Saturday, September 10, 2011

OUR TWICE DAILY 6 LEGGED RACE…….AND, PHEEBE’S FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL:))

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TONIGHT’S MOON AS SEEN FROM OUR DRIVEWAY THROUGH THE PINE TREES…THERE ARE CRITTERS IN THIS PHOTO TOO….A LITTLE MOUSE LEFT SIDE TOP IS LOOKING DOWN AT A SCHNAUZER DOG WHICH IN TURN HASN’T NOTICED THE RABBIT/SQUIRREL JUST AHEAD AND BELOW HIM…..AND I SEE THE PROFILE OF ANOTHER BOWSER DOG LOOKING IN FROM THE RIGHT SIDE CENTER…..I MAY EVEN SEE THE SIDEWAYS SILHOUETTE OF A STANDING SLIM PIONEER WOMAN BETWEEN THE SQUIRREL AND BOWSER DOG….SHE IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE TIPPED BACK TO THE RIGHT LOOKING LEFT AT THE REAR END OF THE SQUIRREL……..AWW YES, THERE IS DEFINITELY MAGIC IN THE NIGHT SKY ALRIGHT (NIKON D40 AT 300MM HAND HELD)
It was Pheebe's first of 6 dog obedience one hour training classes this morning and she did just fine.  Three other Pals in the class and next week their will be a final total of four.  Nice to have a small class like that.  Lots to learn and we were busy.   Instructor/owner/operator Kelly Proudlove of, ON GOLDEN PAWS does a fine job and certainly knows her dogs.  Having taken Max to dog obedience classes 13 years ago we fully understand the importance of having a dog fully trained.  And, it's just not the dog who needs the training.  It is vital to train the dog's owners as well.   As any instructor might tell you, it's sometimes much easier to train the dog than the owner.  We were very pleased with Pheebe's first class and.....sssshhhh, I think the Pheebs just might be the teacher's pet:))
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ALL DOGGY PHOTOS….CANON SX210IS
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Had a question about the spelling of Pheebe's name.  I felt the spelling of Phoebe applies more to a person so I took out the o and added an e making it Pheebe.  Another question from John in our 'Shout Box' asks, " just wondered if the gas engine motorhome was the choice or just was there from the beginning."  I don't think we ever really considered diesel.  Had we been planning on Full Timing it could have come into play but for the low Snow Bird mileage we put on each year it just seemed to make more sense for us sticking with gas.  Cheaper and easier for service in the short run.  I know the diesel engine is a tougher motor but too bad they have to make so darn much noise.  Not crazy about the smell either.  I know, I know, that really is not important in the grand scheme of things in the motor world but I'm just sayin.........:))
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GOLDEN ROD AND  WILD ASTOR....THERE IS A BLACK INSECT FLYING THROUGH THE PHOTO JUST ABOVE THE ASTOR  (NIKON D90)
My online EARTHSKY astronomy site says Monday marks the full Moon nearest to the first day of autumn in the northern hemisphere. This is the famous "Harvest Moon" that once helped farmers bring in their crops and marked fall festivals in many cultures all over the world.  In 2011, this equinox takes place on September 23. The closest full moon to the autumn equinox reaches the crest of its full phase on September 12 at 9:27 Universal Time. That means the moon turns exactly full for us in the continental U.S. in the wee hours before sunrise on Monday, September 12. By U.S. clocks, that’s 5:27 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, 4:27 a.m. Central Daylight Time, 3:27 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time or 2:27 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time. 
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WILD ASTOR SHADOWS ON A LARGE FOREST FLOOR LEAF (NIKON D90)
