The Camping Canadians Thanksgiving

Donny · 10-11-2005

The Camping Canadians Thanksgiving (with pictures)

We met a gaggle of Canadians (of the British Columbia variety) on our Griswold Family Vacation trip to Steamboat Rock State Park near the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington State. Over the last coupla months, I have been conversing with Tina via e-mail and she asked for us to attend their Canadian Thanksgiving Camping trip (here we go again) at Deception Pass State Park.
They didn’t want us to bring anything, but I insisted on Deep-frying a 20# Turkey for them as only 2 of the 30 of them had ever had it & they were only cooking a 24#’er and that just aint gonna do it in my book!
I had some work to do on the truck & camper before we left. Had a flat tire so I pumped, she pumped, I pumped, she pumped. Then we went outside and fixed the tire!

Saturday morning came and it was time to make the 1½ hour drive northwest of home. Stopped at the bank for a loan to get fuel, then stopped at the gas station and pumped Ethyl for what seemed to be an hour. Then I got out and put in some gas!

Took a shortcut through La Conner, an Indian Reservation (sorry Andiline, we weren’t close enough for you in our allotted time to see one) and made great time.
Our campsite was about 100’ from the rest of the Camping Canadians, so we set up first (that dang camper has to be perfectly level or the fridge melts) and then went to the Party.
Before we left our campsite, Tina showed up behind me and scared me half way outta Beachbuns dress!

She asked when we were gonna get to the party. I said, “in a little while”. She wasn’t satisfied with that answer and that’s when she pulled out two 45’s and then a gun!

I guess we can leave now?
When we got to the party, everyone was feeling “merry”, but “merry” had to leave so everyone jumped for “joy” but “joy” was too quick!

On Saturday, we got reacquainted with many friends from our summer fling and had a great time.
On Sunday, Randa and I hiked some trails along the waterfront. Ya see, the park is located on the shores of the Puget Sound and looking west you look right down the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Some of the trails walk along the edge of drop-offs of near 80’ to 100’. You will see her in a pic. standing between 2 trees which is prolly a 75’ drop straight down. At that same point, we happened to see about a 40’ diameter shadow in the water about 15 feet off shore. Then we saw a seal swimming gingerly back and forth through the shadow. That’s when we could tell the shadow was actually a big bait “ball”. You’ve prolly seen the same thing on TV with dolphins or whales, where they herd the bait fish into a circle and take turns swimming through the ball. This was really interesting as I have never seen this in person and from such a great vantage point! Guess what? The film was all taken – none left! Ahhh, the memories!
I grew up not far from here, maybe 30 miles, but was last here on my HS graduation night. Our party got broken up in Big Lake, so we all went to Deception Pass. Me and Roy (my best friend growing up) left about 5:am for home in his car. He got too tired to drive after 5 miles, so we switched. After about 20 miles, Roy woke up a little and said it smells like brakes are burning. I said, “yeah, I think it’s the car in front of us I’ve been following most of the way”. Roy asked, “Did you take the parking brake off?” I responded, “Roy, you know I don’t use the parking brake”. He yelled, “I DOOOOO!”
Sad to say his brakes didn’t make it! But I digress.
Sunday was also the day we celebrate Our Northerly Neighbors Thanksgiving as they all had to pack it up and travel on the proper day (Monday).
As promised, I provided the Deep-fried turkey. I know ya’ll are looking for thrills, spills and turmoil, but this is one event you never want to have any errors. I’m happy to say, everything went according to plan and “The” turkey was a huge success! I’ve done several of these and this was by far the best one!
Other than that, the short trip was uneventful except for the great conversations we shared with some rather interesting people. We promised to stay in touch and we will see them next August at the very latest. They’re even thinking of coming down for our Thanksgiving.

NOTE: The pics will be coming shortly! Too large to post.

MikeW · 10-11-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donny

I had some work to do on the truck & camper before we left.

