Market Days

January 23, 2012.

Friday we decided to go to Bacolod and run errands again. We try to get going early before the heat of the day.

First stop is the shoe store. Riza has had a pair in for repair and they are ready now. Dan is returning the sandals they made him last trip. The sole was made of two pieces of rubber tire glued together. They did not have one whole piece large enough for his foot. Soon after we got home, the two pieces separated and he has not been able to wear them. They took them back and we will see what happens this time.

Next we visit Libertad market. I remembered the smell immediately! We picked through vegetables loading our bags with potatoes, onions (red and white), tomatoes, squash, carrots, ginger, garlic and a huge bunch of greens. From the fruit seller we got mangos, guayabana (soursop), Chinese oranges and apples.

I visited a store with every possible plastic container and got a bright pink wash tub, very expensive, made in Thailand the lady told me. But it was stronger than the local plastic tubs so we agreed on a price that made both of us happy. It cost me 150 pesos or $3.50. It will make a good and useful gift here.

We went by the fish market but by 9:00 AM they were closing up and there was nothing much to choose from. We will go earlier one day.

We arrived at Robinson Mall just before opening and chose a good parking spot by the entrance. Good means find one by the door or in the shade! Fantastic is both! We were in need of a cold drink – iced tea was first on the agenda. Riza and I wanted to check out their refridgerators. My plan was to hit all the shoe stores. We had to get groceries. The men must have hidden communication when shopping is on the agenda. Steve called to say he and Kathy were in town. Let’s meet for lunch at 11:30. That meant no time for fridges or shoes – just time for groceries!

It was nice to see Steve and Cathy again. Steve is working on a project in Vietnam so he only has a short break at home. Just in time to meet their new baby girl. Her name is “Chelsea” if you ask Kathy but it is “Manchester United” if you ask Steve. She is a doll! The specialty of the restaurant is Baby Back Ribs. Note to self: Baby Back Ribs in Bacolod bears no resemblance whatsoever to Baby Back Ribs in Central Florida! Order something else next time.

I dug a section of the garden Saturday morning and made several trips to the river level for sand. It was left in drifts by the total flooding of the lower level before we got here. I thought it would be good for the garden. It will add the nutrients of the silt and the sand will lighten the dirt that is very heavy here. It is healthy in the garden - lots of worms and the dirt is dark from all the compost so it should grow well. I was thinking of my dad as I dug. I did not have string and sticks to mark out the edges of my plot so it is not exactly straight! Riza and I started by 8:00 AM and were done in by 10:00. Dan and Leroy were in the shade with a gin and tonic shortly after. Crazy English!

Saturday afternoon and Sunday were quiet. Riza and Leroy went to church and ran errands in town. Dan and I relaxed at home. Puttering around with whatever caught our attention. Monday we continued the errands that were interrupted Friday.

Riza has a fridge she needs to defrost manually and very often. It is a local brand and Riza did not realise they still made manual defrost fridges when she bought it. So our search for a fridge continued. We found one Friday at SM Department Store but they would not deliver to Murcia so we went to a local appliance store. They had an amazing selection of everything. We found a really nice Samsung, larger than the ones we saw elsewhere, and they do deliver to Murcia. Riza managed to make a deal for this fridge that was less than the others including delivery! She is good!

Dan was looking at their photographic equipment and found a Sony tripod he liked. He can leave it here so that he does not have to add to the weight of his pack when travelling. While he was doing that, the Chinese Dragon team arrived complete with drummer. They came into the store and while I was filming, the Dragon climbed right into my face! Kung Hai Fat Choy, everyone!

We were stopping at various places to look for parts for the motorcycle Leroy is restoring. No luck. We made a short stop at Libertad for fruit and coffee. The coffee is locally grown, roasted and ground. We really enjoy it. All these little stops were very hot and tiring. Traffic is crazy here with so many vehicles going one way, you would wonder how those coming in the opposite direction would find space!

We were glad to go to Imay’s restaurant and sit in the shade for a very nice lunch. Riza and Leroy have their favourite dishes they order. I decided to add something different, Shrimp with Chili and Garlic. I can’t explain it but was it ever good! It was a toss up who was going to lick the bowl. Add that to the list of favourites!

