Heading To Horn Lake ...

September 10, 2016

 

 

We left Nanoose Bay early in the afternoon ...

travelling to Horn Lake to spend a couple days with our dear friends ...

Rob & Cindy ...

We were excited to see them and to see the inside of the house finished ...

It was a lovely afternoon to spend it out sitting on the dock by the lake ...

We eventually made our way back up to the house ...

to enjoy a lovely dinner ... Rob was going to BBQ a chicken ...

and the ladies took care of the side dishes ...

After dinner the guys watched some TV ...

while Cindy and I played our favourite card game ... "Peanuts" ...

and chatted into the wee hours of the morning ...

 

September 11, 2016

 

 

We awoke to a beautiful morning ... a little cool but ...

the sky was blue and the sun was shining brightly ... 

Cindy is a Green Bay Packers fan ... and because they were going to play a game today ...

all the green Jerseys came out ...

one for each of us ... to wear while watching the game ...

(unfortunately we had planned to leave before the game was on)

I did put on a Jersey ... to join Cindy ... at the breakfast table ...

We enjoyed a delicious breakfast of hash browns ... sausages ... and scrambled eggs with cheese ...

on a bed of fresh spinach ...  

Robe & Cindy's son ... Dan ... called to say hello ...

Mike and Dan had talked for quite some time ...

it was great to see and talk to him via FaceTime ...

 

We also had the opportunity to see their new condo in Parksville ...

They were picking up the keys today ...

It was a beautiful little home ... the interior was nicely decorated ...

The previous owners left Rob & Cindy a bottle of Champagne ... 

 to welcome them to their new home ... and to celebrate their anniversary ... 

 

 

When we travelled back to the cabin ...

Rob took us on a tour around the lake ...

The surrounding area is so beautiful ...

We really enjoyed out short time with Rob & Cindy ...

and loved seeing the interior of the house all done ...

It's a cozy ... warm ... home ...

 

Mike and I were leaving for Port Alberni ...

We were going to be spending the night there ...

so that we wouldn't have so far to drive the next day to Ucluelet ...

for our fishing trip ...

Treasures ...

August 23, 2016

Picking tomatoes ... squash ... lettuce and cucumbers ...

yummy ... !!!

Our neighbour used to raise ostriches ...

a few of the hollowed out eggs were given to Kendall's grandmother ...

Wilda Tengum ...

She was an amazing artist ... and loved to paint them ...

This one was given to me by Lorraine ... Kendall's mom ...

She had asked me to give it to our neighbours ...

as a remembrance of their ostrich eggs ...

 

August 24, 2016

We decided to go fishing again ... not sure how many more days we will have ...

as it was getting later in the season ...

It started out to be a nice day ...

We could see the clouds moving in ... as well as the wind creating some waves ...

We persevered the rocking ...

and managed to catch our limit of Kokanee ....

The water had calmed down ...

just at the right time for us to load the boat on the trailer ...

Once we reached the house ...

the fish were cleaned ... then placed in the fridge ...

to be filleted the next day ...

for another batch of smoked Kokanee ...

 

 

Fun On The Water ...

July 14, 2016

It was a beautiful ... calm day to go fishing this morning ...

the kids were so excited ...

as soon as the fishing lines were put in the water ...

it wasn't long before James had caught the first fish ...

and then Ella ... then Craig ...

these fish were hungry for their breakfast ...

Each of the kids used the bonker and place their fish into the water bin ...

to be cleaned later ...

We decided to go to shore ... and stop the boat ... in order to clean the fish ...

it gave the kids time to play in the water as well ...

Each of them taking their turn in cleaning the fish ...

they are becoming well trained fisher people ... !!!

Fish all taken care of and put on ice ...

we decided to have our lunch heading back to the boat launch ...

to pick up the tube ...

Grandpa went up to the truck to bring down the tube ...

attaching it to the boat ...

the kids couldn't wait to jump aboard and go for a ride ...

Oh my goodness ... !!!

Grandpa gave it gas and away they went ...

laughing and yelping ... thumbs up to give it more gas ...

Grandpa goosed it and swerved over the wake ...

and turning in circles ...

and at one point loosing all three kids ...

Good thing I was the spotter ... letting Grandpa know how they were doing ...

They loved every minute of it ... !!!

Grandpa needed a break ...

so the kids just floated behind the boat ...

waiting until they could fly around the lake again ...

 

We ended up going to the island to have a break ...

the beach there is sandy which gave the kids a chance to play and swim ...

Craig had dug himself a hole ...

and climbed into it ...

Ella helped bury him ... and soon there was only his head exposed ...

It gives me an uneasy feeling ... not sure I would be able to do that ...

It took Craig awhile to pull himself out ... and then he needed to go for a swim ...

to rinse off all the sand ...

We had some snacks and relaxed ...

then off on the water again for a last go around on the tube ...

before heading home ...

