Getting warmed up in front of the Fireplace.

Gracie on her bed.

Brad checking his email.

The truck and trailer parked in front of the house at Rick's, overlooking the Lake.


Fresh Dungeness Crabs for dinner one night!

Mexi and Gracie curled up with Brad on the couch.

Colin and Rick checking out some building stuff.

Brad caught me two more fish before we left.


We were hoping that my niece Meghan would have had the baby while we were here but I guess that is not to be. She went for an Ultra sound yesterday and they told her the baby was healthy and that she was 2-3 cm dilated and we know that it could take a while. As long as the baby is healthy that is all that matters.

Thursday was my birthday and I received some very nice gifts, a hummingbird mounted on a very pretty mauve colored rock, a Coral necklace and earrings from Mum and flowers and cake from Colin. We had a wonderful Spaghetti dinner with garlic bread topped off with the cake that Colin bought.

Gracie and Mexi have finally agreed to get along.

Snuggled up on the love seat.

The view from our trailer just before the snow storm hit.

A very rapid change in weather saw a huge bank of snow clouds roll down the side of the mountain and dump about 1/2 an inch of snow in a very short short time. I did however melt as quickly as it had accumulated.


One of our walks took us along the edge of the Davis Creek.......very pretty!

We stopped at the Esso Gas station to check out their dump station (that was not there) and this fellow was peaking over the edge of the rocks at the side of the lot.

We were having a stand off and as I moved closer he got more skittish!

As mom is arriving at the end of the week, Bonnie, Colin and I spent a day in Mom's room. We unpacked and aired out her bed linen, then made the bed, vacuumed and moved the furniture around, cleaned her bathroom and Colin put up a shelf unit/closet rods in the closet. Mom will have to unpack the boxes that she had shipped here and decide where she wants everything but at least when she gets here she can go to bed and use her bathroom.

Brad gave me my birthday present early........3 beautiful Rainbow trout......which are now filleted and in the freezer. We had half a one for lunch one day and it was delicious!!

On Saturday Bonnie and I got up early and headed to Balfour for a garage sale. Bonnie got a great rocking chair for $12.00 and a brownie and I bought a brand new Ronco Rotisserie for $20.00!! Such a great deal! It had kabob skewers, a basket, gloves and elastic ties and everything was still in it's original wrapping.....never used.

When we arrived back in Kaslo there was suppose to be another garage sale there but we could not find it so we decided to have a late breakfast of "Salmon Eggs Benedict".......they make them the very best ever at the Tree House Restaurant and we both enjoyed it immensely.

We arrived back at the house, loaded up the truck and Bonnie's car with all the garbage out of the garage and headed to the dump. A very cleansing feeling getting rid of all that stuff.

On Sunday Colin and I drove into Kaslo to get some groceries and when we got back Mom and Rick were here. It was so good to see her again!! she looks great and made the trip without problem.......she is such a trooper!!

A deer taking off at the side of the road.

The rest of the herd.

Colin checking out the Fry Creek Canyon Trail Head Information.

Argenta Post office and village notice board.

A Lone Llama in the field.

Heard of Sheep being led by a dog a mountain man!


Car Art Extraordinar


Car Art.......before the thaw there must have been a huge pile of ice under the back end ..(see the hose attached to the ski)

This was clearly Christmas Car Art ie., the Wreath.......not sure what the red stuff was......looked like very thick spaghetti.

Man Made Ice Pile. The Hose was attached to the top of that tree.


The entrance to someone's homestead.


Not your standard Sign

Never seen them before but I looked them up and they are Skunk Cabbage. Very Pretty.

Today's job was to go for a drive, get propane and then take a drive around the bottom end of Kootenay Lake. We were forwarned that we may see some strange things so loaded with our cameras and our trusty Dodge........off we went.

We started out and there were the normal herds of deer, some very twisty, turny roads with 300ft+ drops into the water and then came the fun stuff.......

A nude beach with a sign pointing to one side saying clothing must be worn and the other side saying clothing was optional.........okay then.......thank goodness no one was out. We also drove to the little hamlet of Argenta ......now that was interesting. They have a tiny post office and the further up the road you get the stranger the sights, herds of goats on the road with their Shepperd, "Car Art" Interesting signs..........We were warned that this place was a little different and we were not disappointed!

On the beach in Lardeau


Davis Creek flowing into Kootenay Lake.

huge Stump!

