Good Friday, Easter, 2026

It has been a tough week.  Mostly because I bought the Jeep and acquired a debt that bothered me. I’d traded in my 2017 Mini Cooper and last weekend decided to sell my truck, and camper. They were at Adventure RV waiting to have the one happy jack reinforced.  I worried the night before fearful of the drive out on the highway on my Vespa. It was just a foreboding, an uncertainty. I have this with age now, wondering will I live this truly minor event.  The ride was actually exhilarating .  I wasn’t cold either having dressed sufficiently.  

Kevin said they could get the camper off and I could take the truck in a couple of hours. I rode the Vespa over to Victors. In his Ram we headed out for breakfast. He had his regular omelette while I had sausages and eggs.  His other Veterans came in. Also some folk from the program. He enjoyed chatting with them as they passed out table. I enjoyed the sausages. All round pleasant country men connecting. We talked of guns and the gun buy back too.  

Then I was back at Kevin’s Adventure RV where he was kind enough to use a forklift to load the Vespa onto the F350.

Now I drove back to Vancouver and unloaded so much ‘stuff’ , good ‘stuff’ mind you , at the Maple Leaf Storage Locker, The Honda 3000 generator, tools from under the seat, dog toys of course.  Then I brought back the heavy tail gate and the 4 winter tires.  

The next day on the Grok AI its said the resale price was $40,000. I talked to Ford and the sales man hadn’t got back to me so I phoned next day. I’d taken a day off work to get the Truck because nothing was open on Friday Saturday.

Expectation was the key.  With myself I expected to pick up the truck , drive it home unpack it and sell it. I was exhausted and waited till the next day.

 Then I drove in to Ford and the salesman began dickering because he said I hadn’t told him it was gas not diesel. I lost it and said if I have to do surgery and need to know your blood type I’m going to ask that. I don’t expect you to know that. He wanted me to come back on Monday. He was trying to do the best but I wass frustrated so much that I couldn’t get turned around with all the new cars about. So I went into service which I’ve always loved at Ford.  Told the guy my problem and he understood and drove the truck out of the lot to the gate.  I then drove to another Ford and they suggested because it has the scratches that they wouldn’t buy it because they’d need to fix that .  Canada drives had offered me $33,000 sight unseen but the Journey folk had said that though they were Jeep I could bring it back there when I was buying the Jeep originally. 

I did and Ryan was great. He took pictures, come back next day if the price was fine. He put it out for auction the next day. $30,000 was fine. This was day 3 of the process. That day i drove the truck over. He got the service guys to take my Vespa off the back. I drove home on the Vespa. Great drive.

Monday their accountant was supposed to cut a check.  They didn’t get back to me. I’d signed over the truck and left the truck and was involved in a virtual clinic then I phoned their finance folk and really complained .I was dealing with a woman and police and a machete. I’d ridden my Vespa to the DTES. I had so many people wanting me and here I was catastrophizing about fianances.

I normally don’t think about that because I trust God yet it brings back the divorce where she was on Cocaine and crazy and not showing up at work,  up all night. The dog and I had no place to stay and it was raining and cold and I couldn’t ‘t get any food  or sleep. I had told her I can treat 100 crazy people or her but not both. I needed to get away from the screaming insanity but she refused to go to treatment or get help. I saw a psychiatrist who said my problem was my wife’s severe adiction.  I went to  my so called friends because I knew my dog would be welcome. We’d tried a couple of hotels but they didn’t take dogs.  The biker ‘friends’ realize that I was weak and vulnerable so took the opportunity to capitalize .I’d been their ‘friend’ when I was always financially = well but now tthey stole $30,000 from me along with my truck. In the past we’d all smoked some pot and drunk some wine but in the last year cocaine had hit. 

Fortunately for me I had a bad redaction but for them it was  severe addictions like my wife.  I was now the source of money .So there’s some anniversary trauma shit happening. She’d blown the transmission on my truck and continued to drive it and they kept the truck supposedly in exchange for a car I never got. I hate when the flashback and nightmares come back. I left her and the marriage and the practice that night when she continued drugs and wouldn’t go to treatment.  The lies were worst.  It was when I was with the biker friends drunk at night in the woods that I felt I was outside God’s grace.  That was the height of my ego that I felt I could be beyond God’s love. It was an epiphany of arrogance and self pity.  That day a Christian friend called and I told him I wanted to go back to church .   

Ryan then came through ant the Jeep  and gave m the cheque the accountant had screwed up with.  Now there was no bank open. Next day at noon after an easy morning virtual clinic with my cleaning ladies arriving I went into TD leaving the dog in the Jeep. I deposited the cheque. The loan is with RBC the bank I had with the ex decades back .and perhaps that triggered thing too..  I’ll move the money from TD to RBC after Easter.  

With all that I missed Maundy Thursday, the Last Supper and the Washing of the feet. I remember years I’d eat pancakes and participate each day of the Holy Week. That was when I was attending St. John’s or Christ Church. At. St. Barnabus I’ve been more lax.  

As my  friend George says., “it’s only money’ and today that’s the ‘caddilac’ problem.  We call it a caddilac problem because it’s not a real problem like the time the guy went through the stop sign and hit me on my bike throwing me over the hood bouncing off the roof and then landing on my head and neck on the road. I’d been going to see my Priest in preparation for adult baptism.  Lying on the road I felt I couldn’t fight anymore and was picked up in the stretcher and taken by ambulance to UBC. I was afraid my neck was broken and I couldn’t feel.   I just waited for the MRI results after I’d had the scan. The doctor came. His name was Dr. Priest. He told me nothing was broken.  I was so greateful.  That wasn’t a Cadillac problem  My close friend was quadriplegic and told me when the staff didn’t show up , some dispute with her boss,  he’d said he couldn’t empty his bladder and suffered all morning until his son showed up.

