#153 Jul 2017 On Eagle's Wings

Ralph has worked for several weeks this summer. When I work on the same days we both get up at 5:30 so I can have the car. We leave home just after 6 AM and drive along Highway 99 where it parallels the shoreline of Mud Bay and farmland. There are rewards for getting up early.

On top of a transmission tower there is an eagle’s nest which is occupied every year. From May to July I took hundreds of photos. I enjoyed each morning as Ralph drove at highway speed and I craned my neck and camera to catch the eagle family.

This spring was extra special as there were two eaglets in the nest. By late June we could clearly see both eaglets. An adult was always nearby keeping watch.

 

At times an adult could be seen in the nest with the eaglets.

The eaglets ventured out of the nest and cautiously observed the world around them.

 

They tested their wings.

By early July the adults were farther away at times. They watched from power poles but always facing towards the nest.

By late July the nest was empty. We look forward to seeing next year's eagle family.

#152 Jul 2017 The Lazy Days of Summer

Summer in all its glory! 

For months we look forward to summer and most years it seems to disappear too quickly. Not this time. Every photo has brilliant blue sky with only occasional clouds.

White Rock’s East Beach calls everyone to explore the water and sand or soak up the sunshine and ocean view. It doesn’t get better than this.

 

We can dream about whatever adventures we might find at the end of the railway tracks but the fish and chips and ice cream are beckoning across the road.

In Kwomais Point Park we wandered along a path at the edge of the cliff and found butterflies and flowers.

Then the path opened up to a stunning view of the ocean.

On the return path we found a labyrinth designed for contemplation, either walking or sitting.

The Abbotsford Berry Festival was fun to wander around and check out various local vendors.

 

Along a side street Ralph found his next ride to work!

Owning an RV is like owning a house except some of the challenges are very unexpected. The latch on a “basement” compartment broke. The lock is very secure from tampering on the outside with no access to repair it.

Fortunately it happened on the one and only compartment with a pass through from the other side of the RV. Voila! Here comes Ralph from the other side!

He couldn’t take a deep breath but he could open the door and repair the latch.

And there he goes again!

 

Peace Arch RV Park has beautiful gardens and an outdoor pool. 

The flowers always call my camera.

l

#151 July 1st Memories

As a country, Canada turned 150 years old July 1^st, 2017. Across this vast land there was a great deal of excitement and controversy.

1,000 years ago the Vikings arrived in L’Anse aux Meadows in northwestern Newfoundland. That completed human migration around the globe from Africa to North America. This sculpture commemorates that event.

Ralph and I have traveled all 10 provinces and the highlight is always learning the history of each and every place we visit.

We recognize that our European history only goes back hundreds of years. European explorers and settlers relied heavily on the generosity and experience of First Nations people who have been here for thousands of years.

As a young country it is easy to focus on recent history and events that many of us lived through or have family memories of the “early days”.

Ralph’s July 1^st memory starts in 1967 in Saskatoon when he boarded a train destined for Jasper, Alberta. That was a big leap for a farm boy from Saskatchewan heading to the mountains to work for the summer. He loved it and never looked back as he continued working at the Columbia Icefields in the summer and Jasper in the winter.

My family July 1^st “memories” start in 1946 when my parents were married in Windthorst, Saskatchewan.

My personal July 1^st memories start in 1967 with Canada’s 100^th birthday celebration at Expo 67 in Montreal. My world opened to a sampling of countries and cultures from around the world.

Habitat 67 was a very futuristic model community and housing complex. Identical, prefabricated concrete forms arranged in various combinations continue to provide 354 homes in Montreal. Today we have tiny homes and container homes. What next?

From all over the Expo 67 grounds the United States geodesic dome pavilion was a beacon. Today there are many geodesic domes around the world.

July 1st, 2017 Ottawa hosted a multi cultural celebration of Canada’s history and our future. We watched on live TV and felt like we were part of the event.

Our July 1st, 2017 was quiet with happy hour with our neighbors. Our Canada 150 flag decorated our yard.

O Canada! We love you and are proud to be Canadian!

#150 Jun 2017 Home for the Summer!

If things happen in threes we were ready to say enough. In September I broke my ankle, in February we had major repairs to the main slide in the RV and in May we had a third of the RV roof replaced. After several months of unexpected challenges we were ready to set up the motorhome and regroup.

Summer is usually a great time to be in the Lower Mainland. Ralph was able to pick up summer relief work at VCC (Vancouver Community College) and BCIT. I was able to pick up a few days at Sovereign Leasing again. We enjoy the opportunity to be out with people and the paycheques are a nice bonus.

Each time we return to Peace Arch RV Park it is always fun to catch up with other couples who have been traveling near and far. There are many full time RVers who spend several months in this park. We all have a love of travel in common and share our experiences.

Happy Hour is a popular, often spontaneous event. Everyone brings a chair and their choice of beverage then we share stories and laughter.

Sometimes we leave the park and enjoy local events. Eight of us went to the White Rock Legion for a great dinner and sang along to Jason Scott’s “Diamond Forever…A Celebration of Neil Diamond”. Jason aka Neil started his show shaking hands with everyone in the audience and getting us revved up for the familiar tunes.

Father’s Day Ralph and three other men from the park celebrated a Guys Day at nearby Mission Raceway.

The ladies went shopping/browsing at Guildford Mall. The men didn’t believe no one bought anything.

Another evening a few of us went Cruisin’ the Dub at AandW.

This sign in one of the vehicles says it for all the owners.

This 1991 Rolls Royce Silver Spur set an elegant scene.

This Dodge Charger looks much better than the Dukes of Hazard version.

My dream car has always been a 65 Mustang!

There was a constant turnover of vehicles during the evening. Lots of memories and dreams.