Canadian Neighbors - Santee, CA

Today our Canadian neighbors left for the 4 week saunter back up to Calgary, Alberta. We met them back in 2009 when they were parked next to us along the stream here in Santee Lakes. They have a little make Yorkie that’s about the same age as Karma. Taking Karma out for a walk, she always wanted to go across to their site and do a few sniffs with Jake first. In her excitement of meeting him she would rush at Jake. He’s a brave little fellow but Karma’s rush to greet him and size always makes him seek shelter with his owners. Eventually Karma relaxes and Jake comes back out for the exchange of sniffs.

We have developed a friendship with this 80+YO couple of adventurers. We even all went to Texas for last winter (2011). Unfortunately, we weren’t in the same RV Park but we did get a chance to see them while we were in the Houston area. They have been Camping/RVing since their 2 children were little. They have been coming to the San Diego area for at least the past 20 years. She really loves the Southern California weather and environment. They are the only RVers we know who drive shorter days than we do. So, they take a month to get here December 1st and then a month to get back by April Fool’s Day.

This year their departure was delayed because the wife had a heart attack about 6 weeks ago. He had her transported via ambulance to a local hospital and eventually to UCSD (University of California at San Diego) Medical Center. Their son had been down at Christmas time and the daughter came (as scheduled) just before she was discharged from the hospital. So, her recovery was helped having her daughter around. After the daughter returned to her home, Ruthi went with the husband (or both of them after she was discharged) to assist with getting her in and out of the truck. At first, it didn’t look like she’d be able to ride back and would need to be medivaced to Calgary but she did improve day by day.

By the time they left, she was even helping to stow things away. She was sad to leave Santee, knowing she might not be able to come back next year. But, she was very happy to be heading to the casinos in Laughlin, NV before heading north.