A Memory From The Road

One year, after spending five months travelling the back-roads of Mexico avoiding, as much as possible, the gringo dominated areas, Norma and I were heading back home. We were always in a hurry at this point because as usual, we had pushed the time we were allowed to be out of Canada and had only a couple of weeks to get home.

We were in a toll booth / rest area /  snack bar stop on the quota road and I was stretching my legs a little. I walked past an ambulance parked at the curb with the driver/paramedic leaning on his hood eating an ice cream bar. As I passed he said something to me. My brain automatically went into translate mode as I struggled to understand what he had said. I caught a couple of words but they did not seem to connect together or make any sense. I stopped and looked at him, asking him to repeat it which he did. Now I was in a bit of a panic! I did not understand him. Suddenly I realized what I was hearing! He was speaking English!! He was asking me how we enjoyed Mexico and how long had we been there. We had a long conversation with hin wanting to know everything. Where had we been, how long, were we going to come back, everything. He asked how safe we felt and I gave him the answer we always gave... we feel much safer in Mexico than we do in the US and always have. He was a very interesting guy, studying to become a doctor and was taking the chance to practice his English. I had been away from English for so long that it sounded like a foreigh language!

My Short Vacation

 I completed my little trip! I was gone for two weeks. I took the SUV, not the motorhome but I had my son build a platform in the back long enough for me to lay on when necessary or convenient. I ended up using it four nights in rest areas and it worked great! I spent two nights in Vernon, BC in a hotel and attended my friend's Celebration of Life. Several of my friends from back in my Union days were there so it was nice catching up with them. There was a lot of smoke from forest fires in the air and it was HOT! 33C or 91F. Not too hot for those used to it but very hot for the rest of us. The Celebration took place in a rented hall and then Val invited us to the house for snacks and a little wine,

The next day I headed towards Alberta to visit my Niece Robin and George for a few days. They have been out to visit me a few times since Norma passed and it was definitely my turn to go there. We spent a lot of time reminiscing and catching up. We had some great dinners at home and I took them out once for dinner and once to a local craft brewery. It was a it of fun but the next time I so, I will probably fly.

On the way home I stopped in Kamloops, BC to visit our old friends Ken and Rusty from Terrace, BC. I spent a couple of nights catching up with them and we also had a nice visit from their daughter Cheryl and her husband, Tim. It was really a great time. 

It was a slow, smokey ride home from there with very slow traffic on the Trans Canada Highway. The ferry deposited me in Nanaima too late to continue home because I don't drive in the dark any more so I parked in a convenient rest area overnight and drive home Wednesday morning, It was so nice to be home to my recliner and Kelly's cat who was not pleased that I had up and left her for so long! It took a couple of days but I think we are friends again! Over the past two weeks I was up earlier and talked far more that I have in several years. It was a different but very welcome experience!.

*** EDIT***  The bills are in and my little voyage cost me about $2,100 total for just under two weeks. Most of this was gas, hotels, meals and ferries. I only spent two nights in hotels, a good thing because hotels that used to be $70 per night are no $200+. Dining out has also increased too much. I really don't know how people of average means can travel these days.

Housekeeping and News

 I was just doing a little housekeeping on the Blog and discovered many comments that had not been posted and were "awaiting moderation"! I have not checked the comments section of settings in a very long time so if you made a comment and it did not get posted, I am sorry, it was my fault. I have now read all of them and posted many. I will try to watch closer in the future.

 In recent news, I will be heading to Vernon for the weekend to attend a Celebration of Life for my old friend Muff McMurphy. Muff and I met in the mid 60's when I joined the BC Telephone Company and liked each other right from the start. Our wives became good friends as well and we have all remained friends ever since. We stayed in the same RV park (Cocopah) in Yuma, AZ together for many winters before Norma and I headed off to explore Mexico. Muff passed from a stroke a few weeks ago and his friends and family are getting together on Saturday the 25th to raise a glass and share some stories!  

 Muff sailing off Florida

Summer's Almost Over

Before it feels like it has really started, I can see an end to summer! I haven't been doing much noteworthy. The fence at the front (oceanside) of my property needed replacement after a few decades of exposure to the salt air breezes. It is at the top of a 12 foot retaining wall so it is a safety issue to keep it in good shape. 

I arranged for my son to head up with a couple of his workers a couple of weekends ago and by luck, he had about 100 feet of black chain link left over from another job so they could do it right away. It was a fun weekend. They set the posts the first day and then stretched the chain link in the next morning. I was prepared to take them to the pub for dinner but then I offered to make dinner so we stuck around and spent the evening around my outdoor fireplace burning the old fence and trading stories. It was a great evening and we all went to bed early.They only stayed the one night but it was nice to see my son, we don't get together often enough. It cost me $2500 but that was cheaper than hiring a local contractor to do the job, and I will get a lifetime warranty with it! LOL 

It's Going To Be A Busy Day

The wood fence at the front of the house that Brooks built for us a couple of decades ago is rotting out and falling down! Norma did not follow Brooks' instructions and piled dirt along the bottoms of the boards and posts, causing rot. The fence runs along the top of a ten foot retaining wall so replacing it is a safety issue! 

 

Brooks and his crew are arriving at about noon to remove the old fence and install a new four foot black chain link replacement They will do the removal and set the posts today and then stretch in the new chain link and re-install the rolling gate tomorrow before returning home to Shawnigan Lake. I will take them to the Riptide Pub for dinner tonight. This is going to leave a mark on my bank account!