October 30, 2014

Well, here's what we've been up to for the last 10 days, since we left home. 

We did our usual route again this year, spending our first night along the Salmon River in Idaho, and meeting up with good friends Rich and Tina in Jackpot, NV. for our second night on the road. 

And speaking of road - this is what you see all through Nevada.... just a long straight highway. 

Night #3 at Pahranagat Wildlife Reserve just north of Vegas. This is becoming an annual stop. It is 2 miles in on gravel so it is dusty, but we figure it's worth it.

Day #4 and 5 we spent in Laughlin, NV, arriving early and parking at the Casino. Here we took in a movie and tried our luck on the casino floor.  I played Bingo and won $100.00 so I was excited!!!



On Day #6 (Friday) we got to Yuma. But not without a stop for lunch at Silly Al's in Quartzite, AZ.   They make the absolute BEST pizza we have ever eaten, so we have to make the stop at least once a year!











Other Pizza joints could take lessons from these guys on how to make pizza. It is so loaded with 'stuff' and the crust is just so nice and crunchy..... I'm hungry just talking about it....







So we dry camped at the Q Casino outside of Yuma until Tuesday, the 10th day of our journey south. In that time Michel got new glasses - and I had all kinds of dental work done....Ouch, ouch and more ouch! But now I'm done, so that is a good feeling. Still a little sore from having a wisdom tooth extracted, but nonetheless a good feeling to be finished at the dentist. 

We met up with old friends Russ and Mary Thomas, whom we met way back in 2005 in San Felipe (they now live in Yuma) and their friends Wayne and Cheryl (Yakima, WA).  We had lunch in Algodones, MX then just hung out with them for awhile, enjoying our visit. 



That brings us up to today - we arrived here in Sky Valley on Tuesday, put our motorhome into the park storage and settled into Steve and Doreen's park model. 

We said hello to Doug and Ginette and later we enjoyed happy hour with them on their deck (they live two doors down)





We'll be here for two months and we are both looking forward to it. 

Our deck looks onto the horseshoe pit, so Michel wandered over this morning and joined the men in a game or two.  Then coffee afterwards.  I think we will enjoy our stay here. 

October 7, 2014

We spent a relaxing week at my daughter Tammy's new place just south of Ponoka. Her fiance Rob bought a beautiful house on the Wolf Creek Golf Course where they are making a home for their family. Pictured on the right is  my daughter and her fiance Rob, my grandson Tristan, and their dogs, Tejah and Cooper. The cat (Ashes) wouldn't sit for a photo.  

My son Farren came down from Grimshaw for the weekend and we picked up his daughter Melody from her place in Red Deer, so I got to enjoy the company of all my kids and grands for the weekend. 

This was the first time in four years that we've all been together, so we took advantage of it for an updated photo shoot.
Me and my kids and grands - sure was nice to wrap my arms them. 

Then we travelled north a bit more - to Edmonton - where we visited with my cousin Norman and his wife Alice. It's always great to spend some time with them. 

This year we also got in a visit with Norman's older brother Larry and his wife Norma. Last year they were still in Casa Grand, Arizona when we came through so we never got the chance to see them. It was nice to see them again after many years. (stolen picture from fb - Norma and Larry)

Last but certainly not least we spent the weekend with my girlfriend Deb and her husband Len. (another stolen picture - Len, Deb and two of their grands) We had a great weekend of visiting.

We left on Sunday morning, stayed with Dennis and Nola again in Spillamasheen then carried on home on Monday morning. 

Had a wonderful couple of weeks, but are happy to be home. Now we have to get ready to drive south. 

September 24, 2014

Michel and Dennis in front of their house in Spillamasheen

We usually make our annual visit to Alberta in the spring but because of my hand surgery in April, we are making the trip this fall. First stop Radium Hot Springs. Well in reality we were in Spillamasheen, which is about 20 minutes north of Radium. 

Here we visited for the evening and enjoyed the hospitality of friends Dennis and Nola Alt.  

This picture of us is in front of the cute little cabin where we slept.








