DAY 4

Happy Monday everyone!!  I hope the weather is nice where you are, because so far where we are......not so much.  In the last 4 days, we have had about 6 hours of sunshine.  We are hoping that the scurvy doesn't set in!  We are eating plenty of oranges and fruit, just in case!

So......another day on our Canadian adventure.  As a refresher - we spent last night in Sparwood, BC.  I had a crappy sleep last night so I was up, showered, dishes done and everything tidied up before Trent and the girls even opened their eyes.  I wanted nothing more than to get the hell outta Sparwood!  Although it is still technically in BC it felt like we were in Alberta country.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  This picture pretty much sums up our opinion of Sparwood and Alberta!!

   

We packed up and were out of Sparwood by about 8:15 our time, 9:15 their time.  Yes - I am STILL refusing to go with the time change.  As we left Sparwood and entered into Alberta, we came across an accident scene.  There was a car in the bushes and it looked like it rolled numerous times, landing on its roof.  Those JAFA's need to learn to slow down and mind the corners!! 

 

I have to admit.....we DID enjoy the mountainous portion of our trip through Alberta.  The rockies are absolutely breathtaking with the snow topped peaks.  There are also some interesting areas in Alberta, such as the Frank Slide, where an entire village was wiped out from a rock slide.  It reminded me of the history in one of my favorite places, Dawson City, Yukon.  

Anyways, back to the trip at hand.  So we had crossed over into Alberta and I should mention that we were feeling a little risk-ay at this point.  Since Trent and I are slight winos, we always have an ample supply of BC wine wine on hand.  Crossing the Alberta border with VQA wine in our trailer is VERY Terry David Mulligan of us.  We were on constant lookout for the Po Po or a road block!!

 Since I am kind of a map follower, I like to know where the next town is and how far we are from everything.  We stopped in at the tourist information booth right as we crossed the Alberta border.  

Trent and I posing in our infamous position for a photo-op amongst the mountains

After we got a map and Sophie pooped in Alberta, we were off.  Our next stop was to gas up in a small town on the Crowsnest Pass. Being from the Okanagan where gas prices are jacked right up, it was extremely exciting to see gas at $115.9!!!  We had to stop and fuel up.  After Trent filled up he expressed his delight by saying, I LOVE Alberta!!  (his sentiment only lasted but a minute)  I wasn't so easily convinced.  Once a JAFA hater, always a JAFA hater!!

After filling up in Butt Hole, Alberta, we were off and making strides for Saskatchewan.  We had no desire to stop over in Alberta so it was over and onward.  Today was actually a bit of a boring day, blog wise, since it was mainly a driving day.  The weather did improve for a few hours before a crazy ass downpour in Medicine Hat.  I did happen to make a friend in Alberta today.  Trent said I could be arrested for pedophilia, taking a picture of a school bus.  I needed some excitement in my day, so I took the risk.  Needless to say I didn't get arrested for carrying BC wine across the border, taking a picture of a school bus or for public nudity.

We were very happy to see the Welcome to Saskatchewan sign!!  It meant we could once again enjoy our journey.  

We pulled off the highway in Maple Creek, SK to spend the night at the Eagle Valley RV Park.  We arrived at about 3:30 our time, or 5:30 local time.  OK - I am having a hard time dealing with this.  For some strange reason, the time change is a 1 hour difference in some parts of Sask but a 2 hour difference in others.  Who knows......I will just keep with our time!  Anyways, Eagle Valley is a great little RV park with a tropical theme.  There are palm trees and shells everywhere and it is a really well treed park with lots of grassy area for the girls to enjoy.  

After a downpour, the skies cleared up and we were able to enjoy a little bit of sunshine and a whole lot of mosquitos!!  Since we had a basket full of laundry to do, and the laundry facilities here are really clean, we decided to get all our clothes done.  Although Trent offered to let me use his washboard abs to do the laundry, I declined and chose to use the facilities.  So, we spent the evening doing a couple loads of laundry, having a couple drinks with the girls and swatting off the mosquitos. 

