June 1st

I will enter most of the verbiage and pictures when we get back. Lots going on in the next few weeks. Jeff & Wendy’s 28th anniversary, Corey & Victoria’s 16th anniversary, and Jackie & I’s 43rd anniversary.

I love cruising and am looking forward to another wonderful adventure. After this cruise we reach Platinum level which comes with a few perks.

I will enter some stuff as this is the first time with free wi-fi on the ship with the package we bought. It is hard to manipulate the webpage on a phone but some pictures and verbiage so I don’t forget will be good.

Well a very interesting day. We were very fortunate to have Victoria drive us to the airport and provide Ice Caps and Timbits for the ride. Nice.

Our airport expansion is awesome, but it does mean a lot more walking. We checked in we were lucky as Jackie’s bag was over by 1.5 pounds but they didn’t charge for over weight. 51.5 pounds of luggage for 11 days. Lol

We got thru security quite fast and headed to the lounge. Now I am familiar with the AC lounge when I was travelling but our new system is the Aspire lounge. Full breakfast etc and nice place to rest. Then a text our flight is delayed. Air Canada has been having tech issues and again today but luckily only for an hour. They are hurting their reputation with this ongoing issue.

Great flight and quite entertaining as the new top two scores for Air Canada Trivial Pursuit is LAW. Yep, killed it and I didn’t make it to the top tier. Fun to play and I will check on my way home to see if I am still on the top of the leaderboard.

I discovered an interesting book on the plane.

Perceptions- It is funny how we all have perceptions. We had arranged for a Princess Shuttle from the airport . Maybe due to being late but the Princess rep met us easily at the airport but gave us a taxi voucher. I expected a shuttle bus or limo. Our cab driver was excellent and brought back memories of Paris with his speed and cutting off cars. Interesting conversation the whole way though. So, it turned out to be a great adventure with his driving and stories.

My second perception not equaled was our hotel. Nice very nice but not what I expected for the price. I have stayed in $100 a night hotels equal to this Fairmount. I guess it is all about location as I can throw a stone and hit our ship. Mini bar is auto charge and if you want to put anything personal in it is $20. Crazy. Every inexpensive hotel has a fridge you cannot use. Not to have any USB ports is just dumb and poor for a supposed high-end hotel. Pancakes for $24 is unbelievable. Location. Lol Having said that I would book here again for the location and access to the pubs, stores and ease of transfer to the ship.

I love Vancouver. Waterford street with the bars, shops ,cobblestone and large trees is amazing. Love Gastown. Huge tree lined streets. We avoided Hasting from a prior experience. LOL

We checked out few stops for supper and funny the one place we said we liked we forgot it’s name and how far down the street it was. We found a wonderful street side bar for cold beer, food and a semi ok Caeser. We had a flatbread dish that was a 10 out of 10. Super friendly waitress. And decent pricing.

We walked 11k steps around the harbour and surrounding area. We thought we would leave the streets before dusk. Lol

Wonderful day. Loving it with a slight disappoinment. Dont get me wrong the Fairmount is nice just not nice enough for the price.

Nice view from our room.

Our embark time is noon so we will have a few hours of time to waste in the morning. Lunch on the ship will be good. We are leaving the dock at 4:30pm so everything works out perfect.

Our luggage was picked up at 8 am sharp from our room. I like not having to lug around a suitcase. Rather than have a $30 each breakfast in the ARC I whipped to Tims. Talk about a long line up and disorganized but got everything and we thoroughly enjoyed it in our room.

The Princess rep wanted us to get on earlier even though we booked noon embarkment, to avoid crowds but we will go once Jeff & Wendy get here. The ship isn’t leaving until 4:30pm.

It worked out good checking out the loading procedures for us and Jeff & Wendy. As they stayed in a different hotel without Princess luggage transfer it would have been very convoluted if we hadn’t scouted out ahead. Our plan saved them miles of steps and allowed us to meet them and get checked in together. It worked out great as we met them in the underground parking and only a short trip thru customs.

i will say the Vancouver port is the oddest one yet and not near as good as the other locations we have boarded. I think it is the multi levels and huge lineups for elevators as people are too old to carry thier bags.

