Heading for Home!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior, and we have been steadily making our moves in that direction! Last Saturday, we took the ferry off the island, and drove up to Howard & Diane's in North Bend.

I'm standing on the deck...
He's not running away!

There was lots of adventure there as we had a bear visit the deck at Howard and Diane's. I got some pictures, and Howard got the bear! After shooting it, the bear ran away, although mortally wounded, and the body was later discovered some distance behind their house on the bank of the Fraser River. We enjoyed a relaxing couple of days with Warren & Evelyn—Thanks again! Then, we did a bit of touring in the Kootenays, on down to #3 Highway. Yesterday, we got as far as Medicine Hat! Today, we drove into Saskatchewan where we are comfortably ensconced at the home of our nephew and niece, Layne & Tiffany, with Chet and Daisy, near Mankota! Thanks folks! All along the way, Wendy has been publishing a wonderful travelogue with pictures on FaceBook:

 https://www.facebook.com/wendy.ulrich.71 

I don't know the particulars of whether all folks can see that or only her FaceBook friends! Once again tonight, we enjoyed several games of FastTrack, introducing it to Layne, Tiffany and Chet who was the star of the event! The weather has treated us well along the way, even as we nursed the car's air conditioning. We'll have more work for our mechanic when we get back to Regina. It still seems to freeze up and lose air flow, but for brief intervals it cools very nicely! The markets began the week all jittery as folks worried about inflation and what the FED might do in their efforts to crush it. However, the July consumer price index report showed that annual inflation has fallen by about two thirds since last summer, a better-than-expected number suggesting that measures to cool the economy are working without hurting the economy. Real wages have outpaced inflation for the last five months, and unemployment is at a low the U.S. hasn’t seen since 1969—thanks Uncle Joe! As a result, I achieved some good gains in the markets, about double my weekly quota. That was my good news as my sports teams did not fare so well. True enough, the Jayhawks completed their Puerto Rico exhibition tour with 2 wins and 1 loss, but the Riders? Sigh, they were slaughtered by Montreal! And the Jays? Nothing to write home about! C'mon guys! 

Eric and Erica have also been vacationing and travelling west. They left the island yesterday, and had a long day planned to also make it to Saskatchewan today. 

Erin has been goofing off at home, pretending to be a cat lady, while failing to produce wins for either the Jays or the Riders! Actually, she has been working regularly, and is anticipating hosting the Baileys when they get to Regina. 

Travis, Joanna can crew have been enjoying the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition. Rosie proved to be a less than fearless rider on the carnival rides. 

And that's all I can manage this week!