tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85132602145488796282024-03-12T19:18:25.430-07:00Adventures with Mrs. Canoeheadfunny interesting stories on books, sports &amp, hiking, sprint canoe; life in general Based in Oakville Ont.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-16222420196064189662015-06-13T20:51:00.002-07:002015-06-14T16:50:27.545-07:00Manitoulin Passage Ride 2015: Maja does it again!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZIXUKED_WE/VXz5JO0YncI/AAAAAAAADRA/_HflJVQTFMI/s1600/IMG_20150606_105643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r5U6KKV6z6A/VXz5eEFx_iI/AAAAAAAADRI/9DXK6Zedcao/s1600/IMG_20150606_110432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r5U6KKV6z6A/VXz5eEFx_iI/AAAAAAAADRI/9DXK6Zedcao/s200/IMG_20150606_110432.jpg" width="150" /></a><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZIXUKED_WE/VXz5JO0YncI/AAAAAAAADRA/_HflJVQTFMI/s320/IMG_20150606_105643.jpg" width="320" /><br />
Last weekend a group of us headed off with our bikes to Manitoulin Island to participate in the Passage Ride, an annual 2 day bike ride on the island. Last year was such a great experience that we decided to come back with more friends. And we were not disappointed.<br />
<br />
Despite the looming threat of rain on Sunday, our hosts were amazing and the rain did not start until we were safely tucked away in the restaurant near the ferry with hot soup and beer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8_iQMPGZco/VXz59vCVEFI/AAAAAAAADRQ/Qp3OvloNR-A/s1600/IMG_20150606_111638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8_iQMPGZco/VXz59vCVEFI/AAAAAAAADRQ/Qp3OvloNR-A/s200/IMG_20150606_111638.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
We had a great dinner, fresh and local at Batman's Cottages and a fun country lunch at Kicking Mule Ranch complete with country western singers and farm animals. <br />
<br />
The Paradise motel we stayed at had a lovely couple who loved to chat and were interested in how our day went. They picked up our luggage and delivered it from the ferry to our rooms and back and made us some much needed coffee on Sunday morning. <br />
<br />
This trip is like the sign of summer for us now. Maja and here volunteers are the magic behind it all and we hope it continues until these legs can't peddle anymore.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AhWc_6GYJ2o/VX4SiNLWKFI/AAAAAAAADRs/z-wIbqawlFs/s1600/IMG_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AhWc_6GYJ2o/VX4SiNLWKFI/AAAAAAAADRs/z-wIbqawlFs/s400/IMG_0557.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BiYB9fbBNqA/VX4S8Z-S6gI/AAAAAAAADR8/roW7yA63nys/s1600/IMG_0586-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BiYB9fbBNqA/VX4S8Z-S6gI/AAAAAAAADR8/roW7yA63nys/s400/IMG_0586-2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-haNEm3ayicY/VX4THw3tIcI/AAAAAAAADSE/OKCEMb_STfs/s1600/IMG_0590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-haNEm3ayicY/VX4THw3tIcI/AAAAAAAADSE/OKCEMb_STfs/s400/IMG_0590.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3EFETT9Ruu4/VX4Sv0YgjjI/AAAAAAAADR0/jjdipUUFpng/s1600/IMG_0583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3EFETT9Ruu4/VX4Sv0YgjjI/AAAAAAAADR0/jjdipUUFpng/s400/IMG_0583.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-3306089572670687192015-05-11T18:25:00.001-07:002015-05-11T18:36:20.004-07:00Spain! Mallorca and Barcelona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tiDPRKl04ok/VVFVdMzIhaI/AAAAAAAADDA/RizA5EaneA0/s1600/IMG_20150507_101242-PANO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tiDPRKl04ok/VVFVdMzIhaI/AAAAAAAADDA/RizA5EaneA0/s320/IMG_20150507_101242-PANO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Just arrived back from a trip of a lifetime: One week biking Mallorca and one week in Barcelona.<br />
The Mallorca part was beautiful: along shorelines, small villages and great heights. We found our way along the trail set for us and relaxed in the evening in wonderful hotels. Then onto Barcelona where we stayed right in the centre of all the action. Gaudi's amazing architecture blew us away as well as the sheer vitality of the city. The wine and Tapas never stopped. My favourite tours were the Sagrida Familia, Park Guell, and Monserrat and Cava Winery Tours. I have heard from others that once you go to Barcelona once, you will always go back. I am certain that will be the case with me. <br />
Put it on the bucket list: You won't be disappointed.<br />
https://plus.google.com/101500703130318074425/stories/3<br />
<br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/101500703130318074425/stories/30344570-77f7-3754-84c5-f432db0ddd5c14d3be02286?authkey=COOAjo6X79uDogE" target="_blank">Veiw My Spain Story in Google</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-20435652253046171122015-02-01T18:23:00.000-08:002015-05-11T18:39:44.522-07:00 True Canadians-Roundhouse Winter Craft Beer Festival<b>I salute you</b> - all you winter warriors who showed up the the <b>Roundhouse Winter Craft Beer Festival </b>yesterday. Yes it was a bit chilly, but it was a fantastic way to spend a cool day at the end of January. It is amazing how many neon one-piece ski suits can be found in a pinch when it comes to a party. Human-sized jenga, roasting marshmallows, hot toddies and dancing in puffy snow-suits, what more could one ask for? My woollen boots are still drying out and my velvet snow pants are in for repair, but today is the start of my planning for next year's outfit. So- look out hot pink snow suit couple...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpqZuhP8zxw/VM7eG4LJXeI/AAAAAAAAB6I/Zntg3EbuPcA/s1600/IMG_20150131_153607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpqZuhP8zxw/VM7eG4LJXeI/AAAAAAAAB6I/Zntg3EbuPcA/s1600/IMG_20150131_153607.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bi9H-5CBBEI/VM7ePBZZR-I/AAAAAAAAB6Q/jwWzvuwmpig/s1600/IMG_20150131_133123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bi9H-5CBBEI/VM7ePBZZR-I/AAAAAAAAB6Q/jwWzvuwmpig/s1600/IMG_20150131_133123.