Leavenworth, WA - 2

The best part about retirement, not pre-planning a trip and not having to make reservations is that you can always change your mind about where you go and how long you stay. And we do that frequently!

We inquired about moving to another spot at Wenatchee State Park, but all the sites had been booked for the weekend. Not surprised with a weekend forecast of 27 & 29C. No problem. There are also many Forestry Campgrounds in the area. The sites are non-serviced and 'first come first serve'.

Tumwater Forestry
Site #14 - $17, n/s, no Internet, Temp 16C (and rising!)

So, we drove the 17 km down the road to the Tumwater Forestry Campground. Where we had camped four years ago. It was nearly empty when we arrived, but by Friday evening, many of the sites were taken. Although I miss not having power, I love this campground. It is well treed and very private. The sound of the gurgling river running along side us is awesome.

Most of the campers here are tenting. Even though it is warm during the day, it is still getting down to 6C at night. Brrr. I do not envy them. We had our little catalytic heater running all night. Our inside temp of 14C was comfy.

There is a large "River Run Recreational Group" camped here. All have their own Rafts or Pontoon boats. We would have loved to have seen them in action but we weren't sure where they launched or rode to. The Wenatchee River Rapids are mighty powerful in some areas. I'm sure it would have been great fun to see.

Our weekend was pretty laid back. A couple trips around the campgrounds on our bikes, some reading and campfires. Three days with no internet.

Leavenworth, WA

Such a beautiful drive along Hwy 2. Like a rain forest. Lush and green. We had trouble finding a campground however. We ended up driving to Wenatchee State Park near Leavenworth, WA. Arrival time 5 pm. That is a long day for us. On top of that stressful border crossing. The Steven Pass to get here was pretty chilly with temps dipping to 4C. Lots of snow in the pass still.

Wenatchee State Park - North
Site #116 - $29, p/w (pull through), no Internet, Temp 11C

Unfortunately there was an emergency closure on more than half the campsites in this State Park. The trees have developed root rot and are falling. Such a shame. I wonder what that means for the future of this park.

This morning we road our bikes around the park and through a subdivision along the Wenatchee River. Very pretty area. The temp is only about 15C, but the sun is shining and it feels warmer. We are now off to buy some groceries. Tomatoes, peppers, oranges, lemons. All those banned products that we weren't allowed to bring with us. Plus we need to get some American cash. The warden knocked on our door this morning. He didn't like our Canadian funds. Even though it is worth more right now.

This truck was in the parking lot at the town grocery. We will stay here tonight, but this spot is booked for the weekend. Next stop Lincoln Rock State Park on the other side of Wenatchee.

Crossing the Border

Have I mentioned how ridiculous camping prices are getting? Cultus Lake was $43. plus $10. for internet (we didn't get it) PLUS Richard and Janice had to pay $10. to visit us. Stupid stupid.

However we enjoyed the evening and the opportunity for another visit with Richard and Janice. They came for supper and we drank some of that illegal vodka and burned all that contraband wood.

Today? Back to the border. And another wait. And another search. The wood / tomato felons. Crap I hate US Customs. I am sure we are 'on the list' and will have to go through this every time now. Also? That tomato got put in the garbage and today's search 'uncovered' it. She was not happy. But she let us go because she was too busy to deal with it further. Oh, and she found some kind of bean pod in Ron's underwear drawer. No idea what it was but Ron has a habit of collecting some weird little 'treasurers'. It had been there for sometime and very dried out. Never the less it was a seed. Seeds are also on the banned list. Bad us.

Anyway.. We are free and wandering in the US. Down Hwy 9 to Hwy 2. We are currently having lunch in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. In a church parking lot. Across from a hotel with free internet. We will look for a campsite somewhere around Snohomish. I will update when I can.

The Best Laid Plans/Wasted Morning

Sunnyside Campground
Site #1 - $43, p/w/s, Visitors $10, Internet $10, Temp 16C

Yesterday we had a relatively quiet day in the 5th wheel. A 'catch up' day of cleaning and some grocery shopping. It was great to see and spend time with the Vancouver gang.

Today? Not the best. Our plan was to head south and meander home the US route. Before we left, my laptop power cord broke. And you know me. It's my addiction, my crutch. Plus it is our 'link' to home when we travel in the US.

So, Ron headed to Future Shop for a replacement while I readied the RV for travel. It was tough to spend the $90 when it is my intention to buy a new laptop. I am hoping to find one in the US. And back at the Future Shop, Ron had to wait until the 10 am store opening. He wasn't real happy about that.

