Laundry day

Up early so the men could come in to check my fire alarms.  Always nice to know they both work (heat & smoke).

Did some laundry and organized tomorrow's geocaching day.

Out to Dave's Fish & Chips in Steveston for dinner.

Reading

Those who predict the demise of the books just don't get it.  I remember the same talk when TV came.  Look at radio now.  VCRs were supposed to be the end of the movie theatres.  This was the best Memorial Day weekend ever.  Today I started by reading my newspapers on my iPad and ended curled up with a book from the library.  There is a place for everything.

Took out the garbage and recycling tonight and returned my library book.  Picked up dinner at Vera's Burger Shack since I just didn't feel like cooking.

Spring has sprung

A nice sunny day for a change.

Updated the maps in my GPS and looked at some of the caches we'll try for next week.  There is a new series on the ET Hwy in August - 1500!

No hockey tonight so read instead.

Black clouds

Thought it was sunny when I went out today. Started driving north and the sky was filled with black clouds.

Had a much needed haircut and went for a cache on Clark. Coordinates were wrong but found the art piece. Started pouring and I don't have my mirror, so gave up. Detoured to Burnaby and found one quickly.

Watched the game and now for the final stretch.


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Another dull day

No change in the weather.  Snow on the mountain passes!

Sorted papers cleaned up a bit.  Fire inspection coming on Monday.

Carried down garbage & recycling and went to mall on #3 in Richmond for Chinese take-out.

Fall weather

Looked like a Fall day today.  Did I miss Spring and Summer?

Dealt with the photos in my cameras.  Here is the trip to Alberta:

Didn't do much else today.  Just watched the "other" teams play hockey.  At least it went to 7 games so we get a rest.

Good caching day

Pam and I met in Cloverdale and found 15 caches today.  There were 2 new ones just put near where she lives and she added those tonight - both were FTF (First to Finds).  We were stuck on 2 which wasn't bad.  Had pulled pork salads at Memphis Blues.

Home in plenty of time to watch the game.  Held my breath for 2 overtime periods!  On the to the Cup.

Deas Island

Met Pam on Deas Island at 9:30 and we found a puzzle cache that Lori solved for my May 23rd slot.  

Did a bit of shopping at Wal-Mart & Cobbs on the way home.

Caught up on shows recorded on my PVR.

Had an intermittent sleep last night but should do better tonight.  My hand has been pretty sore.

Canucks game at Matt's

Found a new cache placed this morning in Burnaby on the way to Matt's.  We had a great lunch of nachos, beans, hash brown casserole & beer while we watched the Canucks win another.  Really entertaining game.  Kids got a kick out of our yells.

Stopped at Thrifty's on the way home.

Where did the sun go?

Just got used to sun and heat and had to close the sliding door again!  Always rains Victoria Day weekend.

Got caught up on Masterpiece Theatre shows today.

Cheryle Sanderson

Met Sydney in the parking lot at Cheryle's funeral.  Neither of us knew anyone else there.  Really good service with lots of photos and stuff that belonged to her.  

SANDERSON, Cheryle (Doubt) 1948 - 2011 Cheryle passed away on May 12, 2011 after a hard fought battle with cancer. Lovingly remembered by: her fiance Leonard Perrey and her: mother, Janet Doubt, siblings George, Jane-Ellen, and Murray; children Siri and Andrew, three grandchildren, extended family and friends. Cheryle was born in Trail, BC. She grew up and taught in Kamloops. She later acted as Gifted and talented coordinator and taught creative thinking skills in the lower mainland. Art was a life time pleasure and she loved gardening. Now fly away butterfly as high as you can go, I'm right there with you more than you know. Memorial Service will be held Friday, May 20 at 10 AM, First Memorial, North Vancouver, burial to follow at Capilano View, West Vancouver, 2:30pm. Should friends desire, donations to BC Cancer Association would be appreciated.

Went caching and spent some time looking for one nearby.  Once I decided I didn't have to jump off the cliff in the cemetary, I went searching and found sportsfields with roads underneath.  Explained to a couple walking by what I was doing in the bushes but failed to find the sucker.  Did find a couple of others and then decided I needed a treat.  Discovered Fishworks and had an amazing bowl of chowder - with clam shells.  Also a salad with scallops, oranges and bacon.  Certainly will return.

There was a cache across the street that had new coordinates posted so I was alble to find it quickly on this second attempt.

Back across the bridge to the Cancer Agency at 2:35 and had my chemo shot.  Home by 3:30.  

Canucks need to stop with the stupid penalties!

Sunshine

Met Lori & Pam in Surrey and we finished almost all the puzzles and several traditional hides in Surrey & Crescent Beach.  The map looks so good with a lot of happy faces.  They clambered down to a couple and left me in the car.  Lucky I had bottles of water for them when they came back up the hills.

Picked up a book at Marpole Library and learned how to use the new self-checkout and then stopped at Safeway for groceries.