We got all aboard and checked out our ship. I love cruising and we have been on this ship before. Having said that there are a lot of upgrades and changes within.

Our room is the typical balcony but it seemed small compared to our suite we had last time. It works and is perfect but the suite is much bigger but not needed.

We walked the ship with the Graces. As it was a way after lunch we found a nice table outside and enjoyed our first buffet.

It was hot out. We played mini golf and corn hole on the top deck which was a lot of fun. We watched the Sail Away party from the pool deck which was a lot of fun and entertaining. A suer war day enjoying some fun events. I even made a hole in one!

Our Sail Away party was a blast with the cruise ship dancers and band. Always a fun thing to see and experience.

The task of putting away our clothes and getting organized took a bit but we got it done.

Then the ANNOUNCEMENT that someone was ill. The ship stopped and went back closer to the port and the tender hauled the person to shore. IF YOU are SICK stay home.

We had at least a three hour delay to get back from where we started.

I booked a dining spot for us in the main dining room and lucky enough for us we got a private table for four, window side. Not only the best table for the view but quiet and with a wonderful server. Our meals were amazing. As always, my favorites of NY cheesecake and shrimp cocktail.

There was a lot of booze consumed during the day. Moneys worth for sure.

We walked the ship more and ended up at the pub with a great band . Even some dancing happened. Good dance music makes it fun.

We walked a lot less than normal but still lots and the Graces handled it very well with them taking the elevator and meeting us at the top or bottom.

I am glad they could handle it.

We slept in a bit as it was an at sea day. Fantastic pillow and mattresses. Super comfortable.

The morning buffet was great as usual and not as packed at 9 :30 versus 8am. I will say OLD people are not only physically slow but the decision making process takes for ever ! A special line for over 75 yrs olds should be implemented. I am a patient man but these buffet lines make it hard.

Jeff & I went to a pub for a music trivia contest. Jeff is very good at this and I believe he was second or third. I just know what i like but not the title or artist. It was fun.

A sea day to get up north was nice. It is relaxing, you get to spend time exploring the ship and the different venues.

We walked around the ship deck numerous times. We walked over 20K steps numerous days on this cruise. All good.

The girls joined us in bit. The medallion tracker is awesome for finding your shipmates. And it works with any hitches which is awesome. Food delivery anywhere you want, map, gps and events all on it.

A few stops at different venues and then readied ourselves for the formal night dinner. Italian tonight and it was beyond delicious. 5 courses but due to lingering covid issues no Lemoncelli though.

We were celebrating Jeff & Wendys 28th anniversary. Unfortunately, Wendy wasn’t feeling well due to motion sickness. It wasn’t rough but enough movement if sensitive or watching the water the movement it can affect you. She struggled eating and they went back to their room early. Now that i think about it, it could have been a ploy just to get back to the room early. Young love !

Jackie & I walked the ship a bit, went to the Princess Theatre but it was packed so we will see this show another time. We watched a bit standing and it looked fantastic. Then to the Casino. No, we did not win anything. A great sea day, super food, nice celebration and fun events including a pic taking by a photo expert we will end up buying.

This is the face of someone putting money in but nothing coming out. We stopped at the casino before heading to bed. Needless to say, no luck. I really don’t see the enjoyment of putting money in and not winning.

Another great buffet breakfast and then off to Sitka town. Due to ONE person getting on the ship sick, our excursion was cancelled. So, we decided to do our own thing. We hopped the shuttle to town and went on the sea walk, we walked the rain forest trail, visited the Totem making center and visited the Raptor Centre. Our timing was impeccable as just as we entered the Raptor Centre the presentation happened. Awesome self-guided tour. We walked back into town and found a wonderful pub for a pint and grub. A typical brewery though that doesn’t have normal beer. IPA galore and moonshine beer but not one normal one. I ordered one that the waitress said was close but one drink and no way. BEER should taste like oranges, or apples or smoked or hoppy etc. IPA were invented to produce a low-cost product. Having said that though, a great adventure day.

PORT SITKA

On the ship we had a supper buffet then decided on a comedian show. This guy was hilarious. Very enjoyable show.