We had a delicious meal of fresh panfried Kokanees ...

fresh garden salad and roasted potatoes ...

Everyone was exhausted after our thrilling fun day on the lake ... !!!

 

Fishing For Bass ... July 12

July 12, 2016

The grandchildren wanted to go down to the lake ...

to do a little fishing and go swimming ...

It was so nice to see them taking turns ...

Craig was there to help Ella ...

They all had a few bites ...

but were not able to land any ...

They had a fun time with Grandpa ... !!!

 

 

Our Guests Arrived ...

June 2, 3 & 4, 2016

There was no rest for us with just getting home from Austria ...

our company arrived earlier than expected this evening ...

a change of plans for them ... they had been in the area a couple days touring ...

until we were home ...

We met them in town ... as we needed to pick up a few groceries ...

and pick up our vehicle that was left at the Autobody shop for repairs ...

while we were on holidays ...

Fred and Michelle followed us home ...

as this was their first time visiting from Ontario ...

The guys were on the hunt for gophers while they BBQ'd burgers for dinner ...

Once again a wasp found Mike ...

this time stinging him on top of his foot ...

Fred was applying first aid of wrapping an icepack on it ...

 

June 3, 2016

It was beautiful day ... we decided to use the quads to give them a tour of the area ...

Fred was given instructions on how to drive the old quad ...

this was their first time on these Off-terrain vehicles ...

They fell in love with the area ... we did spot an eagle on top of the tree near ...

Opa's resting place ...

We toured all around down to the lake ... thru the crown land ... and up behind our place ...

then back to the house as the guys decided to open up the pool for the season ...

First line of business was to take the winter cover off ...

Mike and Fred went into the shop to prefab and weld a pipe ...

that would be used to roll up the cover ...

When the cover was rolled up halfway ... Mike brought out the gas powered water pump ...

to pump off the stagnant water on the cover ...

Once that was done ... the cover was removed and we began to add fresh water to the pool ...

the solar blanket was installed at that time ...

The wood furnace was also started to heat the pool water ...

once it was filled and the pump started ...

After lunch ... we decided to take them on a tour of the valley ...

stopping on Ha Ha Creek Road to take pictures of an Osprey sitting on the fencepost ...

then heading up to the Bull River gorge ... then continuing on the Galloway loop ...

arriving at the Jaffray Pub for dinner ...

After dinner we drove to Lake Koocanusa ...

to show them where we normally go fishing and also stopped at Surveyors Lake Provincial Park ...

Mike decided to take the back way home ...

from Lake Koocanusa to Wardner ...

It was a bit rough ... for Michelle & I sitting in the back sit of the truck ...

it was more than a bit ... we were getting bounced around like rag dolls ...

we were laughing so hard ... and moaning every time we hit a rut ...

We were so grateful to finally hit the paved road ...

Fred & Michelle experienced off-road driving ...

It'll be a long time before I venture on that road again ...!!!

June 4, 2016

We had another beautiful ... perfect to go fishing at Premiere Lake ...

Fred and Michelle were in awe of the beauty surrounding them ...

Even though we had our lines out ... we were not able to land a fish in the boat ...

fishing was not very good this day ... there was a change in the what they were feeding on ...

We spent most of the day on the boat ... touring ... cruising and enjoying our picnic lunch ...

On our way back home ...

we drove the back way into Kimberley ...

driving thru town and stopping at the Marysville Falls ...

It was a beautiful hike on the path to the falls ...

once again Fred & Michelle loved the outdoors here ...

so much to see and do ...

We stopped in Cranbrook ...

to go for dinner at Frank's Steak & Schnitzel Haus ...

Another first for Fred & Michell ...

to have eaten the best ever Schnitzel ...

I'm sure they will be travelling for dinner to Frankenmuth in Michigan ...

once in a while ... for a Schnitzel dinner ...

We had a wonderful day together ... lots of chatting ...

reminiscing and laughter ...

It was time to go home ...

we needed to go for a little walk after this huge meal ...

We enjoyed the evening ... visiting on the deck ...

 

Heading Back ...

May 29, 2016

Well ... after visiting the bee place ...we reached the crossroads once again ...

and I believe it was the last time we would see the dry-docked boat ...

This time heading back to Laakirchen ...

Making a stop at this little lake along the road ... Taferlklaussee ... that is known for it's frogs ...

There is a snack hut that you can stop for a break ... loved how the sign was made ...

this place is only open during the nice weather months ...

although you can hike the area all year round ...

Continuing on our way ...

we then stopped at a local fish hatchery ... and Horst introduced us to the man in charge ...

We were given a tour of the operations ...

It was an amazing place ... out in the wilderness ...

all natural canals ... the ponds were fed by the cold mountain waters ...

Horst also surprised us ... with picking up some smoked fish ...

right from the fishery ... for our dinner this evening ...

