Jamie Oliver….your ideology might be excellent but….right now…..you can go home cuz we’re in the midst of being seduced by thealmighty American Smorg! Dinner tonight was at the Golden Corral where it’s impossible (well almost impossible) to eat an appropriate amount of food. I say almost impossible as there was a woman sitting at a table near ours who had only a small salad and then a plate of mostly veggies before leaving….whereas the three of us managed to make short work of oversized portions of salad, main dishes, AND dessert. Thankfully we had a 2+ mile walk this morning that I’m sure helped with our digestion tonight. The walk was all around the perimeter of Mesa Spirit (where Darlene lives) and included a complete tour of the facility here. There is something for everyone! From square dance classes to billiards and swimming to shuffleboard…..or all types of card games and a library FULL of books there is no shortage of things to do for the residents of Mesa Spirit. It’s easy to see why Darlene enjoys her time here so much.
To back up just a little….today was the coldest day on record as of yesterday….go figure…..locals are starting to blame Lynda and I for bringing it with us. Actually….locals are thanking us for it and the snowbirds are blaming us as we’re the most recent arrivals. Locals are really enjoying the winter temperatures as they have such hot weather the rest of the year…this is a novelty for them.
Tonight was a quiet night of cards back at Darlene’s as we let our massive dinner find it’s way through our digestive tract. About 30 minutes after leaving the restaurant we realized the wisdom of the woman sitting next to us!!!
It’s hard to believe we’ve only been gone from home for three days…..I’ve forgotten all of the passwords to my work computer and am taking advice from the clock on our hostesses wall. (We’re staying at Mary-Lynn’s trailer while she is away this week). The hands of the clock actually work and tell time but the numbers have all randomly “fallen” to the bottom left of the face and the caption at the top of the face reads….”whatever”……I love it!!
Tomorrow will be another full day so it’s off to bed for now…..till next time.
L & L
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
November 28, 2010
Plans can change and today was an example of just that. Weather dictated that today would be a day best spent indoors so……instead of heading for Tempe by train….we decided to check out some shopping by car. First stop was an amazing Mexican market complete with massive jars of fruit water for sale and beef heads (with teeth intact!) displayed in the meat section. Colourful decorations hung from the ceiling and festive Mexican music played over the loudspeakers as shoppers scanned the mountains of fresh produce and fragrant baking that looked too good to eat.
We were “just looking” though and so after checking out all of the aisles (and getting a photo of Flor with the beef head) we were off to our next stop….a new and not yet fully opened cooperative called POOL. What a great idea….several small independent businesses have taken over an old Macey’s location and set up a mall that shows more like a fair. It’s the kind of place where once everyone is in place and open, shoppers will find a cornucopia of products from independent retailers. I can imagine that neighbouring shopkeepers will support one another as it’s got that feeling of festivity and cooperation.
Lunch at Soup or Salad left us all stuffed and then we were off again to check out some more of the deals that Mesa has to offer. From 25 cent honeydews to 12 limes for $1 and a half gallon of name brand brandy for $18 to 99 cent bottles of painkillers (yes….we were preparing to drink the ½ gallon of brandy and the $12 bottle of baileys that found their way into our cart today) Mesa is a shoppers paradise where residents enjoy amazing bargains every day.
The day ended with dinner at Darlene’s and lots of laughter. It’s easy to see why so many Canadian snowbirds call this city home for the winter. But….speaking of winter…..temperatures were in the low 60’s (Fahrenheit) or about 16 Celsius today which are some of the coldest temperatures in 75 years here.
Till next time….
L & L
We were “just looking” though and so after checking out all of the aisles (and getting a photo of Flor with the beef head) we were off to our next stop….a new and not yet fully opened cooperative called POOL. What a great idea….several small independent businesses have taken over an old Macey’s location and set up a mall that shows more like a fair. It’s the kind of place where once everyone is in place and open, shoppers will find a cornucopia of products from independent retailers. I can imagine that neighbouring shopkeepers will support one another as it’s got that feeling of festivity and cooperation.
Lunch at Soup or Salad left us all stuffed and then we were off again to check out some more of the deals that Mesa has to offer. From 25 cent honeydews to 12 limes for $1 and a half gallon of name brand brandy for $18 to 99 cent bottles of painkillers (yes….we were preparing to drink the ½ gallon of brandy and the $12 bottle of baileys that found their way into our cart today) Mesa is a shoppers paradise where residents enjoy amazing bargains every day.
The day ended with dinner at Darlene’s and lots of laughter. It’s easy to see why so many Canadian snowbirds call this city home for the winter. But….speaking of winter…..temperatures were in the low 60’s (Fahrenheit) or about 16 Celsius today which are some of the coldest temperatures in 75 years here.
Till next time….
L & L
November 27, 2010
Departing on icy roads this morning meant that we had to leave lots of time to get to the US border. The parking lot was like a skating rink as we climbed into Karen’s car. Undaunted we began our journey and before the border crossing even opened at 8:00 a.m. we were in the line up to cross.
Breakfast in Bellingham got our day off to a good start and with plenty of time to spare we were seated at the boarding gate waiting for our flight. …..along with about 1000 others who were packed into the small space allotted for Allegiant’s passengers. The most interesting thing that happened while waiting for our plane in Bellingham was the conversation that we had with some guys who were en route to Mesa from BC for a few days of golfing. They informed us that there had been a massive slide across the highway at Bridal Falls between 2:30 and 3:00 pm the day before….that meant that the slide must have happened at exactly the same time as we were passing that point of the highway! We said a few silent thank you’s for the luck that had followed us both on the trip down yesterday and the drive to Bellingham on icy roads this morning.
