Friday, July 10, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Next day - on the Oregon Trail
Hi there,
Up bright and early this morning - no grumbles though. By 8.25am we were walking in the door at Buggy Barn in Reardan Wa. Gayle, I tried to text you but they have no coverage.
Pam and Janet are two very talented sisters that design fabrics and write books. Their country style goes from the barn/shop to their fabrics. What fabulous hostesses they were. We were treated to Show & Tell of many of the quilts that are shown in their books. In the barn/store the quilts are even hanging flat in the slopping ceiling. The fabric specials are in the bathroom!!
After that it was a long hour and a half drive to our first BIG treat. Crabapple Hill Designs. Meg Hawkey is the designer and the whole theme of the studio is gorgeous. I don't have images here to post, but will tomorrow.
Meg treated us to a very lovely lunch. What a wonderful lady. Her girls were a lot of fun too. Just great to see the originals of the patterns that I know I have waiting back at the shop (plus a few newies too). Those of you doing Over the River Block of the Month with me will be very familiar with Meg's work.
A wonderful visit. After much exchanging of gifts, hugging and waving we were off west, then south, then west, then south, then EAST, then south. Thank goodness for GPS.
After crossing the Columbia River we opted not to stop at one of the ten or so food outlets - Kevin thought he'd like to get another 40 or 50 miles behind us. Well, them map (Mr Rand McNallys' $5.99 maps of USA book) shows that the town that we should be in by then is Kent. DO NOT blink, or you will miss Kent.
Okay, next dot on map in Shaniko. It's the same sized dot as Kent, so we weren't too hopeful, but things were getting desperate. We drove around a bend in the road and there is was. A real 'living' ghost town. This place is weird. All except two buildings are closed and for sale. After we had driven right around the twelve-building block we found the Cowgirls & Cowboys 'rooms'. In we went. On stall was the cleaning cupboard, the other two had toilet bowls in them, but only one had water. when you sat on the toilet your feet poked out under the door. On the wall was a graffiti board. "If you must write on the bathroom, please do it here". Great idea, because there was no graffiti on the walls.
The 'general store' was open. The sign out front says they sell 'eggs, milk, African baskets and unique gifts'. This was operated by a guy out of a really old cowboy movie and most of his stock was the leftover props. Barney, you might see him as an extra in one of your Bonanza DVDs. There were cane embroidery hoops for 25c, bags of old costume jewellery for $5 and more 'other' junk than your poke the proverbial stick at. But, the drinks and the ice creams were cold.
The Quilters all ended up in jail while we were there!! Loitering with intent I think. Too bad really. Anyway,bailed them all and on to Bend Or.
Shilo Inn is our home until Monday morning, so a good opportunity to unpack etc.
Don't know if I will be able to load photos tonight, but if they don't appear look again tomorrow.
We are having Fun. Today we haven't lost anyone, or their suitcases. Must be doing something right.
Up bright and early this morning - no grumbles though. By 8.25am we were walking in the door at Buggy Barn in Reardan Wa. Gayle, I tried to text you but they have no coverage.
Pam and Janet are two very talented sisters that design fabrics and write books. Their country style goes from the barn/shop to their fabrics. What fabulous hostesses they were. We were treated to Show & Tell of many of the quilts that are shown in their books. In the barn/store the quilts are even hanging flat in the slopping ceiling. The fabric specials are in the bathroom!!
After that it was a long hour and a half drive to our first BIG treat. Crabapple Hill Designs. Meg Hawkey is the designer and the whole theme of the studio is gorgeous. I don't have images here to post, but will tomorrow.
Meg treated us to a very lovely lunch. What a wonderful lady. Her girls were a lot of fun too. Just great to see the originals of the patterns that I know I have waiting back at the shop (plus a few newies too). Those of you doing Over the River Block of the Month with me will be very familiar with Meg's work.
A wonderful visit. After much exchanging of gifts, hugging and waving we were off west, then south, then west, then south, then EAST, then south. Thank goodness for GPS.
After crossing the Columbia River we opted not to stop at one of the ten or so food outlets - Kevin thought he'd like to get another 40 or 50 miles behind us. Well, them map (Mr Rand McNallys' $5.99 maps of USA book) shows that the town that we should be in by then is Kent. DO NOT blink, or you will miss Kent.
