PHEEBS & I HIT THE ROAD THIS MORNING FOR A WEE JEEP DRIVE:))

LAKE HURON IS STILL ABOUT 50% COVERED IN ICE
Had been hoping for a sunny mild day but although moderately mild a cloud cover moved in by mid morning & that was the end of the sun’s warming rays for the day.  A breeze made the day feel cooler than it really needed to be.  Nevertheless I was still outside trying to help Spring along with my snow & ice removal tools.  Rain settled in later helping with the snow melt as well & here beside the great Lake Huron iceberg I think we actually got up into the high 40’s.  Further inland highs of 60F were reported.


During our last month or so in Congress as we began turning our thoughts homeward there was one thing more than anything else I was looking forward to doing once we were back to Bayfield again & it had to do with 2 things.  Pheebe & the Jeep.  Yep, it was our good old morning Jeep drives in the country that I looked forward to more than anything else.  Just throw the cameras into the Jeep, load up the little Happy Buns & away we go.  Must say I really miss our rural Ontario roads when we are away.  Miss the beautifully scenic forests, fields, hills & dales.  Just my idea of a favorite way to spend some quiet time doing something I really enjoy.  Call it a hobby if you will.  And the little Bugsy loves it too:)) 

SITTING UP QUITE PROUD IN THE JEEP’S FRONT SEAT THIS MORNING AS WE HEADED OUT FOR A DRIVE IN THE JEEP
I was running low on peanut butter so that gave Pheebs & I great excuse to pile ourselves into the Jeep late this morning & head us on over to the town of Goderich.  Stayed on pavement today because I knew our country roads would be a muddy mess & having just washed the Jeep Wednesday I wasn’t too anxious to get it all muddied up just yet.  Didn’t take me long to pick up a dozen or so grocery items plus a Tim Horton coffee to go & off we went to touch base with a few favorite spots around the town of Goderich & especially down around the harbor.

INNER HARBOR ENTRANCE IS NEARLY FREE OF ICE


GODERICH’S SIFTO SALT MINE UPPER LEFT

STILL A FAIR BIT OF ICE IN THE GODERICH HARBOR

THIS LARGE LAKE FREIGHTER HAS SPENT THE WINTER HERE AS WELL AS THE LAKE FREIGHTER BELOW


Merikay & Craig over at Merikay's Dream just celebrated their 1rst year full-timing & Merikay has some thoughts about that & looks back over the year touching on some points of difficulty.  It’s an interesting read not only for veteran full-timers but new folks starting out as well.  I always like how Merikay is straight forwardly honest with her posts & doesn’t gloss things over.  Good stuff Merikay:))

STILL A LOT OF ICE ON LAKE HURON BLOCKING GODERICH’S OUTER HARBOR ENTRANCE

LIGHTHOUSE VIEWPOINT OVERLOOKING THE ENTRANCE TO GODERICH’S HARBOR…SIFTO SALT MINE ON THE RIGHT

There is little doubt in my mind about what they say regarding Arizona’s warmer dry climate being better for arthritis sufferers & I can attest to that fact.  We’ve only been back to our colder damp climate 2 days & Wednesday afternoon & night were the worst my arthritic legs have ever been.  Not even Tylenol would take the ache away.  Much the same today as I creaked around wincing at my stiffness.  I’ve doubled up on my Arthrotec medicine but that’s not cutting it either.  Just have to be patient & wait for warmer weather & then get my legs back down to Arizona again in the Fall again.
A HAPPY LITTLE REFLECTIONS DOG
GROANER’S CORNER:(( My wife came in today and asked if I would go do some wood turning on the lathe.  "Ah," I asked, "what do you need? Maybe a new dibber or possibly a rolling pin or a vase? I have Persimmon, Hickory, Mesquite, a little bit of Walnut and a tad of Oak. What would you like?"  "Oh, I don't care. I need about six bags of shavings for the flower beds."
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- 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.

