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!

Porch Repairs

Brooks built our porch in 2016 so it has hit ten years old. There has been a problem with the main support posts sinking into the ground with the two outside ones having sunk about four inches and it was becoming very noticeable. I called a local contractor and he gave me an estimate of $7,000 if all went well and more if the posts or footings had to be replaced or if (horrors) he had to dig down to hard-pan which could double it. I called Brooks and he knew he could do it for a lot less so he organized a trip up with one of his employees.

They arrived at noon on Friday after a three hour drive and started right in. They used a laser level to see exactly how bad it was and then started digging down to the footings to see what was going on. There were two possibilities, 1) the footings were sinking into the soft, damp soil or 2) the footings were stable but the wood posts were rotting off at the bottom and giving way to the considerable weight of the structure. The latter proved to be the case which was actually the best case scenario as long as the rot did not extend too far up (which it didn't).

 They dug around all three footings and used jacks to raise the porch to an inch above level. They then cut the bottom foot off all the posts, poured quick setting concrete into each hole to raise, enlarge and reinforce the old footings and temporally supported the porch to let the concrete set overnight. It was about 7:00 PM when they quit for the night.

I fed them a dinner of Greek Salad and authentic Mexican Red Snapper Veracruzana from a recipe I found and modified to most closely match the delicious version we ate several times in the beautiful Mexican Gulf city of Veracruz. We washed it down with a nice bottle of Merlot. After dinner the three of us sat at the kitchen table and Brooks and I shared many old stories of his mother, something we have never previously been able to do. We covered old serious and humorous stories of her Union and Political organizing days as well as our Mexico travel adventures all fuelled with a 1/2 bottle of very nice Single Malt scotch, a very thoughtful Christmas gift from Penny's son Mike and daughter in law, Erynn. There are a thousand stories yet to cover but they will wait for another time. It was an amazing evening in so many ways! We were all tired and went to bed long before midnight.

Brooks and Kevin were up at 7:00 AM, shooting levels and making sure everything was still good. They placed piers on top of the footings to keep the wood well away from the ground and lowered the deck. One post had to be shimmed a tiny bit but the deck is now within 1/8 of an inch from level. Perfect. Probably good for as long as I will be. They stopped for a breakfast of poached eggs, potatoes and toast and were gone by noon.

The top photo was taken when it was new, the rest are of the current repairs. 

The Peeing Boy

The Peeing Boy!

Norma's parents had this Peeing Boy beside the pond in their yard for many years! When they passed, it found it's way to our yard where there was no pond but he spent his time here in Norma's flower garden. Brooks and LindaLee always wanted the boy but Norma would never part with him. Well, they have now been working on me and I finally relented and hauled the surprisingly heavy statue down to their place on Monday. LindaLee had purchased a submersible pump for it and Brooks soon had him peeing once again! I must admit he looks far more at home in her pond than he did in what is left of Norma's flower garden.

 

 

62 Years

 62 Years!

A Kitsilano High School classmate of mine decided to organize a lunch at the White Spot beside our old Kitsilano High School in Vancouver. We got together for our 60th reunion just two years ago but age is starting to catch up to us and he thought we probably shouldn't wait until our 70th in 2033. So I booked a hotel room for September 19 & 20. I never get to Vancouver any more so it will be fun seeing some of my oldest friends. I also managed to score a "cheap" hotel room for two nights at the same Steveston Cafe and Hotel where we stayed two years ago for $225 per night (breakfast & parking included). Downtown hotels are running $500 - $700 per night for that weekend. It will still be a $1,000 weekend with ferry, gas and meals but what the heck, I can't take it with me!

The Steveston Hotel (formerly The Sockeye Hotel) has been around since 1895 but has recently had an extensive renewal / upgrade and is very pleasant inside.

 

 Here is an old shot of Kitsilano High with the White Spot Drive In Restaurant in front. Taken in 1966, three years after I graduated. Best shrimp Sandwiches in town!

 

 

Final TV Post And A Trip!

