Sorry I have been away. But I learned to Applique!!!

I wish I had a better excuse for not being here to post more, but this fall had really taken it's toll on any available free time for blogging, plus my priorities being more about making things than talking about making things, got me a bit caught up in projects.

So the latest insane project is the design of a VW Bus quilt. Never having appliqued before, I truly did not understand how addicting this could really be. While I had intended for this to be a new years project, I had nine 9X11 quilt squares made before Christmas!!  But of course, true to form, I had one issue after another just getting to nine squares. First, my not so old - basic singer sewing machine, which should have been maintained better in retrospect, decided not to co-operate. Missing stitches, puckering fabric, chewing through my appliques, what a disaster. To the rescue, my mothers vintage 1970 singer - or as I affectionately like to call it - the finger F&$ker. Don't look away for even a second, this machine has one speed- warp drive and if you aren't paying attention, you will look like Edward ScissorHands in no time.
So after much frustration, I got the old girl running, and haven't looked back. Hope to have a finished project before spring. Have a look at the first two I made, I will post more pics of the others soon.

Sturgess North Day Three. Where was I??

Alrighty...
Last we left off, we were stranded in Blue River. Highway closed due to a tanker truck roll over and we lost Darryl and the girls...

This is the first day we wake up to sun in a very very long time, so much so that we notice it. We have a chilly sleep, as we had no real blanket overnight, but the kids survived the night in the tent, no large black hungry bears bothered them. Trailers and campers are all pulling out, obviously they know more about the road closure than we do, must have opened up through the night. We are less than 3 hours away from Kamloops so we hastily eat our breakfast and get on the road.

The van is running tip top, thanks to a new fuel filter. Always loving the quick fix on the road. I find my anxiety level is off the charts when Lil Blue gets cranky.


Leaving Blue River. Starting to see more of these as we go further south

This has to be the best part of the trip so far. It is all downhill, windy roads, moderate traffic and plenty to see. Kids have been really quiet, enjoying the trip as much as I have. Meryl is long gone, enjoying the open road and mountain passes, we will catch up I am sure. If I could only get cell service.

We get to Clear Water in great time, it is quite obvious where the accident was last night. Hydrochloric acid kind of has a way of leaving a mark. Quick bite to eat at the local DQ makes the kids happy and gives us a chance to stretch out. The bike and van attract some visitors who stop to talk about our trip and how both of the vehicles are handling the trip so far. Being unique attracts conversations that we would never have otherwise, but Lil Blue is a conversation starter, even more so than the bike. Bikers are tough, unapproachable - or so goes the reputation. People want to look at the bike and they want to talk to Meryl, but you can tell they have a different approach or attitude then when they are talking to me in the van.
Finally Kamloops Hooray!! Now we are really starting to see a ton of bikes. They are everywhere! We are close to Salmon Arm now and you can tell there is a biker rally going on. Rolling thunder is an understatement. I can't help but wonder how much the communities in the region are benefiting economically from this event. Outstanding.
Darryl finally calls!! "Where have you been, I was worried about you guys" he exclaims. He continues on to tell me they were stranded on the highway too, just on the other side of the accident, north of Clearwater. He said that they were trying to make people wait it out on the side of the road. Now remember of course that Darryl is hauling a "house" on the back of his truck. But being the stellar truck driver he is... Backs up that whole entire rig through windy mountain roads (did you catch the BACKWARDS part) 3 MILES down the vacant northbound lane until he came to a campsite. And he only had to stop to straighten it out once. And he did it with a vehicle full of kids... My Hero.
So, long story short, they make it to the Zoo and are waiting for us. We plan to travel convoy style the short jaunt to Salmon Arm.
First thing first - lets get some gas to be sure. No biggie, fuel up, waiting for Meryl at the pump, Lil Blue is idling nicely, when out of the blue...(no pun intended) we stall out and die. Sounds like it isn't getting any fuel. Can't be the filter, we just changed it. Meryl decides it has to be the fuel pump, just not holding its prime. When the accelerator is being used it seems to work fine, but just wont idle. A little tinkering and a shot of CO2 down the fuel line seems to be all it needs to get the gas flowing again. Off we go, mind you I am a bit apprehensive at this point. My spider senses are starting to tingle.
Fortunately we find Darryl in short order, his mammoth rig sticks out with more attention than the Zoo itself. We head out all three of us, with less than an hour to go to our final destination.

