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. 

Sunshine is here

Another day at our retreat. A couple of great sessions with writing and art. Lots of time for walking and just lounging in the welcome sun. Always surprising what you don't know about the people you meet. This is so much better than just coming together for a couple of hours at a time. I surprised myself a few times.

Enjoyed some wine sitting on the edge of the ocean before dinner. So nice to have the sun! Dinner was good and we were back in our room in time for the end of the hockey game. We should have won!!!


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Mets retreat

Just made the 9:20 ferry to Langdale and spent the day geocaching.

Now I'm at the Rockwater Secret Cove Resort with my metastatic cancer support group.

We went for a walk along the boardwalk and then sat in the sun!

Started at 5 and broke for dinner at 7. Shared some wine and stories in Carolyn's room before bed. What a perfect spot. I was here years ago with VESTA when it was Lord Jim's.

I am using my iPad tethered to iPhone as there is no WiFi.



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Mets retreat

Just made the 9:20 ferry to Langdale and spent the day geocaching.

Now I'm at the Rockwater Secret Cove Resort with my metastatic cancer support group.

We went for a walk along the boardwalk and then sat in the sun!

Started at 5 and broke for dinner at 7. Shared some wine and stories in Carolyn's room before bed. What a perfect spot. I was here years ago with VESTA when it was Lord Jim's.



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Royal Canadian Air Force Station Boundary Bay

Took about an hour to get from here to Pam's in Delta this morning.  There were some demonstrators near the tunnel and they delayed opening the 2nd lane south.  Even then, there was still a huge lineup waiting to come north.  At least I had my latte.

Picked up Pam & Lori and we finished the caches at the old ghost town that was the Royal Canadian Air Force Station Boundary Bay during the war.  Patience and Edna lived here right after the war as there was no housing in Vancouver when they moved here. TJ joined them on weekends with a bag of coal under his arm!

Finally finished the photos from our Harrison visit.

Did some shopping at London Drugs, Canadian Tire & Tim Horton's on the way home.

Picked up Pru and we went to the Chaise Lounge on Main St. with big group of family and friends to eat, drink and watch the Canucks win.  One surprise was there that I can't mention.

Cold day

Found today's cache at Iona, along the outlet pipe. It was a blustery, cold morning. Now I am worried about not having snow tires on any more for drive to Red Deer next week.

Did some birthday present shopping on way home.

Dinner at the White Spot with Pru et al.


Val


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WA Caching

Used my NEXUS card to cross quickly at Peace Arch this morning.  Nice to by-pass the other lines.  Found 7 caches.  Stopped for lunch at The Village in Marysville and had dinner at the Shrimp Shack in Bellingham.  Filled up at $3.85 & $4.05 - $0.97 & $1.02.  Still better than $1.37 in Vancouver.

Got to Pru's in time for the 3rd period after listening to 1st two on the radio.  What a relief!!  On to Round Two.

Tax Time

Found today's cache near Cambie & 8th.  Avoided muggles walking but must have looked odd to drivers.

Finally did the Taxes and owed $1900.  Netfiled & transferred payment right from savings.  Love computers, hate taxes.

Another cache

Still trying to find a cache for every day in the year.  Found today's near the tunnel just as the rain started.  Now at 2,477.

Stopped at London Drugs & Save On and was home by noon.

Canucks just want to give us a game 7.  They played much better and should have won tonight.

62

Well, I made it another year and have caught up to Pru again.

Picked up a book at the library and tried buying a new patch cord for my camera.  Didn't have any luck.  Stupid that it isn't generic.

At Pru's by 11:30 for birthday lunch with the family.  Always a treat to be with them all.  Hung around sitting in the sun all afternoon.

Voting

Met Moira at the Coast Hotel to vote in the advance poll and then went back to the White Spot off the lobby for dinner.

Spent the evening with Pru and some bottles of wine.

Yesterday's injection spot still hurts.  Left leg a bit swollen.  Suppose I should see my doctor about that.

Busy day

Did 3 loads of laundry so lost count of the times up and down the stairs.

The Cancer Agency called to see if I could come early for the FASLODEX shot.  Got there and was checking in when I realized I'd forgotten to pick up the drug.  Called Macdonald's Pharmacy as I walked down and they had it for me pretty quick.  Back for the shot and to have the port cleaned.  This is the first time the shot has hurt afterwards.  I've reached my maximum on the Extended Health so they are paying all of it!  Must send bills for the other months to the drug company and they will return some of it.

Stopped at Seymour Medical for bloodtests for my rheumatologist.  Too bad they can't use the port.

Poor old Canucks need a jump start!

Home again

In the pool at 8 this morning and then my first shower of the visit!  Nice to have hot water again.

Had my last buffet breakfast and headed out by 10.  Bought some cheese at the Farm House.

Found a cache in Mission after a couple of DNFs and decided to just head home.  Made it by 2:30 and was glad to be here.  My leg has been a bit swollen and sore.  My lazy boy was the perfect cure.

Harrison bliss

Had breakfast with Matt et al and they left at 9. Into the pool to wash my hair. Read the papers on my iPad then went for a walk to find the cache I needed for the day. Much easier now I had a hint!

