I discovered that I left my Sigg water bottle in Janet's fridge when we stopped at a road side pull over for an afternoon break in the trees. Yes trees of substantial size! A couple from Calgary and their female friend on a second Harley were interested in talking after checking out our license plate. Amazement at Gayle riding so far with no "fuzz butt" Harleys are different in that department, just no getting around it!
Hwy #33 into Kelowna for an overnight at the Super 8. Not surprised at being tired anymore after a hot ride.
Should not complain, no rain while on the road this last stretch, so all is good. My how Kelowna is growing. We country folk notice these things!
The next morrning's short ride up to Coldstream was full of anticipation as neither of us had seen Charmaine since 1988 and we had never met George yet. The welcome we received at their home overlooking Kalamalka Lake had us talking as if we had been fast friends for life. (We have known Charmaine since 1978 but only lived in the same town of Hudson's Hope together for 7 years)
After lunch they took us on a driving tour of the area checking out Preditor Ridge to really get a top down view of the surrounding area and a drive into Vernon to see where they each lived before being married. We even did a drive by the building that was once Charmaine's house when she was a little girl.
Our hosts\tour guides George and Charmaine Frame
The late afternoon verandah conversation was lively and engaging until the door opened and Gladys and Barry Konkin walked in! Then it ratcheted up a notch. WOW WHAT A SURPRISE! And if that wasn't enough to make the heart sing, in walked Louise and Doug Head. From then on our host George had to put up with talk of Hudson's Hope people and events from the rest of us who had lived together on the Peace.
Barry, Gladys, Gayle, Charmaine, Louise, Tyson, front row Roy & Doug
Words cannot express our gratitude to Charmaime for putting this evening together. A memory that we will cherish for the remainder of our lives. We caught up on the lives of so many that we knew in that other life when we and our families were much younger! Further delight was added when Tyson Head joined us after supper. Only a youngster when we were in HH, who has grown into a very interesting and personable young man. A credit to Louise and Doug. 
Tyson, Louise & Doug
Now I can't leave this evening discourse without ackowledging George's cooking. He was in the background preparing a delicious supper and passing out liquid refreshments as requested. A terrific host with a quiet demeanour. We both agree, Charmaine has a winner!
The next day after breakfast while George went off to work related meetings Charmaine was our tour guide once again. Off to check out some of the surrounding area and crowning it off with a visit to Sparkling Hills Spa and Hotel. This place is infused with 3.2 million Swarvkoski crystals throughout its amazing architetural layout!
Then we were off south to Kelowna, where we were treated to a stop for Gayle to replenish hair care products, then over to the westside to see the BMW motorrad shop (1 litre of 100% synthetic oil for the bike) Moved on to visit Mission Hill Winery (one of the better known of so many in the area) then across town to surprise Gladys and Barry Konkin at home, dropped off salmon from charmaine and took off with zucinni in exchange.
Next stop to see Charmaine's daughters Lee Ann (sp) and Kathryn, son-in-law James and grandson Benjamin. Quite a treat to see them all, as Lee Ann and her husband Walter live in Vancouver and she was up at Kathtyn's for a quick visit.
Kathryn is expecting her second child in mid-August
Wow! It's so amazing to me to see these pictures.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great reunion! Good job, Charmaine. It's fantastic to see you all together again, and for me to see pictures of Kathryn. Some of my favorite childhood memories are with her.
ReplyDeleteYou two are just riding from one amazing visit to another. You must be a pretty special couple to have so many great friends to visit across the country.