Monday July 12th to Sunday July 25th, 2010
My short time at home was mostly spent unpacking my stuff from the US and repacking my stuff for my big trek across the world. Of course I did try to find some time to do something fun and visit family as well.
The nightly view from Mom and Dad's deck. So nice and no matter how many times you see it.....it doesn't get old.
Of course I cannot leave out that my second day in Vernon I was in a car accident. Yes, that is right. I managed to drive like 4 thousand kilometers across the country without getting a scratch on my car but I get to Vernon and I have some little 89 year old lady come through a stop sign and hit me. Don't worry I only had some minor stiffness and pain as a result but my car will be in the shop until long after I leave for my vacation. I have a loner from the body shop but it just isn't the same. But it could have been worse and I am thankful for that. And it wasn't my fault (she got a big ticket) so I have nothing to worry about
No time to dwell on the accident though because there was a lot to do (mostly shopping and packing) and people to see. I am happy to announce that my friends Crystal and Doug (whose wedding I attended last summer on Vancouver Island) are expecting their first child. Don't worry they have already made the Facebook announcement so I am safe to announce it here. So a big Congrats to them!!!!
I also had a chance to take a Haunted Walk through Vernon. Mom and Auntie Faye had taken the Ghost Tour last year and were eager to share it with me this year. It is lead by a local actor who donates half the proceeds he collects (there is a fee) to local arts programs and theatre companies. It was a lot of fun.
The leader of the walk. He basically just walked up and stood there. Everyone got real quiet and was waiting for him to say something. That's when he told us we still had a few minutes before the tour would start so we were free to talk amongst ourselves. He was fun.
The top of his walking stick. Spooky I know!!!!
The walkway into the Caetani Cultural Centre. The story of this haunted house and grounds surrounds the Caetani's daughter, Sveva. When she was 18 her father died from cancer in 1934. Her mother Ofelia suffered both physically and mentally from the loss and chose a reclusive life, forcing Sveva to join her. Sveva was effectively housebound,being only allowed to walk the grounds of the house, from 1935 until 1960 when her mother passed away. It was only after Ofelia's death that Sveva was free to pursue her own interests. Art was one of those interests and when she passed away in 1994, she bequeathed the house and the grounds it sits on to the City of Vernon. Who now haunts this house and it's grounds.....who knows. It could be Svena, or it could be her mother Ofelia, still so distraught over the loss of her husband that she can't seem to bring herself to leave the house.
One of the local parks and fountains in Vernon. Not haunted but looks seriously creepy in the dark.
Thought to be the most haunted building in Vernon, this is the Towne Theatre. Lloyd, a former projectionist, is said to be the resident ghost. I was kind of hoping he would pop his head out the window and say hi.
The trip wasn't all Ghost Tours and packing though. There were also dinners and picnics and all that fun stuff. We had a great day at the beach. Pretty much everyone made it....even Auntie Gayle and Uncle Bill who drove out from Calgary. It was good fun.....the water was a little cold but we did some swimming anyways.
Dad seemed to enjoy this spot out on the sand under an umbrella. It was very nice.
And really that is all I accomplished while I Vernon......ok I also packed a suitcase......and a backpack. It was great to see everyone before left and very nice to have some home cooking before I head off on my next adventure.
Stay tuned.
Julie
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