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0cJag7avIEw/VM7eSj8yOJI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/D-21WjZ-z9Y/s1600/IMG_20150131_134017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0cJag7avIEw/VM7eSj8yOJI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/D-21WjZ-z9Y/s1600/IMG_20150131_134017.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_852879088"></span><span id="goog_852879089"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.38318429999998243.285985999999994 -80.028631299999986 44.020466 -78.737737299999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-50287717970615668662014-07-03T20:43:00.000-07:002015-06-13T20:20:31.776-07:00Hiking Killarney- The Lacloche Silhouette Trail<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-rIJuQ1oEE/U7YWWox-qwI/AAAAAAAABTo/AizxDxm8Cq0/s1600/DSCF0402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-rIJuQ1oEE/U7YWWox-qwI/AAAAAAAABTo/AizxDxm8Cq0/s1600/DSCF0402.JPG" width="400" /></a>On June 21st we began hiking the Lacloche Silhouette Trail in Killarney, Ont. Longest day of the year, most mosquitos of the year. This is an extremely challenging trail; 80 km., with really long climbs. We did the hike over 6 days, 5 nights which seemed reasonable getting going at about 8:30 most days and taking time to look around and enjoy the spectacular views, swim if we chose to ( and I always choose to), enjoy short breaks every couple of hours and a nice lunch on a high white peak with a cool breeze. The lakes are a beautiful turquoise colour and perfect for a cool dip after a sweaty day of hiking.We saw more wildlife than I have ever seen in one area. 1 bear, 2 deer, 3 beaver and a blue heron. We were exhausted when we were done but we capped off our accomplishment with a great plate of fish and chips and a beer. What more is there?<br />
<br />
Here are some things I have learned from this trip:<br />
<br />
1. ALWAYS take an extra water filter or alternate method of filtration.<br />
(our filter became very slow after a particularly pollen filled lake)<br />
<br />
2. There are things that can stay home and it might be nice to have a lighter pack<br />
(we have been hiking with packs at 40-45 lbs, but may aim lower next time)<br />
<br />
3. If you can, always hike with an expert tarp putter upper.<br />
(Ours was Rick-very useful on our evening of torrential rain)<br />
<br />
4. It is all relative. ( we met someone trying to do the trail in 12 hours- unbelievable!)<br />
<br />
5. If you know where the blisters are always going to form, put the moleskin on BEFORE they form!<br />
<br />
6. A bug jacket may look ridiculous but it may save your sanity.<br />
<br />
7. It is great to be able to cook and set up camp in full daylight, just difficult to stay awake until it gets dark.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/BfikauoZ5uU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-83630531401639063212014-06-09T18:56:00.000-07:002014-06-09T19:00:51.785-07:00Passage Ride 2014- Manitoulin Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LUUbojDRJHQ/U5ZjJKaBqbI/AAAAAAAABN4/ZSiB54_Moxs/s1600/photo+2-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LUUbojDRJHQ/U5ZjJKaBqbI/AAAAAAAABN4/ZSiB54_Moxs/s1600/photo+2-1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
This past weekend we participated in The Passage Ride, an organized bike ride on Manitoulin Island and were pleased to find out it was AWESOME! Whenever you participate in something like this, you<br />
have worries, (or at least I do) Will there be mosquitos? Will it be cold? Will it be too hot? Will I be too slow? Will I be too fast? Will there be enough food? You get the picture. As it turned out, it was perfect. And it seems that that is mainly due to the organizer, Maja and her devoted helpers. <br />
<br />
This group it seems has worked tirelessly to improve cycling on the island and to make Manitoulin a cycling destination. Their foresight is paying off. They have a great stretch of road with paved shoulders and are working toward getting more. <br />
<br />
The scenery on Manitoulin is beautiful and interesting as it has rock formations and plants that we may not see down south. This made the ride so enjoyable If it is a good workout you're looking for, there are plenty of hills. If you are like my husband, you can go up and down them many times, looking for your wife who is actually way ahead of you. <br />
<br />
Maja knows how to run an event. Great food, great music and fantastic scenery. (ok I know Maja didn't do that last one but if it was necessary, she probably could make it happen. )<br />
<br />
I would like to tell you to come next year, but numbers are limited and I need to go again. But if you must check it out, here is the website.<a href="http://www.manitoulincycling.com/">http://www.manitoulincycling.com/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WcRFSGx9loE/U5ZhthGqF3I/AAAAAAAABNo/ozBlYtaYC0A/s1600/kim:me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WcRFSGx9loE/U5ZhthGqF3I/AAAAAAAABNo/ozBlYtaYC0A/s1600/kim:me.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying lunch break at Kicking Mule Ranch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7W5dcha7OR0/U5Zjg9PXiVI/AAAAAAAABOI/uLynIU2JgmQ/s1600/dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7W5dcha7OR0/U5Zjg9PXiVI/AAAAAAAABOI/uLynIU2JgmQ/s1600/dinner.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Maja's fantastic backyard restaurant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRn0tJTp9pM/U5ZjTL9kNhI/AAAAAAAABOA/aOljSjz9Woo/s1600/bikes+on+ferry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRn0tJTp9pM/U5ZjTL9kNhI/AAAAAAAABOA/aOljSjz9Woo/s1600/bikes+on+ferry.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bikes on the ferry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1816885838"></span><span id="goog_1816885839"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-27395030404562014382013-09-20T21:55:00.000-07:002013-09-21T18:03:18.004-07:00West Coast Trail - Sept. 2013<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-huJF-LgniDw/Uj0mruengdI/AAAAAAAAA4k/IOtqGtcDGHE/s1600/DSCF0212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-huJF-LgniDw/Uj0mruengdI/AAAAAAAAA4k/IOtqGtcDGHE/s320/DSCF0212.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://youtu.be/XmoIqchEcdY" target="_blank">Veiw the Slideshow</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well after much pouring over maps, photos, recipes, and equipment, we finally did our trip to the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island B.C.<br />
