Summer 2008

June was our first month at our tiny apartment in Victoria, and we spent it mostly exploring locally, including some great hike/walks on the Galloping Goose Trail. While it wasn't hot, we had many good weather days, and managed to regain some of our fitness levels.

July first half was more of the same, but the second half became more interesting. First, we visited with friends Stan & Lynne on Quadra Island (off Campbell River in Vancouver Island). They have a fabulous property on the water, and we enjoyed many hikes, walks and great meals.

In late July, Ann flew back to Montreal to visit her family, while Garry spent that week in Vancouver “receiving” our 40 boxes of stuff which arrived very much intact from Malaysia. Around mid-August, we left our apartment in Victoria. First we headed south of the border (temporarily) to visit with friends Bev & Greg in Bellingham WA. Again the weather was not totally cooperative, but we had a good visit, again peppered with a bit of exercise and lots of good meals.

Then back to Vancouver for a few days in Vancouver with John & Ro, who had very kindly let us leave many bags with them while we made our short trip into the US. Given that they had hosted us for a couple of weeks when we first arrived back in Vancouver, we were doubly grateful. Once again, as you might expect, we ate and drank very well. It was much easier to say farewell to them this time as we expect to see them in Mexico at least once during the upcoming season.

Near the end of August, we drove up to Whistler, where Barb & Harry had generously allowed us to stay at their beautiful new home for a few days. We had a couple of days on our own, and then they came up from Vancouver and we spent a great 3 days with them. What an amazing place is Whistler! Extraordinarily expensive now, but everything is beautifully done, and it was a real pleasure to be there.

We left Whistler and went “over the top” through Pemberton and Lillooet en route to Salmon Arm where we spent one night, then on through Roger’s Pass to Banff for the next night. Again the weather defeated us, and we didn’t see much of the mountains, but what we did see was spectacular. It got very cold, (not freezing at highway elevation, but close) so there was lots of snow on the surrounding mountains.

We passed through Canmore (beautiful spot), and then tooled on into Calgary to Ann’s brother Tom’s house, where he and wife Kathy and sons Paul & Scott welcomed us for the Labour Day weekend. Graham & Dale had us out to their place for a wonderful dinner and reunion Saturday night, but the rest of the time was spent with Tom & Kathy, watching (on TV) Paul play football, watching (live) Scott play hockey, and partying with their friends. An unexpectedly long (3 ½ hour) hike with Kathy in Fish Creek Park gave Ann a couple of stiff legs – and the subsequent hot tub was warmly welcomed. Tom and Garry watched the Calgary Stampeders get unfortunately badly whomped by Edmonton in the annual Labour Day game.

Last on the Canadian tour was the Crowsnest, where Myrna & Eric were great hosts to us for a couple of days. Naturally we ate well, and as a bonus had a chance to meet their friends Ray & Wallace over some of Eric’s personally caught salmon. Eric was heading out to do some halibut fishing as we were leaving, and we almost decided to wait till his return, but fortunately common sense prevailed, and we left Canada on Saturday, September 6, with a virtual Mexico or Bust sign tacked on the car!