About Me
- Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathman
- Lee Creek, North Shuswap near Chase, B.C, Canada
- We went full-time Rving in October of 2005! We retired from full time to part-time as of the end of 2015. Our present "small but comfortable" Wagon is a 2008 Camper trailer(TravelAir Rustler), pulled by a 2008 Dodge Dakota, 4X4.l. Our home is now a Gated Community Park, in Oliver, British-Columbia, Canada. I retired in 2005 and my Life Companion, Valerie, retired October 1, 2006 from nursing. We invite you to follow and share our new adventures and mishaps. Life is but an adventure full of dreams yet to be fulfilled!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
July 21 to 30, 2006
We've had a wonderful time in Geraldton but all good things come to an end.
Some of the highlights have been golfing, Val going for a airplane flight with her brother ( see link to pictures), bicycling ( a lot) and kayaking. There are a lot of lakes to explore around here. I love my new kayak.
We've only had two days of rain and the rest of the time it has been hot and humid. Today, (Sunday, the 30th), is warm but not hot....comfortable. We took drives around and explored the neighborhood. Val did some shopping with her sisters.
Heard from the Tate's and Morgan had a baby girl which is fantastic for them. This gives Morgan and her husband the couple and I am sure it will make gran-ma very happy too. One for each of them(Pat and Rick)!!!
Yesterday, we went on a scavenger hunt where we were given a list of things to do and get. It was a riot, especially after when everyone got together to show off their finds. We were given two hours to get all the items and some were quite bizarre, like finding a magazine from 2000, man and woman wearing curlers, going to the local bar and dance around the pole (had to take a movie of it) and Val performed our dance. Sexy!!
Afterwards, everyone sat around the campfire and enjoyed a few drinks. We got home around midnight.
Today, we are loading everything, doing a wash, and getting ready to leave tomorrow.
See you on the road and don't forget to look at the pictures....lots of new one
Friday, July 21, 2006
July 18 to 20, 2006
July 18, Tuesday
It was cloudy this a.m. but cleared in the afternoon and with it, the temperature went up. Washed the truck and the 5er and relaxed in the p.m. Very windy today. Winnipeg is showing its true color
Aunt Nellie and her daughter, Sharon, showed up and we had them over for dinner. A pleasant evening and they left at 9 p.m. after saying our goodbyes.
To bed by 11.p.m.
July 19, Wedn. Sunny with cloudy period and a strong wind from the west.
Up at 7. am., packed and on the road by 9:15. At 9:40 a.m. we crossed the centre of Canada @ 096*47'. Longitude. There was a big sign but saw it too late and couldn't stop in time.
At 1:30 p.m., we stopped in Dryden for lunch. Scenery consist of trees, trees and more trees. Also as we entered Ontario, we started to see more rocky formations on the side. We also took on fuel in Dryden. No more cheap fuel....Went up to $1.039
Arrived in Thunder Bay at 6:30 local time ( we moved the clock one hour ahead just before arriving in Thunder Bay) Couldn't find the WalMart so stayed at a campsite for $23.
Called Geraldton to let them know we would be there tomorrow.
N 48*29" W 89*11", Alt: 839' Miles: 740 km Fuel cost:0.959 in Winnipeg &
1.039 in Dryden, Ont.
July 20, Thursday, Sunny and windy
Up at 08:30 today. We have a short drive to make. Fuelled again outside of Thunder Bay @ 1.04/L The further north we go, the more expensive fuel is.
We turned on Hwy 11 north and had the wind right on the nose. Followed Helen Lake for a while then slowly made our way North-East towards Geraldton. We passed 3 small villages and otherwise, it was a very boring scenery and rough road for the next two hours.
Arrived at our destination at 3:45 p.m. Not much has changed since our last visit. We saw strike pickets, a new grocery store and otherwise, same old, same old!
Everyone came to the house to say hi to us and then we had dinner with Dori, Paulo and their two daughters, Ashley and Christine.
We will be here until July 31 or August 1 at which time we will leave for Montreal. (1100 km away) We hope to do a lot of biking and kayaking in the next week.
The other big event is that we got our mail and in it, a bunch a cheques we were expecting. We're rich again!!!!!
