One thing I forgot to mention in yesterday’s post.  We finally located the Wild Horse Monument I have spoken to several people about.  It is a lovely group of larger than life sculptures of wild horses running in a small herd which has been placed on top of a butte so it looks like real horses running, silhouetted against the sky.  I had seen them before and thought they were in the Dakotas.  Turns out they are in Washington, As you come down off the Columbia Plain, winding down into this canyon where the Columbia River flows you see the wild horse sculptures off to the west.  Unfortunately the scenic pull off where you can photograph them was closed so we couldn’t stop.  Once again I didn’t get a good picture.  We’ve had discussions with several of you about where they were, so now you know.

On the 18th of November we had a leisurely breakfast of Dungeness Crab Eggs Benedict, went and found a local Walmart (wanted to get a hoodie, undies and socks before crossing the border). Can’t believe how cheap clothes are here - and we were the day before the big Black Friday sales. Then headed for Canada.  No trouble or delays at the border. He only asked one question, “ where did you stay in the U.S.” Kind of floored us for a minute then we both started, “Well last night was in Bellingham at a Best Western. The night before that in an Econoline in Spokan. A truck stop in where was that, somewhere in South Dakota. Oh, before that was the America’s Best (that wasn’t) in Sheridan Wyoming.  And we stayed in Lansing Michigan.  Oh and there was that place in Iowa - the Comfort Inn where we had snow - can’t remember the name.”

The border guy held up his hand to stop us, handed back our passports and said Welcome back to Canada. Never got to tell him about Forest City, Iowa.  Returned to the homeland and got to Fort Langley in time to check in before lunch.  

What a great spot.  We fell in love with it as we rolled down the street.  Old village with loads of little cafes and interesting little shops.  It has a community or neighbourhood feel.  We are staying at the community park which is just over a bridge across part of the Fraser River, one third or so of this Island is this community and camping park.  The rest is Indian Reserve, so pretty well left wild.  There are lovely walking trails, loads of big, lacy cedars.  Many hardwood are just turning colour so it is lovely right now.

Since we arrived a few days early we couldn’t get into the camp site we had booked but went in the one next door.  Didn’t really bother us because we have to find a cheap car to buy before we set up permanently.  As it is right now we have to unplug the electric and water before we can drive anywhere.  Unfortunately John is very busy with work so can’t drive us anywhere and since we are buying it in his name (his insurance) he needs to go with Jack to check out cars.  Jack has about 20 possibilities from Kijiji - the online site.  Plan is to buy something for less than $2000, then sell it after we are gone and hopefully get some or all of our money back.  Even if that doesn’t happen we will have wheels for much less than a rental car.  And with what we saved being out here in Fort Langley compared to the camp ground in the city we are a couple of thousand dollars ahead of the game.  

The campground in the city is great in terms of being close to John, being close to shopping and the city.  But it would have cost us well about $1,500 a month to stay there, and its basically what John calls parking lot camping, and loads of traffic noise from the Lion’s Gate Bridge.

Where we are is lovely.  Relaxing, quiet except for the trains blowing their whistle at a level crossing between us and town which is kind of a nice sound.  Folks are very friendly - both fellow campers and the staff.  We love it here in Fort Langley.  And this cost us $1,700 for four months.  That includes electricity, cable TV, taxes - everything.  Only downer - it’s a 45 minute drive or more to get to John and Chrissy’s place.  John came out for a visit the day we arrived, Turned out he had a photoshoot not far from us.  So that was nice.  He is so busy with work it will be a few days before we see him again.  

Enough for now.

Love Julie

Remember if you want to contact us you have to email julie@seacroftpei.com