US Gas Still Cheap

Just returned from my annual pre-opening trip to Washington State.

It's always a nice diversion from my end of winter blahs...especially this winter, which felt like a mini Ice Age.

I know...I know...the exchange rate has to be factored in.
And I do consider that.
But I would've gone anyway, as the sheer selection in the U.S.A. is so much greater than here.

After searching here for patio umbrella replacements last summer, I wasn't happy with the selection or the prices, so umbrellas were on my list too.

Stayed at the Quality Inn a few miles south of downtown Omak on Hwy 97, about $70.
It's the site of the old casino, and the room was clean and modern, with free breakfast and newspaper.

And my all-time favourite place for dinner--Koala's--on Hwy 97 in Omak has the BEST amber beer on tap!  Went well with my veggie burger--the black bean burger and salad.  Cheerful and friendly wait staff too!

My truck fill-up was $43, compared to almost $80 at home!

And the patio umbrellas:

Four patio umbrellas

Those patio umbrellas will look great at Highlands Golf...

The weather in WA was nice too...shirtsleeves temperatures, sunshine and dry roads the entire way.

Still waiting for the mini Ice Age to melt here...

Speaking of winter, our grandson is two months shy of turning four years old, and enjoying his ski lessons at Silver Star:

Yup, that's the grandson under all that stuff...

The robins are back...so are Canada Geese (free fertilizer!)

Highlands opening will be a couple of weeks later than last year because of the amount of snow we had this winter...date to be advised.