N 49*43' W 86*57' Alt: 1127' Miles: 270 km Fuel cost: 1.04 in Thunder Bay & 1.17 in Geraldton
It was cloudy this a.m. but cleared in the afternoon and with it, the temperature went up. Washed the truck and the 5er and relaxed in the p.m. Very windy today. Winnipeg is showing its true color
Aunt Nellie and her daughter, Sharon, showed up and we had them over for dinner. A pleasant evening and they left at 9 p.m. after saying our goodbyes.
To bed by 11.p.m.
July 19, Wedn. Sunny with cloudy period and a strong wind from the west.
Up at 7. am., packed and on the road by 9:15. At 9:40 a.m. we crossed the centre of Canada @ 096*47'. Longitude. There was a big sign but saw it too late and couldn't stop in time.
At 1:30 p.m., we stopped in Dryden for lunch. Scenery consist of trees, trees and more trees. Also as we entered Ontario, we started to see more rocky formations on the side. We also took on fuel in Dryden. No more cheap fuel....Went up to $1.039
Arrived in Thunder Bay at 6:30 local time ( we moved the clock one hour ahead just before arriving in Thunder Bay) Couldn't find the WalMart so stayed at a campsite for $23.
Called Geraldton to let them know we would be there tomorrow.
N 48*29" W 89*11", Alt: 839' Miles: 740 km Fuel cost:0.959 in Winnipeg &
1.039 in Dryden, Ont.
July 20, Thursday, Sunny and windy
Up at 08:30 today. We have a short drive to make. Fuelled again outside of Thunder Bay @ 1.04/L The further north we go, the more expensive fuel is.
We turned on Hwy 11 north and had the wind right on the nose. Followed Helen Lake for a while then slowly made our way North-East towards Geraldton. We passed 3 small villages and otherwise, it was a very boring scenery and rough road for the next two hours.
Arrived at our destination at 3:45 p.m. Not much has changed since our last visit. We saw strike pickets, a new grocery store and otherwise, same old, same old!
Everyone came to the house to say hi to us and then we had dinner with Dori, Paulo and their two daughters, Ashley and Christine.
We will be here until July 31 or August 1 at which time we will leave for Montreal. (1100 km away) We hope to do a lot of biking and kayaking in the next week.
The other big event is that we got our mail and in it, a bunch a cheques we were expecting. We're rich again!!!!!
N 49*43' W 86*57' Alt: 1127' Miles: 270 km Fuel cost: 1.04 in Thunder Bay & 1.17 in Geraldton
Monday, July 17, 2006
July 13 to 17, 2006
July 13, Thursday
Fog around in Olds this morning. After loading, we stopped at the college where Audrey works and got a pair of Crock shoes, which is coming highly recommended...will see about that!
Said our goodbyes to Audrey and hit Hwy 2 at 09:30a.m.
Arrived in Lethbridge at 2:30p.m. and picked up the RV at Eldorado Centre then on to Bridgeview for one last night. All is well with our 5er, brakes and shocks checked out OK and no problem with the hot water tank. I can't remember if I mention this but they had to throw our our meat out as the main breaker malfunctioned and the fridge's freezer of course, wasn't working for a couple days. There went about $50. of meat down the drain.
It's sunny and windy in our campsite. Much welcomed!
July 14, Friday
Hit the road by 8:45. Took hwy 3 and fuelled at the intersection of Hwy 4. Went south to Hwy 61 then East. The Red Coat Trail is a real disappointment. Nothing to see and no points of interest. As we got on Hwy 501, it turned into a gravel road and was like that until Saskatchewan which changed to Hwy 13. We stopped in Covenent to fuel (.999/L) and discovered that a window was left partially open and guess what....the whole inside is full of dust, 2 inches according to Val!!!! What a bummer! To add injury to insults, Hwy 13 turned out to be a REALLY ROUGH ROAD! It looked like it had been bombarded with rockets, there were so many potholes. A real disgrace! We took Hwy 21 north to Hwy 1 then East to swift Current where we stopped for the night. $27 with taxe. So much for the famous Trail!!
We spent the next 4 hours cleaning the inside and all the furnitures. What a job. Trail Camping is the same place we stopped at in 2002 when we went to Quebec with our motorhome.
