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This is a diary of where we are, where we were and what we are doing. Check out the older posts unfortunatly I am slower putting up the pictures than Margaret is writing the blogs Colin :)
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Getting Settled in (October 29th to October 31st)
Now that we are settled in Vegas for the Month of November we aren’t sight seeing every day and doing things all the time so I decided to go for bulk entries hitting the highlights of the past few weeks.
Over the first week here we checked out Fairmont Street. This area is the old Las Vegas. The entire street is covered with a canopy of lights and each evening they have light shows overhead. We walked up and down the street and then had dinner at one of the Casinos. When we came out the light show started and everyone on the street stopped to look up. There was a big Peterbilt truck parked at the end with a Grand Piano on the back of it. There’s nothing too outrageous for Vegas!
After that we drove down the Strip to take in some of the lights. We were here 10 years ago but things have changed a lot.
Before we knew it was time to prepare for our trip home.
Over the first week here we checked out Fairmont Street. This area is the old Las Vegas. The entire street is covered with a canopy of lights and each evening they have light shows overhead. We walked up and down the street and then had dinner at one of the Casinos. When we came out the light show started and everyone on the street stopped to look up. There was a big Peterbilt truck parked at the end with a Grand Piano on the back of it. There’s nothing too outrageous for Vegas!
After that we drove down the Strip to take in some of the lights. We were here 10 years ago but things have changed a lot.
Before we knew it was time to prepare for our trip home.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Big Win for Margaret
We had a cleaning day today and then in the evening we went to a Seafood Buffet at one of the small Casinos close by. After dinner we all decided that we would do one pull each on the slots. Colin.......nothing........Ed......nothing......Frances.......nothing, Margaret.......Oh ya! $6.75 win!! I’m not usually that lucky so I cashed out and got the heck out of there.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Permanent Spot for the Next Month
The power thing is all done and we moved into our permanent spot for the next month. It felt good to be settled in.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Viva Las Vegas!
We headed to Vegas this morning. It was not a long drive and we were in the Wal-Mart parking lot by about 1:00. We dropped the trailers, went and had lunch and then came back to research our Woodall’s Campground Guide. While Frances and I were doing that, the guys discovered that someone had tampered with a wire that goes from the trailer to the hitch that activates the brakes on the trailer should it come detached from the truck. Ours was right out and Ed’s was just twisted and loose.
In the mean time Frances and I had gone through the book and made some phone calls only to find out most places we wanted to stay were full and that narrowed us down to 2 places. We settled for the one with the hot tub. We hooked back up since we were heading right there. Check in took forever and then we had to go into temporary sights until we went to the Power office to sign up for power......it was only 20 miles away! Gee what an ordeal. Next we discovered that out of 4 hot tubs only one was working and it was marginal.....just barely warm! The entire recreation building is closed and under renovation.....can’t use that either. Not to mention about 4 pages of rules......just a bit much!!
In the mean time Frances and I had gone through the book and made some phone calls only to find out most places we wanted to stay were full and that narrowed us down to 2 places. We settled for the one with the hot tub. We hooked back up since we were heading right there. Check in took forever and then we had to go into temporary sights until we went to the Power office to sign up for power......it was only 20 miles away! Gee what an ordeal. Next we discovered that out of 4 hot tubs only one was working and it was marginal.....just barely warm! The entire recreation building is closed and under renovation.....can’t use that either. Not to mention about 4 pages of rules......just a bit much!!
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Kolob Reservoir and an Amazing Sighting
We decided to take a drive through Virgin and up the Kolob Reservoir road. We stopped in the town of Virgin to check out a Trading Post with a cute little mocked up western town beside it. We had Cactus-coconut ice cream . Then we continued on up the road to the Lava Overlook. They were logging out the surplus wood up there, it was called a fuel reduction program. As we were heading towards the reservoir we saw some very large birds on the side of the road and some flying overhead. They had large tags with numbers on them. We thought they might be turkey vultures but later on found out that they were California Condors. They had been extinct in the wild and only recently they released some back into the wild. These were obviously those birds. The size of them was amazing! They aren’t real pretty birds though.
