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Found 54 caches today. Started with an event in Salmon Arm. We then were First to Find one of the new caches put out for the event.

Worked our way home via Vernon, Kelowna and Merritt. Found several named for their communities and some in provincial parks. Did give up looking for one rather quickly after seeing large bear tracks - yes, I did use my bear bells!

Home at midnight after dropping Pam & Georgina in Coquitlam. In pretty good shape after driving more than 16 hours today. Total mileage was 1,603 km.


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Dead battery

Went back to Kamloops to find the challenge final that eluded us a few days ago. The rain helped soften the earth so Lori and Pam found it.

We went to a few new places to find obscure provincial parks and ended up in Salmon Arm where my battery died (for the 2nd time). BCCA jumped it and I bought a new one at Canadian Tire. Still found a few more caches and was home around 8 pm

After BBQ steaks, I logged my finds and we planned our return journey tomorrow.

I am tired and my right hand has been hurting. Have driven nearly 1,000 km.



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Location:Sorrento, BC

Thunder storm

My 3rd attempt at this. The new Blogger site keeps failing so I am trying an app.

We looked for caches named for communities and in provincial parks today. Drove along the north side of the Shuswap and up to Adams Lake Park. I was on an unpaved road when a huge storm hit. Rain was pounding down and water was flowing on the road. Also had to watch for logging trucks! Finally got to the park entrance but there was too much water on the road so turned around. Lori jumped out and got soaked retrieving a cache from the road sign.

Glad to get home. The sun never did come back. Shouldn't have complained about the morning heat.

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Location:Sorrento,Canada

Camp Henderson

Met Pam at Georgina and headed to Sorrento to visit Lori. Found caches along the way to help with some challenges. Stopped in Cache Creek for lunch.

Lori's house by the lake is perfect. We had BBQ moose burgers and fresh corn for dinner. Lori and Georgina went out in the kayaks for a while and then we logged all our finds.

Hot weather and too many mosquitoes.

All packed and ready to go

Did some laundry this morning and went to London Drugs & the liquor store.  Car is packed with just a few last minute things to take down in the morning.  Then on to Camp Henderson (Lori's place at Sorrento).

Dinner with Moira tonight at Applause.  Food there is just so good.

Power crash

I did not push over the high tension power poles today.  It is a good thing we aren't going to Georgina's until Wednesday.  Tomorrow's commute should be a doozy.

I did spend the day in North Delta and Surrey looking for geocaches.  Logged 7 before heading home.  Summer is truly here today.  Don't know how I survived without a/c in my 1st 3 vehicles.

Summer is here

Must be summer as I need both fans on all day (and night).

Did a bit of housework and read most of the day.

Is it Sunday?

Kept thinking it was Sunday today and was confused by having the Sun and not the Province online.  Finally got it together.

Didn't do much at all except watch baseball and play Bejewelled.  Must catch Pru!

Happy Canada Day

Watched the Ottawa ceremonies this morning. Don't know why they didn't show tonight's.

Went to Canada Place on the Canada Line. So easy to get there. Met a couple of cachers from Dallas who were here for a cruise. Signed the log and gave them a Canadian geocoin to take to Texas. There was a small group of us there to see them off and get our happy face for the event.

Ate at street carts - pizza & a Mexican tube full of melted chocolate. An old lady pushed me and it squished on my shirt and camera. Time to go home anyway. Don't like big crowds much. Too unsteady on my feet. Easy ride home.

Lions Roar, but not enough

Stayed in today and cleaned up bills and organized geocoins.

Watched the Women's soccer (we lost) and the Lions (we lost).  Maybe I am a jinx.  The Lions would have won if there had been 5 more minutes but the soccer team didn't show up today.

Also watched Prince William and Kate on their first visit - poor man is balding already.

Retirement party

Found a book on geology of BC at Metrotown Chapters that might help with some caches.  Then found today's cache in Coquitlam.  Don't need one now until the 4th.

Joan Cook's retirement party was in Coquitlam at the Vancouver Golf Club.  Near where I lived for a few months in Grade 1.  There were several teachers there from Carleton days.  Good to see Sharon Scott.  Gave her a ride back to Grenfell where she had left her car.

VESTA Retirement Dinner

Found a new cache in Richmond this morning and then home to do bills.

Picked up a prescription at Safeway and went to Book Warehouse on 4th only to find it gone!  Chapters in Richmond didn't have what I wanted.  Not much choice left.

Attended the VESTA Retirement Dinner at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club.  Large group of Honorary Life Members this year.  Saw a few teachers I've worked with who were retiring.  Good to see Kitty.  She looks good with no hair.