After pouring over my maps, doing some research on the internet and taking readers feedback into consideration I think it will be in or around the Cortez area of the Four Corners in Colorado where we will first head after leaving home next month.  We will set up and plan our day trips from there.  Of course a lot of this is going to depend on the weather in that region as well.  Goosenecks State Park in Utah is also on our radar screen and for sure we will be dropping in there.  I have traveled that Moab Utah to Kanata Arizona highway before but it was nearly 20 years ago I have only fleeting memories of what I saw.  I do have slides from that trip but I probably haven't hauled out my slide projector and looked at any of my slides for maybe 10 years or more.  Sure gotta love the convenience, control and quality of this digital age photography:))
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PLAYTIME AT OUR HOUSE……LEARNING TO SHARE Smile (CANON SX210IS)
Judy from TRAVELS WITH EMMA  had an old black and white photo in her Friday post of some sober faced ladies in a group.  You may have noticed that it is rare, if ever, that you saw a smile on somebody's face in those aging photos from yesteryear.  There is a reason for that.  There were no such things as fast shutter speeds in those days.  The photographer, when ready to take the photo, had to remove the lens cap and then quietly count out the time he felt necessary for the correct exposure of whatever he was photographing to reach the film plate in the camera.  Depending on the lighting this could take awhile and if anything moved it would show up in the final print as a blur.  Pretty hard to hold a smile for 10, 20 or 30 seconds.  Or longer.  People were told to sit perfectly still, try not to blink and stare straight at the camera.  In many cases when people were sitting or standing for portraits there was a tall back rest for them to lean against  and sometimes even a narrow hidden iron hoop head rest.  A head tipped slightly into the headrest gives so many of the portraits that noble uplifted chin look.  And that glazed stare look is just what it is…..a glazed stare.  
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BUMBLE BEE AND A SPIDER  NIKON D90,,,,,,,,,, ALL OF TONIGHT’S PHOTOS WERE TAKEN TODAY
We have two daily 6 legged races at our house now.  First race begins around 5 a.m. in the morning when I get up.  Pheebe sleeps on my bed and at the first signs of my stirrings she is up, tail wagging ready to go.  She remains on the bed though until she determines if I am just heading for the washroom and coming back or that, 'yes this is it, Dad's up and heading for his recliner.'  As soon as she hears my footsteps in the hall go past the washroom.....the  race is on.  She is off that bed like a lighting bolt with paws digging for traction on the slippery linoleum floor.  My feet are spinning as well as I make a bee line through the kitchen heading for my chair.  I can hear fast approaching paws right behind me.  By the time we reach the living room we are just about neck and neck.  With a sharp hairpin curve to the left across a carpeted floor I swear I can hear two big human feet and 4 little paws skidding in unison.  Sometimes I make it to the recliner first and sometimes I do not.  The winner of the race stays in the recliner and the loser has to sit elsewhere.  As often as not I end up sitting on the couch with a grumpy look on my face……..Sad smile 
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FUNGUS IN THE FOREST
At night, this race is reversed.  Once Pheebe realizes I am heading down the hall and not turning left into the computer room, her four little paws just hit the floor a running.  I put the pedal to the metal as well and crank a hard jarring right turn into my bedroom.  By the time I reach the foot of my bed only 10 feet away the hound of the Baskerville is upon me.  I make a lunge for my side of the bed but already I am feeling 45 pounds of fur hurtling through the air and passing me on the left side.  Last night we actually collided heads as we both made for the pillow, but this time I won by a nose and was not relegated to the other side of the bed up against the wall.  What a truly fun and amazing little Pheebs we have here:))