One more stop on the way home – I asked if we could go to Panaad Market. I love that place! It is a long block of tiny stalls selling garden plants. They are beautifully set up so you feel you are walking in shady green gardens. There is a long narrow path between two other stalls, sloping down, down, that opens out into the largest garden. It is the home of the fruit tree seller. I walked up and down looking at trees. A tiny puppy was barking valiantly, taking his job of guard dog very seriously, but no one came. Finally Riza was able to get the attention of the owner. Dan managed to round up Guilbey’s gin and even some Schweppes tonic at the grocery store but I have had no luck finding Persian limes. I solved the problem at Panaad market. I bought a lime tree!

It was good to get back to Calibago, and just in front of us at the gate – the delivery truck with the fridge! How was that for timing and excellent service! They brought the fridge in, unpacked it and set it up. Then they moved the old one over to our little house. Now we can have cold drinks too – not necessarily alcoholic! Even I drink cold water in this heat!

I jokingly said that the huge cardboard carton would make a good playhouse for Anna’s kids. But Anna has already requested it – to use as a bed. Her brother carried it home for her immediately. A piece of cardboard on the bamboo floor makes a good bed. What a different reality.

Alex has dug the second part of my garden while we have been gone. They don’t like to see me work here! It seems to worry them even though I try to explain I need the exercise. All that is left is for me to plant my lime tree. Reza got busy and planted eggplant and greens. After two days her bitter melon has jumped up and sprouted leaves already. It is looking like a garden!

Quiet Days

January 19, 2012.

Sunday is always a quiet day. The staff have the day off. Leroy and Riza usually go to church and lunch with friends or run errands in town. Dan and I have time to do something or nothing in the neighbourhood. Today the choice is nothing. I read my book, made lunch and watched the world go by.

Lucy is not back yet. Her little boy had broken ribs in addition to the compound fracture of his arm. That will be a big expense for the family and they may have to sell their water buffalo to pay the medical bill. Water buffalo are like money in the bank here. A breeding female is worth a lot so even if you do not work them, having them ensures money in case of emergencies like this. Theft is a problem - though how do you rustle a water buffalo? They are not exactly speedy! They are not silent either. They make a lot of noise when disturbed.

Riza and I cook up a good stir fry for dinner and relax under the trellis. The Fleur de Lune shine white in the night around us. Lynne and I bought some new fabric for Bag Ladies called “Wind Flower” – I think they are the same flower. It would make sense as they hang from the trellis on long stems that blow gently in the breeze. There is a little lightening but no rain. I actually sat up a little later this evening and was sociable!

Monday morning I checked out the garden plot. I would like to make that my project but how to make best use of the area? It is pleasant and shady in the morning, but by noon it is in bright sunshine and very hot. It will stay that way until late afternoon. It has been a compost heap for some time. Now that it is cleaned up the earth below is good from all that was composted. If I dig it over and add sand and silt from below to lighten the earth, it should be good for planting next fall when Riza comes again. Right now it has only a few sad beans, potatoes and taro. Along one wall there are papaya trees and a tiny calamansi (like a key lime). Bitter melon vines are beginning to climb up the tower. They should provide shade for tomatoes and peppers below. While I was thinking about the garden, Anna got busy and moved some things around to leave room for my plans. Now I have to get on with it!

Leroy shipped the pulleys and wire for a clothesline. Laundry here has always been strung on lines winding back and forth in the garden. The staff have been watching as he erected steel poles at either end of the garden. He showed them where the clothesline will go. Anna is wondering how will she reach it? Then he started the men building a cement platform with steps. Now she wondered, how will she move it along the line? Why are they doing this? Even the men did not understand what they were building so explaining was difficult. Finally Alex recognised it as a stage! Right! Now construction was easier. Still Anna is not sure. We are looking forward to their reaction when it is all put together.

