RETIRING
As you all see, I have been neglecting to make entries in my blog for several months now. While I have enjoyed doing this - though I'm not sure what sort of a following I had, it is probably time to retire my blog.
My reasons? Well, I'm getting older. And as my husband is not well, I expect we will do much less travel; therefore not much to write about. As this blog was initially for our travel North - and to promote my book, I think it's function is now complete. I do not expect that we will be traveling North of 60 again, though the North still interests me very much.
I hope you have enjoyed my blogs. So adieu for now.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Sunday, October 20, 2013
FALL ACTIVITIES - fireGifts Sale
The leaves have not only turned color - they are quickly disappearing off the trees. Our lawn is covered with mostly brown, but a few colorful red and yellow leaves are mingled in. Now comes the big job of disposing them.
Looking back on our August trip East, I thought I would post several pictures of other places we enjoyed besides Grosse Ile.
The first photo is of a humpback whale while on a whale-watching tour.
Photo 2 is from a beautiful garden we visited during our drive through the Gaspe Peninsula. Photo 3 is Rock Perce`. And picture 4 is at Hopewell Rocks, as no doubt most recognized. We enjoyed all these places immensely.
One event coming up this weekend that I am participating in is 'fireGifts', a sale of handmade pottery and glass. This will take place at the RA Centre, Clark Hall, at 2451 Riverside Drive in Ottawa. Hours are Friday, Oct. 25 4-8, Sat. Oct. 26 10:00 am - 8:00 pm. Sun. 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. If you are in the area, please drop by.
The leaves have not only turned color - they are quickly disappearing off the trees. Our lawn is covered with mostly brown, but a few colorful red and yellow leaves are mingled in. Now comes the big job of disposing them.
Looking back on our August trip East, I thought I would post several pictures of other places we enjoyed besides Grosse Ile.
Photo 2 is from a beautiful garden we visited during our drive through the Gaspe Peninsula. Photo 3 is Rock Perce`. And picture 4 is at Hopewell Rocks, as no doubt most recognized. We enjoyed all these places immensely.
One event coming up this weekend that I am participating in is 'fireGifts', a sale of handmade pottery and glass. This will take place at the RA Centre, Clark Hall, at 2451 Riverside Drive in Ottawa. Hours are Friday, Oct. 25 4-8, Sat. Oct. 26 10:00 am - 8:00 pm. Sun. 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. If you are in the area, please drop by.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
TRIP TO GROSSE ILE, QUEBEC
Where or where has the time flown! Here it is fall tomorrow- and it is sure chilly out there.
We arrived home a couple of weeks ago from a road trip to the East Coast - which was delightful until my husband got ill. We enjoyed our drive along highway 20, stopped to take a tour of Grosse Ile, then a whale-watching tour at Riviere du-Loup, then drove around the entire Gaspe Peninsula, and ended our touring at Moncton.
Grosse Ile was by far the most interesting stop as this is where quarantine of immigrants arriving from Europe first began in 1832 to control the spread of diseases like cholera, smallpox, etc. New buildings and better methods were continually being added for the next 90 years. Grosse Ile is located in the St. Lawrence not far from Quebec City, and was closed in 1937. The island still has a number of buildings from the quarantine days, now run by Parks Canada as a tourist attraction. The most interesting by far is the Quarantine Building which initially used a sulphur fumigator to disinfect all the belongings of immigrants that passed through their quarantine station. In 1898 a new disinfectant came into use, formaldehyde; it was less toxic and did not alter color of clothing. In the same building we found a sample of showers that all immigrants had to use before their disinfected clothes were returned to them. There were 44 of these showers, and all had water jets at three levels.
Of interest also were the three types of hotels to accommodate the healthy passengers during quarantine periods: 1st class; one person per room; 2nd class; 2 to 4 persons per room; and 3rd class would house up to eight people per room. This coincided to the ships' standard of classes. The hotels were in the west sector of the island while the hospitals were in the east sector; they kept them totally separate to keep infections from spreading.