Our thoughts and feelings are with our American friends and neighbour's on this Memorial September 11th.   I remember that day well………………………
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MORNING SHADOW REFLECTIONS  (NIKON D90)
GROANER'S CORNER:((  When Good Dogs Go and Crossbreed
Pointer + Setter =
Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas pet

Kerry Blue Terrier + Skye Terrier =
Blue Skye, a dog for visionaries
Great Pyrenees + Dachshund =
Pyradachs, a puzzling breed
Pekingnese + Lhasa Apso =
Peekasso, an abstract dog
Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer Spaniel =
Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a whistle
Newfoundland + Basset Hound =
Newfound Asset Hound, a dog for financial advisors

Terrier + Bulldog =
Terribull, a dog prone to awful mistakes
Bloodhound + Labrador =
Blabador, a dog that barks incessantly
Malamute + Pointer =
Moot Point, owned by....oh, well, it doesn't matter anyway

Collie + Malamute =
Commute, a dog that travels to work
Deerhound + Terrier =
Derriere, a dog that's true to the end
Bull Terrier + Shitzu =
Bullshitz, a gregarious but unreliable breed
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Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE  http://thebayfieldbunch.com/
OUR
PICASA PHOTO ALBUMS   http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of right  now...AL.

Friday, September 09, 2011

LOTS OF GREAT SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS AND INFO COMING IN FROM READERS:))

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I SOMETIMES USE FILE PHOTOS WHEN I HAVEN’T TAKEN ANY PICTURES FOR THE DAY SO OCCASIONALLY YOU MAY SEE SOME OF MY PICS REPEATED BECAUSE I FORGET WHICH ONE’S I HAVE USED BEFORE….TONIGHT’S LEAD PHOTO MAY BE AN EXAMPLE OF THAT…………  (NIKON D50 WITH FILL IN FLASH)

Thursday night I took the Pheebs out for her first night walk under a near full moon.   A wispy bank of clouds skudded across the night sky casting moon shadows on the roadside.  Temperatures were warm and the full Harvest moon will soon be upon us in just a few days.  I kept the Pheebs on a leash until at some point in the near future I will be able to walk her in the darkness without a leash.  Reminded me of years ago at the old Weenie Roast Ranch when Max and I would be out for our nightly walks on the country road.  Whenever we would see a car coming we would both duck off into a cornfield, long grass or behind some shrubs or trees.  One never knew who was in those cars or why they were are out on the country roads late at night.  From experience I knew it was often young guys drinking!!

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METHINKS THESE ARE WHITE EGRETS IN THE HULLETT MARSH

A beautiful early Autumn day.  There is a stillness now in the quiet morning air with only the sounds of Crickets and a few Robins in the forest.  Yellow Golden Rod is flowering along the trail with wild purple Astors reminding me of my first days of Public School oh so very long ago.  A bit of humidity back into the air but not enough to keep Pheebe and I off the trail for another walk in the afternoon.DSC_0004

I’VE HEARD OF CROWS ON A FENCE, BUT…………….. BUZZARDS ON A BARN!!  (NIKON D40)

It was an exciting time 9 years ago right now.   We were in the long process of moving from the old Weenie Roast Ranch to where we live at the moment here in the 5 Seasons Estates.  I would load up our then Dodge Pick-up truck and utility trailer with household items.  In the morning Kelly and I would head in to St. Mary's Ontario to drive morning school bus.  Soon as we got back around 9 I would jump into our big Dodge and head off for Bayfield with the load.  After unloading things into our Mobile unit I would then be outside with my shovel and rake working away on the landscaping.  At 2 p.m. I was back in the truck for the 40 minute drive back to St. Marys and the afternoon school bus run.  I remember all that so well because the Autumn weather was so beautiful and my excitement was so paramount.  It has gone into my memory banks as two of the greatest months I can remember this past decade. Those busy moving days concluded with us moving in to our present digs on Halloween Night of 2002:))

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OUR TRIP’S TAIL GUNNER, AND BY THE WAY, THIS IS MY IDEA OF…………… ‘TWEETING’

For anyone wondering what a Macerator is or what it does for your rig, just slip over to KAREN'S POST for a look and she will give you the poop, or should I say, the scoop on how that all works:))

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I HAVE PLANTED LOTS OF SUMAC AROUND OUR PLACE

Searching my photo files for a few pictures tonight I came across some pictures that I had taken a year ago while in the Goderich Harbour.  They show the large salt loading crane at the Sifto Salt mine which was blown over in the tornado several weeks ago resulting in the death of the crane operator.

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BEFORE THE TORNADO

I BELIEVE THIS TO BE THE AREA WHERE THE TORNADO'S LONE FATALITY OCCURRED......A CRANE OPERATOR

AFTER THE TORNADO

Thanks to readers and folks on the RV NET FORUM who have, and still are sending in their ideas and suggestions to my inquiry's about the 4 Corners area of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona.  Lots of good info regarding the route, weather, places to stay and things to see.  General consensus is for us to leave Bayfield earlier if at all possible due to the iffyness of the mid October weather in the Rocky Mountains at that time.  Sounds like the WOLF CREEK PASS will be an interesting if not not exciting ride.  What is life without some good old necessary nervous excitement along the way to keep the aging blood coursing through one’s veins eh:))

DSC_0003-1  GROANER'S CORNER:)) Seniors Bumper Stickers…….