Tomorrow we will be heading to Katepwa Beach to spend the night and have a BBQ with Trent's Uncle Don and Auntie Judy.  It has been quite a few years since we have seen them, so it should be a great visit.  Let's just hope the weather is nice and the mosquitos are sparse so we can actually sit out and enjoy the evening! 

I apologize for the lack of an interesting blog.  It's just been one of those boring days with not much action!  Aside from Trent pinching me every time we saw a sign for the distance to Pincher Creek, the day was pretty uneventful!!  

 

      

DAY 3

I must first start off by saying Happy Father`s Day to all the dad`s out there!  We love you and without you, none of us would be here....... So ENJOY your day!!!

This morning we left the lovely confines of Scottie's RV Park in Creston and headed out for Kimberley.  We weren't sure where we would end up but were hoping for a short day and to maybe stay in either Kimberley or Fort Steele.  We stopped in at the Visitor Information Center in Cranbrook to pee the girls and perhaps get a map of what was lying ahead.  The Visitor Info Center is located right in town in a beautiful parklike setting. Unfortunately, it is also a squirrel haven.  The visit was short lived since the girls were going nuts (no pun intended) watching the millions of squirrels.  Our next stop was the local Wal-Mart.  We pulled in and parked with all the other rigs.  We looked pretty small next to the 45 foot motorhome, but all was good. 

 After stocking up on some Sour Patch Kids and licorice, we took the short 30 minute journey to Kimberley.  Kimberley, BC is done up in a Bavarian style.  The downtown core is very cool with some little shops and vendors as well as many schnitzel restaurants and homemade strudel stands.

Find the schnitzel girls...find the schnitzel!

Trent was in fried pork heaven breathing in the smells.  We just missed a Sunday market which ran until 2:00 pm.  Since we refuse to operate on Mountain Time, it was only 1:00 pm in our world.  Although the market was over and the rain was beginning, we enjoyed ourselves walking the streets with the girls.  We even managed to drop some $$ at a local vendor.  His creations were pretty cool!!  Since it was Sunday and there wasn't a whole lot else left to do in Kimberley, we set out for Fort Steele.  As we were leaving town, we spotted a deer just hanging out and casually walking across the road.  I am pretty sure these deer smoke some of the local weed.  We spotted another one just laying on the side of the road, hanging out watching the tourists go by.

Lazy Sunday

We took the 40 minute drive through beautiful Wasa Lake and ended up in Fort Steele.  Fort Steele, BC is a heritage town and tourist attraction.  Best of all, they are PET FRIENDLY!!  That meant that the girls were able to enjoy Fort Steele with us for free!  It doesn't get any better than that!!  This little town has everything from a bakery, a theatre, wagon rides, train rides and best of all a chicken coop.  There was even a cock sighting!

Me working the pole at the local barber shop

We toured around Fort Steele and the girls thought it would be nice to buy their dad a train ride for Father's Day!  Since the girls have never been on a train before, it was quite the experience.  The train ride took about 30 minutes with a stop to get off the train while it blew it`s stacks to clean out all the carbon.  This was followed by MANY whistle blows which had the girls barking in sync with them!   

Sadie enjoying the scenery

Sophie supervising the conductor

The girls were able to sit on the bench and watch the scenery as well.  I must say that they were better behaved than many of the small children on the train.  AND....neither one of them had a snotty, runny, nose!!!

Our infamous pose - Fort Steele Style

There is a lovely RV park in Fort Steele, but after some debate, we decided to take the 30 minute drive to Jaffrey and stay in the RV park on the golf course.  We arrived in Jaffrey at about 5:30 local time, 4:30 our time, so we thought it would be nice to have a short day and pull in for the night.  Since there were 2 RV parks there, we stopped at the one on the golf course first to see if it was nice, otherwise, we would head out to the other park.  There wasn`t anyone around the office so we pulled into the park and debated which way to go.  It was more like a field with spots of grass here and there.  As we were dicussing what to do, a JAFA who was running the park approached us.  As most of you know, I am a bit racist.  Yes, when it comes to Albertans, I have a slight hate on.  Sorry Chi Chi and any other Albertans out there.  But as a whole, I tend to sterotype them all.  You have to admit there is something cocky and redneck about most Albertans...oh and those of you who are wondering, JAFA stands for Just Another Fucking Albertan.  Living in the Okanagan when we see the red and white license plates, we actually see red because they drive horribly and try to take over our world.  Okay, Okay, enough of my rant.  Why did you get me started!

