May 29, 2016

Welcome to Winnipeg, Manitoba

The intersection of Portage and Main, as seen from Portage eastbound.

It is located in the centre of downtown Winnipeg. The corner is well-known across Canada as the 'Crossroads of Canada" due to its relative proximity to the longitudinal centre of Canda.

We didn't spend a lot of time here, but we did manage to get to see this 'famous' intersection.

Had dinner at a wonderful 'fish and chip' place on Portage Avenue - "The Captain's Table" located in the Slagger Inn.  

May 26, 2016

 The Tunnels of Moose Jaw is a year-round tourist attraction that entertains guests with unique productions of Canadian history. 

It is an attraction that offers an experience like no other. Both tours were equally informative and entertaining. 




We went beneath the streets of downtown Moose Jaw and enjoyed two guided theatrical tours. 

Ticket Office 

We relived Al Capone’s bootlegging days in the Chicago Connection tour and experienced first-hand the hardships of early Chinese immigrants in the Passage to Fortune tour. 

As no photos are allowed underground - these are 'borrowed' from the internet.

Mr Dawson in River Street tunnel - Passage of Fortune Tour

In the Burlap Factory - Passage of Fortune Tour 

In the Gun Room - Chicago Connection Tour

Gus in the 'escape route' Fireplace - Chicago Connection Tour

May 25, 2016

The end of a good day!  Relaxing at a rest stop just west of Swift Current, Saskatchewan. 

We enjoyed a wonderful visit and an awesome dinner with Suzanne and Harry (Michel’s sister) last night. 

Today we are actually on our way.

Welcome to the southern Alberta town of Vulcan.  The entire town is devoted to the memory of Star Trek!  

The Tourist Information Center has tons of collectibles, as well as gifts for purchase, and a studio with costumes you can actually wear to take photos of yourself with crew members.  There is a bust of Leonard Nemoy as well as his hand print in the downtown area, there are murals and pictures of the Star Trek Crew, everywhere you turn there is memorabilia.  

As a Treckie, Michel was in his glory.  

We enjoyed wandering  around the town for a few  hours.

Tomorrow we plan to be in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Looking forward to touring the Tunnels!

May 25, 2016

Last night Michel went with Rob to a hockey game. They had great seats - just behind the railing you see in this first picture.

The Memorial Cup, held in Red Deer May 19-29th, is Junior Hockey at its finest. 


The Memorial Cup is a four team, round-robin tournament between a host team (Red Deer Rebels) and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and Western Hockey League. 








Last nights game saw the London Knights win 5-2 over the  Rouyn-Noranda Huskies to earn their spot in the championship game. The fourth team in this competition this year are the Brandon Wheat Kings

We'll have to wait now until Sunday for the final outcome. Our son-in-law Rob loves hockey and hasn't missed a game in this tournament - nor does he plan to. 

May 24, 2016

My handsome grandson Tristan is 19 now and a working man!! I can't believe it.  Where does the time go? He started a full time job today with a construction company in Red Deer. He's excited, and we are excited for him. 

May 24, 2016

Spent the long weekend north of Grimshaw visiting my son Farren and his little family.  We had hoped to bring Melody up with us, but her mom had other plans for her for the weekend, so we were unable to do so.  But we enjoyed our visit anyway.  

Violet has grown so much..... she's 15 months now and quite a little personality! She's a busy little love bug. She kept us entertained !

going for a walk

 As per usual, Alberta's weather is predictable - snow on the May long weekend!  The snow actually blew in on Thursday to a height of about a foot.  When we arrived at Farren's on Friday afternoon, the power was out (and had been since the middle of the night), and he was busy getting a generator hooked in. The power came back on around 6:30 that night, so we carried on with our weekend. But the snow didn't stop the kids, or the dogs from having fun! And it certainly didn't slow down the weekend. 