I’ve identified with Jesus’s suffering.  Money problems aren’t the cross but illness and death of loved ones and catastrophes are. I was just so self absorbed in things not going on my time.,  Something I planned would be done in a day maybe two took 5. The $40,000 I was hoping for turned out to be $30,000. I was physically utterly fatigued with my chronic back pain and weakness overwhelming at times .  But it was ‘my way’ not .;thy way’ and I was just catastrophizing and feeling sorry for myself.  These moods and paranoid thoughts were Norm in the days before I got sober. I went from a millionaires with yacht and swimming pools and my dangerously insane ex treated as ‘normal’ managing my affairs while I got help . Insane. Now I know that’s the world of alcohol and ego and the people I knew in that day.  That was a bad year financially and physically but spiritually it was the best.  I loved getting to know Father John better.  I met George and I prayed and meditated and walked my dog and was blessed to know Dr. Lam, Dr. Gutowski, Dr. Baker and Dr. Graham.  I considered suicide that year.  Now nearly 30 years later I have so much to live for.

The F350 Lariat edition super duty with sun roof and long box 4x4 had been with me 7 years. I thought of the hunting and fishing and all the good times camping with Laura and Gilbert then Laura and Madigan. It was a really good truck and now it was gone.  The mini had been Gilbert and Laura and my ride. When Gilbert  became blind I traded the Miata sports car  we loved in for the Mini so I could take Laura and him to the Oregon beaches and cry watching him run free knowing he wasn’t going to bang into anything.  Sailing we’d dinghy into a beach so he could run free on the sand 

I’m aging and dealing with loss. I sold the sailboat getting a pittance for it. I don’t have time to invest in sales. When I wrote a book I was supposed to market it and didn’t because it’d rather do clinical work. I like being of service.  

I’m here now in a motorhome with a jeep. The jeep with a tow kit will be able to be pulled behind my motorhome. I”ll probably sell the Vespa and quad because the jeep can do everything.  I’m reducing and minimizing. I have the money in the bank to pay for the motorhome and jeep but something to do with taxes and such makes it better I just have the loan and pay it off over he next 5 to 10 years but then I don’t know if I’ll have 10 years though I expect it’s another quarter country to go unless I get shot at again or go over a cliff or crash a motorcycle or car.  I have a guardian angel or many and have been blessed for sure.

I used to love the Travelling Wilburies “Handle Me with Car’.  Now I’m more likely to play Holy Holy Holy on the stereo.  I love Third Day and am enjoying the audio in the Jeep . I’m in transition.  From Sailboat to Truck and Camper I’m now in Thor Motorhome and 2 door Jeep Wrangler. It feels right. 

Laura is coming over today.  She has a week of holiday and Madigan and I are so looking forward to her being with us. When she came to LA I rented a car for a couple of thousand so I won’t need to do that . I’l have savings too not needing to pay licenses or storage on all the vehicles. 

I’ve been studying Orthodxoy.  Kevin Anna and the God kids have found a home in a Greek Orthodox Church. Because my church is going to hell in a hand basket with King Charles sounding more Muslim than Christian and the pope celebrating Islam I’m considering what church I can attend.  I’m enjoying learning about Constantinople and the Orthodox and Oriental churchs.  My priest was caught up in the Climate Change UN political money scheme.  She’s partial to the South Americans having lived there. I just see the IPCC as a scam created by the Communist Chinese and orchestrated by the communist Maurice Strong and supported by Pierre Trudeau who allied himself and Canada with Cuba and Castro.  Now Carney allies himself with Communist China and is annti anmerica and freedom. 

 Israel and America are at war with Iran who was the principle ally of communist China.  WHO went over to the dark side in covid when I studied the genetic code and knew they were lying about the poor Pangala.  Fauci then was lying to the President and the whole lies and corruption of Justin Trudea and autopen Biden was going on. Jan. 6th was a scam as big as the declaration of martial law in Canada over a peaceful demonstration.

I’ve been trying to maintain peace of mind.  I remember Anita telling me that she and Willy tried to play it safe in their latter years of service and work and remember how the wonderful wonderful Godly Phillip was persecuted by the authorities for his pro life stand.

I don’t want to be a martyr. I’m more like Peter and would rather be like John. I ‘m from cowboy stock and want to die with my boots on in bed at a hundred or so.  Dad wanted to go when they wouldn’t;t let him sit outside. I don’t think I’ll do well institutionalized.  But for now I want to camp 

I have everything I need. I’ve money in the bank but no pension so fear when carney gloats about having trillion of Canadian pension and his face and the Quatar faces all look like the my biking hunter ‘friends’ who betrayed me taking my money and belongings and dividing them among themselves.

The guards took Jesus’s clothes and divided them in four among themselves.  The Roman administrator Pilate had put up a sign calling him “king of the Jews’.  

Canada seems metaphorically to be plundered by Trudeau and Carney. The great replacement is the removal of the Christians and replacement of them with Muslims.  The Crusades are taught falsely.  Islamophobia is punished yet it is the Muslims persecuting Christians and Jesus. 

Our PM joined with the Hammas Palestinian terrorists and antisemitism  after Hammas killed hundreds of young Israelis at at music festival. It turned out all the billions of aid money was used by Palestine to build a veritable warrior cave system under Gaza to attack Israel.  Yet there’s Carney clelebrating terrorists like Trudeau did.

I feel sometimes looking at Canadian politics this last decade I’m in the asylum.  Not ironically the schizophrenics votes the same distributions in Canada as Montreal and Toronto.

I was going to go to church for the Good Friday mass but have stopped here to journal.

I will go to mass tomorrow with Laura .She asked me to get Hamm for Easter meal.   

I should stop social media contributions on Facebook. X is more mature.   Zuckerberg is pro communist china.  Communism is the religion of aetheism.  

Today is the day Jesus was crucified. In the Gospel of John his last words are ‘it is finished’.

In Mark ‘Jesus cried out “Eloi. Eloi. Lema sabachthani!’

“My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?”

Adventure - Winnipeg to Thunderbay

It was rainy and grey when I left Winnipeg.  The journey to Kenora brightened up. Passing Falcon Lake I had fond memories of water skiing with the twins and first sailing on a lazer with Glenn  I drove around Kenora and was surprised to see Minsk’s. More fond memories of time visitting Kirk at their family cabin.  Canoe trips taking off with friends from the Minaki Lodge. MacDonald’s Chronicles of Minaki.  I think it was the memory of hearing the Lodge had been burnt down that kept me from veering off to visit the old holiday haunt. 

I really enjoyed driving through the Lake of the Woods, pristine lakes amidst forests of evergreen and deciduous forest.  Driving into the Canadian Shield is a grand experience after the prairies and mountains west.  This is a vast area I knew from youth and young adult years. This continues north to the Boreal and Taiga biome. I flew above these forests when I worked with the Northern Medical Unit flying north to Churchill and visiting northern reserves in northern Ontario and Manitoba.  

