A WEEK FROM TONIGHT WE WILL BE ON THE EVE OF DEPARTURE

ALL TONIGHT’S GODERICH HARBOUR PHOTOS TAKEN WITH MY NIKON D40 AND 70-300mm LENS
Gotta say......it's a pretty good feeling knowing we are now finally just a week away from our departure date with no further delays in sight.  Still no idea which route we will take and still no idea where we are going but who cares.......just as long as we we get on the road and get out of here:))

TORNADO DAMAGE REPAIRS CONTINUE AT GODERICH’S SIFTO SALT MINE…THESE MEN ARE HIGH ATOP A COUPLE TALL SILOS
 
THREE LARGE CONVEYER BELTS LOAD SALT INTO A SHIP’S CARGO HOLD WHILE DECK HANDS CHECK THE PROGRESS….APPEARS ONE FELLOW IS CHECKING HIS WATCH TO SEE IF IT’S LUNCH TIME YET
A heavy frost on the ground this morning meant it was winter coat time again on our walk.  Cold enough to make my nose run a bit but definitely not an uncomfortable cold.  No coat required this afternoon when Pheebs and I hit the trail for a second walk:))

Kelly, Pheebs and I slipped over to Mitchell this morning to visit Uncle Harry.  He's still doing pretty good and once again told me if it wasn't for his piped in music channel he doesn't know what he would do every day.  Every time Harry tells me that it just once again affirms to me the importance music can play in a person's life.  I have always believed music is one of the greatest natural calming affects on the human soul.

PHEEBS SLIPS INTO UNCLE HARRY’S ROOM AND NUDGES HIS ARM TO WAKE HIM UP:))

I am so totally amazed at how well my new RANGER NIGHT VISION BINOCULARS work.  I received this great piece of technology as a gift from fellow RV'er ALEX back in October.  Amazing how this device allows a person to see detail in total darkness.  I can stand on our deck peering into the inky blackness of our yard and see under shrubs and trees with no problem at all.  The binoculars are electronically run my a pack of double AA batteries or adaptor cord to conventional power and the image is shown on a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen.  I had them out the other night when I suspected a racoon or a Rhinoceros in our back yard.  No sign of either one but I did see 2 Alien space creatures boarding a flying saucer in the neighbour's back yard………..:))



A SEA GULL RADIOS THE CONTROL TOWER, THUNDERS DOWN THE RUNWAY AND LIFTS OFF INTO THE SUNNY MID MORNING AIR
I see there are changes coming up to Google's Blogger.  Not sure about all that yet and will wait to see how people like the new look or if folks are switching to the newer technology.  Right now I like my blog's look the way it is but if I think I can improve on it with the new changes I will do so.  I did switch over to Google's new Gmail look this morning and from first impressions I like it.  Gmail has never been my favourite email program but maybe now with improvements and changes plus the fact you can set it up with eye pleasing themes I will have a second serious look at it.  I do like the theme called, Planets of course.  Anytime I can get away from white backgrounds my interest is immediately peaked.

THIS LARGE CONVEYER BELT BOOM IS HOW THE SHIP OFFLOADS IT’S CARGO OF SALT WHEN IT REACHES IT’S DESTINATION
Photo Tip:  Remember, your photo editing program is your best friend.  Regardless of whether you have a professional Adobe Photo Shop program or Google's free Picasa 3.8 it is your photo editing program that can make or break a photograph.  Whatever mistakes or problems encountered in the field can many times be salvaged very easily in your photo editing program.  I enjoy editing each photo I take just as much as I enjoy taking each photo I take.  Many lighting problems can be corrected, faded colours restored, images sharpened plus photos cropped and recomposed.  Unlike the old photofinishing days when folks had no control over their finished product we are sooooooo fortunate in this great digital photography and computer age to make our photos the best they can possibly be....and for free too.  Personally, I use Google's Picasa 3.8 as my photo editing program and if your not a professional, it's all you really need to make your already good photos look a whole heck of a lot better.........10-4:))

WHAT APPEARS TO BE A PILE OF SNOW IS ACTUALLY A PILE OF SALT
And, I just saw this posted on Facebook by Kelly's daughter, Sabra...." ‎'SUPER NANNY' a tribute to our mom who this week took on many different roles as a personal taxi cab..a freezer repair lady..a cleaning lady..a computer tech repair.. a personal travel agent..and most of all the best mom and grandma to all of her children and her grandchildren...we love you mom!! you are welcome anytime in our homes. xo" 

THIS FELLOW WAS A BIT CAMERA SHY
GROANER'S CORNER:((  A couple of Arkansas hunters are out in the woods when one of them falls to the ground. He doesn't seem to be breathing, his eyes are rolled back in his head. The other guy whips out his cell phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps to the operator: “My friend is dead! What can I do?”

The operator, in a calm soothing voice says: “Just take it easy. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead.” There is a silence, then a shot is heard.

The guy's voice comes back on the line. He says: “OK, now what?“
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of right now........ AL.

