Monday, July 24 to Wednesday, August 2, 2017 (Tunkwa Provincial Park, Logan Lake, BC)

Another 10 days have gone by...time for an update!

Monday afternoon we had a visit from a couple from Kamloops. Lauren and Mike are also RV Happy Hour followers and since we weren't far away, they came out to meet us. We spent a lovely few hours chatting...always great meeting fellow RV'ers!

Late in the day, I received an email from our lawyer in Sidney. Today is the closing date on the sale of our house...funds have been received, our house is sold and now belongs to our son and daughter-in-law. Congratulations, Rob and Angie!

The beautiful Yellow-headed Blackbirds are no longer around...the feeder has been taken over by the chipmunks...

Tuesday was another beautiful day. Considering all of the wildfires burning, we have been lucky recently with very little smoke in our area.

After breakfast, Steve spent time outside changing the line on his fishing rods. It was shortly after 10:00 when he was finally ready to hit the lake. He caught a couple and lost a couple...

Well, I think I spoke too soon about the clear sky we have been having. That afternoon I took Tucker for a walk and took this picture...starting to get hazy again...

The once rushing creek from Tunkwa to Leighton lake is now dry...

Tucker leading the way down to his swimming spot on Leighton Lake...

Tucker had a great time swimming...then it was time to head home...

Wednesday morning we worked while Doug and Sue went into Kamloops. They usually go Tuesdays but had changed it to today so they could pick up supplies for Hugh's surprise birthday party tonight. Hugh has been a volunteer here at the park for years and today is his 70th birthday, so a big celebration was in order!

Doug ended up having to tell Hugh we were having a gathering in the compound for him...so the 'surprise' part were all the guests that were joining us.







Left to right...Brian (co-owner of Brandywine Environmental, the contractor that runs our park), his girlfriend, Collette, Sue, Steve, Brian and Barb (volunteers over at Leighton Lake)...

Steve, Brian, Barb, Judy, Neil (he oversees a number of parks for Brandywine...including ours), Rick (Rick and Judy are regular guests here at Tunkwa and friends of Hugh), Hugh, Brian and Collette...

Doug is grilling burgers...and the table is full of food...

Dinner time! Rick and Neil filling up their plates...

Around 7:00, I changed into my uniform and headed out to check for newbies in the park. I registered/collected from a number of new campers in all 3 campgrounds. While I was gone, it was birthday cake time...

I got back just as the party was breaking up but sat outside with Doug, Sue, Hugh and Steve for a little while longer until it was time to call it an evening. Happy 70th Birthday, Hugh! Hope you enjoyed your celebration!

Thursday Steve headed out fishing again...

Because BC is in a State of Emergency with all the wildfires the military has been called in to assist. We also have firefighters from other provinces, Australia and more are coming from the US and Mexico.

I spent the majority of my day updating our Travel Maps...all done and up-to-date since we hit the road in June, 2010! Check them out.

Friday morning we woke to very smokey conditions. We puttered around the trailer doing odds and ends. Steve cleaned the air-conditioner filter...

Late morning we decided to take a drive into Logan Lake. We picked up a few groceries at the market, hit the liquor store and then went out for lunch at the Black Bull Pub. On our way home we replenished our drinking water containers at the sani-dump.

Saturday morning Steve and I both worked...doing a split shift...cleaning the outhouses in the morning and then again late afternoon. In between, we both did a little reading. Steve also started one of his maintenance jobs inside the trailer...on the ceiling. The nails on several of the molding strips on the ceiling have popped and won't stay in so Steve took them down and applied 3M Auto Molding Tape.

Sunday morning I thought it would be nice to go out in the boat with Steve. I don't have a fishing licence, not bothering with one anymore because I'm not big into fishing. I also find it uncomfortable sitting still in the boat for hours...but I must admit, I quite enjoyed our outing today!