I was listening to Vergese Covenant of Water so had this incredible background story being told by the great writer and doctor. I loved his Cutting Down the Bone tale of an Ethiopian Clinic.  

The highlight of my trip was stopping by a lake donning a red bathing suit and going for a swim.  The red was a contrast to the green and browns of the season.  The water was chilly but not terrible. I look forward to more swims on the way back when I hope to have more time.

I’m on a mission to get to Ottawa, working 3 days and travelling 3 days.  I’m hoping to have a couple of weekends in Otttawa and Napanee but won’t be able to have fixed plans till I sign into an. Ottawa RV park for a week.

Thunder Bay was a surprise like Regina. It has expanded and been built up far more than I remember. I really liked the town as I had to drive about trying to find an RV park.  Towbridge campgrounds were closed but finally the Thunder Bay KOA had late arrival envelopes.  It was still light out. I can drive at night but I can’t read place signs like RV parks. I can even miss the Rest Area signs though the location signs seem large enough and lighted enough.  I was tired and pleased . It was 15 minutes to set up. Then i took Madigan for a walk and at a beef bologna sandwich and noodles followed by ice cream cone.  Madigan was all for joining on the bologna and ice. Cream.  

I watched an episode of NCIS enjoying Davida and her Mossad connectives. It’s a predictable wind me down plot. Then prayers and sleep. I am awake now with coffee made for the road and sipping the second coffee now. 

 

Adventure - Vancouver Ottawa

I had my last day in the clinic yesterday. I’ll be vitual now. The plan is drive three days stop three days to do virtual work and then drive three days. The distance is 4500 km .  I do 6 hours a day at most 8 hours a days and that’s 100 km an hour reckoning.  So it’s 8 days driving so a couple of weeks to get there all going well.  I’ll have a week or two down there also visitting Napanee and Hay Bay then coming back.  5- 6 weeks . The cherry on the cake is seeing the new addition to the family , along with his brother, the great nephews and seeing mother to be of my other nephew. Seeing my nephews and sister in law will be great as this is the first time since Covid disruption I’ve seen family. But I’ll also be returning with my outboard motor boat and trailer envisioning more fishing in the future.  

That’s the plan.  I remember sailing to Hawaii, weeks at sea in winter through hurricanes and at the end while I was aiming for Honolulu I underestimated the current that runs down the east of the islands. I made it to Kona concerned about fuel and winds making that the best landfall.  Bicycling across Europe with Barba in my 20’s I remember the plan was to go through the mountain passes to Italy but early snow closed that route so we headed south to Spain and ended in Morocco.  That’s the nature of adventure.  The fun is in the journey.  I’d like to have more time but I’m attending the Spokane IDAA conference in July and the Intenrational AA conference is in July in Vancouver.  So the plan is to be home end of June.

I’ll miss Laura.  Madigan will too.

The Ford F350 and Camper are at Coastal Ford.  I’m having the front brakes done before heading out tomorrow.  I banged the top of the camper at the entrance.  Not paying attention. I’ve phoned Kelvin of Travco and he’ll be able to drop by late today to add some ‘goop’ ,  The Agile adjuster and insurance people were out this week as the happy jack by the water outlet is weakened by a leak. I’ve pnot taken it of the truck since that occurred at Long Beach LA January this year.  I’m hoping this is just cosmetic and a matter of checking and adding to the seal.  I don’t want another claim.  Kevin from Chilliwack RV will be doing  the structural repair this summer so the camper will be ready for fall hunting.  

I have this new Thor Hurricane motorhome and hope to take Laura out weekend camping in August. 

My spiritual aim is to be in the present.  One day at a time.  God is now.  Meanwhile I’m aware of the whirlwind of activity with return from the south, trading my big fifth wheel in for the Thor , transferring and storing , potlaching and purging,  along with continuing work and getting taxes done. It’s been a whirlwind.  

I’m content.  Really.  

Right now i”m in the Thor and feel at peace.  

I like journey’s and expeditions though driving long hours is tedious.  I need a lot of coffee and have the occasional power drink.  Madigan likes the frequent brakes.  It’s a bit like when I drove the 5000 km Sturges trip on my Harley Electroglyde. I didn’t realize how tiring it was. I’d driven night and day from Winnipeg to San Francisco in my Mustang but part of the trip I had company like the times I drove from Winnipeg to Vancouver or Vancouver to Toronto. We drove Winnipeg to Halifax another time in the Toyota and one other time in the Toyota truck from Yuma to Vancouver and several trips to Mexico and back.  I guess I’m getting old.

I was glad to learn that my eyes were still fine for driving and that the mild macular degeneration and mild cataracts would only need to be reviewed in November. If they weren’t progressing or getting better nothing would be done but if there was any deterioration surgery could be planned for spring after I returned from next winter’s sojourn south. I want to return to Long Beach where Peter and Larry, Luca and Bella winter.  I spent a couple of weeks there this January but now I’d like to return for longer and have Laura join me so we could visit Art Galleries and Museums.  

Today I’m going to ride my Vespa to pick up my laundry. I’ve another load I gathered from cleaning the camper.  I actually stripped and made the bed last night. That laundry will have to wait for my return when I’ll have more laundry for sure though I’ll be able to do the outward bound laundry at Adell’s.  The benefits for relatives with laundry facilities. They have them in RV parks and I could have bought a motorhome with a laundry. The fact is I like dropping off my laundry, an executive luxury and don’t really mind doing laundry when I’m travelling with the camper. The laundry becomes an ‘event’ then rather than a chore. I rather enjoyed doing my laundry when I was having my teeth done in Algadones and was staying at the Sleepy Hollow campground run by the local tribe.  

Time to make a Vespa laundry pick up run.  Madigan can guard the Thor and when I get back I can take him for a walk. I’ll be able to make a meeting today as well as return some work calls.  I can’t do much else till the Camper is back. I’ve packed my bags and just have to transfer them and the generator and Starlink and computers.  I’ll miss the Thor but I’d not be comfortable driving it for the distance. I want to have some shorter weekend trips with Laura this summer and fall before I head south for the long winter so journ.  This Thor is a motorhome.  I was fine travelling with the Camper but when I was settled in at Long Beach and later at Fountain of Youth Hotspring and Spa I felt cramped.  I really appreciate the space I have here now.  I confess I like the big tv and couch a lot.  