It is estimated that about 7,000 thousand people were buried here - most were Irish immigrants who died of typhus in 1847. These are some of the photos we took during our visit.
Passengers luggage, etc.
Fumigating passengers belongings
Shower with 3 jets
Hospital beds
2nd class hotel
We arrived home a couple of weeks ago from a road trip to the East Coast - which was delightful until my husband got ill. We enjoyed our drive along highway 20, stopped to take a tour of Grosse Ile, then a whale-watching tour at Riviere du-Loup, then drove around the entire Gaspe Peninsula, and ended our touring at Moncton.
Grosse Ile was by far the most interesting stop as this is where quarantine of immigrants arriving from Europe first began in 1832 to control the spread of diseases like cholera, smallpox, etc. New buildings and better methods were continually being added for the next 90 years. Grosse Ile is located in the St. Lawrence not far from Quebec City, and was closed in 1937. The island still has a number of buildings from the quarantine days, now run by Parks Canada as a tourist attraction. The most interesting by far is the Quarantine Building which initially used a sulphur fumigator to disinfect all the belongings of immigrants that passed through their quarantine station. In 1898 a new disinfectant came into use, formaldehyde; it was less toxic and did not alter color of clothing. In the same building we found a sample of showers that all immigrants had to use before their disinfected clothes were returned to them. There were 44 of these showers, and all had water jets at three levels.
Of interest also were the three types of hotels to accommodate the healthy passengers during quarantine periods: 1st class; one person per room; 2nd class; 2 to 4 persons per room; and 3rd class would house up to eight people per room. This coincided to the ships' standard of classes. The hotels were in the west sector of the island while the hospitals were in the east sector; they kept them totally separate to keep infections from spreading.
It is estimated that about 7,000 thousand people were buried here - most were Irish immigrants who died of typhus in 1847. These are some of the photos we took during our visit.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Grandson now Four Weeks
As you might guess I am once again a proud grandmother; this time of a baby boy, born June 14th to my daughter Mora and her husband. He weighed 8 lbs 6 oz at birth and his name is Benjamin. And he is gorgeous! Need I say more! Pictures are better than words.
Benjamin is just one day old in these pictures.
About 10 days ago, a friend had organized a Saggar firing done in a raku kiln for a bunch of us. This was new to me. First the pots were sprayed with ferric chloride,
and we then attached whatever materials we liked around the pots. I had some plant material and wire around mine. The pots were then wrapped in aluminum foil and placed one on top of the other in a raku kiln and fired to 6,000 C.
When cooled they were taken out, and here is what mine were like. I was quite happy with them.
Enjoy the rest of your summer.
About 10 days ago, a friend had organized a Saggar firing done in a raku kiln for a bunch of us. This was new to me. First the pots were sprayed with ferric chloride,
When cooled they were taken out, and here is what mine were like. I was quite happy with them.
Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Rakuing in Quebec's Eastern Township
Wow, I can hardly believe that it's two months since I wrote in my blog! Well, it is actually two weeks since I visited my friend, Rosemary, for a day of raku. And how lucky we were that it was the only nice day that week in which we had scheduled our raku. This is a once a year event when my husband and I journey the 3 1/2 - 4 hour trip - used to be through Montreal, but no more - since Highway 30 is complete, to Lac Trousers for our rakuing. Our first evening there, we just visit and enjoy each other's company while feasting on some great food.
The next morning, I start glazing the pots I brought for the raku; Rosemary has already done her's. I have small pots - she has large ones; and so we carry them down to the raking site and start the process of heating up the kiln with fuel from a propane tank. We load the raku four or five times during the day and each load takes about an hour. Andre, Rosemary's husband always unloads the hot kiln pots as Rosemary's are too heavy for her to handle. Of course, we are not always pleased with our results; but on average, we are quite happy. You just never know what will come out. I'm enclosing some of our raking pics.
As for other news, I'm waiting patiently for a new grandbaby that should have been born a couple of days ago; and shall come in the next few days. And, oh yes, I shall be giving a lecture with a few slides re travel writing at the Unitarian Church's Arts Night program on June 28 at 7:30. So enjoy your summer.