Okay, next dot on map in Shaniko. It's the same sized dot as Kent, so we weren't too hopeful, but things were getting desperate. We drove around a bend in the road and there is was. A real 'living' ghost town. This place is weird. All except two buildings are closed and for sale. After we had driven right around the twelve-building block we found the Cowgirls & Cowboys 'rooms'. In we went. On stall was the cleaning cupboard, the other two had toilet bowls in them, but only one had water. when you sat on the toilet your feet poked out under the door. On the wall was a graffiti board. "If you must write on the bathroom, please do it here". Great idea, because there was no graffiti on the walls.
The 'general store' was open. The sign out front says they sell 'eggs, milk, African baskets and unique gifts'. This was operated by a guy out of a really old cowboy movie and most of his stock was the leftover props. Barney, you might see him as an extra in one of your Bonanza DVDs. There were cane embroidery hoops for 25c, bags of old costume jewellery for $5 and more 'other' junk than your poke the proverbial stick at. But, the drinks and the ice creams were cold.
The Quilters all ended up in jail while we were there!! Loitering with intent I think. Too bad really. Anyway,bailed them all and on to Bend Or.
Shilo Inn is our home until Monday morning, so a good opportunity to unpack etc.
Don't know if I will be able to load photos tonight, but if they don't appear look again tomorrow.
We are having Fun. Today we haven't lost anyone, or their suitcases. Must be doing something right.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Day 3 - this I know for sure!
Hi again. What a fabulous day we've had today. Drove out of Kelowna on time at 9am.
Importnat stop at a fruit stand to buy fresh cherries and apricots. Yummy.
Miles and miles of vineyards to drive through this morning. On the recommendation of the Resort Manager (last night) we stopped at Burrowing Owl Winery. Wow!Wow!Wow!
This is a very nice place to visit, even if you don't care for wine. We did a slef-guided tour of the winery - including the turrett - then over to the tasting room. The building is very 'desert' and in a spanish-style finish. The wine tasting was very nice, but for me their Chardy didn't quite meet up to my favourite oak-y Hawkes Bay or Marlborough drop. The Shiraz was very, very tasty.
Have a look at their website for information about the Burrowing Owls. They are tiny and endangered and have inspired a great deal of good wine.
http://www.bovwine.ca
Then we travelled for maybe two hours through pine forest - many of the trees have been killed off by the Pine Beetle. Very ugly looking remains.
After a long slog through the mountains we emerged at Kettle Falls - no time to look at the falls, but time to head south to Spokane. This city is much larger than I had thought and we are staying at the very nice Marriott on the river. Dinner tonight was salmon and more mushrooms.
Tomorrow morning we'll catch up with yesterday and make an early start - 8am! Buggy Barn in Reardon is our first port of call.
Nearly forgot. We drove through Oliver today and being agood Grandma I stopped to take a picute for Oliver.
Till tomorrow,
Night!!!
Importnat stop at a fruit stand to buy fresh cherries and apricots. Yummy.
Miles and miles of vineyards to drive through this morning. On the recommendation of the Resort Manager (last night) we stopped at Burrowing Owl Winery. Wow!Wow!Wow!
This is a very nice place to visit, even if you don't care for wine. We did a slef-guided tour of the winery - including the turrett - then over to the tasting room. The building is very 'desert' and in a spanish-style finish. The wine tasting was very nice, but for me their Chardy didn't quite meet up to my favourite oak-y Hawkes Bay or Marlborough drop. The Shiraz was very, very tasty.
Have a look at their website for information about the Burrowing Owls. They are tiny and endangered and have inspired a great deal of good wine.
http://www.bovwine.ca
Then we travelled for maybe two hours through pine forest - many of the trees have been killed off by the Pine Beetle. Very ugly looking remains.
After a long slog through the mountains we emerged at Kettle Falls - no time to look at the falls, but time to head south to Spokane. This city is much larger than I had thought and we are staying at the very nice Marriott on the river. Dinner tonight was salmon and more mushrooms.
Tomorrow morning we'll catch up with yesterday and make an early start - 8am! Buggy Barn in Reardon is our first port of call.
Nearly forgot. We drove through Oliver today and being agood Grandma I stopped to take a picute for Oliver.
Till tomorrow,
Night!!!
Kelowna BC
Minter Gardens Day 2, or is it 3
This morning we woke to a slightly dreary Vancouver Monday. Will that dampen our spirits. Not likely.
Kevin the coach captain was ready and waiting at 8.45am and the coach was pulling out of the hotel car park spot on 9am.