<br />
We were incredibly lucky because we had absolutely no rain, no injuries, didn't starve and didn't get eaten by a bear. All the research was worthwhile. No 1. -- it was fun and gave us something to look forward to - and who doesn't like spending a Saturday at MEC anyway? No. 2- It saved us from unpleasant surprises that can ruin a trip.We did one overnight trip close to home to try out our equipment and try out the weight we planned to carry and one full 6 day hike on Lake Superior. The latter certainly prepared us for the WCT because it actually turned out to be just as hard and possibly even harder.<br />
<br />
The difficulty on the WCT was not the ladders (there are about 70) as we expected, but the mud. There was mud everywhere. You are constantly walking on logs, stumps, rocks, to avoid going up to your knees in mud. And believe me, many people did. Others fell right in. The sections of the trail without the mud or even just tackier mud are sheer pleasure. After 5 days of the stuff though, you begin to tire of lifting your leg to step up on the logs and just plow right through the mud if it seems only ankle deep.<br />
<br />
The cable cars were fun and suited us paddling types because of our upper body strength but one in particular would have been impossible without help. That day we were starting out for the day with the creek crossing. We studied the creek, looking for a place to cross, climbed up the cable car ladder, saw the huge dip in the line, climbed down the cable car ladder, studied the creek some more, talked to some other guys who said they planned to check out the creek and finally... after about 45 min of this nonsense, got across via cable car with the help of the other pair. And we were just starting our day! Two minutes from our camp the night before!<br />
<br />
We saw lots of animals: whales, seals, sea lions, sea otters, an eagle and an elk on the bus ride up to the trail head. Did I mention that the bus ride was probably the worst part of the trip? Six hours on a wash board road- I was not mentally prepared for that at all.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-an82_7J67tw/Uj48jyJZcsI/AAAAAAAAA9k/MO5Sx4OHTIM/s1600/Tsusiat+Falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-an82_7J67tw/Uj48jyJZcsI/AAAAAAAAA9k/MO5Sx4OHTIM/s200/Tsusiat+Falls.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tsusiat Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On our longest day (20 kms) we had the crab feast at the ferry and a hamburger at Chez Moniques both on the same day. I inhaled that hamburger so fast and gulped down the beer that I can honestly say I have no recollection of what it tasted like. At Moniques there was a tour group that had missed their food drop and had spent the day there, watching whales, drinking and eating. I am thinking if you are doing a tour on the WCT and your food doesn't arrive, that is not a bad place to be. They seemed to be in good spirits.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XJYufWMriDU/Uj4849gjmaI/AAAAAAAAA9s/65BOyuKvBTI/s1600/crabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XJYufWMriDU/Uj4849gjmaI/AAAAAAAAA9s/65BOyuKvBTI/s200/crabs.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Crab!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We travelled North to South. We met many people going the opposite way at Thrashers Bay. They all warned us that if we thought it was bad so far, they were sorry to say that the worst was yet to come.(Much higher ladders and way more mud) We couldn't imagine that it would be so much worse but that night we ate double our dinner to prepare for our brutal day and I slept restlessly. Turned out it was just much of the same and not as bad as they let on. I think they tell those people that at their orientation to make them feel like they are getting the hard part over with.<br />
<br />
The absolute best part of the trip was the people you meet along the way. You tend to see a few of the same people each night at the various campsites and go over how your day was compared to them. Some race ahead as they have a schedule they want to meet, others meander along taking all the time in the world. I would not advise trying to achieve some kind of record doing this trail. No 1. - There is too much to see along the way. No. 2 - The chance of getting hurt is too great. No. 3 - You don't get to hang out with all the awesome people.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KVviu7cLIlQ/Uj5BRxm1D3I/AAAAAAAAA94/gtAUugUiees/s1600/me-wct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KVviu7cLIlQ/Uj5BRxm1D3I/AAAAAAAAA94/gtAUugUiees/s320/me-wct.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A well deserved break</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When we finished the trip we had a few beers and lunch with some fellow hikers and then passed out by the side of the road because the sun was nice and warm and we had no where to to go just then. Funny thing was, people kept stopping their vehicles and asking us questions: "Hey did you just finish the West Coast Trail?" "How was the weather?" "Do you know where I can get gas?" -I don't know about you but where I come from it is not polite to wake someone who is sleeping by the side of the road.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat, but there is a whole big world of trails to explore in the meantime. Next up Killarney, Ont. which has great reviews and then who knows? Maybe New Zealand?<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-13967587915358064122013-08-11T12:06:00.001-07:002013-08-11T12:09:45.335-07:00HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDSToday I ended up coaching a dragon boat practice which I don't normally do and haven't done for about 8 years. And during the set up for that practice was a perfect example of the kind of friends to have. <br />