The next morning, I start glazing the pots I brought for the raku; Rosemary has already done her's. I have small pots - she has large ones; and so we carry them down to the raking site and start the process of heating up the kiln with fuel from a propane tank. We load the raku four or five times during the day and each load takes about an hour. Andre, Rosemary's husband always unloads the hot kiln pots as Rosemary's are too heavy for her to handle. Of course, we are not always pleased with our results; but on average, we are quite happy. You just never know what will come out. I'm enclosing some of our raking pics.
As for other news, I'm waiting patiently for a new grandbaby that should have been born a couple of days ago; and shall come in the next few days. And, oh yes, I shall be giving a lecture with a few slides re travel writing at the Unitarian Church's Arts Night program on June 28 at 7:30. So enjoy your summer.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Ancient Camels in Canada's High Arctic
Wow, hard to believe that winter does not want to depart. Ten to 15 cm of snow was predicated for overnight and today. We don't have that much yet, and it is just snowing periodically. I'm hoping the forecast is wrong, and snow on the ground will disappear. I'm sure ready for spring.
Now a little Northern news about something I read recently. The news about ancient camel bones found on Ellesmere Island is not new, but most interesting. Paleobiologist, Natalia Rybezynski, from the Canadian Museum of Nature, first uncovered bone fragments in 2006 in a fossil bed at the Beaver Pond site. In return trips with other scientists in 2008 and 2010, they concluded the bone fragments came from a giant camel's limb. Analysis of collagen fingerprinting showed that the Ellesmere camel was identical to an ancient camel unearthed years ago in the Yukon. They also discovered that these were from the same line of camels that walked to Asia over the Bering Land seven million years ago. What also emerged is that these giant camels were about 30 per cent larger than today's camels.
Well, this got me thinking. What goes around - comes around! Of course, a billion years from now I won't be around to see what happens.
In the meantime, I'm waiting impatiently for spring.
Now a little Northern news about something I read recently. The news about ancient camel bones found on Ellesmere Island is not new, but most interesting. Paleobiologist, Natalia Rybezynski, from the Canadian Museum of Nature, first uncovered bone fragments in 2006 in a fossil bed at the Beaver Pond site. In return trips with other scientists in 2008 and 2010, they concluded the bone fragments came from a giant camel's limb. Analysis of collagen fingerprinting showed that the Ellesmere camel was identical to an ancient camel unearthed years ago in the Yukon. They also discovered that these were from the same line of camels that walked to Asia over the Bering Land seven million years ago. What also emerged is that these giant camels were about 30 per cent larger than today's camels.
Well, this got me thinking. What goes around - comes around! Of course, a billion years from now I won't be around to see what happens.
In the meantime, I'm waiting impatiently for spring.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Winter Reprieve - in Hawaii
Returned last week from a 2-week trip to Hawaii; it was on my bucket list for several years. My husband always felt it was very touristy and full of sunbathers and surfers. We found it to be quite different. I expect some islands have beaches more favorable to sun worshipers and surfers than the two we visited. Kauai, the most eastern island, was our first destination on an organized tour, where we visited the South Shore that included Poipu Beach and the National Tropical Botanical Garden. The North Shore included a Fish and Wildlife Preserve, Kilauea Lighthouse and Halalei Valley. Also included in the tour was the beautiful Waimea Canyon, which reminded me of the colorful red rocks in Arizona. The weather was not at all what I expected; it showered numerous times a day for very short periods but never spoiled our tours, and it was not as warm as I had expected.
Our 2nd week was at Hawaii, the Big Island, and here, too, it rained most days. This is the island of volcanoes; most interesting was our visit to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park where we viewed the Kilauea Caldera and the Thurson Lava Tube. We later walked on lava that had covered several villages years earlier. The volcano is still active and we watched smoke in the distance coming from lava that was flowing into the sea.This is something that one just doesn't here about. In Hilo where we stayed, they have a Tsunami Museum that showed the terrible destruction that occurred there from an earthquake in South America many years ago. Lava is everywhere and is used in many forms -like a rock garden, or even sidewalks.
