Part 5 From RV Times Articles
Segment 1 under RV Tips and Stories Section
Segment 2
The next day we find our earnings weren’t what we needed so we counted our gifts of abundance instead: we spent three days off the road, met new found relatives, met Diane and Grant, and explored Swift Current. Before we leave we empty our tanks at the Co-Op station in the mall. Calgary 512 km. here we come!
“Welcome to Alberta!” Medicine Hat sprawls into the valley as we pull into the Tourism Centre with its huge parking lot, sani-dump, and giant Teepee. Then we head up the hill to the Husky station where gas is $1.06 …cheaper than when we left @ $1.23.
Up out of the valley as the highway stretches into the horizon. Bored I entertain Dave with my nasally version of “Home on the Range.” Finally …“Welcome to Calgary” and our family.
We are greeted by family and everyone excited to check out the trailer, especially great-granddaughters Gracen and Ajiah. Three year old Gracen keeps us entertained with plenty of melodrama. It’s great to be back with family again!
Bigger than my fear of Heather’s snake is lack of gas money. Funds are low so Dave decides to go to work. Heads high we prepare to go on a job interview. That’s when the miracle appears. Rob, our son-in-law hands me cash saying, “This is our contribution to your trip. It’s not a loan.” I burst into tears.
First day of fall and Calgary saw its first snow… It’s 0° this morning, the coldest spot in southern Canada. Under cover of a Chinook arch, we leave family and Calgary’s busy-ness, and point Boo towards the Rockies.
She struggles her way up the summit of Storm Mountain. Day 119 “Welcome to BC, The best place on earth.” We’ve seen magnificent scenery across Canada but BC is the best. In 2003 I cried at the devastation left by the fires but now among the blackened remains, nature has started healing with green undergrowth.
In the park, we come around a corner to see cars lined up. A black bear is rolling in the ditch. Dave got a couple pictures before Mr. Bear nonchalantly climbs up on the cement barrier and does his balance beam act. Then with a bored look back runs off.
At Radium hot springs, Boo’s brakes smelled hot after all that climbing and diving so we all take a break. We walked among the beautifully crafted statues on the hillside portraying 13 scenes of Jesus’ last day on earth.
Driving out of town was a Big Horn sheep lying down at the viewpoint. We took pictures, while keeping our distance as he gazed back at us regally.
Heading for Cranbrook we pass the gnarled sandstone “Hoo-Doo’s.” We arrived in Cranbrook and met Doug, who we’ve never met, and head up to their home where we parked in their driveway for the night. Doug and Donna share lots of RV stories over supper. We are continually awestruck at the generous Canadian spirit. Although not an avid reader Doug loved my book. He said, “I couldn’t put it down. You took me along with you. Even without pictures I could see where you were.”
Sept.22 After breakfast we left to get gassed up before visiting my Aunt Izo in hospital who hadn’t lost her spunkiness. She has since passed away leaving a legacy of living life on your own terms. Later in Kitchener we pulled into my favorite uncle’s yard. We spent an enjoyable evening joking and being teased by Uncle Bob then left the next morning to visit his daughter Diane and husband in Creston.
Creston nestles in an orchard filled valley with a temperate climate. Cousin Diane is another story of overcoming tragedy. Her husband was impaled on the job leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Yet he drives their motor home. Her mom died only five weeks previously. Their daughter has breast cancer and has two little girls with brain tumors, and Diane simply says, “ You just keep on going.” She inspires me.
The winding drive from Creston along Kootenay Lake to the free Balfour Ferry is spectacular but allow extra time. Kootenay Lake lies in a glacial trench 144 km. long with water is so pure it can be drunk from the lake. It is home to Kokanee salmon and Kokanee beer.
The ferry terminal soon filled up with members of a classic car club who’ve been to a car show in Creston. We try not to drool as we take pictures. A 40 min. ferry crossing to Balfour, and we’re on more winding road to Nelson.
We arrived in Nelson and pulled into the Wal-Mart mall by the lake. As the sun set we relaxed and talked of exploring Nelson the next day. Settled in for the night, we were startled by a knock on the door. We don’t open the door that time of night to strangers so we asked who it is. “Mall security,” he says as he shows his ID. Reluctantly we open the door to be told we can’t camp there or we’ll be towed. Very frustrated, we drive outside town to the park ‘n pool. Next morning drivers start arriving at 6 a.m
The scariest thing at Castlegar was visiting Zuckerberg Island. To get there I had to face my fear of crossing suspension bridges. I refuse to walk on bouncing boards suspended in space. But this one is only 474’ long so I faced it. Breathing deep I made it to the other side without falling in the river.
Then we climb the steep hill out of Castlegar heading for Grand Forks where we’ve booked our last market. With Dave’s coaxing Boo makes it over 1535 m Bonanza Pass without getting herself heated up.
“Welcome to Grand Forks home of the best Russian Food.” The spacious city park and campground sits along the river. A bargain at $21.20 for water and power with sani-dump at the end of the park. It was such a treat to be soaking up the last of the summer heat, listening to the birds.
Sept.25 and our last farmers market as we woke to gold painted clouds. By 10 there are seven other vendors set up. Sales were poor but the campground great. By 2:30 we were filled up, emptied out, and heading out of town as the luxuriant valley gives way to desert-like hills.
At Greenwood the town campground is $10. The Ohairi plaque is testament to the 23,512 Japanese people declared enemies and interned here during the war, reminding us to never allow it to happen again. “Shikata-ga-nai: Life goes on.”
Rock Creek is a steep climb with hairpin corners but picturesque. Then there’s the snakes back descent into Osoyoos. I can smell the brakes now. Osoyoos, pop. 5,000 + tourists has a new BC Visitor Centre. Tall timbers and tall glass tower while out front is the “Unity Rider” metal sculpture of an Indian Chief on a horse. And then we head for Princeton for the night.
As the sun sets on the river we relax behind the Chevron truck stop at Princeton. Even though we went to sleep surrounded by trucks when we woke in the morning they’d crept away in the night. Truck stops are a secure alternative for dry-camping.
Day 124, the day we arrive back at the coast. I am like an addict needing a fix …an ocean fix. Only 134 km to Hope. Up and down, we go until we stop for a break at Skagit River. Garbage, mostly coffee cups are strewn everywhere. If people buy coffee to go they need to Go Green and use travel mugs.
Just before we enter the freeway to Vancouver I start saying “I can smell the ocean,” while we pass the Fraser River. At Chilliwack Dave reminds me it’s not the ocean I smell. We’re back in the land of warm fall air, and blackberry bushes!
By 1:00 p.m we were settled at the Abbotsford Tradex RV Show to end our trip by speaking and selling books for the next four days. Curtis and Rose Marie are the nicest neighbors who share their RV power with us.
My presentation of the trip was well received and by Sept.30 we’d sold 38 books. They’re long days filled with friendly RV’ers, many looking for ways to offset travel costs.
Oct. 1 we arrived at Horseshoe Bay and happy to be back on “our” ferries. Oh, the aroma of salt air… mmm! At the end four months, and 19,962 km later we drove into our mobile home park overwhelmed with what we’d accomplished.
In four months, we stayed at 18 campgrounds when we weren’t boon-docking. We sold at 38 markets which made us $5560; gas cost us $5890. We covered 10 provinces, visited three of the Great Lakes, walked in both oceans, took seven ferries, and crossed all six time zones. But the best part of all is that we made our dreams come true in spite of age or income.
Do you have a dream bigger than your budget? Go for it!
Don’t let gas prices or nay sayers stop you from living
each moment of your life to your fullest.
Dare to Dream outside your budget!