We average 11MPG for a total of 517 km Altitude: 2556' Position: N 50 degree 47' W 107.48'
July 15, Saturday
Left the camp at 09:25. Stopped in Mose Jaw for fuel @ .999/L. Stopped in Regina to buy a couple of 6/49 tickets as Val had a dream last night that we came into big money and she was distributing it to all the family....can't pass up this! Stopped at Indian Head at 13:45 for lunch a look around. Took a couple pictures here. We are still averaging 11-12 mpg with a tail wind.
The Hwy in Saskatchewan is pretty rough. Fuelled in Moosomin @ .979/L, seems like the further east we go, the cheaper the diesel. Arrived in Meadowlark Camp site in Brandon, Manitoba, at 18:00.
Called Auntie Nelly in Winnipeg as we will be there tomorrow. Also sent an e-mail to Bob and Kitz in Wisconsin. Moved the clock one hour ahead.
618 km today, Alt: 1340' Position: N 49*53' W 099*57'
July 16, Sunday.
Another hot day. 35 C! Left the camp at 11:15 a.m. Stopped in Elie for fuel @ .999/L and had lunch.
From hwy 1, we took hwy 100 then hwy 59 south to Isles des Chenes which is 13 km south of Winnipeg. Arrived at Arrowhead Camp site at 1515 p.m. and took the site for 3 days. This will allow us to relax, recoup and visit family. $75 for 3 nights with tax It's bloody hot....38C
Average 10-11 mpg with a light head wind. A grand total of 247 km; Alt: 792'
position: N 49*41' W 096*59'
There are new pictures at our picture site...see link
July 17, Monday,
Got up at 8:15 local time. We are 2 hours ahead and I think our bodies haven't caught up yet. It's windy this morning but sunny and comfortable.
Took a drive into Winnipeg and visited with Auntie Nelly for a few hours. Came home around 5 p.m. and stopped at the Royal Mint Centre but we were too late for a visit. Took some pictures. It looks impressive.
Dinner consisted of BBQ steaks and potatoes. Tomorrow is laundry day and wash day for the rig.
Fog around in Olds this morning. After loading, we stopped at the college where Audrey works and got a pair of Crock shoes, which is coming highly recommended...will see about that!
Said our goodbyes to Audrey and hit Hwy 2 at 09:30a.m.
Arrived in Lethbridge at 2:30p.m. and picked up the RV at Eldorado Centre then on to Bridgeview for one last night. All is well with our 5er, brakes and shocks checked out OK and no problem with the hot water tank. I can't remember if I mention this but they had to throw our our meat out as the main breaker malfunctioned and the fridge's freezer of course, wasn't working for a couple days. There went about $50. of meat down the drain.
It's sunny and windy in our campsite. Much welcomed!
July 14, Friday
Hit the road by 8:45. Took hwy 3 and fuelled at the intersection of Hwy 4. Went south to Hwy 61 then East. The Red Coat Trail is a real disappointment. Nothing to see and no points of interest. As we got on Hwy 501, it turned into a gravel road and was like that until Saskatchewan which changed to Hwy 13. We stopped in Covenent to fuel (.999/L) and discovered that a window was left partially open and guess what....the whole inside is full of dust, 2 inches according to Val!!!! What a bummer! To add injury to insults, Hwy 13 turned out to be a REALLY ROUGH ROAD! It looked like it had been bombarded with rockets, there were so many potholes. A real disgrace! We took Hwy 21 north to Hwy 1 then East to swift Current where we stopped for the night. $27 with taxe. So much for the famous Trail!!
We spent the next 4 hours cleaning the inside and all the furnitures. What a job. Trail Camping is the same place we stopped at in 2002 when we went to Quebec with our motorhome.
We average 11MPG for a total of 517 km Altitude: 2556' Position: N 50 degree 47' W 107.48'
July 15, Saturday
Left the camp at 09:25. Stopped in Mose Jaw for fuel @ .999/L. Stopped in Regina to buy a couple of 6/49 tickets as Val had a dream last night that we came into big money and she was distributing it to all the family....can't pass up this! Stopped at Indian Head at 13:45 for lunch a look around. Took a couple pictures here. We are still averaging 11-12 mpg with a tail wind.