So we discovered that while there are beaches and surfers, there is so much more to the Hawiian Islands. We very much enjoyed our trip. Here are a few pictures in my blog below to give you an idea of what we saw.
Our 2nd week was at Hawaii, the Big Island, and here, too, it rained most days. This is the island of volcanoes; most interesting was our visit to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park where we viewed the Kilauea Caldera and the Thurson Lava Tube. We later walked on lava that had covered several villages years earlier. The volcano is still active and we watched smoke in the distance coming from lava that was flowing into the sea.This is something that one just doesn't here about. In Hilo where we stayed, they have a Tsunami Museum that showed the terrible destruction that occurred there from an earthquake in South America many years ago. Lava is everywhere and is used in many forms -like a rock garden, or even sidewalks.
So we discovered that while there are beaches and surfers, there is so much more to the Hawiian Islands. We very much enjoyed our trip. Here are a few pictures in my blog below to give you an idea of what we saw.
Photos from Hawaii
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Winter - 2013
Even tho it is winter, time has certainly flown by - and here it is almost the middle of February. I have been good about going to my aerobic classes three times a week since the first week of January. I guess that is what has kept me busy as the class starts at 10:45 and ends about noon. Well, there isn't time for me to do much before the class - as really I am a slow starter in the morning. Sometimes I stay for coffee; free for us seniors, so I get home after 12:30. By the time I shower and we have lunch, etc; it is almost 3:00 pm; no time for an afternoon activity. So that is how three of the five weekdays are spent. Thursday is my pottery day, and so Tuesday is left for whatever!!!
On a different note, I had the pleasure of being contacted by an old high school friend. We had not been in contact for maybe 50 years; what wonderful memories came floating into my mind. Gena and I lived across the street from one another and always walked home together - though not always in the morning. Learning about her life since our last meeting has been more than just interesting. Sadly she has been a widow for the last eleven or so years. It is interesting how we all went our own ways after high school, really not thinking that we should keep in contact. We all lived our different lives in different ways in different places; and only many years after our kids had grown and gone, did we think about our early friendships, and have started to inquire about them. I think it is wonderful how things come around.
Not much else new - lots of snow to shovel! Enjoy your winter.
On a different note, I had the pleasure of being contacted by an old high school friend. We had not been in contact for maybe 50 years; what wonderful memories came floating into my mind. Gena and I lived across the street from one another and always walked home together - though not always in the morning. Learning about her life since our last meeting has been more than just interesting. Sadly she has been a widow for the last eleven or so years. It is interesting how we all went our own ways after high school, really not thinking that we should keep in contact. We all lived our different lives in different ways in different places; and only many years after our kids had grown and gone, did we think about our early friendships, and have started to inquire about them. I think it is wonderful how things come around.
Not much else new - lots of snow to shovel! Enjoy your winter.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Busy December Brings in a Quiet New Year
As you might guess December was a very busy month for me thus no posts were entered. It started with the Ottawa Authors & Artisans Fair in early December that coincided with freezing rain that lasted all day, which didn't help our Fair. However, I enjoyed it as it gave me a chance to see other authors that I only see at this type of gathering. With parties and Xmas preparation, the month just few by.
Now Christmas to me is family time, so we see more of our daughters and grandchildren, some who come from out of town just after Xmas. And so another reason for another gathering. During this season we spend much time eating - and more eating. And this year Christmas has also brought winter with a vengeance; lots and lots of snow - and now the cold. While I don't make New Year's resolutions, I can't wait to get to the gym next week.
We brought in the New Year with friends sharing dinner then watching a movie 'Big Fat Greek Wedding', always good for a few laughs. Following New Years Day, we volunteered to baby-sit four grandchildren for the day; two sets of twins, eight and nine. Surprising there were few disagreements; and though it was cold we managed an hour of tobogganing on a hill just a few blocks from home. The kids really enjoyed that.
