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WOW.... What a trip!

I know I have been lax with the blog posts for quite awhile, but now back to steady reliable internet, and travel will be less now, I will piece the last couple months together as best I can. I apologise to any readers that do not do Facebook, especially Charlie, who has prompted me again, as he wants this next post... Thanks Charlie for the interest that moves me to continue.

As we drove off the Ferry Polly yells "Wahoooo! Back on the Island again!"

We drove along both kinda quiet for awhile, then we started saying how we felt being back, Polly says it felt like a dream, like when we were gone was a dream. She had made this statement a few times during the trip, especially as we got closer to home. I said it felt so different as most all the trip we had the GPS on and were following it. Now no need, it felt kinda lofty to drive with no need for wondering where we would turn next, we know this road well. I felt so cocky driving that nothing could touch us now, driving was a breeze, we were home and it felt good. We talked about how we felt, and a few of the times we had as we drove around the country's. We are closer now than when we left. We learned so much about ourselves, and about each other that we didn't know, and didn't know how to deal with. We both have much respect for each other, as well as love. We have more confidence to make the next jump to where we will go, not sure right now where, but we will go for-sure, all going well in January. We don't always know what the other is thinking, but we often say what the other is thinking, so much so that sometimes we just look at each other and know it...
We completed what we wanted to, and in about the time we planned. Not all went as planned, but we did it, and in life that is something, as many times you plan but never make the first step.

We made it back to the Island Saturday August 12th. Drove to My sister Joy and her husband Dan's house in Qualicum from Duke Point ferry landing. Surprised them with our knock on the door Joy & Dan were so happy to see us, hugs all around. Dan made us coffee, we had a nice visit with them, and a shower (that was so nice) then Joy made us breakfast, Yummy, sure was nice of her. Dan got busy with the fence he was about to build that day, was cool so he wanted to get to it. Joy and Polly went over the maps that Polly has marked the route of where we went all over North America. 33,500 KM to complete our trip from Crofton BC to Port Alberni BC in just over 6 months, February 9th to August 12th. Wow, still hard to believe.

We made our way back toward Port Alberni, as almost all our family lives there, and wanted it to be a surprise. We pulled up over the hump like no problem, and as we came into town we looked forward to some down time without travel. Back to reality kind of, with friends and family around us.

We pull up to Memere's house and Louise Polly's Cousin that lives with Memere, and here daughter Lisa are on there way to the store. Surprise, we will be back they say and we park the trailer, and get inside the house and surprise Memere. She is so Surprised and hugs us and kiss and Polly says she doesn't remember being hugged like that by her Mom. Wow what a good surprise, guess we were missed...

Memere gets a call when we get there.

Louise and Lisa come home and we got hugs there too. First to show was Taylor, our Grand Daughter, she heard we were in town from her Mom as Polly had texted her to say we are here. Hugs from Taylor was nice, yep felt like home now. Catherine called, and we got a talk in. Called Penny and she said Dax was sick, so will see here later this week sometime. Lyn called and would see here and Andrew that night, Polly calls George and her and Dan will come over that night too. Yes and the love goes on as we reacquaint ourselves with our family as the day goes by.

Later as we have the trailer all set in front of Memere's house we go out to dinner just us two, for a quiet dinner by the water at the Starboard Grill at Harbour Quay. Was cool out now, as the weather had changed, rain was coming, and we walked in and was quiet now, we beat the rush. We got a table by the window, looking at the water, and all the boats coming back from down the canal. Was a nice dinner, and we talked about what was next, as that was what Catherine said to us on the phone. We knew we would go south again just not sure where exactly, as that plan was not made yet, we just know will be a little slower this time, and stay in places a little lon-ger this time. Dinner was good, and conversation was better, but the desert was best. The chef tries a different special every couple weeks we are told, and this week was Lemon-Raspberry Meringue pie. Wow was it ever good, brought a big piece home for Memere, Louise and Lisa to try.

Polly and Lemon Raspberry Meringue pie mmmm

As we came into the house we see our oldest grand daughter, Shayla and her boyfriend Casey on the couch waiting for us...  Hugs again...
Was that ever nice to see them, we felt special when people take the time to come out and say Hi after we had been gone for awhile. We talked and told them of our trip, and what we saw and where we went. Later Dan and George came, and Lyn and Andrew, more hugs, and more talk about our journey.  Plans are made for dinner tomorrow night and Lisa will make a Philippine dinner, nice.

First day back and we felt welcomed, with trailer in place for awhile, wash it tomorrow, Polly will do the wash, we will have some cleanup done and meet with friends Claudette and Americo to get our mail, and Hugs again. Life is good here on our Vancouver Island, and Port Alberni will always be our home.

Trailer and truck all washed up

Friends gather for a beer, and a yak. Oh and mail delivery, Thanks C & A Pavan

Life is good here on the Island.... Loving this life!