Sunday ; And the lovely fall weather continues !
We spent much of today visiting with many neighbours, much of it due to the lovely weather. People were spending time outdoors getting fall work done. We went to see a neighbour who is leaving tomorrow to have cancer surgery, to extend our best wishes to her. Then as we ambled back towards our home we chatted with neighbours who are leaving tomorrow for their first "Snowbird" journey south for the winter. We offered advice based on the wisdom of nine years of experience. We took Bo to the dog park and chatted with a neighbour in the dog park. We chatted with neighbours as they walked around the park enjoying the weather as they exercise.
We spent the evening watching TV ; Battle Of The Blades, Amazing Race, and Downton Abbey. WOO-HOO !
Monday ; Another beautiful fall day, sunny and mild.
This afternoon we took Bo to the dog park. Other neighbours and their dogs were already there. We visited and chatted, I played "fetch" with all the dogs. After the dogs and I were tired of playing fetch I sat down in a lawn chair and joined the socializing. Most of the dogs lay down in the sun. Except for Bo. Not Bo. NOOOOOO ! ! !
Suddenly a neighbour shouted at me that there was some sort of "commotion" at the other end of the dog park. Of course ... Bo was involved ! He was snapping and twirling and ... saliva seemed to be flying around his face. Holy **** ... snake saliva ! I ran over there to find Bo twirling and snapping at a medium sized snake that was coiled up in the grass, tongue lashing out furiously at Bo, snake saliva flying around. I grabbed Bo and checked him out. Except for snake saliva all over his chin, he seemed okay.
Now I had to determine whether or not it was a Rattlesnake. It looked like a Rattlesnake. It's tongue was striking out like a Rattlesnake. Saliva was still flying around. It was curled up defensively in a tight ball, and I needed to see its tail. Fortuitously I had been wearing work gloves when Joanne invited me to join her and Bo on a walk to the dog park. I was still wearing work gloves. I reached down, and the angry and scared snake now began to tongue lash and fling saliva at me. I moved it around a bit and was able to see there was no rattle on the tail. It was just a Bull / Gopher Snake. Looks like a Rattlesnake. Acts like a Rattlesnake. Harmless !
Geeeeeezzzzz, Bo ... if that had been a Rattlesnake, you'd be dead now ! I carefully grabbed the snake behind its head, picked it up and flung it out of the dog park into the adjacent forest. Bo seemed very pleased with himself. What a dolt ! I had to wipe snake saliva off his chin !
Tuesday ; Still beautiful weather.
Got up early this morning, was driven into Keremeos by next door neighbour. Picked up truck at
K Mountain Auto Repair. Picked up prescriptions at Pharmasave. Headed to Penticton. Clear blue sky until approaching Kaleden, then sudden thick fog. Ceiling zero, visibiltiy zero. How odd.
Dropped Joanne at thrift store and went to Canadian Tire for wheel alignment. After wheel alignment met Joanne at shopping mall. Ran errands, went for lunch, and after lunch sky began to slowly clear. By mid-afternoon fog had burned off and sky had cleared. Okay to go flying ! WOO-HOO ! Finished running errands, Joanne dropped me off at airport where I met neighbours Dave and Betty.
Dan Air flight 415 ; took off from Penticton and flew to Oliver, did a touch and go landing at Oliver Airport, flew from Oliver to Osoyoos, did a stop and go landing at Osoyoos Airport, flew over Spotted Lake. What an astounding view from above ! Flew back to Penticton, executed a perfect landing "on the numbers". Last flight until next spring, I guess.
Wednesday ; Still lovely weather.
I went to see my doctor this morning to get prescription refills. It seemed as if half the residents of our RV park were in the clinic today. All the Snowbirds need to get their prescriptions refilled before departing for six months. And everybody is leaving within the next week or so.
We spent the afternoon working on a series of indoor and outdoor fall chores. We were invited over for dinner by our neighbours Betty and Dave.
Thursday ; Sunny but getting cool. Today was a routine day of routine chores. The Bigfoot camper for sale in Denver, Colorado that we were interested in seeing has sold.
< sigh > I threw out my binoculars today. The focus adjusting mechanism broke. I won those binoculars 45 years ago in a newspaper carrier contest. I suppose I got my money's worth out of them. HA HA HA !
Friday ; Still sunny, but a bit chilly. Spent much of today on our "new wills" project, a job that is larger than I had anticipated. More "fussy" logistics details than I had anticipated. Continued working on "fall pre-departure" list of things to do. Joanne went to visit neighbour who is now back at home following cancer surgery. All is as well as can be expected.
