A VANCOUVER WHIRLWIND BLEW IN THIS AFTERNOON

 

Warm rains came in the night & stayed with us most of the day. Pheebs & I made our way through Sunday's sky born water drops to Walmart in Goderich & picked up a few things. No point in going anywhere else because of the inclement weather so we were home again within an hour. And that was basically our day.  Heavy rains predicted overnight & continuing all day Monday:((

 

Kelly's Daughter Sarah, husband Bradley & 2 nearly 4 year old twin children, Adara & Gabrielle rolled in about 3:45 p.m. this afternoon for a whirlwind stop before heading off to their cottage a couple minutes away at Deer Park Lodge.  Bradley’s Brother & family were already there waiting for them.  We will see more of the Vancouver gang in the next couple days.  This is a combined holiday/business trip as Bradley has meetings in Toronto at the offices of Google & Facebook this week.

I BET THOSE 2 LITTLE GAFFERS HAVE QUITE A TIME KEEPING AN EYE ON MOM & DAD SOMETIMES

 

ADARA MEETS GRAMMA KELLY WHILE GABRIELLE CHECKS OUT SOME OF HIS DAD’S ELECTRONICS:))

LOVE THE T-SHIRT DUDE

A TOUR OF WINNIE THE BAGO WAS IN ORDER & PHEEBS JUST LOVED THE KIDS

  

GRAMMA KELLY HAS A NICE LITTLE OUTFIT FOR ADARA

HMMMMM, WONDER IF SARAH IS PUZZLED BY ONE OF OUR BACKWARDS FLYING MOSSMAGATOR BIRDS

Autumn with all it's colors is always a photographer's delight. It's the stuff calendars are made of. Winter snows on crisp sunny days are also a beautiful time for photography. So what if one blended Autumn's colors with Winter's snows? Well, it doesn't happen very often here in our Southern Ontario neck of the woods this time of year but if you want to see the wonders of Autumn leaves & snow together then just hop over to Mark's latest post at BOX CANYON BLOG. How fortunate to live, work, & play in such a scenic area of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

   

And speaking of beautiful areas in a different area of a different State be sure to drop in at MERIKAY'S DREAMS & check out Arizona's Antelope Canyon where Merikay & Craig just took a tour through swirling rock faces of unimaginable beauty. Mother Nature's mysteries abound here as the hands of time, wind, & rain have carved out rock patterns to boggle the mind.  And how about a big Hummingbird Balloon drinking out of another big balloon.  Well, quick thinking Jim caught it with his camera over at JIMBO'S JOURNEYS.

A BIG BLURRY BUMBLY BEE COMES BUZZING IN FOR A FINELY FABULOUS FLOWER LANDING

LARRY LARGE joins us today on our Blog Followers list.  Welcome aboard Larry & we thank you for dropping in.  We should have the Winnie Wagon rolling ‘West-ward Ho’ in less than 2 weeks.  And thanks for that nice email late this afternoon.  I’m going to take a liberty here Larry & publish one of the paragraphs you wrote.  (no folks it’s not about me)  It’s about someone we know & respect & someone I have mentioned in my post’s before.  I was happy to see how RV’er Larry & his wife Barb, on a road trip through our area were superbly treated by our good friend Ron Krauter from FOUR SEASONS PERFORMANCE Grand Bend, Ontario.  They had problems with a sticking hydraulic coach leveller.  Here is that paragraph………….. “We had a problem with one of our levellers not retracting, but I managed to get it up using a board as a lever. I remembered reading about Ron Krauter from Four Seasons Performance in several of your blogs but didn’t remember where it was. Well, as we were travelling along Hwy 21 I saw some motorhomes and a sign that told me I had found Ron. Couldn’t stop in time so we found us a spot to turn around to head back. Of course, Ron was in the shop by his house and not at the lot we pulled into. We found Ron and introduced ourselves as followers of your blog. When I explained my problem, he knew immediately what the problem most likely was. He grabbed some lubricant and headed for our house on wheels. He lubed and tested all the levellers, showed me the location of the reservoir and pump for the levellers, checked that the fluid level was OK, and gave me several useful bits of information. When he was finished, he refused to take any payment. You are very lucky to live close enough to Ron to get your motorhome serviced. He is a fellow that can be trusted”…………….. Thanks Larry, we feel the same way:))

PHEEBS SPOTTED THIS VERY WELL CAMOUFLAGED LITTLE FROGGY FELLOW SATURDAY

And a quick note to the commenter folks at TURN WHEN THE ROAD DOES who are now in Truth or Consequences New Mexico.  Kelly’s sister Bekky & husband Norm work camped at the River Bend Hot Springs in T or C back in 2008.  Kelly & I dropped in to see them there on our way back to Ontario.  Here’s the link for the first of our 6 day visit………RIVER BEND HOT SPRINGS....THE BAYFIELD BUNCH ROLLS INTO TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES New Mexico.