I look forward to next week when everything is back to normal. Back to pottery and back to the gym.
Happy New Year everyone!
Now Christmas to me is family time, so we see more of our daughters and grandchildren, some who come from out of town just after Xmas. And so another reason for another gathering. During this season we spend much time eating - and more eating. And this year Christmas has also brought winter with a vengeance; lots and lots of snow - and now the cold. While I don't make New Year's resolutions, I can't wait to get to the gym next week.
We brought in the New Year with friends sharing dinner then watching a movie 'Big Fat Greek Wedding', always good for a few laughs. Following New Years Day, we volunteered to baby-sit four grandchildren for the day; two sets of twins, eight and nine. Surprising there were few disagreements; and though it was cold we managed an hour of tobogganing on a hill just a few blocks from home. The kids really enjoyed that.
I look forward to next week when everything is back to normal. Back to pottery and back to the gym.
Happy New Year everyone!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Ottawa Authors & Artisans 2012 Fall Fair
It's been 10 days since the Ottawa Guild of Potters Fall Sale concluded; I think it was a great success. More people in Orleans are getting acquainted with this sale and our attendance was up. Thankfully we had good traveling weather.
Now I am preparing for the Ottawa Authors & Artisans 2012 Fall Fair to be held at Jack Purcell Centre, Rm. 203, 320 Jack Purcell Lane, near Elgin and Lewis St. on Sunday, Dec. 2nd from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be a large variety of books by local writers - and local artisans. I will be displaying my book 'RV-ING and Other Adventures North of 60, as well as a bunch of pottery; hope to see you there. Below is one of my favorite pictures from my book; it's taken on the Alaska Highway in the Rockies.
In a way of advertising - this morning our president of OIW, Susan and I were one of several featured on Roger's Daytime program. Susan talked about the OIW's Fair, she brought her books; and I displayed my pottery and my book. We thought things went well.
Now I am preparing for the Ottawa Authors & Artisans 2012 Fall Fair to be held at Jack Purcell Centre, Rm. 203, 320 Jack Purcell Lane, near Elgin and Lewis St. on Sunday, Dec. 2nd from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be a large variety of books by local writers - and local artisans. I will be displaying my book 'RV-ING and Other Adventures North of 60, as well as a bunch of pottery; hope to see you there. Below is one of my favorite pictures from my book; it's taken on the Alaska Highway in the Rockies.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Ottawa Guild of Potters Fall Sale
Later this week, I will be participating in the above three and a half-day sale. It is a lot of work but fun as well as I love interacting with other potters and viewing their varied work. It is inspiring to see all this beautiful pottery - and I think, 'yes, I must try something different than my usual.' But somehow when I return to my pottery days later, I have forgotten what I was planning to do.
Anyway, I'm enclosing the poster that will tell you where to go and when. Ottawa people, I hope to see you there.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Visit to Elk County, Pennsylvania
Wow, how time has flown! I have been negligent in getting a post written in the last month. I will make amends and try to do better.
We arrived back from our trip to Lancaster and Elk County in Pa last Wednesday evening, October 31. Yes, we were in Pa during Sandy's super storm. Luckily we left Lancaster with my husband's brother and his two daughters and husbands for Elk County in Western Pa on Saturday well before the storm. And once arriving there, we were greeted with large meadows of elk, eating grass, wandering around, or laying down. What a wonderful sight! We then retired to a beautiful lodge our relatives had reserved where we could our spend time together.
What was intriguing about this Benezette area is that it was where my husband's and his brother's grandparents and uncles and aunts had farmed. We drove past these old farm houses still completely intact as my husband would announce, "That's Aunt Ada's house; and that's grandma and grandpa's house." And so it went as they revisited their memories from their youth. Back in the 1970's and 80's, I remember visiting 'Aunt Ada' in her trailer (now gone), when this area was still farmed. Some time about the mid-80's this poor farmland was turned into park; 12 counties in northcentral and northern western regions of Pa have become the 'Pennsylvania Wilds.' It is now a tourist area for fishing, hunting, hiking, and indeed, viewing elk; where many hotels, campgrounds and lodges have sprung up. Our trip here was to view the elk.
