Blackout Calendar

Left before dawn this morning and watched the sun rise as I headed to Peace Arch.  Drove right through the NEXUS lane with a slight pause to say Happy New Year.  We really expected more traffic.  I don't think I've ever driven up without having to wait for another car.  Met Pam at the outlet mall and we started on the road to Lynden.  Pam had a plan and I logged 21 by the time I had her back at her car at exactly noon.  I've now found a cache on every day in the year except Feb. 29th  I now have to work on getting each column to add up to 100 (all the 1sts, 2nds...).  I already have 100 in each month.  I need 28 tomorrow but think it'll be raining.  Shopping instead?

Found the finals for a couple of challenges (250 on one day & 10 colours in Washington) but can't log the 2nd one until the owner approves my list.  That puts me at 4,867 total finds.

Stopped at the Shrimp Shack in Bellingham for lunch.  Arrived at my hotel in Lynwood just as the sun went down.  The Jr Hockey game between Canada and the U.S. wasn't on TV so I went to Applebee's for dinner at 6.  Back in time for the Canucks game.  They aren't playing well.  Too many shots allowed on our net and not enough on theirs.

Bought a bottle of bubbly so I can toast 2012.  Dad was born 101 years ago today.  I always miss him on this night.

New splint

Went to a hand specialist at Westside Physio and bought a Thumb Support to help with the ostioarthritis in my wrist and thumb.  An insert was molded to my hand so it it pretty comfortable.  I have lost a lot of range of motion of my right hand and it is quite a bit weaker than the left.  Ran into Mary Locke in the waiting room.

Picked Moira up at Oakridge and we had dinner at White Spot.  Played Scrabble on our iPad & iPhone while eating.

One more to go

Found three caches along a waterfront trail in Queensborough this morning.  I now need one on Saturday to fill up my calendar.  Feb 29th is a bonus day that I can get in 2012.  

It started to rain so I headed home, stopping at Boston Pizza for lunch.

Four more caches

Wasn't raining this morning so I headed for a series of four easy "Rainy Day" caches in Cloverdale.  All were easy drive-ups.

Circled back through New Westminster and had liver & onions at The Waffle House.

Boxing Day Week

I like listening to books on tape from the library and have been using my old iTouch.  The latest updates to the software no longer work on it.  My newer iTouch works with the new OverDrive Media Console but it doesn't work with the car radio.  Neither does my iPhone.  It is an evil plot.

Decided the solution is to buy a new radio so headed for the sales at Best Buy.  My current radio has a line into the glove box that plugs into the iTouch.  Bought a new Sony radio that has a compartment to hold the player.  It doesn't have a CD Player but I can't remember the last time I played a CD in the car.  I have to wait to get it installed (1/2 price).  The installer will call after he deals with all the Boxing Day sales.

Had to come home again as I forgot my GPS units.  Found a cache in Queensborough just as the rain began.  Three more to go!

Hockey Day

Good day to watch hockey.  It was raining outside and I didn't need a cache for the day.  Canadian Juniors are always fun to watch and they beat Finland.  Then the Canucks took care of Edmonton.

Finished the turkey leftovers for dinner.

Quiet Christmas

Drove to Queensborough before the rain to grab today's cache.  Need 4 more to fill my calendar - except for Feb. 29th!  Funny driving by all the closed stores.

Decided not to go to busy movie theatre and just stay home to watch some.  Saw Last Holiday, Finding Neverland and The Help.  All good, especially The Help.  Loved the book and was worried the movie wouldn't do it justice but it was great.                                                                                                 
Had a big turkey sandwich for dinner on my homemade bread. 

Christmas dinner

I finally gave up waiting for the rain to stop and went out for a cache on the way to Matt's.  Lori figured out a puzzle in North Surrey and I just had to go for it to see what we missed on Thursday.  One of the best hides ever!

Then over the Port Mann to get to Matt's.  Traffic was really light but there was a lot of rain.  We had a perfect turkey dinner and the kids enjoyed the craft stuff I put together for them.  Creative duo.  Sadie played some pieces on the piano for me and then just started improvising.  Don't think she is supposed to know how to do that at 6!  Came away with leftovers and lots of treats.  Never did get to make my own shortbread this year.  Did make the cranberry sauce and kept some.  Made bread tonight so I can have it on my turkey sandwich tomorrow.

Good checkup

Louise met me at Fairmont for my appointment with my oncologist.  Karen noted that I must have been nervous as this is the first time I have brought someone.  It helped that they were friends.  

The Tamoxifen is working!  The cancer in my lung "is no longer seen".  Other nodes have either stayed the same or have shrunk.  My tumour markers have dropped a bit for the first time in months.  If the two nodes I can feel get worse I am to call.  Otherwise, she'll check them again next visit.  The plan is to keep on with the Tamoxifen.  All in all, a good outcome.

Louise took me out for coffees to celebrate and then I bought some groceries at Granville Island.

I'm pretty tired tonight.  Probably partly because of the stress leading up to this appointment.  Still managed to make the cranberry sauce but haven't wrapped the presents yet.  Tomorrow morning will do.

Cougar Canyon

Picked up Lori & Pam at Sungod this morning and we worked our way around Delta & Surrey.  Found a couple in Cougar Canyon, behind Matt & Mike's elementary school.  Lori braved the slippery path.

Finished my Christmas shopping at Chapters and then had to go to a couple of stores before I found pecans for my cranberry sauce.  Picked up Chinese food and was home by 4:30.

So tired I fell asleep watching Rachel Maddow and had to rewind it.

Long walk

Went to the end of River Road past Westham Island to look for snowy owls.  Although several people said there were a lot, I never did see one.  There were a lot of hawks hunting so maybe they were laying low.  I did find the cache I was looking for.  After a while I realized I was close to another one so kept going.  I walked 1.6 km by the time I got back to the car.

Picked up a few things at M&M Meats on the way home.

Fort Langley

Started the day with bloodwork at the Cancer Agency.  Quiet place today.

Drove to Fort Langley to do some shopping and found a nice easy cache.  Wandered home the long way and shopped in Aldergrove and Cloverdale.  A day for small stores.

Home by 4.

Missions accomplished

Had a list and did it all!  Started with a stop at Cobb's in Richmond Centre for tonight's treats.  Parked in a handicapped spot right by the door.  I then went to Richmond Country Farms and found local cranberries and good ginger - big improvement over the poor offerings at Safeway.

Picked up my last package at TSB.  Missed Kathryn by 30 minutes.  The line snaked around inside but when I left it went right out to the road.  Timed it just right.  Filled up with gas and met Pam for a cache grab.  We weren't having much luck and had to phone Lori for some help.