Sasha and Seger

Monday morning brought sunshine, and with that the rest of the snow melted and turned into a very nice warm day.  We drove out to Sulphur Lake, which is about 50 km from Farrens. Here we enjoyed the sunshine and relaxed a little more.  Violet enjoys the great outdoors, and was busy exploring while the dogs were busy running into and out of the lake.   

Michel looking out at the lake

We were sure happy that we decided to stay the extra day. We don't get to spend very much time with Farren, so this was very special for me.  Jade and Farren showed us a very good time and I got some top notch snuggle time with Violet. Thank you - and remember I love you to the moon and back!

May 18, 2016

 A trip to Alberta just wouldn't be the same without spending some time with Alice and Norman in Edmonton.

And although our time with them is short we always manage to have some laughs and "catch up".


A few updated pictures were in order.

May 12, 2016

Last night - a little mother/daughter time - 

Paint Nite in Red Deer.

There were at least 40 people in attendance, and although it looks like they were all women, there were two men who accompanied their wives for 'date night'. 

The event took place at the Heritage Bowling Lanes. 






Tammy and I painted a likeness to the advertised one , but others used their imaginations with color as well as content. 












We had a good time, laughed a little and met some very nice 'artistic' ladies!!

May 8, 2016

Happy Mothers Day!

L to R:  Len and Deb Wald, Rob and Tammy, Michel. (missing: Tristan)

Thursday we arrived at my daughters place, south of Ponoka. Here we will hang our hat until we begin our trip to the east coast after the May long weekend.

My BFF Deb and her husband Len drove up from St. Albert to spend the weekend with us.  We had a super BBQ on Saturday afternoon. My grandson Tristan had to work so he is missing from this picture.   Sunday (Mothers Day) we were all together for brunch at the Castle Restaurant in Ponoka.

May 3-4, 2016

So far our mileage has been minimal. Yesterday we left Kamloops and went as far as Spillimacheen. Gone by noon and arrived in time for happy hour!










Here we visited with good friends Dennis and Nola.

Spillimacheen is in the Rockies along the Columbia River and we are always in awe at the spectacular view from their yard. 










A short visit later and we are on our way again!  Wonderful to spend time with such good friends! 

May 2, 2016

Monday morning we left for Kamloops.  As it is only a couple of hours drive from Kelowna, we arrived around noon.  We just parked our motorhome on the road near their place. 

We spent the afternoon with Ginette. Doug arrived that evening, after a week at work in Moose Jaw, Sask. 

We had a great visit. As we have not seen them since December when we left Sky Valley, we had a lot to catch up on.

Take care you two - see you in the spring!

May 1, 2016

This weekend we are in Kelowna.  We helped to move Michels mom and dad into the Okanagan Chateau after the sale of their townhouse. 

Robert Conklin is the Remax Realtor who worked so hard to sell their place. 

Pictured on the right is Robert and his lovely wife Linda. 







And here we are having lunch at the Kelowna Yacht Club with Robert and Linda Conklin.

A big Thank You to you for your hard work! (and for lunch!)

April 30, 2016

April skimmed by and kept us fairly busy.  The weather was wonderful, so we were able to get some yard work done, and get the motorhome ready for our cross-Canada trip.  

We did manage to have some fun in the midst of our hard work though - lol

Pictured left is Boundary Falls. It is a medium sized waterfall (about 40 feet in height) on Boundary Creek, located about half way between Greenwood and Midway.
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We walked along the Canada Trail on a couple of occasions, one time taking the camera for a couple of shots at the south end looking north.....

 
I am sure you have all noticed this Tunnel of Flags as you have driven south through our little city.  There is an interesting story behind this tunnel, so I have included a link for you to check out....

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMMR6T_Tunnel_of_Flags_Greenwood_BC

We had some visitors too this month. My cousin Lou and Grace (Richard), on their way home from Yuma, stopped by to say hi.  They were staying for a time in Osoyoos and made the drive to Greenwood to spend the afternoon with us.  It was great to see them again - Thank you for taking the time and making the drive! We appreciate it.





We also had a visit from good friends Bob and Ann, from West Kelowna. Always good to see them and spend some time together.