I always choose friends that are in for anything. "What? you want to go cliff diving?.... I'm in!" <br />
"What? you want to ride and ostrich?.... I'm in!" <br />
That sort of person.<br />
So today while we were sorting out the dragon boat, and I was very disorganized because of having not done it for a while, my friend Sharon offered to hold the dragon boat while I ran to get a paddle, life jacket etc. When I cam back, she said "Good." and walked away from the dragon boat. I watched her walk away and stood there as the dragon boat began to float down the creek. By the time I clued in, it was too far to catch. <br />
I was wearing a nice, fairly new pink dress because I was not prepared to coach. Sharon was dressed more casually, but had already showered after her war canoe practice. We looked at each other.<br />
I said: I think I am going to have to go in. I have no choice."<br />
Sharon said: Well do you want to go in or do you want me to?"<br />
Background note: Our creek is muddy, brown and slimy:<br />
I said: "I want you to."<br />
The words were barely out of my mouth and she had dived in.<br />
That is the kind of friends I have.<br />
<br />
Then there is Diane. She is <b>usually</b> all in. Last winter we were going skiing to Ellicotville; a bit of a hike but worth it on the special day they have for Canadians with reduced prices. Diane and Rick planned to come but backed out at the last minute due to the prediction of rain. We went anyway.<br />
It poured and poured. The night before skiing we sat at the bar until midnight watching a river of rain<br />
run down the main drag. The next morning we went to the hill as it started to snow. It snowed all day.<br />
The kind of snow that covers the ground quickly with big fluffy flakes. By 10 am. we were having the ski day of our life. And to top it off, hardly anyone was there due to the forecast.<br />
When I told Diane, she was kicking herself and vowed never to do that again. So Diane and Rick came on the brutal Superior Coastal Trail in the blog entry below. She dropped in her status for a bit but is right back up there with Sharon again.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-47605238475868978092013-07-29T11:12:00.000-07:002013-08-06T15:35:15.267-07:00Survived the Lake Superior Costal Trail (just)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gJLHGKown-g/Ufax05gp44I/AAAAAAAAAmU/PC3F8PhQ6qM/s1600/superior.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gJLHGKown-g/Ufax05gp44I/AAAAAAAAAmU/PC3F8PhQ6qM/s1600/superior.JPG" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
Today is the first day home after hiking the LSCT and maybe the first day of feeling relatively normal: blisters are healing, not hobbling like an old woman etc.<br />
<br />
This was not an easy trail. 65 km of the most unbelievably varied terrain, from every type of rock formation imaginable to inland conditions that seemed almost rainforest-like. The bridge was out at Gargantua so we hiked 14 km. to the start. That was the easy part. Actually, I have a severe bunion on my right foot so none of it was easy for me. I spent much of my time wrapping my foot, cooling the pain in Lake Superior or changing from my hiking boots to sandals for a break.<br />
<br />
We all fell on the rocks at some time or another and have the bruises to show for it. We were warned by the park staff not to start or continue the trail if it rained and we respected that advise fully. One misstep and you could be stranded with a sprained or broken ankle. I stepped on a hornets nest and got bit about 6 times. My husband was yelling for me to go to the water but if you knew the formidable rock pile that was between me and the water you would understand why I preferred to jump and scream around in the trees.<br />
<br />
We thought we were doing a warm up for the West Coast Trail but met 3 hikers going the other way and one fellow said "Oh no- that is a walk in the park compared to this"<br />
I know better than to believe anything now. They also said we were past the hard part after our 14km/10hr. second day. But each subsequent day was tough. Nothing was easy.<br />
I will approach the West Coast Trail with respect and expect those ladders and tides to be a challenge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It is not that this hike wasn't fun. We had a blast. The scenery was spectacular and we are so proud of ourselves for completing it. At least we were until we met our friend's son who had just finished running the Gobi Desert (250 km). Everything is relative....<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/101500703130318074425/July29201302?locked=true#5906107170066499570">Coastal Trail Photos (including warmup hike photos_</a>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-44525287681330763902013-03-18T18:14:00.000-07:002013-03-18T18:14:39.491-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><u>Yurting on Silent Lake</u></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><u><br /></u></span>
