Mega Block Party

There was no room to sit for the free breakfast at my hotel this morning so I just drove straight to Seattle.  I had the coordinates for a parking garage and ended up on a bridge on top of it!  Got back to the right side and parked for $5.  Had tea and a scone in a coffee shop at about 9:30.  

Wandered over to the Block Party early and was able to get in line to buy a t-shirt and coins before things got too busy.  Traded some geocoins and bought a bunch of stuff at the vendors.  Ran into several Canadians I knew but was pretty tired out from the heat and standing so left just after noon.  It was very well organized.  Apparently they learned from mistakes they made last year.  I see that over 500 have now logged that they were there which officially makes it a mega event.

Took ages to get through traffic and find a parking spot near Pier 54.  Had a great lunch at Ivar's Acres of Clams.  Haven't been there for years.  Had Seafood Cocktail (Lemon poached tiger prawns, white shrimp, Snow Crab claws, Dungeness Crab, Along with a mango avocado salad. Garnished with shredded fresh horseradish), Seafood Chowder (Alaska halibut, wild salmon, white shrimp, clams and hard-wood smoked bacon) and Caesar Salad.

Found 7 caches on the way back to my motel in Everett.  One was on a hill looking down on an aircraft carrier.  Loaded in a new bunch for Whidbey Island tomorrow.

Walked next door to Hunan Restaurant for dinner.  Mediocre food.  You know you aren't in Vancouver when you have to ask for chopsticks.

Washington geocaching

Left home before 9 this morning.  The lineup at Peace Arch went north of the duty free, but there were 2 cars ahead of me in the NEXUS lane!

Arrived at the Bellevue Mall, east of Seattle, by noon.  Bought some clothes at Macy's and goodies at Harry & David.  Had a great lunch at Z'Tejas.   

Drove to Redmond and found a cache placed in January 2004 for a challenge.  As I was making notes in the car a security guard popped up out of nowhere and asked what I was hiding.  I tried to explain things to him and he wasn't interested.  He wrote my license on his hand (well organized idiot that he was) and said he was calling the police.  I showed him my maps and offered to show him what was under the lamp skirting but he just stomped off.  He was on the phone as I drove off.   Wasn't going to waste the afternoon waiting for the police who might never have come.

Took a long time to get back to Everett and check in at the Best Western (on Aerogold miles).  I've stayed here before.  The room is nice but someone had taken a shower after it was cleaned.  They redid the bathroom while I was out for dinner at Famous Dave's in Everett Mall.  Looked for a cache nearby but no luck.

The traffic here is absolutely nuts.  So glad we stopped freeways from cutting through Vancouver.

New tires

Dropped my car off at Cloverdale Service to get 2 more tires to match the ones I bought a while ago.  Seemed silly to have 2 new and 2 old on at the same time.  I costed the same model at Canadian Tire and they wanted $50 more and weren't the least bit interested in matching the price.  

Pam and I found a bunch of caches in Delta, Surrey and Ladner.  They were to fill some gaps and a couple were ones that I hadn't been able to see earlier.  

We had a really good lunch at Choo Choo's in Langley - Round The Beet Spinach Salad (Spinach , red onion, beets & honey roasted pecans tossed in Maple Pecan dressing & dusted with feta and topped with Cajun Chicken).

Home by 4:45 and had a rest before going to John's for Lucas's birthday.

Planning day

Spent the day organizing caches for tomorrow and for my weekend trip to Washington.

Did the laundry and started packing.

Met Moira and her daughter at White Spot for the Adult Pirate Pak Day.  Money from each goes to a camp for special needs kids.

Puzzles

Stayed in today and did a bunch of stuff.  Worked on some geocaching puzzles and organized that database a bit better.

Put my new IKEA lamp together and it is better than the broked tri-light when it worked!  Put a new set of sheets on the bed and will do laundry tomorrow.

Mary Pack Arthritis Program

Slept well and had a quiet morning.  Spent the afternoon at the Mary Pack Arthritis Program (VGH).  Today was a 2-hour introduction to the services offered.  I'm not signing up for anything until we get my cancer treatment sorted out.

Found a cache in Dunbar Park and then spent some time reading at Spanish Banks.

Met Louise and Gwen at the Cactus Club for dinner and then met a couple of others at the Cancer Agency for informal group meeting in the lobby.

Shopping

Pru & I went to IKEA this morning and she helped pick out new sheet sets and floor lamp.  We then got her a new work table for the kitchen.

We then went to the Ladner Market and filled up a few bags with bread, jam, pickled beets, cheese...

Got home at the same time as Jesse & he and his girlfriend started putting the table together.  We went out for dinner and then back to it.  They were still working when I left.  I remember putting those IKEA things together!

Two Geocaching Events

Managed to attend two events today.  Met Pam at Deas Island Park where there was a gathering to celebrate the end of this year's cache contest.  We all went looking for a new multi & a traditional cache nearby.  Getting better at putting names to faces.