I’m excited a bit .  The day before an expedition/adventure/journey ROAD TRIP!

 

South for Sun , Day two, evening. 46.07/124.10, Alder Dune Campground off HW 101 Oregon

It’ day 2 in the evening.  I’ve driven from Astoria to this campground along the Oregon beaches about an hour south Newport and an hour north of Coos Bay.  I stopped at the Walmart in Newport and have an AT &T red iPhone SE with excess data for US and Mexico.  I’ve not even tried to use my Hamm Radio or the Sat Phone.  I’m pleased with this phone and plan just like last year with T Mobile.  I’ll stoop at Apple most likely in LA and get things sorted out.  

I’ve just loved the great waves. It reminded me of my coming down from the Columbia River in the SV GIRI, my 39.9 ft 13 ton  steel sailboarta day ,after a hurricane went through. The fishermen advised me to wait a day saying it takes that long for the sea to settle.  I didn’t and went out in these great waves like I’ve witnessed today.  My antennae broke off at the top of the mast and threatened 4to do more damage so I climbed the mast to fasten it down. Despite being on autopilot going forward slowly the ship was rolling from side to side.  I could have reached out and touched the water on each roll. I was glad to quickly fix the problem with bungee cords.  

Coos Bay was where we put in the first time going south because the exaust separated from the engine with the vibration.  The whole for the cabin filled with smoke and was terrifying till we realized there was no fire.  We fixed the exhaust in Coos Bay and carried on. I’ve a soft spot for these harbours as a consequence.

Now I’m enjoying my camper and truck with the Vespa on the front. I’ve yet to use that. Once I’m in one place for a while I will.  This morning I was up at 530 and on the road at 700.  We stopped or Macdonalds egg sausge bun.  Madigan doesn’t like sausage like he likes burger but will eat it if I chop it into little pieces and hand feed him.

The fellow just came by to collect camping fee. $31 .I only had American $20.  First cash I’ve used.  Each day I’ve  put $100 in the tank and spent $20 on food a coffee. I’m using my supplies from the fridge and cupboards.  

It’s continued to rain though I had some dry parts in the day.  Low hanging clouds.

I phoned Laura and left my new number on her answering service .  

I had poor Starlink coverage because of obstruction, I’m right under a fir tree, and the heavy rain. I’ll have to pay taxes when I have a better connection. I downloaded a few kindle books.  I only had the Renaissance history which I am enjoying but I’m looking forward to the naval historical fiction.  I’m rather mentally exhausted at the end of the day.  Building up stamina.  A lot of concentration.  It was especially nerve racking the first couple of hours in the dark with the rain.  So much is weather.  

The two hours waiting at Walmart was an expertise in patience but well worth the effort. I worried about Madigan in the camper in the parking lot but he was okay and happy to see me happy when I returned.  Enrique took care of all the paper work and number insertion with the cell phones. What a todo.  I’d have hated to do it myself if I even could.  I agree with Elon Musk there is way too much government regulation.Part of the problem was being Canadian and trying to get a phone in the US but i had no such difficulty buying a phone in Greece. The only difficulty there was it was programmed in the language and I made some mistakes guessing at what a message meant.

Now I’m tired. Laura texted me she had steak and has gone to bed. I fried up potatoes the way my dad liked them with a shallot and smokies chopped up , all fried in butter with mustard salt and pepper and very tasty. 

Madigan had a bowl of his Tikki France wet food.  I had to get him new water. The water I’d had in the truck must be stale because he wouldn’t drink it. He’s fine with the tap water in the camper and the new Spring water.  He’s been a really good boy cuddling up beside me on the trip down.  

Thank you Jesus. Thank you Lord of All.

I really enjoyed trying out my new 3200i Honda Generator.  I powered the Starlink and charged all my devices. I had locked to the stairs but put everything way so I can get away easy in the morning. I can make stove top espresso too.  It’s a good day. Thank you. 

Canyon Alpine RV Park , Boston Bar July 2023)

I left Roger‘s Creek on the Duffy Lake road early in the morning. I‘d woke at 5 30 and took Madigan for a walk among the sleeping campground.  I didn‘t feel like lifting my jacks till 7 because they‘ve been rather noisy in the past. Thank to Kelvin of Travco they were quiet and I could have left at 6.  I sometimes think delays are so God can prepare a better day for me.  

I‘ve wondered about stoicism and Epicureanism.  I read the stoic biography of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and know that most religious teachers were stoical leaning.  Paramahansa Yoganada, the world is maya and attachment to this world keeps us from Samadhi, the ultimate experience. Buddha, Desire is the base of all suffering.  Kierkegaard, Life is suffering unto death. Physicians, life is best in moderation but not purely stoical.  The epicureans by contrast separated lust from love and encouraged the more refined experiences.  If God is the great giver and I don‘t accept the ice cream of creation then perhaps I‘m just a pouting child. However if I accept pig slops then that is what God thinks I want so I get more of what I attend to.  Stoicism and mysticism say to God , not this, but you.  I don‘t want your bangles I want you. Hence the Monk who sold his Ferrari.  There comes a time when the pleasures of the world wane and one wants truly to know God. I want the great kahuna. I want to Grok existence. George Harrison sings my Sweet Lord.  Christians want to know the ‚‘sweet Jesu‘.  Our hearts open to experience the highest 

The seven deadly sins are an amazing selection. We love to judge others by their choice of sin while denying our own preferences.  Lust gets short shrift in the church with much sermonizing and condemnation of the gays and prostitutes while pride and avarice are almost celebration along with gluttony.  Envy is sometimes knocked. I haves smorgasbord of sins and cycle through them judging others when I‘ve got a hold on the worst of mine.  

Avarice and envy  is institutionalize in Canada with the growing communism socialism.   Capitalist‘s had pride to deal with like all of us.  

I just wonder what God thinks about all this. I‘m a fan of Creation Theology which takes us back to the Garden and says the snake and the apple aren‘t about sex and fruit but rather about obedience.  God said don‘t touch that tree. Human‘s disobeyed.  That was the beginning of free will versus Automism .  AI is the issue to day.  God gave man choice and we had freedom while today most seem to choose addiction and tyranny over freedom.  Freedom is the saying no to even the good things. It doesn‘t need to be permanent but temporarily fasting is healthy at least.