PHEEBS KEEPS A PAW ON DAD’S CAMERA…MAYBE THAT’S HOW MY SETTINGS GET CHANGED SOMETIMES
GROANER'S CORNER:(( How to speak about some women & be politically correct:))
- She is not a 'DUMB BLONDE' - She is a: 'LIGHT-HAIRED DETOUR OFF THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY.'
- She has not 'BEEN AROUND' - She is a: 'PREVIOUSLY-ENJOYED COMPANION.'
- She does not 'NAG' you - She becomes: 'VERBALLY REPETITIVE.'
HOW TO SPEAK ABOUT MEN AND BE POLITICALLY CORRECT:
- He does not have a 'BEER GUT' - He has developed a: 'LIQUID GRAIN STORAGE FACILITY.'
- He is not a 'BAD DANCER' - He is: ' OVERLY CAUCASIAN.'
- He does not 'GET LOST ALL THE TIME' - He: 'INVESTIGATES ALTERNATIVE DESTINATIONS.'
- He is not 'BALDING' - He is in: 'FOLLICLE REGRESSION.'
-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

AND WE WILL STEER HER MIGHTILY SO

  

A SHORT WALK AROUND OUR HOUSE NETTED ME SOME MUSHROOM PHOTOS THIS AFTERNOON

It’s Saturday night & all is quiet on the Bayfield Bunch front.  Slight change in travel plans for our arriving company & they will now be here Sunday instead of today.  Had a few ideas for tonight’s post earlier but somewhere along the line they just kinda dried up & got blowed away like a couple Texas tumbleweeds.  So I’m sitting here tonight staring blankly out the sunroom window in front of me with an empty mind.  My dilemma is that if I don’t attempt to write something, I am faced with nothing to do for the next few hours.  Watching night time television is not an option & it’s already too dark & too cloudy to load up Rascal Buns & go chase us down a sunset.

 

I remember years ago when a Saturday night would never present that kind of a problem.  There was always something to do, somewhere to go, & lots of people to hang out with.  Sunday nights were the stay home nights.  But Friday & Saturdays were always action nights.  Had a lot of fun in those days & did a lot of wild & crazy things.  Life certainly was never boring.  But that was years ago & despite the fun, the shenanigans, the tears, & the regrets, I’m just as content now to sit here staring out the window trying to think of something interesting to write about.  My how the times have changed.  I’m grateful for those changes now & it sure is a way nicer way to stay out of trouble on a once wild & whacky Saturday night:))

 

Two weeks from today we begin our journey.  I am always a bit apprehensive before a long trip that is likely to last the best part of 6 months.  I suspect other Snow Birds may feel the same way.  I have always likened it to sailors of old when they would leave the safe & secure comfort of their seaport homes & harbors & venture out onto the vast unknown challenges of an unpredictable sea in their sturdy wooden sailing ships.  Journeys ranging over thousands of miles which could take months or years.  In a couple weeks we will leave the safe security & familiar surroundings of our home & once again venture out upon the highways & bi-ways of North America.  Unknown challenges in a sturdy ship we have not yet sailed on. We do have good maps & we do have known destinations.  And we do have us a well seasoned crew.

 

A WELL SEASONED CREW WITH OUR PREVIOUS VESSEL

The seas may get choppy, the winds & weather may alter our course but we’ll keep our heading straight & true for the American South West.  Days may become becalmed & flat empty seas may tax our attention.  We may not know when or where we are at day’s end but we’ll slip an anchor & lay at rest in the darkened hours under a canopy of glittering stars.  Sunrises will ascend behind us as we navigate the back roads, the secondary roads, & the Interstates in search of the next day’s fiery sunset.   In search of land just over the next swell, the next hill.  Watching for a mountain top to begin rising tall & stately out of a distant hazy horizon.  We will put our faith in our vessel & steer her mightily so………………………………

