Happy 1st day of Spring....

Oh what fun Christa and I had with each other yesterday and this morning. We had lunch at "Bliss Bakery" in Peachland, then drove around the waterfront, had a wine tasting with Judith at Mission Hill Family Estate, crafted into the night, had dinner, stayed up late and laughed unitl tears rolled down our cheeks. This morning I had another treatment, now I am good for the rest of the summer.
Quote: "A best friend is a sister that destiny forgot to give you".

This is for Christa....my thanks.

Best Friends....

Here we are, best friends, Christa and I. She is here visiting us for 3 days, and what fun we are having. We met in 1983 when we both worked for this wonderful dentist Ben Gibson in Cranbrook, BC. Pampering, Reiki therapy and re-connective healing are all part of the program. I have been the benificary of all of the above, and I feel like a new woman. So far Christa has been doing the giving, so this morning we will work in the studio, and I teach her how to make little journal books, and then off to lunch. Who know what mischief we will get into. Thanks to Jim, we are able to just take off and have fun while he looks after the dogs.... we will keep you posted on "Thelma and Louise's" adventures.

Quote...

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

Spring Collection....

Today is a sunny day, and nothing says "Spring" like a collection of vintage crocheted dolies , old table clothes, and bunnies that I have collected over the years.

Christa, can't wait to see you tomorrow, have a wonderful day today......

Crafty things....

These are some of the thing I have made in the past, and now that we are back home and I have my craft room to move around in, I am starting to find all the things that I have made that give me pleasure. Something handmade always has special meaning to me. The very small nest was one that my mother found and it was woven out of horse hair. It is so tiny, and fragile, I wonder what little bird made this their nest? I painted the eggs that are inside the nest. The two garden angels that I made watch over me while I craft. Jim made the wooden wings for me.

We are all enjoying the room in the house after living in 350 square feet, but it sure is hard to remember where everything is...enjoy your day...

Home at last...

This photo on the bottom, was taken just a few minutes ago, to show the view from our kitchen. Brr, it is cool here today in Westbank, just 6 degrees. Rain in the forecast, but that is ok, we have lots to do getting the 5th wheel and the house set back up.
We travelled just over 22,000 km or 13, 000 miles in 4 1/2 months, and to arrive home safely is a joy. Especially after some of the cities we drove thru.

Last of the Ocean photos ....

Here are the last of the ocean photos, am in love with these old bridges, and finding more neon signs to make you smile. Some of the bridges are made out of concrete, some steel and have these wonderful abuttments and pillars to mark the entrances in both directions. Stunning works of art deco.

Leaving the Coast.. March 13/07

Left Coos Bay yesterday morning, I wanted to post this travel log of our "girls" having such fun on the beach. Pebbles has all 4 feet off the ground running at a full tilt, and Cookie does what she does best, amble along, which is more fitting for someone her advanced age of 13.

It is still very overcast, but the weather is supposed to clear up as we head east. Heading towards McMinniville, then Hermiston, Omak, then home.

Coos Bay, Charleston, Oregon..

I had already posted this blog, but had to re-do it. We had such a fun day watching the dogs run on "Sunset Beach". Watching the tide run out and create small tidal pools with little fish and shells trapped in them. It was overcast and raining a bit, but that did not stop our enjoyment of being on the beach.

The feather photo is for you, Christa, knowing how much you love feathers.

We are now on our way back to Westbank, and enjoying the last few days of our 4 1/2 month holiday.

Up the California Coast....

Some more vintage signs on our way up to Coos Bay, Oregon

Bodega Bay.....

Bodega Bay used to be a small fishing village that has grown into a really nice waterfront little town. The average population is around 950, and it is only 25 ' in elevation. There are a few great RV parks right on the water. Situated about 23 miles west of Santa Rosa where we are staying, it is a great afternoon trip. The have a golf course there that overlooks the bay and houses through out the fairways that have spectular views.

We had lunch, then drove around the small town that is famous for the movie "The Birds" that was filmed there. The schoolhouse is now at B&B, and it is still a fishing village. The cliffs are rugged, steep and dangerous for dogs running off leash. Grey whales can been seen heading down to the Baja. But today all we saw were some hawks and vultures flying about.

Leaving the coast....

We left the Pacific coast, and headed to San Jose to stay with our young friends, Shauna and Dean. We have know them since we lived in Nelson, where Shauna was Jim's asssistant at RBC Dominon Securties. We had two wonderful nights there with them, parked our 5th wheel outside their home in their trendy neighbourhood, and no one asked us to leave. This morning we headed north thru tough traffic, wall to wall, stop and go nearly all the way from San Jose to Oakland. We crossed over the Richmond toll bridge, and came out by San Quentin. We continued north on 101 and were are staying here in Santa Rosa for a couple of days. Tomorrow we will head west over to the coast again, to Bodega Bay, for lunch on the ocean. Our plans are staying fairly flexible, depending on the weather. We are heading home, but not sure what day we will arrive there yet. Probably around the 16-18 of March.

Morro Bay....

Imagine this giant rock on the tip of a spit of land, surrounding a bay of water. This is Morro Bay. It is a fishing village, a Coast Guard base, and now a really trendy village with alot of waterfront resturants, shops and homes. Great bakery, dog friendly and lots of parks and places to walk. It is kind of tucked away, and you really don't see that there is a little waterfront village , except, you do see the ROCK.

Leaving this morning for San Jose...do you know the way....couldn't resist.

The Beach....

We are leaving here tomorrow, heading up towards San Jose. The"girlies" have just loved the beach, and they are so tired after all the long walks that they just crash at night. More sunshine and beach walks are in the forecast for today.

Happy 93rd Birthday to Jim's Mom

Happy 93rd Birthday Mom, even though you won't see this, our love and thoughts are with you today. This is a picture of Jim and the dogs here at Pismo Beach, California, taken just for you. Maybe the nurses will print this off and read it to you. We will be home by March 23, then Jim will fly to Calgary to see you.

Pismo Beach, Ca....

There is something so soothing being by the water, whether it is the ocean, a lake or a river. Pismo Beach is a great little town on Hwy 101, an old surfers paridise. The sunsets are so beautiful, lots of broken shells to make hearts, and the sand is really hard so you can even write on it and it stays.
The dogs love to be able to run off leash, and run into the ocean. It takes them a few minutes to realize that the water does not taste good. They come back so tired after all their exercise, they sleep all day and then all night.

It is a sunny day here, lots of families here camping with their kids, such a great change from all the "old RVer's." It is great to wake up and hear the kids laughing.

I hope whereever you are today, you are having a good day.

Carpenteria State Park

Carpenteria State Park, just 12 miles south of Santa Barbara is where we stayed last night. It was warm enough to sit outside, walk along the water, find some rocks, and make some hearts. This morning we took our chairs, had our coffee and breakfast with the sun at our backs, warming us up for the day. I thought about how strong and powerful the waves were as the come in and pound the rocks below, and how gentle and calm they are as the water slowly goes back out, just as another wave rolls in. They were pretty big waves, big enough to have some surfers out there. It was a beautiful sunset and sunrise. A lovely spot to sit, write in my journal or read the morning paper.