Tuesday morning we got up very early and went into Bacolod. Dan and I went to the dentist to get our teeth cleaned. Riza had a doctor’s appointment and Leroy had to get the car fixed. They dropped us off first. Dr. Melinda Solis was very nice – a tiny little Filipino lady, she asked Dan how tall he was. “Never mind, when you get in my chair you will be small and scared!”, she laughed! Here the dentist cleans your teeth and the assistant holds your head, moves the suction as directed or wipes you gently with a towel. A very gentle procedure.

Once we were both done, we took a cab to SM Mall and wandered around for the rest of the morning. It was the first time we had to find our own way anywhere and we did it! We stopped for lunch just before Riza and Leroy arrived to meet us.

We took another cab to St Vincent Street on the route home to pick up the car. It was being fixed by an electrician on the side of the road in front of his house. The street is full of activity. Beside the “repair shop”¸ pedi cab drivers are wagering their fares over a game of coin toss. Throw three coins in the air and bet on the way they fall. Riza scolded the loser on the loss of his family’s rice money for the day. He left the game and sat off by himself – at least while she was there!

There had been a problem with the electrical motor driving the power windows. It appears marginally better. On the way home we discovered a new screaming belt sound under the hood. Were the issues related? Would we get home? Who knows? We got home safely and the noise died away.

By evening, Riza was really ill. I cooked and cleaned up after dinner and we all turned in early. Wednesday we continued to let her rest and the rest of us were happy puttering around at home. We always need a day of rest after a city day!

Thursday the antibiotics had taken effect so we were all able to go for a walk through the village and out to a nearby road Leroy and Riza had not seen before. They were interested in a piece of property they heard may be for sale. It is a good sized piece of property but it is horizontal, stretching down a steep slope to the river. At the moment it is all planted in banana trees. Anna was our tour guide and she walked us up the road toward the highway in the distance. There was some traffic coming toward us – an older man riding his water buffalo leading a young one along behind and a young man on a fancy motor bike, trying not to dump it in the huge slippery ruts left by the sugar cane trucks. Once we could see the highway in the distance we turned off toward the road we usually drive in to Calibago making a circle home again. We passed the steep slope of the cane field that had been burned earlier in the week. It has already been plowed in preparation for another crop. We came to the entry of the village and stopped to look at the herb garden by the church. It is full of natural herbal remedies similar to the “Physic Garden” at UBC Botanical. Unlike the demonstration garden, this one is in use for the people of the village.

Anna invited us to see her house and garden now that it is completely finished. It is much larger than I expected and very well designed. It is split level with two bedrooms upstairs, a living room on a lower level and the kitchen at the back on the ground floor. The neighbours all came around to say hello though only one or two spoke English.

It was only 10:00 AM when we arrived back at the house but it is already over 30 degrees. It felt good to have a shower and dry clothes before sitting once more in the shade of the trellis enjoying the breeze from the river.

Late afternoon it cools again and we spend time watering the flower gardens. Even when I manage to soak myself from the knees down, it feels wonderful. Note to self – don’t wear a long dress to water the garden.

A spectacular sunset and dinner end another day.

Centered in Calibago

January 14, 2012.

After a good night sleep, I was keen to get up and check out my surroundings in the daylight. Peeking out the windows, I could see the garden we planted had become a jungle! It was 6:00 AM and already Leroy was moving around the property. By 7:00 the workforce would be present and building the new fence outside our bedroom window. Best to be up and ready to go by then!


Showered and dressed I was watching for Anna’s arrival. Leroy and Reza had not told her when we would be coming. I could hear her singing on the deck in front of our door so I opened it up and said, “Good morning, Anna!” We did catch her by surprise! She did a little dance, we hugged and she cried! It was good to see each other again!

Cesar is no longer working at Calibago. Anna is now the Major Domo, keeper of the keys, with the badge of office – a cellphone –hanging around her neck. Her cousin Lucy is now a housemaid and Anna’s brother, Drago, is a very hard working handyman. We met Drago when he built Anna’s new house last visit. Alex is the new watchman. He has not been here long so we have yet to get to know him. Randy and his partner, Annalin, are temporary help for the building of the wall. Calibago is a growing community! We tease Leroy he is beginning Parok Dove! Parok being a small village such as the one next door. The workers and their families made a large and lively group in the photographs of the Calibago Christmas party.