 !cid_part1_06060602_03050908@frontiernet !cid_part3_08010207_04000908@frontiernet

!cid_part10_03030304_09030200@frontiernet !cid_part11_09090005_09090801@frontiernet

!cid_part14_01090301_03060909@frontiernet !cid_part15_00000100_07030304@frontiernet

!cid_part2_00060309_00050305@frontiernet                         CLICK TO ENLARGE

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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

Until one has loved an Animal, their soul remains un-awakened.

OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

OUR PICASA PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.

Thursday, September 08, 2011

IT WAS A MONTH AGO TODAY………

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BAYFIELD’S BEACH  (NIKON D50)

It was one month ago today our hearts were immediately won over as we met the newest member of the Bayfield Bunch for the very first time.  We have been soooooooo pleased with our little Pheebe girl.  What an exceptionally smart, eager and affectionate best Pal she has turned out to be.  And, what a clown.  In one short month she has added so much sunlight to our lives with her playful antics and outgoing personality.  It takes us back to Max's exuberant younger days.  How great it is having a new best friend once again to walk the forest paths, mountain trails and desert ways.

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 PHEEBS CHECKS OUT THE MORNING NEWS ON CNN

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SURE IS A DOG’S LIFE AROUND HERE  (CANON AF730)
Wednesday turned out to be a real grinder of a day for me but my spirits were lifted Wednesday night by getting together with one of my two best friends for another marathon four and a half hour non stop talkathons with neither of us taking time to draw a breath.  I absolutely love the kinds of conversations we have.  No small talk, no politics, no sports, and no beating around the bush about anything as we just flow seamlessly from topic to topic.  We are always on the same wavelength, have a lot in common and a lot to talk about whenever we get together:))  Many years ago this fellow was my Boss and right from the time we met in 1975 we clicked, understood each other and became best friends over the years.  It was this fellow and his wife who in 1979 went out of their way to help me.  It was they who pointed me in the direction of AA when I had a serious drinking problem.  It was this fellow who made the phone call that changed my life.

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(NIKON D40)

Noticed someone in the Shout Box questioned my spelling of harbor/harbour so figured I had better look that up on Google.  One site simply said, Harbor or Harbour?  'Both are correct. It depends on where you are from.'  In America you write a check and in Canada we write a cheque.  In Canada, a U is sometimes added behind an O.  I sometimes just go with whatever spelling Microsoft's Live Writer suggests.  Always good to have people point things out.  I appreciate that.
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(NIKON D50)

Wondering if anyone is familiar with the areas around Durango and Cortez in the Four Corners area of Colorado.  Boon docking areas, RV Parks, State Parks, special attractions, etc.  We will be looking for a few good home bases to do day trips from in those parts.  Am thinking of taking highway 160 from Walsenburg through Alamosa and Pagosa Springs.  We plan to be in that area somewhere around October 20th or so.  No idea where we will be going after that but we'll figure it out once we get there.  We are always open to suggestions, ideas and information regarding great wilderness and scenic areas.
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MOTOR’S FAVOURITE SPOT IN THE SUNROOM IN FRONT OF THE FIRE PLACE  (CANON SX210….ZOOMED)

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Ponderings…………

Why isn't phonetic spelled the way it sounds?
Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii?
Why are there flotation devices under plane seats instead of parachutes?
Why are cigarettes sold in gas stations when smoking is prohibited there?
Why do fat chance and slim chance mean the same thing?
If you can't drink and drive, why do you need a driver's license to buy liquor, and why do bars have parking lots?
Do you need a silencer if you are going to shoot a mime?
Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?
How does the guy who drives the snow plow get to work in the mornings?
If 7-11 is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors?
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Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.

Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.

OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE  http://thebayfieldbunch.com/
OUR PICASA PHOTO ALBUMS   http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy


The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of right  now...AL.

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

QUIET DAY

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Loaded up Pheebe this morning and we were off to Mitchell Ontario to see my Uncle Harry.  He continues to improve from the back pain that had caused him so much grief just a short month ago.  Always nice to see the big smile on Harry's face when he sees Pheebe walk into his room.

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Only in North America can a pizza get to your house faster than an ambulance.

