Vegreville

Woke up in Vegreville and got a call from our friends in South Dakota. We had planned 1 diversion to the States to visit our friends Joel and Kathy, and Tim and Jane. When Joel called, he explained that they were heading for Tim and Jane's in Minnesota for their long weekend and suggested we all congregate there, so we changed our plans and headed south.

Had to stop and see the World's Largest Easter Egg in Vegreville.We heard about the World's Largest Sausage in Mundare, but chose not to divert.

Drove through beautiful rolling land speckled with ponds and the farms turned from wheat fields to hay fields. Arrived in Drumheller and checked out where the museum was for the next morning's activities.

Donna and Kelly

Packed up and got to see Dana and Bernie for Coffee before heading out east on the road for Wakaw. Just before we finished packing, got a call from Dana's sister Donna, in Edmonton so we made arrangement to meet for dinner.

Arrived on time after making a wrong turn, and recognized her as they drove into the parking lot. From a distance, she looks like my sister. Kelly (Donna's daughter) drove Donna. Our dinner and visit was wonderful especially because I was wondering if we would even be able to see her. Donna's health issues have been ongoing, but she informed us that just recently the doctors have been getting things under control and she has been feeling much better. Kelly is a beautiful vibrant young lady and a pleasure to talk to. It was nice to have this visit with them and looking forward to more as she gets stronger.

Then down the road to Vegreville. Arrived at another Walmart to bunk down.

Grande Prairie

Spent a lot or the day updating the blog. After which we had to take a long walk. We are camping at the Rotary Campground in Central Park, Grande Prairie. Beautiful campsite, great amenities and good WIFI. Walked 6 miles from the campsite down the park following Bear Creek, and back. Saw 2 deer. Laundry done, we got caught up on some shows. Very impressed with the park, city and amenities.

Dana and Bernie

First sleep in a Walmart Parking Lot. I am sure there will be many more.

Decided to travel to Grande Prairie through the Pine Pass as Julie has never gone that way and its about 2 hours faster. Gorgeous area. Arrived in Grande Prairie about 5:30pm local time.

Called Cousin Dana and wife, Bernie. They picked us up and took us out for dinner. Nice to get caught up with them, We don't see them often enough. Had a scrumptious dinner and then they came back to our camp for wine. Little cool so they were the first to be entertained in our little camper. Fit us all quite nicely.  

Garrick dropped over for a 5 minute visit before heading to Saskatchewan to see his girlfriend, April. We arranged to meet in Wakaw as they are very close. 

Barrie and Marge, Bob and Linda, Nicole and True and Keegan

After another great bacon and egg break, we said our goodbyes to Tom and Heidi and headed into Williams Lake to pick up supplies and go for a little drive. Stopped to get a coffee at McDonalds. An old friend that we hadn't seen in almost 20 years recognized me. We visited and arranged to meet the next day.

Arrived at the Redl Ranch about 4pm and Barrie was still on the tractor feeding the cows. We were so lucky that he took time out of his extremely busy time of year to visit with us. Marge arrived home about 8pm from work and Redl Beef tacos were on the menu for dinner. Our visit was short as Barrie had to deliver cows for slaughter and left before 6am. Marge was off to work early as well. We slept in as the rain pounded down our our camper and continued all morning. Rain is very welcome as there has been a draught in the north for a few years now.

Packed up in the rain and headed to see our friends (mentioned in yesterday's post). Was so happy to see our friends Bob and Linda. (Linda is cousin of Gord and Janine) Got caught on their past 20 years. Like many of us, they are working less and vacationing more. Was a wonderful, unexpected visit.

Then we carried on north to Prince George to meet up with Nicole, True and Keegan. (Garrick's Ex, and children) Arrived and arranged to meet after the kids' soccer and baseball practices. Nicole is such a great mother to her children. True and Keegan are very nice children. True is growing and smart, always on the go, Keegan couldn't sit still. Wonder where he gets that from? At his age, what boy can sit still? But even though he was moving around, was no bother to the rest of our visit. 

Tom and Heidi

After a great deer sausage and egg breakfast, said our goodbyes to Len and Leanne, headed north, again..  Stopped for the night and visit with our cousin, Tom and Heidi at their log home near 150 Mile House. Another great visit and dinner. (Everyone feeds us so well) Tom and Heidi's daughter came over and we had a nice visit with her. She just got back from spending 15 months in Europe. She has the travel bug and is working 2 jobs so she can go back next September.

Mother's Day with Eileen, then, Len and Leanne's

Said our goodbyes to Ray and  headed north to 100 Mile House. Stopped at Mom's Memorial Bench that the family placed below Mom and Dan's house on the path around Sepa Lake at 108 Mile Ranch 19 years ago.  Sat on the bench for a spell and had a little chat with Mom on Mother's Day. Walked around the lake as we have done many times before. Water level is very low..