It was quite nice today so Colin and I decided to go for a walk with the dogs. We went by way of the road to the outlet of the Davis Creek and then back along the beach to the house. We found some interesting rocks and a very cool stump but it was over 8 feet high.......way to big to bring back with us.

Later on Brad and Colin went out fishing but the wind came up and it got too rough so they had to come back. We did however have trout for dinner that Brad had caught earlier this year, which was very good.

Driving off the Needles Ferry.

The almost completed fireplace.....just some work on the wood left to go.

Danika and Meghan waiting for dinner.


Mexi and Gracie haven't quite become friends just yet.....note Mexi's curling lip

Splash found a good resting spot with Brad.

Danika posing for me on the steps with her pink boots on.

Getting tired waiting for dinner.


Colin and Bonnie choosing the weapons to carve the ham.

The Master at work!

We arrived at Bonnie and Ricks place on Kootenay Lake around 5:00. Bonnie had just arrived and Brad stays here all the time so he was here too. We pulled in so that our windows were overlooking the Lake.....Beautiful!!

After we got all set up we went into the house to see all the changes since we had been here the last time. Lots to look at.....stone work, fireplace, floors......it is looking very nice.

Our first day there we drove into Kaslo for Breakfast and then did a bit of shopping. After we were done that we found Meghan and Dayton's place and headed there for a coffee and a quick visit. Meghan is due with her second baby on the 17th of April.....so exciting!

On Sunday we had a big Easter dinner.....ham with raisin sauce, scallop potatoes, carrots and apple crisp and lemon pie for dessert. Everyone was stuffed!! Colin stayed in the house for a game of cards and I went back to the trailer with the dogs. A great day.

The preparation for cooking the Smokies is underway.

Plans examination by the boys.


Mexi getting some last minute love from Ernie.

Wendy relaxing after dinner.

Splash giving Wendy some last minute hugs and kisses.

Today is our last day in Vernon, time has gone by so fast but it is time to leave. We started out the day by doing some laundry and cleaning up the trailer. Wendy and I went into town to do some grocery shopping and on the way home we stopped at her younger son's house as I had not yet met his new daughter, Ruth. We didn't stay long cause Ruth was having a bad day with teething. She was very cute though and I am glad I got the chance to meet her.

When we arrived at home Ernie and Colin had started the fire for our "Smokey Cook Out" "Smokies" I believe are a food group indigenous to British Columbia as I have only seen them here and they come in all different types......some with cheese, Bavarian, Spicy.....and so on. They are sort of like a polish sausage and must be cooked over an open fire. While the boys cooked the sausages, Wendy prepared a potato casserole and a salad. We decided that it would be too cold to eat outside so we had them inside. You put them on a bun like a hot dog and they tasted awesome.

After dinner we had some wine and sat and had our final session of Reminiscing. Colin and Ernie checked out our house plans and then we called it a night as we plan to leave first thing in the morning and Ernie has to work.

We have been here for a week and have had a great time an will surely be sad to go. .......but then again it is time to move on to the next adventure in the Kootenays!

I want the stick.......no give it to me!

Yeah......I won, I got it!

A Man must have the right tools for the job.

I think we should cut it...........right................here!



We'll start down here.....


Ernie working the stump up the hill.


A stream flowing into the Lake.

The rain coming in across the lake.

Wow, all that work made us hungry!
Enjoying our lunch.

The prize stump loaded onto the back of the truck.

Wendy and Ernie make these awesome tables out of the roots of old trees. Before we had arrived they had taken a drive up to Sugar Lake and had found the "Perfect" Stump for one of these projects. Ernie said that it was dry and about 10 feet down a small embankment and was not heavy. The four of us and our two dogs set out for Sugar Lake.......stopping to pick up sandwiches at this little bakery in Lumby we arrived at the site of the great Log Caper. The stump was really about 30 feet down the embankment.......still attached to about a 30' tree trunk and was kinda wet...so of course very heavy. Ernie had brought his chain saw and set about cutting off the exact piece he wanted for his table. Wendy and I looked after the dogs who were having a great time fetching sticks and running along the waters edge.

Ernie and Colin rolled the stump part way up the hill and then they attached a rope to the truck and pulled it the rest of the way. Wendy and I started walking along the shore towards the picnic site. The boys in the truck made it to the picnic site before us. Although the weather turned a little nasty with some snow and a splattering of rain.....the sandwiches were excellent and the scenery amazing! Another action packed day in the hills of BC.