Stopped at the hotel coffee bar for a bowl of soup. Read in the lobby until afternoon tea time. Back into the pools.

Sat in the bar to watch the 1st 2 periods of hockey. Too painful to watch the rest in public. Had a couple of drinks and dinner there.

By the end of the game just after 7 it felt like 11. Didn't go back in the water. My hot water was back in the late afternoon.

No hot water

The fire alarm went off just after 7 this morning. I was up and had just turned on the shower. Started dressing and it stopped. Went to get in the shower and realized that there was no hot water. Apparently 4 pipes burst. We saw them digging a big hole out the back of the building later in the morning as they tried to find them.

The hotel has given us a chit for $50 off our next visit and set up a room in the tower for showers. Later they offered to move us to a room there. The chamber maid was happy when I turned that down - she didn't have to make up my room again today. Part of the fun of coming is the old rooms. The pool is fine instead of showers. Hopefully I can have one tomorrow. There is water coming out of the tap now but it is still cold.

We had big breakfast at the buffet and went for a walk around the lagoon. I walked 2.66 miles today! Spent quite a while in the pools with the kids. I just got a latte & scone from the cafe for lunch and read the newspapers in my room. Walked to the stores again and found weighted rings to toss for Sadie in the pools.

We met for afternoon tea in the lobby and then back to the pool for some more fun. What a workout with little kids. Walked to Harrison Pizza for dinner.

Matt got a free movie as part of the package so we watched The King's Speech. Enjoyed it a lot.

Harrison Hot Springs

Left home at 8:30 this morning.  Found a couple of caches in Chilliwack and had brunch at the Airport.  Matt called to say they had arrived at Harrison and I got there in 1/2 an hour.  We were able to check in at noon instead of waiting until 4.

Spent quite a while in the pool with the girls.  Sadie is a good little swimmer!  We then walked a cafe for some lunch but it was drizzling and cold so we came right back.

We watched the Canucks and ordered our 2 free pizzas for dinner.  The girls were happy colouring and playing with the new apps on my iPad.

I went back into the pool at 9:00 and then sat in front of the lobby fire with my iPhone music and a book.

Spring Council

Picked up Moira and Gwen on the way to the BCTF building and the BCTLA Spring Council/AGM.  We spent the morning learning how to use the new BCTLA Ning that will replace the Forum I've run for several years.  Also had a Twitter lesson.  The AGM was quick and we were finished by 3.

Had some shopping to do at Granville Island, London Drugs & Chapters.  Picked up Chinese takout in one of the malls on #3 Road.

Think I'm about packed for Harrison tomorrow!

BCTLA Executive Meeting

Couldn't find a new cache near Weir this morning so found one in Burnaby by the river. 

Spent some time at Weir visiting at noon.

Picked up Moira and we went to the BCTF building for a BCTLA Executive meeting.  Went until 9 so missed most of the hockey game.

Quick trip to Point Roberts

Got an email from TSB Shipping to say my Kensington KeyFolio Bluetooth Keyboard and Case had arrived.  The fellow was surprised I was there so quickly.  Saved a lot buying it from Amazon.  I paid $59.49 - Best Buy sells it for $109.99!  Even with the $3 pickup fee it was worth the drive.  Especially with gas at $1.19/litre.  The case does everything I expected and the keyboard is simple to use.

It snowed on the way home just as a note to me that I took the snow tires off too soon!!  Also drove through a thunderstorm downpour.

Impressive storm

There is an amazing thunder and lightning storm going on right now.  Not much space between the flashes and the thunder.  My apartment is shaking!

Thought a package would be in Point Roberts today but it is late. It's in Washington, but not at TBS yet.

My groin was still painful today so I didn't do much moving around.

Canucks were impressive with first win of the playoffs!

Caching day

Met Lori and Pam at Deas Island Park for our first cache. We then got one near the dumped and were cornered by a flag woman and then a supervisor who said we were trespassing. This was not true as we were on the public road. Power trip by yet more people who think the road is only for motorists. Then we hit road construction by the airport so gave up and headed to North Delta.

Counted 9 today. Filled in gaps on my map.

Heard there was traffic jam on the Connector so came home via Queensborough.

Tired tonight - walked 3.5 miles. Some pain in groin but gone now.



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Summer is coming

Found a quick cache for the day on the way to have my car serviced in Richmond.  Time to take off the winter tires!  Sat and read for 3 hours.  Never a hardship if you are prepared.

Dinner at Dave's Fish & Chips in Steveston.

Rain again

Slept in and decided not to even get dressed today.  Did a lot of little jobs but not what I should have been doing - housework & bills.

Golf & soccer kept me entertained.

New glasses

Found today's cache across from my optometrist's office.  It was a clever one.  Had my fingers on it early on but decided I was wrong.  Stopped and thought about the clues and logs and realized that had to be it and I was right.

Picked up the glasses and am trying to get used to them.  They are bifocals and should make walking in the woods safer.  I still need my trifocals for the computer.  Also picked up some artificial tears samples and bought a bottle of Thera Tears to help with the dry eyes of Sjogren's syndrome.

Enjoyed the last Canucks game - now for the playoffs. 