Vandals

Found today's cache in Ladner after calling Pam for a hint.  Finally heard it tinkle when I shook the branches. 

Bought 2 bags of stuff at the Ladner Village Market - jam, pickled beets, small pies...  Had a great bowl of butternut squash soup & a latte at Salt Spring Coffee in Ladner as I was too close to noon and there were lineups at the market food booths.

Home by 1 pm and just watched movies and read for the rest of the day.

Biker dude across the street ranted for a while as someone trashed his 2 big bikes that are always parked out front.  Serves him right for all the drunken swearing and yelling he does at night.  Guess someone just got tired of being kept awake.  The bikes are gone now.

Boom

Met Andrea, Matt, Lily & Sadie at Milestones in Coquitlam for lunch.  Wasn't feeling well part way through eating and didn't finish everything. 

Tried stopping for a cache on the way home but went to Thrifty's for the bathroom instead.  Started feeling better by the time I got to Richmond so found an easy one near the dyke.

Slept well last night but felt like I could just roll back into bed this afternoon.  Didn't eat much for dinner and am feeling okay now.

There was a big boom across the street at 10:30.  I called the Fire Dept and we decided it was probably a transformer since all the lights are out in the apartments across the road.  Went over to their lane and saw the fire fighters shining their flashlights up the pole.  The quickly left and Hydro was coming.  Still out 2 hours later.  Bet it won't get fixed quickly.

Rainy morning

Woke up to rain but it cleared up and I headed out at 11:30.  Deposited latest cranberry cheque and switched some money to the new tax free savings account.  Bought a charity tshirt at London Drugs.

Delivered Pam's garage door opener that she dropped in my car and took her to Ladner to pick up her repaired car.  Stopped on the way home for fresh vegetables and strawberries.

Heard yesterday that a 3rd member of our 10-person retreat at Rockwater has now died.  She was very sick and well looked after by her husband during the retreat. 

2,701

Last day of caching with Pam & Lori before Lori heads to the Interior.  We cleaned up the map of White Rock boosting me over the 2,700 mark.  The only ones left are the big climbs I won't try and a few multis.  It took us a long time and it shouldn't be long before new ones appear.

Met Agatha J in the parking lot by the White Spot.  She looks really good and was having lunch with women she taught with in the 1950's.

Picked up some wine and groceries before heading home.

Feeling pretty good.  My hand acted up a couple of times but doesn't hurt most of the time. 

Vancouver caches

Met Pam & Louise near the cemetary on 41st & Fraser just after 6 pm.  We spent the evening finding caches that we needed to fill in our Vancouver map.  Met biker44 as we found one in his back yard.  Home just after 10.

Summer finally arrived

First day of summer and the hottest day so far.  Went caching in North Van and found 7.  Met vnm747 at a couple of them.

Was home by 3:15 and ready for a rest.

Dentist

Started out my day at the dentist for a cleaning and check.  Everything is fine and Suzie fixed a couple of problems with my plate.

Found a cache near Crown Packaging where Dad used to work in the CNIB Canteen in the late 50s and early 60s.  Nice walk and ignored another cache so I can snag it on a day where I just need one.  Picked up some stuff at the new Cob's in Richmond Centre on the way home.

Met Louise at the Cactus Club for dinner and we went to our support group at the Cancer Agency.

Family Dinner

Found an easy cache in Richmond and then bought a new bag at Roots in Richmond Centre.  Had some Chinese food for lunch in the food fair.

Arrived at Pru's about 2 and much of the family was there for the afternoon and/or dinner.  We kept sitting on the porch but it was nippy.  Patience heads home tomorrow but will be back in August with new beau.

Steveston Island

Rainy morning so I was glad we decided to postpone our visit to the ghost town near the Boundary Bay Airport where Edna lived with Tim & Patience at the end of the war.  Much better in the sunshine.

Met Lori & Pam across from Steveston Island at 1:30.  My job was to take photos and to back them up if something went wrong (hah!).  The couldn't get all the way on the sand so backtracked and went over the rocks on the weir.  It took 1 1/2 hours to find the 2 caches - both are 5/5 for terrain.

Stopped at London Drugs and then home by 3:30.

Picked up Moira and we had dinner at the White Spot.  All our favourites are gone from the dessert menu so we went to Dairy Queen in protest.

Chemo day

Went to pick up my drug and the pharmacy didn't have the repeat from the doctor.  They had left a message with the one covering for mine yesterday and they hadn't answered.  I convinced them to fill it anyways.  Who is going to want to buy a $700 package of chemo on the street even if it includes a syringe?  The nurse was looking for me at the Cancer Agency as I was 5 minutes late and gave me the shot. 

