Getting Started - Again

Today is June 11, 2006 and I am trying to get the BLOG restarted.

Wrap-up

We made it back to our home in Monroe, LA on Tuesday afternoon. We thank God for a safe and spectacular trip with no mechanical breakdowns or major problems! I have build a small summary of the trip, in case you might be interested...

• 10,629 - Miles RV driven
• 3,120 - Miles Jeep driven
• 97 - Days away (67 in camping areas; 30 in Wal-Mart's, driveways, etc.)
• 1,650 - Gallons of Fuel (1,456-gas; 194-diesel)
•  $2.19 - Average cost (USD) per gallon of fuel (highest-$3.02, Ft. Nelson, BC)
• 8 - International border crossings
• 16 - US States visited 5 - Canadian provinces & territories visited.

Thanks for visiting our BLOG! MA and I have really enjoyed your comments!!!

Dinner at Tanya's

We had a wonderful evening at MA's cousin, Tanya and her husband Morton's home in Blue Springs. In this pic, the front row are three of MA's Kansas City cousins...Debbie, Tanya, MA and Berry (named for MA's daddy). The back row is Jeff (Debbie's special friend), a lamp, Morton and ole Bob.

Guys/Gals Night Out

Tuesday night, the girls played Bunco at Janet's while the guys watched the Olympics, ate tacos and drank beer at a neighborhood tavern and played Texas hold 'em at Uncle Floyd's summer apartment. This pic is Mike (Janet & Bob's son), Uncle Floyd, Joe (Melissa's husband) and Steve (Floyd & Aileen's son).

Poker Table

Bob Sherman (Janet's husband), Rick (Floyd's son) Aunt Aileen, wierd guy, and Mike (Bob & Janet's son).

Bunco Table

Lindsey (Steve & Louise's daughter), Louise (Steve's wife), Aunt Aileen, Janet (my 1st cousin), Melissa (Janet's daughter) and Amber (Steve & Louise's daughter) learning to play Bunco.

MA and Charlene (Rick's wife).

Janet's Kitchen

MA, Leslie (Mike's wife), Carrie (Rick's daughter) and Janet (my 1st cousin) in Janet's kitchen.

Business Concluded

Earlier I mentioned that we were conducting some business in Bismarck, ND. A person that I met when hiking the Exit Glacier near Seward, AK mentioned a terrific RV dealer in Bismarck. When we got to Bismarck, which was on our route, I contacted them and several days later committed to a new 39' Newmar Northern Star diesel pusher. This is a dream come true for MA and I. This is that last pic of Addie...in the midst of transferring the stuff from Addie to the Northern Star.

Moving Out

We were up until 1:30 am transferring "stuff". Still had another hour to wrap it up Saturday morning.

On the road, again, this time with "Blaze" Star.

Around the clock...at noon, 3 and 5 o'clock are Sabrina, Sebastian and Alehandro, Edgar's kids...At 11 and 1 o'clock are Syvlia's kids, Daniella and Carolina...hope the spelling is close.

OOPS! Finger slip...the pix below also has Sylvia's family, as well as Javi and Edgar's

The Family Portrait, Cuca in the center surrounded by her sons' family

This is the courtyard setting for the lunch at The Doane House in Calgary, hosted by Cuca.

Bismarck, ND

We arrtived here Sunday evening and headed straight for the Cracker Barrel. We have missed our Country Store friend for over two months so we had a great dinner, parked in their RV/Bus area overnight and had breakfast the next morning. Not that we are obsessive or anything.

Earlier we made our eighth and final border crossing. This time, we did have a problem. It seems that the USA does not approve of Canadian beef, eggs or fruit. We had to turn over about $40 worth of Alberta beef. We were (incorrectly) told that the USA only embargos live animals, not packaged products...we were told wrong.

It is now Thursday, August 19th and we are still in Bismarck. Not having problems, just working a business deal. We hope to get back on the road tomorrow or Saturday, at the latest. We have a dinner and show engagement with my cousin, Janet and her husband, Bob, in KC for Sunday night. Plus we have many relatives to see there as well.