What is God‘s will for me. What is the meaning of existence. What would I best do today How can I best serve my fellow man.

Jesus said Love God and Love your neighbour as yourself.  Self love is self caring.

I‘ve spent the night in this wonderful camp ground with full service sites. I plugged into electricity and after a night of self dependence I was comforted by the relatively unlimited nature of the full service. Water supply too. I‘ve been limited to batteries and tanks. I‘m usually good for a few days off grid. I‘m back with cellular and wifi too.  Terrific. This place is a 5 star hotel of a RV camp.  It‘s tucked right in the forest so one feels psychically connected to the evergreens .  I loved my calming fitful sleep.  I barbecued Hot Dogs and Madigan who has no concept of stoicism was disappointed we weren‘t having another night of steaks.  I like to mix it up.  A weekend of camping makes me more grateful when I‘m home just as going from off grid to on grid gives me simple joy.  

Laura and I came up to this RV park a decade or more ago. I‘d leave my RV here so we just had to drive up with the truck and quad. Laura love the peace and calm of this forest cathedral while I loved going on the quad over to the mountain to the next valley.  There was a road a half mile north of here.  There were endless trails leading off from it. I never shot anything but saw several bear.  A truck road lead into The Valley south of here and hunters and campers came up there.  I even met a conservation officer back there.  She was pretty and officicious.  I was armed to the teeth as usual ready for war.  A pleasant encounter.  

They‘ve really fixed up the office and area to make it a bit of a cafe visiting place where folks can mingle.  I liked it, reminded me of the Mexican villas. They‘ve put a golf putting place in and really are caring for the place.  It’s always been a nice place with big spaces and great hook ups.  Now it has even more character. I loved throwing ball for Madigan

In the off leash park. Back in the camper, more reading. I‘m supposed to be writing my own novels.  I excuse myself but saying reading is research.  I do like to read.  

It was so hot yesterday I really enjoyed the new Air Conditioning.  I could even boil water for tea and not heat up the place with the air conditioner on.  I don‘t doubt God wants me to have air conditioning.  I just questioning whether God wants me to have more ice cream, or rob a bank, or have a hooker.  Is masturbation okay alone or better with people?  My mind goes to such places.  I expect all the monks and holy men had defective minds like mine.  I expect others have a ‚me want, take mentation and don‘t think beyond that.  Must be nice. I got the neurotic mind. 

I don‘t so much think of a punishing God but rather that if I eat bad food I‘ll be sick. The idea of spiritual laws like physical laws.  I liked C.S. Lewis‘ ‚Surprised by Joy.  

I‘ve had a truly joyful weekend doing the Duffy Lake Loop. I‘ve done this many times and it‘s always been a joy. It‘s a joy to return top Canyon Alpine RV Park and experience the peace and calm here.  I‘m going to stow my clutter and head home .  The sooner I head out the more likely I‘ll see the least delay at the Langley Bottleneck.   The construction work on this Lillooet Boston Bar stretch was monumental.  The amazing crews are restoring a road after some of the mountain came down so that for a stretch it was pilot lead single lane.  Amazing to see the construction crews and equipment doing a monumental job.  

It certainly was scenic to follow the Frazer and Thompson Rivers with all the history of discovery.   

Thank you Jesus.

Whistler RV Park and Brandywine Mountain

Some say hunting is the most expensive sport. I’d say it competes with yachting.  My fisherman and golf friends argue about the cost of their endeavours.  The antique car and motorcycle enthusiasts are as protective as the ski enthusiasts. The costs do make one consider leasing and renting and living on the surface.  Camping has been a lifelong passion ignited by my parents and carried on into the next generation.  My mom and dad went from army tent with us kids as toddlers to the top of the line Slumber Queen RV bus and Good Sam Membership.  

I’ve now a Good Sam Membership.  Dad introduced me to hunting when I was 6 and now I’m still hunting decades later. He loved his truck and never did get an ATV. My brother had a motorcycle.  They both hunted mostly stalking.  I’ve pupped tented and sierra camped in bag beneath the stars.  This Adventurer Camper on the back of my Ford F350 is luxury.  Staying at a full service RV Campground like this Whistler RV Park is heaven.  The Burnaby Cariboo RV Park is a Good Sam park. Good Sam parks are highly rated with the kind of amenities and service that Whistler RV Park has.  I’ve come along way from days of roughing it when I camped way off grid and shot deer in the mountains I carried back on my shoulders.  The last deer I shot I almost died dragging it a hundred yards to the logging road and truck.  We get old. 

I love the great electrical and water and sewer hook up here.  The view is to die for.  When we were last here it was the view and overall tidiness and orderliness of the campground that attracted us.  

The preparation for this 10 day hunting trip and another 10 days planned in October required me to have the F350 checked out by Coastal Ford. It’s not a wise idea to go into the backwoods with a truck that has problems.   Thanks to divorce I’ve hunted in less than optimal vehicle, divorce cars and divorce vans but today I have the wherewithal to plan wisely.  Enough can happen with good equipment one doesn’t want to invite trouble.  I had the Honda 420 Rancher checked out by Chilliwack Motorcycle.  I took all the equipment for hunting out of the storage locker and checked it over. I have my Iridium Satellite Phone for emergencies and renewed my time as well as arranging the camping Star link package that allows me to communicate and even work away from home.  It was $500 to just have the fuel and propane for truck, camper and ATV .  Add to that the few hundred dollars for groceries.  We have to eat here or at home so I don’t think of those expenses as such.  This morning I made Laura soft boiled eggs on toast with cafe au last and toast and French marmalade.  We had fresh squeezed orange juice and it was delicious.  The mountain air was delectable. Madigan the dog was happy be with us and to be able to pee outside the door.

It’s a lot of moving parts.  A hunting trip isn’t the same as the yachting expeditions I did.  At sea if you’re missing something you have to make do.  Tools are a major concern. Here if I was missing something I could detach the camper and take the truck into town to get it but the aim is to be self sufficient for the week.  I believe we’ve done that.  We’re all set up here .  

