Invermere, BC to Strathclair MB, Alisons Take

Thursday, 9^th July —Alison’s perspective!!!!!! – no tractors in sight!

We have just left Invermere today after a great 3 nights and 2 days in Renee’s company at Copper Point Resort, Invermere. Invermere is in the Rockies – south east of Lake Louise and Banff. We travelled on from Lake Louise. As Renee is on staff, family are given a discount. So we had 3 nights, the third one being free!!! – we loved it

We found Renee as good as could be expected. Emotionally she is in a healthy space. Renee talked about the accident, sharing details of how it happened. As you and I know talking out your grief and shock is the healthiest way to work through it. The driver was the only fatality, Renee was injured, the other three were more seriously hurt than Renee. Renee acknowledges that the Lord had spared her. 3 helicopters attended the accident. The other factor that was a blessing was that in the following cars there was a doctor and a nurse. Renee’s back is still very tender – the physio has not started to work on it as yet but rather on Tuesday put heat packs around the injured vertebrae. Renee is wearing a brace from hip to toe for her damaged ligaments. No ligaments or tendons have snapped. I guess strained. When Renee walks they tend to `give out’ so the brace gives her more support. It will take all of the 8 weeks suggested to heal. The manager, Richard is taking good care of Renee and gave her a suite to stay in at the resort. We would have liked to meet him.- he was away for a week. The resort shuttle bus takes Renee to her appointments.

On Tuesday, 7^th July we played golf – that is Renee drove the buggy and I played 9 holes – I did some good shots – one of the groundsmen said remember those so I won’t tell you about the others but Renee and I had some good laughs. She then drove me around the other holes to show me how pretty the course is. Mountains in the background – green fairways and greens!!!!!!! Renee gets very tired so went to her room for rests between `activity’. We had lunch and tea together. The first two nights we had dinner in the restaurant – beautiful pork roulade. Renee loves it. The third night we bought a pizza from the supermarket and heated it in the oven in the suite. We also had lemon meringue pie (I have forgotten how to spell it) and icecream so I left that with Renee. Gave her a kangaroo to sit on her shelf and bought a cyclomine pot plant ( spelling out the window tonight).

On Wednesday, 8^th July I had a massage and a haircut in the morning and Renee had a doctor’s appointment. After lunch together in the suite I asked Renee if she would like to come with us to see the art galleries in town ( Renee had suggested that we look at them) she declined as she said she was still nervous in the car. I guess she feels safer with the local resort drivers anyway. However, looking at museums and art galleries requires standing a lot. So Renee had a quiet rest in her suite with other staff visiting her while we explored Invermere – museum, art galleries and a drive around the lake. Just a beautiful spot. Renee was going to work today – light duties. For two nights we finished the day in the hot tub – mind you it is late as it doesn’t get dark until 10.00PM. We have every reason to be proud of Renee. She is coping well. She has more pain than she lets on. Also she gets very tired but then it is only 3 weeks! Her light duties are helping in the accounts section and housekeeping. Renee cannot speak too highly of the management (Copper Point Resort) and Global— – they have been in touch to see if she has everything she needs etc.

So after, 2 very special days and a rest for ourselves we left Invermere at 9.00AM on our way to stay with Jason Koscniely and his family at Strathclair, near Winnipeg. Remember Jason was the agri. trainee we had working with us the summer Olivia was born!! – 23 years ago (1992) We have kept in touch. Dad is looking forward to seeing him and the farm etc.

We have travelled through farming country in Alberta and now into Saskatchewan. The crops look very poor – lack of rain. Fires are burning in northern Saskatchewan.- 15,000 evacuees!!! The Govt is calling on Australia, Mexico and New Zealand for help. Some fires will not be put out until the first snows!!!!!

We stopped in one small town, Oyen. Ian drove off the main road to see this, Oyen. Nothing was open but he went into this restaurant to see if he could buy an icecream but he only found older folk discussing how they could improve things for their town. So Ian introduced himself telling them that they had a sister town in Aust. And that they made vanilla slices and made their town famous. What’s that they asked !!!

Ian has `more front than Myers’

Please continue to pray for Renee and for safety while we travel.

Saturday, 12^th July

We have enjoyed catching up with Jason and Karen, Zack and Emma-Jean. Jason is a paramedic and works his farm as well. Karen is a social worker and counsellor. Zack has completed his first year uni and Emma-Jean is starting Year 11 in September. I accompanied Karen and Emma-Jean to a `horsemanship’ day on a neighbouring property. As I focused in, I thought Emma-Jean was in elite company. The riders were experienced in rodeo riding and were learning how to manage the horse with their knees/legs – sounded very technical and very skilful. At the end of the day, I was offered a ride! First problem – would I be able to swing into the saddle? I made it but the stirrups were too long so I didn’t want to trot –bang up and down on the saddle. So I walked around the `yard’ 3 times, accompanied with an experienced rider. I was able to ask about the control through pressure with the legs and have loose reins. Pleasant day for me sitting in the shade watching the horses while Ian was at the tractor/engine sale. Day finished with all of us enjoying the 60^th Birthday party(Ian wrote of that).

Sunday, 13^th July – Surprised by Karen telling us at breakfast that it had snowed in the Grampians. Jono’s Facebook photos confirmed it!!!! Even more surprised that she had heard it on the general news. One of my favourite things on holidays is attending church wherever we are. It never ceases to amaze me that there are believers worshipping together in nearly every corner of the earth!!! Fellowship in the morning led to Ian and I visiting a couple in the afternoon – Irwin and Wanda and family. Karen’s Mum joined us for tea and we were surprised by a quick recital by Irene on the piano and Zack on the violin. We were so delighted and enjoyed the pieces they played. Karen’s family are all musical –played in bands and so Zack and Emma have been included into the same skills. Then, we all dashed off to see Emma-Jean ride in competition in a nearby town. `Sven’ Emma-Jean’s horse had put his best foot forward all day so they both had a good day. A casual walk around the large vegetable garden with Irene (aged 85) wound up a lovely day. Irene plans the garden and Jason drives the planting etc. I could not believe my eyes when I saw it –potatoes, tomatoes, peas, beans, pumpkins, melons, and many other vegetables. These are stored for use in the winter. Surely, I can do a small vegetable garden! – the cost of the water being the challenge. A highlight of our visit with Jason and Karen was a soak in the hot tub at the end of each day. It made such a difference to the stiffness I am experiencing after sitting in the car for such long stretches.

Today, Monday, 14^th July we travelled from Strathclair via Brandon to see Elmer and Anne Kosceilny, Jason’s parents then onto International Falls. The trip was fairly uneventful. I was driving when we approached the border check point- entering USA. We stopped, hopped out to get our passports and changed drivers. The customs officer asked where we lived? –sounds funny saying Australia so many miles from home. What were you doing when you stopped? –getting our passports! You were driving why did you change? Because he is the worst backseat driver ever!!! I didn’t realise our actions looked as if we were hiding contraband or something. He checked our boot.

Finally, we pull up at the motel – end of day. While eating, our eyes take in a huge thunder cloud moving over the town – We expected a dumping of rain but it passes over with no rain.