Tumour markers dropping

What a busy day.  Started out at the Agency for bloodwork at 8:30 and then had lunch at the Sunshine Diner.  Picked up pills at the optometrist for my dry eye and arrived at Fairmont at 10 to see Karen.

Saw a resident first who did a thorough exam and I asked her to change my appointment on Friday so I can go to Cheryle's memorial.  A nurse who often gives the shot came in and moved it to the afternoon.  Finally saw Karen at 11:30.  She says I am doing well and the tumour markers have come down again.  I've also lost a couple of kilos again.  The decision is to keep me going on the FASLODEX.  Had time to sit in on the last 25 minutes of the Metastatic Group back at the Agency.  

Needed a cache today so went out near the dike at the end of Westminster Hwy trying to find some fake "poo".  Looked for a long time and tried to reach Pam for a hint.  Then I saw that someone did find it today so just persevered.  Found it in a spot I am sure I had checked a couple of times!

Loaded up with stuff at COSTCO and was home by 3.

Canucks rule!

How do you spell that?

Picked up Mae and she took me to the Bon Ton for my birthday.

Saw my GP this afternoon. I was right in thinking I have a "large, external" hemorrhoid. Relieved it wasn't something worse.

Joined the other VESTA Lifetime Members and Past Presidents for the AGM at the Museum. Always nice to catch up with old friends.

Puzzling again

Lori, Pam and I went in search of puzzles in Surrey and White Rock today.  I logged 7 for a total of 2,546.  Lori has been outdoing herself solving them.  She'll slow down when the sun comes out.  I was home by 2.

Met Louise, Wanda & Gwen at the Cactus Club under the VSB for dinner.

Canucks rule!

Still sore so didn't go out today.  Filled in my Census online and paid some bills.

Enjoyed the Canucks game!

Dull day

The weather was dull and so was I.  The pain is worse today so I'll break down and go to the doctor on Monday.  It's the little things that irritate.

Friday

Still hurt but not really enough to go to the doctor.  Just using cream potion from the dermatologist and having a quiet day.

Heard yesterday that Cheryle had died.  She was on the retreat with us 2 weeks ago.  She was an art teacher and led our art session.  She told me afterwards that she didn't think she wanted to teach again.  The excercise class did us both in so we snuck out for a long walk on the boardwalk to see the hillside cabins.  She saw beauty in everything she saw, from the ocean to the smallest patch of groundcover.  

I think this was part of why I just had a quiet day today.  Had plans to go out for a few things, but didn't even open the door.

Cloverdale

Met Pam near Cloverdale and we started geocaching.  Noticed my front right tire was down and found a service station with air ($0.50).  It looked okay so I drove Pam back to her car and we started looking for a place to check it.  Most stations are useless.  Ended up at Cloverdale Service.  We switched to Pam's car and continued caching.  Found 12 and then another on the way home.  Pretty good day, considering.

The tire was shredded!  It had separated and the wires inside had punched a bunch of little holes so fixing the first one didn't help.  Had to buy 2 new ones so they matched.  Expensive day but it could have happened anywhere last week.  I was in many places with no cell service and over 100 miles to the next service station!  

Did some shopping on Marine Way and then home by 5.  My backside is still hurting and was really uncomfortable by the end of the day.

Blogger was down last night so I couldn't post.

Rain

Rained all day.  Waited until 12:30 to go out since traffic was so bad this morning.  Used my NEXUS to cross into Point Roberts.  Picked up a couple of books and a toy from Amazon and filled up with gas.  Paid 117.9 and it is 143.7 in Vancouver!

Went to the Gourmet Warehouse for a couple of things and then home.

Recovery day

The swelling in my leg went away today but I still did nothing much beyond having a shower.

Caught up on the TV shows I recorded on the PVR for the last few days.

Traffic jam

Woke up to an amazing view of the mountains and a nature preserve in  Valemount.  Breakfast wasn't included so had bacon and eggs in the restaurant before heading out.  It was sunny but there was some ice on my windshield.

Stopped near Barriere for the bathroom and a couple of caches.  Just past the 2nd one I came upon a serious accident.  I could see truck tires sticking up in the air off to the forest side of the road.  The other side was a drop to the river.  The line kept growing in both directions and it was 18 degrees.  I overheard someone say "backroad" and joined 4 other cars who turned around and went to a store for confirmation.  We then went off to the east and found a dirt road heading south.  My GPS said it was the old Hwy 5.  We hit pavement after about 25 km and finally rejoined the original highway north of Kamloops.

Decided to drive to Merritt for lunch and arrived about 3:00.  The radio said that single lane, alternating traffic was finally being allowed through the accident site.  I would have been sitting for at least 3 hours!

Found a few more caches (2,525) on the way to Chilliwack Airport for soup and dessert.  Picked up the radio station with the game just as it started and it finished as I unpacked the car!  Listened on my iPhone in the restaurant.