We ended the day with 23,000 plus steps which include a lot of incline and stairs.

PORT HUBBARD GLACIER

HUBBARD Glacier was incredible. First this is a lesson to deal makers. You can always get a deal but in most cases, it is a quick turnaround or missing some features. I like to book and plan early and for this, months in advance. We have just over 3000 people on our ship and we were four of only 145 people out of the 3000 that were able to book this special excursion to get real close to the glacier. Our private boat drove us very close and it was spectacular with us hearing and seeing it calf. A 11 out of 10 experience only due to booking early. We picked up a chunk of the glacier and it was clear and diamond hard. Our booking agent who has taken this cruise 6 times as never had the luck of getting on this excursion. Hard odds

We even had a young couple that proposed on the smaller vessel. We were scared with a new ring it would fly off her finger but all was good.

The sounds were amazing. To hear a calfing is amazing. Our pilot was incredible working her way thru the icebergs. It was a wonderful event. I understand why Hubbard is considered one of the most beautiful glaciers. And it drives Greta nuts as it is actually growing every year. I would say this was our most spectacular stop.

The cruise ship stayed quite a ways back but still close enough for everyone to have a decent view. We were so lucky !!!

PORT SKAGWAY

Our next excursion was one of those special ones again. We booked it the moment we were allowed to. This was in Skagway on the Whitepass train. Again only 14 people on the entire train were able to book the luxury car. 14 of us with a private guide, swivel leather chairs, an awesome meal with cream puffs to die for and a private bar. Our guide was awesome. Our adventure amazing. Well worth the cost and again a reward for booking early and preplanning.

This train ride was fantastic and the Skagway town pretty neat. The famous RED ONION Saloon was up and running. They still have the “town girls” hanging their legs out the upstairs window but not doing business as far as I know. It did say $2 for a 10 minute brothel tour. It was packed. Another building completely made from Driftwood was pretty neat. The town was packed with 5 ships at port at the same time. Not good planning.

Then the inevitable happened. Jackie gets ” sucked ” into a shop to buy makeup. $300 later she is supposed to look 10 years younger. LOL Good thing she didn’t get “sucked ” into their laser light system at 8k. I should take a before and after picture.

It was a longer port stop which was nice so we decided to go into town for supper.

Fish & Chips is just about the only seafood that is close to being good. Most people cover their lobster or crab in garlic butter to give it a taste while I prefer something that actually is good.

The girls hang their legs out of the windows to drum up business.

PORT JUNEAU

Juneau is very nice and quite a big city. We had a rain forest walk to Mendahal Glacier and a whale watching expedition. We were guaranteed to see a whale or receive a $100 back. There are a lot of strick rules in whale watching and we saw three whales and two breaches. But you have to stay so far away it wasn’t the exciting experience I was hoping for. But still a fun excursion. The rain forest walk was excellent. It is odd to think of a rain forest in Alaska but there are and they are amazing. We learned a lot about plants and their uses plus the fact of abundant moss everywhere looks fantastic. Add in another wonderful looking glacier and it was a great trip.

Jeff & Wendy choose a float plane ride over the glaciers which is always a nice way to see the expansive area they cover.

We played a lot of the game Queens, the Saskatchewan version which varies from the original with a lot of different rules. Some a very good addition to the game but some like a cook meddling with a recipe not consistent or logical within a card game. But it a wonderful fun game to play. Even better when you win all of the time. YES

Throw in crib and the guys killed the girls in every game. YES .My hand in crib identical to the 29 hand on the crib board but my cut did not come up.

A couple of random photos of a ice carving competition, a show and enjoying breakfast on the balcony

PORT KETCHIKAN

Fantastic little city port. The axe throwing was a lot of fun, but the winner was an old guy, crippled and deaf, that threw the axe for the most points?? I was in shock.

The lumberjack show was first class bidding a USA versus Canada challenge. Wonderful show and very talented strong men

We had supper on shore at a pub overlooking the seaway. Great spot, decent food and cold beer. This tunnel above where they dug the earth out from under a home was strange. A fun port of call enjoying everything except for the loss at axe throwing

Icy Point PORT

The smallest port but still very fun and entertaining. We didn’t book any excursions here as our travel agent had advised it that the weather was too big a factor and decide when we got in. She has given some sound advice over the years and was spot on again. It has a high mountain tram that if foggy or raining you would see nothing. Today was bright and clear and we could see Russia ( not quite) .