Here we go

MikeW · 10-11-2005

You have a way with words, going off-topic, steering it right back on topic. I actually followed this story very well. Roy sounds like a real cool person. Do scattered brains think alike? Glad your turkey turned out well.

Donny · 10-11-2005

You already visited that one in your report, so we've been there, done that, got the bloody knuckles to prove it! It would take me a long time to write all those adventures! Hey Vern! There's your problem right there. Looks to me like yoo've gotchorself a little Shor, oorrr, ooorrrrrt!

MikeW · 10-11-2005

Dude, you're freaking hilarious.

roni · 10-11-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeW

Dude, you're freaking hilarious.

That there is Californy talk

.

Good storytelling Donny.

bufante · 10-11-2005

Nice report Donny...could have used a bit more to sting me along for a couple of nights though!

BonnyW · 10-12-2005

I guess there will be more a little later...

Donny · 10-12-2005

Yeah, I guess it's not much of a report. I made mention that I was meeting some non-Playa Canadians on another thread, so I thought I would write a little "somethin'" about it anyhow (dont'cha hate when people say "any-who"?

). I also wanted to prove to some that I don't "Always" break the camera!

Usually only when others take my pic!

Speaking of pics, I hope these are up to Snuff (which makes me stop to ponder

I wonder what the hell "snuff" really is and how the heck do you get up there?)

Donny · 10-12-2005

still practicin' my pic resizin'!

Donny · 10-12-2005

sorry, but I'm tryin' to make'em bigger w/o goin' over the legal limit!

Donny · 10-12-2005

one more try!

Donny · 10-12-2005

it worked

Donny · 10-12-2005

but wait, there's more ...........

Donny · 10-12-2005

heh, heh. jest tryin' to get ma post count up! heh heh!

10-11-2005	#1 (permalink)
Donny añejo Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Washington State Posts: 3,216	The Camping Canadians Thanksgiving The Camping Canadians Thanksgiving (with pictures) We met a gaggle of Canadians (of the British Columbia variety) on our Griswold Family Vacation trip to Steamboat Rock State Park near the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington State. Over the last coupla months, I have been conversing with Tina via e-mail and she asked for us to attend their Canadian Thanksgiving Camping trip (here we go again) at Deception Pass State Park. They didn’t want us to bring anything, but I insisted on Deep-frying a 20# Turkey for them as only 2 of the 30 of them had ever had it & they were only cooking a 24#’er and that just aint gonna do it in my book! I had some work to do on the truck & camper before we left. Had a flat tire so I pumped, she pumped, I pumped, she pumped. Then we went outside and fixed the tire! Saturday morning came and it was time to make the 1½ hour drive northwest of home. Stopped at the bank for a loan to get fuel, then stopped at the gas station and pumped Ethyl for what seemed to be an hour. Then I got out and put in some gas! Took a shortcut through La Conner, an Indian Reservation (sorry Andiline, we weren’t close enough for you in our allotted time to see one) and made great time. Our campsite was about 100’ from the rest of the Camping Canadians, so we set up first (that dang camper has to be perfectly level or the fridge melts) and then went to the Party. Before we left our campsite, Tina showed up behind me and scared me half way outta Beachbuns dress! She asked when we were gonna get to the party. I said, “in a little while”. She wasn’t satisfied with that answer and that’s when she pulled out two 45’s and then a gun! I guess we can leave now? When we got to the party, everyone was feeling “merry”, but “merry” had to leave so everyone jumped for “joy” but “joy” was too quick! On Saturday, we got reacquainted with many friends from our summer fling and had a great time. On Sunday, Randa and I hiked some trails along the waterfront. Ya see, the park is located on the shores of the Puget Sound and looking west you look right down the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Some of the trails walk along the edge of drop-offs of near 80’ to 100’. You will see her in a pic. standing between 2 trees which is prolly a 75’ drop straight down. At that same point, we happened to see about a 40’ diameter shadow in the water about 15 feet off shore. Then we saw a seal swimming gingerly back and forth through the shadow. That’s when we could tell the shadow was actually a big bait “ball”. You’ve prolly seen the same thing on TV with dolphins or whales, where they herd the bait fish into a circle and take turns swimming through the ball. This was really interesting as I have never seen this in person and from such a great vantage point! Guess what? The film was all taken – none left! Ahhh, the memories! I grew up not far from here, maybe 30 miles, but was last here on my HS graduation night. Our party got broken up in Big Lake, so we all went to Deception Pass. Me and Roy (my best friend growing up) left about 5:am for home in his car. He got too tired to drive after 5 miles, so we switched. After about 20 miles, Roy woke up a little and said it smells like brakes are burning. I said, “yeah, I think it’s the car in front of us I’ve been following most of the way”. Roy asked, “Did you take the parking brake off?” I responded, “Roy, you know I don’t use the parking brake”. He yelled, “I DOOOOO!” Sad to say his brakes didn’t make it! But I digress. Sunday was also the day we celebrate Our Northerly Neighbors Thanksgiving as they all had to pack it up and travel on the proper day (Monday). As promised, I provided the Deep-fried turkey. I know ya’ll are looking for thrills, spills and turmoil, but this is one event you never want to have any errors. I’m happy to say, everything went according to plan and “The” turkey was a huge success! I’ve done several of these and this was by far the best one! Other than that, the short trip was uneventful except for the great conversations we shared with some rather interesting people. We promised to stay in touch and we will see them next August at the very latest. They’re even thinking of coming down for our Thanksgiving. NOTE: The pics will be coming shortly! Too large to post. __________________ Sun, Sand, Surf, and Suds! - Exactly what part of Perfect Don't you Understand? LipRippers! Think I better Keep my Day Job!