We continued on and drove around the reservoir and then started on our way back to Zion. We ended up in quite a bit of snow and actually turned around and took another route down as one of the locals told us it was quite slippery up ahead. We came down this amazing huge hillside and ended up in a town with a Wal-Mart......how uncanny is that! We didn’t actually stop though. We did stop at a little grocery store to get some quick dinner stuff as we wanted to go see a movie and we were running late.
We went to the Zion movie theatre to see “Serenity” with Ed and Frances. It was a good movie to see on a 6 story high movie screen!
We continued on and drove around the reservoir and then started on our way back to Zion. We ended up in quite a bit of snow and actually turned around and took another route down as one of the locals told us it was quite slippery up ahead. We came down this amazing huge hillside and ended up in a town with a Wal-Mart......how uncanny is that! We didn’t actually stop though. We did stop at a little grocery store to get some quick dinner stuff as we wanted to go see a movie and we were running late.
We went to the Zion movie theatre to see “Serenity” with Ed and Frances. It was a good movie to see on a 6 story high movie screen!
Monday, October 24, 2005
Zion National Park
After breakfast we headed out to the Shuttle Stop to catch the bus to Zion National Park. We took the bus right to the end of the road and then walked the Riverside Walk, a two mile walk along the Virgin River. Avery scenic walk.
When we got back from that we took the shuttle back to Weeping Rock. It was quite a steep walk but worth the effort to see the water droplets coming down through the rocks.
On the way back down we saw a buck with an impressive rack eating a lunch of leaves at the side of the trail. He posed handsomely for all who wanted to take his picture.
Next stop was the Zion Lodge. We had lunch at the lounge and then carried on to hike up to the Emerald pool......not really emerald but pretty neat non the less.
From here we took the shuttle back to the RV park and then went out to get some groceries. Glad we didn’t need too much because the store’s stock is minimal. We did manage to find the ingredients for a half decent salad.
When we got back from that we took the shuttle back to Weeping Rock. It was quite a steep walk but worth the effort to see the water droplets coming down through the rocks.
On the way back down we saw a buck with an impressive rack eating a lunch of leaves at the side of the trail. He posed handsomely for all who wanted to take his picture.
Next stop was the Zion Lodge. We had lunch at the lounge and then carried on to hike up to the Emerald pool......not really emerald but pretty neat non the less.
From here we took the shuttle back to the RV park and then went out to get some groceries. Glad we didn’t need too much because the store’s stock is minimal. We did manage to find the ingredients for a half decent salad.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
The Navajo Trail
We got the trailer all ready to go before we left and then headed to the trail head. It was a very steep walk down but once down there it was beautiful. The walk back up was another matter.....step, step, step......rest. The fact that you are at such a high altitude doesn’t help matters any. We got back and all flopped into the hot tub.......ah ......that felt good!
We left the park and headed for the next stop which was Zion National Park. To avoid adding 50 miles onto the trip we drove through the park which required us to go through two stone tunnels. The first one was fairly short and narrow, the second was a mile long and cost us $15.00 as they had to stop oncoming traffic because the tunnel is too narrow for two large vehicles to pass. I don’t like tunnels and this was no exception. We pulled into a park just outside the South entrance to the park. It was too late to do any exploring so I decided to give the dog a hair cut.... she was getting rather wooly.
We left the park and headed for the next stop which was Zion National Park. To avoid adding 50 miles onto the trip we drove through the park which required us to go through two stone tunnels. The first one was fairly short and narrow, the second was a mile long and cost us $15.00 as they had to stop oncoming traffic because the tunnel is too narrow for two large vehicles to pass. I don’t like tunnels and this was no exception. We pulled into a park just outside the South entrance to the park. It was too late to do any exploring so I decided to give the dog a hair cut.... she was getting rather wooly.
