Rain...RV Detailed and Stored....Taxes....

The slug line above sums up the past couple of days.  

Although Monday was set aside to ready the tax file for our accountant, the weather forecasters called for a bright and sunny day. Clouds and rain were possible for Tuesday.  Given that scenario, I opted to defer working on the tax file and spent all of Monday on the 5th wheel. Tuesday would be dedicated to income tax stuff.  Priorities, right?

Giving the roof a good scrubbing.

The roof turned out great.  The sand, dust and staining, from several months in the desert, were washed away.

By 9:00 am Monday morning, I was busy with the arduous task of cleaning the 5th wheel inside and out.  The roof was the first job.  The photographer and inspector was busy too. I had not realized the large number of photos she took but I did get one photo of her sneaking up to the RV roof for inspection. 

Jeanette was also busy washing the RV bedding, towels and more.  She removed several food stuffs back to the house too.

Jeanette is giving her seal of approval.....I think!!!!

Once the roof and the top of all slide outs were cleaned, I worked on the body.  Often changing the hot water and suds led to a mighty fine clean up.

A major job but one I enjoy doing.  Seeing the results of a clean and shiny rig is always pleasing to me.

Taking a break for lunch - once the entire outside clean up was done - I reviewed my list of small RV maintenance jobs that needed attention.  I got to that with gusto, in the early afternoon, where I spent a good couple of hours vacuuming every possible indoor nook and cranny. The floor and rugs look new again!

Tuesday morning was dedicated to dealing with our income tax file. With the documents now in order, the package will be delivered to our accountant on Wednesday.  One more job done!  For our American friends, our Canadian taxes must be filed by April 30th ~ unlike April 15th for US citizens.

Pushed back and locked up in our side yard.  Sitting ready for the next adventure.

Early morning Wednesday morning rain.

With drizzle being the order of the day (Wednesday), I will deliver the income tax documents to our accountant before completing a short list of errands.  A wet day is a perfect one to manage those tasks.

Rain is why we have these beautiful spring plants growing in our neighbourhood.

Easton is coming to hang out with us today while his mom busies herself with other important tasks.  We always look forward to having our little 'bonhomme' (French for little man) visit.

That covers things from here for now.

Thanks for dropping in.

Home Improvement......and more....

With no photos to show the work Trevor and I did on his rental suite, last Saturday, you'll have to take my word that the new laminate flooring - replacing carpet - looks great.  We were too busy and focused to take photos.....!

Brie checking out her older brother, Easton.

While Trevor and I were busy installing the laminate flooring, Jeanette was busy looking after Brie and Easton while Ginette was away for a couple of hours visiting a good friend. Trevor's paternal grandmother, who lives in Richmond, BC, had wanted to drop by to wish Easton a happy birthday.  Trevor's father and grandmother dropped by Ginette and Trevor's home for a visit.

A precious moment for a great grandmother to spend time with Brie.

Jeanette took photos of great grandmother sharing time with Brie, Easton and her son Warren.

Easton enjoying his back yard play set.

A quiet moment

Easton on Sunday morning at our home.

Sunday morning saw Easton and his dad drop by our home on their way to the dump grounds.  Trevor was hauling all of the scraps from the laminate floor install.  I had a bit of junk at home that I wanted to get rid of and Trevor offered to pick that stuff up on his way.  One less job for me.

Sunday's weather was so nice and warm, we felt the pull to take a motorcycle ride.

On numerous occasions, our 'Open Mic' Sunday get together with like minded friends leads us to Hemingway, a White Rock Beach eating establishment.  The breakfasts are so good and inexpensive.  I suggested the breakfast idea to Jeanette and she was up for that.  Off we rode

White Rock Beach - Pacific Ocean in the background.

Twenty minutes from home and we were parked on White Rock Beach.  One of several dedicated motorcycle parking spaces was available directly across the street from the Hemingway restaurant.  Bonus!  An hour and a bit later, we had enjoyed a lovely breakfast before riding off and tootling around our former home city of White Rock/South Surrey.

Perfect parking spot on the beach.

We opted to ride by Ginette, Trevor, Easton and Brie's home in Langley City, on our way back home.  Easton is most curious around anything mechanical. 

Ten minutes from their home had us back to ours.  I was looking forward to catching up on the final round of The Masters Golf tournament that saw Bubba Watson win his second green jacket since his first in 2012.While I was watching golf, Jeanette got busy with her gardening tools to complete a really nice front yard cleanup.

Once the golf was over, I did get outdoors to complete two RV outdoor maintenance projects that were on my 'to do' list.

