This, That & Another Sleepover

Since our return from the circle ride through southwestern BC - into Osoyoos; crossing into the US of A; overnight in Winthrop, WA, - it has been routine back home. 

I golfed the North Bellingham, WA, golf course this past Friday.  It was our regular men's play.  We play a different course every week.  In years past, we patronized one course for the entire season.  It is fun to move around.

North Bellingham Golf Course

Easton's parents were attending another wedding this Friday and we were thrilled to have him for another overnight.  Talk about fun!

He can reach the table top now....

This little man is growing quickly and, for some reason, we seem to enjoy time spent with him more than when our own kids were growing.  Maybe it is because we have more time to watch him.  When our kids were little, we were busy with life and work.  Now, it seems that time slows right down and we get to absorb his growth and development.

Out enjoying the local park.

Although he enjoys being wheeled around, he much prefers getting out and pushing his own stroller.  He's a little work horse.

Our sun room is his favourite spot to play with toys.  He can hear the waterfall from the back yard pond, watch the birds enjoying bathing in it and just spreading things around.  We love the way he emulates the sound of motor vehicles.

After his Saturday morning breakfast, Jeanette and I took Easton back to the local park.  Not another soul was around.  We had the entire soccer and ball fields to ourselves.  Now that he has discovered his two legs, he sure likes to walk and walk and walk. It's a great way to keep us exercised too!

We did a lot of walking in the grass.

Taking a break,

Yippeee!  Sliding is fun!  Lets do more!

We tried out the little slide and that brought some giant smiles to his face. These simple pleasures sure bring out the fun we can have with our little man.

Jeanette was focused on the camera and, as a result, I didn't get to  photograph her interacting with Easton.  She gets this little guy laughing, let me tell you!

Ginette came by, yesterday afternoon, to collect him and his overnight bag. He was headed back home.  Jeanette and I settled into a quiet evening and closed it off by watching a movie.

Our breakfast place this Sunday morning.

Our Sunday morning coffee group is meeting at the Ocean Beach Hotel - along the White Rock City promenade.  That's a big change from the norm.  We usually meet at a Tim Horton's.

Home | City of White Rock

And that colours the past few days in our world. 

Thanks for dropping by.

Road Trip

Taking advantage of great riding weather, we headed for a really nice two day ride through southern BC, into Washington State and back home.  Our overnight destination?  Winthrop, WA.  Winthrop Washington :: About Winthrop

Highway 3 - Southern BC - heading to Osoyoos in the southern Okanagan.

The circle ride took us through some of southern BC and northwest Washington's beautiful mountain country.  The highways are ideally suited for motorcycling; with plenty of twisty curves and elevation changes.

We left home at 8:00 am Wednesday morning; taking several breaks along the way to enjoy the scenery.  We arrived at the US border in Osoyoos and, once through, rode the100 miles to our overnight destination; The Rio Vista Inn that backs on to the fast flowing Methow River in the town of Winthrop, WA.

Wine country in southern BC's Okanagan Valley

Rolling in to Osoyoos, BC

We took a short break at a local park on Osoyoos Lake. It was quite hot here and to be close to the water had a nice cooling effect.

Travel south from the Canada/USA border took us to Omak, Okanogan and the little town of Twisp before we arrived in Wintrhop.  The ride takes us through twisty turns and multiple elevation changes.  The temperature changes could be felt when we rode through thick pine forests.  

So many rivers and streams are seen along the route.

Our overnight accommodations offer rooms with views of the Methow River.  The fast flowing river and the sound the water creates is the draw.  This was our fourth time here.

This is a modern facility with a rustic look.

The view from the balcony of our room

Winthrop is a popular destination for motorcyclists - certainly in the summer months - but it boasts one of the largest trail systems for cross country skiers during the winter months.  The town has no conventional sidewalks - only boardwalks.  All buildings sport a rustic look of western towns from yesteryear.  It is an attractive place for tourists.

 

It's a pedestrian friendly town with a relaxed atmosphere.  It offers some great little saloons and eating establishments.  Outdoor ice cream and specialty coffee places attract tourists in droves.  The Methow Valley offers endless low and high mountain horse, bicycle and hiking trails.  That is one of the biggest draws during the summer months.  Kayakers and river rafts can be seen plying the fast flowing rivers that crisscross through the town.

This was posted at the Town Hall building.  No one here wastes time on useless business when there is no business to take care of.

This sign was posted in the window of one local business.

This place does live up to its billing for pies and pastries.  It is a fan favourite!

This new pedestrian bridge makes it quick to access both sides of the Methow River.

Early evening

Common sighting in or around the town.

6000 feet above sea level on the most gorgeous Highway 20 in the North Cascades of Washington State.

We left Winthrop at 10:00 am Thursday morning - the US July 4th holiday - heading west toward Burlington, WA.  Many small towns we rode through were preparing for local parades and celebrations for the holiday.  Every place was in a festive mood.

Highway 20 is closed during the winter months.   It is a pristine highway offering some of the most incredible high mountain views seen anywhere in the Pacific Northwest.  This route is deemed to be one of the best motorcycle rides in continental North America.  It is clearly one of our favourites.

