Today was a bit of shopping day when Brad and Ben drove us into Trail. First stop was Canadian Tire for a new headlight lamp (the burnt out headlight was pointed out to us by a friendly camper when we pulled into Rock Creek before). We left there with the bulb, diesel oil, and some diving rings for Amelia and a snorkel mask for Oliver. Next was the Waneta Plaza Mall (cue nostalgia from Tenta childhood). A tiny small town mall that rivals the Portage la Prairie Mall from my childhood. We found The Source to check out what kind of charger we need for our Walkie-Talkies and our Garmin, since we appeared to have left home without one. Ollie was "pretty sure" he had packed the appropriate charger in his toolbox and so we didn't buy one, hedging our bets that he might be right. (he wasn't, haha). We'd end up getting a mini-usb charger elsewhere.
Stopped in at Gerrick's sports store (awesome store!) for Ben to look at electric bikes and Jonathan to look at sunglasses. Jonathan had his eyes on some rad Pit Vipers (read: obnoxious) and had almost settled on some Smiths, but couldn't decide. Ben, however, locked down on an awesome electric bike! Brad dropped our little family off at Gyro Park to play and relax while he and Ben got the bike payment/tune up sorted. Amelia loved the water park, and managed to navigate around the kids enjoying the park as their daycamp. Ollie and I walked along the river edge to the beach area and waded in the cool refreshing water. I was very tempted to go in as the sun was super hot. Oliver was more content to play around with a large metal spring and chain buried in the shallow water. When we got back to the playground/waterpark Amelia and Jonathan went to the river for a swim/dunk while Ollie hung out and *didn't* eat chips.
Brad and Ben swung by and picked us up we went back into Fruitvale to swap cars with Heather's. Our family drove across town to Caughlin Road to check out the Tenta family residence that Leslie and Erwin built in 1978. A long, wooded road that had a few dipsy-dos along it, we listened to Jonathan's stories of his paper route along it, and all the mean dogs that used to chase him. Jonathan knew the person who know owned it, and when we pulled up out front Corey was out on his deck. After realizing who we were, he warmed up quickly and gave us full welcome to wander down the big property and take photos. His massive shepherd-x, Jax, followed us around like a goofy kid. Oliver found a turkey feather! The bugs were bad, but worth the trek down the back property to check out the 40 year old tree house that Ollie and Amelia's Uncle Mike built in the 1980's. Oliver managed to climb up the rope to get inside it and he proclaimed it to be "very sturdy" inside still, despite the dodgy appearance on the outside. Pretty darn awesome that it was still there, even with the top of the tree missing. We checked out the concrete forms with the "M", "A", "J" scratched into it at the front door pad before hopping back in the car. On the way back down the road, we saw their neighbour Beryl Alderson on her ride-on mower dressed in a cheery yellow sundress and straw hat. She was a very good friend of the Tentas and we pulled over to the side of the road to wave. She stopped her mower and came over and leaned in the RV window, mosquitoes swarming around her hat, and had a lovely chat with her sweet british accent. A special visit to Caughlin Road, for sure!
On the way back we met Ben (on his new bike!) at Marsh Creek to walk the railroad to the little trestle to have a swim. When we got there, there were people there already and one kid fishing. Lots of bugs, and not wanting to disturb the fisher, we ended up not jumping in and headed back to the car... swatting bugs the whole way back.
We "raced" Ben back to the house and ended up ahead of him. We ducked the car down a semi-hidden driveway on a back road and he passed us without knowing. Jonathan took the opportunity to pull out and catch up to Ben on a hill and drive right up behind him. Poor Ben could tell a jerk car was right behind him but didn't know it was us.
Back at the Mason/Larson's place, the kids were immediately in the pool testing out their new swim equipment. The snorkel mask and rings were a hit and they stayed in the pool for ages.
No comments:
Post a Comment