The Ouseys in Victoria Page

We bought a 2004 Monaco Monarch. It is a gas model, like our last one, but this has the Ford Triton V10 engine. It is 35 feet long but it wasn't length we were interested in it was space, ie: slide outs (pop-outs). This one has two, one in the living room and one in the bedroom. It is a very nice rig with the floorplan and most of the features we wanted. If our old one had a slide out then we would have probably kept it. The width was the one thing we missed in the 7 months. And since we intend to keep on doing this we might as well get the one we would be comfortable in. Once I pick up the rig on Thursday (still pending their approval of ours as trade, which should not be a problem) I'll post some photos on my web site.

Dennis wonders about my choice of small economical cars years ago and now am buying houses on wheels. But then it was those economical choices that allowed me to save the money to be able to buy a motorhome. Though I would argue that some of my early choices like volkswagen buses and/or Chrysler New Yorkers are not exactly small or economical.

Speaking of older people travelling; we met a few 80+ year youngsters still motorhoming, never mind depending on airlines. In one case there was one guy just turned 90 and his wife was 86 (wife drove the motorhome, it was a small one). Carolyn's Aunt Merle still travels to Calgary (alone) once a year, at least up to this past fall and she turned 95 this past Februray plus she has many more problems than Mom. I just talked to Mom and after I outlined all the problems that could be encountered in such a trip to Victoria, she still said she intends to come out in August. Dorothy, recommends it; but I would think it would be prudent for her to check with her Doctor just to make sure. Personally I would not have a problem flying with her.

Speaking of Web sites, I got some more information to post on the FMCA Vancouver Islanders web site, so must get down and do it.

Keep blogging.

Man gas prices drive me nuts. Here we are in Victoria at .849 and have been for a month, we get over to Vancouver yesterday and its .869 in are near Tswassen. Then we get up to Aldergrove, Abbotsford area and its .739, and they claim they only make a two percent profit. Surely they are not making from the .739 cent stations. Hmmmm.

Well that explains why I didn't get a NYTimes crossword from Dennis today. Well we gots NYT crossword books to and we will get busy with them.

It was actually Mom's idea that she come out to Victoria, if Jack and family visit. On one hand she says she is too old to travel, then she talks about coming out. Yes she is 86 and has problems, but I think she can still travel. Many older than her, with more problems do it all the time. However, it is her decision.

Well we bought a new Motorhome. It isn't the Winnebago Adventurer after all. We bought number two on our list. We went over to Langley yesterday, saw the Adventurer and ruled it out, poor storage and (according) to Carolyn lousey kitchen. So we went to see No. 2, and we liked it even better than when we saw it earlier. So we bought it. We have to take our Southwind over next Thursday to make the trade. OOWwweee.

Today we emptied the Southwind, and it was amazing the amount of stuff we had stuck away in that thing. The garage is full again. However some of it will go back into the new one.

Well Noni and Chelsea is here for Dinner so must go and eat and visit.
Later.

Hey, I am getting tardy with blogging. Change of mindset I guess. On the road I would be thinking of blogging, now home I have many distractions. Not to mention shopping for a new motorhome. We saw one we liked in Chilliwack, in the last couple of days of the trip. Not at the RV show that we went too, but one of the local dealers. Winnebago Adventurer 2003. It is new but has been on the lot for a year and they are anxious to move it. Good time to get a deal. We go over tomorrow to either buy it or not. We'll see.

Lyn's wedding plans for the 17th are moving apace. Good news my brother Dennis is planning on coming as is Carolyn's brother Lewis. My Mom either has not made up her mind, but, probably not. She is very reluctant to travel, by air in particular and at her age, especially alone. It would be nice if she did, but she has had problems with severe nose bleeds, lately, so that is a factor too.

Well, we occasionally are still seen wandering around in a fog looking for something we know exists, but is still hidden, either somewhere in the house or motorhome. But for the most part we are settling in. Seems strange, not getting ready for another leg of a few hundred miles. Soon, maybe soon, at least on the Island.

