2009 Review and Happenings.

I am a bit late but we did the three small grandkids for New Years to keep us young so this did not get done until today.

The end of 2009 finds all my immediate family in good health and life flying along at a blinding pace. Maybe it’s the age thing but it seems to get faster all the time. Donna and I are still in Cache Creek and have acquired a pet this summer in August. He is a German Shepard with some other breeds involved. He is a bit larger than we are used to at 80 lbs and takes up the full back seat in the small cars. He is good with the kids and makes one get out of the house at least once a day or he gets rowdy and could really wreck a house romping around inside.

Amy and Dean are still in Kamloops and doing well. Alex, Cheyenne and Makayla came to visit in April and Amy moved Alex and Cheyenne back to Kamloops for the summer. One last time in the Hot Tub for everyone then they left. Later in the summer Alex and Cheyenne moved to Logan Lake to stay with Dave their father. This move was a little hard on everyone and only time will tell if the situation will work or not.

Kelly and Ryan moved from Vancouver in July just before Jonathan arrived. Domanic was already in Cache Creek with us, keeping things busy and taking some pressure off for Kelly while she was going through the final weeks of pregnancy.

Jonathan arrived in July two days after the move from Vancouver so they were pushing the schedule a bit but all turned out well in the end.

With the arrival of Jonathan the comment was made that we had three grand children under the age of one. With Alex and Cheyenne that makes a total of five. Now the shopping for Christmas is mostly about them and everyone else is a distant second.

One other new family Member who arrived was my niece from the US. She spent the night with us and then out west to visit Mom and Bonnie. They seemed to get along and I enjoyed the visit and making acquaintance.

Mom has made a few trips down this year and after having problems with her Van she decided to get rid of it and decided on a Honda CRV. After having it for several months she seems to like it and I hope it will do well for many years to come. She is scheduled for a hip operation in the new year but no dates have been set yet.

As for trips and accomplishments this year at first it did not feel like many but looking back through the pictures I guess I did manage to get some things done. We did quite a few local bike trips to get in shape and several days trips including Ashcroft to Spences Bridge on the back road. In the fall I biked around Tatlayoko Lake as the final trip of the year. This was an 11 hour 63 km trip back through time, to places of my childhood and memories of long ago.

Our 4x4 trip did go ahead but as usual most bailed until we were down to 3 trucks. We has planned on going up Lillooet but it was on fire, so no traffic was allowed through. We changed plans and went to Big Bar Ferry and over the China Head trail into Mud Creek for the first day. The second day we went out over the Red mountain trail and into the Gang Ranch and back over the bridge. The trip was excellent and we enjoyed the company and drive in spite of the hot conditions.

As for flying I sold my Challenger Ultralight in April and was wondering what is next. I decided to upgrade my license to a full Private Pilots license. This was a challenge both with time and learning. I had to purchase a share in a plane and do all the ground school from a CD course. I finished in November and now am flying a C150 with a full PPL. Not sure what is in the works next year but look for some longer trips to fly in destinations.

Our final best trip was with Alex and Cheyenne to the IPE in Armstrong. This a fair like the PNE but smaller and better. This was a good time with Donna and I enjoying the weekend and the fact that the kids can ride on most of the rides and have a good time.

We bought them arm bands and they rode as many times as they could right up until 9:00 at night then back to bed and swimming in the hotel pool.

As for cars not many passed through my hands this year. Lars ended with the Justy and I miss it for the winter trips and driving the back roads with snow. I bought a little Honda but it is only Front Wheel Drive so does not get to the places that the Justy could. From the two Isuzu’s I bought one was fixed and the other ended up a parts car after trying to repair it and finding many things wrong. May be one of the first cars to loose money on but will keep selling parts so who knows in the end.

Look for some flying trips mixed in next year. I have heard the stories about flying and camping but need to try it a bit on my own to say I have done it as well.

Have a great year everyone and play hard.

Have a great Year.

Daniel and Donna.