Quesnel, Dragon Lake at Roberts Roost Campground

Swan's and Flamingos here but have not seen any Dragons here at Dragon Lake.

Yesterday I saw the influx of weekend campers come, holy crap, they came fast and furious. I sat in the shade of the tree we've parked by and watched the launches of so many crafts. 

It started with paddle boards, 

then came the kayak's 

then the seadoo

This couple had the most interesting beautiful dog in there truck,

just had to walk over and get a few shots of him, oops there were Two big huge dogs. 

So beautiful, but for me so darn big. No thanks 😊

Just when I thought I had seen it all comes the peddle boat guy to pickup his honey. 

That I thought was the last, Polly call's out, dinner and I have to give up my post. 

Polly thought she wanted to create tonight, so chicken with hollandaise seafood sauce, with shrimp and crab meat, crab stuffed mushrooms, baked potato and asparagus. Mmmm 😋 good, I'm a luck guy.😊 Polly treats me so good. 

Trailer was hot, and AC was kicking out the 15amp breaker so I retired outside while diehard Polly watched Tampa bay Lightning beat NY Islanders.

Back at my cool 😎 post watching the goings on at the launch, here comes the last launch, two girls with there floaties.

Now this was so fun to watch, both not wanting to get wet, lol. 

The white swan got away, and the woman in the pink flamingo had to paddle fast to get it, as the other was not goin in the water. They had a blast, laughing all the time. 

The hockey game ended Canadian's vs Tampa Monday I'm told as Polly came out to join me in the shade, and just as I thought the launching was over, a couple come with there kayak's at dusk, and off they go onto the lake. 

I think I saw every kind of craft out on the lake today, from Pontoon boats pulling tubes full of people, all the way to floaties. 

During the day, a guy came by towel in hand, finished work, and said time for a swim. I had been putting this off as the lake was shallow, and lotsa weeds, not a favorite. After watching him dive in a few times I finally got hot enough, and went out to the end of the dock and joined him. Walter was his name and he was a fire fighter here in Quesnel. We had much to talk about, as usual I did most of the yaking. 

He appreciated it he said, and we had a couple long swims out to where you didn't feel the weeds anymore. He grew up in Williams lake, said the weeds there were really long, and not what is nice to swim in. I'm thinking was not so bad here, weeds didn't really bother me, nothing bitting me. 

All in all a great day by the water. 

Off to Barkerville today, new to us campground with 30amp plug-in, so AC will work, that's a must today, going to be hot all week. 

Went outside for awhile and talked with a lady sitting quietly. Told her, I'm going to spoil you quiet time, she said she didn't mind. We had a great conversation, she was from Huston BC. Was nice to connect so quickly with someone. I'm lucky to have that ability, I couldn't imagine being shy, or quiet, LoL 😆. 

I love this life ❤️🤗

Williams lake, Scout Island Jake brakes & the Marsh

I knew it would be nice, but didn't factor in the sounds mixed here. Sounds of the red winged black birds and the sounds of trucks hauling steadily. Is very different and hard to differentiate between the sounds. I'm used to a quiet lake, or river. 

Just had a talk with a woman walking and taking photos, she has plans to go to Switzerland, hopefully in September, she also wants it quieter. Was a longer talk, she told me of a better place to view the lake and marsh, I'm going to check it out.

What a great morning, first I saw a rider on her horse beside the campground,

 

had a good talk with her, she said she and her hubby had been stuck in Port Alberni once, stayed with a friend the weekend till the truck could be repaired. Of course I ask what was his name, Rob Thomas. Yep I said I knew him. Funny how we are all connected, if we just open up and talk. 

Next after crossing the highway,

I see a deer making her way along the edge of the Marsh. 

I did check out the other part of the island, and posted on FB, but before I finished here I ran out of room on my phones storage so started deleating photos, and darn if I didn't delete the ones from Williams lake. So this post will be altered by this.

Polly's friend Barb came for a visit while we were at the stampede ground's, Polly and Barb yaked and caught up, was nice for them both.