We heard from the Kirkwoods, who enjoyed the rest of their trip and they sound like they would rather be travelin too. Hope they can make the trek to the Island this Spring/Summer.

Keep on Truckin' er... Camping er.... RVing

Hello.

Been home 5 days and we are still unpacking. Between sorting out what comes back in from the Rig and unpacking stuff we put away from our tenants, we been busy. Managed to get a golf game in yesterday morning. Did not do badly either; got 34 on a par 27 "9-hole" course. It was a gorgeous morning, no wind and had my jacket off after the first hole and this was like 8:30 in the morning. However, the rains are in the forecast for the next few days, back to reality.

Retire yound and live long.

John Rudan, the husband of a relative of Carolyn's, sent me an article on the experience at large company's such as Boeing, Lockheed, Ford etc. The article is "Optimum Strategies for Creativity and Longevity" By Sing Lin, Ph.D. It appears from the actuarial study in the article that those who retire at 55 live longer, to age 86 on average, and those who retire at 65 die within two years on average. Those who retire in between those years die on a sliding scale between those figures. It seems that for each year one works beyond 55 they lose 2 years in life expectancy. The article also discusses the most creative years as the 10 year period centered on age 32. John is retired from Cornell University and forwarded the article for interesting reading. We had a grand time visiting with them on our Big Trip.

So retire early and "Live Long and Prosper"

Anyone interested in the actual article please email me at guzy@pacificcoast.net and I can send you a copy.

We are home. Arrived yesterday, got the 11:00 am ferry at Tsawassen. Unloaded for a couple of hours and still have much to remove. Will spend the rest of today completing the unpacking and doing some cleaning of the rig. We can take our time though. The neighbour, Joyce (from Winnipeg) who lets us park in her driveway for short periods, is leaving for a week and she says to knock ourselves out.

Of course while unpacking in front of the house, we were welcomed back by various neighbours. So we got caught up on the local gossip. The big news is that our neighbours right next to us, have sold and got $255,000.00 for their place. Had 3 buyers bidding on it and it took only 9 days. There unit is identical to ours, but mirrow image. Wow, housing is hot.

Well, must get back to work, Carolyn is giving me the "lets get back to work" eye.

later

Happy St Patricks day to all you Irish and Irish Wannabee’s (like me). With this rain we should get lots of green.

Well we moved from Abbotsford to Cottonwood RV park on Luckakuck Way in Chilliwack. Right next door to the RV show. We will spend the day there tomorrow and then head home on Friday morning. Looked at a few rigs, yesterday and today, at the local dealers, gasped at what they are asking for them and think we may go back to the states where they are cheaper (even taking the Cdn $ into account) and the selection is greater. Oh well we will see what the RV show shows us.

Well we got an email from Lyn the other day changing her last name to Barber, at least she has to for her work Email. (Some IT dept. confusion). So they might as well get married and today we got word they are. Great to hear, they are good together. Carolyn is in “wedding planning” fog since she heard. So we had better get home quick then.

Hey Dennis, did you read my last? Are you bringing the FLY (Foldable Land Yacht) on your visit in June? Whether you do or don’t we got lots of room at the INN. If you do we could do some Island “Camping”.

Well must go see if Carolyn is still in a fog.

Both of us have colds, mine near the end and Carolyn’s near the start. However, we kept traveling, staying at Wal-Mart in Mount Vernon last night. We returned to Canada today, through the Sumas border crossing. No line up, answered a few questions, had a short inspection and we were on our way. We are staying in Abbotsford at the Abbotsford Campground. We will stay two days here and take a look at the RV dealers in Langley and Aldergrove. Wednesday we will move to the Cottonwood RV park in Chilliwack and go to the RV show there on Thursday.

We are not planning to buy a new Rig as yet. But as I may of mentioned, we need more elbow room if we are to go on a long trip again. So will likely trade up to something by this fall. Got to get home and sort out the finances (shudder). Out of the gas models, that we have seen, we quite like the Winnibago Adventurer, but may consider a used Diesel, who knows; lots of time to figure it out.

