Another 100

Passed 100 for the 30th and only have 2 more days to go to complete my challenge of 100 for each day of the month and each month and at least one for 366 days.

Pam and I cleaned up a lot of holes on our map in Delta, White Rock & Surrey.  We had a good lunch at Ricky's.

Pam needed this one.  We did it in the daylight and didn't meet any police as these two cachers did:

Richmond caches

Pam called to say she was going for a few Richmond caches, so I joined her.  First time out since Sunday.  We couldn't see one at all and another was up a tree, but we did find a few others.

I sat on the beach in Garry Point Park while Pam walked out to the end.  Beautiful day depending on which direction you looked.  Clouds were very weird.  It rained a bit but not on me.

Went to COSTCO for water and then to IKEA for some replacement light bulbs.  First time in the new store and it is confusing.  At least the parking is a lot better.

The traffic at the Knight St. Bridge was really bad so I went back down Cambie to the Oak St. and there was no delay at all.

Watched the Republican convention and can't get over how speakers, especially the VP nominee Ryan, can lie so blatantly and think no one will notice.

Hurricane Isaac

Interesting TV tonight.  Watched some really stupid speeches at the Republican Convention.  You have to wonder how some of them got elected.  Then there were all the reporters trying to stay standing in the hurricane.  Sooner or later, one of them will just be blown away or hit in the head by something.

Cooler days

I have my fans turned off now.  It is much cooler, especially at night.

Didn't do much today.  Watched TV and read.  Have a new Maureen Jennings novel, Season of Darkness, and I don't want to put it down.

Ladner Market

Finally made it to the Ladner Village Market this morning.  Arrived about 10:45 and was home by noon.

Filled my little wheelie with jams, pickles, hand pies, soap...  This is my favourite market as the quality is always top notch.  Each year it seems a bit bigger.  Ate a wild salmon burger for lunch.  The slice of orange makes it.

Enjoyed watching the 15 year old amateur Kiwi win the Canadian Open.  Hope she grows up steadier than Tiger did.

B12: Blitz Wrap Up - Lower Mainland

Attended event at Deer Lake this morning.  Prizes were given for best caches placed during this year's Blitz contest.  I won a door prize - a collapsible water botttle.

Pam was there and some Germans she had met at an event in Germany.  There were 5 new caches put out but I left without searching for them.  I have done enough this week.  I love these events as I can try putting faces to caching names.  

Stopped at Iona Beach to see if my chair was still there - not!  Shopped at IGA and headed home to put my feet up.

Another traffic jam!

Had Pajo's halibut & chips on the beach at Garry Point today.  The perfect lunch.  Bought a bunch of produce on Steveston and headed home.  My GPS said I'd be there before 3 but it was more like 6:45.

There was an accident on the Oak St. Bridge and I didn't notice the warning on the GPS until it was too late.  After about 40 minutes, I got into the bus lane and off onto Bridgeport.  Stopped at Starbucks for the bathroom and a drink.  Sat for a while reading and then tried going over the Arthur Lang Bridge.  It was horrible, too.  Cars were backed up in every direction.  Managed to get onto the road to Iona and drove to the end.  Sat on the beach reading.  So glad to have the Kobo with me at times like this.

The downside to this little side trip, is loosing my chair.  I leaned it up against the building when I went into the bathroom and then forgot it.

At the Point

Had to pick up some geocoins at TSB Shipping at Point Roberts.  Decided to work on a new multi that had 18 stages.  I found all but 3.  Two are climbs down to the beach and the other is only accessible at a very low tide.  Pam and Lori can help with those.  Even sat and visisted with the CO and his wife.  One of the answers was in his mailbox.

Stopped for lunch at the Pier Restaurant & Grill - a bowl of leak, potato & scallop soup and then some prawns.  Pricy but excellent food and view.

Traffic was so bad at the tunnel, I went to Deas Island Park and read for a couple of hours.  It was still slow!  I walked over 2 km today and it did me in.  Luckily there were leftovers from last night's dinner.

