Karen's Adventures

08/07/2017

Kamloops is too smokey, so we headed up to Tod Mountain, hoping it was a little more breathable.
It was a little hazy, but better than the Kamloops valley, where the Air Quality Index was at 24 today. 10 is high risk.
We had a wonderful morning wandering through the village, which was having a farmers market, and walked through some of the trails.
Then we had lunch outside at Masa's with a view of the mountain.
Doug & I had a Wonderful day 😃.

07/30/2017

07/30/2017

A day at Paul Lake. It was a beautiful warm day with a gentle breeze coming off the lake and hardly any smoke.
For such a warm day in Kamloops, there was hardly anyone at the lake.
On our way home, we had a rare sighting of a baby bear, it was on a hillside in a cluster of trees. I'm wondering, where's the momma ? A few miles down the road is a big black bear, wandering the fence line. I hope they find each other.
I hope everyone is having a really great weekend. 😎

07/30/2017

A day at Paul Lake, just 20 mins outside of Kamloops.
It was a beautiful warm day, a gentle breeze off the lake, and hardly smokey.
For such a hot day in Kamloops, 34 degrees, there was hardly anyone at the lake.
On our way home, we had a rare sighting of a baby black bear, on the hillside in a cluster of trees. I'm wondering, where's the momma ? A few miles down the road, there's a big black bear wandering the fence line. Could it be the momma ? Hope they find each other.
Hope everyone is having really great weekend. 😎

03/18/2017

Hola ! Ensenada, Mexico day
I took another bus tour, city bus tour they called it.
I was hoping they'd show some interesting land marks.
Nope. We were dropped off on their First Ave which is the tourist shopping area. Everyone wants you to buy something from their very special store. And all the bars are open before 11:00am.
I had two interesting things happen to me in Ensenada.
The u-turn at the red light 4 way intersection.
And I was approached by a lady from one of the Farmacy's.
she's got a flyer for Vi**ra and pain killers and other meds.
On sale special deals. The flyer is in Spanish you wouldn't know if you where buying Vi**ra or Tylenol.
So, I say to her, is that even legal to bring back into Canada?
She starts to tell me how to get it across the border.
You roll it up in a baggie, and you stuff it in your underwire bra.... oh, no gracias !
That was too funny for me, don't they watch those customs border shows !
So, the bus drops us back at the port, I'm not finished wandering, so I stroll down the pier, I saw what I thought was the Mexican Coast Guard boats. As I get closer, I can hear some odd barking. I found the very best thing about Ensenada, there was nobody else around, Just me & the Seal Lions. I stayed for an hour & watched them bark & bite & swim & scratch. It was amazing to be so close to them & nobody else was there. That was the best excursion & it didn't cost me anything!
And that's nights entertainment was fabulous!

03/16/2017

Catalina Island Day !!
Took an early tender over to the island, to beat the crowds. The sun was shining. Wonderful day 😎.
The first thing I noticed, quite a few homes are built into the side of the mountain like White Rock.
The city is set up for tourism. It's a very walkable place. There is benches all along the boardwalk, public washrooms & showers.
Catalina will not grow any larger than it is now, and the buffalo heard is at 138 & is restricted to 150.
I did see two herds of the buffalo but they were too far away for a picture.
I also could not get a good shot of the Wrigley Manson.
The bus tour was crazy but great for the views.
I had a really great day !

03/16/2017

So... yesterday was quiet day at sea. It was cool & foggy. I watched a towel folding thing, played bingo, nope didn't win. Walked the decks. Ate a taco lunch at the Blue Iguana. Dinner was good. But the best part of the day was the evening show. Motor City.

03/14/2017

I'm aboard my first cruise !!! Btw... I think this is the party boat 🚣 !
Did a lot of wondering around checking out all the decks. Found the buffet.
I'm scared for myself, they don't have regular sized plates, just platters !
Had the mandatory safety meeting.
Dinner took so long, I missed some of the Welcome Aboard Show, it was fun !!

03/13/2017

Had a great Sunday exploring a small area of Long Beach.
The morning started off cool & very foggy, but by 11:30 the sun was out, turned out to be a gorgeous day. Went to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Great place loved the Seahorse exhibits. Walked the boardwalk & Shoreline Village.

03/12/2017

Wow, my adventure started even before I could board the plane in Kamloops. They had me flying to Grande Prairie instead of California! Major changes at the airport in Calgary! Loved the shuttle bus to get from domestic to international. But, oh brother, they make you go into this side room check you in with your boarding pass & you have to wait for your name & flight to show up on a screen. Many, many mad people, because the flight was already delayed, & now they make you wait again. My name didn't even come up they had to do manual paperwork to check me out. Then you go to immigration. Have to say that was easy. Hi, where are you going, good bye.
Anyways, I'm here in Long Beach now. The Queen Mary is interesting, lots to see, she is old, really makes you feel like you're on the Titanic with Jack & Rose.
Btw... the rooms are Freezing!!!!