We spent a quiet day touring the property and catching up on news. Reza had done a beautiful job of decorating our little house. The walls are freshly painted in decorator colours with beautiful hangings. Fresh flowers and potted plants liven up the room. We have a new bedroom suite with a very comfortable bed. There is a full living room suite to relax on. I had Reza come for a visit at our house this time. I should stock tea and cookies!

The gardens are amazing, particularly the heliconia and torch ginger in the front garden. It is now taller than the house and the various blooms are gigantic. There are many new papaya trees loaded with fruit. The mango trees are large but the rain seems to have limited the blooms there do not appear to be mangos coming. Drago brought a ripe mango from his garden for our breakfast. Wonderful!

The river is still high though the flood that covered the entire first level has now abated. Piles of sand remain along the front fence and the debris is still being cleaned up. There are piles of sugar cane deposited from fields up stream that need to be burned. At its height, the water covered the bottom step to the second level. It left the coconut palms laying every which way in its wake. They are standing again and have survived. The trees are probably doing well in the fresh silt left behind.

We watched three little people lug their inner tube up the path and then come floating down the river and right over the rapids covering the rocks in front of Calibago. It looked like they were having a great time! We could hear their excited voices drifting back to us as they disappeared down river. They made the trip a number of times. How many moms would allow that at home?!

We spent our first day quietly at home, relaxing after our long trip. Day two there were errands to run so we went off to Bacolod to visit the hardware store and the mall. Time to get my phone started and some fresh food. We met a dentist in town and booked an appointment for next week. I have been meaning to make an appointment at home but did not get to it. Here there is plenty of time.

Friday we went to the Golf and Country Club to meet friends from the area for lunch. Richard and Joy arrived with their very energetic little boy. He has sure grown since last we were here! Bill and his wife, , came too. All live in and around Mercia so it is nice to get together locally from time to time. The Golf club dining room is noted for its barbeque steak and onions with French fries. It has a lovely lanai on which to relax and visit.

I could not get my computer to talk to the cell phone so I could use it as a modem to connect to the internet. We went back to the mall after lunch and I went from cell phone provider, to cell phone company to technical support and back again all afternoon before the issue was resolved and the connection was working. Boring for everyone else but they stood by until I was done.

After all that we took another day off Saturday and spent it at home alternately puttering about and taking life easy. Lucy came to the door and spoke to Reza while we were having breakfast. Before we finished she was back with Anna doing the talking and Lucy in obvious distress. Reza went off with them and came back with the news Lucy’s 6 year old son had fallen off a water buffalo and broken his arm. It was a compound fracture – the bone sticking through the skin above his elbow. The Barangay has a small ambulance that can navigate the rough narrow road to the village. They were waiting for it to take the little boy to hospital. Boys will be boys in any country!

Dan is slowly trying to remove a stump from beside the house. It will be in the way when Leroy’s plans for an extension take place sometime in the future. I am looking at the garden plot and outlining a structure. I will find a shovel and start shaping it slowly. I can imagine four raised squares for the garden bordered by paths that will drain any excess water and keep the roots from being waterlogged. It will mean creating one level and moving some large rocks – perhaps to be used as stairs at the gate. It can be my slow project to get me in shape in place of a routine at the gym!

At sunset the neighbours put on a show, burning the sugar cane field across the street. Many children came out on the street to watch. Dan and I got our cameras and joined the crowd. Last visit we would have been frightened by fire so close to our little house, but now we know it is a common occurrence. It is still dangerous but less threatening.

We don’t seem to be able to make the evenings last long yet. We turn in very soon after dinner has been eaten and cleaned up. A few minutes relaxing on the lanai under the stars and we say goodnight! We will try to be more social soon!

Back to Bacolod

January 10, 2012

Here we are on the road again! This time we are flying to the Philippines through Taiwan.

We had a long flight last night starting at 12:45 AM. Dinner was served sometime in the middle of the night – I slept through it. I was awake long enough to watch “Moneyball” with Brad Pitt and to get breakfast before landing.