It’s hard to believe that I was at work yesterday morning as I lounge in the hot tub at Mesa Spirit tonight. We’ve already completed the first two legs of our adventure and it seems like I just left the office.
Darlene and Anne were at the Mesa airport to meet us and 15 minutes later we were pulling into Darlene’s trailer at Mesa Spirit where the bar was laid out awaiting our arrival and the fragrant aromas of dinner was wafting out to greet us. Dinner turned out to be a bit of a party with Anne, Gay, and Dianne joining Darlene, Lynda and I around the table. A couple of Mai Tai’s and a Pina Colada or two along with lots of laughter and an amazing meal were behind us and it was only 8:00 pm. That meant that there was time for a dip in the pool and a soak in the hot tub.
Ahhhhhh….life is good Drinks at Darlene’s after the pool turned into a later than planned bedtime and here I am at the end of a full day keeping up with the blog.
Till tomorrow….
L & L
Breakfast in Bellingham got our day off to a good start and with plenty of time to spare we were seated at the boarding gate waiting for our flight. …..along with about 1000 others who were packed into the small space allotted for Allegiant’s passengers. The most interesting thing that happened while waiting for our plane in Bellingham was the conversation that we had with some guys who were en route to Mesa from BC for a few days of golfing. They informed us that there had been a massive slide across the highway at Bridal Falls between 2:30 and 3:00 pm the day before….that meant that the slide must have happened at exactly the same time as we were passing that point of the highway! We said a few silent thank you’s for the luck that had followed us both on the trip down yesterday and the drive to Bellingham on icy roads this morning.
It’s hard to believe that I was at work yesterday morning as I lounge in the hot tub at Mesa Spirit tonight. We’ve already completed the first two legs of our adventure and it seems like I just left the office.
Darlene and Anne were at the Mesa airport to meet us and 15 minutes later we were pulling into Darlene’s trailer at Mesa Spirit where the bar was laid out awaiting our arrival and the fragrant aromas of dinner was wafting out to greet us. Dinner turned out to be a bit of a party with Anne, Gay, and Dianne joining Darlene, Lynda and I around the table. A couple of Mai Tai’s and a Pina Colada or two along with lots of laughter and an amazing meal were behind us and it was only 8:00 pm. That meant that there was time for a dip in the pool and a soak in the hot tub.
Ahhhhhh….life is good Drinks at Darlene’s after the pool turned into a later than planned bedtime and here I am at the end of a full day keeping up with the blog.
Till tomorrow….
L & L
November 26, 2010
Wahoo! The day has finally arrived and we’re en route from Westbank to Chilliwack via Greyhound Bus.
I guess the place to begin is at the beginning and an introduction is likely a good place to start. In addition to Lynda and I…there is a third party on this adventure wih us…..his name is Flor and he’s up for any and all the adventure we can find. You’ll see him show up in all our pictures so be sure to watch for his sunny face.
We all remember a time that we’ve been asked to follow the bouncing ball or the yellow brick road and everyone can picture the traveling gnome that shows up in so many travel shots….well we have….Flor who will be along for the adventure. Flor is a flower….a sunny fresh orange fellow that will be easy to spot as a theme to our travels. He’ll show up by signs, sights, and sunny sandy seaside spots.
We’ve arrived in Merrit so time to get out for a stretch and take Flor for some fresh air.
The trip from Merrit was pretty quick and in no time at all we were disembarking in Chilliwack on time at 3:00 pm and calling Bob’s taxi for a ride to mom’s where we would find mac and cheese and blueberry cobbler ready to go into the oven.
It’ll be another short night as the alarm will be ringing at 5:00 a.m.
L & L
I guess the place to begin is at the beginning and an introduction is likely a good place to start. In addition to Lynda and I…there is a third party on this adventure wih us…..his name is Flor and he’s up for any and all the adventure we can find. You’ll see him show up in all our pictures so be sure to watch for his sunny face.
We all remember a time that we’ve been asked to follow the bouncing ball or the yellow brick road and everyone can picture the traveling gnome that shows up in so many travel shots….well we have….Flor who will be along for the adventure. Flor is a flower….a sunny fresh orange fellow that will be easy to spot as a theme to our travels. He’ll show up by signs, sights, and sunny sandy seaside spots.
We’ve arrived in Merrit so time to get out for a stretch and take Flor for some fresh air.
The trip from Merrit was pretty quick and in no time at all we were disembarking in Chilliwack on time at 3:00 pm and calling Bob’s taxi for a ride to mom’s where we would find mac and cheese and blueberry cobbler ready to go into the oven.
It’ll be another short night as the alarm will be ringing at 5:00 a.m.
L & L
Thursday, November 25, 2010
November 25, 2010
Tick tock, tick tock.....time is flying by now! Tomorrow is my last full day at work and although there are still so many things to get finished....I'm hopeful that it will all come together by the time I hit the road. Lynda and I are both struggling with what to pack. We have to keep our luggage to one small bag plus a day pack and with having to fit enough for 7 weeks on the road with the added challenge of needing clothes for everything from hot to freezing climates....it's a tough job! I think we've both come to terms with the idea that we'll have what we have and if it's not there....we'll just have to do without.
Won't be long now......
Won't be long now......
Monday, November 1, 2010
We're into countdown now
With the calendar having flipped over to November, it won't be long now! it seemed like so long ago when we came up with the plan to head off on another adventure but that clock moves pretty quickly when you're not watching it. Will have to keep nose to the grindstone for the next couple of weeks to get everything done before leaving but I'm confident that it will all get done.
nov 26th is departure day so the real story will begin then.....stay tuned for another great adventure....
nov 26th is departure day so the real story will begin then.....stay tuned for another great adventure....
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