Another week and a half has gone by and life continues on here at the RV park. Work on the new RV sites has stopped for now...we have been told that it's just a matter of putting the pads in and landscaping, about 2 months of work and they should be finished (probably when the weather improves).
Our Vancouver Canucks hockey team is doing really well this year, so Steve has been watching their games...we don't usually have any interest in sports, unless our team is doing well. I guess you could say we are 'fair-weather watchers' LOL!
During an unusual morning Canucks/Blue Jackets game on Monday (Jan. 15), we also had some outside entertainment as a crew came to take down a couple of trees behind our neighbour's trailer. Interesting to watch how they do it. He delimbs the tree first, then falls sections starting from the top working his way down. Judging from it's root system it must have grown from a nurse stump which is long gone now. They cut down a similar tree behind our site a few months ago...
Although the temperatures have not been as cold as they were last week, they are still hovering around freezing, with the overnight temperature at -2C/28F and the daytime high on Tuesday (Jan. 16) 1C/34F. However, we now have a snowfall warning that has been issued for tonight and tomorrow as a warmer Pacific frontal system clashes with the Artic outflow. Steve went out to fill a propane tank...preparation for what's coming.
Wednesday (Jan. 17) morning we woke to snow...and it snowed all morning.
Steve measured just over 4" so far...
He's also had to brush off the satellite dish a couple of times...
By the afternoon, it had stopped and we even saw a little blue sky. Steve went out to take a few pictures...
Thursday (Jan. 18) morning at 10:45 "round 2" of the snow started...and it snowed all day and evening. It was still snowing when we went to bed!
Tired of being shut-ins we decided to bundle up and go for a walk in the snow. We walked through the lower campground...
On the way down to the river...
Heading back through the forest...
Ok...enough is enough...no more snow! I think we ended up with 8 or 9 inches.
Friday (Jan. 19)...and the morning after round 2 of the snowfall. The rain started in the morning and continued lightly all day...but it's going to take a lot of rain and warm temperatures to melt all this snow!
The snow started to wrap it's way around the front of our shed..
Our neighbour had cleared the snow off her car Wednesday before going out so this is how much more we've had since then...
Our car is going to need digging out!
Saturday (Jan. 20) with all of the rain yesterday, it was making for a slushy slippery mess. Steve got out and did a lot of shovelling to clear a path to the car...and behind it so we can get out...
Unfortunately, the roads inside the park have not been cleared...which we were very surprised and quite frankly pissed off about. We later found out that the park had commissioned a company to clear them, but they did not show up...sheesh! I had to walk very carefully, using my hiking pole, to the laundry room...
We really haven't been out for days, so that night we went out to the Flying Canoe Pub to partake in their Saturday night special menu...$6.95 for a large variety of plates. Dinner and a couple of beers each and the bill was only $43 including tax and tip!
Afterwards we went to Earl and Allison's for game night. We met their neighbours, Terry and Cathy, and had a great evening of playing a new to us card game, called "Swoop" that you play to 500. The person with the lowest score wins. Everyone won a hand, but Steve had beginners luck winning four hands, plus the dummy hand as we learned the game! No pictures taken though...Sheesh!
Sunday (Jan. 21) and the steady rain was back...all day! It's going to take awhile to melt all this snow. There are tracks in the snow on either side of the ditch/creek...at least we know our neighbourhood deer are still around...
Earl has been good enough to be our delivery address for packages we order from Amazon. We picked up a few last night and when Steve opened one, he couldn't believe the size of the box this little item was shipped in...so he had to take a picture. Crazy!...wouldn't a large envelope work?
Monday (Jan. 22) morning we got out for a walk around the Courtenay Airpark and Riverway...the first time in a long time! We've had ground fog for days with all of the snow and warmer air temperatures...
There's lots of Trumper Swans in the area now...
Tuesday (Jan. 23) and another rainy day. We went out to run a couple of errands and then, since it was just a light drizzle/mist, we thought we'd go to the airpark for a shorter walk. Good thing we had our umbrellas...we needed them!
Wednesday (Jan. 24) morning we woke to the sound of rain pounding on the roof...yup, another rainy day. It rained all day...quite heavily at times.
Another inside day getting some odds and ends done...including this blog.