Multis

Went to Maple Ridge area and found 3 multis.  Walked 1.78 km.  One was in a cemetary.  Bit crowded since there was a funeral going on.  The next was at the Cenotaph and I knew the answer was right when I saw I was at the Legion.  The last was a bit tricky and ended with a long walk on the dike.

Had lunch at the White Spot and picked up groceries at Cobs & Price Smart on the way home.

Laundry day

My horoscope said to get on with the household tasks so I did a couple of loads of laundry.

Spent some time looking at caches for our trip next month to Salt Lake City and Idaho.

Picked up some Chinese food in Richmond for dinner.

Lazy day

Had a good sleep and decided to not even get dressed today.  Caught up on newspapers and watched some of the shows on my PVR.

The only real work I did was organizing my trip photos.  I'm feeling fine, just tired.

Going APE...at the Tunnel of Light

What a great end to our trip!  We drove East of Seattle to the Iron Horse Trail and a mega event - Going APE...at the Tunnel of Light.  Lori's husband, Wayne, rode his motorcycle down and met us at 10.  We then rode through the Snoqualmie Tunnel.  It is 2.3 miles (3.7 km) long and pitch black.  We all had headlamps on top of our helmets.  There was a real mix of transport - feet, bikes, strollers, a couple of electric wheelchairs...  

Lori, Pam and Maureen were on bikes.  And then there was me.   I was in a wheelchair on the front of a bike ridden by Wayne. It was pretty cold going through and there were a few wet spots.  There was a cache partway and a monster guarding it.  An ape met us a the cache on other side.  We rode a while to find a few more.  The trip back seemed shorter and warmer and we had a tailgate picnic before heading home.  

This was part of the holy triad of geocaching. We already have the other two - the Lily Pad (Groundspeak Headquarters), in Seattle,  and a plaque honoring the 1st cache, east of Portland.  We accomplished every goal set for the trip and more. 

I was home in time for the last quarter of the Lions game.  Blowout!

Block Party

We attended the Groundspeak Block Party in Seattle to celebrate International Geocaching Day.  Met several friends and made some new ones.  Had good lunch in a Greek restaurant.

We found several more caches - 8 different types for me.  Finally got back to our hotel in Kent after 7:30.  Had an excellent dinner next to our hotel at The China Star.  Far too much food!

Made a run to Safeway for food for tomorrow and some wine.

We did it!

Our goals was to find four of the oldest caches from 2000 and we did it.  Sat and read for two hours while the others huffed and puffed up a hill. We didn't get back to our hotel to check out until 1:00.

Detoured near Mt. St. Helen's to find another special one and ended up driving a winding road up a mountain. The last part was gravel with a mound of grass in the centre.  The surprise was Lori was able to drive right to it.  We thought it would be another big hike.

Stopped at Applebee's for dinner back in I5 and finally got to Kent at 10:30.

Old caches

Success!   We found 3 caches from the year 2000.  Only two more months left to find.  I sat by the car and read for 3 hours while the others hiked to the first one, east of Portland.  Lori tested her bear spray and it nearly put us all down.  It hurt our throats so much!  We could drive to the next cache but it took a lok of searching before Pam found it,

Back to the hotel for food and showers and then a long drive to the west for the 3rd oldie. All of them took a lot of planning and mapping.  Lori drove us up intimidating dirt logging roads with finesse.

We stopped for dinner and got back to the hotel at 9.

Geocaching quest

Met Pam and Maureen at Lori's this morning.  We picked up a wheelchair that attached to a three-wheeled bike that I'll sit in on Sunday.

Long drive to Sandy, Oregon just east of Portland.  I rode with Lori and the others were in Maureen's pickup with the bikes.   We stopped at Fred Meyers for lunch and supplies.

Mexican dinner and then drove to the original cache site for Maureen.  Adventure starts tomorrow.

Rough night

Woke up in pain again this morning.  Different place this time but a spot that has hurt before.  Finally moved to the Lazy Boy at 5:30.  Dozed on and off the rest of the morning.

Didn't do what I'd planned for the day and finally went out to the White Spot for dinner.