GROANER'S CORNER:(( The policeman was interviewing the man whose store had jus been robbed.  “It’s bad,” said the owner, “but it’s not as bad as it would have been if he’d robbed me yesterday.”  “Why is that?” the policeman asked “Because today everything was on sale.”
-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

NICE BIKE RIDE THIS AFTERNOON ON A MIGHTY FINE AUTUMN DAY

GREAT WEATHER FOR A BIKE RIDE TO GRAND BEND’S BEACH THIS AFTERNOON

Thunder, lightning, & rain had me awake in the night so with not the best night’s sleep under my belt I struggled my tired mind through the day.  Totally surprised at how mild it was this morning on our walk.  We were pushing 70F under cloudy skies with a humidity factor today.  Not to often that happens this time of year in these parts.  And it sure reminded me of Spring when all the Peeper frogs started chirping this morning & tonight.  We generally only ever hear them in the early Spring months.  Crazy weather…………..

YEP, SEEMS TO BE A BLACK SHEEP IN EVERY FAMILY ALRIGHT

Our dreary overcast morning cloud cover gradually opened up in a few spots to give us a few wondrous sun splashes beginning about noon. It is rare for me to leave my motorcycle out in the rain but it did get a soaking during the night. Figured the best way to dry it out was to take the bike for a snort,  As soon as I saw that sunlight pouring down through the pine trees I was off. Headed myself down to Grand Bend for a coffee at Tim Hortons. And I did check to make sure they were not renovating before I entered. Drove down to the beach & took the traditional walk out onto the pier. Been doing that for many years now.  Lots of memories making that walk. Every time a young & not so young feller had a new girlfriend years ago he would take her to Grand Bend for a walk on the pier. Yes indeed.

A COUPLE ‘SELF TIMER’ PHOTOS ON THE PIER WITH MY POINT & SHOOT CANON POWERSHOT

 

A COUPLE OF OLDER FELLAS ENJOYING THEIR DAY ON GRAND BEND’S SOUTH PIER

ANOTHER WINDMILL FOR YA MIKE IF YOUR STILL OUT HERE SOMEWHERE…OVERLOOKING A HARVESTED BEAN FIELD

 

THAT’S A LOT OF SOLAR PANELS TO RUN THAT FARM HOUSE

Roxi over at THE GOOD LUCK DUCK sure snagged herself a sweet deal near Datil New Mexico. It’s an area Kelly & I have not been to yet but did have an interest in a couple years ago when we were keeping our eyes open for properties in the southwest.  New Mexico is a great State & the cheapest one to live in.  Only thing that deterred us was the areas weather during winter months. Higher elevation around Datil makes it cold & they get snow. Best case scenario we figured was to buy a place in that cooler climate for the summer & then not have to drive so far to spend winter months in the neighbouring warmer States of Arizona & California. Also liked the idea of being closer to Colorado as well. And not far down to the Big Bend area of Texas either. But with me not being an American citizen it just made those plans way too complicated for us. Kelly has dual citizenship.

 

RURAL POWER LINES & A BURGUNDY VINE OVERTAKES AN OLD SILO

 

ROWS OF BEANS & AND A WILDLIFE OBSERVATION PLATFORM IN THE HULLETT MARSH

 

IT IS OFTEN THE COLORS & ARCHITECTURE THAT CATCH MY ATTENTION IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

AND HERE’S AN UNUSUAL SITE, PIGS ARE RARELY EVER SEEN OUTSIDE ANYMORE

We have a busy week coming up starting tomorrow.  Well, Kelly especially.  Kelly’s daughter Sarah along with her husband Bradley & two small children Adara & Gabriele are landing in Toronto tonight from Vancouver.  They will be heading for Bayfield tomorrow to spend a few days at Deer Park Lodge before heading back over to Cambridge to visit with Kelly’s other children there.  Kelly hasn’t seen Sarah for over 5 years.  Some of you west coast folks may know Sarah’s husband Bradley Shende from his Vancouver based TV reports.  Check out, BRADLEY SHENDE JUST CLICKS, CONNECTED LIFE, SHAW TECH REPORT WITH BRADLEY SHENDE, & M2O. 

GROANER’S CORNER:((  Snow White received a camera as a gift. She happily took pictures of the Dwarfs and their surroundings. When she finished her first batch she took the film to be developed. After a week or so she went to get the finished photos. The clerk said the photos were not back from the processor.  Needless to say, she was disappointed and started to cry. The clerk, trying to console her, said, "Don't worry. Someday your prints will come".

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.