HEY ! ! ! My computer, with Windows 8, has voice recognition. Who knew ? ! ? "Start listening ... go to documents ".
Saturday ; Sunny but cool.
Went into Keremeos this morning to run some errands. While Joanne went to the grocery store
I went to the Post Office, then the pharmacy to pick up more prescription refills.
Spent the afternoon doing more fall pre-departure chores and shopping online for a truck camper. We hope to view a few truck campers for sale as we travel south.
Trimmed dogs' nails for two neighbours. HMPH ! On the first dog I clipped a nail too short, hit the quick, made it bleed ... did that twice ! On the second dog, I did that once. Not very impressive !
Joanne cooked a belated "Thanksgiving" turkey dinner tonight. MMMMM ! ! ! Afterwards we watched Raising Arizona, one of the Coen brothers' quirky movies done about twenty-five years ago or so.
DSK
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
October 13 to 19, 2013
Sunday ;
Another sunny, mild day, still beautiful fall weather.
So ... we washed the trailer. It was grimy from our recent trip to Winnipeg and back. And I didn't want to leave for Yuma in a few weeks with it that filthy. I did a difficult job underneath our neighbour's park model home. Not that the job was all that difficult, just that doing anything underneath there is difficult ! We continued mounting artworks. Almost finished ! We did some fall pre-departure and winterization work. We took Bo for a play session in the dog park, then went for a leisurely walk around our RV park.
Monday ; Canadian Thanksgiving
Another nice fall day. This morning we sorted out some photo albums, vacation souvenirs, memorabilia, etc. that was in the storage tote we retrieved from Winnipeg along with our artworks.
I didn't even remember that we had most of that stuff ! We did some outdoor chores. We took Bo to the dog park for a play session. I did some "used truck campers for sale" research online.
And ... we went to the Riverside RV Park Resort communal Thanksgiving Dinner. This is the first time in a long time that we have attended a Riverside RV Park Resort social function. Over the years that we've lived here, I've really lost my taste for socializing with this community's residents . And tonight's experience did nothing to change that.
Tuesday ; Still sunny and mild. Finished mounting artworks, displaying or storing memorabilia, etc. Did more outdoor work preparing for departure in a couple of weeks. Started work on revising our wills.
Wednesday ; Still sunny and mild, nice fall weather.
After having a vicious squabble while in town this afternoon, and while driving home from town, a squabble that was difficult to end and left us both feeling like crap for the remainder of the day, I was stunned tonight to read my journal for this date last year and discover ... the same thing happened last year. Is there something about October 15 ? ? ?
Thursday ; Another nice fall day. Spent the day running errands in Penticton. Spent the evening working on our wills.
Friday ; Nice fall weather continues.
Frustrated by many phone calls to local lawyers and notaries public refusing to provide "commissioner for oaths" service on "affidavit for execution of will" prepared by me using internet will preparation service. Apparent conspiracy of legal profession / law society to refuse to provide service to DIY will kits. Well ... refuse away, assholes ... I refuse to be thwarted. Watch me find a way ! Just like I found a way to execute the sale of lot 89 without using either a real estate agent or a lawyer ! I don't think there is any other "profession" as self-serving and self-perpetuating as lawyers. It's time they realize / are shown that the Internet will eventually do to them what the introduction of the personal computer did to the typewriter service / repair industry !
Helped Joanne do lots of laundry today. Continued working on wills. Continued working on fall pre-departure preparations. Enjoyed the lovely fall weather. Viewed / "toured" a neighbour's Bigfoot 30C10.11 truck camper. Very nice. Convinced us to drive / divert all the way to Denver, Colorado on the way south in a few weeks to see a reasonably priced one for sale.
Saturday ; HA HA HA ! Quote of the day from my wife ; "women who have an ass the size of Texas shouldn't wear leggings". HA HA HA < SNORT > HA HA !
Nice fall weather continues. Got some outdoor work done. Had a flat tire on the truck ! Changed the dually valve extender and tightened the screw in metal valve stem. That should solve the problem ... hopefully.
Finished my will today. Will begin working on Joanne's tomorrow. Found solution to
unco-operative legal profession problem. NYAH NYAH NYAH ... take that !
Went to Taste Of Our Valley tonight in Keremeos, annual fall event featuring samples of local wines and foods. Price of admission up, offerings by local merchants down. Might be last time we attend this event. Dropped truck off at local auto repair shop for service on Monday, caught ride home with neighbours attending Taste Of Our Valley event.
HMPH ... two weeks in a row of stock market generosity !
DSK
Another sunny, mild day, still beautiful fall weather.