So you know what is worse than a van with fuel pump issues?? A van with fuel pump issues in highway construction!!! FML could I not have had worse luck today? We are so close to Salmon Arm it isn't even funny, and here we are, stuck in traffic. I have learned by this point in time to shut the van off instead of idling. We are finally moving again, well at least some of us are... No dice, I am dead again. Now I am stranded on the side of what used to be a road, in construction, the kids are hot and freaking out and to be quite frank, so am I.. Meryl is gone but Darryl is still behind me. He hasn't got a clue... We get it going enough to make it about 50 yards, dead again... ACK! Now the flag lady is trying to push me out of the way onto the side of the road, Darryl and his house are blocking the road and Meryl who finally found a place to turn around has returned to the chaos. I am beyond freaking right now and we are seriously stranded. Even the flag lady feels for us, she offers several emergency posts to protect Meryl who is now under the van, trying desperately to find a way to get this jalopy moving again.
Darryl is forced to go on without us, he is simply too big to stay on this narrow one way stretch.
I would love to tell you what happened over the next several minutes, but to be honest, I was too busy watching out to make sure no one ran into or over us, but within 25 minutes we were back in action. Gotta love a mechanically inclined spouse.
Balls to the walls, no stopping now, if I do it will die. I call my Sister in Law, panicked "I need a route to your house that has not lights, not stopping". She excitedly tells me she will meet me on the highway. I fly by her at breakneck speed, probably with the look of sheer determination and fear written all over my face. She bursts out laughing at the circus sideshow act which is Lil Blue screaming down the mountain.

To end this day... what a relief. We make it safe and sound, I don't care if I ever move from this spot again the entire week.  Tomorrow- fuel pump day. God I hope it is the problem.

Lil Blue bus, trying to win the summer tradition celebration

http://traditions.cbc.ca/entry/4670181-Summers-in-the-Vintage-VW-Bus

Need a hand from all you bloggers out there. Lil Blue is running to win the summer tradition contest. Our story on our summer traditions with the van is all about making the best of the times we have in our ohh so short summers out here in Alberta.

No facebook account needed, just login with your email address and you are good to go.

Thanks!

On the road to Sturgess North Day Two

Follow the leader!!

That is the view when you are the lead vehicle, slowing the rest of traffic down through the mountain passes. I am sure everyone was cheering for the passing lane when they came up, because it was like Nascar when there was a chance to pass.

Nevertheless here we are day two. Taking full advantage of getting our money's worth at Pocahontas Cabins, we depart around 11:00. Today is the last big stretch, Jasper to Kamloops in one day, with breaks, we are figuring on a 6 hour day or so. Weather is much improved. While still a bit cool, the sun is breaking through the low cloud cover and within no time we are through the pass and at the summit of Mount Robson. It is all downhill from here...

Meryl has been on the bike all morning, we have never travelled the BC Highway 5 before, so neither of us are sure what comes past Valemount, which is the furthest west we have travelled along this route and that was during the winter years ago. We do our best to keep within sight of each other, but I am a much slower operation, and to have him near me only increases the danger factor for him, so it was best he broke free of the pack.

Things are looking great, we are making good time, traffic is lighter than expected (in the summer it is always crazy on these roads) We have heard that the road north to Prince George is washed out, but this does not affect us in the least, we are southbound. Still, it shows how much rain has fallen this summer as we were experiencing unusually high waters this year. Stopping at the base of a very long stretch of highway, we visit a roadside turnout and visitors information centre. We catch a glimpse of our first mountain pass VW bus in the parking lot. Too Cool.

We formally exit all the Alberta provincial and national parks as we begin our trek down BC #5. At this point we have been on the road about an hour, but we are taking our time so chances are good we haven't actually got that many miles under our wheels, but we are on vacation and don't particularly care.
Several more miles down the road, at the suggestion of the local visitors guide, we come across some spectacular waterfalls, made even more impressive by the high river levels this year. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/rearguard/

The sound is deafening. The sheer volume of water moving over the boulders is incalculable. This spot

 witnesses the end of a long journey by the Chinook, largest of the Pacific salmon. These fish have survived several years at sea to return to the river of their birth, the mighty Fraser. From its estuary in British Columbia's lower mainland to this point, the Chinook have traveled upstream over 1200 km.

Just a short jaunt now to Blue River. We need gas and snacks and Meryl's butt is getting sore. I notice the lack of cell phone service and wonder how Darryl and the girls have made out. They went ahead last night to find better accommodations for the house of wheels. I expect they stayed in Jasper.

Ah yes the Petro Canada!!! It is mid day, we are only three hours from Kamloops, should be pulling in by 6:30 or so. Perfect...

"Excuse Me, which way are you heading?" Calls an elderly voice from the vehicle next to us. Meryl replies with our directions, "heading south". "Oh, well the highway is closed dear" exclaims the gentleman, explaining that a large tanker truck has rolled over, spilling acid along the roadway, closing it for at least 24 hours. Well well... Thank god we heard now, and not an hour down the road.

