Saturday, April 1 to Wednesday, April 12, 2023 (Puntledge RV Campground, Courtenay, BC)

Saturday (Apr. 1) morning we were up super early...I think Steve woke up at 4:00 but we both got up at about 5:00....sheesh! We also weren't in any huge hurry to get packed up because our ferry sailing over to Vancouver Island wasn't until 12:45 p.m. The sailings are not as frequent from the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal (Vancouver) to the Duke Point Terminal just south of Nanaimo on the island as they are to Swartz Bay, near Victoria. So it was either the 10:15 sailing or the 12:45. The 10:15 would have been too early to ensure we got there in time for our reservation.

Just after 10:00, Ralph and Linda came over to give us a hand with our pain in the butt slide slickers. For those that have never seen them this is what they look like. They have to be held in place as the slide rooms come in. 

Kitchen...

Living room...

Thanks for the help! We gave them big hugs and said goodbye...then they left us to get hitched up to the truck. I think it was just before 11:00 when we said goodbye to Peace Arch RV Park. Google Maps said we were going to be at the terminal about 15 minutes too early for our reservation...you have a window of 60 to 30 minutes to arrive at the terminal. I don't know how sticky they are, but didn't want to take any chances, so we stopped at a shopping centre for a bit...arriving right at 11:45. 

We sat outside in the sun with a cup of coffee as we waited for the ferry to start boarding...

Steve nabbed a table in the cafeteria by the window. Leaving the terminal...

A freighter passing by ...

It was a very productive ferry ride. In addition to having lunch, I purchased insurance for our car (nice you can do it on-line/over the phone) and made ferry reservations to go back to Vancouver on Tuesday, returning Thursday. Thank you Chris and Angela for putting us up a couple of nights...looking forward to seeing you all again!

We arrived at Duke Point just before 3:00...and after waiting for our turn to disembark, we made our way up to highway 19 and headed north to Courtenay. Crazy weather along the way...from sunshine, to rain, to sun, to showers! Looking pretty ugly up there...

Entering the Comox Valley!

About an hour and a half after getting off the ferry we took the exit to Courtenay...

It was late afternoon by the time we arrived at Puntledge RV Campground in Courtenay. We had no problem backing into the large wide site...

Sunday (Apr. 2) morning we went for a walk around the campground and when the office opened, we went in and met Sharon, the office manager, and did the official "check in". We discussed other available sites as we couldn't get a satellite signal and since there were a few other options, we went to check them out. Site 132 is being vacated today and although it may not be bigger, it sure seemed that way to me. I felt very "closed in" in our current site with the configuration of our neighbours...a park-model with a big deck, along with a shed on the edge. In addition to that, he had several security cameras that looked into our site and rig, so we felt like they were "spying" on us all the time. Then there was the motion light that would come on at night shining into our bedroom!

So we decided to move to Site 132 Monday (Apr. 3). Earl came over and gave us a hand with the slide room slickers...thanks, Earl! This site is much better!

This was the only site along the tree line that was possible to get a satellite signal. We'll just have to wait and see if that changes when the leaves come out. 

Tuesday (Apr. 4) it was time to head back over to Vancouver for the appointment to have the truck work completed. The snow covered mountains are beautiful as we drive back down to catch the Duke Point Ferry, Nanaimo over to the mainland.

Well it was bound to happen again. It was a battle with the lady at the ticket booth as to whether or not we were a commercial truck. We reserved as an oversized vehicle for $122 but she wanted $182. Steve showed her previous ticket stubs and an expired letter (long story) from BC Ferries stating we were not to be charged the commercial rate. A supervisor was called and about 20 minutes later we were told that we would have to pay the commercial rate!!! Every time we're not towing we go thru this BS with BC Ferries! 

Talk about a tight fit on the ferry. The guy directing us initially wanted us to continue on. I rolled down the window and asked "How are we suppose to get out"?! He then allowed us to back up but it was still very tight! He must be a new employee.

Our view from inside the truck.

One nice thing about having to return to Vancouver is that we will be staying with Chris, Angela and Isaac. Always wonderful to spend time with them! Our grandson, Isaac...

We ordered in Chinese Food for dinner...yum!

Steve headed off extra early Wednesday (Apr. 5) morning...taking the truck out to Bernhausen Diesel in Langley. He was told the engine would have to cool down for a couple of hours before they could work on it so he arrived at 7:10 long before they start work at 8:30. Turns out that was a waste of his time because there was another truck in the work bay that wasn't finished due to a delay in parts. It was still going to be a couple of hours anyway before they could start on Buster.

 I drove Chris to work so that we would have the use of his car. Once I dropped him off, I went out to pick Steve up and we went back to Chris's place. Angela is off today and was gone when we got back...taking Isaac to an appointment. She called a little later and asked if I would like to go watch Isaac at his gymnastics class...absolutely! Steve had just gotten out of the shower and was happy to just chill in front of the TV.

The instructor was really good (and patient) with his 5 students as they went through all of the activities...

The afternoon was spent playing with Isaac. We brought out Jenga and is he ever good at it! I mean, every bit as good as either Steve or I...he won the game he and I played.

Time to take on Grandpa...

By this point, I think Isaac starting to realize that he may not win so wanted to quit, LOL! Grampa said no way... Isaac was right, the tower fell over on his turn much to his disgust. He's not very good at loosing...something we worked on with the various games we played afterwards.