Found it!

Started in New Westminster today.  Found one but failed on a couple more.  Decided to head to Surrey and look again for one that we missed on Tuesday.  We had a new clue, "hard as a ..".  Found it in the 2nd place I looked - only took a couple of minutes!  Worked my way back to New West and ended the day with 8 finds.

Had a bit of a headache but it didn't get worse.  Stopped at the Waffle House for liver & onions.  Picked up fresh bread at Cobb's on the way home.

Puzzle caches

It was a gorgeous day and I spent the day in South Surrey/White Rock with Pam helping her find the puzzle caches that Lori and I found while she was away.  She found 12 and I counted 1.  She then helped me find 3 hides she had found.  Teamwork!

Picked up dinner at Applewood Bakery and then enjoyed the Canucks win for their last home game.

Support group

Slept for over 8 hours and felt much better this morning.  Went to the Metastatic Support Group at the Cancer Agency.  Always helps.

Picked up groceries at Oakridge and saw that they have now painted around the speed bumps.  My complaint about falling must have worked.

Watched White Caps.  The officials were not very good but the players did take stupid penalties.

A sick day

Woke up at 5 and spent most of the next couple of hours in the bathroom.  Don't feel really sick so hope it is just my old gut problem and not a bug.  Stayed in and ate little all day.

Had to miss a geocaching day today with Pam & Lori!  That was worse than being sick.  

Had some soup for dinner and feel better, but not normal yet.

Triage

No water this morning so brushed my teeth with bottled water and decided to go out without a shower.  Nice to have my hair short!

Dragged and carried 9 large garbage bags of clothes down to the car.  Stopped at the Sunshine Diner for tea and Eggs Benny (tomato & avocado). 

Found Triage on Pender Street and several men came out to carry in the clothes.  They seemed pleased.  I like taking things here as anyone living nearby can come in to choose things.

Found a cache at CRAB Park at Portside at the north end of Main St.  What a little gem in the Downtown Eastside.  Great view of the port and a beautiful park.

It was cold and rainy so I was glad to be home by noon.  It snowed at SFU!

Haney

Had a slow start this morning but made myself go out. Picked up a latte and headed for Pitt Meadows. Didn't find the first cache and am pleased to see a group after me failed as well.

Decided to keep going to buy gas at Silverdale at $1.19 instead of the usual $1.35.

Went back to Maple Ridge and was caught in rain & hail. Retreated to the Bobby Sox 50's Diner and a grilled cheese sandwich.

In the end I found 7 caches. Couldn't get one opened but took a photo. The owner said I could count it.

Was getting tired so headed to Lougheed Mall. I had an email from Karen to say Northern Reflections had T-shirts and sweatshirts. Nothing I liked or would fit. I used to spend a lot there - no more!





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Feeling peckish

Slept like a log after being sick last night.  Decided to have a lazy day and started with toast and tea.

Watched baseball, soccer & hockey.  The White Caps game was quite exciting and the Canucks just sad.  The can't win them all!

Finished with the clothes and now have to start carting the bags to the car.

Another wet day

Saw a doctor this morning to get a renewal for my Sjogren's prescription.  Got some groceries and waited for it at Safeway.

Cleaned out part of my closet and filled a bunch of bags with clothes I haven't worn for some time.  Need to cart them downtown to a shelter.

Was sick tonight.  Think it might have been the coleslaw for dinner.  Haven't eaten it since I was sick a couple of years ago.  Think I'll chuck the rest of the package and swear off it.

Eye test

Met Pru at the lawyer's early this morning and then we had breakfast at Solley's.

Saw Dr. Archer for my regular eye exam.  He had some suggestions for dealing with the dry eyes caused by the Sjögren's syndrome.  My lenses only need a little tweaking so I'll leave them this time.  The astigmatism has actually gone but I am still far sighted.

I told him how tricky it was getting to walk on uneven ground.  He thought it was because of the trifocals and recommended a new pair of glasses for using outside that just have a little bifocal for reading.  I'll keep the old ones for using while reading a computer screen.

My shoulder was quite painful so I came straight home (via the library) and popped a Tylenol.  It settled down after a while.

What a game the Canucks had tonight!  President's Cup!!

Laundry again?

Carted a couple of loads of laundry up and down the stairs today.

I don't have to get a cache until Monday so I don't mind the rain.

Geocaching Tuesday

Met Lori & Pam at Deas Island Park for our last Tuesday of caching.  Next month we switch to Thursdays.  We found one regular and one multi here.  Liked the multi as it sent us to several buildings and pieces of equipment to get answers.  Love this park.

We spent the rest of the day in North Delta and stopped at the White Spot for lunch.  My count for the day was 13, for a total of 2,440.  The weather held for us and some of the hides were really clever.  Only one DNF.

Geocaching 2011

Listened to the Canucks on the drive home - 51 wins!

Just switched the last few posts from my photography page to this one.  Duh!

Cactus Club

Needed a cache today and found a new one in Richmond.  It was just where I would have put it so had it in seconds.  Makes up for the time I've spent trying to solve puzzle caches.  Stayed up until 2:30 last night and finally got the right answer.

