Campbell River, British Columbia, CanadaStrathcona
Park / Wings & Wheels --- July 12 – 16, 2017
Our
last Camping for the year!!
Paul has surgery date!! Yes, that makes us super happy – but that
means 6 weeks afterwards no camping, because Paul can’t drive and can’t walk
without a walker… so Gine took her EDO and we have an extended Camping weekend
in the Strathcona Park with afterwards visiting a car show (that’s the benefit
if you don’t work on weekends).
Buttle
Lake
Our first night will be at Buttle Lake – so that the next day we
only have a very short drive and can enjoy the whole day, Ok part of it was,
that for that one night we found a lake view campsite at Buttle lake and then
afterwards we had 2 lake view campsite at Ralph River – sometimes reservation
has a benefit!! We arrive – set up and it’s time for a quick supper: and the
fastest one would be hotdogs and beans. Then we enjoy a relaxing evening with
view on the lake. And the next morning the sun came out!! That means we have
fun driving up the lake – the first time here with the boat!!
Sun
& Clouds
Today it’s partly sunny and partly cloudy and quite windy – so we
decided to go to the campground set up and see how the weather is and if we
should put the boat in the water. Since we were not totally convinced, we
decided to have a coffee – enjoy the sun and re-assess the boating later. Did I
mention that Paul has a now fishing rod? he started to put it together for you
never know when we need it (maybe we have fresh supper – or not)
The
yellow grass
And with it being very dry – the grass is super yellow, it
actually looks quit amazing. That will later require some more exploring. You
really have to walk in the path otherwise you have the tickling grass all over.
I think it is a lot of fun the flowers and the yellow grass. So different then
a few weeks back when everything was green.
We
have a visitor
After supper we had a little squirrel coming and check out what
was left behind which was super cute. And later we had to celebrate the last
camping of the year with a cake.
Good
morning sunshine
A super blue sky and warm weather awaited us… that means coffee
out in the sun – quick breakfast and then we are on the way to explore the lake
by boat!!
Boating
to the end of the lake
Kaarst Creek only 5 Min from the Campsite and with no problem we
get the boat in… and then we start out on our adventure. The lake is super calm
and we can see the mountains reflecting in the lake. It was so much fun to
speed over the calm lake – looking back to see the mountains – forward to see
the narrow we will go through – up on the hills you can see the waterfalls
gushing down over the rocks – seeing the little half peninsula in the water
with the mountains behind – seeing big high mountains coming up – seeing the
super nice shoreline – it’s so calm it’s unbelievable.
Until now every time went to the end of the lake it was on the
road: it is so different when you are on the lake: and our goal where we want
to go is our favourite waterfall:
At
the Lower Myra Falls
It is super cool when you are at the bottom of the falls and look
up… we stopped at the side and climbed over the rocks to see it a little bit
more closely… we definitely have to check this out again
Is
it time for fishing
On the way back Paul tried his luck with fishing… but then there
was so much to see, so before we even catched a fish we were boating again… we
stopped at a few tiny beaches… we went close by a tiny little island… we
admired the mountains and how they mirrored in the lake. It was awesome.
Boat
out – and Gine in
After a perfect pulling out of the lake… by the way I think our
motorhome looks super cool with the little boat in the back… and then here the
water is nice and clear and the ramp is perfect to go in the water: so Gine had
her daily swim (because there is no shower here, the only way to get clean is a
jump in the lake) and then it’s time to head back to the campground
Fun
at the campground
After a nice cup of coffee we enjoy the yellow grassland of the
valley a little bit more and a beautiful sunset with red glowing mountains and
birds.
And after a nice sunny breakfast we decided to leave so that we
are ready for the car show…
Wings
& Wheels Campbell River
This year was special because we sold our Mustang – which was kind
of special to us, since Paul had it when we met. Once we decided to sell it,
Paul wanted a high horse power car and his favourite was a Charger and Gine
said: what about a Corvette… and then Paul started to look at Corvette’s and we
bought one. Having a new car means we have to enjoy it right? But after the
surgery it will be nearly 2 month before Paul can go in the car… so to have one
last day of fun in the Convertible and being off on a Sunday we decided to go
with the car to the wings & wheels in Campbell River.
Starting out with a pancake breakfast and then we were ready to
check out the planes – the nice chromy 60’s cars, some older models and also
the corvette’s. As we have a C6 – close to us was a C7 (that is a super cool
one, but we have to wait until we can afford it). And then there was also an
older C5…
A sunny day with some fun… and then we are on the way home and the
corvette goes into the garage for the next little while.
From
Camping to the Hospital
And then it’s time: Paul comes to the hospital to Surgical Day Care
– Gine comes over to wait with Paul, and then it’s time to get ready for the OR.
Gine back at work.. and then comes the phone call from Dr. Woods, all is fine.
After lunch Gine finally finds Paul and he is up on 3rd
floor – sitting in the bed and smiling. We can’t believe it is finally over!!
And when Gine came he already was out of the bed once. I guess Paul is doing
exceptionally well because the next morning at coffee break Paul tells Gine: I
can go home today, as soon as you have time, I’m ready to go. So Gine goes home
– get’s the truck and then we are on the way home… a little bit anxious about
walking the first time walking in… going to the bathroom and bed. After 2 days
Paul is on his own and Gine comes home for lunch to check on him….
What was super cool 4 month later, St. Joseph was open house,
after moving the hospital on Oct 1,in November we could walk around the whole
old hospital: so we checked out the rooms Paul were in as well as the Surgery
room where he got the new hip.
That means next year we are ready to do a lot of exciting camping….
2025-05-22