To Sail or not to Sail…that was the question

The weather in Kitimat has been more than amazing.  I am still surprised when I sit in Stephen and Kylie’s living room looking out the window.  It is probably pushing 30 degrees and yet the mountain tops are still covered with snow.

Kylie got home yesterday from Alberta.  Stephen was anxious to get us out on the sailboat.  We packed up and headed to the port.  Stephen realized that he had forgotten the gas.  They decided to set up the mast and back the boat into the water and Stephen would drive  home for the gas.  They looked like the knew what they were doing.

Ron and I were thinking that the boat looked a little tippy as they moved around to do things.  Stephen jumped off and then he realized that the pulley on the trailer had snapped. Sailing just wasn’t meant to be.  The good news is that Stephen had extra straps to secure the sailboat so that it got home safely.  The bad news is that we didn’t get to go sailing on the ocean…yet!

Today, Kylie and Stephen had to go to work.  Stephen stopped in a couple of times.  This was the first time that I had seen him in the Mountie uniform.  Kylie even came home for lunch.

Ron and I did a little exploring through the morning after picking up my free coffee!

We spent the afternoon with the fur babies.  They are definitely babies!

Hot Days in Kitimat

Yesterday, we had another beautiful day in Kitimat.  We got our walk done in the morning before it got too hot.

It is so beautiful here especially in the spring.  The trees and shrubs are flowering and there is still snow on the top of the mountains.

Stephen did some lawn work and the dogs tried to do some too.

Kylie will be coming home from Alberta this morning.  She is managing to fly home before the pilots go on strike. They will both have to go to work tomorrow but there is still today.  Ron is off to shoot some balls at the golf course before it gets too hot.

And..according to town website:  KITIMAT, BC – Effective May 15 at 8:15 p.m., the District of Kitimat water system is under a Water Quality Advisory, due to elevated turbidity in the Kitimat River. 

So we will have to add boiling water to our very busy schedule! 🤣

And one more thing! I get free coffee for a week from Tim Hortons.

Still the One

This was us 40 years ago on this date. FORTY YEARS!  How did that happen?  I remember thinking that 40 was old and now we have been married that long.  We were just kids back then and some probably thought we were crazy. We didn’t know what laid ahead but we knew that we loved each other. 

We are much older now and we are still together.  We have had lots of adventures along the way and with retirement, we plan on having lots more.

Today was also Mother’s Day.  Lots to celebrate!

After church, Stephen made lunch.  We spent a lot of the day in the backyard enjoying the sunshine.

 We went for a drive and a little walk later in the afternoon.

Stephen bought us ice caps after the drive and we once again enjoyed the back yard.

Stephen went to play pickle ball in the evening and Ron and I watched hockey with the fur babies.

It was a beautiful day, and although we didn’t do anything too exciting, it was a good one.

In the words of a 70’s song…Still the one by Orleans

We've been together since way back when
Sometimes I never want to see you again
But I want you to know, after all these years
You're still the one I want whisperin' in my ear

You're still the one -- I want to talk to in bed
Still thye one -- that turns my head
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

I looked at your face every day
But I never saw it 'til I went away
When winter came, I just wanted to go (wanted to go)
Deep in the desert, I longed for the snow

You're still the one -- that makes me laugh
Still the one -- that's my better half
We're still having fun, and yes you're still the one

You're still the one -- that makes me strong
Still the one -- I want to take along
We're still having fun, and you're still the one (yes you are)

Changing, our love is going gold
Even though we grow old, it grows new

You're still the one -- that I love to touch
Still the one -- and I can't get enough
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

You're still the one -- who can scratch my itch
Still the one -- and I wouldn't switch
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

You are still the one -- that makes me shout
Still the one -- that I dream about
We're still having fun, and you're still the one
You're still the one, yeah still the one
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

Still the one and still having fun!

Made It!

We were up early and ready for another long day of travelling.  Ron drove and I kept searching for bears but they were all hiding today. We stopped in Smithers to walk around the town and then stopped at a rest area and had lunch.

The scenery was really beautiful along the way.  The clouds were hanging low with the crest of the mountains peaking out above them.

We got into Kitimat later in the afternoon.  We had supper, had a tour of all the gardens, enjoyed the sun in the backyard and then went for a walk.  Stephen and the dogs met us after his run and we walked home together.

While I put things away, Lilly supervised.

When it was time to crawl into bed, I hurried to get my space because big boy, Beemer likes to sleep in between us.

Stephen doesn’t think Beemer is very loyal but he looks like he is quite loyal “to us.” 🤪

Jenn called to let us know that Sarah tried to play soccer today and ended up really sick with a headache.  She slept most of the afternoon and woke up very weak and wasn’t walking normal.  They called the ambulance as she seemed to be getting worse.  The doctor examined her and ran some tests.  She is supposed to do absolutely nothing for the next three days and get into see her family doctor.  Concussions are so scary and take a long time to recover. Rest and time seem to be the answer at this point.  Sarah called me when they were leaving the hospital.  She sounded very tired and glad to be going home.  I was so happy to hear her voice.