We got some rain today, welcome back to the “’Wet’ coast”.

Well must go blog and check my Email. Carolyn is having a good time with the cell phone now that we are back in BC. Later gators.

Just read Bro Dennis’ blog (http://dousey.blogspot.com) and they are coming West for a visit; late June and early July. Part of the trip is Vancouver to visit Margot and Joel and to attend friends (Lois and Bret) 25th Wedding Anniversary on July 3rd. Good to hear they are coming West. You're more than welcome to stay with as long as you want. We have lots of room. Are you towing the FLY (Foldable Land Yacht)? If you do we can do some “camping” too. It will be fun, we can talk computer stuff too since your head is full of it, what with all the courses your taking.

Possum lodge prayer “I am a man, but I can change, if I have too, I guess”.

Well, my cold has migrated from my head to my chest. So it is just as well we took the day off from traveling. This campground “Pioneer RV Park” in Hermiston, OR is quite nice. It is only 5 years old and is set up quite nicely; it has paved roads and pads, with grass in between pads, the usual power, water and sewer hook-ups, however, included is 80 channel cable and telephone hookups. The local calls are free, you can make long distance calls only by calling card (ie: 1-800) and you can take incoming calls as well as calls between sites. I am actually blogging from within my rig. All this for the “Passport America” price of $12.00 per night; ($24.00 otherwise). Very clean washrooms and showers and no highway noise, although conveniently located between near both I-82 and I-84. Highly recommended for anyone traveling through or near Hermiston Oregon.

Regardless of my cold we head out tomorrow for the Walmart at Mount Vernon, and thence to Chilliwack the following day.

Today is a bright sunny day with temperatures in the mid 60’s. We really have been very fortunate with the weather over most of the trip.

News from home: Chris, Tena’s son won a hockey award as the most improved Bantam defenceman. Pretty good huh. Other good news is David is moving into a CS03 position, (Computer Specialist level 3) at CFB Esquimalt. That is very good. I was a CS03, when I retired from the public service and he is there already. He is a microchip off the old blog. LOL. Congratulations to them both.

Well my next blog will likely be from Chilliwack. Till then “keep your stick on the ice”

We Walmarted last night in Mountain Home, Idaho, and treated ourselves to KFC. Today we are in Hermiston Oregon at a very nice Passport America RV spot. So nice we are staying two days. That will give my cold a chance to go somewhere else. Also a chance to shower and do laundry. So we are getting closer to home. We should cross the border into Canada on the 15th in or near Abbotsford on our way to the RV home show in Chilliwack. We will be home a few days after that.

Carolyn is standing over me, and says I need that shower, so off to the showers.

Here we are in Ely Nevada. We were up early, broke camp ( that is unhooked the electrical cord ) and we were on our way be 8:45 am. Said goodbye to the Baloghs who also departed for Portland. By three this afternoon I had enough driving (250 miles) and we just happened to see “Free RV parking” at a Casino in Ely. Well we couldn’t pass that up; besides I am coming down with a cold, so we will stay the night and maybe tomorrow too, depending how I feel.

We left 80 degrees and entered 55 degree on the frosty scale. At 6300 feet we are in the snow belt. The mountains are covered and I am looking at a plowed pile of snow melting just next to where we are parked. Still hovering around 32 frosties at night around here. Beautiful clear sunny skies though.

Just filled up the gas tank at $2.12 per US gallon to the tune of $96.00 usd and that was only 45 US gal. And my tank can hold 75 US gal.

However, the good news is that the Cdn $ is holding at 75 cents so that helps. Victoria gas is 0.849 Cdn$ per liter that is equivalent to $2.41 usd/US Gal. So it is still cheaper here. Dennis says gas is up all over, and he should know.

Well must go and find a place to blog this. Wish me luck.

