STOP THE PRESS!

Wednesday morning we departed from our friends place around 10:00am - headed west - back to British Columbia.

It sure felt good to be on the road and headed home. We have been gone from BC - except for the one week trip Cassia and I took back in April - for a year. We sure have missed it - we really LOVE living in this province. For us - it has it all - mountains, grasslands, desert, ocean - neat towns, and a pockets of great growing areas. We are headed for the Kootney area - soon to be our new home. 

But first - we had the prairies and two provinces to get through.

The first five hours or so of our trip is prairie. 

We stopped for the night at good good friends in Lethbridge - George and Gail were our neighbours back when we lived in Princeton B.C. Darn - no picture! Too much catching up - we hadn't seen them in three years.

A view near Pincher Creek on the east side of the Rocky Mountains - a VERY windy area.

Yaaaaaa! We can see the mountains! 

Our first view of the Frank Slide.

Sometimes we drive right by Frank Slide and sometimes we stop. Since we could all use a walk we decided to go up. The Frank Slide was the deadliest rockslide in Canadian history.

What is left of Turtle Mountain.

Nice that their is a trail through the rubble - even nicer that we are here after tourist season and have the place to ourselves.

Cassia is enjoying taking over Rufus walking from Derek. Funny how he pretty much pulls Derek's arm out but knows to slow down when Cassia is in charge.

For us - a ride along the #3 highway would not be complete without a stop at Little Island Lake. Here's Cassia and I walking back to the self registration station - $14 for an overnight stay.

Yes, we could have found a free pullout or rest stop a little further up but we really like this little campground so it was worth the fee.

And a chance to have a fire. Cassia was pretty excited to roast her first marshmallow.

One was enough......

A nice shot of dad and daughter.

So many fun photo moments with Cas - she loved walking along the rocks by the lake until mom showed Cassia the sea monster hair stuck within the rocks. That got us back to the van fast and mom back to her tea. Not nice I know - I didn't actually think she would believe me! She was still talking about the monster this morning - hoping it wouldn't come get us in the van.

We are thankful that the snow is just at the higher elevations.

Only a couple of trains passed by the campground while we were there - nice that they went slow and therefore were quite quiet.

The view along the #3 this morning. Lots of fog so few opportunities for pics. However, we came around a corner and were almost blinded by the amount of yellow here.

Right now we are sitting where else but at a Home Depot - we've stopped for lunch and check email. 

We've been on the road for two days.......

And what can change in two days?

Well, our minds. Getting out on the road got us thinking about our decision not to travel this winter. Ahhhh - it sure feels good to be on the move!

Hands up on how many of you saw this coming?!!!!!

That, coupled with the fact that we haven't heard back about a few rental properties that we were inquiring about - and that coupled with the common rent price of $1,500 per month and lets just say we had a change of heart.

Plus - settling down NEXT winter is inevitable since Cassia starts kindergarten in the fall. 

So - the SE USA - here we come.

A few days here in BC to be tourists and check out some of our favourite spots - a quick visit with Derek's dad and step mom -- and we'll be back on our way south - probably Monday.

A huge detour back to BC - yep - it was - but it got us back to BC where we need to register our utility trailer anyway and purchase our Medical Insurance. 

Today we are headed to Ainsworth Hot Springs - one of our most favourite places - ever!

Teresa

ANNNNND.....WE'RE NOT BACK!

Cassia feeding a motherless calf at our friends place.

What! Not back - what does THAT mean?!!!

Well - to get straight to the point - we've decided - and just today - that we are not going to go south this winter.

Ahhhhhh......... (relief)

Instead - we are going back to BC - to the place we have chosen to settle down and to begin to settle down. Remember a few posts back that I mentioned that this would be a last trip south - I really meant our last big - all winter - trip south. On our way north last spring we had come to the decision that we wanted to stop traveling and find a place to live.

Of course we'll never give up travelling - we LOVE it too much. BUT we don't love it right now. Instead of having the travel bug we have the homesick flu.

Derek and I have been humming and hawing about going south for the winter all summer. By the end of the season we had convinced ourselves to go - after all - it would have been a great trip. But both of us had a nagging feeling that it just wasn't the right thing for us to do at this moment. Aside from being homesick all summer we're not quite sure what the problem is. For the last three falls we couldn't get on the road and south fast enough.

