Let us give you an update of what we have been up to and what our future plans might be!
Robert & I have written our own point of views, so here we go!
(to see larger pictures, click 'em!)
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Workamping at the Farm/RV park
We are surely enjoying the beautiful Columbia Valley Wetlands. Working here doesn't really feel like work, although our bodies beg to say otherwise! Hands are getting rougher handling tools and dirt, muscles are building up thanks to digging, pulling and hauling. Our farmer's tan is coming along nicely too!
We just passed the 3 months' mark of our arrival here at the park, and those 3 months went by very fast.
We just passed the 3 months' mark of our arrival here at the park, and those 3 months went by very fast.
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| Fishing on the Columbia, anyone? |
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| One of our many gardens! |
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| CP train comes by a few times a day |
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| We have an orchard too! |
We have a great garden growing and a small greenhouse as well. We have planted romaine lettuce, tomatoes and zucchinis for ourselves. Many more vegetables planted by the owners are too many to list, but September will be for sure be a month of processing and canning here!
Speaking of processing, I took part in preparing bear sausages, from start to end. Quite the experience! It is also very tasty.
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| Onions |
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| Zucchinis, eventually |
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| Tomatoes! |
More Work
On top of that, both of us are working extra hours. I am translating regularly and have picked up another contract that hopefully will ensure that I can make my translation business my only source of income in the future. Rob has picked up a full-time job at a lodge at the Kicking Horse touristic area and he is enjoying it.
Unfortunately, our exploration will be limited somewhat to our 2 days off. Not a big deal, as those days off are mid-week. We are no weekend warriors. 😏 We have reservations in Banff for 5 nights in August, which we are looking forward to very much.
Although we have been busy in June and July, we took the time to go camping outside the RV park on our days off! I know it sounds weird to go camping when you live in a campground, but it is nice to get away from the workplace once in a while!
We visited Wasa Lake Provincial Park in June. We spent 3 nights at the very quiet town of Wasa, 3 hours south of Golden. The weather was perfect and we enjoyed using our solar panel once again (we chose a no hookups campsite). We also took the opportunity to take the generator out for a bit of exercise. We had the chance to relax and rest, the campground was near empty, which was perfect for us.
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| Pretty wildflowers grow well up there ~ Shot of Wasa Lake from hiking trail ~ Our site was just the right mix of privacy, shade and sun (for solar!) ~ Nice walking trail, just the way we like them! |
Where to Travel Next?
We also decided to put on hold our "2019 Trip to Alaska" plan. We felt we needed more money, so we changed our plans, again. Alaska is a big undertaking that takes planning and upgrades that we cannot be making at the moment.
One option we have is to drive back here out West to pick up the CaRavan in the spring of 2019 and swing south into the American Midwest back towards Eastern Canada. Or drive back to Ontario/Quebec while exploring the Canadian Midwest! Or drive with the CaRavan back east and store it there for the winter. We know that Alaska will be there still, waiting for us.
When Are We Going Back To Normal?
Some people have asked us that question. And so many more!
When are we going back to normal life? When are we going back home? Where are we going to live? What are you going to do with your stuff? How about your RV?
What is normal, after all? 2 cars, a house, a mortgage, fully loaded credit cards and stressed because you have to work 60 hours a week to pay for that stuff? If that is normal, then we don't want it. At all!
For now, normal to us looks like this... A small affordable house or condo nestled into or near a forest with a small creek or river running in the back. Working from home and/or within an easy 1-hour drive. Having time to play tennis and hike, and to pursue creative endeavors at a leisurely pace. Having time to read and take afternoon naps if we want. That is normal to us.
As to the where and when, well these will all fall into place and click whenever the time is right.
Lots of Options
We are considering getting a small place to live in Eastern Ontario or Quebec. Perhaps something we could rent out in the winter, especially if our home is located in ski country where rentals are common. That way, we could head south for the winter. Of course, that means that either one of us who decides to pick up a job is going to be contractual or seasonal.
We have so many other options as well! Perhaps too many. But whatever we choose, we will do it for us and will choose accordingly to our goals and objectives in life.
Thank you,
Chantal
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Forks in the RV Road of Life
They say that life happens while we're busy working on something else. I've heard many variations of this statement, and I think they're all true, more true than we may realize. Wherever you are right now is the result of a lifetime of choices that have led you to this very moment. And with so many moments, so many choices, so many directions to consider, it is mind boggling to consider how many life paths there are in the world.
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| Waitabit Creek free waterfront campsite |
I didn't know that Golden even existed a few months ago, aside from being an adjective used to describe paradise. But this town, nestled in the Columbia River Valley and sandwiched between two stunning mountain ranges, is actually a real place that truly helped to redefine my image of Canada. It could take years to explore British Columbia - indeed, many locals here have done just that - But Chantal and I have already broadened our horizons in just a few short months of living in this community.
Most people around here say "No Worries." And they really mean that. In this sprawling, vast landscape of overwhelming scenery and energetic wildlife and crisp, fresh air, you have no choice but to relax and drink in the endless wonders. The mountains and rivers and forests change color and texture every five minutes. Animals of all shapes and sizes appear out of nowhere and gawk at us as if we - not they- are lost. Huge, elongated clouds stretch across the horizon and show you storms coming from miles away. Nature is in true command here, and those who live here accept that and are grateful to be a part of it. |
| Farmer Girl! |
Our RV adventure has led us to a place where work needs to be done, and where we need to work. The park where we live is also a self sustaining farm, complete with livestock and gardens that can grow just about anything: apples, tomatoes, zucchinis, corn, potatoes, raspberries, strawberries, the list just goes on. Hunting is not only permitted in these parts, but also encouraged - but not for sport. The owners here hunt for deer and elk, and the meat they provide can feed for months. Farmers markets are chosen over grocery stores, whenever possible.
As for us, we do our part: cut grass, weed gardens, plant crops, feed pigs, print signs, receive overnight traveler arrivals, gather wood, can goods, chop tree branches, and help with ongoing projects. Time passes quickly here, even though the sun stays out late here. I never imagined that I would one day work on a farm, just as I had never expected to live in a trailer/RV park or explore America or get dental work done in Mexico, but these are all "forks" that the RV culture has given us and changed forever how we see the world.
One day we will have to leave this magical place. But that will be our next fork: to travel across the rest of Canada, something I once considered a daunting, impossible prospect. And the questions we keep hearing make us think about the future and all the options that lie ahead. When will we stop? Where will we end up? How will you live? Have you seen enough? The answer is simple: we don't know. When Chantal & I have breakfast meetings (a euphemism for sitting outside having coffee in front of the mountains), we come up with more questions almost every time. All that means is that the lifestyle we embarked upon two years ago continues to give us more forks to think about. And we look forward to every one of them.
Thank you for reading,
Robert