Tomorrow we are heading down island to Rob and Angie's for a couple of nights. It's our grandson, Conner's birthday...11 years old already! So it was a good excuse to get away...besides I needed to have my eyes checked. Looking forward to a change of scenery!
Again, another two weeks have flown by. It's been a couple of weeks of weather extremes...from cloudy, rainy days, to sunny, cooler days...ending in an Arctic Outflow Warning that gripped most of North America. Apparently some record lows were beaten...yes, very cold and unusual for the Island.
We started the new year off on Monday (Jan. 1), by taking a drive to Campbell River and Elk Falls. I had read that BC Hydro had opened up the dam, releasing a lot of water. They were issuing warnings to stick to the suspension bridge trail for viewing due to the water levels in the river.
The water was definitely raging causing a mist ...
Wow...view from the lower viewpoint.
Steve took some pictures from the suspension bridge...this is how it looked when we were there November 7th...
And today, fifteen times the normal flow was posted on a sign....
A 1:48 minute video Steve took...
The trip to Campbell River and hike to the suspension bridge was well worth it! It was getting close to noon by the time we got back to the car...so lunch out was in order. Today, we chose Moxie's for a change. Like our favourite, Riptide Pub, it is still on the waterfront, next door to the Riptide Pub.
Tuesday (Jan. 2) it rained all day...an inside day! But both Wednesday (Jan. 3) and Thursday (Jan. 4) we had mixed sun/cloud so managed to get out for our morning powerwalks. After our walks, the days were spent taking care of routine "stuff"...laundry, shopping, etc.
We had ordered a new boxed mattress on Wednesday and to our surprise, it was delivered Friday (Jan. 5). With the delivery time between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., we had to get our old mattress out. Steve and I managed, quite easily, to get it out of the bedroom and outside...where it was waiting when Earl arrived with his truck. Luckily, they managed to get it dropped off at the dump before the heavy rain started. Thanks again Earl for your help!
Fed-Ex delivered our new Douglas Mattress at 1:30 p.m., while I was away getting a pedicure. I was expecting Steve to be waiting for me to help him unpackage it but he managed to do it himself...drats! He took away all my fun...I wanted to see it "expand" once the plastic was taken off! Friends Dave and Leslie had theirs delivered last July while we were visiting them and they love it, so that really helped in our decision.
Saturday (Jan. 6) was cold and frosty...but sunny with lots of blue sky! For a change, we decided to go to a trail at Point Holmes along the waterfront near CFB Comox. It wasn't a long trail...just under 2km to the end and back but it was lovely on a cold, crisp morning.
After our walk, we explored a few roads in the area that lead towards the ocean...lots of waterfront homes...
A final drive to Goose Spit before heading home...the mountains are beautiful against the blue sky...
At 5:30, we met Earl and Allison for dinner at a new Chinese restaurant in town...the Driftwood Restaurant. We stuffed ourselves at the buffet and then we all came back to our place to play Rummikub. Allison was the big winner tonight...winning four games! Earl and Steve each won one and I was skunked!
Sunday (Jan. 7) was another cold frosty morning...gotta love the blue sky though! Steve and I walked around the campground and down to the river. I was able to track it on my FitBit...2.2 km.
We took care of a bunch of odds and ends and then decided to walk up to the Gladstone Brewery...rather handy having it 1 km/.6 miles away. As we walked over the Puntledge River bridge, I looked down to see this guy looking back at me. He actually stayed looking at me for 20 seconds or so...Steve managed to get a couple of pictures before he disappeared...
This seagull photo bombed the first photo!
Cheers! They had live music and the place was packed!
Monday (Jan. 8) was an ugly day...dark, rainy and cold. The rain turned to big wet snowflakes later in the afternoon...
Any snow we had was pretty well gone by Tuesday (Jan. 9) morning. It was a much nicer day, as was Wednesday (Jan. 10). Still chilly mornings but it isn't stopping us from getting out for our morning walks.
A "Pigeon" tree along the Courtenay Air Park Trail...
Lots of fresh snow on the mountains. Comox Glacier on the left and Mount Washington ski mountain on the right...
Comox Glacier...
Mount Washington, ski runs are on the opposite side of the mountain...
Thursday (Jan. 11) we had a cold start... -2C (28F)...we are heading into a deep freeze as an Arctic cold front is on it's way. Actually most of North America is being affected by this cold front. The forecast low for overnight is -11C (12F) but strong winds are also coming so "feels like" temperature is predicted to be -17 C (1.4F).
