We woke to a cold morning in Merritt so didn’t waste any time packing up. The Coldwater River that rushes by the campsite is aptly named. Luckily I didn’t have to depend on the river to clean up. The campground had good showers so Bus waited patiently for me in the car and then we headed back to the Espresso Cafe in town. I had a great breakfast and talk with a couple of local gents. One of them was originally from Ontario but had come west while young and never moved back home. They were very entertaining and even offered to take a picture of Bus and I in front of the Cafe.
Today I decided to take the faster route to Vancouver – down the Coquihalla – instead of the scenic Highway 8 (which would have taken at least an extra hour). But the Coquihalla proved scenic with snow-capped mountains and the deep green of the pine-covered slopes.
We made it to Sekyiwa’s around noon. She showed me her lovely apartment. It’s an older building but the apartments are being renovated one by one. Her’s was done just before she moved in. Across the hall is her friend and business partner Brooke’s place. Brooke is away visiting family in the Netherlands so I got her apartment. It is one of those yet to be renovated but it is still quite nice. Bus has decided that the animal skin rug in the living room was laid especially for him.
I finally got to meet Matt. He is every bit as nice as Sekyiwa said and even better looking than his picture. We trekked off to a taco place for late lunch/early supper. I indulged with a delicious margarita. Later back in Brooke’s apartment, Sek and I put poor Matt to sleep while we caught up on Guelph gossip.
The rain was back and none of us were inspired to do anything strenuous so Matt headed home and eventually Sek headed back across the hall.
A quiet end to the first part of Bus and Sue’s adventure.