Day 13, Saturday, June 2nd

While we are in the Victoria area we are taking our defective dog into the shop to be repaired. We had discovered a few days before we left on our sojourn that Tipper had a sizable bladder stone and a UTI. We really didn't have to time to have her operated on so we left Ottawa with special food that was to dissolve the stone and antibiotics for the infection. However, Tipper has only got worse during our travels. This might have something to do with the fact that she decided after a week that she didn't really like the special food or any dog food in general for that matter. So off to the emergency Vet in Victoria today. She is scheduled for an operation either this aft or this evening.

Tonight we are having dinner with friends Lorie and Russ whom we haven't seen since 2014.

Day 12, Friday, June 1st

We drove from Kelowna to the Vancouver ferry terminal in Tsawwsen where we took the ferry across in to Saanich on Vancouver Island. Saanich is a suburb of Victoria.

We met up with Saanich relatives Brenda and Francois at the ferry terminal since they had to come to Vancouver to pick up a new electric bike which they purchased in Ottawa on their last trip and had shipped to BC. We are now staying for a few days with Brenda and Francois before heading north to Campbell River where we will visit with old friends. We have some more friends and relatives in the Saanich area so that makes a very nice base of operations.

Day 11, Thursday, May 31st.

We dropped the Alto off in Salmon Arm and proceeded to Kelowna, BC. We had decided that there was no need to take the Alto to Vancouver Island since it would be superfluous while free-loading from family and friends.

On the way to Kelowna, we stopped in Revelstoke to visit one of our favourite craftsmen, Trevor Kehler. Trevor is the owner/operator of U.S.E.D. (recycledseatbelts.ca) and he makes things from recycled automotive seat belts. Years ago, when Trevor was still doing the crafts fair circuit, I purchased one of his handbags for Tricia and nine years later it has a worn spot. This is after seeing daily usage over those years so we are not concerned with the quality of the handbag whatsoever! However, we decided it might be time to look into a new bag of some type. Trevor is mainly selling online now and never gets to the craft fairs out east anymore so we couldn't pass up the opportunity to drop into his shop. We got a tour of his workshop - he doesn't have a store front - and a demonstration of his craft since he insisted on repairing Tricia's old handbag because, well, he couldn't bare to see it out in the world with a worn spot. The magnetic clasp also had to be replaced since it wasn't quite up to snuff in his opinion - repairs for free. Did I mention that he is a craftsman? At any rate we left with a new handbag, essentially the same style as the old, and the old one in "like new" condition. Thank you Trevor!

From Revelstoke we proceeded to Kelowna and camped out at a Best Western. Our "campsite" was very well appointed with lovely shower, king size bed and WiFi that worked properly! It even came with a buffet breakfast.

Day 10, Wednesday, May 30th

We are overnighting at Whispering Spruce RV park, Golden BC. Friendly staff but they are a little overwhelmed. New management are in the midst of renovating the washrooms and office etc. Ran into contractor delays on renovating the washrooms so they are far from complete for the start of the season. To top it off, they had a flood last night when their deep freeze in the office died and all of their bags of ice melted.  Someone said 200 bags. When we arrived today the office was torn apartment and workmen were installing a new floor. Total chaos. At any rate the place is full up and we are in the overflow area with 3 or 4 other campers, mostly German tourists. Not the best but we have had worse.

We stopped of at Lake Louise on the way here. Early season, cold - some snow on the ground from the previous night - and still more tourists than we like. Not as crowded as it is in full season, though. Pretty soon they will Disneyfy the place and access will be by shuttle bus from far flung parking lots. It is the way of the world. No matter what, Lake Louise is still a beautiful sight!

Banff was going to be about 2C (34.6F) tonight so we decided to head to Golden which is going to be a cheery 6C (43F).

Day 9, May 29. Camped just east of Calgary AB

We are doing another one nighter, at MountainView campground just outside of Calgary. Again not much to write home about with this campground although it is a step up from yesterday. It is far enough off the highway that we don't hear the semis although they weren't really that noticeable last night - all these first world problems to contend with! The campground is clean and maintained but the sites are packed in like sardines with very few trees in the campground proper. We have left the heat behind us. Today it was in the low 20s C for most of our traveling versus the 28 to 30 C of the last couple of days. Currently 12 C going down to 10 C tonight with light rain which has just started. The weather in Banff is forcast to be chilly with lows of 3 or 4 C and maybe some light snow so we have decided to push on to Golden BC tomorrow. We met a German couple (Wilfred and Annalise) who have been camping from Vancouver Island and through the Rockies for the last 3 weeks. We sat outside swapping stories until it got too cold. Unfortunately, our get together was a little late for starting a campfire. They both spoke excellent English. Tricia was happy that we spotted two Antelopes outside of Medicine Hat as we traveled.

Day 8, Monday, May 28th - Swift Current SK

We are camped at the Ponderosa RV camp just outside Swift Current. Not much choice of local campgrounds. The one we are in is pretty full up with a number of contractors who are working on a local power plant project. Anyway we are camped between Dustin and Grayson who are working on the project. Seem like fairly reasonable types. That is about the best to be said for the campground - basically it is maintained and reasonably priced.

We had a pleasant drive on highway 48 which passes through gently rolling hills. Saw both an elk and a Bison farm. Also passed by some salt flats associated with Chaplin lake which is a saline lake (sodium sulphate). Enjoyed the Big Sky as we drove along. Of course, we had to get a picture of the
big moose in Moose Jaw, SK as we went through.

Day 7, Sunday, May 27th.

We left Winnipeg for Moose Mountain PP, Saskatchewan this morning. Arrived fairly early around 3:00 pm. However, we didn't realize that we were an hour earlier than we thought  due to time change. We gained an hour and didn't realize it until after dinner! Spring is running a little late here compared to home. The aspens have just come out. We had one couple from Regina who admired the Alto and commented that we were pretty "far from home".  :)