Where there is smoke, there is fire.

On Saturday, Donald and I went to the beach for a few hours as we were leaving the next day. As you looked across the lake, there was the big smoke of another forest fire. It was behind the ridge, so were not sure how far away the fire was from that particular ridge. At suppertime, it had cleared over the top of the mountain and started to burn its way down the front side. At this point we could see the flames and red, especially when it was darkening into night. We watched this till about 11 pm. Very scary for those residents below ( Sorrento BC ). On the radio news the next morning, it was mentioned the RCMP were delivering evacuation notices all night. By the time we departed from the RV lot, it was 7 km from the town of Sorrento.

adventure to a lumber mill

After the Roots and Blues festival, we have spent a relaxing week visiting neighbours at happy hour time and puttering about the RV. Donald has an idea to build some stairs and a small retaining wall at the end of where the RV is sited. Along with this wall, he also has plans to build an arbour with trellising and planters to create a little shade area. This will be a project for next year. So, we drove to Chase to see about some timbers, as the 2 building centres in Scotch Creek do not have what he wants. It turns out neither does the building centre in Chase. So, off for another adventure. Remember when we wanted rock, we went off to find the quarry?? Well, this time is was off to find a lumber mill. We found one - Last Chance Lumber = on Little Shuswap Lake. No one was around, but we drove looking at the cedar timbers and managed to get a couple of phone numbers. A beautiful drive to the mill overlooking the lake - the skies in the pictures are hazy due to the nearby forest fire - more on that tomorrow!

roots and blues

Roots and Blues in Salmon Arm - great festival. Wonderful friendly volunteers - about 900 run the festival. Great highlights: Dr. John and the Lower 911; Johnny Winter; Kries ( from Croatia ). Do not ever pay to see: Chad VanGaalen. It was not a hot day, with some cloudy cover so that really saved our skin! The festival is held on the fairgrounds and there is not much shade cover. Lots of food vendors, and homemade craft/art vendors. Six stages of music and a very big childrens area. A very long day though- 45 minute drive each way - and we left the rv lot about 8:00 am and got home after midnight. We left before the last act was finished, so we may have beat much of the traffic leaving. The festival notes that they enjoy about 25,000 people. Now the weather is turning to hot and sunny again ( 32 C ) and we look forward to maybe some boating with friends, reading some books in the shade and relaxing.

Yellow things - like yellow birds/hate yellowjacket wasps

every time I have vacation, it seems to rain - hence we are sitting in Scotch Creek having coffee under cover and I am able to access the WIFI here. THe drive down to the lot was without any problems and we have been puttering bringing flowers back to life after a very dry month. Our sprinkler system did not catch all the plants, so some were rather sickly. We had a wonderful visit from friends in the north, with their RV, as they were on their way to Kelowna and UBC
( Okanagan). Their daughter is trying out for the soccer team and going to attend first year there. We spent one day at the beach and they enjoyed their brand new kayaks - a 50th Birthday present! The wasps are numerous and most of the time, you cannot eat outside. I was stung on Thursday and it appears I may be allergic to some degree, as my leg is all swollen and hard at the sting site. So, we may or may not go to the Roots and Blues Festival tomorrow in Salmon Arm. We have been enjoying our bird feeder area and the "wilson's warblers" - yellow birds. I hope that is what they are.

and we're off

On Thursday, Donald drove from the Manitoba border where the cottage is to ??. He called when he crossed the Alberta border, hoping to stay at a nephew's in Calgary, and then onto the Shuswaps today. After I finish work today I will finish my packing tonight and then be off early in the morning to meet up with him. While cutting the front lawn last evening, at least 6 DC 10's came in and out - fire bombers. When they are loaded and heading back out, they fly really low and the windows in the house rattle. Our province needs rain. So, the internet is sporadic for us down in the Shuswaps - we will try to post regularly, but it might be every couple of days. On another note, your kids keep you on your toes - the youngest lives now for the fish and the oldest
( 23) called to say he bought a new bike ( Suzuki TLR 1000 ). Says he is going to give me a ride when we get to Victoria and his wedding in September. Not likely. :)