We Made It!

What could be better than waking up on my 73rd birthday than this view out of the Main House of Hatch Haven? Nothing!  Angela, David and Hannah met Ada and me at the airport at 9:45 last night, and drove us back to the Island.  Even in the dark, we had to explore the whole place - our respective sleeping rooms with fresh wildflower bouquets arranged by Hannah, the Guest House, Main House, and then to the Cook House with its newly painted kitchen and new sink.

Not There Yet!

The travel plan to get to Hatch Haven was to drive to Phoenix on Wed. August 2, meet up with Ada and fly early Thursday morning. Due to bad weather in the Midwest, our 6:00 am flight was delayed an hour, causing us to miss the connection to Sault Ste. Marie.  No flights were available on that connecting flight until late Saturday night.  So back to Jeff's house in phoenix for another 2 1/2 days! We enjoyed the extended two day visit with Jeff, Lauren and Katelyn and we played Rummy cube, to simulate our Island activities, had we gotten there!

The long haul home

We spent last night in Coeur d'Lane Idaho and we are camped tonight in a delightful National Forest campground about 50 miles east of Idaho Falls. We drove over 400 miles, through Montana mostly. The speed limit in Montana is 80, and the roads are excellent. We stopped for lunch near an alfalfa field and let the dogs out for a run. They went bounding out in grass over their heads and it took over half an hour to find them!

This will probably be our last cool night. With 900 miles to go, we start the long push for home.

Liz Meyer

Point Roberts

As small towns go, Point Roberts, Washington is one of America's best kept secrets. In 1864, when the United States and Great Britain made an agreement to draw the borders of Canada and the United States along the 49th parallel, nature provided one small glitch – a point of land about 9 square miles big, attached to mainland Canada lies just below the 49th parallel. This small town, surrounded by water on three sides and Canada to its north, is Point Roberts. One has to go through customs to enter.
Most of the residents keep a boat in the well-kept marina and travel to Seattle or the San Juan Islands from their town.

We took the night Ferry from Nanaimo, Vancouver Island over to the mainland of Canada and drove down to Point Roberts late at night. The next morning we found the place so enjoyable we changed our schedule and drove around enjoying the parks, views and the town.  If one loved the sea, this would be the town to retire to.

Sent from my iPhone

Whale watching!

While the folks in 29 Palms and Phoenix were suffering with record heat, we were getting dressed to stay warm and dry on our all-day excursion around the discovery islands. What a day it was! We were fortunate enough to run into two humpback whales frolicking off the southern point of Quadra Island. For 15 minutes they would dive deep and come up breaching, swim around slapping their dorsal fins, which were bigger than I am, blowing a spray from their blow holes, and doing it all around our little boat! Wow! How do you top that?? Well, the day didn't end there. We were able to stay down wind of a grizzly bear and get quite close to him on the shore, also a black bear, a small herd of elk, and lots of eagles. We had a picnic lunch on the porch of a small country store on the remote end of an island and all day long enjoyed spectacular waterfalls and scenery. This day was definitely a highlight of our trip.

Quadra Island B.C.

Liz Meyer From the porch of Fred and Kristine's house, the view is breathtaking- all day long we can watch the eagles fishing and lots of seals sunning on the rocks at low tide. To the west the distant mountains are snow covered, then nothing but green trees in between. To the immediate West is a privately owned island that is inhabited by only one family. This island is the sanctuary for the Eagles that fish right below us. The currents in this inland waterway are amazing as the tide ebbs and flows, there are amazing water flows with whirlpools and strong currents. We leave within the hour for an all-day boat trip around these islands in search of whales, bears, and whatever we may find. Stay tuned.

Best Dad Ever!

Liz Meyer There is a reason I inadvertently call my son Jeff by his father's name "Dave". Like his dad, Jeff is intelligent, fun loving, kind, and very wise.
On this trip I have watched him get up an hour before his daughters to walk the dog, get their breakfast and organize camp. This whole trip was planned by him and every detail has worked out well ( except when I tried to find a campground in Portland) he is patient with his girls but also very engaged in teaching them and giving them wonderful experiences. There are no guide books on how to be a great dad, but you know one when you see him. Happy Father's Day to all the other great Dads. Love, Liz