Goodbye to Gidneys

Before leaving Salmon Arm we needed to get a photo of the last 2 Gidney kids who were too shy yesterday. We found Cody with his two sons, Colton and Cache. as they had just returned from trying to corral the cows on their property. What fun! 

Not quite by horseback these days but by ATV. Colton, 5, tells us that he’ll be driving the ATV himself next year. And I’m sure he will. 

Off to Kelowna to say hello to our friends Christian, Jenica and their daughters Josephine (right) and baby Anna Lou. 

I helped Josephine with her castle building at the beach. A cooler temperature made for a good day for the beach. 

Can you see the plane flying over Okanagan Lake? 

A happy baby is always worth a photo. 

Now for some adult fun... we hit 2 wineries and a cider house.

A bit windy but time to try a cider sampler and lunch. 

The view from the hill was brilliant. Can you see Mission Hill Winery Tower? 

The Hatch and Rollingdale wineries. That’s Father Pandosy on the cider cans, the founder of the first mission in the Okanagan. 

So our trip is ending as we head to the ferry tomorrow. It has been a really wonderful adventure.

 We’ve had 6 swims, 5 ice cream cones, 4 visits to Gidney homes, 3 gas fill ups, 2 bowls of raspberries, 1 week of perfect hot weather! And most importantly we saw 16 Gidneys!!

PS. Norm and I dressed up for a nice Sushi dinner. It was closed. Guess where we ate? 

Waffles, airplanes, swimming and pizza-a full day.

Just had the best shower ever! We are staying at Jesse and Marissa’s house. Just built this last year and it is beautiful. The table where Norm is having his coffee is a work of art. Followed with sourdough waffles for breakfast. 

Leroy is a winner.

Fun times with Zin, Cody’s poodle. 

The two horses in the field love the attention. 

It is all a piece of paradise.

Norm first handed out his business card to Iloh and followed up with paper airplanes for Iloh and Yeva.  He was a huge hit! 



Time for a swim in Silver Creek, 5 minutes away. 

Only the Gidneys there. 

You walk up the river then float down, so refreshing and fun. Marissa in the cool water.

It was a great afternoon floating, skipping rocks and looking for the best flat ones.

Group photo. 

And finally back home for pizza and more airplane tossing. 

Onwards tomorrow to Kelowna......

On to Salmon Arm

Started the day again picking raspberries. 

I could have picked another bowl full! So many and so delicious. Just ask Leah.

Just before we headed to the market I realized I didn’t really have a picture of Jordie. So now we do

And maybe a bit clearer. 

Saturday market in Kaslo had a garage sale, 

musicians, 

fruits, vegetables, crafts and the famous croissants! 

The vendor said she can sell 1,000 this weekend! 

So goodbye to Kaslo and off to find more Gidneys.

A stop in New Denver, a sweet Kootenay village where you can always find something interesting to buy.

Driving the highways we see so many motorcycles, often from Alberta. Norm checked these ones out. 

I checked Slocan Lake. But not enough time to swim since we had to catch a ferry at Galena Bay. 

Making sure we know where we are going....

We arrived at “The Gidney Ranch” just about dinner time.  Brothers Cody and Jesse and their families live here on 80 acres. 

Cody and Jenna’s log cabin that was on the property for them to move into. Jessie and Marissa have built their own place near by. In total 8 Gidney's today! 

Cody and Norm

Jesse and Norm

A perfect dinner of sirloin tip the boys cooked with all the vegetables from the garden. Yummy. 

One last Gidney arrived to make it now 9! Joanne Gidney (JoJo grandma) arrived after a 12-hour drive from Grande Prairie, after visiting her mom and sisters for a week Wow! Quick photo with little Gidneys before all heading to bed.