So ... we washed the trailer. It was grimy from our recent trip to Winnipeg and back. And I didn't want to leave for Yuma in a few weeks with it that filthy. I did a difficult job underneath our neighbour's park model home. Not that the job was all that difficult, just that doing anything underneath there is difficult ! We continued mounting artworks. Almost finished ! We did some fall pre-departure and winterization work. We took Bo for a play session in the dog park, then went for a leisurely walk around our RV park.
Monday ; Canadian Thanksgiving
Another nice fall day. This morning we sorted out some photo albums, vacation souvenirs, memorabilia, etc. that was in the storage tote we retrieved from Winnipeg along with our artworks.
I didn't even remember that we had most of that stuff ! We did some outdoor chores. We took Bo to the dog park for a play session. I did some "used truck campers for sale" research online.
And ... we went to the Riverside RV Park Resort communal Thanksgiving Dinner. This is the first time in a long time that we have attended a Riverside RV Park Resort social function. Over the years that we've lived here, I've really lost my taste for socializing with this community's residents . And tonight's experience did nothing to change that.
Tuesday ; Still sunny and mild. Finished mounting artworks, displaying or storing memorabilia, etc. Did more outdoor work preparing for departure in a couple of weeks. Started work on revising our wills.
Wednesday ; Still sunny and mild, nice fall weather.
After having a vicious squabble while in town this afternoon, and while driving home from town, a squabble that was difficult to end and left us both feeling like crap for the remainder of the day, I was stunned tonight to read my journal for this date last year and discover ... the same thing happened last year. Is there something about October 15 ? ? ?
Thursday ; Another nice fall day. Spent the day running errands in Penticton. Spent the evening working on our wills.
Friday ; Nice fall weather continues.
Frustrated by many phone calls to local lawyers and notaries public refusing to provide "commissioner for oaths" service on "affidavit for execution of will" prepared by me using internet will preparation service. Apparent conspiracy of legal profession / law society to refuse to provide service to DIY will kits. Well ... refuse away, assholes ... I refuse to be thwarted. Watch me find a way ! Just like I found a way to execute the sale of lot 89 without using either a real estate agent or a lawyer ! I don't think there is any other "profession" as self-serving and self-perpetuating as lawyers. It's time they realize / are shown that the Internet will eventually do to them what the introduction of the personal computer did to the typewriter service / repair industry !
Helped Joanne do lots of laundry today. Continued working on wills. Continued working on fall pre-departure preparations. Enjoyed the lovely fall weather. Viewed / "toured" a neighbour's Bigfoot 30C10.11 truck camper. Very nice. Convinced us to drive / divert all the way to Denver, Colorado on the way south in a few weeks to see a reasonably priced one for sale.
Saturday ; HA HA HA ! Quote of the day from my wife ; "women who have an ass the size of Texas shouldn't wear leggings". HA HA HA < SNORT > HA HA !
Nice fall weather continues. Got some outdoor work done. Had a flat tire on the truck ! Changed the dually valve extender and tightened the screw in metal valve stem. That should solve the problem ... hopefully.
Finished my will today. Will begin working on Joanne's tomorrow. Found solution to
unco-operative legal profession problem. NYAH NYAH NYAH ... take that !
Went to Taste Of Our Valley tonight in Keremeos, annual fall event featuring samples of local wines and foods. Price of admission up, offerings by local merchants down. Might be last time we attend this event. Dropped truck off at local auto repair shop for service on Monday, caught ride home with neighbours attending Taste Of Our Valley event.
HMPH ... two weeks in a row of stock market generosity !
DSK
Sunday, October 13, 2013
October 6 to 12, 2013
Sunday ; Sunny and mild, a lovely fall day.
Some men, when they've been away for a few days, bring their wives roses. I bring ... huge rocks. HA HA HA ! This morning Joanne and I unloaded from the bed of the truck the large copper rocks I collected. Along with a batch collected earlier this summer Joanne used them to build a large flower bed across the front of the house.
I did the 234,000 km. inspection on the truck. Well done, Lanoire. Might need new rear shock absorbers soon.
Late in the afternoon we headed to Penticton. I took the truck through a car wash. I usually wash the truck by hand, but ... I wanted to save some time, and I "charged" the cost of the car wash to the Smithers trip expenses. Still plenty of profit left ! I refilled with diesel. I deposited some money in the bank. We went to dinner.