Have my GPS units all loaded for our trip tomorrow.  We are on a mission to find some of the oldest caches in Oregon.  Then to the geocaching anniversary Block Party in Seattle on Saturday and an adventure through a 2-mile train tunnel on Sunday.  I'll be in a wheelchair on the front of a bike ridden by Lori's husband.

Oops

Just went to bed and then remembered this.  Got caught up in making Pocket Queries for our trip and got out of my routine.

Out this morning for a haircut at Mei's.  Missed Diane as she came after me.  

Activated the 4G on my iPad with Roam Mobility.  I paid $29.95 for 1 month of data which covers most of both our geocaching trips.  A lot safer than other plans as you have to buy ahead of time and can't be surprised by charges.  We can tether 5 other gadgets to it at a time.

Was going to have dinner at the White Spot but the parking lot was dug up.  Drove to Dave's in Steveston instead.

It's over

Watched the last few sports and the closing ceremonies today.  Really enjoyed the entertainment except for Brazil.  Their welcome to the next summer games was pretty lame.  But then, so was ours when we did it in Greece.

Think we did pretty good even though there was only 1 gold.  The numbers I wish they would add up are how many finished in the top 12 in the world and how many individual and Canadian records were broken.

So caught up in the library book I picked up yesterday, I couldn't stop reading last night and today.  Finally finished The Gods of Gosham at midnight.

Olympics coming to a close

Will have to get back to normal after the Games finish tomorrow.  Watched for a while this morning and then went to the library, the Bay, VanCity and Lee Valley Hardware.  Filled up with gas as the prices should be going up in a couple of days.

Took a photo of the expensive car parked in the handicapped spot outside VanCity.  Have decided to post them on my Facebook page.

Another 100

Set out for North Van this morning.  Needed 7 to reach 100 for the day of the month.  Started with a really nice walk in Cates Park for 2 and then wandered across to West Van.  Lunch at Fat Burgers.  Even bought lemonade from 2 little boys who wisely set up at the beginning of a trail.  Succeeded by about 3:00.

Did some shopping in the new Mountain Equipment Co-Op.  Luckily spotted the new store as I drove to the old.

Home just after 4:00 and got caught up with the Olympics.

Bad night

Went to bed early and set my alarm for 5 to watch the women's soccer. Woke up at 2 with a painful left leg.  Took some painkillers and tried to stay in bed but finally gave up.  Got myself comfortable in the Lazy Boy & put a hot pack on the leg.  Settled in to watch the Olympics.  Fell asleep partway through the first half of the soccer and woke up a couple of hours later with the pain gone.  Went back to bed for a while.

Decided to just rest and watch the Games all day.  My leg is fine tonight.  This is the same pain that I had a few years ago.  We think it is a tumour pressing on something.

New finger splints

Went to Marilyn Green's house (Cygnet Orthotics) to pick up my replacement silver finger splints - I'll try not to lose these in the first week.  I got an Anti Swan Neck Splint with a Buddy Splint for the little finger on my right hand.  

Her house is on top of Capital Hill in Burnaby and has an amazing garden around it and a breathtaking view down Indian Arm.  What a place to come home to every night.

Stopped at Lougheed Mall for lunch and some shopping.  North Road is being dug up for the new Evergreen Line.  Must try avoiding it for a while.

It was a dark and stormy night...

Cloudy today but still pretty warm.  Watched the Olympics and read all day.  My book is 582 pages long about Catherine the Great.  So nice to read something so big on my Kobo.

Picked up Chinese food in Richmond for dinner.  Just made it back before several thunder storms came by.  One peal shook my apartment.  Lots of rain at times.  Hundreds trapped on Grouse until the wind went down and 2 hit by lightning.  Lit a candle just in case, but my power stayed on.

We was robbed!

Best game I've seen the Canadian women's soccer team play.  We dominated the U.S. and were ahead or tied except for the last 30 seconds.  Too bad the ref became part of the game and it is a tainted win for the U.S.  At least the BC Lions roared!

Ribs and blueberry tart at the White Spot for dinner.  Bit cooler today.

Another hot one

Stayed in front of the fan and watched the Olympics all day.  Far too hot to try doing anything.