Today the decision had to be made because tomorrow is our departure date and we had to decide - west or south.

We've chosen west.

This was our plan for next year - but we hit a wall. We've been having the gut churning feeling about traveling for this year so it is cancelled.

It still feels a bit strange but seems like the best thing for us right now. It didn't help that we found what appears to be a great rental property - but we have actually found a few places that will work for us in the short or long term until we get our bearings in our new area.

Anyway - that is our news for today. Will we ever get to the SE States as planned for this winter? Maybe - maybe not. But that's life isn't it.

We're not the first travel bloggers to decide to get off the road......each time one of my favourites packed it in (you two ladies know who you are) I felt a bit of envy.

So - it's settled life for the Wood Clan. For now - I'm thinking that a short - or a few short - trips to the state south of us - Washington - might be in order over the next few months - after all we could use a  Trader Joe's fix!

We'll keep you updated........

Over and out.

Teresa

ANNNNND.....WE'RE BACK!

Miss us?!

WoW! We sure missed you all! Ok - so it IS possible to live without the internet on a daily basis for six months but it sure isn't a whole lot of fun. I realize that we ALL used to live without it but really - now that we have the internet it is tough to do without it. I don't know how many times Derek and I wanted to quickly look something up. Without it or satellite TV - our stay at Lea Park - out in the country - was very errr - detached.

Anyway, that is all behind us now. We are back! Say that in one of those scary voices! We were to leave the park in the morning but since we were all ready to go we decided to head into the city and stay where for the first night - why in a Home Depot of course. This was we can get all of our errands done early and be on the road in good time. We have about six or seven hours to make so we needed the head start.

The last few days at the Park were busy with last minute projects and touch ups on the van. Then came the packing, loading and finally today the cleaning of the cabin. Always sad at the end.

We were glad to have a nice and fairly warm weekend. Last night we finished off with a complete walk of the golf course. Something we haven't done all summer - not since May. It sure has changed - so so so beautiful with the fall colours.

Keeping Cassia entertained - can you believe this is the first time we tried this. We were always unsure where Cassia would end up with Rufus in charge of her destiny. But he did well, can't wait to try this out with a sled. Well, yes we can wait. 

Yup -  he did start getting a bit fast for her!

While I was taking those pictures I decided on one last look at the cabin. 

It was a bit grey last night while we walked the course but not too cold. It was a very nice 1 1/2 hour walk. Not sure if we will miss the fall colours down in the States.

It looks a bit different from the last time I took this picture back in May.

Where's Rufus!

Nice - right?!

Love love love fall colours. We were really impressed with the selection down in our valley here.

And so - here I am sitting on our new sofa in the van. I have to say that I am mighty impressed already - guess we'll have to see tonight how our new double bed works out for Derek and I. Cassia is already asleep in her new bunk bed. Lucky kid - what a cozy little nook.

So - I guess it is time for me to spill the beans - right?!

Where the heck are we going this winter anyway!!!!!

Well, we are headed south - ha! Funny I know. But it is true - south - then east and then south again. Yup - we are headed to the southeastern states of the USA. Were we there before? Yup - the winter before last - we traveled to Florida via Texas and the states in-between. 

This year - we are doing the trip a little differently. Our first destination state is South Dakota with a quick tour of Deadwood and area - including Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse of course. Then it is pretty much straight south until we hit Dodge City. Not really a must see but since we are headed that way I'm pretty excited to stop in as I read a lot of Westerns. 

From there - east - over to Branson Missouri - why Branson - well because we are going that way. Guess we may as well stop in and see what all of the talk is about this place. 

Then on to Kentucky. We are really hoping the weather holds our for us there because we want to take a good look around - we have never been. Mammoth Caves and of course Dinosaur World close by are on the list - but I have also found some neat little towns to take in and hopefully we can find some music. I think a stop in to see Loretta Lynn's home is warranted. 

From Kentucky a short trip through West Virginia and over to Virginia to get us on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We know that the facilities will be closed but we are very self contained and hope to do a lot of hiking. Again, we just need the weather to hang in there a bit. But not to worry if it doesn't - the van is totally insulated now!

We'll take the Parkway down to Asheville, North Carolina where we a hooking up with friends Curt and Debbie Crist. If you have been following us for awhile there names may be familiar - we met up with them the last time we were in Florida. This time we will be visiting them at their home and Church. Here we'll take a little side trip over to Tennessee - Dollywood anyone?

