Rutley Cousin

Series 2 

We drove from Quartzsite to Hope AZ for a visit with my first cousin, Judi (Dextrase) and her husband, Hershel Eno. They are from near Gull Lake, Alberta where they live on their son's acreage. They own a RV in Hope AZ so they can spend their winters.

Judi (Dextrase) is my first cousin on mom's side, Aunt Evelyn's daughter. The last time I saw Judi was at Mom's funeral in 1989, so it was good to be able to get to know her on a one to one basis.

She expressed her fond memories of visiting the Rutley cousins after her mother passed away when she was 9 years old. Saskatchewan has very special memories for her. Not having a mother she said she was raised by so many mothers during her visits. She brought me up to date on some of my other Rutley cousins.

We had lunch with Hershel and her at their trailer. Then Hershel gave us a tour of the area around here. (See details on www.lorrandrvers.blogspot.com)

We returned back in Hope by sunset, 4:45 pm. Judi served us home-made lemon pie, she made from the lemons picked off the trees near their trailer.

We left for home viewing the sunset as we drove west to Quartzsite. It was a good visit and tour. We invited them to come for lunch before we leave here.

Bertrand Cousins

Series I         

Contacting cousins whom one seldom sees or even have met has been a great experience. On our travels to California Randal and I made a point of visiting only a few of my Bertrand Cousins.

In December we drove to east of the Los Angles area making our stay in Banning KOA RV Park. From there we contacted two of my many cousins to arrange a visit. 

The first one we drove to see was Larry and Martha Bertrand in Carlsbad near Ocean Beach in between Los Angeles and San Diego. 

It did not take long for Martha and Randal to discuss their love and knowledge of photography. She has taken some awesome photos and has many of family picture hanging on their walls. Camping experiences were shared with some funny adventures. Martha and Larry's main interests is photography and genealogy.

Larry showed me pictures of his family research and I showed him “ Where Cut Knife Creek Flows”, a history book. He was pleased with some of the information he found and xeroxed the pages.

Larry and Martha they speak highly of their children and grand children. Their daughter, Jacqui, who lives near by, stopped by with her young daughter, Ashlinn, to help with supper. However she was called back home as her 13 year-old daughter was sick and needed her.

We did not stop talking until close to 10:00 that night, a bit past their bedtime, and ours! We had been invited to spend the night. They pulled out the hide-a-bed in the living room for us. 

Another daughter, Julie Humeston who is the Director of Loma Linda University Transplantation Institute, where the Kidney Transplant takes place. She organizes a Donate Life Rose Parade Float held in Pasadena on New Years Day. 

Before we left Carlsbad the next morning, more visiting was done. Larry took us to his favorite walking area in Carlsbad Village and Carlsbad State Park and beach area. The Village was an older section of the city. We were fascinated by the houses, businesses and the eucalyptus trees. The “Coaster Train” runs along the beach, taking passengers from Ocean Beach to San Diego. 

We stopped “Miquel's Carlsbad”, a Mexican restaurant for a quick lunch.  

Our visit to the next cousin was, Theresa Tessier in Rancho Cucamonga near San Bernardino. 

We arrived at just in the morning at her place on Cottonwood Way. It was nice to see her. The last time was in 2000 when she came to the  Bertrand Family re-union at Atton's Lake, Sask. That was the first time I met her. 

She lives in an awesome large home which she and her late husband, Norman, built 25 years ago. Her passion is gardening and it showed in her large yard. Fruit trees, flowers, sitting areas, patios and water fountains. Inside was equally beautiful. Large kitchen, bedrooms, living room and bathrooms that has a large windows in them with a fenced in garden on the outside. Her husband ran an cabinet building business and had made some of the furniture in her house. Her family now run the business. 

She took us to see her daughter, Denise, who lives close by. Denise and her family live in a much larger house. At least 4000 square feet. The hall way going in was as large as our trailer!!!

Denise and her husband, David, and one of their daughters run Norm Tessier Custom Cabinets, Inc.

Here is a little history: Norman Tessier began his career in custom cabinetry in 1955 with his brothers. In 1978 he opened Norm Tessier Custom Cabinets Inc. in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Norm built his business one project at a time; his commitment to quality and craftsmanship was unequaled. When passed away in 1991 the business was sold to his son-in-law and daughter, David and Denise Beavers. Since then, the business has tripled in its size.