The TV guy came back today with all the parts he needed to move the dish to the other end of the house. We had a short discussion on running all the wire in the attic instead of inside the rain gutters but he said new company rules did not allow him to go into attics for insurance reasons. I don't like it but that's the way it is. Anyway, not his fault and I was very happy with the signal he got in the end. A "perfect" signal strength of 95 and 11.1 dB on the new, smaller dish. I am happy but if that cable causes the gutters to plug up, they will be hearing about it.and getting a bill.

In other news:

I drove down to Shawnigan on Sunday for my Daughter In Law's 50th birthday party. The bad part was sleeping in the back of my car which is not as comfortable for my 6' 4" frame as I had hoped. It was all my fault as the couch I usually sleep on was vacant, I just wanted to try the back of the SUV for future reference. I discovered two things: 1) If I drink more than two beer, I have to make several trips to a big tree overnight and, 2) There is no way to open the rear door of my SUV from inside so these trips to the tree required crawling to the side door and exiting from there. The good part of the trip was was buying a pint of fresh oysters on the way home. I hate patting myself on the back but I cooked them to absolute perfection - done but not overdone! There were enough for three meals of fried oysters and mashed potatoes! Tonight I am watching the Blue Jays four game sweep of the Yankees! One inning to go and it is 8-5. Life is good!

TV - Part 2

The Shaw Direct repairman was here yesterday and agreed with me that my dish needs relocating to the far end of the house. He also noted that the mount on the old dish was so badly rusted that the whole assembly needs replacing. Unfortunately, he did not have the required materials with him and will have to come back in a week.

In order to get me by until then, he tweaked the dish a little to get a stronger signal. The path is still going through the tree branch but the signal is now strong enough to give me the minimal required signal strength and it is working just fine (fingers crossed).

Here is the path to the three Shaw Direct satellites as seen with the app on his phone. Only one satellite is obstructed but that must be the one that carries all the channels I watch.

"Well, HERE's yer problem!" 

 

No TV For Three weeks!

 

About a month ago I noticed my satellite TV (Shaw Direct) TV reception starting to fade out badly with any rain. I just assumed the weather was worse a little further south or back east where the signal originates. It is something I have always dealt with but it was worse this time. About three weeks ago the signal was off more than it was on. That's what I did for a living, radio, satellite and fibre optics communications so I should have been onto it earlier but I wasn't. I went out and sighted along the path to the bird and saw that a tree in my neighbour's property had grown quite a bit taller and wider and decided that was the problem, "tree fade" and there was little I could do about it.

 

The property is owned by a Vancouver real estate company and is rented out so I could probably have gotten permission to remove or at least top the tree but I would have to hire a tree removal company company to do it as well as to finance an engineering report to say it was safe to do so without destabilizing the steep slope behind both our properties. A very expensive proposition. The other option would be to move the dish, something I would have tackled myself long ago when I was 50 or 60 but not so much now at 80. So I called Shaw Customer service.

 

I explained the problem and he started going through the checklist. Are both the TV and receiver plugged in? I told him I had 40 years experience dealing with equipment far more complicated than theirs and he could be assured that I had done all the preliminary checks. He finally agreed to send out a repairman but it would take three weeks! I told him the dish needed to be relocated and he said they would do that.

So, no TV for three weeks! At least not regular programming. I have Netflix, Prime and YouTube so I was not without entertainment and I usually get my news from the computer anyway with CBC, Aljazeera, BBC, CNN and others so I wasn't really missing much. Except for sports, I could probably live without network TV. They will be here on Tuesday and I will see what they say. If they won't do it or if they want me to pay, I will just cancel the service and go to Telus TV. It can't be more expensive that the $150 per month I pay for Shaw Direct. More to come!

