~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Feb 6 -2012

The last few days have been great fun.  John came out and had lunch with us, then we all ventured off to the big RV show in Abbotsford.  Had a lovely time picking our favourites from the amazing rigs. Some are like palaces on wheels - a little to pretentious for this chick.  The shows they put on in Abbotsford and great because they are easy to get to and bring together a big variety under one roof.  It was a fun day with John.

We thought about going back the next day, but it was so nice we opted for a drive in the country instead.  Packed a picnic, headed for Mission and then ventured a bit north of the populated areas to explore.  First stop was the Mission Golf and Country Club.  Whoeee!  So lush and green..  Next, found an area with several dams and resulting lakes and a power generating station with a lovely park area below them.  Had our picnic, strolled along the beach and just kept savouring the outdoors. I have a love of the mountains and rocks and trees and mosses and ferns (probably said that many times before).  It was quite a shock to end up back in the noisy bumper to bumper traffic of Maple Ridge, but necessary. 

You see there are only so many ways to cross the Fraser River.  A tunnel close to the coast, a couple of bridges in south Vancouver, then the Golden Ears Bridge at Maple Ridge, which takes one to Walnut Grove, which is just west of Fort Langley.  The next is further up the Fraser Valley - east of us by 45 minutes on the four-lane - at Mission.  I think the next one is at Chilliwack.  So, if you cross the Fraser you have to know how to get back to your side.  Sometimes that means heavy traffic.  Actually most of the time the bridges near Vancouver are bumper to bumper traffic - traveling at 80 to 100 km/hr.

On Saturday Sandy, our sister-in-law from Victoria came for a visit so after lunch in the RV we strolled the village of Fort Langley.  It was fun to have someone to explore the little shops with.  We really played tourist.  Poked around in antique shops, gift shops and such before heading in to Langley for supper at a Portugese restaurant.  Sunday we did a buffet breakfast, then a country drive and a lovely couple of hours wandering the Fort Langley National Historic Site.  This fort is the birthplace of British Columbia.  It was a Hudson Bay Company outpost in the 1800s.  Set up by the British for fur trading and laying claim to the land that was to become British Columbia. French voyageurs, native peoples and Hawaiians (yup really) all played roles in the settlement.  Fascinating history all interpreted by costumed players.  This Historic Site is the only one open 365 days a year and there is something going on all the time.  It’s a real part of the community.  We wrapped up Sandy’s visit with ice cream at the local 50s diner.  One of our favourite places.

This is a very pleasant way to spend life.  Went for a lovely walk along the river today. Met a fellow camper and got to talking about birds.  The jays were kicking up a racket this am when I went for my bathroom run.  We got to talk about the Blue Jays of home, compared to the Stellar Jays here.  Turns out he and his wife are from Scott’s Bay, Nova Scotia doing the same thing as we are - wintering in this milder climate.  We have a mutual friend.  They are heading back about the same time as we will.

We’ve met a real variety of people here and had lots of discussions about the Rving life.  Enlightening!