And Nola cooked for us. Yummmy!! Cedar Plank Salmon on the BBQ.












We really enjoyed our visit. We are very blessed to have good people like these in our lives and look forward to the next time we get together.

August 27, 2014

 Today we attended the wedding of Shane Nixon to Karen Gebhart in Summerland. Mid-week weddings are kinda rare, but this Alberta couple saw this place on holidays last year and decided that their outdoor wedding had to take place there. The place is Punta Norte Bed and Breakfast, located on the lake just north of Summerand along Hwy 97. and this was the only date open for them. Go figure eh? 











Shane is the youngest of Michel's nephews and the last one to get married.  

They had a small ceremony officiated by Shane's father Pat Nixon in front of a small gathering of about 100 select friends and family.

Shane being a BIG Green Bay Packers fan - well check out the cake - need I say more !! He's a cheesehead! 

The dancing started around 9 after a wonderful meal of BBQ pork and chicken.

It was a very nice wedding, a lovely venue and everyone enjoyed visiting with family and friends.

Congratulations and best wishes to Shane and Karen Nixon.

August 23, 214

Fun in the Pub with friends!

We don't often spend the evening in the pub, but we met up on this occasion to have dinner and listen to the songs of Johnny Cash.  And I must say that this impersonator did a bang up job! 

Eileen, Myself and Doreen

Pictured above is Steve and Jack

The dinner special was a rack of ribs w/ baked potato and salad. It too was very good - fall off the bone ribs - yummy!

The beer flowed along with the conversation and laughter. 







And here on the right - the Man in Black himself who sang song after song from 8 pm until almost 10:30. 

The Greenwood Saloon was stand-up full. I don't think the bar fills to capacity very often, and it looked like everyone was enjoying themselves. I know we did!!

This is the only photo Michel was in all evening because he is the one snapping all the pictures.

We closed the bar down and were home by Midnight. Kevin, the owner was getting anxious for us to leave - lol. We were told that midnight is rather late for the bar to be open. 

Sure is different now than when we were younger. I remember closing the bar down at 2 am....

August 19, 2014

We've met such nice people in the years we've been park attendants at Boundary Creek and Jewel Lake Provincial Parks. A few of these we look forward to seeing year after year.  Barry and Helen Caywood are two of these people. They live in Saskatchewan and always manage to visit us in Greenwood on their round trip through Alberta and BC to see family. 

We did a little road trip with them this year to see their property, which is on the tip top of a hill overlooking Midway. You can get there by accessing the Gidon Forestry Road.  But I warn you it's a good ten mile drive. 






We just looked around for a bit, picked a few raspberries. There is a wonderful view from way up there.  









On our way back down we stopped to see the City of Paris, also known as #7 Ghost Camp. 

Number 7 mine mined silver, lead, zinc, and gold and ran from 1899 to around 1908. It was abandoned for around 2 years after 1908 reactivated and shut down permanently around 1912. 






Many of the old buildings in the lost City of Paris have been torn down by the current gold mine appropriation in the area. (Such a loss to history) 
We found No.7 mine buildings and portals are intact but the cabins are starting to decay significantly.






We had a good day, gathered around the campfire that evening and enjoyed our company. Safe travels to Barry and Helen, until we meet up again!!



CHEERS!

August 16, 2014

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Today two became one; 

that simple - that beautiful. 

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Ranier

Ray (Yogi) and Dawn exchanged vows and rings in a very small and intimate ceremony on the beach at Jewel Lake Provincial Park. He proposed to her at this park two years ago and it was very fitting that the wedding take place here as well.  They asked us to witness this special day and share in the celebration. We were honoured! (They are regular campers at Jewel Lake and we've gotten to know them quite well over the last 6 years as park attendants.) 

Bud, who is a close friend of theirs officiated the wedding and other than him there were no others invited - and no one else even knew.

After the nuptials we went back up to their campsite where we all signed the register. Then we shared champagne and toasted to the new bride and groom.

The bride and groom with their witnesses back at the campsite.