There are many more Bertrand Cousins we could have visited, but we will leave that for another time. 

Pencil Drawing

Lexi Hilderman attends the Calgary Arts Academy along with her siblings, Kaney and Nikki.

Their studies take them through music, writing, visual arts, sports, drama and many other forms of art as well as academics.

Lexi is always keeping busy. There is never a moment that she has nothing to do!

I am so proud to see what she creates.

Graceful Old Trees in British Columbia

SEEK A TREE AND LET IT TEACH YOU STILLNESS-----Eckhart Tolle

Randal and I spent a few weeks travelling and camping through British Columbia in September and October.During that time we took walks into some of BC's old forests.

While walking through these treasured areas we enjoyed the serenity and silence of these elegant and majestic trees. They have been there for countless years answering to the divine energy of the universe.

We are in awe by the size of their circumference, with new growth that grow from many 500 year old stumps.

We traveled along the Trans Canada Highway through Revelstoke and stopped 28 km east at Shunk Cabbage Boardwalk. We walked along the 1.2 km trail and boardwalk that lead us over a swamp inhabited by muskrat, beaver, skunk cabbage and a host of birds. Signs helped us to identify the plants and animals along the way.

Giant Cedars Boardwalk is located in Mount Revelstoke National Park, Giant Cedars Boardwalk Trail offer ed us the chance to see old growth forest with trees over 500 years old. We started at the Giant Cedars Picnic Area, 30 km east of Revelstoke. A half kilometre boardwalk took us into the heart of the park's old-growth forest, among cedar trees that may be more than half a millennium old. Signs along the way relate the importance of functioning ecosystems.

At our stay in Salmon Arm on the Shuswap we made a trip to Margaret Falls. The trail leading to Margaret Falls passes through a rock chasm that feels like an enchanted forest. The unique and sensitive ecosystem of flowers, trees and shrubs are part of the park's natural heritage. The water from Reinecker Creek cascades down a sheer rock face creating a natural shower. We could see the hidden cave in the rock directly behind the falls.

One afternoon we went for a walk with our friends, Iris and Richard, in  This park officially opened to the public in 1912 and has been a popular destination among tourists and local residents ever since. Lynn Canyon Park has grown from 12 acres in its early years to 617 acres today and contains second growth forest with most of the trees aged approximately 80 to 100 years old. Lynn Canyon Park features a suspension bridge that sways 50 meters above the canyon. It was built privately in 1912 when the park opened. There area good selection of walking and hiking trails that connect to other parks in the region such as Lynn Headwaters, Rice Lake, and Inter River Park.

Hazelmere RV Park also has an old-growth area that is not far from our site in the RV Park that we take walks through.

Moving On

What an enjoyable summer Randal & I had! With our trip to Saskatchewan for a few weeks and spending the rest of it at the Bow RiversEdge Campground, in Cochrane Alberta.










We walked along the walking path every morning for an hour. As the spring came and summer was here we watched as the foliage come out, develop and turn colour. The skies were always interesting  Nature is so spectacular. We often went for walked in Calgary and Bow River Ranch Provincial Park.

We were able to take in some events of Kaney, Lexi, and Nikki.

On our last day together we went for ice cream at MacKay Ice Cream  in Cochrane.

We are now on our way to British Columbia for a few weeks.

My Spiritual Journey

Life takes different turns.

As I reflect on how people and new inspiring information comes to me I feel that life has come to me with "Ease, Joy and Glory"  During these past few months this year I have learned more than I can imagine!

I have experienced sessions in Access Consciousness  at Britannia Bodyworks and Wellness Centre  Calgary Alberta. I listen to Rikka Zimmerman talk about "Clearing and BARS"

A book by Dr. Joe Vitale and Dr. Hew Len "Zerolimits, The Hawaiian System for Wealth, Health, Peace and More" has given me ways to understand who I really am. The Self I-Dentity through Ho'oponopono method to clear your life and heal yourself has been outstanding. An other site is: Business By You

I follow what Gregg Braden has to say on his You Tube presentations.

I am following the Durkan Diet and have lost close to 10 lbs in two weeks. Now that makes me feel really good!!

The Wonders of Nature

Every morning Randal & I go for a walk. We usually take the same path along the Bow River in Cochrane Alberta.


Randal takes his camera and captures  the changes in the plants, river and the sky.

I am over whelmed with the camera images.