Tired and glad to be home.  My butt still hurts and my left leg is swollen.  Isn't getting old grand?

Jasper

Really easy to swing around Edmonton and get on the Yellowhead. Found 14 caches, mostly in Edson and Jasper. Met one owner after his dog alerted him. Had nice visit.

Ate lunch in Jasper. What a contrast to Banff, yet the food and service was better. Booked my Aerogold Executive Suite in a Best Western in Valemount. Great restaurant so I didn't need to go back out - best cheesecake ever!

Memorial for Ralph & Merle

Large gathering from 11 to 4 for friends and relatives of Uncle Ralph and Aunt Merle. Used to have a lot of fun staying with them and on camping trips.

I missed the last two reunions so it was good to see a bunch of cousins. Elaun and I snuck out to find a few caches. I then drove her and Emolin home to Edmonton and they took me out for scrumptious Japanese food.

I booked into another Best Western using points. A weird fellow tried getting money from me in the parking lot and started yelling when I ignored him. I told the clerk and she called the police. They called me and then showed up to arrest him.

I've booked a room in Valemount tomorrow and should be home Monday.





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Location:Edmonton, AB

Red Deer

Another long drive today. About 1200 km total. Went to bed early so woke up at 7. On the road by 8. The clerk did my checkin wrong so tried charging me for the room. They've only been open a couple of months. I was patient and left her calling tech support. Tonight they did it right.

Stopped in Banff for lunch. It seems much bigger. Like the free parking lots behind the main drag. Only stopped for a couple of caches - an Earthcache on the Columbia and my first in Alberta to get my provincial patch.

My hotel is new again. I have a separate sitting room, kingsize bed, couch, 2 easy chairs, 2 desks, 2 TVs, microwave, fridge... I could live in this place.

Really tired driving and have sore butt.

Revelstoke

Drove to Revelstoke today.  Only stopped for a couple of caches as I wanted to see the Canucks game.  Saw the end of the 1st & then went to dinner.  Hard to find a place here.  Picked one and then saw guys drinking out of a paper bag by the door.  Decided to go to Tim Horton's.  Back before the end of the 2nd period.  Kesler is my hero!

It drizzled most of the day.  Just before Merritt, I drove through fog, rain and snow.  Took the Coldwater Road to snag an easy cache for my collection of community names.  The sun was shining in Merritt when I stopped for lunch and then the drizzle began again as I left the valley.  Found another community cache in Chase.  I now have 2,500 finds!

RA

Saw my rheumatologist this morning and he confirmed I have rheumatoid arthritis.  I said my right wrist has been painful and I've been wearing a soft brace at night so I don't turn it too far.  He says the bottom end of the capitate bone is quite damaged and wondered if I had had an accident.  I don't remember anything specific but now I know why it is hurting so much.  I'm going to the Arthritis Centre to have a working brace made to wear all day.

The parking lot was full so I parked in a Permit Only spot across the street.  My SPARC pass is good for 3 hours there.  Hope the bylaw officers know that!  Found a cache in East Vancouver and headed home.

Met Moira at Applause for dinner and then went to VanCity for cash.

Beautiful weather today

Up early so did a load of laundry.  A delivery came just as I came back upstairs.  I had missed it last week and they were to come after 10 so I was lucky to catch them.  It was a Heys 5 pc Packing Cube Set that I ordered with Aerogold points.

Had lunch on the beach in Steveston - halibut & chips from Pajo's.  Then found today's cache at Iona Beach.  Walked about 1/2 km in the sunshine.

Picked up some groceries at Safeway and home by 1:00.  Loaded 4 novels onto my iTouch for the long drive to Alberta.

Enjoyed the Canucks.  Now Kesler has scored, we will win the series.

Headache today

Woke up with a headache and it lasted most of the day.  Good excuse not to get dressed.

Read the papers, dealt with photos and got my GPS ready for trip to Alberta.

Can't understand how the Conservatives won a majority after being in contempt of parliament.  How could so many people not get that?  At least the NDP are a strong opposition and the BLOC has lost its party status.

What a day!

Up early and was checked out before heading into breakfast.  We met until lunch and did a lot of sharing.  Finished with lunch.  Goodbyes are always so hard!

I went home slowly and found a couple of caches.  Others were elusive or missing.  Got in line for the 4:30 and kept my air going as the twit next to me had a loud radio and was running his engine.  Of course, when it was time to move, my battery was dead!  A worker ran over and she jumped me quickly.  I then moved close to the ferry and kept the motor running.  Another woman had me turn off the engine and see it would restart before letting me on almost last.  What great care.  Neither told me I was a twit.

There was an accident in North Van and the Lions Gate was jammed so took a circuitous route to 2nd Narrows. 

Arrived at Pru's in time for Patrick's 30th celebration.  A large group and that always drains my energy.  Was able to leave just after 9.  Most of us had crowded in front of the TV to listen to Obama announce Bin Laden's death.  Very emotional to watch in a group.