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Into the Park
We drove to the end of the park and then started to work our way back. There were a lot of lookouts and a lot of trails. When we got to the Paradise Look Out we could see a really neat trail that zig zagged down the side from the rim and then wound it’s way through the Hoodos at the bottom. The only problem is it was getting too late to start. When we got back to the trailer, Ed and Frances wondered if we wanted to get up early and do the same trail we just left. It was decided we would leave at 9:00 and do the hike and then come back and hook up and leave for Zion.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Bryce Canyon and Ruby’s Inn
We arrived at Bryce Canyon and pulled into the park just outside of the National Park. There was a hot tub at the park so we all had a good soak! We had a delicious dinner at the Lodge and then checked out the gift shop and store while the guys had another soak.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Dead Horse State Park and Dinosaur Bones
We drove out to Dead Horse Park to check out some more views and the spot where Thelma and Louise drove their car over the cliff.
Next we took the Pot Ash Road which turns into the Shafer Trail. We drove past the big evaporation ponds where they remove potash from the water. It was starting to get dark so we turned around and headed back to the trailer.
Next we took the Pot Ash Road which turns into the Shafer Trail. We drove past the big evaporation ponds where they remove potash from the water. It was starting to get dark so we turned around and headed back to the trailer.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
More Arches, Dinosaur Prints and Never Ending Views
It was a bright day so we headed back up to the Arches Park to finish the rest of the road to the end. It was just as neat the second day.
After we finished that we drove up the Castle Creek road to see if we could find the Dinosaur foot prints. As we drove up the road we reached an altitude of over 8000 feet. The view was breath taking. You could see across one mountain range, into the next valley and over the next mountain range. It was unbelievable. It took a little driving around but we found the dinosaur prints, they were kind of neat. We did the loop road out and were back at the trailer in time for dinner.
After we finished that we drove up the Castle Creek road to see if we could find the Dinosaur foot prints. As we drove up the road we reached an altitude of over 8000 feet. The view was breath taking. You could see across one mountain range, into the next valley and over the next mountain range. It was unbelievable. It took a little driving around but we found the dinosaur prints, they were kind of neat. We did the loop road out and were back at the trailer in time for dinner.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Canyon Lands National Park and Gemini Bridges Road
Our first destination was the Canyon Lands National Park. The scenery was amazing. Huge panoramic views and deep, deep canyons. Where you could see for miles. After that we decided to do a road which took us to two natural stone bridges. I now have a new standard by which to grade roads. This one was the worst ever. There were sections that were straight up and down with the road sloped towards the side of the road that dropped off several 100 feet and parts of the road were just missing. It started to rain and this road was just nasty. We did however see two really neat stone bridges. We were walking to look at one and I realized there was a second one and we were standing on it.....kind of scary! Quite an adventure!
Monday, October 17, 2005
Arches National Park, Moab Utah
I got up this morning and checked out the cupboard where the mouse trap was set......Oh Ya......we got Marvin.......he was huge!! We laid him to rest under the light standard in the Wal-Mart parking lot. So long Marvin.
We drove on to Moab Utah and found the Portals Campground, just down the road from the entrance to the Arches National Park. The lady in the campground told us it might rain tomorrow so we decided to head out to the Arches Park. This park has the largest concentration of natural stone arches in the world. We made it half way through and it was awesome!! We walked out to the double arches and climbed up inside. There was an amazing panoramic view out both sides....I could have sat there all day. By the time we left, the moon was coming up.
We drove on to Moab Utah and found the Portals Campground, just down the road from the entrance to the Arches National Park. The lady in the campground told us it might rain tomorrow so we decided to head out to the Arches Park. This park has the largest concentration of natural stone arches in the world. We made it half way through and it was awesome!! We walked out to the double arches and climbed up inside. There was an amazing panoramic view out both sides....I could have sat there all day. By the time we left, the moon was coming up.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Staying in a Park???.....Not!