It was a beautiful day! No smoke right now...but it was visible on the horizon. The winds are supposed to be shifting today, coming from the north instead of south/southwest...which could be good news for the wildfires in that they may turn back on themselves, but not so good for us here due to the smoke.

Steve has a nice comfy seat now....

 Awww....just a little fishy...

 You can see the smoke starting to really show itself in the distance...big billows coming our way...

Hard to see but this Osprey just caught a fish (bigger than Steve's) and was attacked by another and dropped it. We couldn't tell which one ended up with the fish but as soon as it did a Bald Eagle swooped in and chased the Osprey. They circled for quite awhile gaining altitude until you could hardly see the Osprey. The Eagle finally gave up the chase...very cool to watch!

The smoke is getting closer...

We came ashore around 1:30...a lovely morning out on the lake! But, I must admit, I was getting pretty sore sitting there!

After showers and a bite to eat, we decided to ride our bikes down to meet some folks in site #25. Sue mentioned that they apparently follow our blog. They weren't there...probably out fishing...but we enjoyed a nice bike ride around the campground. We'll have to try to connect with them another time.

As we thought would happen, we woke up to smoke Monday morning. Actually, the winds are such that a thick layer of smoke covers much of BC...a "Special Air Quality Statement" has been issued.
The smoke along with extreme heat is causing difficulty for many throughout the province. Meanwhile, the winds continue to whip up the wildfires...and the province continues under a "State of Emergency".

We left the park at about 8:30 this morning...going into Kamloops for a  little shopping and to meet an "old" co-worker that I haven't seen for years!
The area is really socked-in with smoke...

We met Marika and Bruce at the Walmart Parking lot...deciding rather than try to find a parking spot downtown, we'd meet there and go with them in their car. After big hugs, we hopped in their car and headed to The Noble Pig Brewhouse.
Marika and I were trying to figure out the last time we saw each other...and figured its got to be over 30 years! We worked together in the "early days" in HR, BC Assessment and then she moved over to another office with BCA before leaving altogether for another job.

After lunch, we went back to Bruce and Marika's place...they have a beautiful view, just too bad it was so smokey today! Rabbit Island on the Thompson River...

We enjoyed a drink on their deck and then they dropped us back at our truck. Thanks so much, Marika and Bruce...it was wonderful seeing you and catching up! Let's do it again...but not wait for 30 years this time!

Tuesday was Sue and Doug's day to go into Kamloops, so Steve and I worked. The air was thick with smoke again today, making it unpleasant working outside. Steve's job for today was to take the blower and clear off all of the tables...it doesn't take long for spider webs to get out of control!
He wore a dust mask which I'm sure helped him a lot. I chose not to and must admit by the afternoon, I could really feel the affects of breathing smokey air. With not many campers in Tunkwa Hugh didn't have many sites to clean, so he helped out with the blowing too...


Leighton campground...

Leighton North campground...

Tunkwa campground. We even had ash falling on everything this morning, cough! cough! The forecast is for the winds to continue from the north for the next 5 days so that's not good.

Steve was finished and sitting inside, having had lunch and showered, by the time I came in. After showering, I joined him sitting in the trailer with the AC running...out of the smoke!

Wednesday we had a very lazy start to the day...I've said it before, but I find it amazing how we can get up at 6:00...and next thing we know, it's 8:30! We did our resistance exercises and then got on with our day...breakfast, dishes and then Steve went out to sort some recycling while I took care of some paperwork. After that, I did some laundry and Steve watched one of his shows on TV...other than that, it was a pretty quiet day.

Later in the afternoon, we decided to take a drive into Logan Lake to the Post Office. We had an envelope that needed to be sent via registered mail to Victoria. After mailing the envelope and picking up some change at the bank for Sue (long weekend coming up!), we stopped at the pub for a beer and then headed home.