Then off to meet our friends, Len, Leanne and Len's Mother, Lil. So wonderful to see them. We don't get together often enough. Saw their daughter, Celine and their grandson, Patrick.  Wonderful visit and dinner.    

Indian Ray

Stopped in to visit our motorcycle friends Ray and Helen on Green Lake. Unfortunately Helen was not their as she is in Chilliwack under the weather. Ray is a retired Iron Worker and has a yard full of anything one needs to build anything. He loves to putter and create, and tell stories of building the province's infrastructure. Loves his wild animal pets too. Kyle broke his lead and chased Ray's friendly Red Fox. Kyle came back with a bloody nose. The fox came back for his evening meal so everyone was happy.

Ray with Julie at Green Lake

On the Road to Gord and Janine's

Packed up, said our goodbyes to Rob and Sheri and headed to our OK Falls condo. Put it back together after having the carpets steam cleaned.  Cleaned it and got it ready for the summer rental season. Then headed north to Sorento and White Lake where our long time friends, Gord and Janine and family moved to 11 years ago. Had a great visit and dinner. They sure have a little piece of paradise, 5 acres on the lake, garden, greenhouse, fruit trees.

Cassandra (daughter) Janine and Gord. 

Cody and Bryson not home at time of pic

Wild Goose Lunch

Rob, Sheri, and us went to Wild Goose Winery for lunch. One of our favourite wineries because of their Gewürztraminer.  Great deal! They hired the chef from Banff Springs Hotel.. Yummy lunch. After lunch went to Stags Hollow Winery next door,bought more wine after emphatically explaining too the server that her pours were too small. She handled it well. Spent the last evening at a camp fire  at Tuc-El-Nuit Lake in Oliver. Aunt Agnes and Uncle Merle came over to send us off. Can only hope we are as vibrant as they are at their age. What an inspiration!!

Sorry, not the best pic

Work, wine tastings motorcycle rides and friends

Monday,
Had to be at our OK Falls Condo to meet the guy steam cleaning our carpets. Then more wine tastings.

Tuesday,
Had to ride back to OK Falls to close the windows in the condo after the carpets had time to dry. Then a quick wine tasting and pick up a bottle from See Ya Later Ranch, (winery). picked up a nice bottle for our friends Ed and Karen as they invited us over for lunch. Always great visits..

Wednesday,
Ride and more wine tastings. Forbidden Fruits Winery is one of our favourites. Mostly fruit wines, very fruit forward tastes. No tannins or histamines. Good for people that have allergies.

Then visit with our friends Pat and Dave in Osoyoos. They moved to Osoyoos last year and are enjoying themselves in their new location. Nice to have the chance to see them before carrying on the trip.

More Wine tastings

Christine, Rob, Sheri, Miranda, George, Julie and I had lunch at Quinta Ferreira. Festival special, glass of wine great buffina sandwich with all the fixings. Miranda and George left us for home. George slept the whole way. This was George's first campfire, camping experience and he never stopped except to die in bed. Slept like a log every night. Thank god!!

Then down the road to more wineries for more tastings. 

Quinta Ferreira Estate Winery

The "Pig Out"

For the past 5 year, we have been attending "the Pig Out" that kicks off the spring wine festival in Oliver BC. With about 39 wineries and 12 restaurants participating, wonderful food and scrumptious wines flowed freely. Food was incredible and everyone had more than enough. Attending with us was Julie's sister Sheri, our brother-in-law Rob, our daughter Miranda, Grandson George, friends Bob and Nancy.

After the "Pig Out" cousin Christine came down from Kelowna to join us for a delicious home made spaghetti dinner Sheri and Rob had prepared for everyone. Christine's Mom and Dad, Agnes and Merle (my Aunt and Uncle) joined us later in the evening.

As a little Segway, Miranda slept in Sheri and Rob's trailer, George slept in our camper. Every morning, when George woke up, he started to cry because he didn't recognize where he was, but I would peak around the cabinet and play peak a boo with him. Immediately stop crying, then he would start talking to himself and us. TOOO cute. We are going to miss this little guy. He will change so much while we are away.

Getting Ready

There are a lot of things to organize when you are planning an extended trip.  

For the last few months we have been getting organized for our trip (and I won't bore you with details) except that while preparing ourselves, have been helping our son and daughter-in-law with renovations to the house they recently bought.  We are so proud of them and are happy to help.

 Michael & Amanda's renovations.

The last day before we left, had to finish my online and in class BC Building Code course culminating in a 4 hour test. Passed with 89%. Very pleased.

Got home, hooked up the trailer, locked and alarmed the house. On the road 6:30pm, arrived to the first campsite on Tuc-El-Nuit Lake @11:30pm.