Did some shopping in Burnaby at Byrne Road and was home by noon.

Met Louise at the Cactus Club for dinner.  We didn't have a group meeting this month so it was good to sit and talk.

Sudoku Geocaching Puzzles

Didn't even get dressed today.  Watched the original Mildred Pierce and the first 2 hours of the new miniseries.  Totally different takes.  The new one is closer to the book.  Very good!

Enjoyed the Canucks winning 50 games for the first time.

Got stuck trying to solve geocaching puzzles and found a couple!

Stuff

Went through piles of "stuff" today and filled the recycling bag. 

My leg is much better.  Too much sitting or the airplane ride?

What appointment?

Picked my Faslodex at Macdonald's Pharmacy and stopped at the Book Warehouse to spend the gift certificate Mae gave me for Christmas - Voices of British Columbia.

Sat for a long time and double checked that I was in the computer.  A nurse finally sent me to the chemo floor to have my port flushed while they looked for my file.  It was there when I arrived and luckily it was an experienced nurse who had tracked it down.  While there was a copy of the prescription renewal, there was no order to give the shot.  She was seeing my doctor in the afternoon and deciced to give the shot without the order since it was obvious it was supposed to be there.

Bought groceries at Granville Island and wandered a bit before going home. 

My leg is still sore to touch but not getting any worse.

Finished logging

Finally finished entering all the logs tonight - I found 1,002 caches on my trip for a total of 2,418.  Now I can unpack!

My left leg is still pretty sore so I didn't go out today.

Desert photos

Needed a cache today so went for a new on in Pacific Spirit Park.  Bushwacked for 1/2 and hour before spotting the little dinosaur peaking out.

Took my camera to Lens & Shutter and they agreed it was toast.  Bought a new Nikon Coolpix S8100.  Bought groceries at Safeway and home by noon.

Spent another day logging finds.  Also retrieved photos from camera card.

Route 66

1,000

We were up early and found 22 caches just to make sure we reached 1,000 for the trip.  Hope we figured it out properly.  The best today was a drive through wedding chapel.  They gave us an ammo tin full of travel bugs to trade.

Dropped of the filthy rental van and took a shuttle to the airport.  Everything was pretty smooth and we made our flight with some time to spare.  Arrived early in Bellingham and had time to get some liquor at the Duty Free.  Lori dropped Pam & I at Pam's house and took Penny to catch the ferry to begin the trip home to Port Alberni.

Stopped for fish & chips on the way home and have been logging the 1,000 finds.  It will take another day or so to finish.

I am tired tonight.  Have a few aches - left leg and right big toe.  Really glad we took the trip.  We're already planning next year's.

Nearing the end

We found a cache over the border in Arizona and then finished up those in Needles. Headed for Vegas, caching all the way. Found a big series of "Grandpa" names along a dirt power line road. Once again I let Lori do some of the trickier driving bits.

Arrived in Las Vegas at 5:30 and headed for the Strip. Cruised from end to end and settled in at the Tropicana for dinner and gambling. Should have quit when I was $100 up after 1/2 an hour!

About 20 more to find tomorrow to hit 1,000.


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800+

We found a pirate series of caches in Barstow before heading to where we left off yesterday. At 5 pm we hit the end if the Route 66 series at 800!!

Found a few more on the way to Needles and another Best Western. The hot tub felt so good.

We have been lucky to have cool, cloudy weather. Few critters - mostly little lizards. Only met 2 other couples, one from Ashcroft and the other from Atlanta. We were much faster with a team of 4.

Dropped my little Canon camera and bent the telephoto lens!

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Location:Needles, CA

500+

Back in the same Best Western tonight. We spent the day on Route 66 and found over 500 caches to today! We'll probably never make that again in one day. Won't log them until I get home.

I took turns navigating and driving. The others took turns navigating, running into the Mohave Desert and stamping the logs. All of us are dirty, especially the rental van.

Had a good dinner at Sizzler's.




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Location:Barstow, CA

Power Caching

Up early to leave at 7 am with Penny, Pam and Lori. Lori drove and we stopped at Macdonald's for breakfast. Took about 1/2 hour to cross the border. Arrived at Bellingham Airport with time to spare. Flight to Las Vegas a bit bumpy as it was windy.

Found a couple of caches in town and loaded up with foo at Whole Foods.

Did the Yer Mo series of 64 caches. Lori drove, I read the clues and Pam and Penny sprinted into the desert! Finished just at dusk - about 7 pm

In a Holiday Inn in Barstow. Dinner at IHOP.


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Location:Barstow, California

Trip to Route 66

Had a haircut this morning and then back home to pack. Couldn't find my handicapped pass for a while and never did find the camera Gorilla tripod. Stopped at London Drugs for a new one.

Had dinner at Pam's and am spending the night to avoid getting up early enough to get through the tunnel.

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Location:Delta, B.C.

Run for the Cure Bear

Decided to put a tag on one of my bears and start taking him on trips.

He started off in the woods near Southlands Elementary.  I now have 1416 caches.  Just wait until Friday and our power caching trip to Nevada and California!

Stopped at London Drugs on the way home.  Was hoping for a haircut but no one answered the phone today.

