The sun shines on MV "Smooth Jazz"

Three or four weeks ago we were strolling along the docks at Westview Harbour here in Powell River. We struck up a conversation with a man who was working on his cabin cruiser doing spring cleaning and maintenance. One thing led to another and Howard told us he was planning a cruise to attend a Chis Craft boat rendezvous at Genoa Bay near Duncan on Vancouver Island. He also said the size of his boat precludes him from safely operating it by himself, especially when coming and going from a marina and that he needs folks like us to act as his crew. The result; we are leaving with our new friend Howard Kelly on his 42 ft. classic Chris Craft "Smooth Jazz" on June 7th to attend the rendezvous over the weekend of June 7 - 11. I snapped this photo of "Smooth Jazz" from the deck of the BC Ferry Queen of Burnaby as we left the ferry terminal yesterday morning on our way to Vancouver Island.
During the ferry crossing the Captain announed that there was a pod of Orcas (Killer Whales) straight ahead! We were able to see them about a quarter mile away as they breached and frollicked on the surface as they passed in front of the ferry. Then, they went down and we didn't see them again. Of all the times we've crossed back and forth, this was the first time we've seen whales. It's an awesome sight.
If you want to learn more about where we'll be going check this website...
www.genoabaymarina.com

Fun On the Coast

Just thought we would drop you a line or two....we are doing fine. I am still waiting for more information re: my hip. There seems to be some disagreement between my Dr. and the Ortho Dr. I saw in Vancouver. Dr. Brown in Vancouver seems to think I am too young to have a hip replaced. My Dr, in PR is trying to get me in to see another Ortho on the Island for a second opinion. My Dr, definitely wants me to have a replacement. He does not agree that I am too young. Harley and I think the Dr. in Vancouver is just putting us off....anyway who knows!!! Hopefully we will get some info soon.

We are going down to the harbour to meet with a gentleman today who has a 42' CrisCraft Cruiser Boat. He needs crew to help him when he goes out on the water. We were down at the wharf a week ago or so and we told him we would be willing to go out with him if he needed someone. He called this week and wants us to go on June 6th to Maple Bay on the Island for the CrisCraft rally. So we are making plans and are really excited about going. His boat is a beauty...almost 50 years old and all done up. So that will be lots of fun I am sure.

It is raining here today. The first time in quite a long time....maybe 2 weeks or more. We are dry so the water is welcome. We have been watering our lawns and flowers lots already. Our gardens are really starting to look great. I love it out in our back yard. It is just like another room in the house when the weather is so nice.

Around the first of June we are getting our garden door installed in our dining area. That is going to be so nice. We will then add another little deck out the front. We have purchased a very nice metal (silver) archway to go along it to give us access to the back yard and then we are going to put up vinyl lattice screens along the lenght of the deck to give us privacy. When that is all done we are going to build another flower bed in front of that which will create even more privacy. Lots of work to do. Around the middle of June we are having all of our counter tops replaced. I am so excited about getting new ones. Our old ones are so boring. We are putting in a nice green/black/beige/white mixture. It is going to make a big difference in my kitchen. We just put in all new stainless steel appliances so things are looking very nice and getting better.

I am getting busy doing volunteer work. I am now Chair for a Committee of the Volunteer center, facilitator for the Living with Cancer group, and working with the Cancer Information Service line which is Canadian wide. Harley is still doing Therapuetic Riding, he is being sworn in before City Council on June 13th as the Chairman of Security for the BC Disability Games in 2007 which are going to be held in PR. He is really looking forward to doing those duties.

We did a garage sale on Friday and Saturday...we decided we would give everything we made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Relay for Life, the Paddle Boat team of which Pat Greenwell is a member. We did not price anything...we just told people to make a donation that they felt was fair...we made 975.00. Not bad aye?!! We really enjoyed doing it and got a lot of good feelings from the nice comments people made.

We have a huge music festival coming here the last week in June and the first week in July. We have purchased tickets to cover 8 sessions. It is an awesome two weeks. Kathaumixw as it is called welcomes choral groups from all over the World. We have people coming from China, Australia, US, Phillipines, Taiwan, Uganda, Ukraine, Mexico,The Netherlands and of course Canada. It is a wonderful 2 weeks. We hope some of you will be here to take some of it in.

So life is good....as Harley always likes to say...we are looking forward to who ever may come our way this summer and welcome all of you at any time any hour.

I think we have got all of you caught up with what we have been doing and are planning to do over the next few weeks. We miss all of you on a continuous basis and welcome you for a visit whenever you can fits us in.