Moved on to Quesnel now. Will post there.

Love being on the move again. 🤗♥️

Love this life😊

RV problems Truck problems 😃😜

Before leaving our campsite at Greeny Lake I realized I forgot to put the satellite 📡 dish down, so asked the neighbor if I could use his small generator to power it down as I had stowed mine already. Yup, ok he said. Nice hey, so I brought it over, started it, first pull, Honda 1000, and plugged in my electric cord, reved up, then I heard it kick out. Hmm what's already plugged in I'm thinking, the fridge went from gas to electric automatically. So shut down generator and turn off fridge, start generator and ok, power down 📡 dish, all good. 

Return to the neighbors and we finished packing and off we go.

On our way to Williams lake we noticed the AC not putting out as per usual, so windows down, and now we know need to be looked at as going to be a hot summer. 

Get to Williams lake campground and setting up push the satellite box to power up, and get a reading on the box "No LNB voltage ⚡" aww crap, now what. 

Try again after checking wiring, and same.  Now what, go to Google and see what's up. I find out what might be causing it, now do I wanna do this myself, or take to someone? Still not sure. Will investigate further. I'm now wondering if when the neighbors generator kicking out it caused the problem? 🧐 Hmm.

Truck though, needs repair to travel comfortably so I call around and everyone busy, so one guy suggests Canadian Tire. I have not had any work done by Canadian tire before, so kinda sceptical, but here I am, waiting. Hoping just a recharge needed. 

Traveling and getting work done I usually ask around and get a local mechanic recommend by a parts store guy, this time I just took the word of a mechanic shop, they and others were busy, and the thought was Canadian tire has more people working there so likely have time. 

Polly's at Walmart shopping 🛒, while I wait here. And that folk's is how you maintain while traveling, fix it quick, and get going. I did what I thought was good maintenance before we left, couldn't have foreseen this. LoL 😆 

Good I had a good walk this morning ☺️

Polly call's, I forgot, coffee pot died too, so she asks me to look here, yup got it, coffee ☕ pot, and moskito coils, and some more bug juice. Ready we are, for now 😁😂😂

Qualicum Bay early morning thoughts

Waking up before daybreak is not unusual for me, but today was just a little different. As I got up,, peeed, then went down the stairs, the light from the bathroom that comes on automatically was behind me. Black it looked through the window. The time on the microwave was 3:57am, ahh that was another great sleep. I wonder if it's light? I open the door and yep, we have days beginning. So I go about making coffee, then once dishes away, and coffee in hand I put on my flip-flops and out the door I go. 

How to write this? 

The feeling I had was just so peaceful, at one with the morning, the sounds, so suttle, ringing in my ears quiet. The water breaking on the shore so gentle, still morning it was, just calm and still. The light just starting, birds still sleeping, almost no sound except the water breaking ever so quiet on the shore. 

Thought of just how fantastic our time here has been. Immersed, that's how I would describe our time here, immersed in the beauty, the animals, birds, beach, as well as friends stopping by for a hi how are you, and some camping with us. 

I'm shaking my head at just how beautiful this time has been. Waking each morning looking at the beauty here out our windows was great,

 

but today that wasn't enough. I had to go out and take in the sounds, the feeling, be immersed in just how beautiful this area is. 

I found myself thinking how fortunate I am, making it to retirement when so many never get there. Having the opportunity to enjoy this time in my life is a real blessing. I know many the didn't make it. 

Yep I was/am very emotional today for some reason. I took my coffee and stood for the longest time, taking it all in, looking out at the view, watching as the day broke, and the quiet was broken. First a goose honked, then a bird cheeped, then and eagle screeches, now the sun moves a little bit, still hidden behind the clouds. Then a little breeze, as I look around I see the nest of the killdeer, abandoned now, crows got her eggs. This makes me sad, even if I know that's nature, I still felt attached to the little bird that would squak everytime we got too close. 

I get my 2nd cup and come out again, I walk around a bit, look here and there, our neighbors moved yesterday, so lots of room around us now. We will move today as well, 1 more night, then all going well we'll be on our way north. 

