#175 Apr 2018 Spring Surprises

Easter was quiet except for our Easter Bottle Hunt! We met in the RV Park Garden and hunted for single serving bottles instead of eggs. A very adult hunt and of course we had to sample our treasures. 

We also shared a pot luck supper with our Happy Hour friends on Saturday and with our family on Sunday. Our Easter bunnies looked on.

Just before Easter Dave texted us asking if we would be home the following weekend. Yes, why are you asking? Dave got a fantastic deal as part of a charter flight from Calgary to Vancouver. 

The Easter Bunny must have had inside information about their trip because he came to our RV and left treats for Danica.

She thanked the biggest Easter Bunny she could find.

Many times we have said we should visit the HR MacMillan Space Centre in Vancouver and this was the time.

We all enjoyed the information and hands on exhibits – especially touching a piece of the moon. It’s hard to believe that rock was created 3.75 billion years ago and then travelled almost 400,000 km to an exhibit in Vancouver.

Danica was ready to go to space and look for more rocks.

In 2015 we also touched a piece of the moon at Kennedy Space Center (see our post #79).

Lindsay and Danica had to work to lift this 13kg piece of meteorite. 

Our space explorations were almost eclipsed by a family of Canada geese on a ledge outside the building.

Mama rearranged the eggs as we watched.

A trip on the seabus to Lonsdale Quay is always a treat.

The Q invited Danica, Lindsay and her boyfriend Rick, to climb to the lookout.

There is always something funky to see at the Quay.

We had a fun, relaxing weekend.

As you may have noticed I really enjoy flowers. Kari is often my companion for flower outings, whether her garden

 Or the Abbotsford Tulip Festival.

Spectacular as always.

#174 Feb & Mar 2018 Is it Spring or Winter?

We always enjoy an early spring compared to the prairies. This was February 3^rd.

Four days later the view was very different. 

Seven inches of the fluffy white stuff.

The sky was blue but didn't invite us to sit outside and enjoy the weather.

Early March I flew to Calgary to spend a week with Danica while Dave worked in Edmonton. There was lots of snow on the mountains.

And in Calgary.

There was no place to put the ploughed snow – just higher and higher.

I had a very unique week with Danica. I was there when she left for school and returned home. We shared our days, watched movies, did crafts and games and just generally hung out. A very special time together.

Dave, Danica and I had lunch with Joey and caught up with his life as well.

When I got home Ralph and I took time to spend a day being tourists. Harrison Hot Springs is always a complete change of scene.

This time we finally walked to the source of the hot springs. 

The hot water comes downstream and is diverted to the community and hotel swimming pools.

Sasquatch continues trying to intimidate visitors.

Mt Cheam dominates the view.

The next day, from Blackie Spit in Surrey, we enjoyed a different view of Mt Cheam - on the right side of this photo.

A winter moonrise / sunset topped off our explorations.

#173 Jan 2018 Only 70!

Ralph and I have an agreement about birthday parties. The bigger his party the smaller my “party”. It has worked well.

This year was Ralph’s turn for a party. January 27^thwas his 70^thbirthday – conveniently on a Saturday.

Friday Dave and Danica arrived from Calgary. We explored Steveston's fishing waterfront.

The Buddhist temple in Richmond is always impressive and peaceful.

Friday evening our family gathered to give Ralph a gift from all of us. 

We worked hard to keep the surprise and it was well worth it. He was blown away when he opened tickets to the Eagles concert in May. (See our post #167 Standin’ on the Corner)

Many of our snowbird friends were away in the sunshine, however, he was well celebrated by those in attendance.

Our RV Park has a lovely clubhouse that is available for gatherings of any size. 

This gathering received a very, very unexpected surprise.

Ralph’s sister Marion from Toronto and brother Paul from Edam SK casually walked into the party. Ralph was completely overwhelmed! Now that was a birthday present!

Deborah, our favourite baker, prepared a delicious carrot cake. Really - 70 already!

The cake disappeared quickly.

After the formal party, family retired to the lounge area of the clubhouse. Lots of visiting and head shaking as we reviewed the day and surprise visit.

And, of course, more food.

Our granddaughters were a very special part of the weekend.

Ten years ago Marion and Paul also created a birthday surprise! Some of us have matured, some grown up (or not).