JEEP WASHED, AN AFTERNOON WALK WITH PHEEBS, & VERY VERY TIRED…………………

PROBABLY GOING TO BE A WEEK OR TWO BEFORE ALL OUR HARD PACKED FRONT YARD SNOW MELTS

Not only was I surprised at not seeing a big pile of frozen snow at the base of our front porch steps when we arrived home Tuesday morning but was also pleasantly surprised when I did a walk around the property this morning & didn’t discover any major winter storm damage.  No trees down & no large branches down which is surprising for Pine trees because they are not strong trees.  It will probably be a week or two before all the snow melts away & reveals the yard clean-up underneath.  I’m anxious to get at it.

OUR PARK’S POND STILL HAS A GOOD COATING OF ICE & A PAIR OF CANADA GEESE ARE PATIENTLY WAITING ON THE BANK FOR IT TO MELT

A MONTH FROM NOW OUR NEIGHBOR DON WILL BE BUSY WITH HIS RIDING LAWN MOWER CUTTING OUR PARK’S GRASS HERE

One of the first things I did this morning was get a bunch of bird seed out for the birdie guys.  Not being in the habit of finding seeds on the feeder station through the winter it will take awhile for word to get around in the avian community that the Bayfield Bunch lunch bar is open for business again.  More stuff carried in from the rig this morning.  A bit treacherous underfoot with the frozen ice & snow.  Hustled Jeepers down to the Bayfield Car Wash & got all that miserable salt off it.  Dianne from Stormrunner RV Sales & Service had left a message in our Shout Box to bring the rig on over & wash it with their power washer out behind the shop so this afternoon that is just what I intended to do.  However, the best laid plans of mice & men sometimes go astray.  Shortly after 1 fired up the rig, put it in reverse……& never went anywhere.  Tires just calmly turned in place on the ice which had formed under the tires.  I just as calmly shut er down & that was that.  Will wait a few days until the hardened ice & snow under & around the rig melts a little further.  No point in smoking up the tires trying to get out of there.  No hurry………………………..

NO FOOTPRINTS ON THE TRAIL TO INDICATE ANYONE HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR A LONG TIME

IT WAS A FINE AFTERNOON FOR A WALK IN THE FOREST

<<< DOGGIE RUNNING VERY FAST IN THE SNOW TODAY:))

It was nearly noon before today’s higher & stronger sun began digging into winter’s frozen snow banks.  Nice to hear dripping sounds as the transition from ice to water began taking hold.  Of course I was right out there with my shovel, pick-axe, & ice chopper helping old Sol along.   However by mid afternoon I think the last 4 or 5 days of Interstate travel finally caught up with me but not before I was able to get Pheebs out for a walk on our Pine forest trail.  Lots of crunchy snow to get through but Pheebe was just having a blast racing around like a loonney-tick.  Not chasing anything but just running for the sheer joy of running.  I remember being like that when I was a kid.

JUST SO PEACEFUL HERE IN THE FOREST

WHICH PATH WILL I CHOOSE, LEFT OR RIGHT??

Didn’t take me long to begin appreciating some of the things we have here at our sticks & bricks in Bayfield.  I like my Toshiba laptop & it works well for me whether on the road or in Congress but what I really like is our desktop computer set up here at home.  Big monitor makes editing photos easier for me, great stereo sound with my favorite ‘Groove Salad’ music program, bigger keyboard, unlimited internet, & fast like a speeding bullet.  And how nice once again to be sitting here in our bright sunroom with a big window view looking out over our front yard.  Oh & a big 42” screen HDTV again with a separate receiver & big stereo sound.  And oh my how nice to be stretched out in my cushy recliner again.  We have a long list of pluses alright & it’s just one of the great advantages of being a Snow Bird.  Not for everybody of course but the lifestyle sure has worked well for us these last bunch of years.  Like I used to tell my airport passengers years ago, “sometimes the best part of going away is coming home”:))

GROANER’S CORNER:((  I always believe in giving 100% at work:

* 12% Monday
* 23% Tuesday
* 40% Wednesday
* 20% Thursday
* 5% Friday

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- 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.