We have a lengthy layover in Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport. It appears to be a nice terminal with areas of interest, green zones, a museum and an art gallery in addition to the shopping.

Being a grandmother, I had to investigate the “Hello Kitty” changing areas. Now that is luxury for the tiny traveller!



We left Taiwan on time. This time we had seats in the upper story of a 747. Very nice! Lots of leg room for Dan and only two seats across by the window. We could see the miles of ocean and eventually Luzon as we came down from the north toward Manila. Lunch was – interesting. We had eaten in Taiwan so I left the main course and enjoyed the coffee and dessert as “afternoon tea”.

We landed in Manila at NAIA Terminal 1, went through customs without incident and collected our luggage. We had plenty of time so chose a shuttle bus that eventually dropped us at Terminal 3 for our connection to Negros. This time we were travelling on AirPhil Express. We had a good deal on our flight – about $50.00 return each. That was with 15 kg of luggage. We had 20+ kg each. Overweight added another $40.00 one way! Note to self – think these things through! On our first big trip we had decided to stop stressing over the luggage – just pack and pay what was required. So we did!

Settled into the departure lounge we listened carefully to hear the flight changes over the hubbub of humanity. Sure enough, one after the other planes were late, flights delayed and eventually ours was affected.

We climbed aboard our small plane 2 hours behind schedule but we were on the final leg of the journey 24 hours after leaving Vancouver. We landed in Bacolod, loaded up our luggage one last time and found Leroy and Reza waiting at the exit. In no time we were in the Pajero heading through the darkness to Calibago. We tried to be social but by 8:00 PM we were tucked in bed in our lovely little house.

Road to Alberta

Thursday, July 7th, 2011.

We drove into the Bow River Provincial Park for the night. There were a number of sites available but we were far above the river. Our view was rolling hills, pine trees and wild flowers. We were near a paved trail but there were too many bugs. It just did not seem like an evening for exploring.

We made hamburgers for dinner then sat around the table talking. Dan and Leroy traded memories of their childhood. Dan would remember some things and Leroy remembered others. They filled in missing pieces of each other’s story. A pleasant, quiet evening – until the wind came up.

The wind grew stronger through the night. It was keening and buffeting the trailer all night long. Dan was wakeful. It reminded us of nights on our sailboat, listening to the wind and feeling the anchor rode to be sure all was well. There is no anchor to worry about in a trailer but there were the trees. Dan was concerned about the stability of the trees on the windward side. Would they come down on us? In the morning we saw the tree to our leeward side was the one to worry about. It had a crack running right up the trunk and it was flexing with each gust of wind – open, close, open. It could pinch your fingers if you got them in the way!

The wind was still blowing as we pulled out. Most of our trip it would be behind us and help with fuel mileage. We stopped by the Ghost Reservoir to watch the strength of the wind whipping the sand into a dust cloud. The waves were breaking on the spillway of the dam. The small sailboats were being tossed like toys in the bay. Dan went to walk on the dock but gave up after about four meters as it corkscrewed crazily under his feet.

We wanted to avoid Calgary and the start of the Calgary Stampede. With the Royals attending it will be far too busy in the vicinity to be towing a trailer through town! Instead, we avoided the Queen Elizabeth II Highway north from Calgary and too a secondary road from Cochrane to Sundre. It was slower but there was much to see in the countryside. There were rolling hills with the mountains to the west of us.

We came to a stop in Sundre waiting at a road construction site. Off to our right a deer came bursting out onto the road. She was confused and frightened by the waiting cars, wheel around abruptly and ran off the way she had come. Then suddenly she came out of the trees again, this time dashing across the road right in front of the truck ahead. She made it safely to the other side and disappeared in the trees.

We turned north again to Caroline then east to Dickson. We were looking for a campground called the “Dickson Leisure Grounds”. We followed the signs to Dickson but did not see any to an RV park. We did find a picturesque little general store – The Dickson Store Museum. It looked like a great place to investigate and to get information.