The Hwy in Saskatchewan is pretty rough. Fuelled in Moosomin @ .979/L, seems like the further east we go, the cheaper the diesel. Arrived in Meadowlark Camp site in Brandon, Manitoba, at 18:00.
Called Auntie Nelly in Winnipeg as we will be there tomorrow. Also sent an e-mail to Bob and Kitz in Wisconsin. Moved the clock one hour ahead.
618 km today, Alt: 1340' Position: N 49*53' W 099*57'
July 16, Sunday.
Another hot day. 35 C! Left the camp at 11:15 a.m. Stopped in Elie for fuel @ .999/L and had lunch.
From hwy 1, we took hwy 100 then hwy 59 south to Isles des Chenes which is 13 km south of Winnipeg. Arrived at Arrowhead Camp site at 1515 p.m. and took the site for 3 days. This will allow us to relax, recoup and visit family. $75 for 3 nights with tax It's bloody hot....38C
Average 10-11 mpg with a light head wind. A grand total of 247 km; Alt: 792'
position: N 49*41' W 096*59'
There are new pictures at our picture site...see link
July 17, Monday,
Got up at 8:15 local time. We are 2 hours ahead and I think our bodies haven't caught up yet. It's windy this morning but sunny and comfortable.
Took a drive into Winnipeg and visited with Auntie Nelly for a few hours. Came home around 5 p.m. and stopped at the Royal Mint Centre but we were too late for a visit. Took some pictures. It looks impressive.
Dinner consisted of BBQ steaks and potatoes. Tomorrow is laundry day and wash day for the rig.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
July 8 to 12, 2006
We've had a very nice visit with Audrey and Marcel but it's time to move on. I called the garage on Monday and told them we are coming back on the 13th. Also phoned Bridgeview and made reservations for the 13th and cancelled the 17th.
Tomorrow we leave for Lethbridge to pick up the McKenzie and move back to Bridgeview for one night.
We've had a nice time and although we didn't go to Calgary stampede, we still had lots of laughs. Marcel came home last week-end and we ended up doing the pubs in Calgary. A good time!
Paulo, Dori's husband, flew in on Saturday and they left this morning for Ontario. We will see them again in about 3 weeks.
Heard from Eldorado RV Centre this morning with bad news. Apparently the fridge stopped working and all the meat in the freezer thawed out. There went almost $50. worth of meat. Dam! On the bright side, the brakes and shocks are in good working order.
Val and Audrey went to Red Deer again today and I've stayed behind to wash the truck and load up the kayaks and a few things.
I am not sure when I will be able to write again but definitely will once in Winnipeg. When we leave Lethbridge, we will follow the old "Red Coat trail" to Winnipeg. Should be interesting.
Bye for now
Tomorrow we leave for Lethbridge to pick up the McKenzie and move back to Bridgeview for one night.
We've had a nice time and although we didn't go to Calgary stampede, we still had lots of laughs. Marcel came home last week-end and we ended up doing the pubs in Calgary. A good time!
Paulo, Dori's husband, flew in on Saturday and they left this morning for Ontario. We will see them again in about 3 weeks.
Heard from Eldorado RV Centre this morning with bad news. Apparently the fridge stopped working and all the meat in the freezer thawed out. There went almost $50. worth of meat. Dam! On the bright side, the brakes and shocks are in good working order.
Val and Audrey went to Red Deer again today and I've stayed behind to wash the truck and load up the kayaks and a few things.
I am not sure when I will be able to write again but definitely will once in Winnipeg. When we leave Lethbridge, we will follow the old "Red Coat trail" to Winnipeg. Should be interesting.
Bye for now
Friday, July 07, 2006
July 1 to 7, 2006
We are now in Olds, Alberta at Val's sister. They (the girls) have gone shopping in Red-Deer. Her other sister, Dori from Ontario, is also here, so all three have gone. Oh, oh!!! Could be expensive! :-)
It is a warm day and this afternoon, I am taking the truck in to have the brakes serviced. We left the fifth wheel in Lethbridge at Eldorado RV Centre to get the brakes services and the hot water tank. Anyway, let's start from the beginning, shall we!?