I was up at 7 am and attended an on line meeting at 8 then had breakfast and by 1030 am  had the Rancher loaded and clipped Madigan onto the seat be hind me on the quad.  Laura wished us well.  We were off. What a great ride on the Brandywine Snowmobile trails.  The views of the mountain, Chocolate Bowl and Brandy Wine Bowl .  I found the Snowmobile Hut and the little lake.  I even stopped to sit on the deck chairs and drink the last of my coffee I had in the thermos I bought at the Harrison Lake gift store. It fits perfectly in the holder I have on the ATV.  

Until tomorrow morning it’s only bow hunting season for deer, bear and partridge.  I didn’t bring my big Excalibur Cross Bow because of the bulk really.  I did bring my mini cross bow feeling good knowing I could shoot a grouse if they walked out onto the road.  Deer will have to wait. I’m looking forward to heading out early tomorrow. 

Back for lunch Laura made chicken and halepeno cheese sandwiches on sour door bread and we drank Coca Cola and relaxed.  After that I finished reading the incredible Anthony Grey novel, Peking. I’ve order his Tokyo Bay book in hard cover.  Laura and I have been lying on deck chairs with Madigan intermittently walking over us.  A chip munk has been looking at us from a rock.  The view is incredible. 

It’s heaven on earth. I’m going to load up and head out for an evening ride along a logging road trying to decide where to hunt first thing tomorrow.  Today was reconnoiter day and maybe shoot a grouse.  So far the chip munk is the only 4 footed life I’ve seen.  Still what an adventurer. Laura told me she was listening to the cheering this morning as today was the was the Vancouver Whistler bicycle race with one lane of the sea to sky highway closed.  We were glad to have come up yesterday and not encountered the traffic which much have been difficult today.  We’re here 10 days and the stress is just lifting off us in this incredibly peaceful place. 

Both Laura and I think this much be sacred ground it’s so positive. The energy is truly uplifting.  I do love my little home away from home with all the amenities. Glamping is blessed.  Thank you Jesus.

Logan Lake, Friday, day 7

I woke at 3 am worrying about work. Old nightmares and stressors. Silly really. Here in paradise and I’m letting resentments live in my mind for free. I got up. Madigan liked going out. The moon was huge and yellow.  The night was quiet.  I share the last barbecued pork chop with him.  I read a novel about military rescue service, air ambulance and such.  I’d finished the Berlin Air Lift novel called Cold Peace. It was written this year but has a second part. I’d love to continue it but now must wait till the author pushes the second part.

I fell back to sleep eventually at 4 am only to be woken my my alarm music.  I could use another couple of hours of sleep. Might have a nap. My anxiety is loading the motorcycle.  It took Murray pushing to get it over the last hump. I’m actually optimistic.  All the hurdles of this trip have been surpassed. Having the brakes fixed and getting the truck fog working were major. 

I generate worry and catastrophize if I unleash my min.  I’m here in th present and it’s another beautiful day in paradise.  Sunshine.  Lovely green colours.  The beautiful blue lake.  Black birds, flickers an robins flirting about.

_______________

I went back to bed and napped for another hour.  Then I tidied up and prepared to leave.  The last thing was loading the HD Nightster. There’s a part at the end of the ramp that the Harley has to go over.  I put WD40 on it but just didn’t make it. I then tried to use power assist but chickened out. I could if I tried again. However a great white bearded gentleman on his way to fish offered to help. He pushed and it just slid in.  I have to loosen the nut on that bit for next time. Still I was loaded and very thankful.  It’s as 11 am when I checked out.  What a fabulous time I had at Logan lake, swimming, hiking, working virtual, getting my brakes fixed, loving watching eagles and deer. A fabulous place.

Saturday Morning, Rainfall on the Roof.

Lovely morning so far.  No early morning wakening.  Woke up beside Laura. Lovely lady.  Gilbert immediately got into between us when I rolled over to kiss the wonderfulness lying next to me.

“”I’m the only wonderful of wonderful” said the squirming dog. “As he planted dog kisses all over our faces.’   So much for kissing Laura. 

I got out of bed. When next I looked in on the beauty and the beast he was ‘helping’ her make the bed. The bed had not had this treatment since last she was here and frowned reprovingly at me.  “this is how a bed should be treated” said the bed. “Whatever, “ I replied.

I’d got the stove top expresso machine working with the Fair Trade ground roast ready to do it’s magic.  Meanwhile I opened the back bacon from Choices and laid it out on the new grey and white dishes.  “I like these, “ she said when I served up  Me and Ed’s pizza on them last night .

" $69 4 piece place setting from Canadian Tire.” I said.  They replaced the chipped and stained white set I’d got from there nearly a decade back. 

We’d watched a combination of Start Trek with Captain Picard and NCIS Los Angeles with Heddy., one on regular tv alternating with Apple TV. The night ended on the Pinkertons with those great Canadian actors Martha MacIsaac and  Jacob Blair.

“I’ve been working so hard with all these clinics and everyone so demanding and not enough time and commuting on the bus, I just get home and collapse at night, eat, sleep work, “ she said. “I’m not young anymore, all I want to do is this on Friday day.”  

“I’m the same I said. I can’t think by Friday.  It’s like my brains exhausted . I’ve been working evenings and weekends for months with closing the office and moving to other clinics.  And the winter has gone on too long. Oh And by the way, I don’t think you look old. I think you look young and beautiful.  Gilbert and I just love your company.  You really make our Friday evening hundreds of times better.  Gilbert loves you. "

“Ah thanks” she said, pretty in pink

It was raining cats and dogs but the neighbour had come by to tell me there were 90 mile an hour winds forecast for the night. I took in my awning. I’d been running my Harley Electrogilide which revved right up after having the battery tender on it over night.  

I called Thaun Vo at Rand and Fowler. He’s this incredibly responsible helpful insurance fellow whose taken care of keeping track of my vehicle insurance.  When Laura gets out of the bath we’re off to Trev Deely. Thon texted me this morning he’s going to be there around noon doing insurance for another motorcyclist. Laura and I figured it was a good excuse for an outing and a chance to look at the new bikes.