Shopping Canadian

I don't know if you have heard but Donald Trump is threatening to annex Canada and turn us into "his" 51st State. You've got to be kidding me! Who in their right mind would want to be part of Trump/Musk's  country? Canada has a higher standard of living, much better (and cheaper) medical care, better working conditions, we retire earlier and live longer. And even better, we are happier! We have higher literacy and education rates I know I have missed a bunch of things but you get the idea, We have no intention of becoming "Americans". In order to force us into doing as we are told, Trump is threatening our economy by introducing what he thinks are crippling tariffs on Canada (as well as Mexico). Will he take the final step and send his military against his neighbour? You tell me. He is certifiably crazy so who knows? Would that be the final step that would make the American people stop him? I don't know.

So what can we do? Stop travelling to the US. I decided for myself back in December that I would not spend a dime in the US as long as Trump is in power and the GOP is in charge. That means no travel there. Period. Several European countries have put travel bans and advisories into effect since Trump's "Alien Enemies Act" has started allowing customs to search phones for any evidence of activities they don't like, even talking critically of the child king. My granddaughter has been planning a destination wedding in Florida for later in 2025 but I will not be there. I know I will not be popular but I will live with that rather than live with the disappointment in myself if I were to go and spend thousands to encourage that reddest of red States to continue what they are doing. If I did that I could not live with myself. I hope she will see the light and cancel or move the wedding. I am sure she would lose deposits but so be it. I would help her out if that were the case.

The other thing I can do is stop buying anything made in the USA. Canadians have really taken this to heart and are using various websites and apps the avoid anything that is a product of the USA. Grocery shopping has become an adventure involving Internet on cell phones and magnifying glasses. Liquor store shelves have been stripped of US liquor, beer and wine. Everything Canadians buy is getting a hard look for country of origin and stores are slowly beginning to cooperate by labelling shelves of Canadian made items. Items from other, more friendly countries are just fine but the US has proven to be anything but friendly to Canada.

Canada is working to develop markets for our goods that previously went to the US. The EU is proving to be willing customers and I would far rather see our raw materials and manufactured goods go there. Canada has just cancelled our huge deal with the US for 88 F-35 fighters. We may have to take the few that we have paid for in advance but no more. Maybe the US's new best friend Russia will take the rest of them complete with the rumoured software "kill switch" that Trump or Musk can activate at will. The newest Saab fighter is cheaper, more reliable and much easier to fly and maintain and Saab has promised to build a factory in Canada to produce them. It is past time to cut our military and financial ties to our hostile neighbour to the south. Canada is "Strong and Free" and will remain so.

 

Just Checking In!

Not much to report but I just thought it was time to come back and say, "Hi". I am and have been well, no problems other than the same old 80 year old aches and pains. I spent Christmas and New Years down in Victoria visiting my friend Penny. She hasn't been feeling top notch lately so we didn't do anything wild and crazy, just hung out around her place. I took down a baked, stuffed Sockeye Salmon so that was a big hit. I also took down two "large", fresh Dungeness crabs which were very good but not as large as I have bought in previous years although the price has certainly gone up! I paid $82 for two not so large (but the largest they had) crabs where last year two actual "large" ones cost just over $60. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at her son Mike's nearby house being entertained by her four year old grandson, A.J. It was a good time.

On my way home I stopped for a short overnight visit with my son Brooks and LindaLee. Brooks is busy working on a huge fencing project, installing several kilometres of chain link around a huge animal rescue shelter. The fence goes through forest and over creeks so involves a lot of clearing and packing of heavy rolls of fencing through the bush. It is keeping him and his crew busy trying to keep to the contractual deadlines but they will do it and there is a large payday waiting at the end. I got home on January 5th, worn out and ready to relax in front of the TV for a few days. Now, if I could only renew my friendship with Kelly's cat who has been giving me the cold shoulder since I came home with scent of five cats and two dogs on me!

Generator Service

Back in October or November the generator quit starting, I did not want to put plates on it to take it in so I just left it for the winter, trying it every month to no avail. It cranked enthusiastically but no start. I finally got it started a week or so ago after a long drive and it ran perfectly. It still needed a service so I took it in to the local White's Diesel & Marine on July10. It had not been serviced since 2012. Yes, I know! I started it before I dropped it off and it chugged, rattled and smoked so I shut it off and tried again, It started and ran perfectly! 