I have downloaded new pictures....see link to the right.
July 1....CANADA DAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Got up at 6 a.m. to go golfing in Rock Creek with the Tate's and their family. We had a good game and a wonderful day. In the afternoon, we all went up the river and lunch kayaks and inflatable kayak that Terry and Brenda had bought. HE put a hole in the pump so Terry was not very happy camper. He managed somehow and they went down the river. We stayed back with Rick and Bill and took the trucks back to the camp. They had a good paddle and enjoyed themselves. The camp site had a big BBQ , for free so we went there for dinner. Hamburgers and hotdogs. It's a very hot day and we are forever seeking shade. Al and Brenda showed up around 6 p.m. and had a good visit. We left around 8:15 p.m. to get home around 10 p.m.
July 2, Sunday; sunny and hot
Up at 7 a.m. We packed and loaded the Medallion and headed out by 9 a.m. Fuelled @ 1.01/lt and headed up the Paulson Pass on Hwy 3. Reached 5000 feet and then went down to Castleguard where we took hwy 3a. No problems with the tranny or transfer case. Temp outside is 98 degree (35 C) The hwy to Nelson and Balfour was very pretty and we promise to be back in this area. Nelson looks like a city worth exploring more. We arrived in Balfour in time for the ferry across the Kootenay lake. While waiting I ran into an old friend (Wolfgang Schultz) who I had worked with in Chilliwack and hadn't seen in over ten years. We caught up to some of the news. He was on a tour on his bike with friends.
On the other side, we followed hwy 6 down to Creston. It was a very picturesque but windy and slow highway. Won't take that one again!
From Creston we headed east to Cranbrook where I fuelled again @ 1.01 for 90 litres. Averaging around 11 mpg and traveling at 55 mph (90 kmh). Got a call from Marcel...He will meet us in Lethbridge...He is traveling on his bike.
Going through the Crowsnest Pass on the BC/Alberta boundary, we saw three Elks and a couple of deer.
Around Ft McLeod, we hit a heavy rain but quickly dissipated and it was sunny again by the time we arrived in Lethbridge.
Arrived in Lethbridge at our site in Bridgeview RV Resort around 8:30 p.m. and we had just finished setting up when Marcel showed up. He spent the night with us. Caught up to all the news.
Total miles: 1093 km (includes side trip to Rock Creek)
Alt: 2719'
N 49.43' W 112. 52'
July 3/06 Monday; sunny and hot again
We were up by 8:30 ( we changed time yesterday...One hour ahead) Had breakfast and Marcel left at noon. We went into town looking for a kayak shop. Stopped at the information Centre and followed the scenic road around Lethbridge. Back a tour site, we set up the satellite dish and relaxed
July 4 Tuesday. Hot and sunny
Audrey (Marcel's wife and Val's sister) and Dori, also Val's sister from Ontario, showed up on their way home to Olds from Ontario. We had a nice visit and promised to see each other on the 6th.
Went into town and bought a Wilderness 120 Pungo kayak and a skirt for it. Val was really tempted to buy one too but sanity prevailed.
Came home and went for a swim to cool-off!
July 5, Wednesday, Cloudy/sunny, very humid
Up at 8:30, made reservations for July 17 at Bridgeview, made arrangements for getting the Medallion serviced (hot water propane and electric connections, service the brakes if required) and then went to the info centre to access WIFI internet with my laptop do check our e-mail and do some banking.
Went for a drive in p.m. and explored the town some more and after supper, a long walk and a shower to cool-off. It's really humid and hot even at this time....9 p.m.
July 5, Thursday, sunny and hot
After dropping off the 5er at Eldorado RV Centre, we drove up hwy 23 to hwy 1 then west to hwy 2 and north to Olds. Arrived around 4:30 and after a visit, went for pizza. Rain started and it poured pretty well the whole night.
July 7, sunny and warm
It finally cooled off somewhat. The three muskettes went shopping to RED DEER and I stayed home with Tucker. Brought this log to date and right now it's 5:30 and they still are not home.
Got the brakes on the truck checked and all is well. Now I feel good about travelling on.
It is a warm day and this afternoon, I am taking the truck in to have the brakes serviced. We left the fifth wheel in Lethbridge at Eldorado RV Centre to get the brakes services and the hot water tank. Anyway, let's start from the beginning, shall we!?