By mid afternoon, Steve decided to give Bernhausen a call to check on the status of the truck. To fix the exhaust manifold leak they have to install seal kits on the exhaust manifold, EGR cooler, and the turbo. Apparently all of the bolts on the exhaust manifold came out okay however 4 of the 8 bolts on the turbo broke so they had to send the turbo out to another shop. They hoped to have it ready tomorrow.

Thursday (Apr. 6) morning both Chris and Angela had to work, so Angela dropped Chris off so that we could have the use of his car. We didn't do much today...I went out to pick up a few things for dinner and wander around the mall for a bit.

Steve called Burnhausen Diesel to get an update. They were still working on it and would give him an update later. Well as it turned out there was no way they would be done before closing and we are now into the long Easter weekend. They aren't open Saturdays but would have a couple of mechanics go in to complete the job. Should be ready around lunch time. Geez!

Angela hung around in Burnaby waiting for Chris to get off work and by the time they got home just before 6:00, Isaac was fast asleep...he must have had a busy time at pre-school!

After dinner, we hung out in the living room...here are the "dudes"...

...and the "dudettes" chilling with a cappuccino (don't care much for my double-chin LOL)... 

Friday (Apr. 7)...Good Friday and a long weekend. Isaac hamming it up as the Easter Bunny...

We were invited over to Angela's parents for Good Friday dinner...along with Angela's brothers and spouses, making it a lovely family gathering. 

On the left, Isaac showing Dorothy (Marc's girlfriend) his Easter toys...Lucy (Angela's Mom) with baby Olivia...and Amanda (Olivia's Mom)...

Joe (Angela's brother), Olivia, and Amanda (Joe's wife)...

Olivia loves her cousin, Isaac!

They call it their "fish" dinner but really it is a seafood dinner...Lucy's excellent soup (full of clams, shrimp in a wonderful tomato base), platters of fresh salmon, prawns, calamari salad and French bread with crab and shrimp, sprinkled with shredded cheese and broiled in oven...OMG! It was all so delicious!

Steve, Chris and Luigi (Angela's Dad)...

The clean-up crew in the kitchen...Joe and Marc (Angela's brothers) and Angela...

Playtime after dinner...

Isaac with the rice crispy "nests" he made. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of the other yummy fruits and desserts...

Late Saturday (Apr. 8) morning, Chris, Isaac, Steve and I headed out to Langley. Since the truck was expected to be ready around noon, we thought we would go out for lunch and then go to Bernhausen (Angela had lunch plans with her co-workers). 

We got to Bernhausen and Steve went in to check on the status. Steve here...Well...the mechanic looked at me like I was from outer space! He said they were nowhere near being done and doubted they would be done by the end of day. Long story but there seems to be a lack of communication between the service department guy I deal with and the mechanics. Now we are stuck here until Monday!

Easter Sunday (Apr. 9) Isaac was so excited! The Easter Bunny had come! He raced around the house collecting eggs...

Wow...look at that haul!

Well, since we were still there, we were again invited over to Angela's parents for Easter Dinner. Angela, Chris and Isaac...

Great Grandma (Luigi's mom) with Olivia and Isaac...

We enjoyed another fabulous feast...but no pictures were taken this time. Thanks again Luigi and Lucy!

Easter Monday (Apr. 10) and since Angela is a teacher, she was off but Chris had to work. It was great that she was off because she was able to drive us out to Langley to pick up the truck. Steve called Bernhausen at about 10:00 and found out it was FINALLY ready to go, so we quickly finished packing our stuff up and off we went. Well it certainly turned out a lot more expensive than we had planned on.

Now we just have to change out the blown air bags on the 5th wheel hitch and we are done spending money on Buster!

We transferred all of our things from the car into the truck and gave Angela a big hug...but I guess Isaac didn't want us to go because there were no hugs from him. We both "stole" a kiss from him and were were off. Thanks again, Angela!

It was about noon by the time we got to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and it looked like the 12:45 sailing to Duke Point (Nanaimo) was full, so we decided to take the ferry over to Swartz Bay (Victoria) and drive the 3 hours up to Courtenay. Now are we going to have to battle with this lady too? Steve told her we were not commercial but recreational and 26' long and seniors. She asked for our ID and said that would be $109...SWEET! Cheapest we've ever paid! We figured changing our route was better than just sitting and waiting...besides, we ended up being home about an hour earlier than waiting.

Tuesday (Apr. 11) morning we decided to get out for a walk. There are so many walking paths to choose from...we parked at the Courtenay Airpark and took the River Heritage Walk from there...

The distant mountains are so pretty with the snow on them...

Snowing in the mountains...

We did the loop back to the car and then drove to Puntledge River Park...just to take a look. We'll walk these trails another time...

Wednesday (Apr. 12) we headed out to get truck insurance...deciding to only get 3 months at this time since it is for sale. Once we get it advertised, hopefully it will sell quickly.

We ran a couple of other errands, both had haircuts and then Earl and Allison came over mid-afternoon for a visit. After chatting over tea, we went for a walk around the campground and then they headed off. They have a new electric car...a Chevy Bolt...very nice! We especially like the colour!

Tomorrow, we are off again! We feel like we have hardly been here in our new homebase...in the 12 nights since arriving, we have only been here 6. But we have appointments in Victoria tomorrow, and besides we want to see our grandsons, so we will be catching up with Rob, Angie, Conner and Bryce and enjoying a few days with them.