Castlegar, reunion after 10 years

The further we moved away from Vancouver, the less traffic there was. The journey was extremely relaxed and we made only a few stops. The route led us along the American border. After about 7.5 hours of driving, we reached our destination: Castlegar.

We were warmly welcomed by the McAlduff family (Jerry, Angela, Tayler, and Nathan). We were allowed to stay in the former childhood room of the now twenty-one-year-old Tayler. Everything was very uncomplicated and we felt welcome. The reunion after ten years was very emotional for everyone. We certainly didn't lack topics of conversation.

We got to experience Canadian hospitality to the fullest. The family has a large estate with many "toys". Most of them have a motor. From jet skis to motorboats, various off-road vehicles, a huge RV, and a hot tub, everything is available here. As guests, we were allowed to use everything.

In the evening, the entire McAlduff family and their friends, the Kanigan family (Warren, Natascha, Nikita, and Andre), came over for a BBQ. Warren had visited us in Switzerland for two days last autumn. It was a joyful reunion. We enjoyed delicious BBQ, some chilled drinks, and ended the evening in the heated hot tub.

Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate as desired. It didn't rain, but it was too cold for a ride on the motorboat and jet ski. So Warren and Jerry decided to take us to Cannafest in Grand Forks. Cannafest is a cozy rock festival. The name 'Cannafest' is probably a reference to the recently legalized cannabis in Canada. From next year, the festival will take place under a different name. In good company, we enjoyed a few beers and cozy music. The most famous bands included the Beach Boys, who delivered a decent performance despite their advanced age.

The next day, we explored the area around Castlegar. Warren showed us the ski resorts and other beautiful places nearby. After lunch, the quads (ATVs) and an off-road vehicle were prepared and we raced through the forests of Canada. This activity was right up Mathias' alley. A great day!

On the last day, we supplemented our camping equipment with items from Warren and Jerry and prepared ourselves for the wilderness of Canada. In the evening, the McAlduff family invited us to dinner at a local restaurant. A perfect conclusion.

Because we liked Castlegar so much, we decided to visit again for two days the following weekend. The families helped us put together a program for a week of camping in the area (see next blog entry). We were looking forward to the upcoming adventure.

A week later, we knocked on the Kanigan's door. Jerry, Angela, and Tayler had gone to Calgary for the weekend to get Tayler's new apartment in order. Since Tayler found out about her acceptance to the Institute of Radiology only three weeks before the start of her studies, it was necessary to find a suitable apartment for her and her fiancé Sawyer in a very short time. A hectic situation for the whole family and from our point of view, an administrative disaster on the part of the institute.

Once again, we were warmly welcomed. After lunch, we drove with Warren and Natascha to a nearby river swimming spot. We let ourselves drift downstream in the cool water - almost like at home in the Aare River. We ended the evening by the campfire after a delightful dinner.

With Jerry's jet ski in tow, we drove upstream to a put-in spot the next day. The jet ski gently glided into the water from the trailer. With three people - clearly too much weight for the sport equipment - we puttered to a nearby sandy beach. We all took a turn on the jet ski. Even Andrea enjoyed the motorized ride. Racing at high speed on the water is a special feeling. Especially in the curves, you can't shake the feeling that the jet ski might capsize. But fortunately, this is practically impossible. Mathias even had himself pulled behind the jet ski on a wakeboard.

A little later, Warren's sister Tamara and her husband Harold arrived with a slightly larger boat. We tied the jet ski to the boat and enjoyed a ride on the river. New people joined us again and again. The atmosphere was relaxed and restful. In the late afternoon, we drove back to Castlegar by car.

In the evening, we prepared homemade hamburgers for everyone. The McAlduffs, who had arrived back home after a long journey, joined us. We enjoyed the last evening with our Canadian friends before we had to say goodbye to everyone for a longer period - this time for good.

We are grateful for the wonderful time we have spent with our Canadian friends. To feel so welcome and at home far away from Switzerland is not to be taken for granted.

The next day, we will continue to the Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park.