We pulled into Salt Lake City and arrived at a park. The office was closed so we went through the do it your self check in. The main reason we went here was because they were advertising WiFi. I had serious laundry to do so I immediately set to the task at hand. There weren’t very many machines so Frances and I had to take turns. The next thing I know Colin says we are leaving and how long would it take me to finish. Apparently the WiFi had been down for a week and no one had bothered to fix it, let alone put up a notice that it was out. Long story short.....we dumped our tanks, filled our water, did laundry and got rid of some garbage and then pulled out, went to the next exit and parked at a Wal-Mart
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Meet Marvin and Idaho Wal-Mart
Another god days drive and yes we are into warmer temperatures. We stopped for a break and I decided to have some peanuts.....funny thing, I didn’t chew open the bag.....I think we have a mouse! I think Marvin (that’s what we called him) is rather large because he left behind some rather large droppings! Another Walmart tonight and before I go to sleep I need to buy some mouse traps!
Friday, October 14, 2005
Montana Bound
We met Ed and Frances at the entrance to the park and were back on the road south. We stopped along a small river and had lunch and carried on. We pulled into a Wal-Mart parking lot and spent the night there
Friday, October 07, 2005
The Rest of our visit with Rick and Bonnie
The kids started to arrive, fist Megan and Dayton and then Brad, Chantal and Lorianne. Friends of Rick’s, Rob and Cathy arrived on the Saturday and by Sunday it was a full house. Bonnie cooked a great Thanksgiving turkey with all the trimmings and Frances and I supplied the deserts.....Pumpkin Tarts, Blackberry crisp, Butter tarts and Chocolate brownies. There was not a whole lot left after 14 people tucked in! There were games of cards and dice and generally everyone had a good time.
On the Tuesday after all the kids except Shannon and Stephane had gone home we drove up to Rick and Bonnie’s new lot with the trailers. Their trailer had been delivered o the lot and was already set up. Our trailer fit neatly beside Ricks but Ed and Frances decided to go to the Provincial park just a few miles down the road. After setting up and building a fire pit we had a great steak dinner outside.....even though it was cold.
The weather really was not all that cooperative but we had a good time together with family.
We drove into Nelson one day and Bonnie and Rick treated us to a very good lunch at one of the hotels there. We did a little shopping and then headed back to the trailers with a huge feed of Dungeness Crabs!! We got the big pot out and did a seafood boil with crabs, shrimp, sausage, corn and small potatoes. Absolutely yummy!!
Friday rolled around and it was time to get back on the road after our two week stay.
On the Tuesday after all the kids except Shannon and Stephane had gone home we drove up to Rick and Bonnie’s new lot with the trailers. Their trailer had been delivered o the lot and was already set up. Our trailer fit neatly beside Ricks but Ed and Frances decided to go to the Provincial park just a few miles down the road. After setting up and building a fire pit we had a great steak dinner outside.....even though it was cold.
The weather really was not all that cooperative but we had a good time together with family.
We drove into Nelson one day and Bonnie and Rick treated us to a very good lunch at one of the hotels there. We did a little shopping and then headed back to the trailers with a huge feed of Dungeness Crabs!! We got the big pot out and did a seafood boil with crabs, shrimp, sausage, corn and small potatoes. Absolutely yummy!!
Friday rolled around and it was time to get back on the road after our two week stay.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Rainy, Cold and just not Nice
We awoke to drizzling rain and cold temperatures, not what we were hopping for. Colin and Ed drove into Creston to buy something.....not sure what and Frances and I stayed behind. I made some new pillow covers for the couch and cleaned up the trailer. Splash and I went over for a game of Scrabble
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Grey Creek Pass and Snow!
We decided to check out the logging road that runs between Grey Creek and Kimberly. We checked at the store first to make sure that it was open and passable and sure enough it was. We headed up on a very narrow, bumpy and curvy road. We climbed to an elevation of 6855 feet at the summit. There was about 3 inches of snow at the top. The last bit of the climb we had to put the four wheel drive on as it was getting a bit slippery. We soon joined on to a paved road and decided we would head for Cranbrook rather than Kimberly. We did a bit of shopping there and then headed back to Creston. It was getting late so we stopped in Creston and had dinner. When we got back we felt really bad because Bonnie had cooked a huge big Spaghetti dinner for us all. We went over anyway, played some cards and a few dice games and before we knew it, it was midnight. Time to hit the hay.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Artisan Shops in Crawford Bay
We took a drove back towards the Ferry. We stopped there and had some ice cream, although I am not sure why as it was quite cold. We headed back and stopped at the Hand Made Broom Shop where a fellow was making brooms. There were many different styles and some had very unique handles.