This is the third year in a row that we attend LambFest at Bogner's in Penticton. It's a barbecued lamb dinner paired with wines, part of the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival. We always consider it my "birthday dinner". As before, the food was outstanding ! However ... this year I have a couple of complaints. First ... the winery whose wines were paired with the meal ... a different wine for each of the three courses ... was different than in the two previous years. And the new winery's wines were not as good, in my humble ( and perhaps ignorant ) opinion. And what really griped me was ... < sputter > ... an outrageous "autogratuity" added to the bill. I would not hesitate to attend LambFest if the "prix fixe" meal price was 20.7% higher ... but adding that amount of "autogratuity" just really pisses me off !
Monday ; Sunny and mild, a lovely fall day.
Ulcerative colitis flare-up ! Triggered, no doubt, by consumption of red wine with last night's dinner which included one "half serving" of white wine and two "half servings" of red wine.
Received phone inquiry today from potential client who wants very large fifth wheel trailer hauled from Penticton to ... < blink blink > ... Napinka, Manitoba. Holy Mackerel ! Quoted him price of $2750 ! Would take me three hard days of driving in each direction.
Joanne invited next door neighbour, who is "temporary bachelor" over for pickerel dinner. MMMMM ... very good Lake Winnipeg pickerel !
Tuesday ; Partially sunny, cool. Feeling much healthier today than yesterday.
Did some trailer maintenance today. Started mounting the artwork we brought from Winnipeg. Got hired by the Penticton to Manitoba client. Will leave Sunday morning, be back Friday night. Really looking forward < rolling eyes, tongue in cheek > to having "Thanksgiving Dinner" at the McDonald's in the Swift Current Wal-Mart on Monday night ! ! !
Wednesday ; Sunny and cool. Feeling ill again today.
Went to Penticton this morning for a day of errands. First was annual portfolio review meeting with investment broker. All is as well as can be. Next was meeting with Penticton to Manitoba trailer delivery client. Departure day was supposed to be Sunday. Now client not sure he will be ready by then. Departure now tentatively any time between Sunday and Wednesday. HMPH ! Hard to schedule my other plans around that kind of uncertainty ! Renewed Joanne's driver's license which was due to expire in January ... when we will be in Yuma, Arizona.
Did thrift store shopping ( bought sleeping bag for upcoming trip ) and grocery shopping. Returned home to find phone message from another trailer delivery potential client. Seems to be lots of work for me this fall !
Thursday ; Happy 59th Birthday to me !
Some men, when they've been away for a few days, bring their wives roses. I bring ... huge rocks. HA HA HA ! This morning Joanne and I unloaded from the bed of the truck the large copper rocks I collected. Along with a batch collected earlier this summer Joanne used them to build a large flower bed across the front of the house.
I did the 234,000 km. inspection on the truck. Well done, Lanoire. Might need new rear shock absorbers soon.
Late in the afternoon we headed to Penticton. I took the truck through a car wash. I usually wash the truck by hand, but ... I wanted to save some time, and I "charged" the cost of the car wash to the Smithers trip expenses. Still plenty of profit left ! I refilled with diesel. I deposited some money in the bank. We went to dinner.
This is the third year in a row that we attend LambFest at Bogner's in Penticton. It's a barbecued lamb dinner paired with wines, part of the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival. We always consider it my "birthday dinner". As before, the food was outstanding ! However ... this year I have a couple of complaints. First ... the winery whose wines were paired with the meal ... a different wine for each of the three courses ... was different than in the two previous years. And the new winery's wines were not as good, in my humble ( and perhaps ignorant ) opinion. And what really griped me was ... < sputter > ... an outrageous "autogratuity" added to the bill. I would not hesitate to attend LambFest if the "prix fixe" meal price was 20.7% higher ... but adding that amount of "autogratuity" just really pisses me off !
Monday ; Sunny and mild, a lovely fall day.
Ulcerative colitis flare-up ! Triggered, no doubt, by consumption of red wine with last night's dinner which included one "half serving" of white wine and two "half servings" of red wine.
Received phone inquiry today from potential client who wants very large fifth wheel trailer hauled from Penticton to ... < blink blink > ... Napinka, Manitoba. Holy Mackerel ! Quoted him price of $2750 ! Would take me three hard days of driving in each direction.
Joanne invited next door neighbour, who is "temporary bachelor" over for pickerel dinner. MMMMM ... very good Lake Winnipeg pickerel !
Tuesday ; Partially sunny, cool. Feeling much healthier today than yesterday.
Did some trailer maintenance today. Started mounting the artwork we brought from Winnipeg. Got hired by the Penticton to Manitoba client. Will leave Sunday morning, be back Friday night. Really looking forward < rolling eyes, tongue in cheek > to having "Thanksgiving Dinner" at the McDonald's in the Swift Current Wal-Mart on Monday night ! ! !
Wednesday ; Sunny and cool. Feeling ill again today.