Needed to put a letter the school mail so went to Weir for a visit.  Spent some time with Rum and then went to the staff room for recess.  Not many familiar faces.

Needed a cache and ended up in Delta for a quick one.  Home by 12:30.

Ladies night at Pru's with Patience, Elaine, Kathryn & Yuriko.

CT Scan today

At the Agency at 9:30 for a CT Scan and to have my port flushed.  Both were quick and easy.  Trouble is dealing with the litre of water I had to drink.

On my way to meet Lori and Pam at Point Roberts by 10:15.  Stopped for newspapers and a bathroom and parked by the beach where they were going to appear after going down the cliffs.  I had to leave a couple of times for the bathroom and of course missed them!  They had to walk back to their car.  Finally a Tweet made it through and I found them.  No phone service where I was parked.

After eating at the golf course, we headed into a forest just gorgeous trails to find 5 caches.  The 4th defeated us and I asked if we could quit for the day.  We made it to the road and Lori went for her car to drive me back to mine.  I was just exhausted all of a sudden.  Early to bed tonight!

Riot

Went to my Metastatic Support Group at the Cancer Agency today.  Found a cache at Roedde House in the West End.

Parked on Beach just the other side of the Sylvia.  Love the handicapped sticker that lets me stay in a Permit Only area for 3 hours.  Met Maureen and Daphne for lunch at 1.  They went to school together and hadn't met for years.  We talked until 4 and then I needed to leave to get home by 5.  It took me almost an hour as everyone was trying to do the same.

Daphne's room is on the 7th floor and the view of the beach is spectacular.

Poor old Canucks didn't show up to the game tonight.  They were just outplayed!  Try again next year.

The rioting is just stupid.  The police have lots of video and need to lay as many charges as possible.  Like someone's idea to have the Sun dedicate an issue to the face shots so families can see what their little pukes are doing.

One more sleep

Slept well last night and spent the day reading and doing various tasks on the computer.

Will we have the Cup tomorrow night?

On to Game 7

Picked up Pru & Patience and we met Chris, Jan, Marilyn & Daphne at The Teahouse in Stanley Park.  Excellent food and service.  The Lemon Meringue Pie was especially good.  Took part of my caesar salad with chicken home for dinner.

Chris walked down to the lower parking lot before we left and I found a cache in the bush.  Someone posted corrected coordinates and it was an easy find on my 2nd attempt.

Took Pru home and stopped at Oakridge for some groceries.  

Should not have started Luongo on the road!!  

Really tired tonight.  Don't have anything to do tomorrow.

VISI Choralfest

Slept in until 10:30! Feeling much better but had a quiet day working on geocaching challenges.

Picked up Pru, Jesse and Patience and drove to the West Van United Church for the VISI Choralfest.

Some of Marilyn's poetry was put to music and it was very good. Her poetry is the type I like so bought 2 of her books.



I loved the EnChor part of the concert. They sing at Callanish every Christmas. I'd like to hear a whole night of Canadian folk music after listening to them do a few pieces.

Family Day

Slept in until nearly 10. Took lattes to Pru & Patience at 12:30. We stopped at the liquor store on the way to Chris's for lunch & dinner. Through the day many came and went: Chris, Patrick, David, Kathryn, Kristian, Elaine, Yurikao & 2 daughters, Pru, Lucas, Jesse, Patience, Janet, Marilyn, Daphne, Matt, Andrea, Lily and Sadie.

wasn't feeling well by dinner. Think last couple of days caught up with me and I probably ate too much yesterday.

We Won!

Found a bunch of caches around Everett & Bellevue.  One completed a challenge of finding one placed every month in 2002.

Lunch at Ivar's and shopped at Macy's & Harry & David's.  Found them side-by-side in Bellevue Mall. 

Patience arrived at 6:22.  I was a bit early as I was worried about the traffic.  Read the Sun & Province and avoided any live updates or news after 5.  We stopped at Marysville for dinner (and pie) and the Duty Free for goodies. 

Made it home at midnight and watched the Canucks win.  One more to go!

Everett

Was waiting for a call from Janet, Marilyn & Daphne to say they had picked up their rental car and were on the way to the White Spot. Their flight was 12:15 but I gave up at 1:45. Grabbed a coffee and snack from Starbucks and headed to the border.

Found 3 out of 12 caches I need for a colour challenge in Washington. Already had 1. Now have total of 2,660.