Then on to South Carolina - I'm thinking that it would be nice to spend Christmas in the Charleston to Savannah area. Can't wait to see these southern cities. And - back to the beach!

Florida is on tap for January - because - well - we do still want to have some warmth this winter. Fingers crossed for a warm one this year. We are very excited to return to some of our favourite places in Florida - like Micanopy of course --- ahhhhh Micanopy. And Plant City too - where we can once again almost live at the Strawberry Palace and visit more good friends - Barbara and Terry.

And then?! Well, home again. We are not exactly sure at the moment where are path will lead but it will undoubtedly include Texas - right?! And Colorado. Oh - and a stop in to see our good friends in Nampa, Idaho - we missed them both in the spring and now again in the fall.

Many miles to cover over the next six months - our last trip to Florida came in at 10,000 miles and $3,000 in gas - we'll see what we can come up with for this trip. At least we have a swanky newly renovated van to take us there in style.

So - are you up for the trip!?!

We sure would like to hear for you about must see places. Please pass on any advice you have for these areas as many of them will be new to us. 

Excited?! 

I know we are. We like NEW!

That's all for me tonight. I have a limited battery and some serious surfing to do. 

Posting will still be touch and go for the next week or so. We are on our way to visit with some friends for the remainder of the week and the Thanksgiving weekend. We won't be hitting the border until mid week. Fingers crossed that we make it through - it's always a bit of a challenge for us. 

Teresa

WE'RE ALMOST DONE!

Yes, we are here - surfacing again - out from the park into the big city of Lloydminister! 

Actually, other than our drive through next Tuesday - and inevitably stopping for something - this is our LAST shopping trip here - ever! Pretty excited about that - this just isn't our kind of place.

Well, haven't we been busy - paint, paint and more paint. We have been VERY busy with our interior van renos. Good thing we are just finishing up because the weather has taken a drastic turn for the worst - cold and wet. 

The GREAT news?! Only five days left at the park - yup - back on the road next Tuesday. Lots to do between now and then though - packing and cleaning. Just a few days right now of some R&R with all of us down with colds. 

A final paint job - finishing off the hood of the van. It just didn't seem right off white - so it got the rocker guard and green treatment also.

A little afternoon amusement for my girl and I. Cassia had a good time decorating cupcakes - I think she enjoyed that much more than eating them. That's my girl - a baker in the making.

We just had to share our favourite place in Lloydminister this summer. Do we love food trucks - or trailers or do we love them. With all of our jaunts in for building supplies we were glad that Michelle and gang were parked in the Canadian Tire parking lot. Can't get much better than the poutine here. Hmmm - is a food trailer of our very own in our future? Maybe ... maybe. 

With warm daytime temperatures last week Cassia and I got a few walks in around the park. 

This one is for you Brenda!

Looking back at our cabin.

The three of us also took a walk after dinner - actually the four of us - of course Rufus came along.

A common sight these last few weeks - we'll meet you there!!!

A quick visit down to the river - Cassia's favourite spot this summer.

WoW - an actual shot of Cassia sitting somewhat still! 

Cassia occupying herself on our front lawn while we are doing what? Why working in the van of course.

And HERE is a sneak peak! I'll do a complete before and after once we have internet more often. It was sure a lot of work but we are pretty happy with the outcome. And just wait until you see our new floors. 

And Cassia's bunk so far - I had great dreams of painting a dinosaur scene but it isn't happening this year - thanks to Grandma for sending along these stickers. Cassia's ceiling is filled with the stars and planets that glow thanks to Dad. We let Cassia stay up a little later the other night so that she could see them in the dark. Pretty neat.

And another shot of the exterior now complete.

No rain the other night but a VERY bright rainbow off to the north. Too bad it didn't photo as good as it looked.

Just out of the bath!

And so our time here at Lea Park is almost complete. 

We are excited about moving on next week - another summer behind us. 

Sorry, another post without letting you know about our winter travels. That will just have to wait a little bit longer. Meanwhile we are busy trying to get all of our paperwork done. Not that easy being in another province - you would think that we were in another country!

All the best to our travel friends that are already hitting the road! We'll see you - or read about you - soon!

Teresa