Passed the 68 storey building (with the trees on the roof) we went, on through Richmond (were they have no cemeteries or churches), near Surrey and then onto Chilliwack and the Minter Gardens. www.mintergardens.com
The Minter Gardens were the brain-child of the Minter family about 30 years ago. There are all the usual garden themes, plus Crinoline Ladies, a flower peacock and more. We spent nearly 2 hours there. Gosh it was lovely.
Lunch and then on the road to Kelowna. A little under 2 hours of driving through the mountains (no snow storms this year) and here we are.
Kelowna is a hot tourist spot. Lake, mountains, shops, wineries, orchards and more. The climate today was delightful. We are staying at the Manteo Resort. Check it out!!! We all have rooms facing toward the lake and there is just no noise.
Tonight dinner and chardy were very important. Many of us had Portabella Mushrooms. Yummy. Lots and lots of local wines, so maybe tomorrow we might have to stop at a winery – or two!
Crazy things that happened today: someone was walking through a boutique and thought “I know that lady over there” – it was her reflection in a wall of mirrors.
Tomorrow is getting closer. Good night.
Ps We’d love some feedback from you!
This morning we woke to a slightly dreary Vancouver Monday. Will that dampen our spirits. Not likely.
Kevin the coach captain was ready and waiting at 8.45am and the coach was pulling out of the hotel car park spot on 9am.
Passed the 68 storey building (with the trees on the roof) we went, on through Richmond (were they have no cemeteries or churches), near Surrey and then onto Chilliwack and the Minter Gardens. www.mintergardens.com
The Minter Gardens were the brain-child of the Minter family about 30 years ago. There are all the usual garden themes, plus Crinoline Ladies, a flower peacock and more. We spent nearly 2 hours there. Gosh it was lovely.
Lunch and then on the road to Kelowna. A little under 2 hours of driving through the mountains (no snow storms this year) and here we are.
Kelowna is a hot tourist spot. Lake, mountains, shops, wineries, orchards and more. The climate today was delightful. We are staying at the Manteo Resort. Check it out!!! We all have rooms facing toward the lake and there is just no noise.
Tonight dinner and chardy were very important. Many of us had Portabella Mushrooms. Yummy. Lots and lots of local wines, so maybe tomorrow we might have to stop at a winery – or two!
Crazy things that happened today: someone was walking through a boutique and thought “I know that lady over there” – it was her reflection in a wall of mirrors.
Tomorrow is getting closer. Good night.
Ps We’d love some feedback from you!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Day one, part 2
Well, I omitted to tell you that two of the group have identical suitcases, so of course you can guess that they ended up with each other's at the airport. So, two purple suitcases, you can see how that might happen. It was discovered as we came out of the airport to the coach. Easy fixed.
BUT, the other one came all the way into the hotel and it wasn't until the lid was opened that the second oops was noticed. Embarrassed traveller journeyed back out to airport to meet up with father of other suitcase. These things do just add to the colour.
Have been for a quiet stroll along the boardwalks - just on dusk. My this lovely city is changing so quickly as they prepare for the Winter Olympics in Feb 2010.
My eyelashes are tired now, so it's off to bed. Good night.
BUT, the other one came all the way into the hotel and it wasn't until the lid was opened that the second oops was noticed. Embarrassed traveller journeyed back out to airport to meet up with father of other suitcase. These things do just add to the colour.
Have been for a quiet stroll along the boardwalks - just on dusk. My this lovely city is changing so quickly as they prepare for the Winter Olympics in Feb 2010.
My eyelashes are tired now, so it's off to bed. Good night.
We're here!!!
After a late departure from Auckland, we arrived in Vancouver to a balmy Sunday afternoon.
Marriott Downtown is lovely - great views from my room. We are here for just one night.
Stood on a street corner for a while this afternoon (don't panic Barney) and watched a crew film a TV commercial for Lexus cars. 50 people just to make a 15 second commercial!!
Bags out tomorrow by 8am and on the road at 9am. We're heading across the British Columbia to Kelowna. More Loonies and Toonies tomorrow.
Marriott Downtown is lovely - great views from my room. We are here for just one night.
Stood on a street corner for a while this afternoon (don't panic Barney) and watched a crew film a TV commercial for Lexus cars. 50 people just to make a 15 second commercial!!
Bags out tomorrow by 8am and on the road at 9am. We're heading across the British Columbia to Kelowna. More Loonies and Toonies tomorrow.
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