We walked a trail through the rain forest to a small village with a few restaurants. museums etc. The walk was fantastic, enjoyable and when at the piers was a lot of fun. The Graces wanted “fish” food and stood inline but gave up after a bit as it was moving very slow. Jackie and I just wanted a drink. Jeff ordered a $22 Crappy Bloody Mary. Looks wonderful. Tastes absolutely gross. With Caeser mix maybe ok but adding a crab leg and shrimp to a drink does nothing to enhance the flavor. We walked the beach and saw many starfish, sea urchins etc. That was pretty cool.

The attraction that our agent wanted us to wait for, was back at the beginning of the path. It was a brand-new gondola system to the top of the mountain. Being so new it was awesome, and the views were incredible. When they finish this with a food service etc at the top it will be a first-class attraction. We ran out of time at port as there was also a walking path up top but couldn’t fit it in.

Jeff & Wendy didn’t want to do this which is too bad as it an amazing view and a fun tram to be in. All of these is run by the natives, and they are doing an amazing job marketing, providing a first-class facility and making money.

At this port was our only sighting of a killer whale.

VICTORIA PORT STOP

I love Victoria. Lots to see and do. We didn’t book an excursion as Bouchard Gardens really is just flowers. Whale watching, we have done and so we decided to walk the town. Jumping ahead we walked 23k steps again as we walked back to the ship from downtown which is a fair ways. We paid for a shuttle in the morning for all day but we would not have seen the beauty we did or the enjoyment of people watching and site seeing.

We really enjoyed China town.

How would I describe this cruise in comparison to others.

It was unique like our trip from NYC to Quebec. While working we did not want a vacation in cooler weather so never thought about it.

This cruise was special with the nature it presented. Yes, old castles, bridges and tropical waters and beaches are wonderful, but this cruise shows what raw nature is really like. As I have said forever why spend the money to go somewhere and not spend enough time there or experience it without regret. This 11-day cruise was too short but still a lot better than the 7 day that is the norm. Most likely the most alcohol Jackie and I have ever consumed in a two-week period. I don’t really care for that much !! On the scales at home the first day I gained 7 pounds and Jackie 3 pounds. Not bad. Three days later I am below my target number which is good.

The Hubbard Glacier should be the 8th wonder of the world. It is spectacular. The mountains, lakes and coastline exceptional. The gold rush history and work ethic required to make the railway, homes etc is amazing. The White Pass Railway is a must to see. Enjoyable events like the lumberjack show and axe throwing just add to the character of the cruise. Lots of food places serving fish food. The Icy Point tram views are exceptional. The glaciers are amazing. A cruise worth going on and more but if considering it make sure to book the Hubbard excursion and the Luxury Rail car as soon as the excursions open. Worth every penny.

As I said we buy the photo package on each cruise because we like the quality, and serves as I nice memento. It is interesting how we are aging like a fine wine. LOL

We got back and next morning drove up to Edmonton to see Mom. She was taken to the hospital, when we had a few days left on our cruise. Timing was such that Jessica & Victoria could join us which for everyone is good. The one negative of living in Calgary and having friends and family in Edmonton is it costs $100 a trip to visit them.

Mom was in quite good shape. Other than being unable to walk due to her swollen legs she is still doing ok. Some episode happened which I can’t figure exactly what caused her to be in the hospital.

The difficulty now is her seniors home if not able to accommodate her needs we will need to find somewhere else for her to live. That will not be a good thing for her compared to paying more for more help in her current place. Time will tell.

Today was my first golf game in three weeks with my golf buddies at Turner Valley. I didn’t have super expectations but was relatively happy. No lost balls, great drives, good shots but two things killed me. Taking a 7 on a Par 3 and hitting sand traps on every hole where they were. That means a boogie or more in most cases. Mid 80’s I can life with when i consider the break.