No cell service, family waiting at the other end, remember - the road North to Prince George is flooded and closed, which would have worked because there is another route south. Trapped... Wonder what happened Darryl, where is he at? Where do we stay in Blue River?? OK I am only slightly freaking out, this is not part of the plan...

We find a campsite, at the Blue River Campground and RV Park. A former Co- worker from Athabasca happens to be in the same situation, but had travelled over an hour to the accident site before being turned around. Thank you old people, for letting me know before I wasted two hours of my time.

So we explore Blue River. Eleanor Lake is gorgeous. I visit with the park attendant for over an hour, turns out she lives in the campsite we are staying at and holds down two jobs to pay for her schooling. Interesting kid, very "granola" but she was cool.

Not much happening in Blue River, one local industry, the Heli Skiing. The rest is Alberta Oil money. Surprising that it didn't have more amenities given its location between Jasper and Kamloops, but this is a summer highway and a winter town, so people out here plan ahead, get supplies when they are south and are unfazed by things like a 24 hour road closure.

We settle in for the night. Lil Blue has a hiccup and stalls out on us upon our return to the campsite. Meryl fixes it up with a new fuel filter... good as new. The camp attendant is shooting off Bear flares, there has been a visitor in our campground, cute, black, and hungry. I worry about the kids in the tent, Meryl worries about the leather seat on the bike and the plastic gas cans on the trailer. We decide the kids can skip the teeth brushing for one night, lest the minty freshness attract unwanted attention. (Bears LOVE the smell of toothpaste) and we hope our fuel and bike make it through the night.

Did I mention, it is at this point that Meryl and I realize we have forgotten our OWN bedding. Kids are good, we have nothing, well almost nothing, a plug in travel blanket for one, and our thick hoodie jackets make do for the evening. Beats wrapping up in the stinky bike tarp which was plan B.

Things will get better in the morning... Wonder what happened to Darryl???

The BC trip to Sturgess North 2011in Salmon Arm DAY ONE

This road trip will undoubtedly require multiple posts just to tell all the tales. So stay tuned as we paint the picture of our travels as we go along.

Late last fall we decided that lil Blue would make the perfect chase vehicle to go along with the bike. We bought a featherlight utility trailer, to match the equally light bike, as not to over exert ourselves as we travelled and in the off chance that Meryl could not ride due to inclement weather or a breakdown. This was a Noble and rational plan, VW Buses are reliable and NEVER break down right??? RIGHT?? But we will get to that later.
Around the same time, we decided to participate in the first annual Sturgess North motorcycle rally being held in Salmon Arm BC. Salmon Arm has been near and dear to us for several years, as we have the pleasure of family living there, so it was a natural fit that we would attend, knowing our accommodations would be looked after, not to mention help keeping the children busy.
Detailed lists categorically ranked items of importance and priority. Weight was going to be a factor, so we needed to keep it light, or at least as much on the trailer as possible. Tents, toilet, bedding, and of course the tool box had to be accounted for and meticulously packed and arranged. (yeah right) So that was the intention, what really ended up happening was a last minute dash in the eleventh hour, frantically trying to make it all fit in the pouring
rain. (that's how we roll, I've accepted it) In the end all we forgot was my bedding for Meryl
and I in the van, kids were taken care of, no biggie (this also becomes a problem later in
the story)

Couldn't sleep with excitement and anticipation so we decided to make tracks Saturday, a day earlier than planned. So off we go, early start, 7 a.m. we are out of the yard. Weather is unbelievably poor, monsoon conditions in fact. I have no recollection of such a wet summer in
recent memory. It matters not, we are on our way to warm and sunny British Columbia.

We trailer the bike south west, waiting for sunny skies, but instead it rains harder. Three
hours into our trip and there is little reprieve. It is starting to get pretty hilly around
Evansburg, but lil Blue is making good time. Oil pressure is kind of "fluttery" but we choose
to ignore it for the most part. Never should have that damn gauge in the van anyway. Meryl
decides to hop on the bike. The rain is dissipating, we are starting to see breaks in the
clouds... Time to Ride.

Our friend Darryl who is also coming out to Sturgess phones, to let us know he is in fact
behind us. Originally he had left a day earlier, but he is travelling with his three girls
ages 10, 8 and 18mos (ALONE with no help) so obviously it is taking him much longer to get
anything done than originally planned. We decide to meet in Hinton for lunch. After waiting a
brief while, we see him pull in. "Jesus" Meryl exclaims, "That trailer is bigger than his
house, how does he plan on getting that thing through the Rockies?" We just laugh at the size
of this operation, no wonder it took him so long to catch up. "Darryl, how big is that
trailer?" "46 feet, hitch to ass" Darryl replies. Yep, it's bigger than the house he
lives in. Oh dear god... This is going to be fun

Lunch is ate, kids are changed, we are ready to go. Off to Miette Hot Springs and the Pocahontas Cabins in Jasper National Park.