We were heading back to Laakirchen ...

not sure what was in store for the evening ...

 

It has been an incredible day of adventure ...

 

 

Our Secret Adventure ...

May 29, 2016

We were so excited this day ...

Horst had an adventure day planned ... no one knew where we were going ...

He had acquired a van (mini school bus) ... to take all of us on this secret journey ...

Christian and Christine came and picked us up at Klaus's house ...

and Horst went to pick up Oma and Tante Paula ...

We all met at the house ... hopped into the bus ... and we were on our way ...

We traveled out of town ...

and crossed over the Autobahn to an area ... Aurach am Hongar ...where we could see Laakirchen ...

we were able to see the paper mill in the distance ...

then we were on our way again ...

Passing thru and capturing a picture of the Church ...

Now heading towards Shorfling ...

seeing the Kammer-Schorfling Train Station ...

This is the end of the rail tracks ... on the corner across the street ...

there is a restaurant that has a dry-docked boat sitting in the yard ...

Looks like the only way to travel now was by car or bike ...

Not sure why this boat was situated there ... !!!

 

We drove along the shores of the Attersee ... to the end of the lake ...

The area is really wonderful ... loved the colours of the lake.

We then followed a steep , narrow, winding road uphill

and arrived at Druckerhof .

"Druckerhof is a house with a past. It is situated 700 m above sea-level above the town of Unterach am Attersee. The original farmhouse is made of solid wood and is family owned since 1581.

In 1955 the road was built and the Court was expanded and rebuilt in 1962. In 1993 an addition was added to the original house The Druckerhof farm is owned by the 14th generation of the Windhager family."

Everyone out of the bus ... standing in awe ...

enjoying the view and the surroundings of this restaurant ...

Druckerhof is a wonderland area ... there a lots of trails to take a walk or hike in the area ...

One trail that will lead you to Hochmoorgebiet Egelsee ... (Moorland Lake) ...

It is a raised bog Lake from the ice age. There is also a sweet chestnut forest ...

which was planted in the Roman period or the Jubilee tree from the time of Emperor Franz Josef.

Behind the house is an enclosed area for Hirsch (Elk) ...

There is also a Petting Zoo with donkeys ... goats ... rabbits and ponies for the children ...

We enjoyed a variety of dishes ... oh my goodness ... everything was so delicious ... !!!

Thank you Christian for taking all these pictures ... !!!

We sat around having a great time ...

we were blessed to have seen two Eagles ... flying high up in the sky around us ...

for me it was a sign that Dad was near ... after all it was his birthday ...

and the only other time mom was here was with Dad many years ago ...

Oma also remembered that there was a monument on the grounds ...

honouring the mother of the Windhager family ...

 

 

 

A Day with Opa's Family ...

May 22, 2016

After our lunch at Gasthof Engelhof ...

we went on a road trip ... touring on our way to Steinbach ...

to meet with our cousins from Dad's family ...

It was an absolutely beautiful place ... you could see the Attersee from the house ...

The surroundings were spectacular ...

It was wonderful to meet the family ... Erni is my dad's first cousin ...

her father and my Opa were brothers ...

Erni has three sons ... unfortunately we were only able to meet two of them ...

the youngest son and his wife live in the home with Erni ...

the oldest son built a house across the street ...

The picture on the bottom righthand corner ...

is of my Opa when he was a young man ...

We had a wonderful time visiting ...

Wolfgang continued to tell us stories and history of our families ....

Our journey continued to our next destination ... driving by the countryside ...

thru tunnels to TraunKirchen ...

where the church was built high up onto a rock ...

Our dinner destination was at the "Landhotel Gruenberg am See"(Green Mountain Hotel by the lake) ...

it has a beautiful restaurant ...

We were delighted to see Franz and Karin waiting for us at our table ...

Franz had had a long day ... traveling back from Italy ...

We were grateful that we would be able to spend the evening with everyone ...

After our dinner ... Franz took me to meet Ingrid ... the owner and cook ...

I could have my choice of any dessert I wanted ...

it probably took me 15 minutes to decide ... there were so many to choose from ...

Ingrid also has written her own cookbooks and has a cooking school ...

We spent the evening ... talking ... laughing ... drinking ...

Hmmmm ... see that little hand make it's way to Mike's schnapps ...

(made from the Alpine Pine Tree) ...

Oma said she just wanted to smell it ... and then she couldn't resist and had to have a little taste ...

This seemed to be the ritual everytime Mike had an after dinner schnapps ....

The setting was incredible ... out on the deck ...

and then just as beautiful when the sun started to disappear ...

We spent the whole evening there ...

and as usual we were one of the last ones to leave ...

It was wonderful to speak with the owners and all the servers ... !!!

Franz & Ingrid are frequent visitors to Canada and they love our country ... !!!

 

For more info in English ... click here