Too Hot!

Watched a bit of the Olympics and then headed for Coquitlam & Pitt Meadows area.  Found 5 caches before stopping for lunch in Maple Ridge at the Bobby Sox 50's Diner.

No more luck finding caches.  A few I looked at needed bushwacking at this time of the year.  At one trail, two men came out and said there were 2 bears close by.  Need Lori and her bear spray for this neighbourhood.

Started feeling sick with a GERD attack.  Took some antacid and it settled down.  It was 35 degrees out so I decided 5 was plenty and headed home to watch the rest of the Olympics.

   

Olympic day

Wanted to rest my sore leg so put myself in front of the TV for the day.  Best part of the Olympics was the women's soccer team beating GB.

Afternoon snoozes

Thought it would be a quick day but it ended up long.  Left watching the Olympics at 9 and met Dominica and Marilyn from Cygnet Orthotics.  She's just about finished designing my new rings (to replace the ones I lost) and I'll pick them up Wednesday.  Gave Dominica a map of the geocaches around Chilliwack for her holidays.  Getting her hooked!

Bought some stuff at Cobs and then went to Point Roberts for a new camera bag, a bottle of Spanish wine and a scone.  Pam left her sweatshirt in the car so I took it back.  She told me where to go in Ladner to buy some moth traps for Pru's house.  After buying a bunch of fruit and fresh corn, I delivered the traps to the house Pru is painting and we went to Vera's Burger Shack for lunch.

Home just after 3 and actually fell asleep for over an hour.

Aldergrove

Met Pam at 9 and we headed East to Aldergrove.  I logged 12 caches and she got about 25.  A good day!  We had a few DNFs after lunch and decided we do that too often. 

Bought a hot chicken pot pie at Save On and was home by 6 to catch up on the Olympics.

My leg was quite sore on and off through the day but is fine right now.

Lunch with Matt

Met Matt in Port Moody for a Japanese lunch.  Picked up groceries at Thrifty's before going home.  Was really tired again this afternoon.  The tumours in my groin are bigger and starting to hurt a bit.  

 

Found out this morning that an old friend, George Taylor, died on the weekend from cancer.  We worked together in Health & Safety at the BCTF and on grievances at VESTA.  Always a pleasure to be around.  He had a big influence and will be missed.

Taylor, George

Nov 30, 1946 - Jul 28, 2012

George Benson Taylor of Oliver BC passed away at the South Okanagan General Hospital on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at the age of 65 years. George is lovingly remembered by Marg, his wife of 45 years, his daughters Keri of Victoria and Kali Hagel of Oliver, BC; his two grandsons Marshall and Ethan of Oliver; his mother Della, brothers Larrie (Pam), Lyle (Bev), and Delbert (Diane); his sister-in-law Pam Clarke, and many more extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his father, Frank. George taught for over 25 years in Oliver, and worked for the BC Teachers Federation for the last ten years of his career. He loved to travel, especially to scuba dive and run marathons. His favourite past-times included golf, hockey, swimming, diving, skiing, and running. Donations to the charity of one’s choice would be gratefully appreciated. Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com Arrangements entrusted to Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium, Oliver & Osoyoos, 250-498-0167.

Pam's return

Started the morning at Mary Pack to pick up new finger splints.  Still have to go back Thursday for adjustments.  

Picked up Pam at her son's house to go for our first geocaching day in 7 weeks.  She has been busy caching in Europe.  I planned the day for Vancouver & UBC as she had to be home by 1.  We found 8 together and she helped with one she'd already logged.

Dropped Pam off and had lunch at Top's.  Found a couple of Burnaby hides that had defeated me the first try.  Easy today.  Didn't get a first to find on one as it was in kids' playground equipment.  My GPS took me by the benches but I see from later logs that it was in the climbing stuff.  Don't like it when the hides are right where little kids play.

All of a sudden I felt really tired.  Looked at the clock and it was 3:30 - time to go home.  Watched the Olympics but fell asleep for part of it.

Lily's party

Picked up Andrea's parents in Dunbar and we went out to Port Moody for Lily's 5th birthday.  They will be away camping on the day so we celebrated a week early.  Beautiful day for the drive.

