Another Trawlerfest in the books, time to head north. The plan is to take the motorhome to our old favorites, Harrison Hot Springs, set up in the RV park and wait for the long anticipated arrival of my family. I pulled into the Springs RV Park, to discover it is not quite what the website shows, but it works. The friendly managers help me park in the only “pull through” space and I set up camp. The good news is that this is one block from the main part of town and the managers and neighbors are great. I will learn that there are 2 types of RV parks, one like this one caters to long-term dwellers. Often seniors seeking economic housing, social life and freedom. The other type is more for transient guests.
The long-awaited day finally arrives! It is a 1.5-hour drive to the airport so I rent a car for the trip. Vancouver has an excellent highway system but still gets clogged in the rush hours. I await as they unload, quick trip through customs and walk down the ramp to greet me, yahoo! This being their first look at our new rolling home, or any motorhome for that matter, they take it all in. Priam instantly loves his new “Peemer Cave” above the “pilot house”. We take in a shoreside dinner complete with Priam’s Canadian favorite, poutine.
The next day Donna gets to try out her new motorcycle. At 1300cc’s it is the biggest bike she has ever ridden but takes to it instantly, with a gleaming smile she declares, I like the power!
My baby sister, Vickie aka Auntie George, arrives to join us for some Canadian explorations. George is a nickname I gave her as a child, Priam adopted it quickly.
Harrison is at the crossroads of major Canadian routes. We go for the northern path to the home of Rambo, Hope BC. A nice lunch of authentic Montreal smoked meat sandwiches and the compulsory Rambo pictures and off we go. The famous Fraser River pounds its way south going through a constriction forming Hells Gate rapids. Explorer Simon Fraser first encountered Hell’s Gate in 1808, describing it as “the most tremendous place I ever beheld. This place played a significant role in the early gold rush. Today it is a tourist site featuring an exciting tram ride down to the river level. Donna and I have done the rather expensive jaunt, so we sent Priam and Auntie George off on their own.
Always tops on any Filipino’s list when in the Americas, a trip to Walmart! I have spent more time in Walmart’s with Priam than I have my entire life living in the USA. We get some warmer clothes, and load up with groceries, piled into the Harley.
One of the primary benefits of the motorhome is the ability to cook at “home”. I had ordered a BBQ and all the sundry tools of the trade so ready to grill! I also got a propane fire pit. We learned about this handy trick last year during the BC fire ban as they are legal and warm like a campfire, it will become the vocal point of our nightly routine.
Sites seen, Walmart checked off the list, Canadian sim card for Donna and we are off to the next adventure. Priam and I become the decamp/camp set up team. We load the two bikes on the trailer, load the BBQ/fire pit and Starlink up then the 2 stages of release; water hose, power chord and sewer hose. With the help of umpteen RV videos, I and getting the hang of managing the black and grey water tanks.
With Donna I the co pilot seat and Priam instantly finding a place to sleep, we venture east with sister Vickie following us, up the mountain pass and down to the desert town of Osoyoos. We had reservations at Nk’ Mik campground, a massive First Nations run RV park right on Osoyoos lake. This one is run like a fine hotel, with friendly staff and spotless precisely organized grounds. We find our spacious pull through spot and team B/P set up camp. Towing the trailer, it is wonderful to find pull through spots but I am sure this will pass and my backing skills tested.
Today we got another visitor, my good friend Chris had driven up from Yakima in his camper van to join us. Chris has come to the Philippines several times to visit but not for a while so he is amazed at the now teenage Priam, wow he got big! Donna gives us a list of sites to see, all while doing some amazing motorcycle rides. Knowing my quest for good Mexican food she finds a classic food truck at the end of a
spectacular ride through the wine country. We enjoy classic Mex food truck treats and ride back in the sunshine. The next day we venture further into wine country and up to Penticton BC. We also find an authentic Steam Train, albeit sold out for rides, then an historic ship museum to investigate.
We enjoy another fine BBQ with our extended guests. Chris and I swap stories of “the good ol days” and Vickie and I regale telling of our loving albeit Adam’s Family like relatives and childhoods. A good time is had by all.
Vickie and Chris leave us, and we are a family of 3 again. Team B/P decamp, getting better at it, fill up the propane and gas tank, ouch.. and off over the Kootenay Mountains we go. Keeping that “ouch” in mind and being in no hurry I keep to under 55 mph, which means we amas a long line of followers sometimes. You really don’t want to get behind us on a long 2 lane twisty road haha. Fortunately the BC roads are fantastic and passing lanes are frequent. I am please that we are averaging 10 mpg.
Next stop is another return to a place we loved last year, the Woodbury RV park and Marina. Last year we arrived in a rain shower and opted for the small quaint cabin rather than the tent. This year we have a panoramic lakeside spot but only room for the RV so we engage plan B, unload the bikes, back the trailer into a parking spot and then back the RV into its spot. With typical park onlookers we actually pull this off with no dramas, looked like we even knew what we were doing haha.
Relishing in the serenity of aa splendid evening, BBQ and sitting around the fire pit gazing at the lake and surrounding mountains, we are grateful for the things that camping only brings. The next morning, we awake to the anticipated and predicted rain, which gives me a chance to catch up on this blog.. the sun will shine tomorrow, and a hot springs is in our plans.
Thanks for the update! Keep up the fun you are all having!
living large with your fam in BC, doesn’t get much better then that. enjoy the time and the journey. As the GD say, what a long strange trip it’s been…Amen to that
TFS! Have FUN and enjoy your journey, as the future is coming. One Day at a Time