Home to rest and then to Dr. Watterson, my rheumatologist.  He said the pain in my hand and wrist were osteoarthritis and wants me to wear a splint all the time.  I'll get one made on December 30th.  I'll continue the pills for the rheumatoid arthritis and see him again in May.

Home again for a couple of hours and then met Louise at the Cactus Club.  Our group met at the Cancer Agency and we all had brought treats.  

Made it home in time for the 3rd period of the hockey game.

Queensborough

Took another drive to Queensborough for an easy cache to fill today's calendar slot.  9 more to go and then Feb. 29th as a bonus day.  

Stopped at Byrne Rd. to shop at London Drugs and Cobbs.

Enjoyed Canucks and Toronto game.

Laundry day

Slept in and had a lazy morning.  Did 2 loads of laundry at noon.

Dinner at Applause with Moira & Philomena.

Have been able to feel a tumour for a couple of weeks.  Glad I see oncologist on Friday.

Another geocaching Thursday

Had a good sleep last night after a busy day.  Met Pam & Lori in Delta and we found a bunch of caches that some or all of us needed.  I counted 9.  There were a few that I didn't attempt and waited in the car while the intrepid duo braved the ravines.

We had a short day and I was home before 4.  Tired but not as bad as yesterday.

Home again

Up early and took Pru to SeaTac.  Realized afterwards that we were really early for her flight.  Should have checked the time again and gone to Starbucks on the way.  At least we checked the bags curbside and she had a good book to read.  Traffic was heavy but we could use the high occupancy lane.

Meandered home and found 6 caches.  Stopped in Arlington for lunch.

Started getting quite tired so headed home early.  Only a 10 minute wait at the border with my NEXUS.  Arrived home just before 4 and avoided the rain.  Tired enough to fall asleep before dinner.

Lynnwood

Had a quiet day and picked up Pru at 2:00 for her trip to SeaTac.  The border wasn't too bad.  Couldn't use my NEXUS since she didn't have one.

Stopped at Barnes & Noble near Bellis Fair.  Found a cache just a few blocks away fo fill in today's date on the calendar.

We are in the Best Western in Lynnwood - used my VISA points.  Listened to the end of the Canucks game on my iPad and then went out to Applebee's for dinner.  Discovered Lemon Drop Martini!

Cinnamon makes you smarter

Picked up a latte and arrived at Weir in time for recess.  Had a good visit and picked up my Purdy's order.

Stopped at VanCity and then Characters (for a book, soup & cinnamon bun) on the way home.

Went to Sadie's first piano recital in Port Moody this afternoon.  She nailed Jolly Old St. Nick.  

Took them all to the White Spot for dinner to celebrate.  Back to the house for a visit for a couple of hours.

Attended a geocaching event with Pam at the Best Western near Lougheed Mall.  We searched for the clues to a cache hidden across the street and exchanged Secret Santa gifts.  Several familiar faces there.

Really tired and glad to get home.

EnChor

Found today's cache under the Welcome to Kitsilano sign near the Burrard St. Bridge - also a dead seagull!

Enjoyed the Open House at Callanish in the afternoon.  EnChor was singing again.  Met several old friends.  Such a welcoming building.  Hope to go on an alumni retreat in May.

White Spot

Quiet day today after a busy week.  Did some paperwork and picking up stuff.

Met Moira at White Spot for dinner.

Still caches left in Surrey

Picked up Lori and Pam at our usual Starbucks and we started our day at the Scholastic Book Sale in Surrey.  My handicapped tag got us parked next to the door instead of a couple of blocks away.  Came away with a couple of bags of presents.

Lunch was a grilled cheese at the Wired Monk.  Nice to have free WiFi.  I passed another milestone and have 4,804 finds.  A few times I sat in the illegally parked car while the other two dashed for the cache.  Saved a lot of walking.   My favourite part was the walk was around Stokes Pitt.  Hope they are able to save it from development.

Another lunch

Took transit to our last metastatic support group this year.  I'll miss it for the next few weeks.  It always grounds me and sets me up for the days following.  We had lunch at Milestone's, courtesy of the donors who run the annual Cancer Busters dance.  

Rode Canada Line downtown and found a cache near the Post Office.  Bought a 2012 Olympic sweatshirt for 1/2 price at the Bay.  Home in about 30 minutes.

Really tired tonight.

Long day

Went to the Agency for a CT-Scan this morning.  Hardest part is reaching above my head and staying still.  My shoulders don't like it!  Met Mae and Darline briefly.

I missed the Status of Women's little ceremony at the memorial at the Marker of Change in Thornton Park honouring the women murdered in the Polytechnique massacre.  I met them after at the Rhizome Cafe.  Very different spot and worth a visit.  I had a Grilled Apple sandwich with carmelized onions, melted jack cheese and spinach.

Just made it to my GP's office in time for my appointment for a flu shot.  I described what happened Friday night and he says food poisoning.  I was sure sick enough for that.

Friends

Pam and I found a Puzzle Cache solution in Burnaby this morning and that got me enough to finish a Challenge.  We looked at another one that nearby but it looked too dangerous with the wet leaves on a steep trail.

Met Georgina, Marilyn and Anni for lunch.  The first 2 restaurants don't open on Mondays, so we ended up in a little Japanese one that turned out to be really good.  A big bowl of chicken udon did me for lunch and I took half home for dinner.  The old chicken soup was the perfect food for me today.  We also bought some stuff in Inno Bakery that I parked near.  I saved that one in my GPS.

Took 35 minutes to drive home.  I am not back to normal but am a lot better than I was.

Headache

Had a long sleep but woke up with a headache that keeps coming back.  Time for another painkiller and bed.

Quick trip to Queensborough for a drive-up cache.

Sick day

Bad day today.  Started throwing up at midnight and finished at 6 am.  Couldn't even keep water down.  Very little sleep so spent most of the day dozing in front of the TV.  Finally managed some tea and digestive cookies.

Needed a cache today so went for a close one in Richmond.  Picked up some bread and ginger ale and then home.  Still feeling shaky.  Early to bed tonight.

Blaine in the sun

Up early to have my port flushed at the Cancer Agency.  Picked up Lori & Pam in Surrey and we headed across the line for a very productive day of caching.  We stuck near Blaine & Birch Bay.  What a gorgeous day along the seashore.

Home by 5 and rested for a bit before heading out for dinner with women I knew from VESTA.  There were about 20 of us at Szechuan Chongqing. 

Something has upset my gut and I've just been throwing up.  Food, tired...?

What keys?

Picked Lori & Pam up at Sungod in Surrey and we spent the day finding puzzle caches.  The had to do a few without me as it was too steep and slippery.  Took Lori back to her car at 1:30 and Pam & I continued around Cloverdale.  