Took the parents back home and picked up dinner at George's Pizza & Steakhouse on the Boulevard.  Enough lasagna for 2 meals only cost $10.  Must come here more often.

Olympics begin

Renewed my travel insurance for another year at BCAA.  

Did some grocery shopping at Granville Island.  Was there before 10 so it wasn't too busy.  Picked up a couple of things at Lee Valley Hardware on the way home.

Was home by 11 so in plenty of time to begin watching the Olympic coverage.  The Opening Ceremonies were really well done. 

Hottest day

This was the hottest day so far this summer.  I had halibut & chips on the beach in Steveston at Pajo's.

Walked along the Shell Trail to get the 2 caches I needed for today.  New GPS worked well and it lighter to carry.  It was so hot that I gave up shopping and went home.

Oregon 550

Went to Deakin on Powell St. and bought an Oregon 550 this morning.  Could have saved a few dollars buying from Calgary, but I like being able to go back if there is a problem.  Have it all loaded up now and ready to go caching tomorrow.

Had lunch at the Sunshine Diner and bought presents at Kidsbooks.

Talked to my lawyer tonight and it looks like we will settle with Oakridge for my fall without going to court next week.

Home again

Left Loon Lake before 9 this morning.  Found an Earthcache east of Cache Creek and then went to COSTCO in Kamloops for some cheap gas. 

Went down Hwy 5A, along the eastern shore of Nicola Lake.   Found a few caches that I needed for a mapbook page.  

Had lunch at Home Restaurant in Merritt - senior's pot roast.  Grabbed another cache and headed south.  Stopped at the Chilliwack Airport for a piece of raspberry/peach pie and took a spinach salad home for later.

Got caught in a big jam near Langley but turned around and followed the other vehicles in a big detour around it.  Finally got home at 6:30.  Too tired to bring up the suitcase tonight. 

There was a box of Purdy's leaning against my door from Telus?  Strange.

Last day

It poured all night and rained on and off though the day.  Did get a photo of a rainbow right across the lake from us.  No boat ride this visit.

We stayed in and read all day and watched TV.  WiFi was off most of the time.   Home tomorrow.

Cloudy day

Was cloudy most of the day and started raining in the afternoon.  Had to put jeans on to warm up.

Just sat around and read.  Got my GPS units ready for the trip home Tuesday in case the storms take out the satellite again.  It just went off for 5 minutes again.

Gold Country caching

Jane and I started out at the Painted Chasm this morning.  We got the answers for an Earthcache but two others were too hard to walk to.  We worked our way back to Clinton and stopped for lunch.

We ended up in Cache Creek just after 3 and decided to call it a day.  It was too hot to keep going and we had been driving since 9:30.  Found a total of 12 caches.  Some were really clever.

No WiFi

No WiFi most of the day.  The cloud cover messes up the satellite dish. At least the TV is working so we can watch the Lion's game.  Spent most of the day relaxing with my Kobo and Winter Palace. Sat outside for quite a while but it got cool and finally rained for a while.  Jane told me to bring laundry but the drier gave out.  Everything was hanging outside until the drizzle came back around 10.  Just got online again!

Fraser Canyon

Left home by 9:30 and bought fresh fruit & vegetables on Steveston.  By this time the tunnel was easy to get through.  Had a great lunch at Joe's Restaurant & Lounge in Hope - bison & beef burger.

Found 3 caches up the Canyon and think I have enough to get 2 Earthcaches.  It was far too hot to do any walking.  36 in Spences Bridge!

Now I am at Jane's and plan a lazy day tomorrow by Loon Lake.

All packed

Went to my metastatic support group this morning.  There were only 3 of us but the time went quickly.  The new quiet room is quite amazing.

Bought a pair of sandals at Coast Mountain.  Stopped at Safeway and the liquor store and was home by 1:30.

Loaded up my GPS units and took most things down to the the car.  Met Moira at Applause for dinner.  Delicious as always.

Packed my suitcase tonight and ready to take off in the morning to visit Jane at Loon Lake.