Last weekend we visited Silent Lake yurts to see what that was all about. It turned out to be a great experience. Very social ....and warm! of all things. The conditions for skiing were not great due to the recent warm weather but we did ski a bit, walked the trail and snowshoed. The scenery was spectacular, the sun shining and the food delicious. Life is good.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dtwz-WQRtRs/UUe7bSBophI/AAAAAAAAAlI/5kMptpd1G-k/s1600/DSCF0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dtwz-WQRtRs/UUe7bSBophI/AAAAAAAAAlI/5kMptpd1G-k/s320/DSCF0027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--AiDZ5poGzM/UUe7go6KsMI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/2cohaA5rmxI/s1600/DSCF0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--AiDZ5poGzM/UUe7go6KsMI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/2cohaA5rmxI/s320/DSCF0026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MnRa59bhZIQ/UUe7jREDqcI/AAAAAAAAAlY/NvJLPs-u-Yc/s1600/DSCF0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MnRa59bhZIQ/UUe7jREDqcI/AAAAAAAAAlY/NvJLPs-u-Yc/s320/DSCF0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dK8wCDe6s8Q/UUe7pFH5DFI/AAAAAAAAAlk/mvMaRpd7ymc/s1600/DSCF0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dK8wCDe6s8Q/UUe7pFH5DFI/AAAAAAAAAlk/mvMaRpd7ymc/s320/DSCF0018.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0Silent Lake, Silent Lake Provincial Park, Highlands East, ON K0L, Canada44.9117553 -78.06152629999996944.8892643 -78.101866799999968 44.934246300000005 -78.021185799999969tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-24614962112560516102012-09-24T17:14:00.004-07:002012-09-24T17:32:02.313-07:00@% My Family Says....My youngest daughter has lately been following me around with a sly smile on her face while texting madly as I go about my business. It seems she finds it amusing to post everything I say to her twitter account called #<i><b>@% my mom says. </b> </i>Which is followed by my other kids phoning me minutes later to either bug me about it or ask for details. So I am retaliating by posting my own #<i><b>@% my family says:</b></i><br />
<br />
Here is what my daughter texted during her first week in a far away city where she is going to University:<br />
<br />
<i>"It is really hard to deal with not having any of my stuff- no furniture, books or internet. </i><br />
<i>Now I know how difficult it was for the pilgrims when they came to America to set up their apartments...."</i><br />
<br />
Here is the email I just sent my husband tonight (he is away):<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>Babe -</i></span><br />
<div>
<i>Thank you so much for calling to remind me to do poop patrol.</i></div>
<div>
<i>It was almost dark so I used a flashlight, giving a beautiful glow to </i></div>
<div>
<i>each little piece of shit (although also causing me to miss and get my hands dirty.</i></div>
<div>
<i>So nice of you to think of the little things, even when you are away!</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And his response:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<i>"Next time you should use one of the headlamps thus keeping both hands free to patrol more effectively"</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-69759102523030132552012-07-03T19:47:00.002-07:002012-07-03T19:48:38.739-07:00The Ultimate Canada Day Moment<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NKgVyUnvddk/T_OukWId0_I/AAAAAAAAAjY/_EQz9kPPLKE/s1600/Canada+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NKgVyUnvddk/T_OukWId0_I/AAAAAAAAAjY/_EQz9kPPLKE/s400/Canada+day.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken by Delaire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Being at the cottage on Canada Day weekend is very Canadian. And this past weekend was spectacular. During the weekend in addition to just having a great time, I have to say I had one hour of pure Canadian bliss. After a hot day of lazing in the sun, dinner done and the bonfire lit on the beach, I looked out on the water which was like glass with a perfectly full moon rising on one side and a red sky on the other. I jumped on the board (a windsurfer board which I use as a stand up paddle) and headed out along the bay. All along the shore were bonfires and laughter of the neighbors we had just met at a get together the night before. The sun went down and the moon got brighter, lighting a path on the water. You feel faster when you paddle in the dark, just as you do when you ski in the dark. There is a type of fish called Cisco that tends to feed on this weekend and it seems they just started while I was out there. Fish were jumping everywhere. Then the fireworks started, along the shore and further away at a nearby city. I did not want to go in. It was like I was in another universe. Cool, very cool.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-86292124332142108272012-02-10T18:31:00.000-08:002012-02-10T18:31:09.090-08:00Robbie Burns (again!)This is a bit late but I thought I'd tell you about this years' Robbie Burns Run in Burlington.<br />
Last year I hit a bit of a wall and accosted people in the last kilometer...<b>"Where is the finish!!!??</b><br />
<b>Where is the @#//& finish!!!!!??</b> (Turned out it was just around the corner-I just couldn't see it).<br />
This year I vowed not to do that and tried to pace myself. I did fine aerobically but my soleus muscle pulled in the last block. My time was about 10 seconds slower than last year. I suppose that is ok seeing as I have been training for longer distances and last year I was focusing on the 8 km. Anyhow it is really<br />