Took Moira to Applause for her birthday tonight since she'll be in Hawaii on the day.  Had tasty Petites at Starbucks for dessert.

Tired

Picked up Lori this morning and we found the cache in White Rock that kept eluding us.  I swear that Lori looked in that crack last time!

Dropped her back at home and headed for Oakridge.  Had lunch and bought a swimsuit.  Had to pick up a prescription at my Safeway and home by 12:30.

Yesterday's test took it out of me.  Glad I didn't have to do much today.  Kept dozing off this afternoon.

PET Scan

Had a quiet day and then went to find a new cache near Knight Street.

Had to miss the Carleton reunion since Friday's PET Scan was rescheduled for today.  Arrived at 3:45 and finally left at 6:30.  The tech rearranged my arms and put me through backwards so I could lower my arms early.  This did make it better than last time.  Had to eat right away to get gall bladder working.

Go Canucks!!

Sadie Blue is 6

Sadie turned 6 on Friday.  I went for breakfast this morning so I could deliver some books.  She is having a party at a gym - not bad for a kid who started the school year in a wheelchair!

Stopped at Thrifty's & Cobbs - green scones!  Picked up a new cache near SFU on the way home.

Nevada sends geocachers' money elsewhere

Posted: Mar. 13, 2011 | 1:59 a.m.
Updated: Mar. 13, 2011 | 1:50 p.m. 

Val Hamilton had her Las Vegas trip all mapped out.

She and her three buddies planned to leave the chill of British Columbia and touch down in Sin City next week. They had reservations in Ash Springs, Rachel and Tonopah.

Whoa, whoa, what? No Bellagio? No shows? No basking by luxury pools in the 70-plus-degree weather? What is this?

These women aren't interested in all that. Hamilton's grand plans included building on her 1,410 "caches," and Southern Nevada was an ideal place to do just that.

After all, 1,000 of the little treasure boxes were said to be hidden along the famed Extraterrestrial Highway, a desolate state route that runs just north of Area 51. That is, until the Nevada Department of Transportation stepped in a couple weeks ago and took them all.

If you are unfamiliar, as I was when Hamilton recently reached out for help, geocaching is an increasingly popular hobby. Enthusiasts use GPS systems to hunt down little boxes or canisters that others plant across the planet, then post the coordinates on a website.

Once cachers locate a box, they sign a log and can remove a trinket if they replace it with a knick-knack of equal or greater value. Nothing pricey typically. It can be a teeny plastic chinchilla or some such random prize.

Anyway, geocaching apparently is an inexpensive adventure enjoyed by hard-core cachers or outdoorsy families. It is all about the fun, unless, apparently, you wander into the state transportation agency's territory.

The government suits are to geocachers what vice cops are to frat parties: Buzz kills.

"My group is now driving to California to do the Route 66 set," Hamilton recently said via e-mail. "Most of our money will be spent there instead of Nevada. That is just sad."

Hamilton suggested that geocachers keep businesses in small rural communities open during winter, which is good, obviously, because otherwise seasonal workers become full time. And in Nevada, hunting for a job can be more difficult than tracking down a tiny box in the middle of the desert.

Hamilton's passion for geocaching is respectable; but, really, are there enough of these types to determine whether small-town businesses stay open or closed during off-season months?

Well, last winter Connie West, co-owner of Little A'Le'Inn in Rachel, was preparing to shutter her 10-room motel and RV park when convoys of geocachers showed up week after week. She decided not to lay off her housekeeper and hold on to the entire kitchen staff.

"They don't come in bunches of one. They come in bunches. Bunches," West said. "They came from Australia, Austria, England because the highway is considered a 'power cache.' "

Power cache because of the sheer number of treasures in a relatively short distance. It allows collectors to rack up caches without a lot of effort.

As of March 1, more than 7,000 geocachers had logged their names on the sheet marking the first treasure site along the highway.

"Those are people that otherwise wouldn't have come here," West said. "They're putting money into our community. They are buying fuel, rooms, food, groceries."

The impact of the transportation agency's recent decision to remove the caches has been devastating.

"For the first time in the history of our business, our rooms were booked all winter long," West said. "Since they removed the caches, we have had every single one of them cancel. They're not going to come here anymore. All that revenue is going to California."

A group from Ireland pulled into West's place last week to begin a trip they had planned for more than a year, West said. They had booked one night and then were headed to Alamo and Caliente. When they learned the caches along the Nevada highway no longer existed, they too aimed their car toward California.

"A guy from NDOT was in the other day and wanted ice in his Coke," West said. "I said, 'No, you're NDOT. You've pissed me off.' "

So, now our state transportation division is at odds with these geocaching people and business owners along the E.T. Highway.
The transportation folks have some valid concerns. Michelle Booth, spokeswoman for the agency, said the caches are hidden right off the shoulder of the highway or even on top of road signs or guard rails.
"People are parking where there isn't a shoulder," Booth said. "They're going 2 mph on a 70 mph highway."

The straight portion of the highway isn't as much of a hazard as the curvy summit sections.

"They're plowing snow, they can't see and all of the sudden there is a car parked," Booth said. "It creates a safety hazard."