Stopped for dinner at the Village Restaurant in Marysville at 6:00. Dinner was a perfect little steak with a baked potato and fresh strawberry pie. I used to come here with my parents 50 years ago! Checked into Best Western (on Aeroplan miles) in Everett just after 8:00. Pleased to find MSNBC on the TV.


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Tied

Did a couple of loads of laundry today.  It is now warm enough for the summer sheets on the bed.

Watched most of the game with Pru and Lucas.  Canucks aren't skating with heart!  The home crowd should help.

River Park

Headed to New Westminster this afternoon.  Stopped at Byrne Road for some shopping at Staples & London Drugs and then on to the Waffle House for dinner (liver).  

Met Lori & Pam on the old parking garage above Front Street.  They found a cache that I already had and then I drove us to Sapperton Landing Park for a cache.  It solved a challenge for them but I still need one more to finish mine.  It is a pretty little park under the Skytrain and along the Fraser River.

VTLA Dinner

Out early to find the cache I needed for today's count.  Got one near the dyke & #5 in Richmond.  Picked up a cable at Best Buy to replace one for my GPS that I can't find.  At least the netbook is working again.

Watched part of the Canucks game and then had to leave for the VTLA Retirement Dinner.  Tried to ignore the score but one loudmouth said it was 4-0.  Chris asked everyone to stop saying the score as some of us were taping it.  We were at the Vancouver Lawn & Tennis Club.  The food was great and the retirees all gave good speaches.  

Made it home without hearing anything about the game.  What a painful thing to watch!  Should have pulled the goalie after 2 even if he wanted to stay in.  Must do something about turning the other cheek.  The penalties were stupid.

Home

We finished up our trip today.  Started with one cache in Lynnwood and then worked out way north.  Today's were the last of the puzzles and some old finds to fill in parts of a challenge.  Thank goodness for Pam & Lori - there is no way I could have made it to some of them.  Once they disappeared for 45 minutes!

Did a bit of shopping at Bellis Fair & the Duty Free and was home by 5:30.  The NEXUS cards got us through the border in a few minutes, bypassing a line waiting for nearly an hour.  Worth every penny!  Too tired to cook so just nibbled on stuff around the apartment.

A cache owner wrote to say we really had found one when I told her we had looked in a birdhouse.  Someone had taken the log so she let us count it.  That gives my 64 for the trip. 

Lynnwood

Another successful day of caching in Oregon. Temp was up to 30!

Listened to the first 10 minutes of the game on the car radio before quickly getting our room at a Days Inn. Used a coupon in a pamphlet we picked up at a Rest Area to get a deal. What a finish! Can they win it all for Pru's birthday?

My netbook gave up the ghost so guess I,ll need a new one.

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Portland

We are in Gladstone tonight, just East of Portland. We started with a bunch of caches in Marysville and then went to Seattle for lunch. Had an appointment at Groundspeak Headquarters at 2:00 - the company that runs geocaching. We signed the log and took photos.

On to Portland and we decided to head into the hills and find the Original Cache plaque. Found a few more and arrived back at our hotel (Oxford Inn) at about 9. Free wine and nibblies were still available and then up to our room to log our finds and plan tomorrow.

I logged 18 oday, for a total of 2,630.

Puzzles in Marysville

Found 22 caches today. Most were puzzles and we drove all over the area to find them.  There were several thunder showers so we were pretty wet by the time we stopped.  The owner of most gave us hints for two we couldn't find and we went back in dark to snag them.

Marysville trip

Attended Metastatic Group this morning. We have lost 2 members since our retreat so it was a chance to talk about how we are feeling.

Stopped at White Spot for lunch and then home to pack.

Got caught in traffic going to Delta. There was an accident at the Oak St Bridge. Finally made it to Pam's after an hour at 5. We listened to the first period of the first Stanley Cup game as we drove. Finally started having a fuzzy signal at the end of the first period so we went into a casino. They had a projector showing it on a big screen in a side room. We grabbed salads in the intermission. Everyone was cheering for the Canucks. What a finish.

We are in the Holiday Inn Express and already have 3 caches. I "checked in" using Facebook and up popped a 10% discount coupon. Went down and it the clerk took it off both nights we are staying.

Cheap gas

Need a lot of caches on the few 31st left this year.  Found 11 today between Langley and Aldergrove.  Bought gas at 123.9 in Aldergrove.  Much better than the 137.9 I saw on the way home.

Stopped at Worldcaching in Cloverdale for some coins.  Bought a couple of Canucks tshirts at Champs.

Didn't get home until about 5:30 so was tired.

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. 

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.