I have downloaded new pictures....see link to the right.
July 1....CANADA DAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Got up at 6 a.m. to go golfing in Rock Creek with the Tate's and their family. We had a good game and a wonderful day. In the afternoon, we all went up the river and lunch kayaks and inflatable kayak that Terry and Brenda had bought. HE put a hole in the pump so Terry was not very happy camper. He managed somehow and they went down the river. We stayed back with Rick and Bill and took the trucks back to the camp. They had a good paddle and enjoyed themselves. The camp site had a big BBQ , for free so we went there for dinner. Hamburgers and hotdogs. It's a very hot day and we are forever seeking shade. Al and Brenda showed up around 6 p.m. and had a good visit. We left around 8:15 p.m. to get home around 10 p.m.
July 2, Sunday; sunny and hot
Up at 7 a.m. We packed and loaded the Medallion and headed out by 9 a.m. Fuelled @ 1.01/lt and headed up the Paulson Pass on Hwy 3. Reached 5000 feet and then went down to Castleguard where we took hwy 3a. No problems with the tranny or transfer case. Temp outside is 98 degree (35 C) The hwy to Nelson and Balfour was very pretty and we promise to be back in this area. Nelson looks like a city worth exploring more. We arrived in Balfour in time for the ferry across the Kootenay lake. While waiting I ran into an old friend (Wolfgang Schultz) who I had worked with in Chilliwack and hadn't seen in over ten years. We caught up to some of the news. He was on a tour on his bike with friends.
On the other side, we followed hwy 6 down to Creston. It was a very picturesque but windy and slow highway. Won't take that one again!
From Creston we headed east to Cranbrook where I fuelled again @ 1.01 for 90 litres. Averaging around 11 mpg and traveling at 55 mph (90 kmh). Got a call from Marcel...He will meet us in Lethbridge...He is traveling on his bike.
Going through the Crowsnest Pass on the BC/Alberta boundary, we saw three Elks and a couple of deer.
Around Ft McLeod, we hit a heavy rain but quickly dissipated and it was sunny again by the time we arrived in Lethbridge.
Arrived in Lethbridge at our site in Bridgeview RV Resort around 8:30 p.m. and we had just finished setting up when Marcel showed up. He spent the night with us. Caught up to all the news.
Total miles: 1093 km (includes side trip to Rock Creek)
Alt: 2719'
N 49.43' W 112. 52'
July 3/06 Monday; sunny and hot again
We were up by 8:30 ( we changed time yesterday...One hour ahead) Had breakfast and Marcel left at noon. We went into town looking for a kayak shop. Stopped at the information Centre and followed the scenic road around Lethbridge. Back a tour site, we set up the satellite dish and relaxed
July 4 Tuesday. Hot and sunny
Audrey (Marcel's wife and Val's sister) and Dori, also Val's sister from Ontario, showed up on their way home to Olds from Ontario. We had a nice visit and promised to see each other on the 6th.
Went into town and bought a Wilderness 120 Pungo kayak and a skirt for it. Val was really tempted to buy one too but sanity prevailed.
Came home and went for a swim to cool-off!
July 5, Wednesday, Cloudy/sunny, very humid
Up at 8:30, made reservations for July 17 at Bridgeview, made arrangements for getting the Medallion serviced (hot water propane and electric connections, service the brakes if required) and then went to the info centre to access WIFI internet with my laptop do check our e-mail and do some banking.
Went for a drive in p.m. and explored the town some more and after supper, a long walk and a shower to cool-off. It's really humid and hot even at this time....9 p.m.
July 5, Thursday, sunny and hot
After dropping off the 5er at Eldorado RV Centre, we drove up hwy 23 to hwy 1 then west to hwy 2 and north to Olds. Arrived around 4:30 and after a visit, went for pizza. Rain started and it poured pretty well the whole night.
July 7, sunny and warm
It finally cooled off somewhat. The three muskettes went shopping to RED DEER and I stayed home with Tucker. Brought this log to date and right now it's 5:30 and they still are not home.
Got the brakes on the truck checked and all is well. Now I feel good about travelling on.
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