a holiday for chores - what's with that???

Today is a provincial statutory holiday, and I will celebrate with laundry, cleaning the house, maybe cutting the front lawn and making my big list for the next RV trip on Friday. The weather network noted last evening that the rest of the week temperatures are to "dip" into the 28 - 30 celsius range. Relief! We sure don't like 42.5 C of last Thursday.That translates to 108.5 F, and does not take into consideration the humidity that was also present. We are usually fairly dry with no humidity. In Retired Rod's blog, he mentioned going north to escape some heat - we are near the Alaska border and we're melting, melting!!! I will stop whining now about the heat - it's great for those thousands of RV's travelling though our area. The picture is the view from the sewer dump station at the Information Centre in Hazelton BC( on our way back from the Kispiox last weekend ).

more festival time and trying to keep cool

Long weekend here. I had to get away from town and Don is enjoying the cottage in Saskatchewan. I decided to go to Terrace BC for Riverboat Days - an annual 10 day festival of food, music, sports, you name it. Since the RV is down in the Shuswaps - I did something I have not done since I was 18 years old - I tented! Well, when it is 40 degrees celsius, and you haven't had much sleep in 15 days because of the heat in the house ( who would have an air conditioned house in Northern BC? ) sleeping in the rainforest at a Provincial Park in a tent was heaven! I had 2 nights of nice cool slumbers. Last night was a "Concert in the Park" in Terrace - a Lee Aaron concert - very rockin'. During the day we took in the excellent Farmers Market, a big parade and music. Some of the Hardwall Gang play with the Dixieland Band, so as the groupies we went to watch them in the parade and playing on the street afterwards. Play those blues and Dixie tunes guys! Now this week is more packing and off to the Shuswaps on Friday - Donald will leave on Thursday to meet me there!

happy 50th and water bombers

As the kids say, my "BFF" enjoyed her 50th birthday last evening with a wonderful backyard BBQ. You were to bring an appetizer, your lawnchair and your drink(s). A few family and friends gave some lovely touching speeches, with not too much roasting! She did however have to model and wear a special outfit with some incredible shoes to match. With our unusual heat spell in the valley and the province, there were big clouds building in the sky, which made it a little more bearable for sitting outside. Those clouds did bring lightening strikes in the far distance and in no time, we saw the spotter plane going overhead and then a few trips back and forth of a couple of the water bombers. Pretty nice when nature provides the fireworks display for the party - now if only those water bombers could tow a Happy Birthday banner behind them! So D - here are your modelling pictures - you're a looker! Happy 50th!.

summer birthdays

Donald called late afternoon yesterday and he was on his way past Calgary. Oh I want to be on the road with my best friend! Just a couple of years till I'm retired and on the road full time. Like Al and Kelly, ( the Bayfield Bunch ) we are evaluating that date and circumstances all the time, but not to be longer than the scheduled date. Tonight I will gather with the Hardwall gang to celebrate a 50th birthday. She and I are one day apart ( and a couple of years though ). It will be great fun. Speaking of birthdays, this picture is of Donald, his sisters and his mother, celebrating her 90th bithday at the cottage. Lil is 92 now, still living in her own apartment, driving her car and is now awaiting the arrival of everyone at the cottage. Have a great time guys - wish I was there!

long drives in the summer heat

I tried to wait till later in the evening when it was cool, but it never did cool off - I had lots and lots of Saskatoon berries to pick off our tree. The berries went straight to the deep freeze and I will do some more tonight as well as the raspberries. Donald called in the evening to let me know that he had the rv all in place for when I arrive back in the Shuswaps, except for hooking up the sewer stuff. No problem. It was a scorcher there, so setting up took all day - you move a little, then have to go into the AC to cool off, then back to doing, etc. I think Gatorgirl stayed in the AC the whole time. Today he is off to Saskatchewan to our family cottage near the Manitoba border. The picture is our oldest son putting up a big shade tent in the front yard of the cottage. Another long drive for Donald to get there. We are putting on the km's this summer!