After dropping Pam off in Ladner, came home through the tunnel.  Traffic wasn't too bad there but a problem at the Oak St. Bridge.  Made it home only to realize I didn't have my house keys.  They weren't on the hook in my trunk where I usually put them.  Had to walk around Marine Dr. to get to the front door.  Someone finally let me in and I called the Manager.  He was in Richmond but was there in about 15 minutes.  His wife had found the keys in my mailbox lock.  Duh!  I've found a few sets there myself.

Harrison

Beautiful day for a drive.  Found a cache on the way to Chilliwack.  Had lunch at the airport - cream of mushroom & leek soup!  

Headed back after a swim at Harrison.  Tried a couple of other caches but it failed and it started getting late.  Home by 6.

Pasta Tuesday

Met Karen C at the Boston Pizza at Market Crossing in Burnaby for Pasta Tuesday.  We compared our GPS units and got caught up.  Always nice to speak to someone with the same problems.  I spend a lot of time with cancer patients but hardly ever taught about my arthitis.

Picked up a couple of presents at TSB in Point Roberts and filled up with gas at $1.09.  Took a second try at a cache I'd not been able to find in Beach Grove.  Had it quickly this time.

Then I made the mistake of going to Canadian Tire.  Once again, I stomped out frustrated and empty handed.  Poor staff and too many things in locked cabinets.  Picked up present at Chapters but gave up on the 2 kids books I wanted.  Crappy organization of shelves and no staff.  Kidsbooks will calm me down.

Airport pickup

Picked up Chris and Yuriko on their way home from Japan.  So nice to just wait for text message that they were taxiing and then finished with customs before leaving.  I was loading them in the car in about 10 minutes.

Picked up a cache beginning with L in Richmond.  Needed it for an alphabet challenge.  Did some shopping at Save-On.

Lions Roar!

Watched the Grey Cup with Pru today.  What a great win.  The coach deserves everything he gets for turning the team around after such a weak start.  Always better enjoying such games with someone else.

Caching in the Rain

Lori and I needed one for this date so we all went out to find a couple.  Not so bad in the forest.

Picked up food at M & M and Cobbs and headed home to dry off.

Enjoyed the Canucks 4th win in a row!  Now for football!!

Squamish drive

The day was sparkling so I drove to Squamish.  Unbelievable views but few spots for photos.  I remember the days when the viewpoints were new and included Kodak Moment signs.  Suicidal to try for a good shot now.

Found a couple of caches in Squamish and bought a needed present in Britannia Beach.  Had lunch at Troll's in Horseshoe Bay.  

There was a stall on Lions' Gate so I went through N Van to Ironworkers.  Smooth sailing and even bought some sweaters on sale at Mark's.

Inside Geocaching

Weather foul today so we worked at Pam's house after she and Lori found a cache in Richmond.  I didn't need one today.  We worked on our computer programs and solved some puzzles.

Big traffic jam at tunnel so I took River Road to the Fraser Bridge.  No traffic at all for first part and then big jam.  Inched forward forever - took over an hour!.  Luckily Pam sent leftover soup with me.  It sure tasted good when I got home.

Christmas shopping

Picked up another 2 presents at TSB Shipping in Point Roberts.  Almost done my Christmas shopping!  Two more should arrive on Monday.  Filled up with gas at $1.12/litre.

Found a cache in Ladner and then back through the tunnel.  Stopped at Oakridge for a bit of shopping and then home.

Quiet day

Stayed in and watched TV all day.  Didn't even get dressed.

Need a cache tomorrow and will pick up a package in Point Roberts.

Stormy weather

The storms are coming in back-to-back for a while.  It's now too warm for snow but there is lots of rain and wind coming tonight.

Found today's hide in a geocacher's front yard.  Couldn't open the container.  Must get big wrench for the trunk.

Bought some stuff at Ming Wo's, including a steak knive & a small chef's knive.  They are from Japan and really light.  It is getting harder to cut meat as my right hand is so weak.  They were expensive but on sale.  This is my Christmas present.

Met Louise at Cactus Club for dinner and then we went to our group.  We ran it ourselves and there were 3 others.  Think we did a good job.

Lions roar

Great day - 2 football games & hockey.  Enjoyed the Lions teaching Edmonton how to play for the win.  What a great team.  One more to go!

Even the Canucks played better tonight.

Solved a few puzzles while watching.

Election Day

Looked for today's cache in Richmond and gave up after about 40 minutes.  Pam has told me where to look.  I was on the right track but gave up when a woman with her dog came.  I'll try again!  Went for an easy one at Hastings Mill Store.  

Weird election results.  The mayor and all the Vision candidates won but we lost some good COPE people.

Laundry day

Did a couple of loads of laundry this morning.  Should have done a load of towels and sweatshirts but didn't want to do the stairs any more.

Found today's cache in Steveston and then did some grocery shopping on the way home.

Caching Thursday

Met Lori and Pam at Sungod in Delta. We found some puzzles and other caches in Surrey. Stopped at Boston Pizza for lunch. Bought groceries at Safeway on the way home. There was snow on tonight's news but none here.

Ready for snow

Went to metastatic support group at the Cancer Agency this morning.  A small but intense session today.

Took my car to Open Road for its service.  Had the snow tires mounted and the front brakes changed.  Walked across the way to a coffee shop for lunch at 1 and the car was finished at 4.  Read my newspapers on the iPad.

Voted

Went to an advance poll at the new Sunset Community Centre.  Had to wait in a line - a good sign.

Picked up a couple of Christmas presents in Point Roberts and loaded up on gas ($1.12).  Border was pretty quick.

Had lunch at Boston Pizza in Richmond.  Good deal on Pasta Tuesday and took half home for dinner.  Found a nearby cache.

Not feeling great by this time so headed home.  Think I might be having hot flashes from Tamoxifen.

Blah day

Couldn't get motivated to do much of anything today.  Made myself take out the garbage and go to White Spot for dinner.  Perked me up.

Sports day

Loved it - 2 big football games and then the Canucks having a great game.  Next weekend we'll take on the Eskimos for the Western Final!

Sleepy day

Rainy day and nothing to take me out.  Stayed in and watched PVR.  Enjoyed Passchendaele.  

Silver Lake

Picked up Pam this morning at 8 and we headed for Peace Arch.  There was already a 1 1/2 hour wait but we have NEXUS.  Went down the edge of the road, past the big line, and got into the NEXUS lane by the duty free.  The wait was under 15 minutes.  Worth every penny.

It was raining but we stopped for a few caches that were close to the road as we made our way to Silver Lake.  Our last stop was at Maple Falls for hot drinks and scones.  We arrived to find the parking lot pretty empty but cars soon began pulling in.  We were there for an 11-11-11 Event.  We went to one last year for 10-10-10 but it wasn't registered as an event.  We should get a nice souvenir on our geocaching page for finding caches today.  

