Bedroom window ........2 panels. 8 x 10 looking out into the Forrest You

Yes, the  first night I closed the drapes because it was dark out there.   By the second night I left them wide open to see the sky.  This is just like being at the cottage because the loudest sounds are the animals and birds. Huge piece of property 152 wide by. 200 deep. Yes it does take Scott quite a long time to cut the grass. Not all level and very picturesque to sit and enjoy the view

Just sat and chilled for the first day considering how much I had walked in Winnipeg at the mall. They both come home for long lunches so I can enjoy the quiet plus the company at lunchtime. You could spent an hour watching the red-tailed family of squirrels and the chipmunks.  Magpies and Ravens forever flying the the yard haven't had much time to read my book for the book club  

Saturday was an amazing day driving to see the various points of interest.  The weather co-operated and was just perfect.  Our first spot was about  100 km south to  Pisew Falls (picture below) the second largest falls in Manitoba.  There is a walking hike which can take 12 hours to complete where you would see the "largest falls".   Obviously we were quite satisfied with the magnificent view of the second largest falls.  

From there we headed back up north to Painted Lake.............so named because of the flowing colours of the water from above.   Stopped there at a restaurant positioned on a peninsula of the lake.  A spot where people launch their boats and stop in for a bite to eat.  Filled with the locals from Thompson out for a nice dinner on the lake

We did stop in the mall before heading out and did a bit of shopping.  Bought myself another Inishuk to go with the one from Ottawa and another from Vancouver. Not really much in the way of shopping and Winnipeg is at least a 7 hour drive south

Today went to Mass and after lunch Chelsea wanted to do a photo shoot for family pictures.    The backyard certainly is the perfect spot for that    She set up her tripod and did a few of the 3 of us together   Then Scott and I then by myself which was a strange experience having so many clicks.  Later this afternoon over to her clinic to help out.  She is closing for next week to repaint which is a BIG considering it is 2000 square feet. Today Scott mudded the walls and Chelsea and I took down many pictures and pulled off wallpaper. I will stay here in the morning and join them after lunch

So it will soon be time to head back to the airport.  Tuesday morning I need to check in by 6:15 a.m. But it's only a 10 minute drive from the house and there is only 1 plane going out at that time

North of the 55th Parralel

It takes 2 flights to get this far and it is the far north.  My first plane took me to Winnipeg with hours till the next flight.  Seriously, I arrived at 11:30 and my I had till 7:15 till I boarded the next flight.  Of  course I had planned and the bus at the front door of the airport takes 15 minutes to the big mall with a cost of $2.15 for seniors.  Stopped and had lunch and took my time wandering around and made a couple of purchases. Mostly the same chain stores but a few smaller individual stores which are always more interesting

Caught the bus back to the terminal with time to spare and had a bite to eat.  "Calm Air". The only airline that flies up her has a row of single seats which you would see on a bus. The other side has double seats so of course I took the single with the window.  Manitoba certainly is the province of  a 1000 lakes which I could see from my seat on the plane

Arrival at 9 that evening was like landing at Malton 60 years ago .........steps off the plane and into a small building and pick up your suitcase.   Into the car and here in less than 10 minutes

Heading up north to see Scott & Chelsea

Well I think I have everything packed and ready to go.  Looks like the weather is going to co-operate. First plane is 10 a.m tomorrow Wednesday with arrival in Winnipeg 11:30 Manitoba time. Second plane is not till 7:45 p.m. But arrival will be 9:00 p.m.   So for the interim I will take the bus over to the big mall and spent a few hours checking out Winnipeg shopping.  Have lunch and probably take a taxi back to the airport.

I'm looking forward to this trip and anxious to see how Scott and Chelsea have settled into their new life.  I'm sure the time will fly but so has this past year. Catch up when I get to Thompson

Hats for baby pics

Chelsea has been doing photography for a few years.  Babies and weddings are her main specialties   She has a little business going on the side and building up some props for the baby shoots. Whenever she is at her parents she is busy crocheting. Very talented young woman.   The picture is a sampling of her handiwork.  Little animal hats with such detail

Happy New Year........January 1st.   Good day to just sit and rest after the past week.  Everyone finding a spot in the house just to do their own thing.  The house is spacious so often you hear someone asking where someone else is. Chelsea and Scott have really been doing a lot of visiting with friends.  Chelsea fitting in breakfast get together soon with some of her friends.  Spending time with both sets of grandparents taking them out for lunch. Klara and I been to the grocery store a couple of times   Scott and I spent an afternoon walking through the Main St of the city checking out all the various stores   The weather has been very good.........the sky so blue, the air so clean and mountains every direction you seem to look.  The small towns are all situated at various spots around the countryside throughout the valley and close to the Fraser River

After a day at the ocean we returned back to Mission and had a spaghetti dinner.  Back into the car and off to the show to see "Star Wars" in 3 D at the Cineplex. It was quite the experience with the glasses as objects on the screen come flying towards you. Going to the show on New Years Eve is something they have been doing for a while. Lots of people but not a full house. Good night to go.  We then headed over to Chelsea's maternal grandparents for a celebration to bring in the new year.  Lots of food and company.........outside at midnight banging the pots and pans and watched the fireworks. Back about 1 a.m. after a full day

Condos overlooking

It was a great afternoon as Clara knew how much I would enjoy just walking by myself.  A bit of a mixup with lunch but not a problem.  Scott by then was getting concerned and was texting/calling the house phone in Ontario.  We did connect and meet up as you can see in the picture Scott and I overlooking the entrance to the Great Polar Bear Dip.  This always takes place Jan 1st at noon, they jump in the water and go for a quick dip

View of entering the area

Roller coaster road

What a great way to start the New Year.......new sights......new memories.   We started the day leaving at 10 a.m. And drove to White Rock down the coast on the shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca part of the Pacific  The story is the rock is part of the glacier melt and has always been a spot to meet.  There was 2 carloads of us Scott, Chelsea her parents Terry & Clara, Katie the international students who is living with them for a semester plus myself.  Twofold purpose Chelsea was going to meet up her her BBF at the Moby Dick a fish & chip restaurant and we were going to eat ,walk and explore.

Quite innovative how they have it set up.......the west side of the street consists of the ocean, beach and sand plus the boardwalk the full length.   There is a railroad track alongside which is fenced off against the incline of the land.   At various points above are parking spots off the road where each spot is numbered and meters to pay with a ticket to show what time you had to return.   So no on the road parking.  On the other side of the street is all kinds of shopping. One long block is all the restaurants , the next may be boutiques or souvenirs. The next couple of blocks are amazing condos built right in with more windows than you could count.  At each sidestreet are roads resembling roller coasters for the locals to have a back entrance to their homes.  I would say the age of most would be a bit younger then me observing the staircase from the front of the building a good number of the restaurants have outdoor patios or window take outs .  Some of the restaurants have furry blankets or covers for your legs.  I wanted to take a picture but considering they were being used....I just kept walking