Go Big or Go Home Interlude - 87 Days of Living Out of a Suitcase

Well.....as we get ready to start Part 2 of our tour, I am reminded that I have not posted anything about what we have been doing...in the meantime.

So much has happened.

We returned from Vancouver and spent a few more days in Kelowna.  Incredibly the weather was just too hot for us to really ride.  Our rides were limited in July to Salmon Arm, Vancouver and a bike wash/trip to the dealer for new tank bags and helmet fixes.  

We had already made the decision to fly home for the month of August, to catch up with family, birthdays and just give south of the border some time to cool off.  

We flew home on August 4, got in some garden weeding, guitar practice, and a quick visit with my sister, who was home visiting from Georgia.  Celebrated birthdays and anniversary's, and did a lot of visiting with folks we haven't seen in a very long time as well as meeting a new friend from "over the pond".  We also ate.....a lot!

Sunset on East Coast

We did manage some down time in between all of that at a friends cottage on the Kennebecasis and Saint John Rivers (thanks Dave and Linda).  Our stay here with Ted provided for some wonderful experiences which brought back childhood memories, watching big lightning storms and the sound of loons, not to mention more than one spectacular sunset.

Fires on West Coast

It was while we were staying here that we also learned of the devastating fires in Kelowna not even two weeks after we had left.  We were concerned for our friends and also for my nephew and his girlfriend, who had just moved there.  We followed each day and as stressful as it was for us knowing the situation, the area, and more than a few close friends there, I know it was even more stressful for them.  Happy to report that they are all safe and sound.  With only one actual evacuation amongst the group we were grateful that they all managed to make it through.

During our month home, we visited Tapley Manor (thanks Katherine and Bridget), visited with Tom and Judy, had spectacular drinks and tapas at Palette, dinner at Sofia and Spritz with friends on their way to Newfoundland (thanks Paula and Alf) which included our two girls who hadn't seen them in almost 16 years, and more than one spectacular meal at Ted's, a great breakfast at the Kingston Farmers Market (so big I couldn't finish) with Mary Ann, Jocelyn, Jim, Liz, and Ted...so many more meals and people.  It was wonderful to connect with everyone at home and with some folks that I haven't seen in a very long time (Beth, Robyn, Bing and Jessica).

We returned to Kelowna on September 4th with some East Coast goodies (lobster and Digby scallops).  Our friend Brad (part of my original harem back in early July) also rode out from Calgary to spend time with us.  

Divide where fire stopped on West side

Today we got in a great ride around Lake Country and got to see first hand some of the devastation caused by the fires.  It is unbelievable how fires can destroy an area or building and yet 30 feet away leave another building fully intact.  Trees and ground scorched like someone took a torch to it and deliberately marked out a path of destruction.  Thankful for all of the buildings that survived and from what we have seen today, there are a lot of buildings that survived.  The amount of buildings that were destroyed were minimal in the big picture....not minimal to those who have lost homes and property by no means, but certainly we are reminded that fire is indiscriminate and we have the hard work, long hours and heroic efforts of men and women to thank for all that they did to contain this fire in the midst of a heat wave (not including heat from the fire), and high winds.  We take for granted the fact that there are people who do this work under extreme conditions and many do so as volunteers.  Bless them all!

So tonight we will celebrate with our friends, one hell of a great trip, their generous hospitality, unwavering patience and fabulous games of golf (card game), meals, laughs, long talks and seemingly short days.  We love and appreciate you all on both coasts and in between....Special thanks and appreciation to Ted, Pat, Buddy who looked after us as well Mom and Dad who kept us mobile at home in addition to looking after us.

Monday we leave Kelowna and head to Grand Forks to spend the night with friends as we start our next phase of travel.

Tuesday Part II begins as we cross the border into Washington State but this will now be known as Go Big AND Go Home...the next adventure.