Luckily, we were in a picnic shelter with a fire to warm us.  There were even S'mores for the kids.  We started with a moment of silence for Remembrance/ Veterans' Day.   There were prizes and I won a $10 gift certificate to CachingContainers.com in Abbotsford.  Sweet Marie was there and we met several others whose names we knew.  Titelines had just been on the ET Hwy and it was COLD!  Our timing was perfect.

Pam and I found 3 of the 11 new caches put out but were cold and wet.  We'll come back for the rest on a sunny day.  We headed back home and stopped in Lynden for a hot lunch.  We also found a few more caches.

The weather was wild on the drive back.  The wind was really strong in spots.  In one place the leaves and bits of the trees were filling the sky and it was like driving through a tornado.  The waves were rough near Blaine but the sun was shining and there was fresh snow on the local mountain.

I logged 17 caches today, for a total of 4,735.  Not bad!

Caching with Pam

Met Pam near Bryne Road & Marine Way.  We found a bunch of caches in Burnaby & New West.  Both of us found some that had eluded us.  Met Sweet Marie at one on the riverbank.  She had a moment of anger that a Muggle was standing right where she needed to go, but then recognized me.  She is going to 11-11-11 event in Washington and we have decided to go, rain or not.

Had lunch at the Waffle House.  Didn't stay out too late.  I was pretty tired all day.

Starbucks & iPhone

Used my iPhone to pay for my latte this morning.  They just scanned the barcode on the screen & the cost came off my active card.  Love it.

Picked up a parcel in Point Roberts and then looked for a cache in Beach Grove.  No success after about 1/2 an hour.  Pam was the last one to find it but I couldn' see it where she saw it.

Found an easy drive up along River Road in Richmond and stopped along Marine Way at Byrne Road for groceries and London Drugs.

Last checkup of 2011

Saw an oncologist today for my checkup.  She didn't find any lymph nodes and was satisfied with how I looked.  My tumour markers have stayed the same for the last 3 tests.  I've lost some weight.  I'm to continue on the Tamoxifen and come back in 2 months.  I still have a CT Scan in December to check on what was showing in my lung.

I had a headache that kept me up last night.  It was still there this morning and I spent some time in the bathroom.  Think it might have been nerves.  Here is today's horoscope:

Taurus (April 20-May 20): You might feel worried today. Perhaps you’ve lost your self-confidence. You're second-guessing yourself. This is no big deal – we all have days like this. Don't beat yourself up about it. “Hakuna Matata!” (No worries.)

Found today's cache in Richmond and did some grocery shopping.

Feeling better tonight.

Best laid plans...

I did have a list for the day but blew it all off and didn't do much. Feeling pretty tired and my hand is painful.  Oncologist tomorrow.

About time a doctor to the stars got convicted.  Maybe the others will think twice.  Americans need our pharmacare so drugs are more controlled.

Extra hour

Liked the extra hour sleep.  Now my wall clock is back to the right time.

Didn't do much all day.  Enjoyed the Canucks game.

On a Mission

It was a sunny day so I drove up to Mission to find some caches.  The leaves are spectacular in the valley right now.  Found 9 for the day.  Met some local cachers looking for the last one at a Tim Horton's in Haney.  She teaches with a friend's sister and he attended Weir.  Small world.

Lions rule!

Bloodwork

Had my bloodwork done today so my oncologist will have the results when I see her on Tuesday.  This is to see if the Tamoxifen is working.

Picked up a bunch of groceries at Granville Island.

Surrey caching

Met Lori and Pam in Surrey at 9:45 and we looked for caches until 5.  They went down the hillside behind Heath Elementary into Cougar Canyon but couldn't find the hidden gnome after an hour.  Matt says he used to play down there all the time when they went to Heath.

The weather included, cold, heat, hail, rain, thunder, rainbows, sun...

Had dinner before heading home.  Am so tired tonight!

Liberty

Picked up a couple of parcels in Point Roberts this morning and filled up with gas.  Stopped at Thrifty's for a couple of packages of scones.

Met Maeve & Ildi at Liberty Bakery for lunch.  We hadn't seen each other for some time so got caught up.

Made it home before the rain.

A day to recover

Needed to do nothing today.  It helped my sore hand settle down.  Watched my taped shows and read all day.

Must do laundry and housework soon.

Happy Halloween

Had a good sleep last night. The Best Western was right on the freeway, but didn't hear a thing. 

Found 10 caches around Chilliwack. Stopped at the airport for spinach salad & blackberry/peach pie.  By 3, I was starting to get tired and needed the bathroom a couple of times so decided to head home. Made it by 5.

Chilliwack

Had lunch at Matt's and swapped stories about Disneyland and the ET Highway. The house is sure well decorated for Halloween, Took the scenic route to Chilliwack to see all the leaves. I am staying at the Best Western on points. Tomorrow is the 31st and I need to get my count up. There aren't enough 31st in the year. Good dinner at Mr. Mike's.

Kitty's Memorial

Went out this morning to find a new cache near 37th & Oak.  Ran into biker44 and his wife.  Took a while to find even though it was right where our GPS units took us.  Had a good visit.

Kitty's memorial was at Moberly this afternoon.  The gym was full.  Saw many old friends I hadn't seen for a long time. 

A memorial website has been established for those wishing to share comments and photos at Respectance.com/kitty_ocalIaghan/ 

Finally organized my photos:

Quiet day

Slept in today and then just spent the day reading the newpapers and watching TV. 

Enjoyed the last 2 games of the World Series.

My hand is still quite painful and weak.  I just got the notice of an appointment with the rheumatologist in December.  Still no word from Mary Pack.

Finished logging

Met Lori and Pam at COSTCO off Lougheed this morning and we went up to SFU to find the final of a pyramid challenge we've completed.  Found a handicapped parking spot fairly close.

Did some shopping at COSTCO and then took my Purdy's order to Rum at Weir.  Stayed and visited through the lunch hour.

Spent the rest of the day logging finds and finally finished.  I now have 4,674!

Logging

Spent the morning catching up on the back newspapers - so much easier when I read them online.  

Watched a bunch of shows on my PVR and logged caches all day.  500 to go!

Home

Up early and spent some time donating more money to the local economy.

Took our rental van back and the woman didn't bat an eye at the condition.  The desert dirt wasn't kind to it.

Our flight was just after 1 and we made good time to Bellingham.  Didn't get Penny to the ferry in time so she went back home with Lori until the next one.  Picked up Chinese food and was home by 7.

The next few days will be full of logging all those caches.

