August 1, 2015: Things are Heating Up
Greetings again! We have survived unexpectedly chilly (and windy) weather in Birch Bay where we visited with cousins Rich and Shirley Henderson, and travelling companions – Mike and Marlene Harris. (Rich, Mike and I did our annual “Village Inn Pub” hamburger” lunch and visit to Yeager’s Sporting Goods while Sandy Shirley and Marlene found other more appealing things to do.) Mike helped me organize my fishing gear for the northern journey, and talked me out of buying a new truck and camper, so I guess I am in Sandy’s “A-list” status. (Might be a good time to purchase some new tools!)
Last Friday, we continued our annual visitations to Penticton’s South Beach Gardens on Skaha Lake. The weather continued unsettled for 2 more days, and we had several chilly and wet days before the sun returned to provide typically blistering hot Penticton summer weather. Our son-in-law, Doug Lindsay and our granddaughter Hannah arrived a bit later on Friday and daughter, Paula joined us the next day after completing a shift with Surrey Library Services.
Hannah converses with South Beach Garden denizens.
By Monday, the weather had improved and Lindsays’ friends from Walnut Grove, Grant and Jane Sauer and two daughters and son (Cassi, Mikayla, and Benjamin) joined us in the neighbouring site. Their third daughter, Gabriela, joined the gathering on Thursday.
From left: Mikayla, Gabriela, Jane, Grant, Benjamin, Cassi
Sandy and I had visits with cousins Jan and Darrell Beebe, and family friend, Carmen Bliss during the week. On Tuesday, we visited our aunt, Gerry Gaplette in her lovely new digs in Summerland with her daughter, Kim. A trip to the local GMC dealership on Wednesday was necessary in order to replace our fuel filter, so we are ready, I think, for our northern run. We actually made it to the beach on 3 occasions, but that pleasure, and sun-soaking activities seems to fade in importance (and increase in dangers!) as years go by.
Our Penticton stay ended on Friday, and we began our trip north with a first stop to visit our cousins in Peachland – Norm and Shirley Caplette. They have rebuilt a damaged fifth wheel which was given to them and the resulting RV is pretty impressive. They should have great times travelling in that vehicle. Our day ended at Knutsford RV just south of Kamloops on Hwy 5A. Our original designated site was in the open, and since the temperature was hovering at about 37C, and wifi wasn’t available at our site, I whined (just a little) at the office. We were immediately given a beautiful site with a very literary “babbling brook” running right behind our campsite – and fully in shade! What a relief! Then, having secured a shady site, we abandoned it to head into Kamloops for an afternoon and evening with our dear friends – the Siggers family.
We will gather our resources here until Monday when we begin the next stage of our northern journey – hopefully for a full Alaska loop as well as explorations of Yukon and northern BC. As always, we keep an open mind about destinations and routes. Meanwhile, we will plan on seeing our Kamloops Thuot family while we are here, and enjoy air conditioning as much as possible as temperatures once again soar.
Sandy has decreed that her visits to quilting shops to pick up free plans (at every quilt shop in North America, I think) don’t count against her, and thus, I cannot balance her visits out with trips to tool shops. Will I ever understand the rules?
Much love and best wishes to all, and I hope that you continue to enjoy your summers – wherever you are!
Sandy, the Quilter, and Tony, the Quill
roadquill1 
Ahoy land sailors! We arrived home on Sunday (26th), 5 weeks at sea! Had a lovely time … met up with Barb & Harv Hall in Pender Harbour and ended up “buddy boating” for most of our time out. We didn’t make it to the Central Coast, spent two nights in Port McNeill waiting for a “window” for Queen Charlotte Strait but it wasn’t to be. I keep having to remind Ieuan that “I am not Tony” and not so inclined to head out when it’s really windy, like blowing over 15, or calling for it! But in this case it was worse than that … 35 to 40 and gusting! No thank you! … and all were in total agreeance. So we switched to Plan B, the Broughtons, and it was awesome. Had a great time with Ursula & Gabe for the first week (in Desolation), met up with Dan & Rita for a couple nights, and then the Matwicks in Ballet Bay on the way home. Only one day of “real” rain … and was it “real!” Heading out again on Alaunia next week to Gibson’s for a few days, for a birthday party in Roberts Creek. Should be fun! Sounds like you guys are having a great time as usual … keep on truckin’! Miss you! Be safe! 😊 xo
Shiela Legg
August 1, 2015 at 5:24 pm
Great update and sounds like you are having a super time and seeing lots of friends and family.
I just cant figure out why you ‘boys’ have such difficulty with the RULES. LOL Safe travels.
Gail Lambourne
August 1, 2015 at 10:06 pm
Thanks Gail! I have about 8 weeks to figure it out – maybe.
coastmariner
August 2, 2015 at 9:13 am
Hey sailors! I would envy you, but I would be missing my road sailing buddy too much! Calm waters, and gentle breezes (for Shiela!)
coastmariner
August 2, 2015 at 9:12 am
Wow, you haven’t even hit the open road and your have visited all and sundry! Well done, to the traveling duo. Sounds like it is going to be a great adventure. Thinking of you both especially in the “heated” parts with no shade. vi
violet
August 2, 2015 at 9:07 am
We’ll try to ‘stay cool’ Vi! Appreciate your thoughts.
coastmariner
August 2, 2015 at 9:14 am
Hi Sandy Hope you are inching your way north and visiting each and every quilt shop along the way. Not to worry about things here…we finally got the waterslide built in your back yard and we were having a great time until the snoopers from the city arrived to say that it wasn’t a watering day….Told them you wouldn’t mind and would foot the bill but they weren’t at all friendly. They even made us board up the windows in Tony’s workshop saying that those dogs we got from the SPCA were causing a disturbance.
Happy Travels DeeCee
Sent from my iPad
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Diane Cripps
August 2, 2015 at 8:11 pm
Hi Diane. Just leave all structures in place. I shouldn’t have trimmed our hedge down so that the snoopers could see into the yard. Sorry about that, but they might not have been so interested if you had left your clothes on. The dogs and I will enjoy the water slide when I get home! Much love! Tony
coastmariner
August 3, 2015 at 7:33 am
Hey you! How can you pass through Peachland and not visit us??? Can you come by (and stay?) on your way back???? Would love to see you both!
Xoxoxt
Tanya Northcott
tnttanya@gmail.com
Cell: 604-817-2144
Fax: 778-479-3388
Desk: 778-479-0088
Tanya Northcott
August 3, 2015 at 11:03 am