A couple travelling from Australia then had another event at Sharkey's Pub in Ladner.  A lot of the same people came along but there were some new ones as well.  Traded geocaching stories and hints.

Linda Dunbar came in for lunch. Haven't seen her for years.  

Dropped down to Point Roberts for gas ($1.12/litre).  There was a long line but not one car in the NEXUS lane.  I sailed right through and it was the same coming back.  Picked up a few things at Thrifty's and then home.  Too tired to look for any more caches.  Am sitting at 2,892 and will add the 2 new ones when they are posted.

Shot day

Picked up my drug at Fairmont and got the injection at the Cancer Agency.  I looked at my schedule and am having bloodwork & a CT Scan on Sep. 9 and the Dr. on the 13th.  The next injection is not booked on the 9th, so I'm not sure if this is the last one.  I'll have to call next week.

Headed to Port Kells area of Surrey & worked my way to Fort Langley.  Found 7 caches.  Was chased away from one by a swarm of mosquitoes.  I'll return in the Fall.

Bought some wine at the Fort Winery and had a perfect lunch at The Lamplighter.

Home by 5 and just sat for an hour.  Will sleep tonight.

White Rock map

Met Lori and Pam in White Rock and we finished off several multis.  I only have a couple of tough terrain caches left on my map.  We also did a virtual at Peace Arch - had to answer a question & take our photo.

Really tired when I got home.

Carrying on

Had to be up early for 8 am bloodwork.  Found a new cache near VGH and then went to the Sunshine Diner for breakfast.

Saw Dr. Gelmon at 10.  She isn't sure what is going on.  My tumours are growing and the tumour markers are rising, but I am feeling well.  The plan is to carry on with my current drug and have a CTScan on September 9th and see her the next week.  She and the resident seemed concerned with my neck and are changing the scan so it includes my head this time.  Don't know what they are seeing but it isn't bothering me.

Went to COSTCO & Home Depot and was home by 12.

Met Moira at Applause for dinner.

Haircut

Finally got a haircut today so am feeling much cooler.  The colour is browner.  Maybe I'm getting younger.

Found a cache near Renfrew Elementary and then headed to Richmond to shop.  Changed my mind and just went to Steveston for a late lunch at Pajo's.  There were a lot of people around but no one in line to order at 14:00.  Perfect halibut and chips.

Boundary Bay

Walked about 2 km to find a regular cache (2nd try) and an Earthcache at Boundary Bay.  There was a nice breeze off the ocean this morning.

Bought fresh fruit & vegetables at Steveston Hwy stand and stopped at London Drugs.  Home by 12:30.

Headache gone today.

Wandering around

Found 4 caches in Surrey.  Hot enough that I wanted out of my apartment.  Love my car's air conditioning.  Bit of a headache since last night.

White Caps and Lions have now won games.  Enjoyed both!

I Love Lucy

Lucy was born 100 years ago so I celebrated by watching some of her early movies.

I was so tired last night that I went to bed early and slept in today.  Decided to not even get dressed and just vegged out in front of the tube.

Lily's 4th Birthday

Found a cache in Delta. Called to say happy birthday to Lily and Matt invited me over. Had her present in the trunk so I went to Port Moody. W had lunch at White Spot and then drove to Sasamat to see the camp Sadie has been at each day this week. Very impressive. We then went back to PM to meet her bus.

Watched Tangled and Rio. Headed home after dinner.


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Hot day of caching

Drove to Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge area and found 8 caches today.  Best part was the air conditioning during the drive.  

Home by 5:30.  My apartment is too hot as usual.

New appointment

Attended Metastatic Cancer support group at the Cancer Agency.  Good way to get grounded.

Dropped off HST ballot at City Square and then stopped at Oakridge for groceries.  There was an appointment card from the Agency in today's mail.  I see Karen on  the 10th to figure out what to do now.

Went to Pru's for dinner to meet some relatives of Patience's husband, Bob.  BBQ salmon & fresh peach cobbler - perfect!

Laundry dance

Carted laundry down to find one free machine & one still sitting with clothes in it.  Waited 10 minutes and then took them out.  

Enough effort for one day.  After driving 600 km I wanted a day of rest.  Spent the rest of it reading.

Left a message with Karen's office asking if she was back and if I was going on with next week's treatment - I'm guessing not.

Home

Meandered home today, finding another 7 caches. Total for the weekend was 38.

Stopped at the Shrimp Shack for lunch. Came over the truck crossing so I could buy liquor at the duty free. Gave up trying to buy gas at COSTCO and it took ages to get out of traffic jam. Filled up at border for $4.04 ($1.02/litre). COSTCO in Burlington was $3.62 ($0.91/litre). Much better than our $1.38.

Listened to border services suggestion and went through NEXUS at 2:30 - 3 cars in front of me! Much worse later in the afternoon.


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