laundry off the grid

We boondock quite a bit with the Hardwall gang or camp at Provincial Parks with no services. We do have power, sewer and water at the Lot, but no building with a washer and dryer. Those coin operated facilities in "town" can get pricey - it is $3 a load to wash here. So, I was thinking about this over the winter, reading RV magazines and came across this little item. What the heck, try it out. Ordered it when the snow was on the ground so I would be ready and it works great! You can put quite a bit in that little drum, add 1 tablespoon of liquid laundry soap, hot water and screw the lid down. It pressurizes inside. You crank slowly for about one tune on the Sirius radio. Unscrew the top, attach the little drain hose and then add a couple of rinses with the garden hose. Hang them up to dry in the hot Shuswap weather and you have clean clothes not covered in rock dust. For those interested in other methods, you can have a look at another unit I took a picture of.

Dogs love trucks!

We are still busy trying to get rid of the rock pile and Don made some rock stairs this morning coming down the side of the new raised garden. Do all dogs love to travel? Our Gatorgirl certainly does, and so has every other dog we have had. However, when it is hot out, and you need to run into "town" to do some shopping or complete the "list" - it is too hot to leave her in the truck. On those occasions, she has to stay in the RV and she sure doesn't like it. We turn the fan or AC on for heat relief or white noise, whatever works. She is a really good traveller though - the only thing she objects to and sends her trying to hide under the car seats is when we touch the rumble strips at the side of the highway!

Rock building 101 ( at least for us )

Must be something about being away from the office and you start to feel energized to do something different. We have been hauling rocks ( yes, by hand ) and slowly making some flower beds. Donald is very methodical in his builder/carpenter way of doing things - you know, stay level, watch the rise/run, this rock doesn't fit ( why would it? ), If I had a good chisel I could make them fit. Myself on the other hand, I keep blurting out that the theme is funky grotto and not to worry about the fit, and if you see a good rock throw it there and that's where it should stay. So even though we have our different way of construction, we had good fun starting these rock projects. Now, the trick is to figure out how to use ALL of the four yards of rock. Now lets's see - Al and Kelly ( The Bayfield Bunch ) could use some around their garden paths - Ok Al - you'll have to pick them up though! Or - Claude and Val are closer - may be they would like a wee blasted bauble or 2. HA!... I think this weekend will be beach days - also next week some of the Hardwall group may show up with their rv's.

we're rocking!

well, true to his word, our "quarry guy" delivered the 4 yards at 10:00 am this morning. So, we'll have to get busy - we both have ideas of where to put rock all over the lot. The load actually has some really small pieces and some larger pieces, just as Mr. Quarry suggested. Of course, Donald was helping the truck to back up, then the truck started to tip its' load - and watch out! Back up Donald! He only had his flip flops on! That rock comes out of the truck faster than you think. Donald says I have to mention that it is "blasted rock" - it was dynamited last summer at the pit. I think pretty soon it is going to be " that d... blasted rock..." after we haul a few pieces around. HA!

fred flintstone where are you?

Monday - one of the chores has been accomplished! We called the "guy" and went up to the rock quarry to have a gander at what rocks up there. There were some lovely stones - blue tones, with white and the odd rock had ( I suspect ) fools gold. Very sparkly though! Now the normal person would go to their local landscaping company or nursery to order rock or pick out rocks. Not us. Need an adventure. You gotta go right to the source, right to The Pit. We thought we would take about 2 -3 yards but even though the pit owner suggested a whole dump truck load ( egads ! ) we settled on 4 yards. Good thing Donald is better at dimensions and volume, because I couldn't tell you what one yard looked like. The rocks get delivered tomorrow, and from then on it will be putter work in the mornings and evenings. It's too hot during the day. Rock on!

a Body zap and a brain freeze

We love Sunday Drives - took a day trip to Salmon Arm, BC and of course had to stop in at DeMilles Farm and Market. Wonderful place with small kiosks, a working farm and a fab produce/bakery/meat/cheese market. We visited the llamas, horses and ponies. I grew up on and around farms, but I was so excited to take a good picture of one of the llamas - I neglected to see the electrical wire at the top of the fence when I had the camera to my face. Oh boy - felt that down to my toes. Just a light zap, but it was enough. The other reason we had to go there was the Fathers Day Special - one scoop ice cream cone for Dad for free. Since we have no "goodies" at the rv or home, this is a real treat for Donald. Well, the ice cream cone was GIGANTIC. Too much for Donald, so our Gatorgirl got to share in the last wee bit. It was a hot afternoon, but she was shivering after that!

noisy waterfront or quiet water view?

Saturday June 20 - I am going to have to post a couple of days at a time as we have to drive to the nearest wee town for internet access - sorry about that! We drove up to a rock and gravel pit to see if we could have a look at some 12 -15 inch rocks for some flower beds for the Lot. They were closed up for the day, but no worries! That will be Monday's chore. Driving back, we passed by some semi-waterfront for sale. It was a few pennies if you have them. Then we went back to the Lot and took a picture - our view is a little higher but not too shabby a view of the Shuswap!

