more on Lillooet

I find Lillooet a rather interesting little town. It is one of the oldest communities in BC. It is Mile Zero on the original Caribou Gold Rush Road. It was quite the little boom town in the 1850-60's with up to 15,000 people. It is the home of "Ma" Murray.

Yesterday we drove to the "Old Bridge" which was constructed in 1913. While there, we watched an Osprey feeding her young. The nest was on top of one of the bridge spans. Cool! This bridge is no longer in use.

The new "Bridge of the 23 Camels" was opened in 1980. It was named in honour of the ornery beasts who were brought here from Asia during the gold rush. Someone thought they would make ideal pack animals, but that idea turned in to a nightmare. They ate the miners clothing, kicked anyone or anything that came close, frightened other animals with their pungent odor, plus their soft feet were cut to ribbons on the treacherous roads. They were abandoned and left to roam in the wild.

Also interesting is the "Jade Walk". Lillooet area was home to the first jade mines in BC. Jade is BC's official gemstone and BC is considered to have the largest deposits of 'nephrite' jade in the world. Thirty different art pieces of Jade have been cut, polished and are mounted and displayed around the town. Both Ron and I are curious as to why noone steals these? Although they would be heavy to heist, they must be worth quite a bit of bucks!?

We enjoyed another campfire last night. It was the first night we slept without the heater this trip! Nights are still pretty chilly. Today looks like a mix of sun and cloud. Hopefully no rain?

And today's plan? Dave will arrive about noon and we will head to his place after lunch. With a pot of chili for supper.

Cache Creek / Cayoosh Creek and Lillooet

Brookside Campsite
Site #76 - $31, p/w/s, Internet 1133557799, Temp 24C

Cache Creek = Friendly neighbors + too much drink. When one of our neighbors was struggling to put up his canopy. Ron offered a helping hand and we then joined them for a beer. Except we'd already had a couple. Plus, when you have Shrimp for dinner, that calls for a bottle of wine. Right?

And? It was a beautiful evening for a campfire. Ron started chatting with the four American fishermen camped beside us. They were pouring Black Russians. Ouch. The fishermen were on their way to Alaska. It was interesting that they were going to Soldotna where our friends (via Charlie) have a place.
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Cayoosh Creek Campground
Site #8 - $30, p/w (boil water advisory), Temp 24C

We are now camped in Lillooet about 15 minutes from David's place. There is a 13% grade hill to get to his place, so we chose not to take the 5th wheel there. He will be arriving tomorrow.

I was hoping to have internet here, but the new campground owners haven't set up yet. We are connecting via the local Remax office. Hopefully Dave will get his internet up and running when we get there?

Vernon to Cache Creek

It was a difficult 'goodbye' for me this morning. I truly loved getting to know Owen. Those big smiles for Grandma were priceless. I will miss the snuggles and the cuddles. A lot!

Our time in Vernon? Well, you know what I was busy doing every day. Ron helped Jeff install a new exterior door. It was a bit of a challenge but the end result was that it looks great and it works like it is supposed to! Not bad for a couple amateur carpenters!

Last night, Christal's parents, sister and two children joined us for a barbeque followed by visiting around the firepit at Jeff & Christal's. Fun times. Good to see everyone again.

Tonight's destination was Juniper Beach Prov Pk between Kamloops and Cache Creek. Guess what? No room at the inn. It has already filled up for the long weekend. On to Cache Creek and Brookside Camping. The downside? No river and we are closer to highway noise. The upside? No trains and free wifi.

Oh, have I mentioned the sunshine and 24C weather?

Kelowna Days

Busy time in Kelowna. Lots of visiting. Good food. A little drink. Some dice & yahtzee. Ball games. Plus Dave installed two new toilets for Doug.

And, oh yes, there was that bike ride. I opted out of the ride when Rina & Remy chose not to go. Male bonding time. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a little early for biking in the Myra Canyon. Did you see the pics? There was still plenty of snow and mud puddles on the trail. Dave discovered that bikes don't forge well through deep snow. He arrived home limping with a groin injury. Doug was limping with sore knees. It would appear that the oldest and the youngest were in better shape! However, all four claim they did enjoy the ride despite the obstacles and their injuries. The three ladies? We were very glad we had stayed home! 

Yesterday we watched Remy play ball. Her all girls team plays in the boys league. Remy pitched a great game and I loved seeing those lads get beat! Jeff, Christal and Owen drove up for the game and were able to have a short visit with Dave before he headed back to Vancouver.

This morning we move back to Vernon for a few days. Also. We have decided to camp at Lillooet for the long weekend and we will spend some time with Dave at his Cayoosh Creek property. I believe paint brushes may be involved.

We are in Kelowna

Orchard Hill RV Park
Site #5 - $35, p/w/s, cable, Internet

And we are camped in the Orchard Hill RV Park where we stayed last year. The apple trees are in full bloom. Very pretty!

Last night we had dinner with Doug & Rina. This afternoon we are having coffee with Ron's cousin, Paul Seemann.

David is driving up from Vancouver for the weekend. The plan is for all of us to bike the Myra Canyon trestles on Saturday. Forecast: Showers. We are trying to ignore this and hopefully it will go away. Also, Remy has a double-header ball game on Sunday which will be better viewed in the sunshine!

We paid for five nights, but if we can get a refund on that fifth night, we will leave after Remy's morning games on Sunday. The Vernon campground should be open by then and we will head there for a few days. The trick now is to come up with a plan for the May long weekend. Camping spots can be difficult to come by on the first busy camping weekend of the year.

