#34 May 2014 Dinosaurs

My Mother’s Day continued on Monday when we visited with our daughter Kari’s son Joey and his father. They live in Regina but were in Calgary for a few days. In the evening we had supper with our son Dave and his daughter Danica. A great start to get away from home and catch up with family and friends.

We stayed at Bow RiversEdge campground in Cochrane just west of Calgary. We parked beside Karen and Keith whom we have known since our kids were babies in Canmore. They have been full time RVers for over 3 years and have shared invaluable tips and ideas as our adventure has evolved.

In Calgary we visited two aunts who are almost 89 and 97 years old/young. Some days they feel their age and others not so much. Their lives remind us to enjoy our health and mobility while we can.

Thursday, May 15th we packed up and headed for Drumheller and setup in Dinosaur RV Park. Their portable firepits are quite unique.

In our earlier family camping times we spent many days in Drumheller and we all have fond memories of dinosaurs and fossils. We wanted to create similar memories with Danica and agreed to spend the May long weekend doing just that. Friday morning we returned to Calgary and picked up Danica for the weekend. Dave had a meeting in Edmonton and drove directly to Drumheller Friday evening.

We had a great drive back showing Danica the sheep and cows and answering questions about the fields and farm equipment.

Many parts of North America has a very unusual winter and spring and we were seeing first hand evidence. North of Calgary there were ditches with snow under the grass.

In Drumheller we walked across the Red Deer River on the Star Mine Suspension Bridge. The bridge was built to carry coal miners to the mine in all weather. That would have been an extreme walk in the cold, windy winters.

The Atlas Coal Mine was the last one to close when natural gas became cheaper and cleaner that coal to heat homes and businesses. It’s an historical site with several tours to understand the history of the valley.

We took the coal train tour with an excellent guide who provided real examples of the life he was describing. While the passengers waited these volunteers were switching the train tracks so we would not run off the rails.

In the washhouse we were able to use the pulleys to carry wet clothes to the rafters. The clothes would dry as the heat rose as well as leave more room on the floor.

This coal train engine was well named.

There were many posters reminding the men of the dangers of their jobs but still many people were injured and killed. The back breaking, manual equipment is hard to comprehend in today’s western world.

Royal Tyrell Museum is fascinating and sometimes overwhelming with the information and models of dinosaurs and their ancient environment. We will return another time in order to retain more info.

Horse Thief Canyon viewpoint put us on top of an incredible view of the layers of history carved by the Red Deer River over thousands of years.

This view from across the valley shows the dramatic drop from farmland into the Canyon and why rustlers could herd horses into the canyon and bring them out with a different brand.

There are creative dinosaurs everywhere in Drumheller.

This one has a staircase inside to get a dinosaur's eye view.

We have pictures of Dave and Kari in this stew pot many years ago.

Fossil World Dinosaur Discovery Centre has a great story to tell and many hands-on experiences. This very animated T Rex tries to intimidate people but some visitors talk back.

Kids can dig for fossils with the help of a staff person. They find real fossils and can keep their favorite – including a description of the fossil.

#33 May 2014 On the Road Again!

We have been busy getting ready to travel again. We took a shakedown RV trip to Camperland, east of Chilliwack. Our daughter Kari came with us and we had a great opportunity to relax and visit. Our granddaughter, Lindsay was not able to join us. We missed extended time with her but she is working and busy with her adult life.

Bridal Veil Falls is a short walk from the RV park and well worth exploring even in the rain.

The forest is very lush and otherworldly.

We dodged the rain by browsing the shops in Harrison Hot Springs but not exploring around Harrison Lake.

The evening was dry enough for a campfire and marshmallows. We created our version of the Christmas TV channel with the crackling fire and a hand adjusting the logs.

Finally all the details were dealt with and I finished working Friday, May 9th at 5:00 PM and we left Peace Arch RV Park Saturday, May 10th at 9:00 AM. We were there for almost 2 months of typical wet coast weather of rain, clouds and just enough sunshine to tempt everyone into thinking spring had arrived. The flowers and trees knew the season and we had spring fever as we set out.