Edmonton to Prince George

We got on the road early this morning.  After a quick breakfast at Tim’s, we started our drive west on Highway 16.  It was my day to drive and it was a long one.  

When we got into the park we saw some of the locals.  First the bighorn sheep welcomed us as they strolled across the road.

The elk were hanging around further down the road.  It is interesting to see how drivers can be so different with wild animals.  Some slow down, put on their hazard lights and take pictures.  There are some that keep going almost pushing the animals off the road and then there are others that pay no attention as they speed along.  It is surprising that there aren’t more road kills by those uncaring drivers.

We stopped in Jasper and went for a walk to stretch our legs and grab some lunch.  It is such a pretty town and the weather was amazing.

After a little break from the car, we continued west.

We made a quick stop at Mount Robson. This was the first time for us on this stretch of the highway but Ron remembered that his mom had told him how much she had enjoyed this stop when his parents had travelled along highway 16 so many years ago.

It’s the highest mountain in the Rockies and we understand why Donna thought it was so beautiful.  It would have been nice to be able to call her and tell her that we made it to one of her favourite places. 😥

From there to Prince George, we spotted black bears along the side of the road in three different places.  Stephen told us that we are just starting to get into bear country.  We will be watching for them tomorrow.  I’ll have my phone on the ready for pictures.

We settled in at the Best Western after getting our 10,000 steps.  We watched the hockey game and were cheering for the Leafs. They tied the game in the third period and went into overtime and kept our hopes alive for a few more minutes. We were hoping that they could pull off a win but it was not to be.  

And all good Leafs’ fans say, “there is always next year.”  We have been saying it since 1967…😳

Our holidays are just getting started.  I guess the Leafs were jealous.

Something Old, Something New

As we travelled yesterday we reacquainted with some old friends.  We enjoyed the day and the Leafs even pulled out a win!

Today, Ron took over the driving as we headed to Edmonton.  Our goal was to meet the newest member of our extended family.  Our niece, Xarra had a beautiful baby boy six months ago and we had only seen pictures. We parked at the West Edmonton Mall and put on some steps while we searched out were Xarra and Alex were living.

I’m so glad that we made this stop. Soren is such a happy baby and he gave us lots of smiles as we did everything we could to see those dimples.

Millie wanted to make sure that she got some attention too.

After our visit, we walked back to the mall which is part shopping/part amusement park.

After an afternoon tea, we headed to Jay’s for supper and to spend the night.  Jay is a reasonably new friend (someone Ron had worked with at Brocket).  Jay made us Jambalaya for supper.

It was kind of Ron’s dream house…a large tv with surround sound, a pool table and darts.  I thought the evening was pretty good too.  I didn’t have to make supper or cleanup.  While the boys were downstairs, I enjoyed the comfortable livingroom.

They say (whoever they are) “out with the old and in with the new.”  We prefer to keep our old friends and add new ones.  Our family has lost some special people this past year.  We will not forget them but we are so happy to celebrate precious little ones that have been added to our clan.

Old Friends

We packed our little civic full with as much stuff that it would hold and headed north.  I was the driver today.  It seemed like it took us forever to get to Three Hills but we arrived right at lunch time as planned.  We met Marion and Merv at the restaurant.  I was so excited to see them that I forgot to take a picture.  Thankfully, I found an old one to use.  We haven’t changed that much???

I met Marion when I worked at Prairie Bible College.  It didn’t take long for us to know that we would be forever friends.  Marion had told her son that she was sad that I would be moving to Ontario and that she might not see me again.  Her son’s response was “don’t forget about heaven.”  I’m hoping that we will have more visits before that but yes, there is always heaven and texts and video chats.

We drove around Three Hills to refresh our memories of the little town that we called home for three years.  We enjoyed living there and getting to know the special people that touched our lives.

We continued north to have supper with friends from way back.  I remember Kevin from Sunday School days and then youth group.   I also remember how much Kevin and Ron would laugh when they get together.  Some things never change!  Leanne is a bit younger and was a friend with my sister, Tina.  We spent some time reminiscing and a few tears were shed.

We had a delicious supper with them and they surprised Ron with cake.  So thoughtful and so delicious.

After a good dinner and some chocolate cake, Leanne and I went for a long walk with the dogs.

They live in a beautiful place and it was good to get some steps and see the area.

Ron and Kevin stayed behind to cheer on the Leafs and they won!!!  We got back in time to see the Oilers have a victory too.

We visited for a bit more and then it was way past our bedtime.  Kevin and Leanne were so gracious to feed us, take me for a walk and give us a bed for the night.

Our first day of our post retirement trip was pretty full and nice.