Look Up! WAAAYYYY Up.

I am here at the Lot - whoo hoo. Long drive yesterday - dentists appointment to have a permanent crown and temporary removed, then the drive began. Fourteen long hours later ...road construction just about the whole length of highway 97 south from Prince George, rain and lightening storms and a WAY WAY high up logging road. What's with the logging road you say? Are you not civilized to drive on major highways? Sure, but what's the fun of that? This road is about 1000 feet above a beautiful mountain lake ( Adam's Lake ) and you drive for about 20 km. No cell service, forget it - remember this is adventure driving. As it was raining, I was unable to get a good picture but this was the best I could do, and it was about 7:30 at night in the forest. The numbered marker is for active logging so the logging trucks know where they are and when to pass other logging trucks as it is a VERY narrow road. Don says the road has gotten wider, except when it's right "on the shelf" - HA! you can imagine the shelf means the road is just hanging off the side of the mountain. My mother is not impressed that I drive this road. Ok mom, I made it . I have found a way to get online courtesy of our little Thompson Okanagan library.

typing away

I can hardly wait! Rollin" Rollin" Rollin" - road trip! I leave tomorrow for rv land. I got in the mood today at the grocery store looking at all the assorted rv's stocking up before they hit the Alaska border turn off about an hour from here. Our Safeway store has a wireless hub and a lovely coffee area with small tables inside where you can bring your laptop and catch up with your life happenings. It's free too! Sometimes I see 20 people having coffee ( Starbucks or other ) and typing away. Today was a lovely day, and rv'ers were sitting outside in the parking lot on lawn chairs with their laptops, next to their units - typing away! So, now I am driving about 14 hours tomorrow to join Donald at The Lot - I won't be typing away for a couple of days. I think I have a way to get online so see ya later, alligators.

finally spring flowers and a new kid?

It looks like our long days are finally producing some spring flowers - ok I know everyone is thinking we had those iris's weeks ago in our garden! Well, they just started popping out the flowers today - so there you go! I had to take a picture and here it is. Our youngest son has been in a rather quiet, gloomy mood for the past couple of weeks, with some good reasons though. However, I called to let him know I would be a little late coming home with the all important ( to a 20 year old boy ) dinner grub, and he let me know that he 1. cleaned his room all up 2. took our natural gas bbq all apart, cleaned it, scrubbed it, and made a new wooden piece for it to hold the condiments or utensils and 3. was in a great mood as he stopped by the High School and they have asked him to come into automotive classes next year to assist teaching ( volunteer of course ). I thought I had a new kid! We have 2 great boys and soon a daughter in law ( September ) who love rving as much as we do. The younger has been out more than I have ( till this weekend ) and the older likes to come with us from time to time - the first year we were finally on our own as a couple ( ooh honeymoon time again ) with the trailer and heading to Saskatchewan, the oldest called up from Victoria and asked can they come along??? Yeah, ok. That's when they learn to take 2 minute showers in the rv instead of the usual 40 minutes and draining all the hot water like they do at home. Congrats to Rick and Paulette who really do have a new kid - the "soon to be famous", Rylie. Check out their site as you will fall in love with this wee pup. Hopefully she'll be on the road soon with some other rv characters - Molly, Max, Cora ( Motormouse ), Checkers, Fillmore, Raider, Tucker of Lee Creek and our love, Gatorgirl.

a much needed rain and green grass

The rain has come finally for a few days and that's a good thing. The lawns were starting to turn brown and that is rare for us. The month of June brings along with it the time to pay property taxes. When those notices come, we are pushed all the more to get on with travelling along full time and leaving the big house behind. We had a garage sale a few weeks ago, trying to clear out quite a number of items, and a lovely family with four young children asked us if we are moving. They were looking at the house and the neighbourhood. Not yet, I replied, but maybe soon. Oh, can we see your backyard? Sure, help yourself. I think the young mother could envision her children and her children's friends playing in the 1/4 acre backyard. All I saw last weekend was the 7 hours it took me to cut the grass. Wouldn't it be nice to pass it on to some lovely young family like that - to have little ones running and laughing and playing games, instead of something we rarely use. I might have to look after some wee ones - nah.... we're in the stage after the teenagers and before the grandkids and we'll just enjoy that for the next while sitting by the campfire ......

Singing and Playing in the Light

We here in the north tend to enjoy our long summer days of light after the long dark days of winter. I am writing this at 11:00 pm and it's still light out. Those readers who have been to Alaska in June know what I am talking about. Of course when you are out in the RV in June, everybody keeps hanging around the campfire till the wee hours because they still think its 8:00 pm. By June 21st, it gets dark about 12:30pm and the sun comes up and the birds start singing at 3:00 am - so really you can pull an all - nighter, carrying on with the campfire stories and the guitar playing and singing. However, it seems our 50+ years and the fact we are up early tend to tell us to get the hmmmm to bed. Or maybe it's the 20 year old double - casked Balvenie. After a couple of those, your voice tends to get a little better, but that's the limit in this group. Speaking of singing and music - Big music celebration coming up in the community - Midsummer Music Festival. Tends to take place on the longest day (light) of the year. One of the best groups to play ( at least to a proud mum ) is the Grade 12 Senior Jazz and Funk Band - national music award winners when our boys played, and they are continuing that tradition. The photo is the Midsummer stage a couple of years ago when our youngest was playing and he was in his grad year. Tonight I had the honour of attending a year end concert at the High School - there are about 1000 kids in the school and about 350 are involved in the music program. Kudos to the kids and to Mike the near - genuis music teacher - it was fab!