We heaved a sigh of relief after crossing the Coquihalla and drove through to Revelstoke with clear roads and only rain to see us onto the next part of our adventures.

There were old snow drifts in the RV park but the day dawned bright and clear. The mountains seemed close enough to touch and the air was crisp and invigorating. My Mother’s Day started beautifully with phone calls from both kids and 2 grandchildren. We saw our 3rd grandchild the next day and that greeting came with hugs and kisses.

The drive to Calgary was spectacular with more snow on the mountains than we have ever seen in the spring.

The snow at Rogers Pass looks like the middle of winter.

The snow slide areas are very noticeable on many mountains.

Slides that crossed the highway have just been punched aside. Mature trees were tossed around like matchsticks.

These animal overpasses were created when the highway was widened in order to help wildlife maintain their natural territory and migration routes.

Mount Rundle and Vermillion Lake near Banff were a familiar sight.

In the mid 1970’s we lived in Canmore and enjoyed this view of the Three Sisters Mountain from our living room window.

The prairies beckoned as we headed to Calgary for visits with family and friends.

#32 Apr 2014 To Notify or Not?

We really enjoy sharing our travels and experiences with family and friends. Each time we publish a new post we send a notification to many email addresses in our contacts. We know inboxes can become very cluttered.

Anyone who does not want to receive notices please let us know and we will change our list.

We have heard there are people following our blog who are not on our list. If you would like to be notified when new posts are published please email us. rwb.ldb@gmail.com We will add your contact info.

There has been a long gap between our posts lately. The last 2 cover our adventures and then April 1st I started back to work for a few weeks. This was a planned return and I am enjoying the opportunity. The hours have been long but satisfying as I bring the accounting current with a new structure and help plan who will continue with my position.

This has left Ralph with the "honey do" list which we are both creating and he is executing. There are many "housekeeping" chores to catch up with when we are only home for a few weeks.

Minor repairs i.e. oil changes, replace front pads and rotors on the Suzuki, minor electrical repairs on the RV

Sorting stuff i.e. do we need sooo much Tupperware (Ralph)? did we bring food staples we won't use in this lifestyle (5 kinds of vinegar)? do we need the extra TV that is using valuable space? do we need all these clothes (I finally gave away all my "work" clothes)?

Finding stuff i.e. where is the conditioner for the rubber on the slides? where are the umbrellas for this wet coast weather? We are still looking for the sunshine!!

We are squeezing in a few local points of interest.

Over the last few years in Vancouver there have been art competitions to decorate eagle, bears, whales, etc. then the art is auctioned and the proceeds donated to charities. The Easter Seal House display realy catches your attention.

Vancouver Aquarium is undergoing a major expansion. We got lost finding the entrance and then even more lost in the aquarium.

The octopus and jellyfish and are fascinating as they move in gentle slow motion.

Canada Place in Vancouver changes frequently and this mural and ship’s wheel are intriguing for children and adults.

“Fly Over Canada” at Canada Place is a surrounding experience. The “movie” is in front of, underneath and over the audience. The seats move with the flight and scents and mist drift with us as we fly from the east coast to the west coast. Currently there is an additional movie “Flight of the Dragon”. The dragon bumps our seats as he guides us around China. Ralph confirmed that he never wanted to be an astronaut. We saw more of China in this movie than we did in Bejing. Overall it was an amazing experience.

We enjoyed viewing the 2014 Semiahmoo Bay Regatta from East Beach in White Rock. Watching from the shore the sailboats movement is about as exciting as watching paint dry. Through the binoculars and camera lens there is lots of jockeying as the boats get into position despite 5 foot waves and wind. There is certainly lots of action on the water.

At low tide the sand at East Beach is mesmerizing.

We enjoyed the grand opening of the new Surrey City Hall and Earth Day celebrations.

The new library mimics a ship both inside and out.