Went to Penticton this morning for a day of errands. First was annual portfolio review meeting with investment broker. All is as well as can be. Next was meeting with Penticton to Manitoba trailer delivery client. Departure day was supposed to be Sunday. Now client not sure he will be ready by then. Departure now tentatively any time between Sunday and Wednesday. HMPH ! Hard to schedule my other plans around that kind of uncertainty ! Renewed Joanne's driver's license which was due to expire in January ... when we will be in Yuma, Arizona.
Did thrift store shopping ( bought sleeping bag for upcoming trip ) and grocery shopping. Returned home to find phone message from another trailer delivery potential client. Seems to be lots of work for me this fall !
Thursday ; Happy 59th Birthday to me !
Woke up ... had sex ... went back to sleep. Happy Birthday to me ! HA HA HA !
This morning my Penticton to Manitoba trailer delivery client phoned to cancel the trip, claiming "ill health". Fine ... good luck ! And another potential client ... the one who first phoned yesterday, phoned to discuss her "needs". After a way too lengthy phone conversation I terminated the call, suggesting to her that she find someone else to do the work for her. I don't really need the money and I certainly don't need the aggravation of yet another high maintenance and/or wing nut client !
Now ... what the hell am I supposed to do with the non-returnable sleeping bag I bought yesterday ? ! ?
Did some house and trailer maintenance chores. Mounted five pieces of art in the living room. Very nice. Had a long phone chat with my sister. Napped with the cat. Nice home made moussaka for dinner. Wonderful home made Black Forest Cherry Torte birthday cake. Thank you, my dear.
Friday ; Sunny and cold.
We continued mounting artworks. We trimmed Bo's and Sully's claws. We gave Bo a bath.
This morning my Penticton to Manitoba trailer delivery client phoned to cancel the trip, claiming "ill health". Fine ... good luck ! And another potential client ... the one who first phoned yesterday, phoned to discuss her "needs". After a way too lengthy phone conversation I terminated the call, suggesting to her that she find someone else to do the work for her. I don't really need the money and I certainly don't need the aggravation of yet another high maintenance and/or wing nut client !
Now ... what the hell am I supposed to do with the non-returnable sleeping bag I bought yesterday ? ! ?
Did some house and trailer maintenance chores. Mounted five pieces of art in the living room. Very nice. Had a long phone chat with my sister. Napped with the cat. Nice home made moussaka for dinner. Wonderful home made Black Forest Cherry Torte birthday cake. Thank you, my dear.
Friday ; Sunny and cold.
We continued mounting artworks. We trimmed Bo's and Sully's claws. We gave Bo a bath.
I researched travel medical insurance options and purchased coverage for this winter season.
Saturday ; Happy 39th Anniversary to us !
Saturday ; Happy 39th Anniversary to us !
Sunny and mild, another lovely fall day. A great day to get married. Just as it was 39 years ago !
As an anniversary treat Joanne wanted to attend a specific Okanagan Fall Wine Festival event.
As an anniversary treat Joanne wanted to attend a specific Okanagan Fall Wine Festival event.
A wine and cheese pairing at a winery in Summerland. The winery was going to bring in a cheese "expert" to pair samples of cheeses with samples of the winery's wines. So ... off to Summerland we went.
We used the trip to Summerland as an opportunity to visit each of the provincial park picnic / rest areas along the shore of Okanagan Lake between Penticton and Summerland. At two of them we took Bo for an off leash hike through the forest and along the beach. At the one that had an off leash dog beach we met ... HA HA HA ... a pack of wild Westies. Two ladies were walking a Chihuahua, a Pomeranian, and about a dozen West Highland White Terriers. When the "pack" saw us approaching, they all ran over eagerly to meet and greet Bo. HA HA HA ... Bo was "attacked" by a pack of marauding Westies. HA HA HA ! Bo loooooves meeting and joining new "packs".
When we arrived at the winery we found ... that the cheese "expert" was not present as planned, there was a woman offering chocolate samples as a substitute, and the pompous winery owners were detached and disinterested, particularly when I expressed dissatisfaction with having driven an hour and a half to attend a publicized event only to find it not happening. Oh, well ... their winery has survived to this point in time without any of my money in their pockets ... and so it shall remain ! We left !
Joanne decided that "Plan B" should be to attend another Okanagan Fall Wine Festival event, this one in Kaleden. A wine tasting, accompanied by cheese fondue, with live folk music on the patio. Okay ! First we went to lunch at a restaurant in Kaleden. Fine food ... very overpriced ! We went to the winery event, but didn't stay long. I didn't much like the one wine of theirs that I sampled. The folk music wasn't particularly appealing. Neither was the cheese fondue. I suggested another hike in the woods with the dog. But ... to be fair ... this winery's owners were engaging and working hard to be friendly and hospitable / accommodating to their customers.