Some of the work crew came in today and had quite a campfire going! 😂
Friday (Jan. 12)...we survived the night! Our outside thermometer read -9C (16F)...I'm not sure what the "feels like" temp was but I believe it was around -15C (5F). We had the furnace running all night, as well as our 2 electric heaters...and they were on constantly. A while ago Earl had lent us a small baseboard heater wired for 120V that Steve placed next to the water lines in the basement. Steve was happy to see the temperature in the basement remained above freezing, barely at 0.6C (33F)...whew!
Other than Steve going out to get a propane tank filled, it was definitely an inside day! Steve doesn't like to leave anything running in the trailer in this cold weather with nobody here, as a "just in case" so I stayed home. Oh, we did try a walk around the campground but it was bitterly cold with the wind...so it was a quick walk around one loop.
Saturday (Jan. 13) and another cold day...-9.9C/14F but it did go up to a balmy -3C (26.6F) briefly. The furnace and 2 electric heaters continue to run constantly. Needless to say, another inside day.
Sunday (Jan. 14) we woke up to -8C (17.6F) but it was mainly sunny and the temperature made it up to .1C (32F) with the "feels like" at -3C (26.6). We went out for a walk around the campground and down to the river.
A little icy along the shore...
The river level is lower now so the ice is hanging in the bushes and above the water...
We even have dual ice sculptures. One where Steve has left the water drizzling so it doesn't freeze our water lines, and another coming out from the insulated hose connection area...to be investigated further after the big thaw! 😕
It is gradually getting warmer this week, thank goodness. The low tonight is -4C (25F) but the high tomorrow is +1C (34F) and although there are still some freezing temperatures with possible snow in the forecast, by next Friday we should pretty well be back to normal...6C (43F) and rain...and more rain, and more rain...
Friday (Dec. 22) morning Ray and Deb took us out for breakfast at the Riverside Cafe in Lake Cowichan. A final meal with them before we head down to Rob and Angie's...thanks guys! And thank you so much for all your hospitality! It was wonderful seeing you. Enjoy the rest of your time here and safe travels back down to Mesa. See you in the spring!
Our timing was great...just enough time to stop in Victoria to pick up the Cingal injection (Viscosupplementation Therapy) at the pharmacy and get to my appointment in Brentwood Bay. My orthopedic surgeon injected my right knee with very little pain this time (last time hurt like h$ll) and we were on our way to Rob and Angie's.
Rob was already home from work when we got there...and Chris, Angela and Isaac arrived a few minutes after us. Lots of chaos as everyone brought in their suitcases, hugged...generally everyone was talking! Angie, Angela and I basically finalized our grocery list so Angela and I could take off into Sidney to stock up on all the last minute things needed for all the wonderful food we will be consuming over the next 5 days!
Before leaving Angela unwrapped this for the tree...I just love it! She had it made at a store in Vancouver...2023 Colibaba Family Christmas!
While Angela and I were gone, Steve, Rob and Chris took the boys out for a walk...and of course, a pinecone fight! A 39 second video...
Family just chilling...Rob, Bryce laying in the chair, Chris, Steve, Angie and Angela...
Steve is cheating...he's standing on the stairs! Rob, Steve and Chris...
Me and my boys!
The boys having a snack (no that glass of wine on the table is not theirs, LOL)...Bryce, Conner and Isaac...
Steve in his favourite chair ...
Rob made all sorts of exotic drinks over the next few days. I think he was making Whiskey Sours here...
Shenanigans as we celebrate being together...
Rob and Angie cooked dinner tonight...ham, scalloped potatoes and salad...delicious!
Saturday (Dec. 23) morning, Angela put together the Gingerbread Houses and the boys got to work decorating them. I forgot to get a picture when they were completed as they were quite good...
We finally pulled them away from their creations and talked them into going for a walk along the Sidney waterfront. We left Rob and Angie at home taking care of some pre-Christmas morning "stuff"😉.
It was a beautiful sunny day for a change. We started by finding the memorial brick for Steve's younger brother Rob, who died in 1982 (yes, that is who our Rob was named after)...
The water was very calm today...