Chris and Simon have flown back home. Andy and Kathie depart for Portland tomorrow to visit friends and we depart for "Jackpot". We are traveling up Hgy 93 via Ely, Jackpot, Twin Falls, Boise, Snowqualmie Pass, Seattle and on up through Abbotsford to the RV show in Chilliwack, BC. Thence home.

Had a grand time in Las Vegas, but looking forward to the Northlerly Trek. No matter how much fun you have away it is always good to go home.

I'll keep blogging when I can along the way.

Now back to the pool. Ciao!

Wow, here it is the 7th and I haven’t blogged, emailed or anything since the 2nd. Hmmm. Well we didn’t get to a Flying J for the last blog, I used the library at Nellis instead. However, we have since moved to Circus Circus campground have been on the go. Turns out the KOA who now run the Circus Circus campground doesn’t provide Internet connections, one has to go into the Hotel to the Business services section, which I am about to do today. At $5.00 per connection it is not something one does for a quick check for email.

We have been hanging around the strip just wandering and gawking at the overwhelming number of sights and still have many to go to. It is an amazing city. Andy and Kathies son arrived by air on the 4th and we celebrated his 21st birthday at the Rainforest Café at MGM Grand. It is a marvelous setting which resembles (surprise) a rainforest, complete with (animatronics) animals, like elephants, cheetahs, gorillas, in a rainforest setting. Even comes with thunder, lighting, rain etc.

Of course we make our feeble attempts at gambling, mostly slots and in Carolyn’s and my case it mostly turns into donations, not like Andy and Kathie, who seem to be able to pick the machines that actually pay-out. Kathie won $200.00 on a “penny” machine last night. Some have the “luck” and some don’t.

We will be leaving Tuesday and heading north along highway 93. Kathie and Andy are leaving then too, however, they will be taking I-5 to Portland to visit friends there.

The weather is turning beautiful. It started in the mid 60’s and sunny and is gradually getting warmer, and if possible, sunnier. Should be 75 today and 80 by Tuesday. The NASCAR race is today for those that are watching it. All we have seen is a great variety of kiosks selling NASCAR stuff.

We sure get a lot of walking done here; well back to the strip for more of it.

We arrived in Las Vegas, on Monday, after a 550 km drive. Andy and Kathie were already setup at Nellis and John & Sue Shaik came over for a visit, they are staying at the Elks Lodge Campground. Tuesday was cool, rainy and windy. We went to an RV dealer to look at more motor homes. Didn’t see anything in the affordable range, but fun looking at those that we can’t afford. be doing indoor stuff. Noisy here as Nellis AFB is conducting a month long war exercise. Jets, jets, and more jets. Not at night though.

Tuesday night we went downtown, that is to the Freemont Street Experience. It is the old part of Las Vegas refurbished with four blocks of street converted to pedestrian use and a covered light show along the whole four blocks. A five-minute show is displayed, with booming sound for 5 minutes once an hour at night. It is quite the sight. We had a great Buffet Dinner and of course did some slot machines. As usual, Carolyn and I donated our usual limit in a few minutes; however, Andy and Kathie parlayed a few quarters into $150.00 in short order, on the “Wheel of Fortune” machines. I don’t know how they walk with those horseshoes located where the sun don’t shine.

We said good bye to Sue and John as they are heading back home on Wednesday, we wish them safe traveling back.

Today is Wednesday and I haven’t gone online yet as the campground (Desert Eagle) here at Nellis does not allow long distance calls including 1(800) numbers. So we have to find a connection off base. Think Andy and I will find a Flying J. They have Internet connections there. Weather has turned sunny and we should see 65F on the Fine weather scale, and it is supposed to remain sunny with gradually increasing temperatures through the weekend, which is great for us and for the NASCAR enthusiasts that are here for the NASCAR races. Don’t know if we will see any of that, but the town is getting busier as the weekend approaches.

Tomorrow we move from Nellis to Circus Circus campground that is located on the Strip. We can walk to everything from there. Must go find Flying J and post this. Keep blogging.