One of several nice two lane country roads that lead to our home in south Langley. The greening of spring is a most beautiful time of the year.

My focus today is to complete our income tax documents and ready those to take to our accountant.  Once that 'must do' task is completed, we can re-focus our attention on washing, detailing and completing some maintenance work on our 5th wheel before pushing it back along side our home.

That's the way it is.

Thanks for dropping by.

Back Home and Busy, Busy....

We rolled back into Canada last Wednesday, mid-afternoon.  The border entry was quick.

Wednesday -Rolling through Seattle, WA - before the afternoon rush hour.

It is always our goal to get through Seattle before or after the morning or afternoon rush hours.  Our return drive had us going through the busy area at 1:30 pm.....long before the crazy rush hour begins.

Rolling up to the smallest Canada border entry at Aldergrove, BC

We only had to wait 10 minutes before making our declaration at the border entry.  Our stop lasted all of 30 seconds and we were welcomed back into Canada.  That was quick and easy!

Good to be back home.

Got busy with unloading the motorcycle and disconnecting the swivel wheel.

In front of our driveway by 3:45 pm, we did get to work unloading and sorting out some stuff before we called it a day.  There is plenty of good weather ahead to complete the move out, wash, vacuum and detailing of the truck and 5th wheel.

Early evening had us 'Face Timing' Deni, Courtney and Owen in Edmonton.  We were thrilled to chat up baby Owen before his bed time.  To have the ability to 'Face Time' or Skype is such a treat.  It is the next best thing to actually being there in person.  It was nice to catch up on their lives since we saw them last, only a few weeks back, in Palm Springs.

A Thursday morning visit with Easton and his little baby sister, Brie.

Jeanette and I were quick to drive out to Ginette and Trevor's home on Thursday morning.  We were looking forward to seeing Easton and Brie and their parents.  Easton, who turned two years old on Thursday, was so surprised to actually see us live and in person.  He was habituated to seeing us on an iPad.  He could hardly believe his eyes.  

Brie, @ six weeks old, is thriving.  Her Nana was quick to pick her up for cuddles.

Easton's birthday gift.  He was so quick to ride this two wheeler......and he could not get enough of it.  We played outdoors for well over an hour.

After visiting for a couple of hours, we rolled back home so that Jeanette could complete the bake and icing of a special cake for Easton's afternoon birthday party.  Easton is enamored by 'Thomas The Train'.  Jeanette found that cake pan in the US and the result of her efforts can be seen in the next two photos.

This took a lot of time to ice but the reaction from Easton was worth the effort.

Jeanette loves to create these types of cakes.  Easton clearly noticed it.  He loved it....along with the 'Thomas The Train' blanket his Nana made for him.

All dressed up and ready to devour.

While Jeanette was busy with the cake making process, I backed the 5th wheel on the driveway, unhitched the truck and began the process of moving stuff back into the house.

By 4:30 pm, we found ourselves back at Ginette and Trevor's home where the official birthday party was beginning.

Trevor's dad, Warren, and I engage Easton during our dinner.

There was a house full of little and big people who came to celebrate the two year old's birthday.

When the 'Thomas The Train' cake was presented to Easton, he was thrilled.....and anxious to get a taste of it.

Oh...man....is that cake gooooooood.....

Easton thoroughly enjoyed his special 2nd year birthday.  We thoroughly enjoyed watching him enjoy his birthday.  What fun!

By 8:30 Thursday evening, Jeanette and I were back home.  Other than a bit of TV and computer stuff, we soon called it a night. 

Along with the numerous other tasks that needed doing, the 1st priority, on Friday morning, was to re-fill the hot tub and power it up. We got to enjoy it last evening.

The little golf 'dammit doll' that Hector/Diane and Art/Connie gave me.  It is the neatest thing.  I will carry it in my golf bag and share it with my golfing buddies when they execute a nasty golf shot.

Our 2 year old Easton.  Happy little fella, he is!

We have a lot of work to complete; including cleaning, washing, vacuuming the 5th wheel; some minor maintenance stuff; washing the motorcycle  and putting stuff away before we can even contemplate starting yard work and working on future improvements we plan for our home.  Phew.......the list is getting long.  I need a holiday!!!!!  LOL

This Saturday morning I am off to help our son in law, Trevor, with a renovation project he is doing on one of his rental suites.  It has been rented to an RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) member who plans to move in this mid-May.  Trevor chose to replace all flooring now that the previous long term renter has vacated the suite. His dad, Warren, lent a hand  to complete two bedrooms and I'll lend a hand with the living room flooring.

Thanks for dropping in.

Final Stretch For Home....