We drove to another provincial park, this one a closed campground, and we hiked around the entire small campground. Bo flushed a bunch of quail out of the bushes. He was very pleased with himself until ... he realized that one of his legs was full of burrs. Poor Bo ... he needed our help to "de-burr".
Joanne wanted one last stop at an apple cidery near Oliver, so ... we took the circuitous "circle route" through Oliver and Osoyoos to get back home. We sampled the alcoholic apple cider at the cidery, and Joanne bought a pack of four small bottles for herself. I didn't really like the cider.
We stopped at our favourite fruit & produce stand in Keremeos to buy some fruit and vegetables. When we arrived back home, Bo and I ... both very tired ... took a late afternoon nap with Sully.
Thank you for the nice anniversary outing, my dear.
We used the trip to Summerland as an opportunity to visit each of the provincial park picnic / rest areas along the shore of Okanagan Lake between Penticton and Summerland. At two of them we took Bo for an off leash hike through the forest and along the beach. At the one that had an off leash dog beach we met ... HA HA HA ... a pack of wild Westies. Two ladies were walking a Chihuahua, a Pomeranian, and about a dozen West Highland White Terriers. When the "pack" saw us approaching, they all ran over eagerly to meet and greet Bo. HA HA HA ... Bo was "attacked" by a pack of marauding Westies. HA HA HA ! Bo loooooves meeting and joining new "packs".
When we arrived at the winery we found ... that the cheese "expert" was not present as planned, there was a woman offering chocolate samples as a substitute, and the pompous winery owners were detached and disinterested, particularly when I expressed dissatisfaction with having driven an hour and a half to attend a publicized event only to find it not happening. Oh, well ... their winery has survived to this point in time without any of my money in their pockets ... and so it shall remain ! We left !
Joanne decided that "Plan B" should be to attend another Okanagan Fall Wine Festival event, this one in Kaleden. A wine tasting, accompanied by cheese fondue, with live folk music on the patio. Okay ! First we went to lunch at a restaurant in Kaleden. Fine food ... very overpriced ! We went to the winery event, but didn't stay long. I didn't much like the one wine of theirs that I sampled. The folk music wasn't particularly appealing. Neither was the cheese fondue. I suggested another hike in the woods with the dog. But ... to be fair ... this winery's owners were engaging and working hard to be friendly and hospitable / accommodating to their customers.
We drove to another provincial park, this one a closed campground, and we hiked around the entire small campground. Bo flushed a bunch of quail out of the bushes. He was very pleased with himself until ... he realized that one of his legs was full of burrs. Poor Bo ... he needed our help to "de-burr".
Joanne wanted one last stop at an apple cidery near Oliver, so ... we took the circuitous "circle route" through Oliver and Osoyoos to get back home. We sampled the alcoholic apple cider at the cidery, and Joanne bought a pack of four small bottles for herself. I didn't really like the cider.
We stopped at our favourite fruit & produce stand in Keremeos to buy some fruit and vegetables. When we arrived back home, Bo and I ... both very tired ... took a late afternoon nap with Sully.
Thank you for the nice anniversary outing, my dear.
DSK
Sunday, October 6, 2013
September 29 to October 5, 2013
Sunday ; Cold ! With partial sunshine. Rain in the evening.
Today was a day of "returning home" chores. I did some truck maintenance. I did some trailer maintenance. We unloaded all the artworks from the trailer. We reloaded the dinette table and chairs back into the trailer. I did some "computer network troubleshooting" at a neighbour's. Needs a new router ! Joanne did a lot of laundry. I planned my Smithers trailer delivery trip.
Monday ; Happy 17th Birthday to Sully !
WOO-HOO ! We adopted Sully four years ago today at the age of thirteen. At that time I promised him five years of "second chance". Please live for one more year, Sully.
This morning we headed to Penticton to run a few errands and have lunch before heading to Oliver in the afternoon to pick up the trailer that I will be delivering to Smithers later in the week. It's a 32.5 foot Corsair fifth wheel trailer, long and heavy. And ... it was supposed to be completely ready for removal / transport ... just hitch and go. It was not ready to go. Joanne and I had quite a bit of work to do to get it prepared for travel. The client's bill increased by $100 ! Too bad ... it wasn't his fault. He's in Smithers already. The lady who sold him the trailer last weekend was supposed to have it ready to go today.