A Bird and ( he wished ) a Birdie

I went to an ornithologist's conference once and learned that if a bird hits your window, run outside, pick it up and immediately hold it upright with its' head at the top. Apparently, this allows the bird to rest and lets its brain recover. ( I am not a bird expert ). We have tried this a number of times and it does work - within a short time they are recovered and able to go back to doing whatever it is that birds do. Well, sure enough, a wee Pine Siskin hit the window and I ran like a chicken to go get it ( oooh more bird talk ) . I was able to hold it for 15 minutes or so, let it rest after that on the deck railing, and then away it went. Donald, who is down at the Lot with the RV, golfed yesterday at Hyde Mountain near Sicamous, BC. He said it was one of the more thrilling courses - if you don't go straight, your ball is off a cliff and it is gone. He said he lost quite a number of golf balls - hmmm. Todays picture is an osprey nest above A & W in Salmon Arm last August. If you click on the picture to make it larger, you can see the baby peering over the edge no doubt looking for some tasty fish bits from a parent.

Bluejeans, Beer, Burgers and Boogie - Woogie Blues

What great fun! Friends, good food and wonderful music playing as you sit outdoors in the sunshine with a view of the coastal mountains! The river was in its' spring wild rush with the soothing sounds, the lambs were calling for their mums, the llama was leading the way and the sounds of varied music was drifting over all. It doesn't get dark till after midnight, so if you can swat a few mosquitos away, you can be outside till the sheep come home.

A deal at the Farmers Market

Well I have only counted the ones on my arm, but I have 30 mosquito bites after cutting the front lawn. Don't you just love them? Here is a picture of the little tables I bought at the Farmers Market for the RV. They fold up for easy carrying and are made up of strips of birch, cedar and other warm coloured woods. Great deal - regular $38 each and I talked the vendor into 2 for $55. We have had over 2 weeks of +30 celsius ( or for our southern readers that is about 85 degrees F ).That brought out a huge hatch of our little stinging friends. We need rain! Down at the "lot" it has been even hotter with no rain. I am really looking forward to seeing the lot after the latest big "landscraping" that took place last week. I have the camera so pictures to come in a week or so. This picture is last year after trees were cleared out. Mom is home from the hospital - whoo hoo! She is feeling great. She said she saw her daily "room" bill and it was $875 a day ( we don't pay that directly in Canada - it is billed to the health system ) That would not include any tests, or either of the heart operations. She had top notch care by nurses, specialists and surgeons. You can't beat being in the hospital Monday,2 heart surgeries on Thursday at a different hospital that specializes in those types of procedures, and then home today and making lunch in the kitchen! WoW! and WOW is upside down for MOM!

Saturday is going to be busy!

A day off from work means you are attempting and probably not succeeding at getting a lot of things done - lets see - there is grass to cut, flowers to deadhead and water, Smithers Farmers Market to attend, bathrooms to clean... and the list goes on. We all in most cases have the best of intentions to get the chores and activities done - but then there is a grand occasion in the evening and of course we must go! Our International Dinner club ( aka INDIN ) that has been ongoing for ( I guess here ) 25 years is having their last dinner for the 08-09 season. What is the theme you say? Beer, Blue Jeans, Burgers and BoogieWoogie Blues. Great fun that only Kim will attend and wishes Don was here - lucky guy enjoying our retirement lot ( or should I say working the lot - 20 truckloads of fill in the last 10 days, an excavator, a bobcat and maybe a curse or two. ) Kim will endeavour to post a few pictures of the INDIN activities. In the meantime, we all say a prayer of thanks for Kim's mom coming through 2 heart surgeries yesterday. She had us all pretty worried.. Speedy recovery!!!!! The picture is of Lorraine at Lake Huron, Collingwood Ontario, September 2008, with her lover ( Kim's Dad of course, come on! ) smooching at St. Jacobs.

the first blog

Welcome to the first blog entry. We are ( soon to be ) totally retired - Don is already and Kim will be soon. In the meantime, we are rving as much as we can, enjoying our retirement property and planning to full time rv when Kim is all done. There is lots of reading, lots of planning and we have enjoyed some great blogs to follow to lead us on the way. Don is down at our retirement property in the Shuswaps and Kim will be there next weekend. Hopefully you can come along in our journeys and preparation! Today's picture is at Round Lake, Smithers BC - Round Lake Resort - our unit on the left, our friends Dan and Margie on the right.