We had an early dinner tonight so Steve would be ready by 6:00 to go over to Leighton Lake with Doug. Steve is going fishing with volunteer Brian in his boat, while Doug goes out in his own. Just about everyone here fish with chironomids which Steve has tried a couple of times without success. He has found it boring just sitting there waiting for a bite so usually fly casts or trolls a fly. Brian has fished here since the 70's and is an experienced chironomid fisherman so he has offered to show Steve the proper setup and technique. Within 5 minutes Brian had his first fish and a few minutes later another. About 40 minutes later Steve finally caught his first and awhile later another. Apparently it was a slow evening with only 2 good sized trout each. Steve found it difficult to get the knack of casting a 16' leader with a float indicator and swivel, so much more practice is required.

Brian's first fish around 2 lbs...

Brian is going to do a throat pump to see what this one has been feeding on but it's stomach was empty...

It was a perfect evening except for the smoke. Doug is fishing in front of that island and caught one...

Doug and Steve arrived back in the compound shortly before 9:00. Sounds like Steve enjoyed his lesson...thanks Brian!

And that brings us up-to-date once again...stay tuned for the next one!

Thursday, July 13 to Sunday, July 23, 2017 (Tunkwa Provincial Park, Logan Lake, BC--with a side-trip to Coquitlam, BC)

Well, I guess it's time for an update on what we have been up to for the past 10 days! Amazing that we are already in the later part of July and will soon be heading into August! The summer seems to be slipping by quickly!

Thursday (13th) we decided to get out for a morning ride on the quads. The air today is fairly clear after all of the smoke we have been experiencing, so we rode up to the top of Mount Savona to check on the wildfires. We were hoping to see the activity of the water bombers working on the wildfires but only heard some in the distance. Although it's hard to see in the picture, smoke from the wildfires can be seen on the horizon behind Steve...

We were back home around noon...a nice, easy little road-ride (yes, we chose to stick to roads rather than chance taking alternate routes that would take us on very dry grassy trails). Before parking and covering them up, we gave the quads a wash...time to get rid of all that dust (and mud from our rides earlier in the season).

Friday morning Steve went out fishing...while I did a little housework and puttered around the trailer. He caught three fish in the first 40 minutes, then the bite died off. The water is very green with algae...

Steve decided to keep this 17" beauty for Hugh (volunteer) to put in his smoker...

But first it must be cleaned...

It was another smoke-free day, so after lunch we decided to get out for a first time hike this season around Leighton Lake...of course, we took Tucker with us...

Lots of fire-weed in bloom...

Leighton Lake...

Not many campers over here...

Leighton campground left and private cabins right...

Leighton Lake left, Tunkwa Lake right...

We made it! Rest stop on top of the cliff overlooking Leighton Lake just outside Tunkwa Campground. Tucker was tuckered out!

Tunkwa...

This curious little fellow (marmot) didn't seem afraid of us as we stopped on our walk through the campground. Tucker really wanted to go "play" with him, but behaved as I held him on his leash...

Late afternoon, smoke from the Ashcroft fire appeared on the horizon again...well, it was nice having clear air for a couple of days!

Saturday morning we were sitting in our chairs with our coffee when Steve said we had company in the trailer...a tiny mouse was scurrying around! Oh great, it's been a long time since we had a mouse issue! After a few attempts to "get" him, he disappeared...hopefully he left the trailer the way he came in! Steve inspected areas he had previously sealed and put out 4 mouse traps...to-date, no further sign of the little guy.

Steve and I worked a couple of hours this morning, cleaning outhouses. We had fully expected the air quality to be poor today with that smoke on the horizon last night, but it was clear again today. Mind you, it ended up being a very windy day...nice to keep smoke away from us but not good for the wildfires!

While Steve gave the truck a quick wash, I took Tucker out for a walk and swim. We found a relatively sheltered area (from the wind) at the end of Leighton Lake (near Tunkwa Lake). Tucker had a great swim...I threw his 'ring' for him many times but he also enjoys swimming "laps"...