The smoke was ridiculous. Eyes and throat burned from it. I would say the worst I have seen. It stuffed up nose big time. I haven’t allergies for decades.

June 20th

” Mercury Forecast Edmonton 10 degrees, Calgary 7 degrees ”

Not what I would call spring like temperatures. The day before summer in Alberta and look what we have. SNOW all along Hwy 40 near Grande Cache, K Country and Banff. We had a nice hot dry spell but still in my mind it has been a horrible spring but only one day left of it. Yahoo come on summer !

I spent awhile out at the lot. I was very pleased that some kind neighbor watered my plants. I have an auto irrigation system but the WID canal authorities that control the water cut off the park due to lack of rain. So, thank you to whoever did this. Saved me $200 worth of flowers. I have 6 large containers with plantings and only one suffered.

My annoyance with the medical system is high this week with two more medical visits. It is like milking a cow for everything it has. Multiple visits that could be reduced if we could fix the system. Hard time to get, long spaces in between and delays in reporting.

Our caretaker is leaving us in Mesa so now I am on the hunt for a new one. Not an easy task. No luck so far.

Pouring rain today again so I got caught up on photos, Facebook, and my web page after about 3 to 4 weeks of being behind.

Very happy this morning that my weight has levelled off to the exact number I want.

June 21/22/23rd

” Mercury Forecast Edmonton 22 degrees, Calgary 21 degrees”

I spent all day out at the lot fixing things up. I had one blind in motorhome screw up on me that I brought back home to see what our options were. Jackie and I decided we could live with black out only and the pleated shade for light wasn’t that important for $200 bucks. I will reinstall our new version this weekend.

Today was my men’s league. I didn’t play that great yet not bad just that everyone else played better. I finished fifth in my division with a 86 and no skins or deuces. Yet just a wonderful day outside.

Here is one reason I love Turner Valley. Not only is it a beautiful course, a hard course but the quiet of the country is amazing. This is Rick who I play with on Thursday’s at 78 years old and wins money just about every week. Rick thought I was taking a picture of him, but it was the buck behind him I was looking at. LOL

As usual he won money again and I didn’t. Darn.

After golf and a wonder bowl of beef barley soup Jackie and I headed to Jackson baseball game. They are in the playoffs and have a strong team. Tonight’s game was amazing going into extra innings with Jackson’s team winning. Jackie & I brought donuts for all of them which they loved and gobbled them awful fast. Great game. Just my input but both teams struggle hitting the ball. Fast pitching but they need to catch up on the hand eye coordination to hit better. To many walks and strike outs.

A fun night, warm out, 5 mins of rain and no mosquitos.

Today was the first golf game with the Graces that got back from Van BC. It was a beautiful warm no wind day. Our course of choice was the Highwood and let me say I loved it today. I have played it a few times but didn’t remember how nice it really is.

Wendy had a decent game, Jeff played quite well except for drives and even got a 40 yard chip in for a birdie. Yahoo !

Jackie I thought played super today after a month’s break from golf. To score a legit 104 on a regulation course is pretty good for her. I played very well today. In fact, only one error that happened on the 18th hole but every hole had a great drive and second shot. At least 10 birdie chances that became a Par or boogie with me ending up a disappointing 82. Should have been below 80 but you know the saying. I was very pleased with the golf. Putting is luck and bad luck and I don’t mind a score based on poor putting. One poor drive, GIR regulation 12 times and three 3 putts.

This place has a huge menu. Every one of us had something a little different, and each thought it was excellent. Nice to end a afternoon of golf with a great fun meal and drinks. I had to forgo the typical hugs etc as my nose just won’t stop plugging up.

Audrey doggy sat Daisy today which was nice.

Storm clouds and wind as I wrote this but still a nice night. I love summer.

Now we just need my Mom to get better. She already has made improvements which is good but has a long ways to go to get back to being a independent person. It can be done.

Thought of the Day

Why does fridge have a “D” in it but refrigerator doesn’t?