I left it with them and after one and a half hours they had it done. Just a regular service, plug, filter(s), oil change and carb adjustments. I paid the $325 Canadian bill and drove away with a perfectly functioning generator! FYI, the last time I had it serviced was in 2012 in Yuma, Arizona on our way into Mexico. They did the exact same service and charged me $180 US twelve years ago. Almost as much (after conversion) as I paid up here. I am happy! The furnace does not work but that is another story. It has eaten circuit boards for years so I may convert it to a "Buddy" propane heater. If it goes bad, you throw it away and buy another!

Motorhome Test Drive!

 

Great Test Drive!

 

Yesterday I had six new tires installed on the motorhome for $1,600 and decided to take it for a drive to 1) burn off some of the five year old fuel in it and 2) see how it runs with the new brakes, tires, transmission service, etc.

 

I headed south and drove it to Union Bay where I pulled into the beachfront parking area and walked to the little grocery store to buy something to eat. Back in the RV, on a whim, I did something I knew I shouldn't do, I hit the start button on the generator. A couple of months ago it refused to start. I cranked it for several minutes and it didn't even attempt to fire. Two weeks ago when I put insurance on it I tried again, using every trick I knew. Still nothing, crank but no start. I phoned the local generator shop and made an appointment for July 10. He warned me that a no start condition could be quite expensive to fix and to be prepared for the worst.

 

Well, back to the beach at Union Bay. I hit the start button, it cranked for about two seconds and started! It sounded smooth and strong! I let it idle for a few minutes and feeling very lucky, I turned on the roof air conditioner. I could hear the generator take the load but it handled it easily. I then put a cup of water in the microwave and turned it on as well. No problem, it carried both loads easily and was running smoothly. I headed home and ran the generator and roof air all the way home, about two hours. The generator still needs servicing but at far less cost than it was looking like.

Motorhome TLC

It was time!

The motorhome has been parked for seven years with only one break, the 2019 trip to the Okanagan. Before now it has never had a "real" service, just repairs as needed through our travels. It was running beautifully when it was parked It has had an oil change at least every year, more than required along with whatever inspections they do with oil changes. It also has a transmission service many years ago as a result of a disastrous / comical oil change in southern Mexico. Nothing ever caused any concern. It has 78.000 miles (128,500 kilometres) on it. I put new rear brakes on it the last time I parked it.

Yesterday I took it into Seymour Services, a highly recommend local independent garage. I explained everything to the service manager and told him to pretend it was his own vehicle and do what was required. I knew it was going to be expensive (and it was). I left it in his hands with instructions to call me for authorization on anything extraordinary, and he did so three times.

I picked it up this afternoon and they had done:  Lube & oil, parking brake service, Transmission service (without fluid change - it was still good), new front brakes, brake fluid flush, replace fuel filter, replace air filter, exhaust service (some loose manifold bolts), replace differential oil, installed new wiper blades and carefully inspected everything else. The bill was $3,400 CAN or $2,500 US). Not bad considering all the services it has missed over the years.

I left there and drove to the Onan generator place and made an appointment for service. I was on my way home and on a whim I stopped at the local auto detailing shop. I was going to clean it myself but one side was covered in moss/mold from being parked up against a tall hedge for seven years and it would have been a tough job. They offered to do it properly for $200 less a $25 coupon I found in Norma's papers. While the detail shop manager was inspecting the rig we talked a bit about it and he indicated he was looking for a motorhome! Well! I was looking for a buyer and he said he would take it for a test drive when it goes in tomorrow! I have become 95% sure I want to sell it, The price of gas and the cost of RV parks and travel medical insurance makes the type of travel we loved so much farther out of reach every year. I will be 80 next year so it is probably time to hang up the keys, I will see what he offers and sleep on it. The price of RV's skyrocketed during Covid and is still up there. It is a 2005 that I bought "new" in 2007 in Texas when the Canadian dollar was at par and when I checked what it was worth now, I was shocked! With luck I will not lose all that much for the 17 years I have owned it,

Update(s) to follow.

