10 years since we started, and here we are again at Osborne Bay RV resort.

        5am this morning Crofton view

Our trip over to our Island was quick yesterday, our discussion was varried, so much emotion coming back to the island, and going to the place we started out from 10 years ago Osborne Bay RV resort. This was something we didn't plan as much as we just had a little extra time, and a Dr appointment on Wednesday that I didn't want to drive here again after driving up to Port Alberni. Mmm 😋 coffee ☕ is really good this morning, water makes a difference. 

As we approached the island driving through California then Oregon then Washington States, our plans developed. Polly came up with the idea of going here, as is central to people we'd like to visit as well as the Dr I have to see on Wednesday. 

Anyway driving here from our last truck stop we stayed our last night in USA was really nice, as soon as we made the turn off I-5 onto highway 101 Polly was ecstatic! I looked it up to spell it correctly (feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement.) yep that's exactly how Polly was feeling, she described it to me something like that. 

Me I was all about the look as we drove, we have been this route many times over the years, it's a preamble to getting back to the island, and very similar to the island, some narrow roads, and bridges, tall wonderful trees, Douglas fir mostly, until you get next to a river or creek, then maple or alder, tall and bare although some had started to grow there leaves already. 

Spring time, what a great time to return. We only stopped to take a pee, and take our coats off, too warm now. The day changed as we drove, from a wet road, to a dry one, and from clouds to the most beautiful sunny day, perfect for our return ❤️ I can't really put down here how emotional this time was as we drove past places we said, I remember this, I really like that, we should stop there sometime when we aren't putting the trailer. Yep, from the junction to Port Angeles ferry we had so many memories, was really kinda overwhelming, comfortable feeling. 

Coming back home 🏡 I'd say the feeling was, and yet we weren't there yet, but the surroundings were so much like home. I said at one point "I could live here" as the places were so similar. When we arrived in Port Angeles, as we drove through we had memories of going to crabfest, and staying up late, drinking too much, and talking till too late in the night. We have had some fun times here. 

We landed at the ferry dock, the young guy waved us right in, asks for our passports, looks gives them back, then measured our rig, 50' was the determination, hands me a ticket saying "after you park, just go to this office and pay, go into lane 7". Hmm I think now, lucky #7. That's the day Colton was born, Polly always says "he was born on the seventh day of the seventh month he's our seventh grandchild". Lucky us 🤞 🍀 

Well that's good, so off we went and did as he said, the weather was warm, we didn't need jackets, so we locked the truck and trailer, & headed to the office to pay. Polly was paying this time, as I left my credit 💳 card at the gas station before our last stop, was a different way, the woman said just leave your card, fill and pay after. Of course I forgot to get the card back, I remembered when we stopped at the truck stop, so that night while I was eating my A&W fries and burger, I was also on the phone to Visa, canceling my card, and getting another sent to our address in Port Alberni. No extra charges were on it👍

Anyway after Polly paid, was foreign for her to pay for the ferry, but as I said, I had no credit card now, so Polly was on the hook 😁

Our trip across was great, talking with our granddaughter Shayla, will see her today I'm sure. 

Off loaded & going through the boarder took a little time, but once we were at the kiosk they sat in, the woman had few questions, then wished us safe travels, and off we went. Heading through Victoria was a little bumpy on Douglas St, but all went well, and soon at Goldstream, then Malahat, then Duncan, then here we are in Crofton.

I can hear the cars loading or unloading from the ferry now, we are right close to the Saltspring Island ferry loading dock here in Crofton, it look a bit to think what the sound was. Getting light out now too I noticed as I looked towards the sound of the cars loading.

I decided time for a walk about here, been a long time since I enjoyed this walkway. Fresh coffee ☕ in hand I walked to the right, naturally as that's to the beach, and the really nice walkway. Nobody out yet, just duck's and other birds and the sun just started peeking through. 

         I'd forgotten how wide this was.

The walk was similar to my memories, just a little riprap added by the beach, my thoughts were darn, that's not like I remember, but after looking, it wasn't much, and what will it matter when the tides down. 

The sand was so soft, that I didn't remember either, I've spent much time here, walking this beach, all the way down till I couldn't anymore, and back again. Beautiful place to spend time at again, I'm looking forward to a beach walk this afternoon with our granddaughter Shayla and her fiance Carl, also Pyper their pup. See how the weather holds? Getting foggy out now. 