The next morning the weather was more gloomy and cold as we drove to the Information Centre and the viewing area to see more elk - and 'see we did.' It seemed dozens and dozens of elk streamed down the meadow as the small crowd clicked their cameras. Soon the mist started and we left, though we did have more views of lone bull elks along the road. The next day, the rain came down hard, and by mid-afternoon, it was decided that we would drive into St. Mary's where my husband Byron and is brother Paul were raised. The rest of the time was spent watching the weather channel as Sandy hammered the East Coast.
Luckily we did not loose power at the lodge. We watched on TV how the storm decimated coastal areas and cause a lot of damage to others including Lancaster, the city we left a couple days earlier.
The rain still fell lightly as we drove back to Lancaster on Tuesday viewing some damage along the way, but feeling lucky we didn't get stranded.
We arrived back from our trip to Lancaster and Elk County in Pa last Wednesday evening, October 31. Yes, we were in Pa during Sandy's super storm. Luckily we left Lancaster with my husband's brother and his two daughters and husbands for Elk County in Western Pa on Saturday well before the storm. And once arriving there, we were greeted with large meadows of elk, eating grass, wandering around, or laying down. What a wonderful sight! We then retired to a beautiful lodge our relatives had reserved where we could our spend time together.
What was intriguing about this Benezette area is that it was where my husband's and his brother's grandparents and uncles and aunts had farmed. We drove past these old farm houses still completely intact as my husband would announce, "That's Aunt Ada's house; and that's grandma and grandpa's house." And so it went as they revisited their memories from their youth. Back in the 1970's and 80's, I remember visiting 'Aunt Ada' in her trailer (now gone), when this area was still farmed. Some time about the mid-80's this poor farmland was turned into park; 12 counties in northcentral and northern western regions of Pa have become the 'Pennsylvania Wilds.' It is now a tourist area for fishing, hunting, hiking, and indeed, viewing elk; where many hotels, campgrounds and lodges have sprung up. Our trip here was to view the elk.
Luckily we did not loose power at the lodge. We watched on TV how the storm decimated coastal areas and cause a lot of damage to others including Lancaster, the city we left a couple days earlier.
The rain still fell lightly as we drove back to Lancaster on Tuesday viewing some damage along the way, but feeling lucky we didn't get stranded.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Nepean Visual Arts Centre 40th Anniversary Pottery Sale
This month the Nepean Visual Arts Centre is celebrating its 40th anniversary; and I have been a member of the Centre for about 28-30 years. Can't be sure just when I joined after taking some pottery classes elsewhere. I have enjoyed my many years in the pottery studio - taking classes and
being just a studio potter.
Next weekend, the NVAC studio potters are presenting a Pottery Sale, to celebrate its 40th anniversay, and it will be held on Friday, Sept. 28, 7-10 pm, and Saturday, Sept. 29, 9 am - 4 pm,
at the Nepean Visual Arts Centre, 1701 Woodroffe Ave, (the Nepean Sportsplex), Ottawa. Hope to see some of you there.
Now to conclude the story on the Franklin ship search. The search for Erebus and Terror has now ended, with no success in finding them. However, it hasn't been a total loss some suggest, as apparently the same techniques are used for energy exploration. And that appears to be mostly on Prime Minister Harper's mind these days.
being just a studio potter.
Next weekend, the NVAC studio potters are presenting a Pottery Sale, to celebrate its 40th anniversay, and it will be held on Friday, Sept. 28, 7-10 pm, and Saturday, Sept. 29, 9 am - 4 pm,
Now to conclude the story on the Franklin ship search. The search for Erebus and Terror has now ended, with no success in finding them. However, it hasn't been a total loss some suggest, as apparently the same techniques are used for energy exploration. And that appears to be mostly on Prime Minister Harper's mind these days.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
News This Summer - Search for Terror & Erebus
This dry hot summer is quickly coming to an end. And the big news of the North this summer has been that our Prime Minister Harper invested $275,000 for a 4-6 week expedition to search for Sir John Franklin's lost ships, Terror and Erebus. The search is centered in the Victoria Island and Alexandra Strait region where these ships had been frozen in about 1846-47. Of course, Harper also made his yearly summer trip North where the Forces had their exercises.