Nobody expects to see vehicles pulled to the side of the road. Both transportation officials and locals acknowledge there aren't any great hiking trails or reasons to park on the road. Parked cars are unexpected and pose a danger to motorists traveling upwards of 70 mph.

Hamilton and West agree that some geocachers are careless or disrespectful.

"I understand some geocachers were rushing to find as many as they could in the shortest amount of time and didn't follow the rules," Hamilton said. "There were some problems with people pulling out into traffic, especially in front of a snow plow. It is a shame that a few have ruined it for so many."

Now the controversy over the alien highway caches has been passed along to the attorney general's office . Officials there will determine whether encroachment permits might solve the problems.

I suppose the lesson to be learned here is not everybody who lands in Las Vegas is about pumping their tourist dollars into traditional Sin City experiences

We have this rather large group of unknown tourists who are in search of treasures, and I'm not talking the strip club off Interstate 15.

I'm talking treasures that geocachers were recently stripped of by the transportation agency.

If you have a question, tip or tirade, call Adrienne Packer at 702-387-2904, or send an e-mail to roadwarrior@reviewjournal.com. Please include your phone number.

Nuclear disaster

It just keeps getting worse in Japan.  I am not against nuclear power if it is done right.  These plants survived the earthquake and went into shutdown mode.  It was the tsumani that did them in.  Good reason not to build them on the coast?

Found a quick cache in Richmond.  It was really windy so I had to watch my footing on the river bank.  Picked up groceries and then home.

Pam put one of my geocoins in Australia and it is already in Colorado and has travelled 25,870.6km!

Disaster in Japan

Stayed up late watching the earthquake news and spent the day glued to the TV and iPad.  Amazing photos!

Did a couple of loads of laundry and took out the garbage.  Enough for one day.

Quick trip to Cloverdale

Picked up some library books and a latte before heading to Cloverdale.  I had ordered a few things from World Geocaching and saved the shipping charges if I picked them up.  Probably spent more on gas!  Had a nice visit with the new owner of the company.

Lunch at IHOP and then found a cache in a lamp standard just as the rain started.

Looped around by Hwy 1 and bought a vest I had on backorder at Tilly Endurables.  Added a couple of t-shirts.

The Cancer Agency called to verify tomorrow's PET Scan and tell me what to do this time.  A couple of hours later they called back to say there was a problem with the isotopes and it has to be postponed to Monday.  This means missing the Carleton Reunion!!

NEXUS

Parked at the casino and hopped the Canada Line to the airport and had the interviews for NEXUS.  First time I've been fingerprinted!  It was a long walk and by the time I got home I had gone 1.3 miles.

When I got back to River Rock I put my coat in the trunk and went in to gamble a bit to thank them for letting me park for $2.50.  Picked a slot machine that I thought I could at least understand and stuck in a twenty.  In 3 minutes I had won over $15 so I cashed out and left quickly.

Found today's cache in Steveston and stopped to shop at Northern Reflections.  I used to buy a lot of clothes there every September.  Now I can never find anything I want.  They are always empty so I don't expect the chain to last long.  Picked up lunch at Tim Horton's (did not win the roll up the time, again) and was home by 2:30.

Booked a holiday package for Matt & Andrea and the girls at Harrison for April 17th.  Have to share some of that insurance settlement.  They are staying 2 nights and I am in a room of my own for 3 nights.

Tired

Tired all day after busy day yesterday.  Met Pam at Lori's for a day of planning for our trip next week.  We know our route and have the Pocket Caches done.

Found today's cache on the way home so am at 1409.

Saanich trip

Picked up Moira this morning and delivered her to Parkland Secondary in Sidney.  She was giving a workshop and I was going geocaching.  Bought some presents at Tanner's and then set off.

Found 8 caches in the general area but gave up when it started getting really cold.  The sun was shining for our ferry ride but it was cloudy all afternoon.

Had halibut & chips & caesar salad at Fish on Fifth.  Best halibut I've had for ages.

Got in line for the 7 pm ferry and Bonnie dropped Moira off in the pedestrian area.  We were home just after 9

2 quiet days in a row

Haven't been dressed since Friday.  Love having a couple of days with nowhere to go.  Did some paperwork and cleaning.  Finished my book.

Canucks rule!

Slow Saturday

Don't have anything to do this weekend.  Seemed to take all day to read the papers (on my iPad).  Canucks entertained all aternoon.

Nice to just read and watch TV all day.  Housework be damned!

1,400!

Had to to to SPARC BC this morning.  I made 2 mistakes on my application for a handicapped parking decal and decided to just drive there.  Very patient clerk did all the work and handed me the permit.  I do promise not to use it all the time - just when the arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, Plantar fasciitis or Chondromalacia patella hurt or when the cancer treatment tires me out.  Don't you love that old Protestant guilt!

Wandered around looking for an easy cache and finally snagged one in Coquitlam and was home by 2:00.  I now have 1,400 finds!

Thunder

Had to go to Lorne's office to sign papers and then dropped them through Pru's mail slot.  Decided that dinner was so bad last night I needed a good lunch.  Raspberry waffles & bacon at the Waffle House hit the spot.