Below follows at typical consumer age mind loop. In this case it applies to motorcycles but it can apply to anything, towels, wallets, bed spreads, homes ….I believe others do this, an attempt to get just the right thing for a particular time and by the time you get it paid off life has moved on and what was perfect is not not just quite right so in the ‘change’ generation we trade in or throw away and everything is in flux with behaviour coupled to consumer reports and internet news and manufacturer goals.  It’s burdensome and I think at times of returning to the bicycle days but my colleague’s bicycle is $20,000 and mine is a few hundred dollars. I fear if I tried to ‘size down’ rather than ‘super size’ I’d still be dissatisfied so ‘acceptance’ and ‘appreciating what one has’ is the answer.   Today’s consumerism leads to ‘disposable people’ and ‘disposable relationships’ which are the norm in this culture.  

(I’ve got this idea that I’d like to trade down my big Harley Davidson Electroglyde for the new Touring 1200 in the sportier class. I love my 1600 Electroglide on the highway. It really is the bike for the American Freeway. The  40 thousand mile ride to Sturges on the Electroglide was incredible.  Laura is not as keen on riding passenger on a motorcycle. She really does prefer the new Ford F350 lariat edition truck as does Gilbert.  I don’t think I’ll be riding to Sturges again.  Indeed it i go again and I’d love to I’ld like to bring the bike in the back of my Energy Toyhauler pulled by the truck. When I was at my brother’s at Haybay in Nappanee I really enjoyed the Yamaha 250 simply for lightness and maneuverability. I loved my Honda CRF 250’s in the day too because they’re just so maneuverable.  Great for the city but also weekends. My 600 cc Buell Blast was another fantastic bike for city and good for country roads on the weekend. The Harley Davidson 1200 cc Roadster was my favourite bike till the Electroglide. I really got the Electroglide for Laura and Gilbert and I.  Either Laura and I or Gilbert and I had enjoyed the 1200 cc Roadster.  It really was a great country and city bike and half the weight of my Electroglide which I really do love.  It took me a year  or two before I traded in my  last truck this truck because of all these kinds of considerations and discussions .  Dave suggested I really could lighten up the Electroglyde by stripping off some of the cruising extras.  So that’s an idea. That’s what ‘chopper’s are and I really love the 1600 cc engine.  My right shoulder isn’t strong like it was with the neck issue. Richard Cho my motorcycling chiropractor friend solves the weakness in the arm and shoulder every time I see him but I just don’t get in enough to deal with it.  Meanwhile Derek Baker who was my personal trainer gave me exercises which would strengthen me but instead I think of getting a lighter bike. I could just swim more and be satisfied with what I’ve got. ) 

“Don’t you love the towel hanger”  I called out to Laura when she was went into the bathroom. Gilbert had followed her in like a personal body guard checking it out for invading weiner dogs or aliens.  Now he was lying in front of the door guarding it for her.

“Yes, it’s lovely”.  For a couple of  years I’d had this towel rack  I’d installed that periodically came lose and fell down. It really was a nuisance. I’d found an old fashioned one with simple screws and wood and now was sure it wouldn’t come loose.  No more towel hanger crashes when you were naked getting in or out of the shower.  

Syria has had another chemical gas attack.

Vimy Ridge, in the time of chemical warfare, was having it’s 100 year celebration of the Canadians turning the tide for the British Empire.  War.

President Trump just sent 59 Tomohawk Cruise Missiles into Syria to destroy Assad’s MIGS and the warehouses where apparently chemical gas was stored. It’s possible the Rebels staged the gas attack or that the CIA and former KGB did it. It’s even possible that CNN noting decreased ratings blew up a chemical bomb in Syria to get more television watchers.  For all we know Mila Cyress and the Kardashians blew up the gas as a test for a new reality tv show.  No one knows anything except George Carlin and Leonard Cohen and they’re dead.

It’s all above my pay grade.  

I’m amused at the certainty people have and how hard they cling to illusions like Climate Change and the new comfort words like ‘diversity’ and ‘multicultural’.  Meanwhile everyone who counts knows multicultural means ‘uncultured’.  But it’s all just intellectualism and Justin Trudeau sounds silly in both French and English.  His jargon filled babble makes one think of the days when the Catholic Church ruled and everyone who mattered talked in Latin. Now  hypocrisy is all we get with the increased transparency is lies and psychobabble weaponized words like Islamaphobia..  Feminists fight for Sharia Law in Canada as Freedom of Speech is destroyed by the M 103 motion of Islamaphobia.  Now Canadians  who say Allah is a fiction can be castigated and eventually imprisoned or beheaded.  Ironic that a once secular nation now under Justin Trudeau fights to allow Muslims to pray in the school whereas his father Pierre Trudeau celebrated the abortion of Christians and Catholics with that greatest Canadian “Mad Man Murferer Mortgentaller.  Because he as a jew killed off all the Christian children now Canada adopts Muslims who want to kill all the Jews.   It’s a weird world.  Putin just acknowledged Jerusalem as the capital of Israel while the UN said that Jews were not in Israel before the 1940. The UN noted for its lies about Climate Change also considers the Bible to be a lie.  It’s hard to believe such nutbars or science or history given the UN”s records to date.  

I understand old people who watch the news eventually wanting to die.  My father said as did his war buddies, “If we’d known this is what Canada was to become, none of us would have fought in the war.”  The old are sad. Everyone I know who is not wealthy and privileged uber upper class like the Trudeau’s worry about growing old with decreasing health care and no housing except barracks for the old. .

I’ve just had to pay for hearing aids.  A life time of paying taxes for Medical Care and Health Care and when it comes to my falling asleep at work and being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea I had to pay thousands out of pocket or die young of stroke and heart disease for my CPAP machine. . Now unable to hear my patients at work  I find out I have to pay thousands  again for hearing aids. I just got back from the dentist where thousands of dollars pays for my dental care and the pain is relieved but if I’d wanted I could have skipped the dentist and got Inside heroin treatment.  There are diseases of privilege and I don’t have those ones.  Yet to hear Justin Trudeau who gives billions to beurocrats and terrorist organizations we’re supposed to be always thankful. The taxpayers are probably paying for his Rogaine and implants.  

 

And yes, spiritually I’m struggling because I truly believe that God is good. This world is God’s world.  The Lord is in charge. Jesus died and the Cosmic Christ changed the world to one in which we as Christians know heaven. I can know heaven on earth if I simply accept Jesus.  Accepting Jesus means that I forgive Justin Trudeau. I also consider that Justin Trudeau’s stupidity is what makes me turn more to the Lord. There is no peace on earth with Justin Trudeau as ruler. He’s inciting war and marxist class struggle and all of that. But this is Gods’ world and I have to trust in God. God made Justin Trudeau.  Just the same way God made the snake in the Garden of Eden. There is no duality.  All comes from God and I have to love all as God loves all.