We could feel the temperature change as we rolled climbed to elevations approaching 7000 feet.

A view from 6,000 feet.

Ross lake was created by the building of the Ross Dam.  Three dams in this area provide the power needs for Seattle and other major towns and cities in northwestern Washington State.  Silting from mineral deposits gives the lake it green colour.

A topographical look at the area.

Riding out of the high mountain country led us to Sedro Woolley.  City of Sedro-Woolley
From there, we headed north on Highway 9 towards Mount Baker and Lynden .  Lynden Chamber of Commerce - Home

We arrived back home at 4:00 pm after crossing back into Canada at the Lynden/Aldergrove border crossing.  Our ride covered 804 kilometres.  It was awesome riding weather traveling through some of this area's most scenic roads.



Thanks for dropping in.

Canada Day Weekend - Two Wheel Journeys

Canada Day weather - here on the west coast - was so nice, we took advantage to roam the countryside on two wheels.

Harrison River

We only had a half day to ride on Sunday before heading to Langley City to look after Easton while his parents enjoyed a date night out at the movies.  We rode east on Highway 7 towards Harrison Mills before making the turnaround and heading back for home.  Awesome, best describes the Sunday ride!

We had hoped to drop by Sassy's - BACK - On 'Da Road who is presently parked at a great RV park directly across the  Harrison River from Rowena's Inn.  Time restraints prevented that on this ride......but we'll attempt to get out there in the near future.  

Rowena's Inn

We enjoyed an ice tea at Rowena's Inn - located at the Sandpiper Golf Course.  This is a most beautiful place.

Click on this links for access to the WEB sites.

 BC Resort Hotel Vancouver | Rowena's Inn on the River Harrison Mills 

The view from our outdoor table @ Rowena's Inn

We've traveled here several times before -  often for golf - and often as a destination motorcycle ride.  It never fails to impress us.  It is such a beautiful environment that is nestled in the mountains and borders the Harrison River which flows into the mighty Fraser River. 

Fraser River - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Sandpiper statue that overlooks the No. 16 Par 3 green along the Harrison River.

It was hot!  Back on our ride, we rode straight for home.  The motorcycle garaged, we drove to Ginette and Trevor's home - about ten minutes from ours - to look after Easton.

Busy playing with his toys in his little pool in the shade.

Easton was keeping his cool while splashing and playing in his little fun pool.  It took little time before Jeanette and I were drenched too.  With such hot temperatures, the splashing  brought welcome relief. We welcomed it....and the fun he had drenching us!

Although hard to see in the photo, Easton's shirt is completely drenched.  And he is quite happy about that!

When Easton's folks returned from their movie outing, we sat around and chatted till about 10:30 pm, before heading for home.

Canada Day - Monday, July 1st ride to Pitt Lake

We chose another destination for our Canada Day ride.  Crossing over the Fraser River River, in Mission BC, we rode along the Dewdney Trunk Road above Mission and Maple Ridge before meeting up with Highway 7 in Pitt River.

Dewdney Trunk Road - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Heading north from Pitt River towards Pitt Lake

All the lakes were crammed with families looking for some respite from the heat.  The three lakes we visited were dotted with boats and other water craft.  Shortly after our arrival at Pitt Lake, we were looking out on the water near the boat launch when an ambulance screamed in and I was immediately asked if I knew where the plane crash site was.  "What plane crash", said I. We had neither seen nor heard about an supposed accident.

Everyone was enjoying the water

Within a few minutes, the ambulance attendant walked by and told us that the accident was in fact an ultralight aircraft that had crashed into the lake.  Jeanette counted eight (8) emergency response vehicles that showed up on the scene.  Minutes later a boat docked near the boat launch and a late 50's fella - dressed in a flight suit and carrying a float saving device - walked off the boat and was immediately met by paramedics. He showed no sign of injury.  I have a photo of him but chose not to post it on my blog; privacy reasons, mainly!

The ultralight was not recovered while we were on scene and the local TV or radio news did not report anything about the incident when we tuned in last night.

Pleasure boaters were ambivalent to the first responders on scene....

Once all the hullabaloo had died down, Jeanette and I rode off, back towards home.  All told, we rode well over 200 kilometres yesterday alone.  Combined with the other long weekend days, we covered over 600 kilometres this long weekend.

Two of the 8 emergency vehicles on the scene at Pitt Lake.

Jeanette captured the photo below before we rode off towards home.  We chose to head east on Highway 7 (The Lougheed Highway) towards Mission - over the Mission Bridge - then back through the back country roads.  Back home, we settled in for a lovely evening barbecue and just enjoying the nice summer temperatures.

Readying to leave Pitt Lake

One the route back from Pitt Lake is the entrance to the beautiful Golf Resort that our daughter Ginette and son in law Trevor were married at.  

Swan-e-Set Bay Resort & Country Club - Weddings

Our Canada Day long weekend was a fantastic opportunity to visit so many of the great spots we enjoy in this area.   Another - much longer - ride is planned in the days ahead. We'll focus on that in the next blog.

 Thanks for dropping by.