We hauled the trailer to Riverside RV Park Resort and unhitched it from the truck. It will sit in the front parking lot by the mailboxes for a couple of days. While Joanne prepared supper I installed and configured the new Wi-Fi router I bought today for a neighbour. Works well !
Tuesday ; Partially cloudy, windy, cold, intermittent light rain.
I headed to Penticton this morning ( by myself ) for a service appointment at Canadian Tire. Seven new tires, and wheel alignment. They couldn't / wouldn't do a wheel alignment, claiming a need for almost $1500 worth of front end / steering / suspension parts and labour before an alignment is possible. Yeah ... that's possibly needed .... or maybe that's just "would you like fries with that ?" I had the seven new tires installed. I'll take the truck to my local mechanic in Keremeos for a "second opinion" on work needed before an alignment can be done.
After the truck work I went flying. I was supposed to take a neighbour flying, but he was a "no show" due to the bad weather. I decided to go flying by myself. All pilots need some bad weather flying every decade or so, n'est-ce pas ? I did about half a dozen "circuits" ( take offs and landings ) sticking pretty close to Penticton. The weather over the lakes on each end of Penticton ... Okanagan Lake on the north side and Skaha Lake on the south side ... was pretty gruesome. I encountered turbulence and wind shear, and strong cross winds on landing, and even did some pretty "hairy" tailwind landings. And ... it was apparent that my bad weather flying skills are more than a bit "rusty".
Wednesday ; Cloudy and cold with occasional drizzle.
Reinstalled the truck's valve extenders, wheel liners, and hub caps, then went into Keremeos to run a few errands. Hitched the truck to the client's fifth wheel trailer, ready to depart tomorrow morning for Smithers. Packed clothes, toiletries, meds ... Joanne packed food for me.
ROAD TRIP !
Thursday ; Keremeos to Quesnel
Sunny and cold. Up at 7 AM. Departure at 8:50 AM. Hwy. 3 west to Princeton. Hwy. 5A north, then Hwy. 97C west to Merritt. Hwy. 97C north to Logan Lake, west to Ashcroft, north to Cache Creek. Refilled with diesel in Cache Creek. North on Hwy. 97 / Cariboo Highway for the rest of the day. Picnic lunch at Visitor Information Centre in 100 Mile House. Refilled with diesel again at Quesnel. Stopped for the night at Gold Pan Motel in Quesnel.
Friday ; Quesnel to Smithers and back to Vanderhoof
Raining lightly as I left Quesnel this morning at 8:30 AM heading north on Hwy. 97 / Cariboo Highway. Raining heavily by the time I reached Prince George and turned west on Hwy. 16 / Yellowhead Highway. Still raining heavily when I reached Vanderhoof where I stopped to refill with diesel. Truck and client's trailer really filthy with road grime ! Raining lightly when I stopped at Burns Lake to have a late lunch.
Client met me at village of Telkwa, a few miles before Smithers. Led me to his property, about 15 km. north of Smithers. GEEEEEZZZZZ ... and I thought we lived off the beaten path ! Arrived about 4 PM. Positioned and set up trailer, unhitched ... in the cold rain, of course ... did some orientation with client, collected my fee, and left about 5 PM. Well done, Daniel. And well done, Lanoire ( the truck ). New tires are great !
Arrived at motel back in Vanderhoof about 8:30 PM. Long, tough day !
Saturday ; Vanderhoof to Keremeos
WHEW ... long day of hard driving. Over 800 km. / 500 miles ! Had to dodge a lot of deer !
When I checked out of the motel in Vanderhoof this morning at 8:30 it was raining lightly. I refilled with diesel then continued eastbound on Hwy. 16 / Yellowhead Highway to Prince George, then south on Hwy. 97 / Cariboo Highway. I refilled with diesel again in Quesnel. The rain stopped by the time I reached Williams Lake where I stopped to have lunch.
Looooong afternoon and early evening of driving ! Stopped at a rock slide on a copper mountain between Merritt and Princeton to load some large copper rocks into the truck for use in landscaping. Heavy rocks ! Arrived home about 8 PM.
DSK
Today was a day of "returning home" chores. I did some truck maintenance. I did some trailer maintenance. We unloaded all the artworks from the trailer. We reloaded the dinette table and chairs back into the trailer. I did some "computer network troubleshooting" at a neighbour's. Needs a new router ! Joanne did a lot of laundry. I planned my Smithers trailer delivery trip.
Monday ; Happy 17th Birthday to Sully !
WOO-HOO ! We adopted Sully four years ago today at the age of thirteen. At that time I promised him five years of "second chance". Please live for one more year, Sully.