all about the costume isn't it? I almost won best costume by telling everyone I was Robbie Burns number one whore, but lost to the lady in the black cape and crown. (The crown always gets them) Anyhow here are the photos:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HO3xp6YiYPA/TzXRyq_ix2I/AAAAAAAAAio/T_2RxG187T4/s1600/robbieburns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HO3xp6YiYPA/TzXRyq_ix2I/AAAAAAAAAio/T_2RxG187T4/s320/robbieburns.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ejtmwo3umvI/TzXS2TFevsI/AAAAAAAAAi4/EbwKaYFDqJk/s1600/423092_10150637788750586_506140585_11547358_1045579108_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ejtmwo3umvI/TzXS2TFevsI/AAAAAAAAAi4/EbwKaYFDqJk/s320/423092_10150637788750586_506140585_11547358_1045579108_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dBjXEM4IT0Y/TzXR9XhFrPI/AAAAAAAAAiw/IBwLxdFjdCg/s1600/16120-764-15318526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dBjXEM4IT0Y/TzXR9XhFrPI/AAAAAAAAAiw/IBwLxdFjdCg/s320/16120-764-15318526.jpg" width="212" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-69651088706043660282012-01-05T17:32:00.000-08:002012-01-05T17:32:49.980-08:00We found Snow in Gatineau!It was dicey for a while. We were checking the weather forecasts daily, but we found winter for New Years' in Gatineau, Quebec. If you are a x country skier like me and my family, then when you see the pictures you know we also found heaven. The trails are unbelievable. Miles and miles and miles of tracked trails. If you prefer back country, there is back country. If it is tracked trails you like, and specifically skate skiing, there are trails that are like super highways. In fact, in the summer, those trails are roads. We stayed at a Bed and Breakfast in Wakefield, a quirky little town on the edge of the park.<br />
The B & B (La Grange) was perfect for a family of five. We had a large room with a small kitchenette and access to the full kitchen and common area. They offered Yoga but we were too tired from skiing to get our bodies up the stairs. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2lntLfF91Rw/TwZOSfk6VdI/AAAAAAAAAiA/1FZE05CS0Wk/s1600/dd.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2lntLfF91Rw/TwZOSfk6VdI/AAAAAAAAAiA/1FZE05CS0Wk/s200/dd.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5268hzeElQ/TwZOaAtslyI/AAAAAAAAAiI/l0O0mJwIeaU/s1600/gatineaupark.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5268hzeElQ/TwZOaAtslyI/AAAAAAAAAiI/l0O0mJwIeaU/s320/gatineaupark.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u1EOsgGUsoU/TwZOjgiy5AI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/9bdR34HmI4E/s1600/skiing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u1EOsgGUsoU/TwZOjgiy5AI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/9bdR34HmI4E/s320/skiing.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5AnFhNmy54M/TwZOsRILBSI/AAAAAAAAAiY/GCrfKXnR6Eg/s1600/La+Grange.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5AnFhNmy54M/TwZOsRILBSI/AAAAAAAAAiY/GCrfKXnR6Eg/s320/La+Grange.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EvterW3BQJU/TwZO1B7tOMI/AAAAAAAAAig/2i9Kuan9Zas/s1600/yurt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EvterW3BQJU/TwZO1B7tOMI/AAAAAAAAAig/2i9Kuan9Zas/s320/yurt.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-66516384625659988462011-12-11T17:19:00.000-08:002011-12-11T17:28:46.893-08:00Jingle Bells Run 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s--YKPUDKvU/TuVVdB1_ArI/AAAAAAAAAhk/X80NSUTXRkc/s1600/natalie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s--YKPUDKvU/TuVVdB1_ArI/AAAAAAAAAhk/X80NSUTXRkc/s320/natalie.JPG" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie-Why is her moustache perfect and ours looks like crap?<br />
............Could she be the real Santa???? </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Yesterday was Burlington's Jingle Bell Run, apparently the largest in Canada and that is the way it looked to me because there were red Santa suits as far as you could see on a chilly Saturday morning. The run was a blast. Just long enough that you felt you did something with your day and short enough that you could still get some Christmas shopping done afterwards without too much pain. Great breakfast after at Emma's Backporch too.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGgaVMhehlo/TuVUZE9fk8I/AAAAAAAAAhM/MAPG20Kg5mo/s1600/burlaoakgroup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGgaVMhehlo/TuVUZE9fk8I/AAAAAAAAAhM/MAPG20Kg5mo/s200/burlaoakgroup.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Burloak santas with a couple of extras</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tccDb_5g_gs/TuVVC8YTSJI/AAAAAAAAAhc/BocmG5kJB3c/s1600/kimarlene.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tccDb_5g_gs/TuVVC8YTSJI/AAAAAAAAAhc/BocmG5kJB3c/s200/kimarlene.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim/Arlene</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1QgKzPR9jPs/TuVV8ZVC_9I/AAAAAAAAAhs/gzYo5b9aBwc/s1600/ildy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1QgKzPR9jPs/TuVV8ZVC_9I/AAAAAAAAAhs/gzYo5b9aBwc/s200/ildy.JPG" width="150" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qD9tZVN70_0/TuVWRr_U2zI/AAAAAAAAAh0/npb1e794oVw/s1600/treessanta.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qD9tZVN70_0/TuVWRr_U2zI/AAAAAAAAAh0/npb1e794oVw/s200/treessanta.JPG" width="172" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0Oakville, ON, Canada43.452879 -79.70164799999997743.374724500000006 -79.794527999999971 43.5310335 -79.608767999999984tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-57173522632260560892011-12-09T20:06:00.000-08:002011-12-09T20:06:24.868-08:00Is Greg going for a "Frank from 30 Rock" look?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Acuz99e_BM/TuLZs6K7pZI/AAAAAAAAAg0/k66-IMVgkaY/s1600/frankgreg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Acuz99e_BM/TuLZs6K7pZI/AAAAAAAAAg0/k66-IMVgkaY/s1600/frankgreg.jpg" /></a></div>Every time I watch 30 Rock I think of my buddy Greg and how he looks when he comes in to work with his Bruins hat on and his lumber jacket. Am I wrong or is he going for the look? I am fairly certain that Frank is one of Greg's heros, so it could be true. And although I called him my buddy earlier.... I may not be after this post.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-43448459616199693252011-09-08T19:49:00.000-07:002011-09-08T19:54:09.125-07:00Hungary (Budapest & Canoe/Kayak races)<b>Just returned from Hungary and back to work so finally have time to tell the story. Here are some things I have learned about Hungary:</b><br />