So - where were we.....Oh right!  We pulled into the RV park in Jaffrey.  Anyways, this dude who is running the park and has JAFA plates walks up to the truck with an attitude and says, "What are doing?"  Trent looks at him and says, "Oh we are just checking out the park to see whether or not we want to stay."

JAFA: "We don't allow you to just look around.  You can come to the office and pay and we will show you what we have available." 

Sophie in the rearview mirror checking out yet another park

He then walked away and after the attitude, we decided to leave.  It was $35 a night anyways to stay in a field.  Ahhh no thanks.  We took off and never did see the other RV Park in Jaffray.  Next stop was Fernie.  I had previously Googled RV parks in Fernie and knew there was a pretty nice one (according to their website) about 15 km East of Fernie.  I looked in the BC Accomodations Guide and saw that there was a Motel and RV park right in Fernie.  I gave them a call and there were 2 sites left!  We took a drive by, and all I can say is OH MY!!  I am pretty sure this blog should now be where NOT to stay!  We said, no way and headed to the park outside Fernie.  We arrived and this place was WAY more ghetto than the first!  At this point it was going on 6:30 their time, 5:30 our time, so we decided to head for Sparwood.  The RV park in Sparwood is a town run park, so it can't be all that bad, right?  Aside from the company we are keeping, it is actually quite nice.  And cheap!!  As Trent was outside setting up and I was inside feeding the girls and getting organized, there was a deer literally feet from our campsite!  Good thing the girls didn't see it!!

Tomorrow we will be leaving Sparwood as quickly as we arrived.  We are hoping to skip right through Alberta and land in Saskatchewan tomorrow night.  Bring on the green and white plates baby!!  Trent has said he might just open up the sewer tank and return the favour for the ride through JAFA country! 

Early to bed, early to rise.  We are finishing off our last bits of margarita and the girls are already snoring!  Enjoy your night and have fun at work/school tomorrow, you poor fools!! 

PS - Please leave a comment and let us know that you are following us and enjoying our posts! 

LUV, LUV!!

DAY 2

Today we travelled from Kaslo, BC to Creston, BC.  We left the city campground in Kaslo and headed through town.  There was a Saturday market going on, so we decided to stop.  It was a nice morning, although the sky was clouded over and rain was threatening.  It was a small market but fun anyways!  What a gorgeous setting over looking Kootenay Lake.  We stopped at a vendor so I could buy a pair of earrings and we got to fondle a baby!!!


Bailey was adorable and she was a 3 month old Retriever.  The girls were so jealous!!  It makes me want to have another, but since my  biological clock is ticking, its probably not a good idea.  They just grow up so fast, don't they?

We left Kaslo and headed for Nelson.  We stopped at the Visitor Information booth and found out that there was a market going on until 3:00 pm.  We are BIG fans of markets.  We got directions and went over to a huge area where we were able to park the "rig" without any problems.  We took the girls into the market and it was pretty wonderful.  It was a market like no other.  Probably a Saturday main event more than anything.  There was a music stage, food vendors, gluten free vegan food and of course, hippies galore!!  It was hippie on hippie, and more dreadlocks than I have ever experienced.  My scalp was itching the ENTIRE time!  We didn't take any pictures at the market as we were worried it was against commune rules.

After the market we headed for Baker Street.  Baker is the main street in downtown Nelson and full of great little shops and eateries.  Contrary to popular belief, Nelson is NOT dog friendly.  Well, it is, but it isn't.  The entire downtown of Nelson has a bylaw that no dogs are allowed.  There are even pictures of dogs with a slash through them on the sidewalk.  Since we are bad ass, we risked the fine.  Yup - we broke the law!  And thank god we did!  I was able to stop at a WONDERFUL gluten free vegan restaurant.  I am pretty sure the owners were Hari Krishna.  OK - I am just being stereotypical because the lunch I chose was called the Krishna's lunch and the dude had a bald head and a little pony tail.  Anywho......the lunch was freaking  awesome!    

