Bassman's Blog: 08/01/2014

Haliburton

Saturday, August 30, 2014

This was the weekend from hell two years ago when Chris was diagnosed that her cancer had returned. She asked that every time you see a Monarch Butterfly you think of her.

With the stress from their Mexican habitat disappearing and the elimination of milkweed in the mid US, their numbers have dropped dramatically.

So it was quite an experience to be sitting on the porch when these two beauties came to entertain us for about 30 minutes.

Lynn's son Dion and his girlfriend Tina and her two kids Sahara and Jordan arrived last night for a couple of days.

Looking forward to some good fishing and fun times.

William's Landing

Friday, August 28, 2014

We left today for our week of timeshare at William's Landing on Lake Kashagawigamog near Haliburton.

Made a stop at the Kirkfield Liftlocks, but unfortunately there was no boat traffic to warrant their movement.

I gassed up the boat in Minden and when I returned to the van, look what was greeting me! Didn't even ask for it. .... Got her trained like a puppy!.......(I will pay for that remark :)

Arrived at the cottage and launched the boat.

The loons are real friendly here.

Here's my sweetie waiting to greet me at the dock.

Looking forward to a great week.

Today was a BIG day. I've been setting a goal of biking to Port Dover (48km) in preparation for the Pelee Pedal with the Trompers. Today was the day! I thought that it would also be a neat tribute to my brother who is currently hiking somewhere in the Grand Canyon.

My neighbour Mark joined me. Here he is checking the route in Waterford where I biked to the other day.

Lots of neat scenery. Here's a machine harvesting tobacco.

Lots of hay bales along the way. I still can't get over the amount of green space along the trails.

We made good time to Simcoe. Only 12 km to go.

We stopped at this bridge 7km down the trail to take a few shots.

5 km to go! And feeling really good. ....

We get back back on our bikes for the Grand Finale! Lynn is waiting for us in Port Dover. What the ???????

Damn, a flat tire.

A major disappointment!

We contemplated walking the last 5 km, but decided to call Lynn to pick us up so I could get back for the Brantford Airshow on time.

So close!!!!

Next time.........

Got home, showered and drove over to the Brantford Airshow with Lynn's Grand Daughter Mykayla and Dion's girlfriend's son Jordan.

What a spectacular show!!!

Lots of aerobatic performances and lots of impressive planes, like this P51 Mustang from WWII. What a beauty and sounded great in the flybys.

These four Harvards put on an amazing precision demonstration.

The F-18 was as dramatic as it was loud!

The highlight of the show of course was the Snowbirds.

I haven't seen them in a few years. So many pictures I could include. They were amazing.

Parking was $10 and admission was a donation to kid's charities. I can't wait to go again next year!!

Hutch's

Monday, August 25, 2014

I introduced Lynn to Hutch's.......

..........and Van Wagner's Beach today.

I had forgotten what a great walk it was. A lot more relaxing when you're not pressed to get back to work!

Someone has been busy carving many of the stumps.

Lots of natural floral beauty.

We checked out the memorial site for the Hamilton and the Scourge from the War of 1812.

We got in our 10,000 steps.............

............and then celebrated with Caramel Ice Cream at Costco!

We finished the day off with a nice visit with good friends Paul and Jean Kennedy.
Life is Good!

Waterford and RibFest

Sunday, August 24, 2014

I tried to ride to Waterford and back today, but ran out of time. Only made it back to Scotland. Still a good ride. Lynn joined me on the way to Mount Pleasant where we had parked the van.

I love the trails around here, although Scotland to Waterford was gravel which made for a little more slugging. This is the Black Bridge (which is not black) in Waterford.

The Waterford Ponds looked like excellent fishing territory. It was in one of the other ponds here that Lynn's son Allen drowned while fishing 18 years ago.

I crossed the bridge and had a bite to eat before heading back.

Lynn was there to meet me in Scotland.

Logged 38 km today which is my personal best to date.

A quick shower and we headed out to RibFest in Guelph to see Lynn's cousin (and my fishing buddy) John play. Lynn's sister Allana and Rudy came along.

The earlier biking effort helped ease the guilt as we downed a Bloomin' Onion and a Texas Teaser (Ribs, Chicken and Pulled Pork).

John's band Kerosene Creek put on a great show (as always).

Another great day in the books.

George Jones Tribute

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Another trip tonight to the Walters Dinner Theatre featuring a George Jones Tribute.

Joined Lynn's good friends Al & Linda, Janice & John, Neil & Sharon and Barb.

Got another show before the show when a crop duster worked the adjacent fields. I've never seen one in action before.

Not that familiar with George's music, but the band was excellent.

Another very enjoyable night.

On The Road Again

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Left the house today for a two day trip that will end up at Algonquin Park to visit my son Paul and his family.

First stop today was to drive through Lonesome Pine Trailer Park on Pigeon Lake to show Lynn where I used to have a trailer. We then proceeded to one of my favourite small towns, Bobcaygeon. We sat and watched a few boats go through the locks.