We continued on to the Forge and Glass Blowing Shop. There was someone doing metal work in the forge and next door a girl was blowing glass. It was interesting to watch all the work that went into one juice glass.
Next door there was a weaving shop and the lady working there was actually from Guelph. We spent quite a bit of time in her shop checking out the things she had made and watching her weave. Her things were expensive but very beautifully done and most definitely one of a kind. I could have spent the rest of the afternoon watching her but we had to leave.
We continued on to the Forge and Glass Blowing Shop. There was someone doing metal work in the forge and next door a girl was blowing glass. It was interesting to watch all the work that went into one juice glass.
Next door there was a weaving shop and the lady working there was actually from Guelph. We spent quite a bit of time in her shop checking out the things she had made and watching her weave. Her things were expensive but very beautifully done and most definitely one of a kind. I could have spent the rest of the afternoon watching her but we had to leave.
Monday, October 03, 2005
A Quiet Monday
We just kind of mucked around the trailer all day and then in the evening we invited Bonnie over for dinner as Rick had headed back to Lake Louise for work.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
A Thank you Dinner
Bonnie and Rick drove us into Creston, as they wanted to check on Brad and Chantal. It was a nice day for a drive. When we arrived there the kids were out for a walk so we decided to have lunch in town at Granny’s Place. Quite good. The second time we showed up they were home and we had a nice little visit. Colin even held Lori Anne.......and he didn’t break her!
On our way back to Rick and Bonnie’s we decided to drive past their place and pick up some wine. We heard an odd noise going around one corner and then more noise. When we stopped to see what the problem was we found flat tire on the back of Rick’s car. While the guys changed the tire, Bonnie and I walked down to the beach. We were back on our way in no time.
That night we went out for dinner a German Restaurant to thank Bonnie and Rick for letting us stay here. The food was very good and the atmosphere cosy, ......of course we all ate too much.
On our way back to Rick and Bonnie’s we decided to drive past their place and pick up some wine. We heard an odd noise going around one corner and then more noise. When we stopped to see what the problem was we found flat tire on the back of Rick’s car. While the guys changed the tire, Bonnie and I walked down to the beach. We were back on our way in no time.
That night we went out for dinner a German Restaurant to thank Bonnie and Rick for letting us stay here. The food was very good and the atmosphere cosy, ......of course we all ate too much.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Seeing my New Great Niece for the First Time
We were awakened at about 4:00 am by a torrential downpour. We managed to get up by about 9:00 am and had breakfast and cleaned up. We went over to the house and had tea with Bonnie.
After lunch Bonnie and I drove into Creston to give Brad and Chantal a hand unpacking. I was given the very hard job of holding the baby while everyone scurried around with bits of furniture and boxes. It was a tough job but someone had to do it! Lori-Anne, Brad and Chantal’s new baby girl is a real sweetheart, very content and just a very good little baby. I was so pleased I finally got to see her.
We were back at the trailers by about 5:30. I made dinner and then we went over to play cards at Bonnie and Rick’s. I could volunteer for days like this all the time!
After lunch Bonnie and I drove into Creston to give Brad and Chantal a hand unpacking. I was given the very hard job of holding the baby while everyone scurried around with bits of furniture and boxes. It was a tough job but someone had to do it! Lori-Anne, Brad and Chantal’s new baby girl is a real sweetheart, very content and just a very good little baby. I was so pleased I finally got to see her.
We were back at the trailers by about 5:30. I made dinner and then we went over to play cards at Bonnie and Rick’s. I could volunteer for days like this all the time!