#135 Jan 2017 Kung Hei Fat Choi!

A New Year! 

Let’s get traveling again!

We started with a day trip to the Sunshine Coast with Al and Gail.

On the way to the ferry we enjoyed the sunrise on the Lions.

I’m glad BC Ferries knows which ferry docks where and which vehicles go to which ramp.

With the mountains as a backdrop it was a beautiful day to be on the ocean.

On the Sunshine Coast we had a great visit talking and reminiscing with Fred and Sue.

As we waited for the return ferry, Al pointed out the lights on the ski runs on the back of Cypress Mountain.

Sunset was as spectacular as sunrise had been on the way over.

After being near the ocean it was easy to forget how much snow was still in Surrey. This great blue heron was patiently waiting for a meal.

Skating on the frozen Serpentine Wildlife Wetland is a rare treat.

 

A walk on the White Rock Promenade is always a pleasure.

Mid January we were finally on the road again at the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal heading for Vancouver Island.

Ferries often meet one another going through Active Pass.

We arrived at Oceanside RV Resort in Saanichton, about 15 minutes from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. 

This map shows the Saanich Peninsula. 

  At the top is the Swartz Bay Terminal.

  In the middle is Oceanside RV Resort. 

  At the bottom is Victoria.

#2 on the right side of the map is Oceanside RV Resort. 

Our site is right beside the water between the main island and the spit.

What a beautiful view from our site.

This photo is from the Spit looking back at our motorhome.

The Spit is traditional First Nations Land.

There is a walking path around to the end of the Spit ending with a view of Saanichton Bay.

In the park the blooming heather and early bird robins immediately caught my attention.

Victoria’s Inner Harbour always beckons us to wander around and absorb the ambiance.

This scene commemorates the naval personnel who served Canada from 1910 when the Canadian Navy was established until it's centennial in 2010.

The Fairmont Empress Hotel is a stately anchor at the end of the harbour.

At the very top, the Widow’s Walk is the lookout where women would watch for their men to come home from the sea.

 

The British Columbia Parliament Buildings draw thousands of visitors every year.

Captain George Vancouver stands atop the dome and watches over some of the area he surveyed in 1792.

Queen Victoria surveys the heart of the city bearing her name.

Francis M. Rattenbury was the architect for both the Parliament Buildings and the Empress Hotel. He began his illustrious career at age 25 when he won the competition to design the British Columbia Parliament Buildings.

Victoria’s Chinatown is the first and oldest intact Chinatown in Canada.

In the 1850s thousands of Chinese migrated to gold rush sites in California. In 1858 the Fraser Gold Rush drew those same people to Canada. Victoria was the primary point of entry and became a gathering point for Chinese immigrants.

On Chinese New Year we took a walking tour of Chinatown. The tour guide was very informative and guided us through the crowds as he explained the history and significance of many buildings and activities.

This is the year of the rooster which is the epitome of fidelity and punctuality.

We visited the Tam Kung Temple the oldest Chinese temple in Canda.

The attendant at the temple was preparing the temple offering for the New Year. To bring prosperity to homes and businesses lettuce and money in red envelopes are hung from doorways. During the parade the lions grab the offering, keep the money and spit out lettuce leaves.

In China Lee Mong Kow was an interpreter at the Canadian Customs House and Immigration Office. Like many others he came to Canada for a better life but he found prejudice and intolerance here as well. In 1899 he was a founder of the Lok Kwun Free School and a tireless promoter of Chinese education. The school still stands today and continues to help Chinese children learn about their history and culture.

For Chinese New Year the children learn how to manage friendly dragons and participate in the celebrations.

 

The lions are more difficult to get near.

We finished our Chinatown adventure with dim sum. We shared a table with a young couple visiting from the Lower Mainland. He was born in Macau near Hong Kong and she was from Romania. A lovely international finale to our day.

#134 Oct-Dec 2016 A New Schedule

We had planned to be in Calgary for Thanksgiving and Danica’s 10^th birthday. Fortunately everyone was able to switch venues and we celebrated her birthday at Shuswap Lake. Dave and Danica, Melissa, Ava and Rowyn stayed at nearby Quaaout Lodge.