A retired school teacher dressed in period costume showed us around the store. It was set to look like it would have been in the 1940’s and 50’s. There were 17 families that settled here originally so it was never a big community but the store supplied all their needs – food, fabric and hardware. Many of the items on the shelves were familiar to us. Upstairs were the living quarters. They had rescued the old coal and wood heater that had been thrown into the bush and left to rust. They had put a lot of work into restoring it and it sits in the living room again looking like new. It was a wonderful example of time gone by and we were lucky to have found it.

They did know the RV Park we were looking for and even had a small local map that would show us the way. We were on the right road and continued down to where it ran right along the top of the dam to the other side of the Red Deer River and Gleniffer Lake. From the top of the dam we had a spectacular view of the river valley below us on one side and the lake on the other. Unfortunately, there was nowhere to stop on the narrow road while pulling a trailer so I could not get the pictures I wanted.

While we were having heavy winds the previous night, this area had two tornadoes touch down. We could see grain bins blown over and broken, trees down and limbs with fresh breaks. Finally we found the Park. I walked in to see if they had space. They are no longer open to the public. It is only for people who have purchased the RV lots. There were two other parks in the vicinity that have closed to the public as well. The nearest park that would take overnighters had been hit by the storm and was unlikely to be open for guests.

Finally we reached the Westerners RV Park just off Queen Elizabeth II Highway south of Red Deer. They had no space available in the main park but we could stay the night in the overflow parking. Literally a city parking lot supplied with electricity. If you did not show proof of your overnight permit in the window, you would pay a city parking fine! There were clean washrooms and showers but no other amenities. With the heavy winds still blowing, we were actually glad to settle down for the night with no overhanging trees. We had spent all day to reach a town two hours from where we started.

In the morning Dan found we had a flat tire on the trailer. His next order of business was to have our spare put on and to purchase a new spare for the future. While he and Leroy took care of that, Reza and I got permission to do laundry in the RV Park. No point in wasting a rest stop! I have spent time sitting around a tire shop before. We met up and went for lunch in a Chinese Restaurant in Red Deer then picked up a few groceries.

We were on the road again in the afternoon and wandered the back roads south of Edmonton heading east to Vermillion. It was a pleasant drive in relatively good weather. I took a turn driving and got us safely to our destination. We have stayed in Vermillion twice before and it is a lovely RV Park with an information station, a library, a pool and a mini-golf area. The nicest part is there is space and trees between each site. They have been angled so you are not looking into your neighbour’s windows giving at least an illusion of privacy. We decided to stay two nights and have a break from traveling.

Instead we decided to play tourist for a day and drove north to Elk Point. From there we turned east to Fort George and Buckingham House. Fort George was the old Northwest Trading Company’s fort and Buckingham House was their competition run by the Hudson’s Bay Company. There is little left of either fort except the outlines revealed by archaeologists. But the interpretive center and the tour with our guide were very interesting. We saw buffalo hides, a tepee made of tanned hide with sinew stitching. We tested our ability to create a spark with a flint and steel. We learned how traders might try a bait and switch on the Indian and how the Indian might have a trick or two in return, each trying to get the best deal possible when trading goods for furs.

We only walked out to the Fort George site as the rainy weather made the mosquito population overwhelming. Buckingham House will have to wait for another time!

We enjoyed our break and were ready to carry on the next day. Leroy and Reza left us to visit friends south of Edmonton. We were now headed on to Saskatchewan. By late afternoon we arrived at the farm once more. No one was home but we pulled into our usual spot in the home yard overlooking the endless field of grain. I tidied up our little home and started supper so it would be ready when our host and hostess returned. Dan got out the riding mower and set to getting the lawn under control. It was good to be back!

Brandi

As we drove through the spectacular Rockies today, I got a text message that our Brandi was not doing well. Her balance is gone and she is no longer eating. As the day progressed Danielle and I exchanged messages. Danielle and Anand would take her to the vet at 2:00 PM PDT.

As we drove into Bow River Provincial Park in Alberta, Brandi breathed her last. It was time for her to go. She has been part of our lives a long time and we will miss her deeply.

Road to the Rockies

Sunday, July 3rd, 2011.