Found today's cache in Brownsville Bar Park in Surrey.  I sat in the sun on and had the Skytrain bridge on my left and the Patullo & a rail bridge on my right.

Stopped at Queensborough Landing for some shopping on the way home.

Tonight there was one huge peal of thunder and torrential rain for a few minutes.  My apartment shook!

Wind

A big storm came today but there was very little wind around here.  I enjoyed watching the western sky as it changed from black to blue to sun and then did it all over again.  Matt missed presenting at a crime conference in Victoria as there were no seaplanes or ferries all day.

Met Lorne at Starbucks at 10 and another at 7 to sign papers for Pru.  Should finish tomorrow.

What the...

Fell asleep in my chair last night and was totally disoriented when I woke up.

Lori got a hint for Omer so we met in White Rock to try again. No joy! While we sat enjoying the view, Lori saw that the Nevada Highways Dept insisted that the ET Series be dismantled. We are going to Las Vegas on March 18th. Lori will cancel 3 nights but keep the 4th near the airport. The new plan is to head for California and the Route 66 series. I wrote the Governor & a newspaper. Roads aren't just for cars.

Tried to get a couple to reach 1400 but it just wasn't my day. Even stepped in cow manure. Wouldn't have been so bad if I'd found the hide.

Bought stuff for dinner at Applewood Bakery and was home by 4 pm.


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Hail?

Lori and I decided to go geocaching today instead of yesterday or our regular Tuesday.  We chose well.  It was cold but clear most of the day.  We finally had hail about 4:30 and realized it was time to stop.  I counted 8 for a total of 1398.  We now have all bigbopper1's active caches.

Went to Pru's for pizza and to say goodbye before she flies to Houston.  Put some apps on her new iPhone.

My knee was pretty good all day so I walked 1.4 miles.

Caching in the snow

I waited until afternoon to venture out for today's cache.  The side roads were really slippery.  I managed to get into a lane near 18th & Cambie and park right next to the hide.  One more to go to complete this month and get my 100 total.

Oscars were pretty boring.  You'd think they would figure out how to hire good hosts and put on a good show considering the topic.

My knee is still sore.  Not sure what I did to it.  Too much sitting on Friday?

Snowy

Out early to beat the snow. Started at BCAA to renew ICBC. Also had to change travel insurance. Cheaper to up the plan to 8 travel days than to add 2 individual days.

Found today's cache near Lougheed Mall. It was the final of the birthday caches and I had to climb down a lot of stairs. My knee wasn't happy. It was already sore and woke me up a few times last night. It started snowing while I was looking so I decided to cut the shopping short.

Picked up reserves at VPL and a latte at Starbucks.

Lots of snow here tonight.


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Busy day

Picked Faslodex up at Macdonald's Pharmacy and took it to the Cancer Agency for my shot.  Same nurse as before and she has a good touch.

Stopped for gas & Starbucks on the way to finding today's cache in Burnaby.  Now have all 6 birthdays to find the final tomorrow.

Met Chris at the Radisson in Richmond to help at the Teacher-Librarian table at the New Teachers' and Teachers on Call Conference.  Drove her home and was at my place by 4.

Moira called to suggest dinner and we ate at the White Spot.  Hadn't eaten at the conference as anything I liked was gone by the time we went to the table.

Dropping markers

Karen called tonight to say my tumour markers are now dropping.  A sign the new medication is working!

Found today's cache in near Marine Way & Byrne in Burnaby.  Needed a hint from Pam to figure out the combination.  Stopped at Tilley's on the way to my doctor.

I have seen Dr. Narvas a couple of times & he is now working in Seymour a couple of days a week and I consider him my regular GP.  He cleaned out my ears and I can turn down all those dials tonight.  He also signed the SPARC BC form so I'll get a handicapped pass for those bad arthritis/Sjogren's/cancer fatigue days.  

Stopped at Safeway on the way home.  Enjoyed the Canucks win.

Check Up

Up early for bloodwork and then to the Sunshine Cafe for Eggs Benny.  Bought a silk sleeping liner for travelling at Wanderlust.  Took the credit card I found in the woods into a Royal Bank and she said they just throw them away.  I could have done that!

Karen was running late but I always have a good book.  Someone from the PET Scan trial checked in with me first and then Karen came and did an exam.  She is pleased in how well I look.  Some of my pains have vanished so hopefully the new drug is shrinking the tumors.  She'll call when the tumor markers come in.

Took the first silk liner back to Mountain Equipment Coop and bought some more of their socks.  Drove to Lee Valley in Coquitlam to pick up a new tip for my cane but can't see how to put it on. 

Needed a cache today and found one in Queen's Park on the way home.  Stopped at Cobbs & Kin's for groceries.  Karen said it was okay to eat grapefruit again!!!

The landlord came to look at my broken stove and will get someone in this week to fix it.

Winter Tonic

Met Lori at 9:15 in Surrey and we set out to find puzzle caches.  Had no luck with a couple even though we did spend a long time looking.  Did find 6 bigbopper1 puzzles!  I walked 1.67 miles!