So my very spiritual development depends on my loving Justin Trudeau.  This concerns me.  it’s where the rubber hits the road.  Thank you God for Justin Trudeau.  Thank you God for CBC news. The lies and disinformation of CBC news makes the demonic look saintly.  But thank you Lord because the problem as I know is within, it’s in my thinking and focus so help me Lord see as you see with love and forgivements. Help me focus on the good .  

St. Francis Grant me Serentity!

 

"

Bungalow Cabins, Harrison Lake and more "View and Release Hunting".

We love the Bungalow Cabins at Harrison Lake!   With swimming pool and beach view Bungalow Motel is  the best  accommodation. It’s great spring and summer too but for close to 25 years I’ve also been coming up in the early fall for hunting season.  I confess I’ve not shot much  game here but it sure is one of my favourite places to hunt.  That’s because of these great little rustic cabins, with kitchenette,  hot showers, quiet, comfy bed, and cable tv.  The owners are the best hosts too.  It’s really ‘roughing it” hunting at it’s toughest.   We added a new harsh twist to our regime this year, getting our thermos filled at the Mall Expresso service, Americanos with Cream.
There’s also the public hot springs pool.  The pizza in Harrison’s is the best though there’s only pick up.  We loved their cheese pizza this time but the meaty ones have been fantastic too.  Again we’ve had the mall morning breakfast sandwiches.  Everything is close in Harrison’s so I’ve walked down from the Bungalow to bring back breakfast for the gang.  This time I also brought back two dinners from the fabulous Hotsprings Steakhouse Restaurant.  We all loved a roast beef dinner one night and another night had the steak and prawns special. The mashed potatoes and gravy was delicious too.  Laura doesn’t mind when I bring back my days “kill’ cooked with potatoes and veggies and blueberry pie.
While Tom and I were out messing about back country with our Honda 500 Pioneer side by side ATV we’ve named “Charles’, Laura was  in the cabins doing her nails and reading novels.  She had Gilbert with her the first day because we were bow hunting and don’t like Gilbert about the razor sharp arrows. He also tends to bark at bear which limits our hunting opportunities.  I actually got a shot at rather  large partridge.
In the world of guided hunts, one pays $10,000 dollars at times for the ‘shot’ at game.  I’ve had several ‘shots’ at buck this fall bow hunting and missed.  The bucks departed just as I registered they had horns and got away before I pulled the trigger. Now a swaggering great partridge did the same.  Tom watching said he’d seen my arrow from the Excaliber Max, most powerful of cross bows, part the feathers on the partridge’s head. I was really sorry we didn’t have a wildlife videographer along for that incredible moment. The partridge utterly bored with me trying to cock my bow for another go walked off into the woods giving me a final feather.
We got back in time to indulge a major soak in the glorious  “sacred” “mineral’ “ waters’ of Harrison’s.  I feel like a new man each time I come out of the womb there.  We had two such ‘treatments’ and my skin is tingling hallelujah still.
Sept 10, Rifle hunting proper opened.  We were up in the dark before dawn and drove the Ford F350 with Charles on the back up to the top of Harrison’s Lake. There with dawn breaking we found that we’d lost one of ramps for the unloading of the ATV. It must have slid off the back while we drove up a hill hell bent for leather, bouncing over potholes.  Tom, ever the engineer, and Evil Kenevil managed to drive Charles off the back of the tailgate onto a mound.  Getting it back up onto the truck without a ramp was even more impressive. I’d wanted to use the winch but Tom insisted he could manage without the ramp.  He’d amazingly taken the remaining ramp apart creating two short  5 foot ramps out of the remaining long ramp.
All the game had received their annual message.  I was sitting hiding in ambush watching the sun rise with Gilbert happy to sit on my warm belly all the while the animals watched us from hiding. The annual email says, “Beware of men wearing came and carrying guns. They are out to kill and eat you." All deer bear and even some partridge get the message.”  Sept 9 we saw game. Sept 10 they were all in hiding.
Still we got to drive Charles up to the top of the mountain and through streams and dales.  The Honda 500 pioneer is truly an amazing machine.  There’s more than enough room for 2 hunters and even Gilbert sat half on the seat in the middle with his chest on either of our knees.  Getting in and out in a hurry was just fine too.  On the straight logging road I was doing 50 km on my own whereas climbing and travelling in the back woods we did the standard hunting travelling of 5 to 20 km an hour, just loving the little machine as it chugged along over boulders, through mud and across logs. The roof and windshield kept the rain out and the engine under the seat kept the cab warm in the early morning.  My favourite ATV to date.  Gilbert loves it too.  When we are alone he sits in the passenger seat bolt up right watching for grouse.  We saw a half dozen or so but only one waiting for me to shoot and that one got away.
At night Tom Laura and I watched the cowboy movie, Unforgiven with Clint East Wood and Gene Hackman.  What a great movie to watch on a hunting weekend.  Silverado was on the next night.  Laura is ever a trooper and enjoyed the weekend with the guys. She loved finishing her Harlan Coben,  Fool Me Once novel saying it’s his best to date. She had a walk and shop round the little town too while Gilbert was off with the boys on the rifle hunt.  The most excitement for me was watching Tom back straight up a cliff so he could descend into the truck bed with the shortie ramp.
“Do you want to go?” Tom had asked.
“No, “  I said,  “I’m a doctor.  If I tried that, whose going to care for me while waiting for the ambulance?"
The views of Harrison Lake from the Slocum trail we’d taken that night were spectacular at dusk.  Other’s hike here and some were camping up in the hills.  It really was beautiful. The fall colours are just beginning to appear.  A young couple were tenting on a ridge with their little car.  I thought of myself, romantic and young once.  I liked seeing the kids out in the fall.  Harrison Lake is grand central station in the summer but it quiets pretty quickly in the fall.  There were still a number of tents along the beach and the rustic will be out until well into October.  Bungalow Cabins was still full and we’d  booked early in the week. In the summer bookings are often made ahead of times though I’ve been fortunate to have cancellations.
It really was a great weekend.  “View and release!” is our motto. We just take the guns and bows along for the selfies.