KELLY’S HOME:))))))

Kelly made it home this afternoon about 2:30 and we sure had a couple pretty excited little puppy dogs racing outside to greet her.  Pheebe never barks but she was soooooo excited today that she actually let out a great big bark.  Little Motor's tale was wagging so fast it almost flew off.  So nice to have Kelly home:))

 

THE GUYS WERE SURE HAPPY TO HAVE MOM HOME AND PHEEBS WAS SO EXCITED SHE EVEN SURPRISED LITTLE MOTOR WITH A SMOOCH….IF YOU CLICK ON THE BOTTOM LEFT PHOTO YOU CAN SEE THE LITTLE MOTORMOUSE WASN’T TOO KEEN ABOUT THAT:))

Below are a few pictures of Kelly's new Grandson Reeve and his proud Dad, Jason.  Jason and Kim are some pretty happy new parents over there in Cambridge.  And, a pretty happy Grandma Kelly here in Bayfield too:))

 

KELLY WITH HER OLDEST SON JASON AND JASON’S NEW SON,  REEVE:))

Had a question from ME AND MY DOG about Pheebs eyes in Tuesday night's post.  Question was... "The photo of DA PHEEBS yesterday, what is on her eyes? Looks like drops or something. Is she okay?"  Well, I have a little confession here.  I took that photo with my Canon Powershot using a flash.  Both Pheebs eyes came out as two round white circles in the picture.  My 'Redeye' removal tool in Picasa does not remove redeye from animals so I tried using the 'Retouch' tool in an attempt to blot out the whiteness and return the white eyeballs to something resembling a normal eye.  I didn't get it perfect and debated whether to post the photo but I liked the overall picture so decided to include it.  Didn't think anyone would notice.....but, someone did:))
 

PHOTO IN QUESTION IS THE ONE ON THE LEFT

Almost had to break up a scrap in our back yard last night.  Heard a commotion near our recycle bin so opened our patio door to have a look.  Well, Motor and the Pheebs had obviously heard it too and charged through the door so fast they nearly knocked me on my Keister .   Whatever it was ran under the deck with Motor in hot pursuit.  Tried to get her out of there right away because a cat could do her a lot of damage if that's what it was.  Motor has always been a fearless little dog and wouldn't hesitate to take a few rounds out of a Grizzly Bear but she just doesn’t understand the danger she can get herself into.  Had to quickly run in the house, grab a sausage snack and entice her back out from under the deck.  Of course to be fair I had to get another sausage snack for Pheebs too.  Don't want anyone to have their little doggy nose bent out of shape.

Kelly brought a few more photos home and I have included 3 of them below.

KELLY’S DAUGHTER SABRA HAS TWO BOYS AND THEY ARE ON THE ENDS HERE, LEFT TO RIGHT IT’S KEENAN AND LANGDON……KELLY’S DAUGHTER SARAH HAS THE BOY AND GIRL ON KELLY’S LAP, ADARA AND GABRIEL

 

KELLY HOLDS GABRIEL ON HER LAP                             ADARA AND GABRIEL

Noticed today we have a new Blog Follower so the Bayfield Bunch welcomes BUD RUSSMAN aboard.  Looks like Bud’s an Arizona guy:))  Thanks for dropping by Bud and we do appreciate your interest.

LOOKS LIKE 2 YEAR OLD GABRIEL ALREADY HAS A KEEN INTEREST IN COMPUTERS:))

GROANER’S CORNER:((  For a holiday, an Irishman decided to go to Switzerland to fulfill a lifelong dream and climb the Matterhorn. He hired a guide and just as they neared the top, the men were caught in a snow slide.
Three hours later, a Saint Bernard plowed through to them, a keg of brandy tied under his chin.
"Hooray!" shouted the guide. "Here comes man's best friend!"
"Yeah," said the Irishman. "An' look at the size of the dog that's bringin' it

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.

MORNING WALK ON THE GODERICH PIER

HEAVY INBOUND LAKE HURON WAVES  (NIKON D40 AT 70mm)

Nice enough this morning to walk the forest trail without a coat.  So fortunate to have these bonus weather days.  I just hope it holds for another week and a half.  Needed a few groceries so threw the cameras in the Jeep and headed for Goderich.  Took a drive down around the harbour and noticed a couple large lake freighters in Port.  One loading salt and the other loading grains.  Took myself for a windy walk out on the pier resulting in me getting a little damp from heavy waves breaking along the pier and throwing spray into the air.

TAKING ON A LOAD OF SALT  (NIKON D90 AT 18mm)

Kelly's Son Jason's wife Kim gave birth to an 8+ pound baby boy named Reeve early this morning.  Great timing with most of the family being together in Cambridge right now.

TAKING ON A LOAD OF GRAINS  (NIKON D90 AT 18mm)

A commenter wondered who took the 'doghouse' photo in Tuesday night's blog.  After setting the camera on a wooden box and activating the self timer I had to really scramble to get myself stuffed into that doghouse in time.  Reason I'm hanging out so far is simply because I could not get myself stuffed in too far:))

(NIKON D40 AT 300mm)

Talked to a long time friend a couple day's ago who said this was likely their last year heading South for the winter.  Health insurance costs and ongoing health problems for both him and his wife are bringing an end to an era.  We all face the end of our travels some day and I am always saddened to hear of people being forced to face that dark day. 

CHOPPY WATERS TODAY  (NIKON D40 AT 90mm)

Pheebs and I did a second forest walk with temps in the mid 60’s and a warmth in the afternoon breeze.  Still a few yellow and gold Autumn colours overhead casting a golden glow onto the forest floor.  Pheebs and I made quite a rustle as we shuffled along through gathering piles of Maple, Poplar, Birch and Beechnut leaves.  Well, I was the one doing the shuffling and Pheebs was the one flying around like a rocket ship on steroids.

 

(NIKON D40 AT 300mm)

GROANER'S CORNER:((  "So, your mother says your prayers for you each night? Very commendable. What does she say?"  The little boy replied, "Thank Heaven he's in bed!"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.