It is known that by 1854, there were 22 British ships searching for Franklin's ships. And as a result, three possible Northwest Passages had been mapped out. With all this exploration, planting of flags, mapping, and building of cairns, it seems Britain could legitimately lay claim to the Arctic, and by default, legitimately Canadian. It seems ridiculous that other countries feel they have some claim there. I will leave things there.
With fall approaching and schools back in session, I will look forward to returning to pottery and my aerobic gym sessions. Enjoy the fall.
It is known that by 1854, there were 22 British ships searching for Franklin's ships. And as a result, three possible Northwest Passages had been mapped out. With all this exploration, planting of flags, mapping, and building of cairns, it seems Britain could legitimately lay claim to the Arctic, and by default, legitimately Canadian. It seems ridiculous that other countries feel they have some claim there. I will leave things there.
With fall approaching and schools back in session, I will look forward to returning to pottery and my aerobic gym sessions. Enjoy the fall.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Visit to the West Coast
Recently returned from a trip to Vancouver and the Island; what beautiful scenery! My spouse and I were actually on an organized tour by Road Scholar. After leaving Vancouver, we spent the first three nights in Victoria where we toured a park with huge Douglas Fir and Western Cedar, amazingly huge.
Visited the Royal BC Museum and ate our lunches at the Legislature building which was really neat.
We had an amazing boat tour where among other things we saw a humpback whale -always a thrill.
The next three nights were spent at Courtney where we again went on a whale-watching tour - this time we viewed many orca (killer whales), dolphins and porpoises; was a most enjoyable trip. We also visited the Deep Bay Marine Research Station where they grow oysters - very interesting. And as you might guess, another trip into the forest. All in all, it was a great tour and the weather was fantastic. And this trip gave us a chance to visit with relatives in Comox and Vancouver; and also my sister who came from Kelowna for the program as well, so that was wonderful, we had a good visit.
Leaving BC, we stopped in Sask. to visit my husband's 100 year-old cousin in Saskatoon, who's in great shape, and my brother and family in Canora. We had a visit to the old farm where I grew up - unrecognizable as the old farm; it is now filled with about 30 metal bins. My how things change. Inspite of living away from Sask. for more than 46 years, I still love the open prairies - you can see where you are going when you're driving.
Well everything comes to an end, and I'm happy to be home again. Just a few pics to show you were we've been.
Visited the Royal BC Museum and ate our lunches at the Legislature building which was really neat.
We had an amazing boat tour where among other things we saw a humpback whale -always a thrill.
The next three nights were spent at Courtney where we again went on a whale-watching tour - this time we viewed many orca (killer whales), dolphins and porpoises; was a most enjoyable trip. We also visited the Deep Bay Marine Research Station where they grow oysters - very interesting. And as you might guess, another trip into the forest. All in all, it was a great tour and the weather was fantastic. And this trip gave us a chance to visit with relatives in Comox and Vancouver; and also my sister who came from Kelowna for the program as well, so that was wonderful, we had a good visit.
Leaving BC, we stopped in Sask. to visit my husband's 100 year-old cousin in Saskatoon, who's in great shape, and my brother and family in Canora. We had a visit to the old farm where I grew up - unrecognizable as the old farm; it is now filled with about 30 metal bins. My how things change. Inspite of living away from Sask. for more than 46 years, I still love the open prairies - you can see where you are going when you're driving.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Summer - Heat - Camping
Can't believe how quickly the time has flown; before long summer will be over. Summer began strong - and continues that way. It has been hot and dry, with NO rain for maybe the last six weeks. The weatherman forecasts the odd shower, but in our area it just does not happen.