Friday, the 13th

No bad luck day today...Javi, Ale and I went to hit golf balls and then MA and I looked over the RV dealers here in Calgary...slim pickings.
Tonight we have a farewell dinner for Javi, Ashley and Camryn here at Edgar and Anna's.
We hit the road toward Kansas City tomorrow morning (Saturday). We plan to travel thru Saskatchewan and Manitoba prior to entering the US in North Dakota (MA's 50th state!!!). I don't expect that we will have Internet access for 4-5 days, at least. So I will keep the log up-to-date so that I can publish online when we get to KC.

August 12

Today Cuca hosted us (Ashley, Javi, Camryn, MA & I) at a very nice patio lunch at the Doane House near old Fort Calgary. Then we strolled thru the Eau Claire Marketplace which was originally the site of the first lumber mill in Calgary. Then we walked over to Prince's Island which is situated within the Bow River. We briefly watched the rehersal for Shakespere-in-the-Park.
Later we celebrated Sebastian's birthday (Edgar and Anna's oldest son) with a spaghetti and meatballs dinner.

August 11

Today, MA and I had a delightful stroll and lunch in the Stevens Avenue oper-air mall. It is 8th Ave. blocked off and there are musicians, vendors and and sidewalk restaurants. It was a spectacular day and we enjoyed the atmosphere.
Later we had dinner at the home of Pam and Roly Cumberland, friends of Sylvia, Edgar and Javi. There we about 25 people there and we ate cold ham, turkey, beef and vegetables out on the patio overlooking their five acres.

August 10

Ashley and Javi returned in the afternoon and we all went to a very nice steak and chicken dinner at the home of John and Robin Calloway, friends of Javi and Edgar for many years. It was a delightful evening!

Think Gypsy is jealous?

August 9

Less wet and less cold so I washed the coach. Still much grime from the road construction in the Yukon. Ashley and Javi took our Jeep and drove over to Banff for an overnight respite. Camryn stayed with us overnight in the motorhome...her first "camping" experience.

August 8

Another cold, wet day. Ali and I went to get Krispy Kreme donuts in NE Calgary. I don't know if KK is losing its quality control or what but, the donuts do not seem to be the same quality these days. Noticed it at the last KK stop in Las Vegas.

Spent the afternoon at Sylvia's playing hearts and ping pong and later had dinner at Chili's.

August 7

Saturday
Set up the RV in Edgar's very long and wide driveway. I connected to the 15 amp house electricity and to their water supply. All we have to be careful of is using too much shower (gray) water because our gray water tank only holds about 50 gallons. That means "camp showers"...you know, wet it down...turn it off...soap it up...rinse it off...turn it off. We are used to doing that. We once dry camped for 6 nights along the Stillwater River in Montana.

Edgar and Anna hosted a terrific steak and chicken dinner. Everybody was here except for Edgar and Anna's oldest son, Sebastian. Ali and Sabrina were delightful to be around and we really enjoyed their company.

Edgar swears that this is unusual but, it is cold and wet here for the past two days.

Camryn!

MA finally gets to hold Camryn!!!

C-A-M-R-Y-N

Ali has found a new toy (a train that spells "Camryn" from the California Railroad Museum).

August 6

Drove to Calgary today and set-up in the KOA West campground...just for one night...we are going to take Edgar and Anna up on their kind offer to stay in their driveway for the remainder of our stay here.

Immediately drove to Javi's sister's (Sylvia) home and got our arms around Camryn, Ashley and Javi. She has really grown since we saw her (Palm Sunday) and is very smart and alert. She does not shy away from affection. MA grabbed her and began feeding her. We had a great lunch at Sylvia and Guillermo's. They have two lovely daughters, Carolina and Daniella. Danny was a big help in mothering Camryn.

Later we had wonderful Alberta beef for dinner.

Danny feeding Camryn.