We arrived in Revelstoke on Sunday afternoon. The weather was warm and sunny for a change! We pulled into the KOA 2 km. on the east side of the town. There was no problem registering. The weekend crowd had pulled out and more than half the park was empty.

This is the spot I planned to check out for our Family Reunion 2014. There are RV spots, tent spots, “Kamping Kabins” and 2 bedroom deluxe chalets. It would suit any age group and inclination. There is a swimming pool¸ pancake breakfast, teriyaki chicken dinner and ice cream social in the evening. Lots to keep the families busy on the property and even more options in the surrounding area.

Monday morning Dan and I set out to explore the town of Revelstoke. We found our way to the public parking by the Info center and went in to get an overview of the area. The young woman we spoke to was very helpful. We gathered brochures, maps and suggestions then walked about.

I like this town. It is small and well kept. There are a variety of restaurants, interesting shops and two museums. We spent time in the city Museum but did not get to the Railroad museum this time. We found our way to Isabella’s Restaurant for an excellent Italian lunch. The special of the day was plentiful. The KOA gives each family a family pass to the Revelstoke Aquatic center but we did not take the time for that. Instead we went for a walk along the river walk. There are beautiful views of the junction of the Columbia and Illecillewaet rivers against a backdrop of the mountains. Every evening in the summer one of the streets is closed, chairs set up and live music is staged in the plaza.

We went on to check out two other possible RV parks. Canada West RV Park is currently under construction and may be a good option by the time we need it. Canyon Creek RV Park is a Hot Spring and very nice for RVs but the cabins were unsuitable for our needs and amenities were all an additional expense.

We went back to the KOA, had dinner and spent a quiet evening on the internet. We sat outdoors by the office to get the Wi-Fi signal. We had to dress for the mosquitos and black flies after dark. The time flew by and it was one of the latest nights of the trip. We managed to catch up with our mail and family connections.

We had another day to explore while we waited for Leroy and Reza to catch up with us. We had a slow start and then went up Mt. Revelstoke to see the wildflowers on Alpine Meadows Parkway. Unfortunately there had been a rock slide on the road and we did not get very far up the mountain before we had to turn around.

Instead we went for a walk along the Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk. It was another lovely warm day to be out in the sun. Right at the start of the walk we saw a sign warning us bears were in the area. We saw how true it was when we found a pile of scat on the boardwalk! I saw many of the berries that attracted them but I did not see the bears.

We checked out the Coast Hotel just above the KOA. They do have a group discount for rooms and they could cater the family dinner for us either on the deck or in the dining room. It was a lovely hotel with beautiful views over the city and mountains.

It was time to go back to our little home on wheels. Leroy and Reza arrived and we had a pleasant evening around our picnic table enjoying a good dinner and a bottle of wine. This would be an early night as we had all had a busy day.

We toured the property one more time and then packed up. We were heading east to Kinbasket Lake. We had no particular directions but found it on Microsoft Streets and Trips with our GPS. Off we went! It would be a short trip. Even shorter than we planned! The turnoff to the resort was well sign posted – long before the GPS route. We followed the signs down the Canada West logging road across the railroad tracks and into the resort.

Kinbasket Lake Resort would not do for the reunion. The lake was a reservoir that at this time had been drawn down a long way. That made a steep drop to the water and would be a worry for any mother of active small children! The water was not clean or inviting. There was not a lot to do unless you had a boat to go fishing. The long rough road in would not encourage you to go in and out often and nowhere to go if you did.

For us it was a quiet day of napping and reading. Very enjoyable! Quiet that is, except for the trains. I was surprised how many trains ran on this track. There was a gated crossing just above the resorts so we heard the bells of the gate coming down, then the shrill whistle of the train for each one that went by – day and night!

That would be our last night in British Columbia. In the morning, we headed east over the Rogers Pass into the heart of the Rockies. We drove through spectacular views of the mountains around us.

On the shoulder of the road we saw mountain goats grazing peacefully. As I got out to take pictures they watched me and stayed aware of my presence but they did not move off.

Carrying on down the highway, we bypassed Banff and went into Canmore for groceries. For the next few days we will explore Alberta.