We headed back over to Donna & Dennis's place to say good bye to the gang heading back to Alberta. There was leftover mashed potatoes so they had "tatey cakes" for breakfast. It is a family recipe of Dennis's and a good memory for Kevin & Kerry. Leslie and I managed to grab some leftovers because we were late for breakfast. Cousin Michael was staying at a motel just a block away and he was there for breakfast and heading back to Chilliwack today. So with lots of hugs and handshakes we wished everyone a safe trip and waved as they left. We headed back to the rig to give Donna & Dennis some quiet time before John gets here this afternoon. They have had a busy house all this week so a little break is needed. Leslie and I relaxed a while too. Remember we have cable TV this week! I crashed on the couch while Leslie and Margaret relaxed in the lazy boy.
Warm and relaxed.
We took it easy all afternoon. John stopped by to see us on his way in to town from Victoria and then went over to Donna's. We're meeting Terryn and her kids at a bar called the Barking Parrot in the Lakeside Hotel tonight for Graydon's 19th birthday! We'll pick up John and head down as D & D are sitting this one out. Of course we had to buy Graydon a shot for his birthday, a Burt Reynolds, they're pretty sweet and easy to drink.
Not the Burt, he did many shots ;)
We didn't stay that long at the Parrot. Graydon has school in the morning and the rest of us are just played out I think. Happy 19th buddy!!
Oct 9
A good nights sleep and a good breakfast. We're off to Skaha Lake Park for a run. My legs are feeling way better and I want to try a longer road run instead of the fabulous trail by our rig.
Beauty day.
Paved trail
We both got a nice run in and went back to the rig to shower. Getting together with John and then visit Margi for a while. The three of us went shopping for steaks and fixin's to cook for D & D tonight at their house. They have done lots for guests this week so it's a little payback and thank you.
Leslie bringing the goods!
We also picked up a caramel drizzled apple pie for dessert. Didn't take long and we were off to the trailer to sleep.
Oct10
We hooked up with John for another visit with Margi in the morning. I need to get a couple things done on the trailer before I go south. The caulking along the leading edge needs to be finished and I have to relocate the license plate on the back so you can see it. With the bike bag on the back it totally blocks my license plate. Alberta doesn't issue a front plate for vehicles so when I'm towing you can't see any plates. I know that seems like a great idea for tickets or red light cameras but I don't want some US sheriff deciding to tow my truck and trailer because my plates are hidden. Trust me I struggled with this lol. Leslie is doing laundry and a major clean in the rig while John and I are busy outside.
Roche boys doin' work!
No pictures of Leslie working because she usually takes the pictures. It was such a nice afternoon we decided to go for a beer and a burger. We went to Barley Mill Pub. It was a good choice, good food and beer.
Great server too, she takes good pics.
Terryn got tickets for a junior A hockey game for tonight. The Penticton Vees are playing Merritt Centennials! Should be a great game. Terryn has season tickets and got us super seats on the second row behind the players box!!
A new arena by my standards, holds about 6000 people.
Terryn, John & Leslie in a picture!
The not so good selfie.
John is driving back to Victoria in the morning so we all said good bye after the game. Leslie and I are shutting off our social calendar. We haven't been out so much in years. Remember we have free cable!!
Oct 11
We did a visit with my sis and then stopped at a sushi place to pick up lunch to go. The sushi place, Kojo, makes a lot in one container. We ordered 3 rolls but holy man!
I even Let Leslie have some lol.
I still have some stuff to do to the trailer and Leslie is making sure the cupboards are good for the border guys. I'm kind of full though haha. We got a text from Terryn that Margi wants to come see our rig this afternoon. How awesome is that!! It's another beauty day in Penticton and we are so happy to have her over. I thought the stairs would be a problem but Margi is having a good day and pretty much walked right up them. I gave her the quick tour and we sat down for a coffee. Great stuff!
Margarets head, Margi & Bella, me & Terryn. Love these girls.
We visited as long as we could and then it was time for them to go. We carefully got down the stairs and they went back to the hospice. Thanks Margi and Terryn for visiting :) It was great!
