September 12, 2011
Twelve days into retirement and finally a lazy day. This morning Gord and I enjoyed coffee, ate breakfast, enjoyed more coffee, did dishes and read in the brilliant sunshine. Feels good!
We are now at Noah's Ark Campground 20 minutes from Revelstoke and 20 minutes from our daughter Angie's home in Malakwa. Yes, there is an Ark which is currently being built by Noah and Mrs. Noah, aka Janos and Sonja. They are a delightful Armenian couple who have generously given us two campsites to spread into and as there is no cellphone connection in this area run messages to us if someone calls. The Ark is mainly home to an amazing 20 flavor yogurt bar that comes with about 60 tempting toppers. Everything from fresh fruit to nuts to candy! The top floor should be finished next year and will be home to Janos and Sonja.
Yesterday our grandchildren Matthew (almost 6) and Amy (almost 4), couldn't believe their eyes at the site of all those delicious yogurty morsels and all their chocolate choices were a short time later proudly displayed on their faces. Just prior to the yogurt treat the five of us enjoyed a thrilling Argo ride in the forest and in the ponds around the campground. Trevor's back was bothering him and definitely wouldn't have survived the 1/2 hour trip. An Argo is an 8 wheeled amphibious ATV. Angie and I hung on to one side with Matthew hanging on tightly with both hands and Grampa hanging on tightly to Amy with one arm and the rail with the other arm.
Amy placed her complete trust in Grampa and let herself go loose like a rag doll and bounced all over. At one point she screamed "go, go, go"! Janos, our driver, asked if she was okay and we were off again at full speed. Lots of donuts, slides and water entries. We whipped through the forest trails as fast as Janos could safely go. We laughed ourselves silly and fully expected our bodies to be on the sore side today, but so far all is well. Bad backs beware!
Longtime Vernonites may remember the huge steel boat hull that sat for years at Doug's Boat Works on Okanagan Landing Road just before the cut off to Tronson Road. The hull was too big to transport in one piece so Janos had it cut into pieces and trucked up to its current site. The Ark is growing around it and is going to be quite a work of art when completed.
The day before all this fun we went with all the Vandenbergs (Angie, Trev, Matthew and Amy) to the Salmon Arm Fall Fair. After an early breakfast of waffles at the V's house (delicious Angie) and placement of Saba and Pogo at Angie's friend, Destin's for the day we headed to S. Arm. The parade started at 11:00 am and we happily stood in the shade of a huge tree while watching old farm equipment, old fire trucks, old cars and an old friend, Lofty Hall on his 50's Ferguson tractor. The kids really enjoyed all the candy that was thrown from the various vehicles and the noise and smoke/steam from some of the really old equipment.
Sheep, goats, cows, horses, chickens, llamas and alpacas were the highlight of the barns as well as the competitions with beans, tomatoes, pumpkins, sewing, quilting and photos. Alpacas are fascinating creatures with very interesting faces. Saw them being judged as well. Small town fairs are an absolute delight and highly recommended. The later afternoon was spent looking at old farm equipment (Gord) and rides (Matthew and Amy).
Colleen
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