Tropicana

Found a few caches around Tonopah and then headed for Vegas.  It was a long drive.  Mostly a straight road through nothing.

Checked into the Tropicana and then took a walk up the strip to find a few caches and do a bit of shopping.

Had dinner in the hotel and gambled for a few hours.  I am not any good at it.

Finished!!

We completed the power trail well before sunset.  There were 1500 plus 3 extras.  We also found the oldest cache in Nevada and another old one at an abandoned mine way out in the desert.

We saw scorpions, big beetles, little scurrying ground squirrels, antelope, cows, wild horses, lots of birds and dirt.  Our car was sooo dirty since we didn't close the sliding door.  We were beyond dirty.

Lori & Penny cleaned the van and Pam went to the laundromat.  I dozed.  My hand is sore, my nose aches and I am a bit short of breath.  No wonder with all the dirt.

Good Mexican food for dinner.

Another hot day

We found over 500 caches again today. Most were on highways but we began the section that is on dirt roads. Not as dirty as yesterday.

Saw lots of birds and little scurrying critters.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Tonopah, NV

Dust

We were up at 7 this morning. I slept in so needed a knock on the door. We found over 500 caches today! I did most of the driving. Lot of it was on a dirt track next to the highway.

We backtracked to Rachel and the Little Alien Inn. We are in a large trailer. The shower didn't work in the first one so we had to move. Definitely needed a shower - we are beyond filthy!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Rachel, NV

On our way

Lori picked us up at 7:30 and we got off the freeway at the Bellingham Airport an hour later. Ate breakfast at Jack in the Box and then went to check in. Went smoothly. The terminal is a big improvement.

The flight was smooth and we landed early. Takes a long time to take a train to the luggage pickup and a shuttle to Hertz.

Stopped for groceries in North Vegas and then hit the road for Alamo. Logged 7 caches before dark. Our motel, the Alamo Inn is a relic. We missed it at first because there is no sign. Could be why it cost $100 for 2 rooms.

Had a good dinner at Windmill Ridge. Early to bed tonight.


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Location:Alamo, NV

Packed to go

Up early to meet Matt for breakfast at the White Spot. Heard all about Disneyland.

Picked up pills for my eyes and then went to my mets group at the Cancer Agency. Good to hear so many others have as much trouble as me in doing housework.

Stopped at London Drugs and then home to rest and pack. Arrived at Am's at 5:30 and we found a couple of caches along the dyke.

Lori and Penny came by after dinner for final planning session. ET here we come.



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Trip prep

Last night at home until next Tuesday.  Almost packed for our big adventure on the ET Highway.

Had lunch at Pajo's on the beach in Steveston.  A big lab ran up and tried jumping in my lap as I ate on a bench.  I was able to kick him away - several times.  The owner didn't even appologize.  What a jerk!

Found an easy new cache on the way home to fill today's calendar spot.

Busy day

Up early and actually had laundry in by 8.  Did 2 big loads but not sheets as I didn't want to go up and down the stairs any more.  

Met Lori, Anni & Georgina at Tim Horton's for lunch.  Lori helped me get a nearby cache that I couldn't reach and then I helped her get 2 more in the series that I'd already logged.  Stopped for a haircut on the way home.

Met Gwen and Wanda at the Cactus Club for dinner.  The room we were supposed to have our support group in was already in use.  Luckily Sarah was still there and saw the mixup.  We didn't stay long as no one else came and we had talked at dinner.

New iTouch

Productive morning.  Started at London Drugs and then found a cache on Railway, honouring the old Interurban.  Stopped at Roots for some leather cleaner and then to COSTCO.  Finally found parking but they have stopped stocking iProducts.  Tried Future Shop but the 3rd time the idiot referred to me as a man I told them to stuff it and went next door to Staples.  Bought a basic iTouch to replace my dinosaur.

Home in time for the Lions game.  Easy to set up the iTouch and load in the programs I want.  Big improvement over the old one.

Trip prep

Worked on caches for our trip.  My iPod Touch is so old that it seems like every day a new program stops working as it needs the newer operating system.  Just lost Dropbox!  Don't want to buy a new iPhone (my battery is dying) until closer to November 2012 since Telus will charge me $15/month until then to buy a new contract.  It's a plot!

UBC hike

The owner gave us the final for the mapbook caches that we completed so we headed into the UBC bush on a mission.  Found it quickly and kept on walking to find the 2nd part of a multi.  Moved the cars and grabbed the final part of it.  Lori ran to get the final of a puzzle as we signed the log and started back.  I must have walked about 2 km!

Picked up some groceries at Granville Island on the way home.

Lily wacked her head in the hotel at Disneyland.  Hardy munchkin. 

Surrey puzzles

We met bigbopper1 and his wife at Starbucks in Surrey this morning and had a good time trading geocaching stories.  Then we found his latest puzzle - still needed to call him for a hint after Lori met a rat in a thicket.  We needed to know that we didn't need to keep looking there.

Drove all over Surrey finding puzzle caches that we had solved.

Stopped at IHOP for dinner on the way home.  Lots of traffic!

Time for heat

Finally have to turn some heat on so I guess Fall is here.

Coffee with friends cancelled as only 2 of us were able to go.  We'll try again soon.

Spent a long time updating the iPad operating system.  It was cranky and duplicated all the Easter holidays several time.  Took hours.  I won't try the iPhone for a couple of days.

Flushed

Met Pam and Lori in Tsawwassen to find a cache Lori looked for 3 hours yesterday. We looked for another hour with another cacher before Pam found it lying on the ground. We got few more and then Lori and I went to Richmond for some more. Stopped at Dave's for fish and chips.

Went to my GP and had my ears flushed and then to to Cancer Agency to have my port flushed.


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Tired

Slept until nearly 10 this morning.  Last night was just too much for me.

Just watched TV all day.  Watched PVR'd John A. Macdonald and then The War of 1812.  Excellent!

Happy Thanksgiving

Up early to make cranberry sauce.  Met Pam at Garry Point Park.  We walked to the tip to watch Lori & Wayne paddle to Teddy Bear Island for a cache.  Wayne & Pam then went over to the caches on Steveston Island that she needed.

Picked up Pru, Jesse & his girlfriend and drove them to John's for dinner.  Lucas did the turkey and it was really good.  Love the traditional stuff.

I am so tired right now that I am going right to bed.

Steveston Island

Sat in the sun (intermittent) on the banks of the Fraser near Steveston and read waiting for Lori and Wayne.  They called just after I left, so I went back.  They set off for Steveston Island in a borrowed canoe.  I was the shore crew.  Took some photos, finished my book, visited Starbucks and the bathroom and was waiting with my trusty little flashlight.

