Today is Saturday, Dec. 6th and we need to catch up on things... We were treated like royalty at Natalie and Paul's in St. Albert, then proceeded to Spruce Grove Wednesday afternoon to visit with Cora and Henry. We had a great visit, roast deer for supper with mashed potatoes and carrots from Henry's garden. Henry and Cora have a house in the country full of books and works of art and we spent the evening sharing news. Henry has a shop where he does leather work and used to make custom saddles. Cora keeps busy hand sewing quilts, reading and collecting art works.
Thursday morning we left Spruce Grove and headed up towards Ft. Liard but stopped at Dawson Creek overnight staying at Day's Inn. We proceeded next morning heading for Ft. Liard and finallhy made it there about 5 pm.
Along the way we were amazed to see the extensive farming activity and remarkable landscapes. Between Ft. Nelson and the turnoff to Ft. Liard we saw substantial farms, grain, beef and even a bison ranch! So much for remote northern wilderness!! We did see three huge moose crossing the road at the bottom of a long grade..... plenty of warning for us.
Actually the last 200 km into Ft. Liard was wilderness forest. Amazing trees.... the tractor trailer loads we met, with one of them with enough board ft. to build a decent home.
Our arrival in Ft. Liard was greeted by Vern and Mal who had supper ready... pineapple ham and potatoes!
Today, Mal and I and a neighbor Brad who hails from Truro, N.S. went "chicken" (grouse) hunting while Faye and Vern went "shopping" in Ft. Liard!! Paul managed to bag a chicken, knocking it out of a tree. On this hunt trip we saw ptarmingan, a black wolf, marten, and grouse! Faye and Vern went to brunch at the nursing station hosted by Joan and John Peddle who hail from Corner Brook, NFLD. Then they went shopping at the general store, the Northern Store and the local craft shop "where Faye didn't buy anything for herself but did buy a nice long long sleeve sweat shirt for Paul" Gotta like that!!
We finished the evening at Steve and Phillis Malesku's home for a house party! We found out that Steve knew brother Gerry when he was up north in Yellowknife with Indian and Northern Affairs. Also a young tall off duty RCMP Officer was there who was in training in Regina with Terrance Dunphy! As they say.... small world!
Later.....