#213 May 19, 2019 The Wedding Part 2

Sunday, May 19th 2019 was a beautiful sunny day and the wisteria was perfect.

Guests were seated in the gazebo under the wisteria.

Our RV is too small for Kari to dress for the wedding. The ladies washroom in the Park is spacious and rarely used this early in the season.

Kari, Lindsay, Danica, Heather and Jenn took over the room. Makeup and hair were touched up followed by a champagne toast.

Then the Wedding Party gathered in the clubhouse. Danica was a very special Flower Girl.

Ralph escorted Kari part way.

Then Kari’s daughter Lindsay and son Joey escorted Kari to her groom.

That was an emotional moment.

Kari was very ready to stand with Dan in front of family and friends.

They exchanged vows and rings.

And of course a kiss!

The reception was held in the Clubhouse.

It was informal with snacks and drinks and casual seating. Guests greeted the happy couple and one another as they admired more of the garden.

There were two wedding cakes.

Heather created a beautiful cake with flowers in Kari and Dan's wedding colors.

Deborah created a special cake with the symbol of REZZ, Dan's favorite musician.

Dave gave a very personal toast to Kari and Dan.

 

Kari and Dan's wedding day was everything they hoped for and more. The bride and groom are a very happy, loving, well matched couple with a bright future together.

Kari was so happy to have both her children here on her special day.

 Dave and Danica were pleased to participate in Kari and Dan's Wedding.

Ralph and I were happy to have all our grandchildren together.

Both sets of parents were pleased to see their daughter and son happily married.

Kari and Dan's wedding was a perfect day for everyone, especially Kari and Dan.

#212 May 2019 We interrupt our story-For a Wedding! Part 1

In June 2018 Dan asked Kari to marry him. Kari was totally surprised and very happy. Of course, the next question from everyone was - When and where will they get married?

Lots of discussion ensued. Kari and I love gardens and flowers. Dan and Ralph go along with our ideas and provide the muscle power when needed.

I have blogged about the Christmas decorations in Peace Arch RV Park. The garden in this Park is equally spectacular!

In May the gazebo roof is covered in wisteria which would provide a stunning backdrop for a wedding. The Park owners and staff were fantastic about having the wedding here. For weeks the first question from our friends and neighbours was – how is the wisteria coming along?

We had several planning sessions in the Clubhouse with everyone excited about getting the details in order for the big day. Dan’s parents, Ralph and I, Lindsay, Jenn and Heather (Kari’s best friends) had many ideas for Kari and Dan to consider. The meetings were lively, fun and productive.

May 17th we had all our family here for nachos, a long-standing Friday night tradition for the Brewster family.

Our gazebo and propane fire pit were well used.

And then we were all getting goofy!

Saturday we took the Fraser Valley Heritage Railroad from Langley to Sullivan Station in Surrey. 

We had a back door view of a few farms along the way.

It was a fun time and a chance to relax before the Big Day.

Later that day the wisteria showcased the dress rehearsal followed by a pizza and decorating party in the clubhouse.

#211 Apr 2019 Exploring next door

From Las Vegas we headed north and enjoyed the endlessly fascinating desert.

Joshua trees in bloom

Mountains with layers of colour

Oasis with palm trees

Tire covers that speak to our life!

Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is an oasis for migrating birds. 

Nuwuvi or Southern Paiute people have thrived in the area for thousands of years.

Scenery on Highway I-93 in Nevada is spectacular. I felt like a bobble head looking everywhere to see the dramatic panorama of mountains and vegetation.

In Idaho the view went on forever.

With a very different dam.

Our final destination was Birch Bay, Washington. We have lived in Surrey for 20 years. When we head south we make a beeline for Oregon/California and miss points of interest in Washington. This time we wanted to explore just south of the international border.

Birch Bay is part of the city of Bellingham and is similar to White Rock.

We had a partial view of the whitecaps on the ocean.

Semiahmoo Resort is located on the tip of  Tongue Point peninsula at historic Plover Ferry.

The wharf provides a panoramic view of the White Rock beach. The white rock is the small white object on the right side of the beach in the second photo.

Peace Arch International Border Crossing is also visible.

Old buildings and boats convey some of the fishing history.

Mt. Baker is located in Washington State and dominates the eastern view from: 

Abbotsford BC

 

The ferry to Victoria BC

From the air

To sunrise in Anacortes WA

On a beautiful, blue sky day we drove to Mt. Baker Ski Area where clouds covered the top of the mountain.

Driving down we encountered skunk cabbage, a sure sign/smell of spring.

Mr. Baker also provided a backdrop for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.

When the flowers finish blooming they are cut off in order to redirect the plant growth to the bulbs, which are the main tulip crop.

Tulip Town is a festival of the history of tulips in the Skagit Valley.

Named tulips are displayed in front of Dutch tulip farm murals.

From  Semiahmoo Resort we enjoyed a dramatic sunset looking back towards Canada.

We had a relaxing three weeks away from home and experienced new locations and views.