I finish my coffee, and now I take a long quiet stroll towards the River. There are more birds waking now, eagles flying and screeching. I hear many geese, and as I approach the river I hear a different noise, kinda like a cat, something growling? I walk a little closer, ahh seals, all on shore on the other side of the river.

Snoring I'm thinking, there are so many, looks like  30-40. Wow, and geese, so many of them too. Must be lots of feed here then. 

Somehow as I stand and look my thoughts go to friends I remember from work that hunt, and how they do the same as I'm doing now, looking listening, and taking it all in. I remember one time one of these friends expressed to me his appreciation of the beauty in the early morning. Yes he hunts, but he's not just a killer, he appreciates all he sees too. 

I remember Morning's like this when I was fishing, when the light was just enough to run the boat to where I'd start fishing. I smile to myself, I know I don't have to fish anymore, or hunt, or even capture that picture (although I do LoL 😆) I'm content to look, and just take it in. Just love the moment, really appreciate this time. 

I walk slowly back to our trailer, taking a picture here and there, seeing this place a little deeper each moment I'm here. I'm not sad to go, we have had the best time here. I know we'll come back, happy to have this wonderful time. 

As I write the sun is up and just out of my sight now, above the edge of the window.

Polly is on her way to the bathroom. The waking up starts here now. 7am, I've lived a beautiful morning, lucky me. 🤗♥️

Today we'll move, empty our tanks, pretty good, lasted a full 2 weeks on our tanks, and then park right beside in #17, one more night, then off to get our awning motor replaced at Arbutus RV, and then to the Ferry and we'll be on the road again. 

We are both looking forward to traveling again. Creating new memories every day. 

Love this life just so much. 🤗🤗♥️♥️

Traveling in BC. Government grants us permission.

Monday BC government will announce that we can travel again in our own province. Wahoo, we are off for the summer visiting the north, looking like the Yukon will be open to us, as well as Alaska. This is a trip we planned to do last summer, but were held up for a year. 

Just leaving the valley for the east coast of the island was exciting. We have been at Qualicum Bay Native Campground for just about 2weeks, and travel on the mainland will be nice. Looking forward to new places, as well as some we remember from past trips. 

Friends we will see, friends we will meet, and country we have not seen, antisipation of the next adventure. As we pick up the jacks to travel, knowing we leave our beautiful island as summer is about to begin, we look forward to seeing so much we have read about. 

We have a return date, and a loose plan when we return, but looking ahead plans are going good. 

The Frazer canyon highway is our choice first, and the small town of Clinton is likely our first stop. Always liked this little town, hoping that as we travel the covid scare will be less as we go. I do know when in campgrounds people are not too afraid to be near each other, a nice fire helps.

Polly & I both looking forward to travel again, seems so long since we drove down the highway. Watching YouTube videos on travel just doesn't cut it. 

Our time here at Qualicum Bay Native Campground has been fantastic, so much to see right out the window,

as well as from the beach. River mouth with seals, fish, geese, eagle's,

ducks, deer,

and killer whales

to cap it off. Just a great place to start our journey. 

As I write the eagle calls above me, just so nice to hear. Already planning our return here before we head back to Arrowvale for a month in the fall. 

June, July, August, September. Going to be a fun trip I'm sure. Loving this Life ❤️🤗

The Covid Release 😳

     Release 2021 I call my sign this year.

         A blank slate I used for 2020

I believe we are all are feeling trapped here in Canada, with health officials, politicians, the force of Police, and others watching eye's 👀 👀 👀 telling us how to behave. Can you think for yourself? How many times do we need to hear "stay home if your sick"? Have we been completely programed yet? Will any of us be able to think for ourselves after the threat has gone? Will the threat be there the rest of our lives? How far north will I have to go to feel free of this? Will masks be the standard from now on? 