Lori called a couple of times as they rounded the island.  They finally returned in the dark.  It rained hard a couple of time.  Amazingly they found every cache they were looking for except one on Teddy Bear Island.

Picked up Chinese on the way home and listened to the blacked out Lions game on the radio.  What a game to miss!

Turkey

Met Moira at the White Spot for a turkey dinner.  Then stopped at Safeway.  Huge lines and not many registers open - funny at 7:45 at night.

Pam and I plotted a couple of new geocaching projects tonight.   

Still having intermittent bouts of nausea.  Nerves or the Tamoxifen?

White Rock again

Met Pam and Lori in Surrey and we headed to White Rock to clean up those pesky new caches that had appeared on our map of happy faces.  We finally found 10.  

Did a bit of shopping on the way home.  Really tired now.  Should sleep well.

Recovering

Had a pretty good sleep last night so went to my metastatic support group.  The coffee wagon women had a cup of tea and a digestive biscuit waiting for me.  

Picked up some groceries on the way home and had a bowl of chicken soup at Characters.  Didn't eat much to let my gut settle down.  Sipped Ginger Ale. Still feel a bit nauseated and really tired.

Sick today

Had a quiet day reading and watching TV.  Did some work on caches for our Nevada trip.

Something didn't set right and I've been quite sick tonight.  Hope a night's sleep will help.

Autumn weather

It was chilly today.  I found a cache in Richmond between the showers.  Bought a vest at the Mark's next door and some fresh produce at the Richmond Country Farm.  

Made bread when I got home and settled in to read and watch TV.

Starting to have hot flashes with the Tamoxifen.  At least they don't last long.

Ioco Ghost Town Day

Found a cache in Port Coquitlam.  Made a large loop to avoid the motorcycle Christmas toy run that I have been stuck in for the last 2 years.  

Met at Matt's and we all headed to the old Ioco townsite for the best little fair for small kids.  Jane was there with her son and his family.  Cuddlefish recorded seeing the geocaching decal on my car.

Dropped Andrea off near Brentwood to pick up her car.  Stopped at Safeway for a prescription and some groceries and was home by 4:30.

I am so tired that I didn't even want to stand up to go to bed.

How do you play rugby?

Amazing how I can take all day to read the Saturday newspapers.  Also found time to fix new GPS I'm giving Sadie tomorrow - GeoMate.Jr

Watched Canada play the NZ All Blacks in the World Cup of Rugby.  I've never watched a game before so had to study the rules.  They are surprisingly simple.  They scored more points than any Canadian team has ever had against a NZ team.  I really enjoyed the game.  It was like football with no stoppages.

Lions roar in rebuild stadium

Stayed home and actually got through a lot of piles of paper.  Even cleaned out my fridge.  Took out the garbage and grabbed the wrong keys.  Had to walk around the block to the front and try a few suites before someone was home and let me in.  Duh!

Enjoyed the first Lions game in the renovated BC Place. 

Watershed Park

Met Pam at the Delta Watershed Park this morning.  We parked near the artesan well earthcache.  Filled up a jug to measure the flow and hid it until we returned.  It is now in the fridge.

We must have walked about 2 km to find some more hides that Pam already had.  At least the way back was downhill!  Failed to find one.

Had lunch at the Applewood Country Gifts, Tea Room & Bakery for lunch and then found a few more caches in Surrey.  A couple of others eluded us so we have watches on them to see if others find them.

Lots of dreaming and hard to wake up in the morning.  Side effects of new treatment?

New West

Headed to the Waffle House for lunch and then found 3 nearby caches.  Didn't find 2 others.  

Traffic was wicked on the way home so I used several loops around the trouble areas.  Glad to get home.

UBC Bushwacking

Met Pam and Lori at Pacific Spirit Park and we headed in for a couple of caches. Neither were near the posted coordinates. Part of it is the size of the trees. It took a while but we found them both. Loved the trails.

Found the wine from Sunday at Dunbar & 41st in the Village VQA Wines.

Stopped at London Drugs and Choices on the way home.



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Stormy day

A good day to stay in.  Read and did some paperwork.  Caught up on new shows on PVR.

Really tired tonight.  Tamoxifen kicking in?

Awaken Your Senses

Drove Louise to Brew Creek today for a Callanish fundraiser.  We arrived right at 1:00.  Not too many familiar faces.  Many were those who donate time and money to the Society.

John Bishop served us this wonderful lunch.

We then went to one of their new buildings for a concert.

A wonderful day!  Makes me want to return for an Alumni Retreat soon.

Dropped off Louise and was home by 7:30.  There was very little rain while I was driving.  Even saw a large rainbow on the way up.

Day of rest

Got up at 9:30 and did nothing all day.  

Read the newspapers I'd missed and watched the Lions demolish Saskatchewan.  Then watched several shows on my PVR. 

Whidbey Island

Found some caches near Maple Falls and Deming.  Then headed for Whidbey Island to continue our quest.  Threw in a few earthcaches for good measure.  I counted 20 caches for the 2 days.

Stopped at the Front Street Grill in Coupeville for an excellent lunch and view.  The only bad part was a speeding ticket.  The speed changes so often it is hard to keep track.  I had just left the parking lot at Deception Pass and hadn't noticed any speed signs and hadn't looked at the indicator on my GPS.  Stupid! 

Home at 9 after 950 km in 2 days.

Thursday Mission

Picked up Lori and Pam, after an extra 30 minutes getting through the tunnel traffic, and we headed to Washington on a mission.  We were looking for caches placed in certain months and years and for specific combinations of terrain and difficulty to complete our charts.

Started near Blaine, then stopped in Bellingham, the Skagit Airport (good cafe), east of Seattle & Marysville.  We spent the night in Pam's trailer in The Glen at Maple Falls.  Great spot.  Felt like the Provincial campground in BC - each site surrounded by trees.  Slept almost 9 hours.

Packing

Thought it was a day off and then remembered the metastatic group.  Met from 10:30 to 12.  We decided that chemo brain and age is making us forget nouns and depend on adjectives.

Bought a new set of walking sticks at MEC.  Wanted a better grip for my sore right hand and found a pair that break down to about a foot long.  Stopped at London Drugs and Characters (for a cinnamon bun) on the way home.  Bought a better brace for my wrist and it seems to be helping.

Had to go back out for the GPS I ordered for Sadie - geomate.jr  Pickjed up some Chinese food on the way home.

Backroad Maps

Lori drove today as our caching trio set out on a quest.  We found a couple of caches in Whistler and then Pemberton.  Only 2 more pages of our mapbook to finish our challenge of 30 pages.  The next stop was in Joffre Provincial Park and a nice walk to the lake.  