LANSING MICHIGAN TO BAYFIELD ONTARIO….OH IT IS SOOOOOO GOOD TO BE HOME:))

YEP, LOOKS LIKE WE ARE BACK IN CANADA ALRIGHT

A sound on the rig’s roof in the night we hadn’t heard for a long time.  In fact I don’t think we have ever heard it on this particular rig’s roof.  A steady pitter patter, pitter patter. Rain.  Kept Kelly awake but with a sleeping pill under my belt it only fuzzied me out for a few seconds.

WARMING UP THE BIG EEE IN LANSING FOR OUR FINAL PUSH HOME

I actually welcomed the cloud cover this morning.  Each year on the last leg of our journey home we are on the road early & have always driven directly into the morning sun from about Flint Michigan to the border at Port Huron/Sarnia.  But, there was a problem with this morning’s cloud cover……it had something in it!!

Under a slight drizzle we climbed onto I-69 about 6:45 a.m. & headed ourselves off in the direction of Port Huron & the U.S. border.  Drizzle turned to rain which in turn began turning to snow about Flint Michigan.  Soon the ground was all white as far as we could see.

 

Our driving conditions deteriorated the further we went.  It was a heavy snow coming down so we had a lot of slush on the road.  Salt trucks were out & we saw 2 plows clearing the passing lane.  Several cars in the ditch.  Spray from the 18 wheelers completely coated the Big EEE & Jeepers in layers of corrosive salt.  Heavy slush patches on the road.  A long 20 mile ‘one lane’ construction zone west of Port Huron didn’t make things any easier either.

 

Finally made it to the border about 9:30 & were relieved to see there were no line-ups.  We just drove right up to the booth & stopped.  Nice young fellow asked us a few routine questions & I did manage to screw one of them up when he asked us where we lived & I said Congress.  Quickly caught myself & said Bayfield.  Thought for sure we were toast but nope, just a smile & a “have a good day folks” & that was it.

HEADING OVER THE BLUE WATER BRIDGE BETWEEN PORT HURON & SARNIA

 

STOPPING TO PAY THE $9 BRIDGE TOLL

Again, it is always such a ‘HUGE’ relief every year to get across the border with no problems & once again be back in our own very much most best country of ever, Canada.  An oh now nice to be driving on smooth highways again.

WE DID SEE A FEW CARS IN THE DITCH THIS MORNING EAST OF SARNIA

We were surprised at how much snow we saw in the fields & wondered about our driveway in Bayfield.  After being on 4 lane highways & interstates it was nice to swing onto a 2 lane rural road & head for our customary Tim Horton coffees & Apple Fritter Donuts in Forest Ontario. 

NICE TO GET OFF THE FAST INTERSTATES & BACK ONTO SLOWER RURAL HIGHWAYS

Pulled into the Foodland parking lot near Tim Hortons in Forest Ontario whereupon Kelly hopped out & headed over to Tim’s for our goodies.  It was still snowing when I let Pheebs out the side door into the white wonderland.  Johnny Mathis was singing Christmas Carols in my head.  Pheebs raced around in the snow like a looney tunes.  She just loved it.  When she stopped flying around she sat in the snow facing Tim Hortons & waited for Kelly to come back.  Ooooooh that coffee was good.  Can you imagine being without a Tim Horton’s coffee for 6 months.

ONE VERY HAPPY LITTLE DOG RACING AROUND IN THE SNOW

AND BY GOLLY HERE COMES LITTLE MOLLY MUFFIN WITH OUR STEAMING HOT TIM HORTONS COFFEE & APPLE FRITTERS

<<< AND THIS IS HOW PHEEBS SAT PATIENTLY IN THE SNOW WATCHING CLOSELY FOR KELLY TO COME OUT OF TIM HORTON’S ACROSS THE STREET WITH THE GOODIES:))

Snow began letting up & had finally quit by the time we reached Grand Bend but still snow in the fields.  About half way to Bayfield skies began clearing & we noticed less snow.  By the time we reached Bayfield farmer’s fields were clear & the sun was shining.  Pretty darn nice feeling for us coming home under sunny skies.