        Sure going to enjoy this view 😊

Polly is up now, ferry leaving with a big blast woke her up in a start she said. 

We had a nice dinner last night at the Bell 🔔, was exactly as we remembered, felt great. Met our neighbors we are camped beside there, getting Keno tickets was in order, no big wins, still Polly was really happy to play again. 

How quickly we fall back to our remembered ways, feeling so comfortable here, except for the cool start 🥶 brrr. I might have to dig out one of my warmer coats🧥. 

Fog is lifting a little now, hope to see some clearing later. Still, sure feels nice to be back in BC, will get even more comfortable when in Port Alberni at Arrowvale ❤️

Love our life ❤️ we do.

Politics, the most pushed ad on my FB!

Lately I've noticed that my FB has been so many faces and opinions about the politics of many nations, Canada is just one! I scrolled past many, but always one or two faces that get my attention. Today I'm changing that, my views are mine, and I'm not stopping at the BS anymore, just flick by is my new attitude. 

We made it to Port Angeles just an hour or so ago, enough time to have a great lunch at a bistro close to the water, with the best hosts, they have olive oil tasting and balsamic too. Was a really good experience, Polly learned about the health benefits of this, while I walked across the street together a coffee for meand a chi tea for Polly. 

I'm not much for the keep me healthy stuff too much, but the sandwich and the chips were great, along with the coffee Mmm 😋.  Now after a short walk back to the boat, sunny day and so darn quiet, water is calm, expecting a really nice ride across to Victoria. 

Back to our Island, staying a few nights in Crofton, at Osborne Bay RV Park and enjoy friends and views we remember from when we started our travels. The Bell pub tonight for dinner be nice, and just the views from our trailer as we have a site close to the water. 

I remember our start, we lived here for almost 5 months before we headed out on our first round north America trip. 25,000 Miles our first trip, sure was a beauty. Now looking back as we've completed that kinda trip 3 times, all a little different, all really enjoyable. We've seen so much, people places and made so many friends in so many places. Sure been a great run.

Today Polly and I started the conversation about what's next? As we believe we likely will not be going south this next year, so what now? What else do we want to do? Buy a property? A mobile home? An apartment? Or move to another place? 

We aren't sure, but we started the conversation of what's next about 2 years before retirement, so I'm thinking this be about the same, not a decision we have to make now, just thinking about what's next? 

Today what's next is Osborne Bay RV Park, and visiting with friends south island. I'm sure I'll get a walk on the beach in there, always loved that place. 

Passengers have started to load, a few minutes and we go too. I'm full this time, guess I'm not having the clam chowder I was hoping to have on the boat. 😦

Island life here we come ❤️

Sure love our life ❤️

Traveling faster then expected this time.

Home 🏡 is a draw that ya just don't know till you start the trip home, how it'll go. Today we are in Oregon, at Seven Feather's casino parking lot, we both donated last night, as usual to help the casino pay for the parking lot they let us stay in. 

We drove through the wildest rainstorm yesterday as we started up the sisqu mountain pass, Polly said she couldn't see the road, I could so we continued, only about 5-10 minutes of the heaviest rain I've ever been in. Road turns into a river instantly. Some people pulled over, but we kept truckin up the hill towards the sunny side of the hill, up top was like a different place, wind, but no rain there. 

Grants pass was a different story, it started raining about halfway along, and continued till we went into the casino. 

On our way out, was like a different place again, no rain, and this morning so far no rain. I do remember spring on the coast, and am prepared for this, but when traveling from so warm to shower and cold, It is a shocker. 

Pants today, I knew that would happen too, but till yesterday short's. 

One more long drive today, then a quick hop onto the ferry ⛴️ tomorrow and we be back on the island. Stay at Osborne Bay RV resort a couple nights, got an appointment in Duncan on Wednesday, get a few visits in over next couple days. 

We parked in the same place as many times before, away from the majority of the cars, and bedroom slide out away from the highway. Made for a decent sleep 😴 

Well Polly has finished her wrapping up the trailer, so off to get fuel ⛽, then On the Road again!

Sure do love our Life ❤️

Rooster 🐓 crows at 4:30am & I laugh.