We walked to the end of the Sidney Pier. Isaac decided he didn't want his picture taken, so he hid behind his Mom...
You didn't hide fast enough this time Isaac!
Love this picture!
We have no idea exactly what the boys are picking up but it's far too fine to be bird seed...they figured they could get the pigeons to come up to them and take it from their hands. No luck...
Once home from our walk, it was time to get ready for the party this afternoon. I made chili and Rob pulled-pork...no one was going to go hungry!
We had a wonderful gathering of family and "like family" friends. Steve's sister, Nadine, her son, Matt, Angela and Chris...(doesn't look like we got a picture of husband, Mike 😖)
So glad our long-time good friends, Rob and Nancy, could come. Steve has known Rob since grade 8...
And my buddy, Nancy...
My brother and his wife, Dwight and Helen...
Dwight and Helen's daughter (Vanessa) and her family...left to right, Ella (daughter), Nate (husband), Jordan (son), Vanessa with Addie (daughter) on her lap, Helen...
Angie, Helen and I...with Conner and Bryce "hamming it up" in the background...
Such a great afternoon and evening! Thanks for hosting, Rob and Angie!
Sunday (Dec. 24) morning we all had a lazy start to the day. Rob and Angie made a late breakfast of Eggs Benedict...delicious!
After breakfast, Steve and I headed out...our first stop was at Thrifty Foods to pick up a couple of groceries, plus flowers for our visits to the cemeteries. The third cemetery we went to is near Nadine and Mike's place, so of course, we stopped in for coffee and visit. Back home, the rest of the afternoon was spent getting ready for the big day tomorrow.
Christmas Eve, the boys were allowed to open one gift...
Of course, Conner and Bryce knew it was going to be the usual PJ's...
So darned cute!
Isaac keeping a close eye on Santa's location...while Conner practices juggling (seems Dwight got him into that last night, LOL)...
Steve and I with our grandkids...
Isaac was getting concerned that Santa was getting close..."Conner, Bryce, we'd better go to bed!"
And Rob and Angie's annual Christmas Eve picture...
Merry Christmas!
Santa came! Cookies and milk gone as is the snack left out on the front porch for the reindeer!
A short 21 second video of the boys coming downstairs Christmas morning...
Isaac very excited getting Leggo...
Isaac opening his gift from us...a sleeping bag for camping next summer and a couple of colour by number books. Behind is Conner who had just opened up a Coding Robot Kit from us...
I got a new FitBit Charge 6! Do I look surprised? LOL
Steve a beard trimmer and toiletry bag. On the stairs beside Rob is the Penn and Teller Magic Lab that we got Bryce.
Angela with her gift from us...
And Angie with hers...
Rob had his work cut out assembling computer desks for both Conner and Bryce...
And a computer chair for Conner too!
Isaac loves Leggo...
Our traditional Christmas breakfast...Egg Puff (aka Wifesaver), bacon, and cinnamon scones. Egg Puff just came out of the oven...
Rob picked up the farm fresh turkey last Friday and had it brining...a 25.5 pounder! It's all ready for the barbeque!
Steve and I decided to get out for a walk around the neighbourhood...some folks sure decorated their yards for Christmas. It would be great to see it at night!
Rob monitored the turkey all day with a new bluetooth thermometer he got for Christmas. The timing for everything was perfect...the mashed potatoes, gravy, broccoli casserole, and Angela's Italian Stuffing were ready and keeping warm in the oven, while the turkey rested after being taken off the BBQ...and the layered salad and cranberry sauce were on the table.
Time to carve the beast! The turkey was absolutely wonderful! Good job Rob!
Dinner time!
We all stuffed ourselves...so good! After we had digested a bit, Angela served dessert...Panettone Christmas Tree. Panettone sliced and Nutella and whipped cream added to the slices and put back together...OMG, delicious! Unfortunately, no picture of it though...drats!
Tuesday (Dec. 26)...Boxing Day. It was a pretty laid-back kinda day. The guys all wanted to stay home and chill with all the Christmas goodies, so the girls got out for a walk. Angie, Angela and I went into Sidney and walked the waterfront...
Angie had bought the card came that we played with Ray and Deb...Mille Borne...so Steve and I taught Conner and Bryce how to play. It was a slightly different version from the one Ray and Deb had, that and the fact we had only learned it ourselves a few days ago, made for a rather slow start. However once we got the hang of it, we had fun. But we now know why Ray and Deb play in teams...it was a very long game with all 4 of us playing separately! But we did it! I do believe I was the winner! Needless to say, we only played one game.