Made it to VanTech for the VTLA's Winter Tonic at 4.  I helped present the "Val Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award" to Sharon Scott.  Very satisfying doing it for someone I worked with for so many years.  Enjoyed the VPL librarian's talk on adult reads.  Reserved a few using my iPhone as she talked.  Sad that there was no WiFi to use my iPad - dark ages!

Had to leave before dinner to sign some papers.  Made it home at the end of the 1st period of the Canucks game.

No stove

Thank goodness I have a microwave to make a cup of tea!  Went shopping this morning at Lee Valley & Staples and a stopped at Tim Horton's for soup.

Failed to find an "easy" cache for the 2nd time.  Went to Iona to find the first in a series that stretches for 4 miles out along the outfall pipe.  Met a woman and her little kids from Washington.

Met 3 friends for dinner at Cactus Club and we walked up to the Cancer Agency for our support group meeting.

Bang

I was going to Kirsten's memorial service in Cates Park this morning but didn't make it.  I didn't sleep well and fell back asleep this morning, waking up too late to go.

Was cooking dinner when there was a loud bang from the bottom element of the stove.  Smoke and bother for a bit.  Told the manager's wife and she said the same happened to her stove and a repairman will come.  Threw out the food and decamped to White Spot.

Abbotsford

Drove to Abbotsford to find some caches and then crossed over to Mission and headed west.  Found more near Silvermere Lake.  Had never been on these roads.  Logged 13 for a total of 1378.   

Stopped at Matt's to deliver his birthday present and stayed for dinner.  Listened to the first period of the Canucks game on the radio.  Made it home in time to watch the rest.

Scary U.S. politics

I know I was supposed to clean today but got caught up in trying to solve puzzles.  It is becoming an obsession.  I had the right solution for one last night but must have entered it wrong.  Lori got it tonight.  Argh!

Wisconsin is turning into the American Middle East with the government trying to break union.  Everyone should be watching.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Then there is Glen Beck and the anti-christ (i.e., Obama)

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Caching Event

Read all day to finish my due library book.  Returned as I came home tonight.

Met Lori and she drove to a pub in Surrey to a geocaching event, Last Minute LORbit Meet & Greet.  Recognized the names of several of the cachers present.  Bigbopper gave us some hints to help with his puzzle caches.  Pleasant evening and good beer & steak.  Lori and I are tied at 1365!

Mets Group

Started the day at the Metastatic Support Group at the BC Cancer Agency.  Always a profitable way to spend my time.

Picked up new Mobile Edge ScanFast Netbook Briefcase from Amazon.com at TSB Shipping in Point Roberts.  Filled up with cheap gas and then went to Delta to find today's cache.  Actually got 2 and am now at the same count as Lori.

Bought food for dinner at Applewood Bakery and was home by 4.  

Really tired most of the day.  Will sleep in tomorrow.

Port Moody

Picked up Georgina (Pam's surogate) and we found a couple of caches in Coquitlam.  Lori met us and we headed for Port Moody for 5 more.  We walked along the waterfront trails for some. 

I started raining a bit so we stepped into the Sango Japanese Fusion Reataurant in Suter Village.  The portions surprised us and the meal was really tasty and cheap.

Picked up a couple of things at Thrifty's and went straight home.  I did 2.9 km - no wonder I was tired.

iPad success

I haven't been able to sync my iPad since August.  Several are complaining about this on the chat sites and none of their suggestions worked or were too scary to try.  Now the new operating system is out and I decided to do what I thought made sense.  I reset it to factory settings.  Part way through it found my last backup in August and I let it try.  Success!!  I was missing a lot of apps but think I've reloaded most of them.  They don't charge twice.  Now I can put apps in folders.  I had more than fit on the available pages but that isn't a problem now.

A rainy day and I didn't need a cache today so I was able to just plug away at it.

North Van

Headed to North Van at 9:30 to find some caches today.  Finally stopped at Tim Horton's for lunch at 2:30!  Actually walked 3.8 km and found 6 caches (1355).  Only 1 person between me and Lori.  Met a family of 5 at the last one and none of us could find it.

Found a MEC in North Van and bought a Silk Bag Liner for those sleezy hotel rooms and the trailer we'll be staying in next month in the middle of the Nevada desert.  Stopped at London Drugs and then home by 4:30.

Really enjoyed the Grammy's for a change.

 

Caching in the rain

Started out before the rain and found a cache in North Delta.  Didn't find a couple more and the rain got stronger, so gave up and had lunch at the White Spot.  Tea and soup is perfect when you're cold!

Picked up a book at the library, groceries at Safeway and Buffalo Bags at the Janitor Warehouse.

Haney

Headed to Haney to find a cache celebrating its 5th birthday today.  I now only need a 6th to complete the challenge.  Ended up with 9 for the day.  It was raining or drizzling the whole time.

Had lunch at the Bobby Sox 50's Diner.  Stopped at the Travel Bug and the Bon Ton on the way home.

Feeling pretty good right now.

Quiet day

Woke up at 7 and put on the radio.  Turned over and it was 8:30.  Started to listen to the news and the phone rang to wake me up at 9:40.  Love not going to work!

Didn't do much beyond reading and watching TV.