Roadtrip June 2009

It has been such a long time since I have blogged anything, but I have promised family and friends to start again. Hope you are reading this Darcy!


June 1, 2009

We had not been back to visit family in Alberta and Saskatchewan for 2 years, so we felt we should make the journey. We packed the big blue MountainAire and although it was hard for me to leave my newly blooming flowers and plants, I entrusted their care to our good neighbours next door and we headed out early on Monday, June 1.

We made it to Canmore, AB the first night and camped in a lovely campsite called Three Sisters nestled in the Rockies. Very private with lots of spruce and pine and a creek flowing at the bottom of our site. My kind of camping! The dog and cat had a ball exploring. Went on to Edmonton, arriving mid-afternoon where we had reservations at the Rainbow Valley Campground. Nice place, and it had special meaning for me as it was a haunt of mine as a kid growing up in Edmonton. A lot had changed in 50 odd years when it was just open valley with Horse Stables and Motorcycle scramble tracks on the southern edge of the city. Now it centrally located, surrounded by urban living, just off the Whitemud Freeway.

Went to visit my Mom first and spent a nice afternoon chatting and then out for supper. Isn't she sweet?

That evening, we had arranged to meet my son Jeff and his wife Stacey and grandsons, Gage and Grayson, to attend Gage's baseball game in the Westend. We enjoyed visiting with Stacey and watching the antics of 3 year old Grayson as he scurried around the park. Jeff was busy coaching the Mosquito Team named "The Jay's". He and his assistant coach do an awesome job with the kids.


Here is Gage out in field during warm up and then a shot of him up to bat!

I was so proud of him. He is already an excellent ball player, making several hits and plays to first base as the pitcher. Way to go Gage! Went back to Jeff and Stacey's condo for refreshments afterward and some long overdue visiting. The weather was very pleasant the entire 3 days we were in Edmonton.


The next day we headed over to Mom's to take her shopping and then back to her place for more chatting. It was great to spend time with her and she is doing so well.









On Friday Morning, we set out early again, heading up to Northern Saskatchewan where Tony and Jeanne and the 3 grandkids live at Buffalo Narrows. A Long drive....with us arriving finally at 5:00pm. It was COLD in Buffalo Narrows. Lots of cloud cover, but not much rain. Just Cold!


This is Tony & Jeanne's home overlooking Churchill LakeAnd this is their view. It is also the view we had from our motor home. Very Nice!


Great to visit with Mathias who is 11, Mikayla who is 9, (soon to be 10 later this summer), and little 6 year old, Conin. It had been 3 years since we had last seen them when they came to visit us in Castlegar, so all three had grown a lot. Jeanne is working very hard at the Esso Service Station that she owns, and Tony too, is busy with his Gym, as well as apprenticing to be an Electrician. Tony is an excellent cook, and I am sure I gained 5 lbs during our stay there. But we enjoyed our time spent with the T. Kusch's and their great friends.


Mathias in his fishing gear...













Mikayla... did I mention it was cold?











Yes, Conin did get off his bike long enough to get in the boat...


Off they go...They have the best eating Pickeral and Pike up there. We had a good feed of it. Yummm. That's Ray in the Orange coat. Moi? No, no...too cold for this old gal :)

Thanks for the wonderful hospitality you guys! We loved seeing you. But I won't miss those Saskatchewan highways! Yikes!



Next, leaving on Monday, it was on to Ardmore,AB (20 miles from Bonnyville) and a visit with Adeline Kusch and her family, Darren, Andre and Monique Lesveque and their three darling kids, Anick, Claire and Michael. Again, Adeline spoiled us with wonderful fare while we stayed and we enjoyed our visit with them immensely.
















Then it was on to Bonnyville to visit with Ray's sister, Fran and finally seeing her new home that she and brother-in-law Martin have been working on for over a year. Very Nice Digs, Fran!

We were joined by Rays other sister, Susan and hubby Martin and Adeline and her son Darren. That evening we were treated to a culinary masterpiece that was enjoyed by all. Great food and great company! Extremely enjoyable. Thanks again Fran for your gracious hospitality.


And now it was time to head home. I was so missing my mountains and blue skies and the marvelous warm weather of Southern BC. The weather had continued to be cool even in Northern Alberta, so I was pumped to be going home. Left very early (5:30am) and enjoyed a pleasant drive on the Yellowhead. Normally we would go through Banff and Radium and take the #3 highway, but we decided to spend a little more time and go a different route. And I am so glad we did. Crossing over the border into the BC Rockies with it's spectacular scenery was magical. Our highways are second to none. I had forgotten it was such a gorgeous drive. My heart was bursting with pride to be a British Columbian.

The magnificent Mount Robson, BC. The highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Spectacular!

We arrived late in the afternoon at Valemont, BC and stayed in a beautiful campground on the Canoe River. I just loved our site. Very private and huge that backed onto the River. I could have stayed forever, the smell of the Spruce, crackling of the fire, the sounds of the river flowing by and surrounded by mountains...sigh...but what about my Roses!


Next morning, bright and early (as usual) we were on our last leg to home. Whooppee! Arrived about 4:00 pm, June 11 and this is what was waiting for me...
















It was a 3,600 km whirlwind trip and great to visit family, but really...there is no place like home :D