Of course, leftovers were for dinner...so much good food! Later, Rob, Angie, Chris and Angela played card games while the kids entertained themselves in the other room. Then we started watching YouTube music videos...going through the alphabet. Such fun...and a fair amount of adult beverages were consumed!
Well, all good things must come to an end...Wednesday (Dec. 27) Chris, Angela and Isaac headed back to the mainland, leaving at 10:00 to ensure they would be there in plenty of time for their 11:00 sailing. A wind warning had been issued so they were worried about the ferries being cancelled but all was fine and they made it home.
Rob had to go back to work today...so he was off at his usual 6:20 this morning. At least it is a short 3 day week for him, then another long weekend.
Steve and I decided to go for a walk...you guessed it...along the Sidney waterfront! I think we have mentioned that we really love that walk.
Lunch was at the Prairie Inn Neighbourhood Pub...we hadn't been there in a long time. It was really busy, so it took awhile to get our meals, but both were delicious...I had beef dip with salad and Steve the special, fish and chips.
Back home, Steve and Conner built the robot we got him...
Conner coding it.
Thursday (Dec. 28) and time for us to pack up and head home. We feel so very fortunate to have had all of our family together for Christmas! Next year we plan on being back down south in warmer, dryer temps...so this year was very special!
We had the car packed and after big hugs to Angie and the boys (we had already said goodbye to Rob before he left for work this morning) we were off to meet Rob and Nancy for breakfast at Mary's Bleue Moon Cafe. Glad we were able to see them one more time before we leave!
A good breakfast and a great hour and a half visit, we were off up island. We stopped for a quick visit with another good friend, Jim in Cowichan Bay...too bad we missed Nan though.
We arrived home after being away for 8 nights to find all was fine in the trailer...thankfully. Steve had been worried about freezing temperatures while we were gone, but it has been very mild. Apparently lots of wind and rain, though.
Friday (Dec. 29) and another cool, rainy day. Steve worked on picture editing in the morning while I went grocery shopping. It was definitely an inside day. Once I had all of the groceries inside and put away, I got to work on blog updates.
Saturday (Dec. 30) morning we met Earl and Allison for breakfast at 8:30 at the Early Bird Cafe. Great catching up with them!
Afterwards we went for a walk around the Airpark. There had been quite a storm last night with a high tide and the wind tossing logs and debris over the pathway...
Sunday (Dec. 31)...and the final day of 2023! Hard to believe we're about to enter into 2024...Y2K doesn't seem that long ago!
We picked Earl, Allison and Cedar up at 2:30 and headed to a new (to us) trail nearby...one that Earl and Allison have hiked frequently. We parked at the trailhead to the 'Royston to Cumberland Railway Trail' and started on the Railway Trail/Trent River Loop (according to the AllTrails App). There are a bunch of trails in the area, popular with mountain-bikers.
Steve, Allison, me and Earl holding Cedar, far above the Trent River...
The trail follows a ridge next to the river...
Just a little steep!
When we reached the powerlines, we walked along an old logging road...and came across a few huge puddles. Most of them we could managed around the edge...this was a bit of a challenge, but we all did it without getting our feet wet!
What a great hike! So nice to get out in the woods. It wasn't a sunny day...but it also wasn't raining, so it was perfect! According to my new FitBit Charge 6 watch with built-in GPS, we hiked 6.19 km/3.85 miles in 1 hour and 16 minutes. The bonus for me was that my knee did not bother me at all...that injection is working, yay!
Back at Earl and Allison's, we relaxed with a beverage. Allison served a delicious New Year's Eve Dinner...so good but no pictures! We're slipping, LOL!
After dinner, the table cloth was taken off the table and the Rummikub game came out...
We played 5 games...each winning one, with Allison 2! By this time it was getting close to 9:00...which means midnight New York Time! So we headed downstairs to watch the ball drop and bring in the New Year on New York time. Shortly afterward, we wished Earl and Allison Happy New Year, and we headed home. Thank you Earl and Allison for a perfect New Year's Eve!
Happy New Year to all of our family and friends...all the very best in 2024!
