Kamloops weekend

It is nearing the end of summer so I found time for a weekend trip to Kamloops with my daughter, for no reason other than for fun. We had a great trip; did some shopping, explored a dusty desert mountain road, marveled at the smoke from numerous forest fires and stayed in a lovely motel. We also met some very nice people along the way.

The first was a young woman on the ferry trip from Vancouver Island. She stopped to look at the eggs I was working on and wondered how to make them. I was happy to give her a 20 minute lesson as well as a "nicer place" card.

Later, as I was waiting to be picked up from the ferry, I talked with a pleasant woman who had come to pick up her teenage grandaughter. She was not at all sure about accepting the card at first. I think she thought I might be trying to "sell" her something! After she read it she seemed a bit amazed as she had "never seen one of these before".

The next day in Kamloops I gave card to a most cheerful friendly waitress at the White Spot Restaurant. She made us happy we had decided to have dinner there.

On Sunday, before we headed home, we found ourselves on a gravel road wandering through desert hills, forests and along the edges of very steep canyons. We had no idea where we were! After almost an hour of wondering if we should keep going or turn back, we came upon two men and their trucks parked in a little clearing. They looked a bit startled when we asked them if they knew where we might going but one of them was able to tell us about the roads ahead. That information plus the time of day and the level of our gas tank had us turning back. I did not give them a card as they were packed in my suitcase but they surely deserved one.

August Road Trip

On August 12 2009 we set off on another road trip. This time we crossed into Washington State via the Sumas crossing as we'd never before driven that road. Weather was warm but overcast and wanting to rain. Half an hour into the drive we were stopped because of road work. There we had a long chat with the flag lady. She made the delay so pleasant I was happy to give her a card.

A short time later we arrived in Sedro Woolley and before making the left turn onto highway 20 and over the mountains we decided to pick up coffee for the road. The most convenient place we found was the Dairy Queen. When I passed the lady my travel mug asked for coffee she apologized and told me the coffee machine was broken. When I asked if there was another place close by where I could get coffee she said yes and pointed down the street. She then took my travel mug and said "wait here I will get you some coffee". As I was saying "no, no, its OK" she disappeared out the back door. A few minutes later she was back with my coffee and would take no money for it. Apparently she had gone next door and filled my mug from a coffee pot in car repair facility! Of course I could not leave without giving those two very considerate ladies a card. I enjoyed that cup of coffee more than any other on my whole trip!

The next morning we left sunny Spokane and drove into Idaho and heavy rain that stayed with us well into Montana. At a rest stop in Montana we found between rain storms, we talked to two members of a nearby Seniors organization who were providing refreshments. They gave us some coffee, cookies and sympathy about the weather. They also gave us some very useful road maps. In exchange we gave them some money for their coffee fund and a "Nicer Place" card. The day was a bit brighter after talking to them.

We stopped for the night in Billings Montana and checked into a Best Western Hotel. Just as we were about to open the door to our room the fire alarm sounded. Down the hallway two young (12 years old?) girls immediately came out of their room and headed for the staircase. When they saw us at our room door they stopped and called to us. They wanted to be sure we knew it was a fire alarm and that we knew where the exit was. They then asked if we needed any help getting out. They were two very sweet thoughtful young ladies! Unfortunately I could not give them a card. I have a policy to not give cards to children, which I feel is a sad reflection on the times we live in. However if I see the parents I will give them the card with an explanation. In this case I never saw the girls again with their parents and did not know which room they had come from. I felt I wanted to mention them because they were so thoughtful and I would have liked to have given them a card along with the verbal thank-you that we did give them.

The next morning at breakfast a lady asked to join us at our table as the Hotel breakfast room room was crowded. She was in town with her family and visiting her very elderly grandmother. She was a very open friendly lady and eventually her two charming young daughters showed up with another relative. They were a very nice family and I gave her a card just because we enjoyed their company. It was a nice start to the day.

We continued on our trip through Montana then north along the Cowboy Trail in Alberta to Rocky Mountain House. The last of our trip was through the Rocky Mountains and home via Kamloops. Along the way I left some cards with a few of the very friendly waitresses we met.

Wedding and Travel July 2009

I met some new people this month and reconnected with some friends.

In Sidney B.C. we went for dinner at a very busy restaurant near the Airport, Mary's Cafe. The owner (I am assuming) obviously loves his customers and his family. In fact his customers soon begin to feel like family. The food was wonderful too!

Near the end of the month I went to Harrison Mills for the wedding of the daughter of a dear friend. While I was there I met a lovely lady who keeps herself very busy organizing volunteers to help make better lives for people who need help.

I also re-connected with a woman whom I first met several years ago. She seemed so sincerely glad to see me that I felt very welcome and special.

I've given a card to the wonderful man who came all the way from Palm Springs California just to perform the wedding ceremony. His love and sincerity was beautiful to see.

I've also given a card to my friend of many years, the mother of the bride, to share with her husband and daughters. They are dear and caring people.

After the wedding we drove the Sunshine Coast just north of Vancouver. In the charming town of Gibson's we had lunch at Molly's Reach (of Beachcomber fame) and later I just had to give a card to the very friendly woman working in the tourist information booth. She gave us lots of good ideas and information.

Early the next morning, still on the Sunshine Coast, we drove to the ferry terminal at Earls Cove for the next leg of our trip. Also way too early for the boat was a family from Germany. We sat at a picnic table and chatted while we all watched the rising sun. They were fun to talk to. The parents and two children were part way through a busy trip through B.C., going to places and doing things that most of the people who live here have probably never done. It was humbling to listen to them talk about how much they liked our part of the world and the people they have met.