June 26th

“Mercury Forecast Edmonton 27 degrees, Calgary 25 degrees”

Pretty interesting the Russia scenario with the Wagner group. It is too bad it doesn’t result in Putin getting the punt but I think one of two things will happen. Prigozhin will be hunted down and imprisoned or poisoned or Russia will go full scale attack on Ukraine. Nice to crack in the Russia system though as people were cheering for Prigozhin when he was advancing down the streets.

Toronto elects the absolute worse mayor possible. It amazes how people think but TO is made up of a lot of immigrants and youth. Is it possible for a city to go bankrupt in 4 years. We will see.

I spent all day at the lot. I sanded and stained the decks. Big job but looks great again. I installed the shade blind in the motorhome and worked but with no success on my pantry door. I will search for a new latch. It is actually the plastic strike plate that wore out plus the weight of it pushing out split the wood. I am thinking I can make a new one that is longer with new screw holes.

The normal stuff like cutting the grass, trimmed the neighbors’ lot, trimmed ours, pruned the flowers and cut off new sprouts.

When I list what I did it seems like a short day, yet it was 7 hours day of enjoyment and struggles and fun.

Thought of the Day

Why can you drink a drink but you can’t food a food?

June 27th to 29th

“Mercury Forecast Edmonton 27 degrees, Calgary 30 degrees ”

Now we are talking summer weather. Love it. The days seem quite busy and missing a few I have to go by memory.

I spent all day out at the lot. I finished off the staining job and started fixing up everything. It is beyond me how it is almost July, and the lot really hasn’t been used or even isn’t quite ready yet.

A lot of different factors causing it. First our spring weather was abysmal. Cold, snow, rain and more cold. The irrigation wasn’t turned on due to the frost taking forever to leave the ground. Then it became dry real fast and the WID which controls the irrigation canals cut our park off the water so it didn’t start to work until just a few days ago and still not consistent.

Add three weeks away for our Alaska cruise, Jackie working a few more hours, May Long and the week after camping and just busy everyday life lead to this.

So by the end of this weekend, it should be almost done. We do have a birthday celebration on the LONG weekend. I have always disagreed with weddings, funerals, parties, etc being held on a long weekend. Especially for working people there are so few of them to enjoy not to be impeded with a function or location that takes away from it. Let it be a destination wedding and on a long weekend and it really is dumb.

We drove up to Ponoka Golf & Country Club to have a golf day with Keith & Jenny. We were supposed to be away the whole week but Keith’s 5th wheel broke. They haven’t decided what their next move is as of yet. I hope either a fix or a new camper as we have camped together since 1976 and I don’t want that to not happen anymore.

I am familiar with this course as we held the Home Hardware tournament there for years. It is a beautiful course. I forgot how difficult the green are. Super-fast and a lot of slope.

Two things happened. Kith beat me which should not happen and doesn’t too often and I played horrible. It was my highest score of 2023. Lucky to keep it under 100 as everything went south. Kieth started off on fire with par par and on but fell apart on the back nine.

Jenny played the best I have seen EVER. She hit it long, consistent and putted well. Best game I have seen from her. Jackie played well but along with us struggled with putts.

We sat on the deck and had a wonderful supper in the shade as it was a hot one. Our waitress which looked like she was 20 was pregnant and after talking to her discovered it is her third child. Something going on at that house. LOL

Our meals were superb. Only one error on her part but I had to forgive her due to her condition. I had two fries left of my poutine before the Ketchup arrived. She just kept forgetting. Not the same without ketchup.

On our drive home we hit a rainstorm so hard that people were pulling off to the side of the road. Let’s CAUSE an accident. Slow down, hold the wheel tight in case you hit water, take off the cruise and you will be fine. It lasted for about an hour than gone. Luckily no hail.

I spent another whole day out at the lot cleaning and organizing, trimming, cutting, staining, pressure washing until it broke and moving things.

Finally looking good.

We took in Jackson’s golf medal game in baseball last night. Looked like a storm brewing but turned out to be a wonderful evening. What a great game. Tie game and went two extra innings to determine the winner. Unfortunately, Jackson’s team took the silver but what an exciting nail biter of a game. The first inning Jackosn made an excellent throw and play for an out. Our team lost only due to lack of batting prowess. Fun game and what a ring they gave the kids. First class.