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

RIG’S HOT WATER DRAIN PLUG WAS FIXED TODAY

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Definitely a cooler walk this morning now that the weather has changed.  I am once again firmly ensconced in my warm T shirts and favourite flannel shirts for the upcoming Season so I'm good to go for another winter in the sometimes cool southwest. 


A fellow showed up from Lorne's RV Service today and was able to get that broken plastic plug out of our rig's hot water tank.  He inserted an ordinary file until it's sides wedged the plastic plug.  He then clamped a pliers on the other end of the file for leverage and slowly unscrewed the broken plug.  Like I often say, "nothing to it when you know how." Filled the hot water tank and turned it on.  No leaks and 20 minutes later we had hot water coming out of the taps again.    Always a great feeling when anything broken is fixed again. 
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With the hot water tank problem taken care of and the cooler morning temperatures energizing me I was spurred on to begin loading some more things into the Motor Home.  Shoes, shirts, T-shirts, socks, etc.   Windshield and outside mirrors cleaned and a check of the roof told me things were in good shape up there.  Added some more water to the fresh water tank and put the tow bar on the Jeep.  Nice to have a purpose for getting organized again. 





TEXAS YELLOW ROSE is in a rather precarious position down there in that Texas place at the moment.  Literally caught between 'fire and rain' they are getting the the fiver ready to roll in case they have to move to higher ground.

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MORNING LAP DOGS

JANNA had to tune me in again with a little geography lesson which I think may have been the second time this year.  Janna and Mike live in Montana, not Wyoming as I had mistakenly put in my blog Sunday night.  Of course I knew that but for some reason had Wyoming on my mind.  A year ago I placed the Kofa Mountains in California and Janna had to quickly remind me they were in fact, in Arizona.  My oh my how those mountains can move around when your not watching them.  By the way, these Montana folks are up wandering about in two of Canada’s western Provinces at the moment.  Check out their Alberta and British Columbia journey in their Motor Home and Bumble Bee Jeep.  Meanwhile, over on Canada’s other coast, KEVIN AND RUTH got the big wheels rolling this morning for their winter trip south.  Not sure where they are headed but I’m guessing Mexico.
Welcome to that Barrie fella who I noticed this morning has joined us on our Blog Follower's list.  Always encouraging to see a new face and we thank you for your interest.  And, just before hitting the ‘Publish’ button tonight I noticed another new Blog Follower has come in.  The Bayfield Bunch welcomes Shoeless Joe from TRAVLIN' WITH JOHN.  Nice of you to drop by.
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GROANER'S CORNER:((
"Squawks" are problem listings that pilots generally leave for maintenance crews to fix before the next flight. Here are some squawks submitted by US Air Force pilots and the replies from the maintenance crews.
(P) = Problem (S) = Solution

(P) Left inside main tire almost needs replacement
(S) Almost replaced left inside main tire

(P) Test flight OK, except autoland very rough
(S) Autoland not installed on this aircraft

(P) #2 Propeller seeping prop fluid
(S) #2 Propeller seepage normal - #1 #3 and #4 propellers lack normal seepage

(P) Something loose in cockpit
(S) Something tightened in cockpit

(P) Evidence of leak on right main landing gear
(S) Evidence removed

(P) DME volume unbelievably loud
(S) Volume set to more believable level

(P) Dead bugs on windshield
(S) Live bugs on order

(P) Autopilot in altitude hold mode produces a 200 fpm descent
(S) Cannot reproduce problem on ground

(P) IFF inoperative
(S) IFF always inoperative in OFF mode (IFF-Identification Friend or Foe)

(P) Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick
(S) That's what they're there for

(P) Number three engine missing
(S) Engine found on right wing after brief search

(P) Aircraft handles funny
(S) Aircraft warned to straighten up, "fly right" and be serious

(P) Target Radar hums
(S) Reprogrammed Target Radar with the lyrics
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GODERICH TORNADO DAMAGE PHOTOS....5 DAYS LATER
https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295/GODERICHONTARIOTORNADOSUNDAYAUGUST2120115DAYSLATER
Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE  http://thebayfieldbunch.com/OUR
OUR
PICASA PHOTO ALBUMS   http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of right  now...AL.