phase 3 of the development which has an entrance away from the main golf course entrance, so Dave met us out at the highway to guide us in and through the security gates. After big hugs, we got settled into our accommodation...an airbed set up in their garage.
Next to the beer fridge, a Harley, and Indian motorcycles...Man Cave perfect! (STEVE:)
After a couple of hours of catching up, we went inside for dinner...delicious, thanks guys...cheers!
Leslie, Steve, Dave, and their neighbours, Dave and Dani...
The clubhouse...
Back at Dave and Leslie's, we sat outside relaxing...and drinking lots of water! Not only because of last night, but it was a hot day!
They took us on a tour of the area. This is the public beach at the community centre on Wabamun Lake...
That evening, we went out for dinner at RV Pub and Grill located in the Kokanee Springs RV Resort, just a short distance away.
The resort also has a driving range with lots of targets...
Looking out from the back of their lot to the 8th hole on the golf course...
And then, after big hugs, we parted ways...thank you so very much for your hospitality, Dave and Leslie! It was wonderful seeing you...we'll be back for a quick visit on our way home next week!
Thursday (July 29) morning was a slow start for everyone...well, except Steve who stuck to beer last night. After coffee and a good hearty breakfast, we got out for a walk around the resort. We took Dave and Dani's dog with us as they had gone out for most of the day...
Friday (July 30) morning, Dave made us waffles for breakfast...so good! We had another relaxing morning, enjoying our visit. Steve snapped a couple more pictures of their RV lot. Now that they have finished getting it exactly as they had planned, they have sold it and will be moving soon...to some acreage. Another project for them to work on with Leslie's son and daughter-in-law.
Shortly before noon we had the car packed up and were off into Stoney Plain following Leslie and Dave to a restaurant they had recently discovered. We enjoyed a delicious lunch at Twenty Eight Urban Kitchen... Thanks for the pic guys!
With Steve's Uncle and Aunt's address punched into Google Maps about an hour away, we made our way into Edmonton. The next part of our trip to Alberta is to celebrate Uncle Gord's 80th birthday as well as Gordon and Esther's 40th wedding anniversary (it was earlier in the year). They had wanted to have a big 80/40 party but unfortunately were unable to make it happen with venues being in demand with COVID restrictions being eased.
We arrived to big hugs and after unloading the car and getting settled in our "suite" downstairs, we sat out in their sunroom catching up. Wanting to get a little exercise, they suggested a walk at Rainbow Valley Park. First of all we had to check out Snow Valley Aerial Park...With over 100 games on the structure, there is something for everyone! The theme for the Snow Valley Aerial Park tower is "Edmonton’s River Valley". It also includes Snow Valley and Rainbow Valley themed elements including a ski bridge, snowboard balance bridge, picnic table, free-fall drop, and a few more surprises. The course is set up "choose-your-own adventure" style, so you can pick whichever elements you would (or would not) like to climb. The games are graded like runs on a ski hill; green, blue and black.
There's even a travel trailer up there for us RV'ers!
It was hot and humid out so after our walk we stopped for a drink at "Geoscapes at Snow Valley, featuring the Botanist Garden and Tito's BBQ Patio". According to the website, they have different chefs weekly...rather unique!
Saturday (July 31) was a relaxing day as we all got ready for the party tonight. Uncle Gord with a board of memories during his time as a minister...and his "80" balloons...
It was a small, family celebration but lovely just the same. Steve and Gord had put up the gazebo this morning and Esther and I decorated it. This time I'm going to start at the right and go around to the left...Yolande (cousin), DJ (cousin Heather's husband), Heather (cousin), Ivor (DJ's dad), Gord, me and Esther...
Stay tuned for Part 2 of our most excellent adventure to Alberta!
That is one busy week! Very cool scenery but you could have done without the smoke. And visiting with Dave and Leslie was just icing on the cake!
ReplyDeleteIt’s so nice being able to see family and friends again. Even Alberta was smoky.
DeleteSo glad you got there safe and sound. Looked pretty sketchy almost getting hit by a semi!
ReplyDeleteA close call, indeed!
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