The Best HK Lunch

I know, it looks like a pile of shit but......it had a pakora style yam ball, wilde rice, tumeric rice, covered in black bean and corn soup, some sort of creamy bean soup, a zuchinni and kale mixture, a yam and corn mixture, tomato and basil chutney, salad topped with cucumbers, hot peppers, sauerkraut, seeds and finally topped off with a cashew ginger dressing.  It was quite honestly the best thing I have eaten out in as long as I can remember.  Once again I found myself wondering....why can't we have anything like this in Vernon?  SERIOUSLY.  Chalk it up to another reason why I need to open my own cafe/deli.

After lunch we left Nelson and headed to Balfour to catch the Kootenay Lake Ferry.  It is the longest and most scenic free ferry in the world!  It was a gorgeous ride across to Crawford Bay.  The rain had stopped and it wasn't too cold out, so we were able to enjoy the ferry deck and scenery.  You will notice the hot piece of ass behind us.  Nothing says sexy like a balding pony tail.  Pretty typical hair style for the area.  I always wonder if the amount of life jackets on the ferry would really save lives in the event of a sinking.  Just to be sure, I kept pretty close to the big orange lifesaver.  I figured if it didn't save my life, I could grasp on to the pony tail and swim for dear life. 

Once off the ferry our next stop was Crawford Bay.  It is a unique area with a group of artisans along the highway.  We pulled over and took some time to check out their wares.    The first stop was the North Woven Broom Co.  They supplied brooms for 2 of the Harry Potter movies.  It was quite the neat little shop with many brooms for all kinds of uses. 

Once of the brooms used in Harry Potter

As most of you are aware, I am a beginner potter and it is an art that I am completely in love with.  Anytime I can see another person's work, I am there.  We stopped in at the Dog Patch Pottery studio and I was amazed at the use of glazing techniques and colours.  It was like nothing I have ever seen before.  The brilliant blues and vibrant oranges and yellows left me hypnotized in a glazers dream.

After avoiding a cracked out "taco stand" lady, we left Crawford Bay and made our way down to Creston.  The drive is beautiful along the lake.  Nothing like having the wind blowing through your luxerious blonde locks!

Since I used to have a sick addiction to the show Big Love, I am grossed out yet intrigued by poligamy.  Just outside of Creston there is a poligamy colony called Bountiful, BC.  I am always hoping to catch a glimpse into this sick religion.  As of now, I have yet to see a clan walking through Creston, but tomorrow could prove different.

We arrived in Creston to stay at Scottie's RV Park.  We stayed here years ago when we travelled to Creston with Mini Mike in the Rez Rocket to visit my parents.  Sadie was just a baby and was oh so adorable.

Sadie - Circa 2005

  We arrived in Creston, put our dinner on the BBQ (well Trent did and I ate my fabulous leftovers), and set off on a search for the elusive Sasquatch!  Would you believe we actually saw him!!  Kind of sexy ain't he???

After having a relaxing drink, it is time for us to say good night.  Until tomorrow........

DAY 1

Today we drove from Vernon to Kaslo, BC.  I had to work until 11:00, so by the time I got home and we got organized, we were on the road by about 1:30. 

We packed up the last few things into the trailer, and we were off!!

 We left Vernon and headed for Lumby on Highway 6.  We travelled through Lumby, Cherryville and onward through Hickville to Needles.  We only encountered one or two inbreds, but hey, what can you expect in the Monashees!!

With my ever small bladder, of course we had to stop at the Lost Lake Rest Area for a pee.  Now you must be aware that Trent and I watch a fair amount of horror movies, which is actually ridiculous because I freak out and scream at the drop of a hat.  Anyways......the experience was like a scene out of a horror movie.  Or at least to us it was.