I'd almost forgotten the rooster 🐓, till this morning waking early, got up at 4:22, couldn't sleep anymore. Made coffee ☕, then sat down to peck away on this phone, looking at FB. Then a familiar sound came in the distance, I chuckled, rooster you sound good. 

I'm thinking that's because it's like being back at Arrowvale already, yet here we are in Barstow, California on our way home. 

We have had a really good year, traveled across Canada, visiting with many friends and family as we went, then a tour of the East Coast of USA through Boston, New York, Virginia, Myrtle Beach, & Port Canaveral on our way to Crooked Hook RV resort. After a really great winter there, meeting new friends, and seeing others we remembered from 2 years ago, we traveled across the South till we got to Yuma, where we visited our friends there, took a cruise, and played cards again in the famous Fortuna Poker room. 

Sure was a good trip, so many really good people we have in our lives, friends and family at every stop, and when we stop in a place where we don't know anybody, darn it doesn't take but a day, and we've met someone. 

Connection can happen in just a few moments, a few words, and a feeling, I like this person is what happens, and off ya go from there, talking and getting to know each other. 

I looked outside just now as I wrote, and the geese are flying over, heading to there place for the day, sun will be up soon. 6:13 now, sky's getting light.

I went out for a better look, going to be a beautiful day. Saw the dog that guards the park out, he looked at me I at him, then he walked back into his home, I hear him out now barking at something or someone. 

I'm at the end of another cold, cough cough, blow my nose, been a few years since we had a cold, but this year we both caught it, and needed some antibiotics to kill it, then after all good, comes back, or another starts. Oh well, be over soon I'm thinking. 

Yesterday on our way here Polly and I talked about leaving the warm, as was getting too hot in Yuma, 99°f was too much for us. The conversation was about going north, and having to put pants 👖 on again, neither of us like that idea 😦

Rooster has calmed down now, other birds chirping, and some doves hooting at each other, spring is here for sure. Polly is just getting up now, sky's bright now, I just might go back to bed for a bit lol. Got a little coffee ☕ in my cup yet, have a little yak with Polly first. Maybe a little breakfast. 

Nothing earth shattering here, just content to travel north now after a really good trip East, South, then West. 

Another trip around the sun, 😎 going to really enjoy our trip north again, this is #9 winters south. Sure has been great, not sure what next winter will be right now, but I'm sure will be great as always! 

Love our life ❤️ 

How do you want the end to be?

Always thought the end would be as wonderful or better than the beginning, as I'd be more aware. Looking forward now I'm not so sure that's what will be my future. I see more of my future looking at others and their end, not so great. Our Mind doesn't always continue to the end, and if that doesn't go, then our health gets distracted by all sorts of "issues", some slowly take you, others grab ya quick. 

What I have observed is we can't usually choose how the end will come, unless a terminal disease gets ya, then you have a choice that's ok, and legal in our society. Imagine that, something the powers that be, something your given the right to choose 😀

I know we always have a choice, but taking in consideration our friends and family, we do keep truckin as long as possible usually, besides the fact that we kinda like the living part, till it becomes something that's painful, or just darn not enjoyable anymore. 

I'm sitting by the pool right now, swim was great, sun feeling very warm, the smell of the woman next a chair between us, slapping on sunta lotion, or sunscreen, not sure. 

Took a break from writing, talking with the guy next that just came to the pool, has a MH and from spruce Grove, Alberta concerned about getting home on his own this year as first time by himself. Quiet a good conversation. Even though Polly doesn't drive, I happy we travel together through this life ❤️

Another swim is in order, getting hot 🥵 

Ok, what next, we are going to Naked Date farm today, with Dale & Jane, their first time, be a nice afternoon I'm sure, a beer, some lunch, and a few dances to the music 🎵 🎶 there be nice. Always enjoy this place. 

Poker tournament tomorrow, then pack up Monday and away we go north slowly. 

Not thinking of the end! 

Sure do love this life of ours ❤️

..

Back home after our cruise adventure.

Polly and I had a really good time with friends on the Norwegian Bliss cruise ship this past week. Leaving our trailer behind was just a little concerning, but on arrival home, all was as we'd left it, was really warm, so AC was on as set before we left, 80°f felt cool inside. Turned it down a bit more, and got all our clothes unpacked, and fell into our chairs. 