This morning we headed to Penticton to run a few errands and have lunch before heading to Oliver in the afternoon to pick up the trailer that I will be delivering to Smithers later in the week. It's a 32.5 foot Corsair fifth wheel trailer, long and heavy. And ... it was supposed to be completely ready for removal / transport ... just hitch and go. It was not ready to go. Joanne and I had quite a bit of work to do to get it prepared for travel. The client's bill increased by $100 ! Too bad ... it wasn't his fault. He's in Smithers already. The lady who sold him the trailer last weekend was supposed to have it ready to go today.
We hauled the trailer to Riverside RV Park Resort and unhitched it from the truck. It will sit in the front parking lot by the mailboxes for a couple of days. While Joanne prepared supper I installed and configured the new Wi-Fi router I bought today for a neighbour. Works well !
Tuesday ; Partially cloudy, windy, cold, intermittent light rain.
I headed to Penticton this morning ( by myself ) for a service appointment at Canadian Tire. Seven new tires, and wheel alignment. They couldn't / wouldn't do a wheel alignment, claiming a need for almost $1500 worth of front end / steering / suspension parts and labour before an alignment is possible. Yeah ... that's possibly needed .... or maybe that's just "would you like fries with that ?" I had the seven new tires installed. I'll take the truck to my local mechanic in Keremeos for a "second opinion" on work needed before an alignment can be done.
After the truck work I went flying. I was supposed to take a neighbour flying, but he was a "no show" due to the bad weather. I decided to go flying by myself. All pilots need some bad weather flying every decade or so, n'est-ce pas ? I did about half a dozen "circuits" ( take offs and landings ) sticking pretty close to Penticton. The weather over the lakes on each end of Penticton ... Okanagan Lake on the north side and Skaha Lake on the south side ... was pretty gruesome. I encountered turbulence and wind shear, and strong cross winds on landing, and even did some pretty "hairy" tailwind landings. And ... it was apparent that my bad weather flying skills are more than a bit "rusty".
Wednesday ; Cloudy and cold with occasional drizzle.
Reinstalled the truck's valve extenders, wheel liners, and hub caps, then went into Keremeos to run a few errands. Hitched the truck to the client's fifth wheel trailer, ready to depart tomorrow morning for Smithers. Packed clothes, toiletries, meds ... Joanne packed food for me.
ROAD TRIP !
Thursday ; Keremeos to Quesnel
Sunny and cold. Up at 7 AM. Departure at 8:50 AM. Hwy. 3 west to Princeton. Hwy. 5A north, then Hwy. 97C west to Merritt. Hwy. 97C north to Logan Lake, west to Ashcroft, north to Cache Creek. Refilled with diesel in Cache Creek. North on Hwy. 97 / Cariboo Highway for the rest of the day. Picnic lunch at Visitor Information Centre in 100 Mile House. Refilled with diesel again at Quesnel. Stopped for the night at Gold Pan Motel in Quesnel.
Friday ; Quesnel to Smithers and back to Vanderhoof
Raining lightly as I left Quesnel this morning at 8:30 AM heading north on Hwy. 97 / Cariboo Highway. Raining heavily by the time I reached Prince George and turned west on Hwy. 16 / Yellowhead Highway. Still raining heavily when I reached Vanderhoof where I stopped to refill with diesel. Truck and client's trailer really filthy with road grime ! Raining lightly when I stopped at Burns Lake to have a late lunch.
Client met me at village of Telkwa, a few miles before Smithers. Led me to his property, about 15 km. north of Smithers. GEEEEEZZZZZ ... and I thought we lived off the beaten path ! Arrived about 4 PM. Positioned and set up trailer, unhitched ... in the cold rain, of course ... did some orientation with client, collected my fee, and left about 5 PM. Well done, Daniel. And well done, Lanoire ( the truck ). New tires are great !
Arrived at motel back in Vanderhoof about 8:30 PM. Long, tough day !
Saturday ; Vanderhoof to Keremeos
WHEW ... long day of hard driving. Over 800 km. / 500 miles ! Had to dodge a lot of deer !
When I checked out of the motel in Vanderhoof this morning at 8:30 it was raining lightly. I refilled with diesel then continued eastbound on Hwy. 16 / Yellowhead Highway to Prince George, then south on Hwy. 97 / Cariboo Highway. I refilled with diesel again in Quesnel. The rain stopped by the time I reached Williams Lake where I stopped to have lunch.
Looooong afternoon and early evening of driving ! Stopped at a rock slide on a copper mountain between Merritt and Princeton to load some large copper rocks into the truck for use in landscaping. Heavy rocks ! Arrived home about 8 PM.
DSK
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