It was a foggy and raining day and we pulled off into a well treed rest area.  There was nothing around except for old picnic tables, fire pits, toilets and a lonely green balloon which was sitting next to the outhouse still blown up.  Since they have outhouses, which I refuse to use, and unlocking the trailer was a bother, I decided to pop a squat.  Thank god I packed the roll of TP in the truck!  Anywho......as I was pulling up my  pants, I looked over at the trailer and noticed that the compartment which houses the hot water heater wires etc, was open!!  It must have opened from the rough drive or something.  At this point, Trent and the girls were walking on a trail down to the lake.  The rest area was abandoned except for us.  I yelled at Trent to let him know that the compartment was open.  He and the girls came running back up the trail.  We walked around the side of the trailer and all of a sudden there was a grey mini van with 2 people sitting in it, RIGHT THERE!!  It kind of freaked us both out because the woman driver was just sitting there staring at us!  Immediately, Trent checked his cell phone and said, NO SERVICE!!  Haha - It's not like we were in Bon Temps and Bill and Eric were waiting to drain us.  Although, if that were the case, I would totally go with it.  Sorry for anyone who doesn't watch True Blood.  But, for the sake of Bill, Alcid and Eric, you REALLY should!!  So, we jumped in the truck and left as quickly as we arrived!

Next stop was the Needles ferry to Faquier.  Its a quick 10 minute free ferry ride.  Trent and I got out to stretch our legs and pose for a photo op:

The girls enjoyed it too.  Here is an unsuspecting picture of the whole fam!! 

*Note my excitement!!

Once off the ferry we travelled along the gorgeous Arrow Lake through Burton, Nakusp and finally on to New Denver.  We stopped in New Denver to enjoy the Nikkei Memorial Gardens.  The Nikkei Memorial is a GORGEOUS memorial that has been created on the shores of beautiful Slocan Lake to remember the Japanese Canadian Internment.  The gardens are breathtaking.  As you step into the serenity, your senses are awakened and you are whisked away to another land.  The smell of the flowers is overwhelming and the beauty is beyond words or pictures.  The volunteers who maintain the gardens have done a phenomenal job of creating a zen place to sit and reflect.  Oh what I wouldn't do, to be able to spend an hour practicing yoga in this serene space. 

Sophie spent her time in the gardens trying to eat anything that grew on the ground.  She always hears her Grandpa Ken talking about Japanese buffets and how great they are, that she thought she was FINALLY able to share his experience.  None the less, the girls and I shared a moment.....

We left New Denver and headed over to Kaslo.  We made a quick BBQ dinner, then took the girls for a nice walk around Kaslo.  Since we are spending tonight at the Kaslo Municipal Campground, we are right in the middle of town and on the water.  We strolled down main street and checked out some of the cool shops around town.  We came across a really interesting bench which had a family of bears carved out of granite on it.  As  soon as we walked up to it, both girls started to growl.  Sadie was especially scared and didn't want to go near it!

 After some coaxing, she finally believed us that they weren't real.  She was pretty excited at her discovery!

On our way back to the campsite we came across a cute little Bohler trailer.  The owners said they would trade it straight across for Dad and Mumsies Titanium 5th wheel!!  How cute would that be!!

Well, it's been a long day and we have many adventures ahead of us tomorrow.  We will be heading to Nelson to experience the patchouli and weed.  For that, I WILL need my rest.  Till tomorrow........

Adventures in RV'ing

We are embarking on a 2 week vacation.  YAY HOLIDAYS!!!  I will be chronicling our daily adventures as we embark on our trip from Vernon, BC to Brandon, MB.  We are leaving the sunny Okanagan (well more wet and mosquito ridden so far this year) for the flood soaked prairies!  The adventures await us!!

We are pulling a 2010 24 foot Jayco Jay Flight with our 2010 Dodge Ram 1500.  To us it feels big, but as my mother says, "My son in law has a little unit!"  I guess it's small compared to their 30 something foot 5th wheel......

Here's a picture of our "rig".  How macho of me, right!?

The First Post

WELCOME!!

Hello and welcome to the first posting on the BRAND NEW Apple Dumpling Gang Blog!!  This blog will be about all things vegan, gluten free, animal friendly, dog loving, RV madness, travel fun and anything else I feel like posting.  I will be posting my random thoughts and photos of all things Appell - pronounced APPLE.

ENJOY!!!