Columbia Valley Trip

As I wrote this blog a Jewish Prayer came to mind:

“Teach us to number our days that we may use each precious moment wisely. May no day pass without bringing us closer to some worthy achievement.”

I lived all my life in Saskatchewan and had never experienced Canadian travelling as I am now. I am amazed at the beauty of Canada and the Canadian people. 

Alberta summers brings sunshine, thunderstorms, green and yellow fields and hiking trials.

Over a four day trip into the Columbia Valley, British Columbia, Randal and I travelled through Southern Alberta and into British Columbia along the Crowsnest Pass then  onto #93/95 North through the Rockies to Columbia Valley.

This was the first time I had been there. This made me realise that I most make plans to see more wonderful places in Canada.

The three-day stay in Ivermere opened my eyes to the tranquillity and it's down-home feeling. No Big – Box stores! Here are small family stores, boutiques, art galleries, cafes and restaurants.

The area buzzes with summer-time activities. People smiling, snapping pictures, visiting while taking in the ambience.

While there we visited friends and share our common  interests, of photography, art and healthy living. 

Carol Gordon's Art website: www.carolgordon.ca

Jim McElroy's Photo website: http://jimcelroyphotoworks.weebly.com/  

Their Business: ASEA website www.kiassociates.teamasea.com

More details on www.lorranrvers.blogspot.com

June Hikes

I joined the Okotoks Country Lane Estate Hikers. In June  a group of 10 to 14 eager hikes with poles, a supply of water and food set out on Thursday morning to the destination of the day. I have not done much hill climbing so was a bit out of shape. The hike was at least 4 to 7 km and I made it to the end. I did huff and puff going up the inclines but I noticed that my recovery time was good. The next day my legs showed the effects so I relied on the Nikken magboys and CM Creams to bring the muscles back to normal. This past Thursday's challenge  was  Fullerton Loop in Kananskis Country in the foot hills of Alberta,

Elbow River 

During the 2012 flooding in Southern Alberta the Elbow River  cleared out the trails and day campgrounds. It changed it's course by taking out a large portion of the banks.

The trail was along the ridge of this hill.

The starting group. 

At the summit 

Finish Line 

Emily Carr University on Grandville Island BC

Emily Carr University 

It was an exciting trip to Grandville Island, Vancouver BC on April 22. Lexi Hilderman invited Randal and I to the viewing of her first year Art Class Display. Before the show we walked around the the streets to see the sites. 

Ocean Construction Cement 

Lorraine and Lynne sharing  Hot Chai Tea 

Some of the Art Display

Feather Drum Stick by Lexi 

Eagle Drum by Lexi 

Many Faces of Lexi 

Art Piece by Lexi 

Shelf Designed by Lexi 

Lexi's Class

 After viewing the wonderful art we headed for La Casa Gelato. It was hard to make a decision from the 230 different flavours  of gelato

Thank you Lexi for you exceptional work and sharing this event with us.

NK'Mip Snowbirds Aqua-size Session



Getting ready

Lorraine with Lura

A group of participants meet three times a week to get in shape.

The gals position themselves in their favourite spots in the pool.

Lura call the session to order with a whistle or a 'Hi You'.

A 10 minute warm-up of yoga balance poises.

Deeper water helps with balance, in shallow there is hopping around

We smile as we squat,  raising our arms and positioning our legs in difficult positions.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 3 14 15

The 25 minutes of cardio gets difficult as we pick up our weights.

Spot jogging, with arms and legs flying in all directions.

Getting in shape for winter X-country and down-hill skiing and summer golf.

Kick, squat, kick butt, wash clothes, agitator, arm pulls, elbow to knee-single and double.

Ending this session with jogging so fast until you get red in the face.

On to the noddles for 20 more minutes often brings out laughter.

Chair, Foot-stool, relax, scissors and crunches.

Five repeats that is followed by 50 bent-leg side to side.

More leg work, one at a time, followed by arm pulls -- left, right and centre.

Back to the weights -- more arm work out 'Up-Down-Out- Out-In-In-Up'.

A choirs of counting can be hear.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 1 5 16 17 18 19 20

ARE WE DONE YET?

Finally it is time for our cool-down.

Leg -back-foot-flat and foot-to-the-ceiling stretches.

Everyone puts their backs against the side of the pool for hip and knee across the body stretches.

Biceps, triceps, shoulder rolls and neck stretches.

The funniest of all are the facial muscle work-out with a song of A-E-I-O-U.

A big self -hug as Lura says 'Good job ladies'.

Some ladies rush off home while other relax in the hot tub.

But,  Lura, after six months of work-out our shapes have not changed!!!!

We thanked Lura at an Appreciation Luncheon

Irene, Lura, Lorraine, Therese, Brenda, Patty, Eileen, Norma, Marion  

 

 

 

White Christmas in Osoyoos BC

The snow has been falling for a few days now putting a nice touch to the season.

NK'Mip RV Resort Osoyoos BC

The Street where we live

The morning view of our truck

Walking sticks used for safety

Wishing everyone a healthy, happy and loving holiday season and many blessings in 2016

Happy Hanukkah 2015

                 To help celebrate Randal made a Hanukah menorah out of a log he cut
                                  from a fallen tree near lake and craved a dreidel!

 

 

 

                           Hanukkah fell on December 6 when the first candle was lite.

                              Our few of our neighbour came for  latkas and jelly donuts.

Randal Ray Lorraine Fred Sandra

                                          The last night was on December 13th

Winter in Osoyoos A 10 km Walk

It was 20ºC and calm on Friday13th in Osoyoos BC.

 

 

A group of 67 ladies went for a luncheon at the Osoyoos Golf Club on the west side of the town.

I sat with Helen, Terry, Darlene, Shirley, and Carol. Carol and Helen walked from NK'Mip RV Resort to the golf course, taking 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Some of the ladies were eating by 12:15 and by 1:15pm last meal was served.

After lunch all 67 of us lined up out side the restaurant to have a picture taken for the NK'Mip RV Resort Snow Bird book.

At 1:45 I phoned Randal to say I was walking back with Helen and Carol. Well, that was a long walk, down Golf Course Rd, Pebble Dr., along the Interpretative Trail, through a canal-bridge under highway #3, down to the Welcome Centre. We were near Red Apple Bargain Store where Helen and Carol had to buy licorice all-sorts.

We cut though a few other streets walking in a northerly direction connecting with 92rd Ave. I thought we would never go south towards home.
 

Finally by 3:00pm we arrived arrived at the Marina. I phoned Randal again not to worry that I should be back within the hour.
 

By the time we returned to the Resort we had covered 10 km.

 

Thank Helen and Carol for taking me on your adventure.