Katie outside of the Miette natural hot springs in Jasper National Park

The cabins are beautiful, the hot springs are packed, but fun. We enjoy the games room, heated swimming pool and a beautiful menu at the resort. Weather clears up and the kids are back in the pool by 9 a.m. A quick breakfast and the show is back on the road.

Next Stop - Kamloops.... Stay Tuned.

Road Trip BC and the Buses we saw along the way

Any chance we got to photograph the vintage buses we saw on this last weeks road trip, we took em. Apologies in advance on some of the quality, at times snapping a quick with the blackberry was the best we could do!

This one is for sale, $650 bucks.

Canada Day Weekend 2011 and the One Pound Grouch

July 1st in Canada marks the "official" kick off of summer around these parts. Traditionally good weather, long days (there is still light out at 10:30pm at night) and the first really "long" weekend of summer.
This year we started at the Athabasca Classic Cruisers car show. Both the Van and Chopper were entered this year. As usual, the crowds were big and there were plenty of cars, trucks, and one hippie van.

Much to our surprise this year, both Meryl and I took top spots in our categories. We joked that they had to give it to us this year or they were worried we wouldn't come back next year!

With the show over, we headed down to Edmonton. Boasting the second largest fireworks display in the country, Edmonton's show was stellar, lighting up the river valley like the sun.
Katie loved the show, she had even made her own lanterns, out of a peanut butter container and LED lights.

Next day, off to Evansburg and Entwhistle, to enjoy the day along the Pembina River and visit the scenic valley within the Pembina Provincial Park.
Taking highway 16A out of town we came upon the "Little Lot" a consignment lot that has dozens of consignment vintage mobiles for sale. Like going to a miniature car show itself, the little lot had enough variety to keep us walking around for a good half hour.

Katie in the boneyard of the Little lot

Just was we were about to leave, Katie noticed something in the windows of one of the old garages. Lo and behold, was a 23 window VW, my dream bus, sitting there waiting to be restored. It was amazing to see one up here in such good shape, with so much potential. I had to look away.

Continuing on West down highway 16, we doddled along, stopping at random garage sales, and of course the Frontier Thrift shop, a curious collection of old books, clothing, housewares, antiques, tools and furniture. I have yet to understand our attraction to shops such as these. I don't know how I became such a junk hound, but here I am...

Finally, after much delay we made it to Evansburg. This is one cool little town. The Beehive Emporium was a treat, kind of a cross between vintage items, jewelry, handmade items, coffee barista and tattoo parlour, all wrapped up into one sweet confection. Strange to see it in such a small community, but the place was packed, clearly catering to the surrounding lake communities and passers by.

The Pembina River is amazing, the history and the recreation. Pembina Provincial Park was just packed with campers and rafting enthusiasts who would take the shuttle upriver and float down lazily back to the campsite. Putting that on my next "to do list".

After several hours of fun in the sun, it was time to experience the Almighty ONE POUND GROUCH BURGER. The brain child of Auntie B's Diner, this bohemoth of ground beef, stuffed with mushroom and cheese, on a home made bun, served with enough fries to feed a small village was served to us on a 12" pizza pie pan. Gravy ON THE SIDE no exceptions (too messy) Ohhh the humanity. A table of older folks were taking pictures of us like we were side show circus freaks or something as we dug into the burgers. "I want to see that boy's look on his face when he tries that first bite" one of the old guys exclaimed as Meryl got served. HILARIOUS. The home made buns... oh my, you need to try this. There is something about the dough, milk or maybe sour cream, I don't know but it was a throwback to childhood when mom used to bake bread and buns for us. I wished I had made a deal on just the buns to go... Next time.  If you do one thing when you are in this town, eat this burger. Share it if you have to, but at this point in time on our diner tour, this one takes top spot.

Here is a pic with a pop can beside it for reference. In the end, Meryl conquered where I failed. Dude even had room for home made chocolate cake!!!

Stuffed, exhausted and incredibly satisfied, we made our way home. Sun still high in the sky at 7:30 pm, we enjoyed a quiet relaxing drive home, taking the back roads and avoiding the city. As we got closer to home, we realized that the last act of the local music festival was going to take the stage, and if we hurried, we could make it. Re- energized, we dropped the hammer, gaining 5 km per hour and puttering our way to see Trooper, the last act of the Magnificent River Rats Festival in Athabasca. Arriving in record time, we sprayed down in a solid slick of bug spray and headed for the show, Katie in tow..

The expression on her face tells the story. She had a great time, and it was the perfect end to a really great weekend! Happy Canada Day.