Funny how home feels after a week away in a different bed, and different surroundings. We both happy to be home, even though was a really great trip, home always let her hair down, and relax just a little different. Polly of course had a plan for dinner, something right outta her head, some chicken, with veggies, and sprinkle some crunchy stuff on top, and voila, dinner. My plan much different, pool, I'ma going to the pool to cool 😎, was just what I needed. Met friends on the way, and friends at the pool, found out about Kelly Hughes playing on Wednesday close by, that'll be fun. After a bunch of yak there, home I went. 

Polly was catching up on her soap when I got home, we talked a bit, then Polly got busy on dinner. Mmm was great, Polly always got good ideas. TV movie, and crash early, tomorrow will clean up. 

Well yesterday was a good one, tidy up a bit, and off to say goodbye to our friends Ivo & Patti here that were leaving to start heading north towards Port Alberni. Then to the grocery store for a restock. Home, put it almost all away, then off to the poker room for an afternoon of poker with friends we hadn't seen since last year. We were welcomed in warmly with handshakes and hug's 🤗  sure was nice to be back. 

Always fun at poker, the Big excitement yesterday, someone's golf cart beeping, and Bob thought it was his truck, till he tried everything, was the cart beside him. Of course we all had a laugh. Friendly fun group here, such good memories. Polly made a few dollars yesterday, so did I, but today likely give it back. That's the way, take a little give a little poker is my thoughts on the game, friendly. Everyone wants to win, but not possible every day, enjoy the people and the game. 

We got home after and Polly got the TV going, I saw the neighbor sitting outside, we'd never got a chance to get together, people from Oregon, Shaun and Marvin, I'd met them, but Polly hadn't. So I said, let's watch that movie later, k? Go for a visit next door. Polly agreed, and over we go, chairs and a refreshment to visit with them. Was really nice getting to know them, and their two dogs, Berlin and? I forgot her name. 

Thinking as I did just now, we had no political talks, just about travel, and family and friends. Mostly about fun times. Was really nice, only once did it get close to political, when we were asked if we were coming back next year. Not sure we keep saying, no reservations made for next year, likely another warm place, Portugal seems interesting, there are many places we could go without the trailer. Will see what happens is all we keep saying, because we really can't be sure.

Was a really nice visit with our neighbors, hope to see them again on our travels one day. That is what we really like about our adventures, never know who's next to you unless you reach out. We are so close to each other that it seems almost automatic to say "Hi, how ya doin?" And that's where the friendship starts. 

Love our life ❤️ 

Enough is great 👍

Well that's just about enough I'm telling Polly, so many decisions! Where to go tonight for dinner, do ya want a drink? What do you want to drink? Entertainment tonight? Or not? Stay on the boat, or get off? Excursions or not? Pool today or? In the sun or shade? Another drink 🍻🍷☕🍹🍸??? Sit here, wanna sit there? The biggest concern, where's our room? What floor are we on? Nap 😴 again 💤💤💤 yes! LoL 🤣 such a great time, friends that we came with we meet up with too, but often we are here there and everywhere. 

Today we stayed on the boat, Cabo San Lucas we have seen before, and very warm today. Breakfast was great in the Savory restaurant was best, order what ya want, served to you. All other times we had ate at the garden Cafe, a buffet, which is nice, but today ordered eggs Benedict, with sausage on the side. OJ and coffee ☕ perfect 👍 

Polly and I got our Internet figured out, so could contact a few friends and family. "How is it?" The first question, fantastic, everything you can possibly want and need here, plus great views every moment. 

          Someone say 🐳 🐋 whales?

I don't know why I resisted, this boat is so good. I know we'll go again, but as Polly said this morning, 1 week, that's enough. 

Weather has been perfect, sea's calm all the time, and crew have been fantastic. All the amenities we have not really used, did go out one night to the Beatles extravaganza, Oh and the casino a couple times, lots of luck, all bad LoL 🤣.

Our cabin was plenty big, balcony was nice, got to watch so much right from the room. Observation deck in the early morning, and H20 at the poop deck was really nice too!

Yes, all in all a really enjoyable time we've had. Tomorrow a tour of the ship, we both looking forward to this, always interesting seeing the behind scenes of this huge ship I'm sure operates like a big machine. 

Will see tomorrow.

Sure do love our life of adventures ❤️