When Danica learned about my ankle she made me a “Build a Bear” to cheer me up. She knows that Grama loves stuffies and the colour purple.

She didn’t know that my cast was purple and pink because Danica loves the same colours.

Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park is the site of the world renowned Adams River Sockeye Spawning Run. 2016 was a low year in the 4 year cycle but everyone was able to see a few salmon and particularly a dead one on shore.

As we arrived at Boston Pizza to celebrate Danica’s birthday she received her biggest surprise. Lindsay had driven from Surrey for her cousin’s party.

After Danica’s party Lindsay spent a few days on a road trip through Jasper and Edmonton. She arrived in time for Danica’s Calgary party.

Ralph and I had really been looking forward to spending time with all three grandchildren in Calgary at Thanksgiving.

Lindsay ensured that we had photos of our grandkids when they went to the Calgary Zoo.

 

The cabin was just what I needed to recover from surgery and stay off my ankle. I didn’t have much energy and there was nothing I could do except allow myself time to heal.

We enjoyed the fall colours creeping down the mountains and along Highway 97 as we drove to and from Penticton for appointments.

I was not able to walk around with my camera but still managed to catch rainbows and the super moon. Ralph is very patient when I want to capture a particular photo even when he has to maneuver the car repeatedly to get me in the right spot.

Near Armstrong, The Fruit Log Barn has great Mennonite double smoked sausage, imported cheeses and baking.

Since 1912 the Log Barn has featured local history as well as prehistoric and fantasy creatures.

Animal figures and silhouettes abound.

 

 

The goats on the goat trail are alive!

For Ralph and I, travel opens up the world around us. We want to understand the people, places, environment and planet around us.

Along the east coast of North America we began to understand how this old earth has changed and evolved over millions of years. In the west we have been awed by the power of nature on a more recent scale.

in 1903 the Frank Slide reshaped the mountain and valley below it.

In 1965 the Hope Slide reshaped another mountain and valley.

In October 2016 we viewed a closeup, personal sample of nature's force.

Salmon Arm was our nearest shopping area. Each time we drove into town we became more aware of the views from the highway. One day we both did a double take as we noticed the information sign near town. The Trans Canada Highway is on the left of this photo. Blocked by the orange pylons, the access road to the info sign is just to the right of the highway.

Overnight huge slabs of rock came down and reshaped this mountainside. Even in today’s world we witness the power of nature and how our earth changes.

At Quaaout Lodge we enjoyed "People of the Water" dinner theatre. With excitement and humour Shuswap storytellers enacted legends from their long history.

Kari joined us for a quick visit and a drive along Shuswap Lake. She marvelled at her Dad's patience getting the car into position so we could both capture the sunset over the lake and mountains.

After seven weeks of inactivity the surgeon declared that I could start getting back to normal life. That was sooner than expected!

The day we were packing to return to Surrey we received a call that Margo, Ralph’s sister-in-law, had passed away. For eight long months Margo endured unrelenting pain as she battled cancer. It was a blessing for Margo but a somber time for our family.

Ralph and I returned to our motorhome in Surrey and I started physio. I graduated from the wheelchair to a walker, a cane and then Ralph’s arm when necessary.

In early December Ralph and I flew to Saskatchewan for Margo’s memorial. Marion and Donald, Ralph’s sister and her husband, led us in a very personal, comforting service. Visiting after the service was a good opportunity to catch up with family and friends.

We have not experienced a prairie winter for many years. The roads were clear and so was the sky at -25* C. Fortunately there was very little wind as evidenced by this exhaust.

The day after we returned home to Surrey we received more snow than we had seen in Saskatchewan.

Christmas was very quiet with Lindsay, Kari and Dan joining us for turkey and a view of the lights in the park.

After Christmas, as the snow melted, I felt safe walking without any extra support. My ankle was  healing well and now I needed to regain my flexibility and balance.

We started to get out into areas where there was good walking surfaces. In Steveston, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery is a National Historic Site.

In It is also a vibrant shopping and dining community with a large fishing fleet.

In 2017 we are looking forward to celebrating Canada’s 150^th birthday as we explore more National Parks and Historic Sites with a free Parks Pass.