Today is our last day on the road for this 2013/14 winter getaway.  Our wheels are about six hours south of our home in Langley, BC.  Once we have buttoned up and once we've said our bye byes to Hector, Diane and Chico, we'll point the wheels northward on I-5 and make our way through Portland, Oregon, and into Washington State.

Nice site in Seven Feathers RV Resort - Canyonville, Oregon.

We have been to many nice RV parks but nothing has been as nice as the Seven Feathers RV Resort.  It's a pleasure to spend a few days here when heading south to, or back north from, the US southwest. 

A parting line in our previous blog mentioned the fact that we could go looking for a golf course in the southern Oregon area.  Well, a golf course was found! Hector and I enjoyed a final winter round before we part ways.  Myrtle Creek Golf Course is a gem to play.  It presents challenges. With the severe elevation changes, choosing to add more or less club tested our prowess.  What fun! 

Hector and I did find this lovely Myrtle Creek Golf Course - 10 miles north from Canyonville.

To have played the course in mid-80's temperatures was an even better treat.  It is not common for this area to experience those high temperatures at this time of the year.  In fact, the temperatures here were better than those we left in the Palm Springs, CA area.  Now....that is an anomaly.

Check out the elevation changes.  Many shots were uphill while others were downhill

Jeanette and Diane spent a pleasant day on a long walk into the town of Canyonville.  They got to drop in on several little shops and then enjoyed a fine lunch in a spot they found.  Hiking back up the mountainside to our RV spot offered a sunny and pleasant outdoor activity for them.

The town of Myrtle Creek, Oregon that is nicely nestled in the valley below.

Back from golf, Hector and I found Diane and Jeanette busy getting some dinner ready and, within minutes, I was busy at the grill.

Preparing dinner.

We actually had to find some shade to enjoy our outdoor meal.  When the sun did set over the westward mountainside, the temperature cooled off quickly.

A little birthday celebration for Diane

Diane celebrates a birthday in April and we took advantage to celebrate with some cheese cake. 

Diane had the arduous task of blowing out four birthday candles.

Through Hector and Diane, we met a lovely couple who call 1000 Palms, CA, their full time home.  Art and Connie are very creative.  They run a small business and one of their creations is a 'Dammit Doll'.  This doll is meant to be thrown when one has a bad golf shot.  Well....Hector and Diane thought this doll could be beneficial in my golf bag.  They got Art and Connie to make me one.  That 'Dammit Doll' was presented to me at dinner.  Well......we sure laughed over that.  Thanks you guys!!!!!

I was the recipient of a 'dammit doll'.  This lovely doll was crafted by friends we met in 1000 Palms, CA

Cheese cake is not nearly as good unless garnished with some fresh strawberries. Not only did we celebrate Diane's birthday, we celebrated our fun times, these past two months, and exchanged some nice gifts.

Yesterday - April 8th - we left Seven Feathers RV Resort for northern Oregon and our very last night on the road.  Sunny skies and warm temperatures were enjoyed as we rolled along I-5.

Another beautiful Tuesday for driving further north to Salem, Oregon.

This rider rode by and offered a big wave.  He was riding the identical motorcycle to ours.  He thumbed up our ride on the swivel wheel behind the 5th wheel.

Meeting friends in Eugene, Oregon, for lunch.  We met Bill and Judy at a Hawaiian event at the Outdoor Resorts in Cathedral City, CA about four weeks back.  Following our blog, Bill got in touch with us about getting together.  We did just that yesterday.  We enjoyed seeing these folks once again and chatting up their future travel plans. 

Lunch and laughter at Applebees in Eugene, Oregon

We said our bye byes and continued rolling north from Eugene to our planned northern Oregon stop for the night.   It is here, in Salem, Oregon, that we part company with Hector and Diane.  Jeanette and I will continue north on  Washington State'sI-5 through Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle, Everett and Bellingham, before crossing the border into Canada and arriving at our home, only five minutes from there.

Hector and Diane - who call Nanaimo, BC, on Vancouver Island, home - will leave later as they head west from Olympia toward Port Angeles and the MV Coho Ferry to Victoria, BC.  They plan on taking two days to complete their journey.

Our journey requires us to be home to celebrate our grandson's birthday tomorrow - April 10th.  Easton will be two years old.  We are looking forward to that. 

Chico dropped by our home on wheels to seek out a treat.  Did he get one?  No.......he got two!  It is so nice to share this wonderful dog during our winter travels.  Not that we plan to get a dog but if we did, it would be Portuguese Water Dog. 

Our next blog will come from our home in British Columbia, Canada. in the days ahead. 

Side by each in Salem, Oregon

Thanks for dropping in.