Day 3: Getting Some Turtle Love at Hotel Lake

The day started just after 4 am for Micha and Alex but boy did that pay off.  They were the last vehicle loaded on to the 9:25 am ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale.  They made it in record time!

I moved the Gypsy Wagon to Hotel Lake this morning and no sooner had I pulled the truck away then I hear the traditional honking of the horn as Micha and Alex came within sight of the campground.  Generally, being the first to arrive and last to leave, I never get to honk my horn at anyone.  Oh well, I do get the longest stay!

Lee Bay is still as we enjoy our morning coffee. 

Sanding boards to prepare them for painting. 

A great way to wash dusty plastic lawn chairs. 

Ham Dinner at Grandma's house. 

Save that turtle!

A quick evening paddle to check on the pair of Loon's floating with their noses tucked
under their wings and it is time to say, "Good night!"

Day 2: A Sailor's Delight

"Make sure you take down the wind chime before you go to bed!"

But alas, I forgot.

It is 4:10 am and there is a slow steady dinging sound creeping into my dreams.  Is the carbon monoxide detector going off?  Is that the alarm for the water pump for the house?  No, too quiet. . . as I slowly emerge into full consciousness I realize it is the wind chime that I neglected to disable before going to bed.  Sigh.  I'm not going out there - there are night creatures!

Thankfully the birds begin to chirp shortly after which masks the sound and I drift back into dreamland.

Things we saw today:

• The neighbour's cat sunning itself on the front steps. 
• Eagles, harbour seals, a Canada Goose resting on one foot sunning itself beside the ocean waters, Jelly fish. 

Today, Father's Day, saw the Garden Bay Sailing Club return from their two day race to Secret Cove and back.  Dad enjoyed the race down yesterday and the group dinner that followed.  Luckily he was able to get a ride home and did not have to overnight in a tent.  This morning Mom drove him back to the Lady Jayne for the second leg of the race. 

We manned the spotting scope with anticipation as each boat came into sight around Francis Peninsula.  Zorro's boat, a lovely homemade double-master, is typically last.  We had cause for alarm when Zorro's boat rounded the headlands before seeing Dad.  What happened?!  How could Dad not be ahead of Zorro!  We learned later that Zorro retired early and did some power-sailing (motoring while still having all sails up). Phew. 

The neighbours cat on Mom and Dad's steps this morning
was not too sure about this intruder. 

This year's crop of tobacco for Dad's pipe. 

My morning coffee spot. 

The hummingbird is having a rest. 

The sailor is getting ready to depart Secret Cove on Day 2 of the race. 

Dominic was pleased to note that this year he is tall enough to
look through the spotting scope. 

Yippee, the Lady Jayne is in sight!

The Lady Jayne, heading into the harbour. 

The Lady Jayne entering Fisherman's Resort. 

Safely home again. 

Hotel Lake - Our Favourite Trip of the Year!

The Gypsy Wagon rolls again!

At 6:40 am a very sleepy Dominic crawled into Mr. Thirsty and off we went.  Alex is staying another two days with Micha so that he can play in two more Bantam A Baseball playoff games.

Such an early departure on a Saturday meant that we scooted over the mountain passes and across Vancouver's bridges with ease.

We arrived at Horseshoe Bay with plenty of time to spare. It is a short crossing to Langdale and then a twisty little business driving another hour and a smidgen to Pender Harbour.

After turning the Gypsy Wagon around in the cul-de-sac, I thread the needle and back it down the driveway like.a.boss!

Then, it is off to LaVerne's Fish and Chips for dinner.  Yum.  All is well.

Interesting sites and happenings:

• We passed the Ride2Survive bikers on their one day Kelowna to Delta Cancer fundraising relay ride near the summit of the Coquihalla connector. 
• The Coast Guard hovercraft is spotted zooming past Bowen Island. 
• Sadly, I run over a bird.  It was a direct hit under the passenger side tires.  I kept thinking it would move.  No, it didn't. 
• We saw the conclusion to an outdoor wedding at the Hotel Lake campsite as we passed by on our way to Mom and Dad's cabin.  A beautiful sunny day by the lake, big tents. . .. just make sure they disappear in the next few days because you are in our spots! I am getting territorial after all of these years :). 

All good trips begin at Tim Horton's. 

How to navigate the toll booth:  Roll down window, extend hand with credit card,
do NOT look at the receipt, carry on. .... 

Selfies on the ferry.

There's no place like Grandma's!

Ah, smell the ocean air!

A trip to John Henry's for the paper, of course. 

Time for dinner at LaVerne's Grill. 

Deer everywhere - all is well. 

May Long Weekend 2015 Enderby, BC PART 1

The Gypsy Wagon Rides Again

Grateful for a Pro-D day on the Friday before the Victoria Day long weekend, we head out of Kelowna on Thursday afternoon to points north.

Riverside Campground in Enderby, BC is just over an hour north of Kelowna.  The last time we packed up and headed out we traveled over 5500 kms and were gone for 23 days.

What a delight to have a large, grassy site under towering pine trees. And, the sun is shining.  This is a rarity on the May long weekend.

We picked up the Kennedy kids and made an early start.
Arriving after 5 pm, the kids helped set up and
defrosted pulled pork made for a quick, filling dinner.
Brian and Renata followed after work. 

The nearby Field of Dreams keep the kids busy on a sunny
Thurday night. 

Four faces relaxing with a DVD as night falls. 

Friday morning.  My goodness those skylights bring in the
early morning sun!

Friday morning bacon and eggs. 

Popcycles before lunch. Nice!

The kids go off in search of CANDY!

Time for a board game. 

Blocking the wind and 'hiding' the fact that the boys are starting fires.
I don't think anyone was fooled. 

All is ready for the BC Open Gold Panning Championships
that begin Saturday. 

An evening of good old fashioned tunes.