<br />
1. Many of the people, especially the men are giants. I spent much of my time trying to squeeze between their legs so I could catch my bus to the races.<br />
<br />
2. All words in Hungarian, even prepositions, contain a minimum of 18 letters<br />
<br />
3. Most beautiful old buildings in Budapest have been "blowed up" at least twice<br />
<br />
4. Most bridges in Budapest have been "blowed up" at least three times.<br />
<br />
5. The food sucks.<br />
<br />
6. The Hungarian people love canoe/kayak and particularly like to watch it with very little clothes on<br />
<br />
7. Budapest is clean, beautiful and feels very safe<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qOXGUQz7EGM/Tml5y0dS8OI/AAAAAAAAAgM/QnSBPCsGKTs/s1600/budapest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qOXGUQz7EGM/Tml5y0dS8OI/AAAAAAAAAgM/QnSBPCsGKTs/s320/budapest.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castle District</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5cECqPrPiY/Tml9iyQUZCI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/jREZWBG-Aro/s1600/parl+bldg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5cECqPrPiY/Tml9iyQUZCI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/jREZWBG-Aro/s320/parl+bldg.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parliament Buildings</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We bought a Hungarian phrasebook for the trip and discovered that it was pretty racy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is an example:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>"Oh my God! That's Great! Easy Tiger" -uristen! ez-nagyon-jo!-csak lassan!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is plenty more where that came from. If you are looking for a lesson on good things to say during sex, buy the lonely planet phrasebook.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ns3tBvCGI-M/Tml-JQ43-bI/AAAAAAAAAgU/M6dF2Zc1CAs/s1600/fanbutts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ns3tBvCGI-M/Tml-JQ43-bI/AAAAAAAAAgU/M6dF2Zc1CAs/s320/fanbutts.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I5iseLeoiCE/Tml-lN6cyiI/AAAAAAAAAgc/Q0j4o9TutsM/s1600/fans2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I5iseLeoiCE/Tml-lN6cyiI/AAAAAAAAAgc/Q0j4o9TutsM/s320/fans2.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Se4W8d0sr8o/Tml-U63s1GI/AAAAAAAAAgY/B9NHh1HhBs4/s1600/fans.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Se4W8d0sr8o/Tml-U63s1GI/AAAAAAAAAgY/B9NHh1HhBs4/s320/fans.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-72347896178459053862011-06-21T18:08:00.000-07:002011-06-21T18:08:05.671-07:00Kendra's Magic Tattoo<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rICfZK9VRz0/TgE_4_ILE_I/AAAAAAAAAf8/8Ufoq9ortuE/s1600/kentat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rICfZK9VRz0/TgE_4_ILE_I/AAAAAAAAAf8/8Ufoq9ortuE/s320/kentat1.jpg" width="240" /></a><i><b>This is a guest post from Kendra (my daughter) about an experience on her trip to Vietnam Tailand and Cambodia</b></i><br />
<br />
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>My First Magic (Sak Yant) Tattoo</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">By Kendra Nicholson</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We departed from Ko Sahn road at 6 am in order to beat the line up of people (mostly Thai women) waiting to have the procedure done.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The monks work 6 hour shifts, they are deep in concentration during this period, and any communication is forbidden. Making the tattoo you get, placement, and size a total surprise!</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We followed the most bad ass monks (The ones covered head to toe in tattoos to where the offerings were being purchased.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">For 100 Bhat (about $3.50 CAD) you receive an offering of orchids, incense and cigarettes.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Who knew Buddha was a smoker?</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div>When you enter the temple you take off your shoes and hats immediately, you then place your offerings on a collection plate along with a dollar or so. At that point you and the monk and the two assistants take the offering plate and bow three times. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I became slightly concerned after the woman before me I got a circular design of a tiger chasing it's own tail. (Not quite my aesthetic) </div><div><br />
</div><div>The monk takes a few moments to absorb your aura then proceeds to choose the Sak Yant design that best supports the amount of protection you require. Mine wound up being significantly wider then my room mates, lending me to believe the monk was extremely perceptive to my disaster prone ways. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Before you sit down to be tattooed and afterwards you bow in prayer facing the monk 3x. </div><div>Combined with the prior 3 bows with the collection plate that brings the total bow count to the very magical number of 9. </div><div>(In all of Asia 9 is considered a very powerful number and you will notice Taxi's or Tuk-Tuk's with the number 9 in their license plate will charge steeper fares due to the protective quality of their magical license plate number) </div><div><br />