Enderby, BC

Riverside Campground
Site #45 - $33, p/w, Internet, Temp 17C

Our destination when we left Bow Valley yesterday was Mara Lake. No such luck. Most of the campgrounds at this lake have turned into Resorts with the lots for purchase only. We could only find two campgrounds that accept over-nighters. They won't be open until the May long weekend.

And so we are in Enderby. At a municipal campground, beside the town Sport Complex and along the Shuswap River. It is decent and quiet at a "not so bargain price" of $33/night. Damn.. camping is getting expensive! I won't mention the $145. fuel costs to fill the tank. Yikes. We are definitely spending our children's inheritance.

The weather? AWESOME! Sunshine, warm temps, no wind. This morning we drove over to Mabel Lake. Pretty scenery. Horrible road. For that reason we wouldn't consider camping there. Unless there is a better way to get there??

Jeff, Christal and Owen drove up from Vernon and spent the afternoon with us. This is where I pull out my 'Brag Book', show you my pictures and tell you how awesome my littlest grandson is... And he is! A little sweetheart!









We decided to spend another night here and check out some more of the local attractions. And.. hopefully we will come up with a plan for the next leg of our journey!

Kananaskis, AB

Bow Valley Prov Pk

Site #E25 - $29, p only water off, TV, cell Temp 12C

Night one in Kananaskis. At a bargain price of $29. because the water wasn't turned on yet ;)



The drive here? The temperature dipped to 4C in the Bragg Creek area. There were many snow banks scattered throughout the Preddis Green Golf Course. One wonders when golf season will start for them? Also, I'm thinking "Camping?? 'What the hell are we doing?"

West of Calgary it was back to 12C and we were pleasantly surprised once we set up camp and settled in for our customary first beer. It was beautiful! If it weren't for those little snow banks scattered about our campsite, one might easily be convinced that it was a mid summer day!





We managed to have a campfire and barbeque dinner before that first crack of thunder. And then. Pouring rain. Thus ended our time outdoors. We are very thankful for modern day camping. With solid walls, furnaces, comfy sofas and hockey night in Canada!

Back on the road at 10 am. The trip through Banff Nat Pk? Winter blizzard conditions. Eeecch. Nerves. I'm just glad it was a fairly short stretch.

Starting Out - Westward Ho, Spring 2011

After what has seemed to be an extra long, cold winter, we have finally declared it Spring Camping Time. I didn't get an email off before we left home, so I am writing as we travel. Westward.


The temp is only 12C. There is a lot of water in the fields from the excessive snow this winter. The crews are out in full force cleaning the ditches. Ah.. springtime.

The plan, you say? Well - - we are not exactly sure. We are headed towards grandchildren. Vernon, Kelowna, Vancouver. Our first stop was to be Vernon, but the campground down the street from Jeff and on the lake is not open until May 15. That has somewhat dictated our arrival time there. We may have to 'poke about' until that time.

Tonight we will camp in the Canmore area. Originally we had thought Bow Valley Prov Pk. And then, we remembered the $34. cost from when we were there in June 2009. And so, the plan may change.

Anyway, I shall be in touch. Once again I am dependent on when I can find internet connections. However, I am hoping you hear from me regularly!

Feb 9-16, 2011: Puerto Vallarta - Mike & Gail's Wedding

Ahhhh... Puerto Vallarta... Sunshine, sand & sipping. Awesome week. A pretty lazy one for me. I never left the resort. Ron did go for a couple walks. I alternated between sitting 

on the beach or sitting by the pool. 

One can get pretty spoiled at 'all inclusives' by having lunch & drinks delivered on the beach. I've heard people complain that meals at all inclusives can get pretty boring with the same foods daily, but no complaints here. There were many choices, changed up daily and I was very impressed with quantity & quality.

There was a 'Beach Party' on the day we arrived with a huge buffet served on the beach. We could do lunches on the beach or had a choice of two dine-in places. For dinner there was an added fancy restaurant that required reservations & children weren't allowed. Ron & I didn't go there, but others in the group went and said it was pretty awesome. Ron & I hung with grandson's Ryley, Jack, Simon & Morgan the night the parents dined. We taught them to play "Pass the Ace" and laughed when Kari informed us that Morgan said it was the best time so far!! Mouths of babes, eh!?

Besides Kesslars (Ron's children, spouses & their children) there was Gail's parents, her sister-in-law & daughter, Terry (& her son) who works with Mike & about 4 other friend couples. One couple (parents of the ring bearer) brought both their mothers. So we were a group of about 47.

Part of the group went on a day excursion of ziplining, riding donkeys, a jeep tour and rappelling down a waterfall. It appeared to be quite a highlight. A few did some sailing trips and snorkelling. There was lots of beach & pool volleyball played, a karaoke night, water aerobics, pool table games, dancing & music in the lobby area and the hotel put on various entertainment nights, so there was always something going on.

And the wedding. Beautiful bride, handsome groom, lovely venue:

Arriving home, Feb 26, we got to Calgary at 10:30 p.m. By the time we got through customs and waited over 3/4 hr. for our shuttle back to the hotel to pick up our vehicle it was midnight when we left Calgary. After spending the morning on the beach in +26C weather and arriving home to -20C weather in Calgary, it was quite a shock to the system! We were exhausted when we crawled in to bed at 3 a.m. Ron felt a cold coming on and he ended up in bed until noon the next day and he remained in his PJ's for the day. Feeling lousy.

And that sums up our week in Mexico. I am now getting summer 'washed & put away'. Sob.
And NOONE is serving me breakfast anymore! Damn!