My thoughts run rampant, and I'm not the only one. So when I made our (I say our as I hang it in our campsite) sign this year I used what I think is next. We have been under lockdown to some degree for a long time, not as long as some, but darn long enough. We now have a plan to read our BC government released. 

Is this the release of us to normal? Will we be able to go into buildings without a mask? Will the plexiglass ever come down? What will normal be like this time next year? Holy crap, sure can think of alot of questions. Now for the answers. 

Tv appearances by the famous health official with the not so famous politician standing in, never want all the limelight going to only one! 

I laugh as I peck on this phone, sitting in my nice fold out chair, overlooking the ocean,

listening to the eagles talking, watching the sun come up through the clouds. And right now I think, "Do I really give a shit?"

I guess I must, I'm writing about it. I'm sure I won't change anything by writing this, maybe just get my own head straight as I mull it over. 

There is a killdeer bird watching me, she has a nest close, I'm just far enough that she watches, but doesn't cheep as much as when you get too close. 

The 15th of this month we are led to believe if the numbers are right, we will be allowed to travel in BC. If our numbers are still good, July 1, will be allowed to travel in Canada. Next the boarder opening to USA, of course BC doesn't make that decision. This is what I pay attention to, as travel is what we are doing, and have been for the last 4 years, full time. The part that I was missing is the lead into the announcement, "The Earliest Start" this like all we are fed by spoon, says we might let you do.... Whatever. I could screem, but instead I take another breathe and wait till the next time a health official gets to the mic and let's us know how we will be living

Am I ready to break out yet? I ask myself. Have I had enough? Hmm, coffee is cold now.

 ahhh, sun made it through. Not warm, but looks nice. 6:30 now, the girls are still 😴💤 going to have to go for a walk soon, just to stay warm. 

Well I didn't resolve anything, but did express myself, even if I feel it is useless, I said something here. 

My cup says it all 😂😆, still a beautiful place to be, and will wait till we are granted our freedom to travel. Hmm I think 🤔 lol. Maybe yes, maybe no 😏

Life is good at the beach ⛱️

Time for a walk😊

Packing up to leave our site at Arrowvale was a job I misjudged. good time to move.

Rocking horse 🐎 is sleeping on the couch, wheelbarrow in the closet, garden Arbour in the basement, and everything else stuffed in where we can get it. We are ready to get going on our way to see friends and family in northern BC, and if things open a little more, and we get our 2nd shot, off to the Yukon for a look around there this summer. 

Packing should be easy, but once a decision is made, (Government says 15th June) then off we go. So we are getting our 🦆 🦆🦆 duck's in a row now. RV serviced, parts ordered, and a few this repaired. Truck serviced, thanks George at Quay West Automotive for getting me in quick, trans & engine oil changed. Wood and tools stored away at a friend's, ready to go on our return. 

We left Port Alberni last Thursday, for some RV repairs, small but want them done. We stayed at Rathtrevor for 4 nights, that was much nicer than I thought it would be. The new sites they created in 3 of the parking lots are great. Good size, with toilet and garbage close, and walk a little further and the sandy beach ⛱️ is right there. 

Wonderful time we had there, we had friends show up, and tequila flowed, and laughed so much. The day went fast, we met the campers beside us, and later enjoyed their campfire with them. What a memorable day.

Next day it rained in the morning, many packed up and left. We had another night. The morning looked bleak, but about 10:30 the sun cam again, and turned a gloomy start to a beautiful day. 

Next day we left our RV at the dealership, as they didn't have enough time to wash for us, and they did that as I had another bit of skin cancer to be removed in Courtenay. That went smoothly, and stopped and saw our friends again, then back, grabbed our trailer and off we went to Qualicum bay native campsite. 

This place is a gem, power and water with an ocean view at you back bumper that's just great. 

Our set-up was a little difficult, the sight has a hump where the tires go, so jacks would be way to high in front, took awhile, a couple tries, to find the sweet spot so we could setup. Even though of trying a different spot, but decided was best here so made it work. 

We found a mascot for our trip at Rathtrevor, a coconut 🥥 we named Wilson. Will travel with us this summer 😁