First thing this morning we attended a year end award ceremony for Jackson. Jessica and the boys plus Audrey all took it in. It was a surprise award for Jackson. Jackson won a merit for performance in Construction. Good for him and on merit which I like. The ceremony was about 2 hours long and extremely well done. EXCEPT drives me nuts, you have the Principle of the school giving a speech stating their mission is environmental stewardship and you have 11/2 hours of the ceremony giving out awards for kindness and citizenship instead of academic achievement and success. The later took no time at all to hand out and should be the focus. A teacher gives a speech and if you are not a teacher, lawyer, or doctor or in leadership role you must be a loser as no mention of anything else that these kids can be that is recognized. I guess it is today’s world. I love that Jackson’s award along with a few academic awards is based on hard work and success.

Crown this afternoon at the dentist and doctor’s appointment tomorrow interrupting my time.

The crown went well. The dentist asks if I want to have freezing put in. My question is Do I need it ?. I guess it depends. I ask what is the time frame to eat and drink after this crown ? he says 5min but give it an hour or two.

The crown was fast and no pain and feels good.

I came in the door and stated to Jackie. Bow down ! It didn’t work. I guess having a crown is overstated.

I asked about the timing as Jess, kids and the Waldies wanted to go with us to a new place in Mahogany.

I think I found my new favorite place. It is a bar combo like Shanks, Earles, Brewsters all mixed one. It is family and group oriented and amazing. The roof top patio has corn hole, connect 6, bubble hockey, video games etc. Downstairs has a bowling alley and ping pong tables. The rooftop is well laid out, heaters, lights, and and fake grass flooring that looks wonderful.

Add to it an amazing menu and super food with cold beer you have a great venue and I will be back !!

Great food, fun place and I love it as did the boys and girls. A fun evening then the rain and wind started, and we decided time to vacate.

Thought of the Day

What is a “free gift”? Aren’t all gifts free?

June 30th

“Mercury Forecast Edmonton 28 degrees, Calgary 39 degrees.”

Just beautiful weather. Hot and sunny with the odd shower or storm in the late afternoon evening. Perfect.

A late dentist appointment yesterday to interrupt my time and a late doctors appt today again wrecking my freedom. Disliking our system. I will PAY for my own blood pressure medicine if the doctors and insurance companies would stop controlling it. It is wrong to have to see a doctor to get a prescription that you have used for a decade or more.

So I had to come back into town from Oasis for this. I worked all day out there.

MY RANT

Chinese crap. Again, I will pay more, even a lot more for quality products not made in China, if available, but they are not. Our patio table had two screws go missing. Between kids weight on it, moving it, adults not lifting it when moving and storage they worked their way out and are gone. They are metric Allan heads with no slope shaft or head so difficult to find. Lowes and then Depot and I found a package that will work. This was my first chore this am. Well not as easy as I thought. The threads were completely stripped which meant rethread to #8 metric or other. I don’t have a threader, so I drilled completely thru the screw block and installed a bolt with washer and nuts on both sides. It looks good, works perfect but a lot longer to fix than wanted.

I am attempting to reconstruct my strike plate for my pantry as I can’t find one. I used painters tape and have poured JB WELD to fill-in the worn strike plate. My hope is to extend it and sand it down to where I need it and hopefully make it work. I then will remove the pantry, use JB weld to fix the wood stile and fill in the holes and screw the plate and on and hopefully it all works.

I then started to apply polymeric sand between my pavers. I bought one bag to see the result and will decide if I am going to replace the gravel in every crack. Time consuming but I think the looks and the lack of small pebbles on the pavers should be good. Hopefully no big storm to wash it out tonight.

Tried a different head on the lawn irrigation as it was plugged. I won’t know if it works as I haven’t been out there when it is running.

The resort was BUSY. Loads of people for the many Canada Day events happening. Unfortunately, we won’t be out there a lot this weekend with other family commitments.

I think we should go away to a lake with no internet or cell coverage for a week or so. To have no news, no commitments, no thinking about anything, no feeling of something to be done etc would be heavenly and just enjoy the summer.

Just got the updated ancestry DNA update. And yes still 94% British which is amazing but I like it.