Oct 12
Well not every day can be exciting so other than a visit with Margi we got nothin.
Oct 13
Time to get in another run on this fantastic KVR trail by our park.
Odd smile ??
Way better smile !!
Today is also the Ironman World Championships in Kona Hawaii and guess who is there competing?? Of course it's Ailsa. Barry is there practising for his Ironman that is coming soon... maybe? Barry is supposed to compete in Panama City Beach Florida November 6. That obviously is in jeopardy after the hurricane smashed the Florida coast. Anyway we're watching online as Ailsa progresses through the day. It's hot and super muggy in Hawaii of course which makes it even harder. As if Ironman distances aren't hard enough. Barry did a run of his own while Ailsa was competing. What a support crew! We feel your pain champ! Just way less distance pain. Ailsa had a great time and completed the full course in 10:25:53. Super effort champ! You deserve a beer. Of course her support guy was ready.
Super champ Ailsa MacDonald.
After we got cleaned up we went to Donna's for a coffee. We are all loading up in their mini van to take Margi out for some sun and a drive around. We picked Margi up and drove to Skaha Lake Park where we walked along the beach on the paved path. It was a beautiful day at almost 20C (70F) and we wheeled her down the entire beach and back to the park to just sit and enjoy the sun and the breeze. Fabulous!
Bumped into a friend of Donna's along the path.
We loaded back into the van and did a driving tour up Carmi road to the east of the city. So much development since I was a kid here. Sub divisions go way up the mountain into the canyon that we used to hike (aka; sneak out to drink beer) as teenagers. It was a great drive and a really nice way to spend an afternoon together. 
The van tour.
We dropped Margi off and all headed back home for supper and a good night sleep. It's our last day here tomorrow and it's a little bitter sweet. Looking forward to our adventure but not to saying so long.
Oct 14
We got busy packing up bikes and barbecue and all the stuff we had pulled out while here. I went to get propane and when I got back Mark's kids pulled in for a quick visit. Matt drove down yesterday from Abbottsford to do some hunting here in the Okanagan and stay with Sam & Dave. They all went on a hunting/scouting trip this morning but didn't see much game. They did glimpse a moose but no tags for that so just watched him walk away. We stood outside and chatted for a while and had a few laughs then they jumped back in their truck and headed home.
Leslie and I showered and got ready for supper. We're having Chinese food at the hospice tonight in their dining area. They have a bunch of tables and a full kitchen with all the plates and cutlery. A commercial dishwasher too! Bonus. Les and I went and picked up dinner and met Terryn, Margi & Graydon in the dining area. We ordered a dinner for 5. Holy man there is a ton of food here! Graydon gets the leftovers as he is a starving student lol. He can use the weight. We ate until we were stuffed and then cleaned up the table and packed Graydon the leftovers. We went back to Margi's room to chat for a while before we have to leave.
This is where it gets super hard to tell. I sat with Margi and held her hand and we both talked about regretting the time we let pass without seeing each other. Families have stuff, we all know the deal but when it comes down to brass tacks we're still family and we love each other anyway. No matter what we do otherwise. She's going to fight this awful damn disease and we will see her in March on the way back. Thankfully technology will help us stay in touch so much easier. I waited outside while Leslie gave her hugs and said see you soon for herself. Terryn came out with Les and I got a chance to give her a big hug and tell her I love her. She's doing such a great job helping her Mom, I can't say how much respect I have for her.
We love you Margi. Keep fighting that bitch disease and we will talk to you soon from somewhere in the south. Love ya sista!
Deserves another shot.
Looks like the good times are continuing with family and friends but I bet you are itching to get on the road. The sushi looks great, we have not had it for months. Something about having sushi in the Dakotas is just not right.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to your sister with her battle.
Dakota sushi would be smoked duck or deer tenderloin lol. It was actually really good. We are excited and nervous about getting on the road, newbies ;)
DeleteGlad you were able to spend so much time with your sister and create some new memories. Fingers crossed she beats this disease.
ReplyDeleteI hope a miracle happens too Deb. She's fighting. It was great to reconnect after so many years and just have fun.
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