Proof Of Life!

I'm still here! I haven't posted for a while because I have done nothing travel related but I am well. I just completed another voyage around the Sun and celebrated my 79th birthday a few days ago. My friend Penny invited me down to Victoria where she wined and dined me at an All You Can Eat Sushi restaurant. It was delicious and we both walked away full! Penny's son Mike (and Erynn) also included tickets for a concert by an Eagles Tribute Band that was very good. It was a good birthday! I stayed around Victoria for a few days and then headed home, stopping at my son's place in Shawnigan Lake on the way. His work schedule is crazy and I don't get to see him near often enough! It seems he just started his company and now he is talking about retirement but when I think about it he is almost as old as I was when I retired! Time flies!

I have been looking after my friend (and sometimes house guest) Kelly's cat, Grace. while Kelly went on a cruise. I tried to avoid it but agreed in the end and am so happy I did. She is no trouble and is old enough (10) to just want to hang out with me and chill. I feed her and clean her litter once a day but other than that I don't even know she is around except for when I get up from my TV chair to get a coffee and she is on my lap! Kelly's daughter and my friend Brian dropped in regularly while I was gone and made sure she was not lacking in companionship, food, water and treats! Kelly is back from her cruise and will be taking Grace back home to Nanaimo later today. I will miss the little girl but Kelly has more plans to leave her with me a few times over the summer. Needless to say, Kelly got back before me and the house is totally spotless with new bedding on my bed. She is the ideal house-guest! 

The weather is improving and they have already declared water restrictions. And this is just shortly after having to open the dam because the reservoir was too full! Campbell River does not have a water shortage problem, it has a water delivery problem! New housing is being built at a crazy rate but the water mains have not been updated. On top of this, it is going to be another hot, dry summer with forest fires. maybe a new record for the Province. It will mean lots of staying inside and in my case with the furnace fan running to try to maintain a positive pressure to keep the smoke out. At least some of it!

Anyway, all for now. I hope all my Blogging / RV'ing friends are well, I do enjoy keeping track of everyone as much as possible.

Merry Christmas!

A Very Merry Christmas to all my Family and Friends Everywhere!

I am in Victoria at my friend Pennys' place for Christmas. I stopped at my son's for a couple of days on the way down. We are probably going up to Campbell River for New Year's. No big plans, just a quiet celebration. All my best to everyone!

Boy, Do I Feel Dumb!

 At the beginning of the summer I decided to let the motorhome run on solar power so I evidently turned off the "Aux Battery" switch on the control panel which isolated the batteries from all charging systems except solar. The problem is, I totally forgot about this until I started looking into the converter "problem". Turning the "Aux Battery" switch back on sent 14.4 volts charging voltage to the battery. Problem solved and $200 to $300 saved!

Converter Problems

 It appears the electrical converter in the motorhome is shot! The job of the converter is to take the 115 volt AC power coming into the RV and convert it to 12 volts (actually +/-13.5) to charge the batteries. A couple of weeks ago Kelly was staying at the house while I was in Victoria and heard an alarm coming from the inverter in the motorhome. She turned off the howling inverter and called me. When I got home I did a quick check and discovered the batteries were low but being slowly recharged by the solar panels which eventually got them back to 12.2 volts in spite of there being little sunshine.

A couple of days ago I finally got around to checking, (first confirming the rig was plugged in) and discovered the converter was not putting out any charging voltage. The converter is situated behind the breaker panel under the bathroom sink, not an easy spot to work in. There is no rush as I will not be using the motorhome for at least several months so I plugged in a battery charger, recharged the batteries and then exchanged the big charger for a trickle charger / battery maintainer. I will be like Scarlett O'Hara and "worry about this another day" when the weather is a little better and I feel more like contorting my body around the tiny bathroom. New converters cost between $200 and $300 and I imagine they would charge $100 to install one at the shop so If I can do it myself, the savings will pay for a nice dinner out.