Alberta Free-Mo 2008

The model railway group we belong to has an annual event the second weekend after the long weekend in August in Big Valley, Alberta where we set up our modules and make a huge layout. Lots of different Free-mo groups join us. This year on the way back I managed to catch some great photos of lightning.

Pelican Safari

On August 3rd Julia and I went on a Pelican Safari. We had to trek over rocks and through the woods, but it was well worth it.

Stampede 2008

Julia and I went to the Calgary Stampede on Thursday for sneak a peek and on Sunday for Family day.

July 1st at the Calon's

On July 1, 2008 we headed over to Nanny and Grandad's to help move furniture and pull up the carpet in their house. By the time we got there it was all done and it was time for dinner. Good timing on our part I think.

Back to Calgary

Up and on the road again after having breakfast with Marty and Carol. We had Jon's favorite, cereal! One long drive back to Calgary. We stopped in at Golden for lunch and then continued on our way. We sure were tired by the time we got into calgary. We stopped in at Jon's Dad's restaurant for dinner. Extreme Restaurant in Bowness (area in NW Calgary). Good thing I still have a day to relax before going back to work.

To Kelowna

We headed out on the road after sharing breakfast with Larry and Lori heading for Kelowna. We took the Kokahalla highway as it was the shorter route there. After taking the long steep hills our little 90hp VW Golf TDI just didn't have the guts to handle them any more. Part way up we were severely losing power and ended up crawling up the hills at 40 kph in 2nd gear. It was a good thing the highway is twinned and that there wasn't much in the way of traffic. Finally the drive headed downhill and we headed towards Peachland to catch a ride on the KVR historic railway. It was pulled by steam and there was a good crew aboard. Another young couple riding the train asked us to take their photo since we had the same camera and knew how to use it.

After our ride on the KVR we headed into Kelowna to spend the night with Uncle Marty and Aunt Carol. They moved to Kelowna from Calgary in the past year. Their house is really nice. We enjoyed drinks and appitizers on their back patio and then retired inside for a nice salmon dinner. This time it was cooked to perfection. Jon is now so sick of fish, he won't eat any for at least another year. We had full use of the guest room and the bathroom in the basement. It was nicer than the B&B's we were staying at.

The Sunshine Coast

Up early the next morning to catch another ferry. We ate breakfast if you could call it that (cookies) while waiting for the ferry. Once on the ferry we ate a proper breakfast. It was really good food. Again we had rain, but it soon passed. We stopped in sechelt for a pit stop and a walk along the beach. There was a lot of activity. Sechelt is beautiful and one of those places I could see myself living it the opportunity ever arose. Another Ferry and then off to Gibsons, BC. We parked the car and walked around. I bought my friend a little gift and we went down to Gibson's Landing to see the location that the Beachcombers was filmed. We ate at Molly's Reach for lunch. It was really good food and I would recommend it to anyone. WE finished lunch and then headed off for one final ferry of our trip.

Finally onto mainland and off to Art Knapp to get some G-Scale stuff. We bought a passenger platform and a few trees. Now off to Chilliwack to spend the night at Larry and Lori's place. Thanks for the hospitility guys! They met us at Mr. Mike's a great restaurant and we all had dinner and then headed over to where the Chilliwack Free-mo group sets up. We helped them out with setting up the N-Scale layout before we headed back to their house. They let us park in their garage since we had so much expensive stuff in our car and they didn't want anything to happen to it. We visited and then went to bed.