About a week and a half ago, we took our grandkids camping at Fitzroy Harbor Prov. Park; weather was perfect. Because it was during the week, the campground was not that busy but still there were a lot of young children the age of our grandkids, Nick and Sonya,who are seven. The first time campers loved it; they made friends with campers next door, and across the road. They played together very well; went to the beach and caught frogs and crayfish. Because of the dry conditions, the water level was very low in the Ottawa River at Fitzroy. We are all praying for rain here.
No blog would be complete without some pictures from the campground. Next time I write, I hope I'll be complaining about rain.
About a week and a half ago, we took our grandkids camping at Fitzroy Harbor Prov. Park; weather was perfect. Because it was during the week, the campground was not that busy but still there were a lot of young children the age of our grandkids, Nick and Sonya,who are seven. The first time campers loved it; they made friends with campers next door, and across the road. They played together very well; went to the beach and caught frogs and crayfish. Because of the dry conditions, the water level was very low in the Ottawa River at Fitzroy. We are all praying for rain here.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Being a Tourist in my City
A week and a half ago we hosted relatives from Penn. and became tourists ourselves - and that is so much fun. We never think of going to Parliament Hill or the Gallery; but here we were doing just that and it was so enjoyable. It helped to have a beautiful sunny day. We stopped to have lunch in Market Square - away from the traffic but still enjoying the outdoors. At the National Gallery of Canada, we stopped to see the Van Gough exhibit which we all enjoyed. Our guests were much enjoyed The Hog's Back falls with the many ducks, gulls, and even a ground hog in the vicinity that stayed to be photographed.
I later wondered why people in general never think to visit the wonders that their city has to offer. I'm enclosing three photos to show off my city. The first one is the Library of the Parliament Bldgs; the second is the National Gallery of Canada (with the Spider sculpture in front), and finally the Galloping Horses sculpture, in front of the Gallery - I love this sculpture.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Tree-Top Walk at Haliburton Forest
My wish to do a tree-top walk has been fulfilled. My spouse and I made a trip to the Haliburton Forests which borders on Algonquin Park to do the canopy walk. As it was mid-May, there were just four of us on this tour. It started with a 10-15 minute ride in a station wagon through the forest; then a half-km walk through a varied forest of hemlock, spruce, poplar, birch and other woods. In fact this forest has 25 different tree species. Our guide,Vilna, a friendly, chatty, young woman, then guided us into a canoe that took us, with us paddling, of course, across Pelaw Lake (or maybe river), a 10 minute ride to another part of the forest.
We walked to a shed that contained the harnesses we were to wear while on the canopy walk. It was only then a short distance to where we climbed some stairs, attached ourselves with two straps, as directed, to a cable that went from tree to tree. And also between the trees was a wooden walk comprising of two boards, making our suspended walk about two feet wide. Walking on the suspended trek was not as difficult as I had imagined since we could hold on to the ropes on each side of the built-up walking contraption. The most difficult part was getting around each tree that we came to. We had to undo one attachment from the cable, and attach to another on the other side of the tree before detaching the second strap.
The walk is about half a km, and is said to be the longest of its kind in the world. We were between 10 and 20 metres above the forest floor, and it varied from one area to another. It was easiest to look about when we arrived at a tree as it gave us more stability. I found myself concentrating on walking in between the trees to keep my balance on the swaying walk. However, it was an interesting walk, and I did enjoy it. About two-thirds of the way, we came to a platform where we enjoyed a granola bar and a drink. This whole process took about four hours - until we arrived back at the office.
We walked to a shed that contained the harnesses we were to wear while on the canopy walk. It was only then a short distance to where we climbed some stairs, attached ourselves with two straps, as directed, to a cable that went from tree to tree. And also between the trees was a wooden walk comprising of two boards, making our suspended walk about two feet wide. Walking on the suspended trek was not as difficult as I had imagined since we could hold on to the ropes on each side of the built-up walking contraption. The most difficult part was getting around each tree that we came to. We had to undo one attachment from the cable, and attach to another on the other side of the tree before detaching the second strap.
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