Sunday morning while laying in bed Steve heard the pitter patter of little feet in the ceiling, great, another fricken mouse! This happened once before when we were in the Yukon on our way to Alaska in 2013. There is an unused electrical box for an optional air conditioner in our bedroom, so Steve removed it and slid in a packet of  Fresh Cab then put it all back together.

A little later we were packed and on the road by 9:30...back down to Coquitlam. Tomorrow Steve will be dropping the truck off at Bernhausen Diesel to have the work done on our "squealing" issue. So today, we are on our way to Chris and Angela's place.

Back to the heavy traffic as far as you can see as we approach the coast between Abbotsford and Fort Langley...

Monday morning Steve headed out to Langley to drop the truck off while I drove Chris to work so we could use his car. After wishing Chris a "good day", I went to pick Steve up.

With all of our house sale documents with us, we needed to find a notary public to have our signatures witnessed. So after a quick Google search, I found that there was a law office right in the nearby Willowbrook Mall. I had made an appointment for a little later in the morning, but we decided to go right away and see if they could take us earlier. We had a bit of wait but soon had all of the documents signed and ready to be sent back to our lawyer in Sidney.

Next on the agenda...lunch with friends, Deb and Ray! We met at Big Ridge Brewery in Surrey for their Monday 'Burger and Beer' special...

After catching up over lunch, we followed them back to Deb's dad's place where we continued our visit. Ray and Deb have a great spot for their motorhome beside the house. They have been very busy arranging (and supervising) the new roof on the house as well as cleaning out the overgrown bushes that line the property. They showed us all of the work that has been done...while Freya lays patiently on the backyard lawn waiting for someone to throw her stick...

We continued our visit in the front yard...

It was after 2:30 when we said our goodbyes. We return to Fort Langley on September 11 but they plan on leaving the area a few days before that, so we will likely not see them again until we connect someplace down south this winter. Looking forward to it!

Steve spoke to Bernhausen Diesel late in the afternoon...apparently, they were a little behind so the truck wouldn't be ready today. They promised it by end of day Tuesday.

Tuesday, Steve and I decided to get out for a walk in Mundy Park. We did the same walk with Chris and Angela the last time we were here. The Perimeter Trail is about 4 miles and a very nice walk in the dense forest...lots of shade on a hot day!

Shortly after noon, Angela got home (she is working a short stint in summer school). She was going grocery shopping so I joined her to get stocked up before we head back to Tunkwa tomorrow. Once finished at Super Store, we made a quick stop at home to drop the groceries off and then I dropped her off to meet her mom and cousins for a late lunch...and I continued my shopping at Walmart.

After confirming the truck would be ready, I dropped Steve off just after 4:30. Hmmm...doesn't look ready to me. Apparently they were just putting some finishing touches on it. Time will tell if their modifications finally resolved our issue...

I made a quick stop at the Costco in Langley and managed to be back into Burnaby by 5:30 to pick Chris up.

Wednesday morning we hit the road just before 8:30. That's Mount Baker in Washington State in the distance. The wildfire smoke has even made it as far as the coast...

All was going well with the truck until we hit the first hill which was an 8% grade going down just past Hope on the Coquihalla highway. The squeal returned, and it did it again on the next downhill! We decided to carry on and eventually stopped at the old toll booth rest area at the summit. Once stopped Steve noticed the truck was stuck in a fast idle so he phoned Bernhausen. After confirming we were safe to continue driving as long as there was no smoke or high engine temperatures it was recommended that we return.

Before we could drop the truck back off at Bernhausen in Langley, we first had to drive all the way into Coquitlam to drop all of our groceries and suitcases at Chris and Angela's. It worked out well, because Angela happened to be going into Burnaby that afternoon, so she gave me a ride to pick up Chris's car and Steve headed out to Langley. So by the time this was all said and done we've wasted 5 hours and a quarter tank of fuel!