The final, south of Pemberton, one was a doozy.  I was so glad that Lori was driving her SUV!  They had studied maps and were sure they knew the way.  My GPS was out of it's depth in the hills and didn't know the road we were on for some time.  Road?  It wasn't dirt or gravel, it was rocks!  With some large potholes!  Lori persevered and we finally found Mosquito Lake and the cache.  We asked some Forestry Service people in a pickup that had to edge past us if there was an easier way.  They said we couldn't get there from here.  We tried to explain we already had been there and were on the way out.  

Found a few more on the way back to North Van and then headed into the woods near the Dollarton Hwy.  They sent me back when the trail got tricky and darkness was falling.  I started walking up the wrong trail but realized it in time to get back to the car safely.  Our bear bells kept any bruins away.

New carpets

They ripped up the carpet in the hallways today and started laying a new one.  I had to let them in the doorway to do that bit.  The moulding will be put on when it is all done.

Went out for the noisy and dusty part.  Found a cache along the North dyke in Richmond and then had lunch at the Waffle House.

Met Louise at the Cactus Club and then we went to our group at the Cancer Agency.  The parking meter didn't register all my coins so I now have a ticket.  They are investigating to see if it is malfunctioning.

Getting colder

Woke up to rain and cold this morning.  Was still pretty tired and decided not to go to the garbage cleanup event on Point Grey beach.  Waited for the sun to come out and found a quick cache in Richmond.

Watched a movie then the Emmy's.

BCTLA Executive

Picked up a latte and made it to the BCTF building by 9 for our meeting.  Small group today and think that makes us more productive.  We walked up to Milestones for lunch.  Finished by 4 and I drove Lynne to the airport.

Found today's cache in Steveston and then stopped at M&M Meats and London Drugs.  Listened to the 1st half of the Lions on the radio and was home for the 2nd.  They keep winning!  Now they just need to figure out how to do that at the start of the season.

My right hand is painful enough that I've been wearing my brace during the day instead of just in bed.

Burns Bog

I met Pam & Lori near Burns Bog to find a couple of caches and we ended up with 12!  We walked around the boardwalks and went a fair way.  Had to be more than 2 km all together.  I was unsteady when we made it back to a Tim Horton's for lunch.

We then went to Lori's to plan our trip to the E.T. Highway in October.  Booked the flights and hotel rooms.  We are spending the last night in the old Tropicana on the Strip.

Had dinner with the VTLA Executive at Michelle's house at UBC.  Wonderful food and company.

A day of doing nothing

I love retirement.  I can just spend a whole day not getting dressed.  Watched a couple of movies and got GPS ready for tomorrow.

New plan

Saw Karen this morning.  She is pleased with the results of my last CT Scan.  It is obvious that she was expecting bad news, especially with all the shots of my head.  That part was normal but the tumour in my adrenal gland is growing.  There is also a new spot in the upper left lung.  It might not be cancer so they are going to watch it for a bit.  My tumour markers have finally stopped going up.  

We spent some time discussing options.  We finally decided that it wasn't time for the heavy chemo yet but it was time for change.  I am now on Tamoxifen again.  I took it from 1993 to 1998 as a preventative and the cancer was out of sight.  Who knows what it will do this time.

Dropped off the prescription at the Cancer Agency (at least this time it is paid for) and picked up Mae.  We had breakfast at Solly's and then I went back for the pills.

Met Pam and Lori at Cypress Bowl.  Actually walked nearly 700 metres up to one cache.  Wonderful view!  We stopped at the White Spot for lunch and finished up on the Baden Powell Trail near Capilano River.

The exercise felt good after a few stressful days.

Laundry Day

Did a couple of loads of laundry today.  That seemed like enough effort for one day.

Last market day

Had a good sleep so headed to the last Ladner Market of the year.  Found parking right at one end and took my shopping cart to avoid carrying too much.  Met 3 friends along the way.  Ate a bbq halibut burger with a mix of oranges, pineapple & melon on top.  Filled up the cart and headed straight home.

Spent most of the day watching 911 stuff on TV.  I remember how I was at the union office all that day without a TV and then worked the night at the Red Cross.  Went there after work for days.

I always thought life would be simplified after retirement.  Jane wants me to come for a visit after seeing my oncologist on Tuesday.  But there are other things I should do and I can't figure out how to juggle them:

Thursday: VTLA bbq, 

Friday: BCTLA Executive, 

Saturday: geocaching events in Stanley Park and Jericho Beach

Sunday: geocaching event in Arlington, WA

Monday: cancer support group

Wednesday: cancer support group

?: a trip around Whistler to Lillooet to get challenge caches

No point in making decisions until I see what Karen's new plan for me is.

Lions Roar

Up early and found a cache along the dike in Richmond.  Matt came by at 11:10 and carried the printer down the stairs.  I took it back to Staples for a refund.  It was too complicated and the online reviews right on the HP website said it was a terrible model.

Picked up Pru and we went to the last game the Lions are playing in Empire Field.  Picked the closest parking lot and they let us in after it was closed off.  The SPARC pass helps!  Not far to walk at all.  Our seats were right at midfield and in the shade on the East side.  Great game to be at.  The weather was perfect and we dominated every aspect of the play.

Met Moira at 7 in the White Spot.  Stayed for almost 2 hours.

Cancer Agency

Busy day today.  Picked up my prescription at Fairmont and then went to the Agency.  Started with bloodwork  on the 6th floor, then a CT-Scan on the 3rd.  The tech was a parent at Weir and recognized me.  It was a more comprehensive scan than usual and included several pictures of my head.  Didn't hear anyone saying "oh oh".  Then down to the 2nd floor for my shot.  I arrived really early in the hope they would just take me and it worked.  Once the nurse found my chart, she gave me the injection.  The orders didn't match the dosage in the prescription.  I've had that happen before and talked her into giving it to me anyway.  It will probably be the last time for this drug.

Just needed to get outside, so went to Steveston for fish & chips at Pajos.  Sat on the beach for a while and then found a nearby cache.

Fell asleep when I got home and am not staying up for all the news.

3,001 Caches

Picked up some geocaching supplies in Cloverdale and then met Pam & Lori.  We found some caches in Abbotsford and then went across the bridge to Mission.  After lunch at Mr. Mike's, we headed to Harrison.  

Lori swam around from buoy to buoy and then back a second time, looking for a cache that they found during a competition that would give me 5 for difficulty & 5 for terrain.  No sign of it after all that effort!  I'm wondering if the swimming area rope & floats aren't brought to shore for the winter.  Ice cream helped her recover.

We had to go back to one of the Abbotsford finds to replace a paper hint.  I was done in so stayed in the car while they did the walking.

Picked up chowder & caesar salad at the White Spot drive in on the way home.  Arrived after 8 - drove 330 km.