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10-11-2005	#3 (permalink)
MikeW añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 9,087	You have a way with words, going off-topic, steering it right back on topic. I actually followed this story very well. Roy sounds like a real cool person. Do scattered brains think alike? Glad your turkey turned out well.

10-11-2005	#4 (permalink)
Donny añejo Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Washington State Posts: 3,216	You already visited that one in your report, so we've been there, done that, got the bloody knuckles to prove it! It would take me a long time to write all those adventures! Hey Vern! There's your problem right there. Looks to me like yoo've gotchorself a little Shor, oorrr, ooorrrrrt!

10-11-2005	#5 (permalink)
MikeW añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 9,087	Dude, you're freaking hilarious.

10-11-2005	#7 (permalink)
bufante minucker Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Crop Dusting the IA Posts: 2,600	Nice report Donny...could have used a bit more to sting me along for a couple of nights though!

10-12-2005	#8 (permalink)
BonnyW añejo Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Left Coast...So Cal Posts: 8,655	I guess there will be more a little later...

10-12-2005	#9 (permalink)
Donny añejo Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Washington State Posts: 3,216	Yeah, I guess it's not much of a report. I made mention that I was meeting some non-Playa Canadians on another thread, so I thought I would write a little "somethin'" about it anyhow (dont'cha hate when people say "any-who"? ). I also wanted to prove to some that I don't "Always" break the camera! Usually only when others take my pic! Speaking of pics, I hope these are up to Snuff (which makes me stop to ponder I wonder what the hell "snuff" really is and how the heck do you get up there?)

10-12-2005	#10 (permalink)
Donny añejo Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Washington State Posts: 3,216	still practicin' my pic resizin'!

10-12-2005	#11 (permalink)
Donny añejo Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Washington State Posts: 3,216	sorry, but I'm tryin' to make'em bigger w/o goin' over the legal limit!

10-12-2005	#12 (permalink)
Donny añejo Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Washington State Posts: 3,216	one more try!

10-12-2005	#13 (permalink)
Donny añejo Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Washington State Posts: 3,216	it worked

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10-12-2005	#14 (permalink)
Donny añejo Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Washington State Posts: 3,216	but wait, there's more ...........

10-12-2005	#15 (permalink)
Donny añejo Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Washington State Posts: 3,216	heh, heh. jest tryin' to get ma post count up! heh heh!