Palmer Lake

After the boys got back from their fishing trip, we packed up the RV and together with Jan and Veronica headed off to Palmer Lake. We arrived without any incidents and set up camp: pulled out the awning, set up the chairs and connected the water and electricity!

The water that first afternoon was pretty cold but maybe that was because we were all so hot! The rest of the week we almost lived in the water; it was so pleasant and refreshing.

Parked up and having breakfast!

The two girls: Citation and Sunni!

Steve finally had his big brother around to show him how to play Acquire!

Jan had his boat and took the boys skiiing, wake boarding and just for cruises!

Our setup!

In a moment of madness (!), Stefan and myself (Fiona) decided to swim across to the other side. It was actually very relaxing and we took our time, alternating our strokes. It was just under a kilometer long and we did it in about 1 and a half hours. Jan took us back in the boat!

Rob came for a few days and provided all the entertainment we needed!

It was a lovely 5 days away from home and the world as we had no internet or phone access. To do so, meant driving to the nearest town. However, it was a bitter sweet week. The wonderful news was that John and Caren were blessed with their first grandchild, a girl, Aliyah Jayde. The second however was very sad. As we neared civilisation and internet, we found out that the Ryders were among the victims shot down in the MH17 over Ukraine. They were very close friends of John and Caren and this was a very big shock. The final news that week was that there were uncontrolled fires burning along the Cascades and had hit a number of towns. In addition, it was going to affect our return home if we couldn't get through the highway. Unfortunately we didn't have our passports, so returning home through Canada wasn't an option. As we neared Omak and stopped for dinner, we kept on eye on the traffic reports coming through and found out the Hwy 20 had been reopened and we could go. We headed off not really knowing how far we'd get and what we'd see. Sure enough, the smoke became very dense and it was very dark. Breathing got a bit difficult and we drove right through one of the towns that was hit the hardest. So many houses just razed to the ground, whole forests burning and it was very quiet and eerie.

We stayed overnight in a carpark in Winthrop and in the morning checked out the town. It was a very cute Western town with wooden sidewalks, however most of the stores were closed as there was no electricity due to the fires.

We then headed off for home. Saw this cute motorhome which was an old schoolbus and made into a motorhome.

This water was so green!

And so we finally arrived home! The corn was growing and it was great to be back!

To farewell John and Caren, we went out for dinner with Marv and Bernice and enjoyed delicious ribs and an assortment of other meats. It was very good! 

The following day, Hester took John and Caren to Seattle airport and we headed to Vancouver airport to pick up my dad and mum and sister Teresa and Alex and their two little boys, the youngest we had not yet seen! 

We had a great time with John and Caren and we are thankful they could stay with us and enjoy life here in the States. Apart from those dreaded border crossings (!), I'll think we might see them back one day :))

Thanks for stopping past!