Queensborough

Went to the Metastatic Support Group this morning.  Picked up my latest tumour marker printout.  It has gone up to 130.  Not good.

Drove to Queensbourough.  After a good lunch at Boston Pizza, I walked along the river and found 5 caches.

Boundary Bay

Took Patience for a walk around the streets of the ghost town she lived in for a few months on 1947. It was a Signal Corps Wireless Station and Edna lived there while TJ lived with my grandparents and parents on Pacific St. It is a beautiful site with roads but no buildings and dozens of huge trees. We ate blackberries as we walked. Quickly found the new cache I wanted.

I drove Patience, Pru and Murray to Gastown to shop and then a quick drive by the convention centers and Chinatown. Stayed at Pru's for BBQ salmon.


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Good deed

Went back to Port Coquitlam area to find some more caches today.  Rescued a woman who had already been walking with a flat tire on her bike for 1/2 an hour.  It was 27 and far to hot to keep going.  I convinced her to throw it in my back seat and I took her back to her car, saving her another hour of walking.

Had a good lunch at Applebee's - Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp (Cajun-seasoned chicken breast grilled and served on a sizzling skillet topped with blackened-seasoned shrimp, garlic and thyme. Served with crispy potatoes and sautéed onions and mushrooms.)

I was home by 5.  

Family time

Spent the day on Pru's porch. Sadie and Lily were the hit of the day. They even helped Jesse make the hamburgers.

Still feeling pretty tired. Don't have to do anything tomorrow.


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Exploring Coquitlam

Met Louise at Waves to pay her for a ticket to a Callanish event: “Awaken your Senses” at the home of the Callanish healing retreats, The Brew Creek Centre (chef John Bishop will present a 4-course Sunday lunch, for 40 people, accompanied by select B.C. wines. An intimate concert with musicians Ariel Barnes (cello), Heidi Krutzen (harp) and Maryliz Smith (piano) to follow).  


Wasn't feeling great and decided a day in the woods would lift me up.  Found 7 caches in Coquitlam.  Pretty sure I came across fresh bear droppings but no sign of the critters.

Ups and downs

The day started out well.  I found 5 caches in Queensborough.  Couldn't find the one under a dock as you had to scramble under.  Terrain not a 1.5 for me!  Pam suggested meeting in North Delta to log the final of a challenge cache.

Stopped at Staples on Marine Way to buy ink cartridges for my printer - again!  Saw some criticism of this model on the internet and the salesman agreed.  I was looking at a sale model but he convinced me to get a more expensive one.  They didn't have one in stock so I got an even better one at the cheaper one's price.  Now I hauled it up I have to measure to see if it fits and I am still not sure if it prints emails.  Tomorrow!

Lucas called and said to come to Pru's to watch the Lions & have dinner.  The game was nearly over when Judy arrived.  She was standing between me and the TV and telling a loud story.  I said I wanted to watch the game and she got out of the way but kept talking.  She then told me I could watch but didn't need to hear.  Instead of getting into a fight in front of her daughter I just left.  I was starving by the time I got some dinner.  Luckily I still had some salad in the fridge.  I try to deal with being sick by not getting involved with such drama.  I was tired, hungry and sore from getting the printer up the stairs.  Just too much!

Sjögren's syndrome

Saw Dr. Narvis, my GP, today for a renewal on my Sjögren's syndrome medication.  A lot in the news toay as Venus Williams announced she has it as well.  He said to start wearing a compression stocking to stop the leg swelling.  First sign of an old lady.

Picked up the pills and groceries at Safeway.

Point Roberts

Picked up a couple of packages at TSB Shipping in Point Roberts and filled up with gas ($1.12/litre).

Bought some groceries at Thrifty's and found a nearby cache. Home by 2.




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Victoria?

Patrick drove Patience's car as we went to Victoria with Murray. The ticket agent mumbled and we got into the wrong lineup (yes, I now know it is on the ticket). After a nice ride to Duke Point, we drove the Malahat to Victoria.

Stopped for lunch at the White Spot. It was really slow and we didn't reach the museum until past 3:30. Explored until it closed at 5 and then went to an IMAX film called Rescue about Haiti.

We had to drop Butchart Gardens and just made the ferry at 7. The only one after that would have been 9 and there were no reservations left.

A good day even if it didn't go just a planned. Even did a couple of geocaching challenges.


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Failing iPhone

Took my iPhone 3 to Apple Store and they say the battery is failing and can't be replaced.  Need to hang on until 5 comes out and talk Telus into letting me trade up.

Out to Richmond for some produce, London Drugs & M&M Meats.  Lots of traffic today.

Met Moira at Applause for dinner.

Puzzle bug

A puzzle travel bug was placed a few blocks away so I went quickly to retrieve it.  A man came over to see what I was doing and helped look.  He was obviously addicted to something but was quite sweet.  I had found this one before so quickly had it in hand and took out the TB that had a switch and lights attached to it.  I left a coin in exchange.

Found a new cache in Port Moody and failed at another.  Spent the afternoon at Matt's watching the girls play in the princess pool on the deck.

Got some groceries at Thrifty's.  Got the finger from a jerk who didn't want to let me use the handicapped parking spot.  Where is a policeman when you want one?

Granville Island

Went to Granville Island with Pru, Patience & Murray.  We wandered the shops and had a scrumptious lunch at the new Edible Canada at the Market - Lemon ricotta stuffed waffles with seasonal fruit, amber maple syrup.

Picked up my car at Pru's and did a quick trip to Richmond to get the cache I needed today.  Back for a nice quiet read on the front porch and then wonderful baby back ribs for dinner.

Down time

Spent the day cleaning up cache records for the last couple of days.  Couldn't see my GPS in the dark last night but it was in the trunk today (too tired to worry about it).

Couldn't get it together to shop or cook so went out for Chinese takeout from a Richmond mall.

My foot is still sore but is much better than yesterday.

Lund

We drove as far as Lund and then worked our way back to Langford, finding caches along the way. It was like driving past a series of postcards.

Home at about 9:45 and am really tired. Don't do well sitting and my leg is a bit swollen. That hurt my foot.


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Sunshine Coast Geocaching

Lori & Pam picked me up at 7:45 and we headed for the Sunshine Coast.  We had a reservation to get on the first ferry and the day was perfect for the ride.

We found our first 2 caches in Langdale and then worked our way to Powell River.  We logged about 100 points (Difficulty plus Terrain) before crying uncle.  We finally had dinner at Tim Horton's at 10 pm.  

Haven't logged them yet and was too tired to remember to blog last night.  Also forgot to bring cane and SPARC pass.  The paper said making mistakes helps the older brain to get better.  I must be getting so smart!