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Circle Tour - September 2010

Since my retirement and moving to Powell River I can see all my children and grandchildren by taking a circular route through Vancouver, Saskatoon and Calgary (no pesky vacation days to worry about). To test this theory we did exactly that – with a huge surprise thrown in to the mix; but more about that later.

 

Vancouver / Port Coquitlam

We started off in Vancouver where I intended to spend an afternoon shopping. My level of patience for shopping has never been very high, but I was stressed out after about half an hour in Pacific Center. I had to get outside, even if it was a rainy day. I had a nice walk around Canada Place and then on to the new Conference Center. Little did I know I’d accomplish a bit of my dream to walk the entire Trans Canada Trail. I revisited the Olympic Cauldron and found a sculpture by one of my favorite authors, Douglas Copeland.

Circle Tour I-1 Circle Tour I-2 Circle Tour I-3

 

Next stop was Port Coquitlam, where I was able to spend a few days with Christy, Rick, Dylan and Taylor. It was still a bit rainy, but we headed off to the playground for some fresh air. When Taylor had to return home for a nap, Dylan and I stayed at the park for the rest of the afternoon. Apparently I tuckered Dylan out. By the time I got back from picking Pat up at the train station, Dylan was fast asleep.

Circle Tour I-4 Circle Tour I-7 Circle Tour I-6 Circle Tour I-5

 

The next day was much nicer and Dylan and I set off for a hike along the Poco Trail. Our hike ended up with a play at Lion’s Park. Dylan spent almost an hour perfecting his Spider Man moves on the tires. After lunch we took the bus back home and Rick and Dylan did some work in the shop. Christy, Taylor and I set off on another walk – and this time Taylor was asleep by the time we got home.

Saskatoon

We arrived in Saskatoon and had time for a little visit with Kathryn, Dave, Will and Alex before dinner. Kathryn had arranged for Deloise and her family to join us, and we celebrated Laurie’s birthday.

Will had school the next morning and we were able to walk with him and see his classroom. While Will was at school, Alex proved himself to be a real speed demon on his plasma bike. The iPad was a hit with the kids, and Will and I still had time for a quick ball game before dinner. I swear I don’t run my grandkids ragged, but they always seem to run out of energy at the end of a day spent with Grandma. We had dinner in the evening with Ken and Dorothy.

We were in charge the next day while Kathryn and Dave were at work. It was a fun day, with a little basketball with Alex in the morning, and some bowling with Will in the afternoon. Grandpa and Will had a little project to work on – and Will now has a completed airplane for his collection.

 

Calgary

And then it was on to Calgary for a visit with Elizabeth, Ray, Dylan, Madison, Emma and Gavin. While we waited for Madison to get home from school, Emma and Gavin had a play in the back yard. After school we headed off for a walk to Elliston Park and the playground there, but sadly Grandma forgot her camera.

 

Next day, while Madison was at school, Emma, Gavin and I headed off by bus to the nearby shopping mall. After a few fun purchases we had lunch and then took the bus back home. Emma and I had gone on a bus trip before, but this was Gavin’s first time. Since Madison missed out on the shopping trip, we took her for a swim at our hotel and then out for supper afterward.

 

When we left Elizabeth’s on Friday night she asked us if we could be at her place by 9:00 AM, and that I should dress up. I suspected that photos might be involved, but since Ray and Dylan were working that didn't really make sense unless it was happening at the end of the day. What a surprise when we arrived to find not only all of Elizabeth’s family waiting, but Christy and Kathryn's families as well. On the way to our family photo shoot, and as I recovered from the shock of them all gathering to celebrate my retirement, Pat told me the girls had been planning this day for months.

What a wonderful family I have.

 

Part of my birthday present from Elizabeth had been a massage, and I have to admit that as much as I love a massage, I was a bit resentful of missing out on time with all my grandkids. They aren’t all together in one place very often. However, I accepted graciously (I hope) the suggestion that the kids needed a little “down time”. When I arrived back at the house, feeling very relaxed, I had another surprise in store for me. Stacia, Ron, Trevor, Deloise, Laurie, Jackie, Sue, and Vicki had also arrived to shock me once more. We had a wonderful afternoon of visits and messages from friends and family who weren’t able to make it to Calgary. I can’t believe that I saw or talked to almost all of these people in the previous few days, and not one person let the surprise out of the bag.

 

To end the evening, Ray built a fire and we were able to sit outside and enjoy the evening. And again, one more grandchild sound asleep before the day was over.