Final week

The first ferry leaving Swatrz Bay on Thursday, July 19th was quiet as bleary-eyed passengers softly chatted to one another.  Children were subdued and some older adults dozed in the comfy seats.  We headed to the front deck to catch the ferry action as each vessel began its day until a biting wind drove us inside.

We hit Tsawwassen just as the Vancouver rush hour reached its peak.  Once we merged onto the highway heading east, traffic eased.  Unfortunately, we missed our turnoff.  As it turns out, the next exit was a road we recognized and knew it intersected highway 10 so we followed that.  We may even have gained a few minutes with our detour.  The drive to Revelstoke was pretty much without incident although a RV did stop in the middle of an avalanche tunnel. We easily avoided it but it rattled us.

We made excellent time and arrived in Revy at 4:00 pm.  East End Autobody was next door to Thrifty's car rental.  It was nice to see the clean Ion waiting for us.  It was even vacuumed and you could have eaten off the engine block.  Glen was very happy.  We returned our rental then walked back to the shop.

After checking in at the Best Western Plus, we headed to town for supper.  We'd been told the burgers at River City Pub were the best in the area.  We enjoyed a couple of pints of Mt. Begbie Brewing's Kolsch then gobbled down chopped beef (Alberta) burgers with mushrooms and cheese.  As we were leaving, the car rental owners spotted us as they entered the patio and waved.  We felt we must have boosted the economy of Revy and money in their pockets.

We rose early Friday to a nice hot breakfast (free) at the hotel and then were off, Glen watching the engine dials and monitoring the gas mileage like a hawk.  We bought sandwiches in Kamloops but it wasn't until Chilliwack we finally found a suitable lunch spot.  We were on track to catch the 3:00 ferry.  It was 80% full at the Tsawwassen exit but it was iffy when we saw the line-up.  Holding our breath, we inched forward then were waved on board.  The guy behind us was stopped  but in the end, he also boarded.  We were on the truck/bus deck so it was a hoof to get up the stairs to indulge in ferry ice cream.

As we sat eating it, a couple on a bus tour struck up a conversation.  She was a good 85 and travelling alone and he was middle aged.  When he left to take pictures, she told us how hard done by she was on this trip in that the tour guide did not look after her.  I swear she was suffering from dementia as she couldn't remember anything we told her and kept asking us who we were voting for in the next election.  She obviously had no idea how to get back to her bus so we figured we'd have to look after her but her companion returned and took her down.  Glen said he was very glad he wasn't the tour guide.

Saturday and Sunday we spent doing chores and Glen painted our kitchen.  The first coat didn't appeal to me but when the second coat went on, I was sold on the modern colour.  Because I'd have to work around a chaotic kitchen, we decided to go out for supper and invited our good neighbours, Cynthia and Ray to join us at Christie's.  We told them to include their daughter, Caroline (also our neighbour), in our invite.  She is a good tennis player and was involved in the 125th Vancouver Island Grass Court Championship so wasn't sure she could join us.  As we left the building, we met her dressed in her 'whites' and she agreed to meet us at the restaurant.  We had a wonderful evening enjoying some good laughs and great food.

Monday was our golfing adventure at Cedar Hill.  It began looking like it would rain but partway through the 18 holes, the sun burst forth.  We did have to deal with wind gusts and errant balls but the rules are rather lax there so you play it where it lies even if it's on the adjacent fairway.  We played with James and Michael who may have been a Big Brother pair, Michael being about 16.  It's the first time we walked 18 holes pulling our carts and by the end, we were hot, thirsty, and exhausted.  I had cooked supper beforehand so we could relax afterwards as it heated up.  Glen got the only par of the game but shot 109 so was thrilled to be so close to breaking 100.

Tuesday was another workday for Glen as he toiled on a letter of intent for a grant.  I carved a letterbox stamp of the Last Spike picture (very stylized) and created a box to plant when we pass Craigellachie on our way home.  I also carved a stamp of Marcus Reno to plant at Little Big Horn, Montana (see Day Two--Where the Deer and the Antelope Play) before we decided perhaps that was too much driving to do in one summer.

Wednesday morning, we were back golfing at Mt. Doug, this time by ourselves.  Glen played his best game ever, breaking 40 for the 9 hole course.  He had 4 pars!  I had two pars but when another golfer hit into us twice, I came unraveled.  After getting groceries, Glen returned to writing his letter, I had a nap.  I woke up feeling much better.

Thursday, our good friend, Tony, went into hospital for surgery and we agreed to take Diane to have some blood work done.  Afterwards we went to Adrienne's Tea Garden which is very close to the Ridge golf course.  We'd always wanted to see what it was like and it was lovely, although I believe Glen and I were the among the youngest enjoying breakfast/second breakfast/elevensies.  Glen ordered coffee and a cinnamon bun while Diane had a latté.  I had chai latté and a blackberry scone with devon cream.  I was very disappointed when the cream turned out to be cream cheese.  However, the scone was tasty and the atmosphere lovely.  Later in the afternoon we battled Victoria rush hour to drive Diane to the hospital so she could visit Tony as his operation was a success and he was feeling better.

Yesterday was our last day golfing at Mt. Doug until Christmas time (if they are open).  We were paired up with Kevin and Michael, both excellent golfers.  One thing you learn about playing golf is just as you think you have nailed a skill, you realize you haven't.  Glen couldn't hit a decent pitching wedge shot and my sand wedge shots were pathetic.  We had a good time though, each getting one par.  Afterwards we headed to Sidney to have lunch at The Rumrunner Pub, something we haven't done in two years.  The patio has a lovely view of the harbour and the Dead Frog Nut Brown Ale is excellent.  So was their Crab and Shrimp croissant and Ahi Tuna sandwich.

This morning I spent packing and Glen did some finishing touches to his letter of intent.  We are off to visit Tony this afternoon, picking up Diane on our way.  Then tomorrow we'll do a full clean of the condo and head to Salmon Arm where we'll spend the night.  Monday will find us back in Calgary.