After picking up Steve, we went back to Chris and Angela's place and relaxed for a bit before putting our walking shoes on and walking up to John B's Pub for dinner...a good walk straight up hill! At least it would be downhill on our way home. Chris and Angela had other plans for the evening, so they won't be home until later.
Steve had halibut and chips and I had a fabulous salad...




We didn't do much Thursday. As usual, I drove Chris to work so we could have the use of his car. Thanks so much, Chris, we really appreciate it! We were going to rent a car on our way back into Langley but when the rental would be 4x more $$ than we paid last Spring, we decided to just continue with Chris's generosity.

We did manage to get out for a little exercise...driving to Como Lake Park and walking the trail around the lake, twice. The flags along the pathway to the trail are new since our last walk here...

Pretty ominous looking clouds...

I dropped Steve off at Bernhausen Diesel just before 5:00 and then drove back into Burnaby to pick Chris up at work. When we got home, Steve was already there. Bernhausen had made another couple of modifications and were confident we wouldn't have anymore issues. Apparently when Steve was about a mile away from Bernhausen, he stopped for a traffic light and noticed smoke go by and the truck seemed to sound a little different when the exhaust brake engaged. He had been told that the truck had been left idling for over an hour so figured this may have been the cause. Continuing on, there was no more smoke and the different sound disappeared. He still doesn't have a warm fuzzy feeling about this repair either.

Angela had dinner almost ready so we enjoyed a delicious meal together and then they headed off to see Angela's grandmother in the hospital...she is having surgery tomorrow. We both wish her the very best...and a quick recovery!

Friday morning we said our goodbyes to Chris and Angela (for a change, we didn't get any pictures during our visit this time!) and hit the road again just before 8:30...let's see how THIS drive back to Tunkwa goes!

We noticed smoke in the distance and as we approached Chilliwack, the traffic slowed down. There was a fire under the bridge going over the Vedder Canal. A few minutes earlier we were passed by two police cars that turned off the highway and into Chilliwack. We learned later that there was a targeted hit that killed a man in his car in Chilliwack and the fire we saw was a burning minivan that may have been involved.

Well wouldn't you know it we got to the same hills just past Hope and we again had the fricken squeal! We continued on to the nearest rest area and were pleased that we at least didn't have the fast idle issue anymore. We decided to continue on to Tunkwa and make another appointment with Bernhausen in a couple of weeks. Geez, why can't anyone figure this thing out!!!!!!

Once we reached Logan Lake we stopped for lunch and filled up our water containers before completing the final leg of our trip back to the lake.

We were greeted back by Doug and Sue (and Tucker) who surprised us by saying that they were actually going to take a whole day off to themselves and go visit family in Keromeos...a well deserved break for you both! So Steve and I would be in charge of the park all day tomorrow!

Saturday went well...Steve was up and out at 6:30 to record the traffic counters and take a drive around all three campgrounds checking for late arrivals last night. We cleaned outhouses, re-registered/registered (collected) from campers and Steve even managed to dig in more fire pits. The day went quickly. Doug and Sue arrived home while we were on our final rounds after 7:00. They enjoyed their day but it was a lot of driving...roughly 3 hours each way. They decided to also take tomorrow morning off as well, so we'll work another 4 hours. The park isn't busy, so it's all good!

Sunday started pretty much the same as yesterday. My four hours was spent cleaning outhouses, re-registering/registering campers and site cleaning. Steve decided to spend his time continuing with fire pit maintenance. He did take a couple of pictures. The fishers were out in force at Tunkwa...

Not so at Leighton...

We both finished our shift around 12:30-1:00...Steve was filthy after working with the fire pits, so he was in the shower first. He was making his lunch while I had my shower.

The rest of the day was spent inside...it had gotten quite windy again here with a little rain. I did some expense recording and budget work and then a little baking. Steve relaxed in his chair reading...and watching TV.