CLEARING SKIES AHEAD & LESS SNOW IN THE FIELDS & DITCHES

GREAT TO SEE SNOW FREE OPEN SPACES

Unhooked the Jeep in Bayfield at Clan Gregor Square & with Kelly & Pheebs leading the way in Jeepers the Big EEE & I followed the final 2 miles home to our house at the 5 Seasons Estates.  We had no idea what to expect & didn’t know if we’d be able to get into our driveway but as I swung the rig around the final corner into the rigs parking area I saw where Ken the Park’s owner had made a run in with his big tractor leaving a couple tracks for the motorhome.  We spun our big back wheels in the snow a bit but lo & behold we were able to land the coach right in her usual spot.  Thanks Ken:))  Ooooooooooh what a great feeling to be home again.  Another successful long journey safely completed.

UN-HOOKING THE JEEP IN BAYFIELD’S CLAN GREGOR SQUARE

Always a pretty darn nice feeling knowing one is only hours away from home whether traveling to Congress or Bayfield.  It’s a feeling which happens twice a year & a feeling I always look forward too.  It’s much like the even greater feeling of leaving home for a road trip whether it is a long or short one.  It is the change I look forward to more than anything.  About 2 weeks in any one place doing any one of the same things is always about max for me & it’s why winters in the southwest are always easier for me & looked forward to more than long stay at home summers in Ontario.  But, I digress……………………

OUR FINAL HALF MILE COMING HOME

A quick look around the house determined everything was Ok & there appeared to be no burst water pipes from some of the winter’s coldest temperatures on record.  Our Pontiac Sunbird started with just a touch of the key.  And oh how nice our new unused shower looked.  Our friend Rob did a superb job installing that for us.  I tried it out later & WOW:))

AHHHHHHHHHHH HOME AT LAST:)))))))

 

GOING TO BE A FEW DAYS BEFORE WE CAN GET THE WHITE PONTIAC OUT

WIDE TRACTOR TRACKS MADE IT EASIER TO GET THE BIG EEE INTO IT’S SPOT >>>

As per habit upon returning from journeys we didn’t take a rest but set right to work on unloading the coach.  Lots of food to come in, clothes, computers, laundry, etc. etc.  I had to get my snow shovel out & along with my pick-axe I was able to clear a path between the coach & our house.  Luckily the snow & ice in front of our porch steps was not as bad as I had figured it might be.  Kelly worked away at putting everything away while I did 3 loads of laundry.  We have all our home electronics fired up again & everything seems to be fine.  Never flopped into my big recliner until nearly 5 this afternoon.  Ooooooooooooohhhhh, so nice to be home & oh so nice to have a home to come home too:))

GOOD THING WE HAVE 4 WHEEL DRIVE

HERE COMES THE LAUNDRY

In the morning we will hit the decks a running again.  Need to get the Jeep off to the car wash & get that coating of salt off her.  The rig is a big mess with a coating of salt as well but with it being too cold to turn on our outside water yet it will be a few weeks before I can start the big rig clean-up.  So nice to have lots to do because it will be soon enough when I’ll be moping around looking for things to interest me.   Oh so nice to be home:))

<<< REALLY LIKE OUR GROOVY NEW SHOWER

GROANER’S CORNER:((  Driving to town this morning on the Interstate, I looked over to my left and there was a woman in a brand new Mustang doing 65 miles per hour with her face up next to her rear view mirror putting on her eyeliner! I looked away for a couple seconds and when I looked back she was halfway over in my lane, still working on that dumb makeup!!!
It scared me so bad I dropped my electric shaver, which knocked the donut out of my other hand. In all the confusion of trying to straighten out the car using my knees against the steering wheel, it knocked my cell phone away from my other ear which fell into the coffee between my legs and disconnected an important call!
WOMEN DRIVERS EH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!