And off we go to the border. We buy a duty free vodka and we sit 1/2 hr in the lineup. We get pulled over for the Agriculture inspection because of the food in our fridge. It always happens. We pass the food inspection. The wood in our wood box? No way. I have warned Ron re this but he likes to think he can get away with it by saying it's lumber. Problem is, the "lumber" has bark. The US customs really doesn't like that. And, it turns out they don't seize wood as with other banned substances. We must return it to the Canadian side ourselves. So back we go. To Canada.

Now? We are on our way to Cultus Lake, BC. We will burn that firewood and we will probably cross the border later this week. At a different crossing! And dammit, I am going to enjoy that duty free vodka that we brought back over the border. Illegally! 

*clink*

Vancouver Days

Tynehead RV Park
Site #71 - $41.50 (6+1 free), p/w/s, internet TYNEHEAD1161, Temp 14-17C

It is Day 4 of our commute between Surrey/Vancouver and Surrey/New Westminster. Ack! The traffic. I will NEVER get used to it! So stressful.

Kari is working all week and of course the boys have had school. They are all home by 3:15, so there is still lots of time to visit. And play games. We have played a variety of board, card and dice games this trip.

Today Richard and Janice picked us up. We drove to New West for lunch and a visit with Uncle Walter. At 89, the crotchety old fella is still pretty sharp and as witty as ever. He and his girlfriend have planned a trip to Hawaii in fall. At first he insisted we add money to the parking meter and stay. It was time to leave when he began checking his watch. And inquiring as to when the parking meter would run out. Then he suggested we might want to avoid the upcoming Friday rush hour ;)

Tomorrow we will pick up Uncle Walter and head to Richard/Janice's for supper. David, Kari/Gerry and boys plus Richard's daughter Shannon/Jeff and son Todd/Tamara and girls are also invited. Ron and I are taking our toothbrushes and will spend the night.

On Sunday there is a "Spring Fling" and flea market at the boys school which we plan to attend. And that? Pretty much sums up the Vancouver Days. Next week? Heading south. To the USA.

Hope and Surrey

Hope Emory Bar RV Pk
Site #3 - $25, p/w, Internet cost, Temp 18C

Monday. Hwy 12 from Lillooet to Lytton. Very scenic. But winding and rough. It felt like we were driving on square or flat tires. I had heard and worried about the short stretch that narrows down to one lane with a sheer drop off to the river. Passenger side. Turned out it wasn't so bad. The anticipation was the worst part. Plus there was no on-coming traffic through that stretch.

We spent the night near Hope. Along side Hwy 1 and the railroad tracks. Near a crossing where the trains blow their horns. Frequently! Yeah. It was rather noisy. 

A beautiful campground though. There was an awesome "General Store" filled with supplies, fresh baking and vegetables plus some really nice / unique giftware.

We enjoyed a Spring Salmon dinner. Thanks Larry and Phyllis. And we sat around the campfire. Watching those trains go by. Thank goodness they don't blow horns through the night. Our 'wakeup horn' was 7:15 am. And again at 7:25. Fine. We'll get up. Jeez... people live with this daily? So annoying!

Today it is on to Surrey and the Tynehead Campground.

PS A big congrats to niece, Rhonda & Mike, and grandparents, Jim & Jan on the new baby girl born yesterday!

GribbieTown

Just finished bacon and eggs at David's place. 'GribbieTown' as he calls it. It is cloudy and cooler today. Plus, it has been spitting rain on and off. Dave & Ron have gone for a hike.

When we arrived here yesterday, Dave had already mowed the lawn. We spent quite a bit of time making satellite adjustments to get his internet working again. Dave & Ron were up the hill with a walkie talkie while I sat at the computer calling out the signal strengths with my walkie talkie. Finally. Success.

Other than that? Just puttering around. Dave painted some trim. Ron cleaned up the flower beds and raked. Things look pretty nice around here. Now Dave just needs a buyer to make an offer. That final goodbye will be a sad time. It is such a beautiful place.

I had made a pot of chili for supper last night. And we enjoyed an evening around the fire. Tonight David cooked us chicken and veggies over the fire. Too bad the old guy forgot to bring the wine ;(

Tomorrow? We will move on. Towards Langley and the Tynehead Campground with a stop along the way. Not sure where that will be yet.

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?