</div><div>Once it is your turn to step up to the bat (or bamboo needle) that's primary disinfection procedure comes from resharpening the needle between tattoo's and the cobra venom charcoal mixture that is used as the tattoo ink. </div><div>(There are no known reports of anyone contracting HIV through this temple) Which was a comforting thought.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The pain is meant to be quite meditative and the veteran women that proceeded me took theirs like such champs, I was trying my best to put on my serene and meditative, not human needlepoint cushion face.</div><div>The only points that really hurt were the little peaks he made in the design where I felt him going in to my skin, then up.</div><div><br />
</div><div>It was all over in 15 minutes and I felt completely pain free after 30 seconds, In fact I kept forgetting I had the tattoo completely until strangers would come up and inquire or compliment me on it.</div><div><br />
</div><div>As Bangkok was my last stop before home I have not had the chance to check out the protective qualities of my tattoo vs my constant state of perilous destruction self.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Overall it was one of the coolest experience of my trip, and if you are planning on getting a tattoo, why not make it a magical one? This temple is the only temple in all of Bangkok that does Sak Yant tattoo's on Women. The monk uses 2 assistants to pull the skin and any time he has to touch you he does so through a piece of linen. </div><div><br />
</div><div>The fact that you don't get to pick to the design added to the intrigue for me, but as soon as they finished I had to take a photo of my own neck to see what they had chosen. As you can see it healed almost immediately, I was quite pleased with the design. Simple, No Tigers, and you can the pointillism technique that Sak Yant tattoo's are revered for.</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Bang_Phra" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/<wbr></wbr>Wat_Bang_Phra</a></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VCfXJj32e1s/TgFADzenu1I/AAAAAAAAAgA/BNNzj7BJyk0/s1600/kentat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VCfXJj32e1s/TgFADzenu1I/AAAAAAAAAgA/BNNzj7BJyk0/s320/kentat2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I_xoiJz2yeE/TgFAIAUSZcI/AAAAAAAAAgE/hpQ4SeAq0a4/s1600/kentat3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I_xoiJz2yeE/TgFAIAUSZcI/AAAAAAAAAgE/hpQ4SeAq0a4/s320/kentat3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br />
</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-49947697617169765022011-06-03T20:43:00.000-07:002011-06-09T18:22:11.043-07:00The Chicks Do Cabot TrailLast Saturday I went to Cape Breton Island with a group of Chicks to so the Cabot Trail Relay Race.<br />
<b>.....Best time ever!..... </b>Our team (Chicks running Clicks) has been going to that particular race for a few years so you have the advantage of becoming somewhat of a celebrity as soon as you don your chicken hat. The race is 185 miles and run over 24 hours for 17 legs. The legs vary from moderately difficult to puke your guts out. Luckily I had one of the moderately difficult legs because I would not have been able to work this week. (It already was a lot like Weekend at Bernie's) We had a few roosters on our team, some whom we had never met but they were great sports. Especially Roland who sat at the Caleigh with his wife and wearing his rooster hat on for 1/2 hour before the rest of the team arrived. It is a bit of a challenge supporting your team, making the starts and following your runner without racking up penalty points. (There are many rules). We also had a water station at the top of North Mountain. The theme was <i>The</i> <i>North Pole Dancers. </i>The chicks dressed as northern animals (polar bears, walrus, puffin, penguin- and yes we know penguins are only at the south pole.) The Coastbusters, another team from Toronto had agreed to help us out for the water station. Help? They totally outshone us! They were working the stripper poles like no tomorrow- they had choreographed a complete routine. Yay for the Coastbusters! So I have a few photos but I am sure there are more out there. I will put more up as I get them. Sorry none of the water station yet. <a href="https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0By5NJVWZhlLFY2RhZjAyZTYtM2I1Yy00OGJmLWJiOTYtMTBkZmVhMTNiMzkw&hl=en_US">Chicks Running Clicks Slide show (Cabot Trail Relay Race</a>)<br />
<br />
This video says it all. Check out the smiles on everyone's face!<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/P_eec5-Qh6c" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
Oh yes, just an addendum. My run went great. I was pretty happy with it except for the re-injury of my leg muscle/tendon from 2 weeks prior which occurred 2 km from the finish. I limp-ran to the finish with all kinds of of encouragement from co-runners. Also I discovered that it didn't hurt so much with stilettos on. My trusty support team ran them out to me and I quickly slipped 'em on. Made for an impressive finish. I would recommend it to anyone with a calf injury. I am going to rest from running for a good 4 weeks now and then think about tackling a half marathon.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-59492743605180839642011-04-05T18:46:00.000-07:002011-04-05T18:46:32.528-07:00Cabot Trail Here I Come!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yp5cRmvK7us/TZvE8ljOMOI/AAAAAAAAAcg/YL_QGm64v5Y/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yp5cRmvK7us/TZvE8ljOMOI/AAAAAAAAAcg/YL_QGm64v5Y/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh-my-God- Do you think it's too late to drop out?!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After standing on the edge of the Chicks and Dicks (or Chicks running Clicks as they really call themselves) team for the Cabot Trail race for quite some time now, I have decided to take<br />
the plunge and go for it. After all, who knows how much longer this old body will be able to run? And if you are going to submit pain and suffering to your body for hours on end, why not do it in one of the most beautiful places in the world? Luckily so far, I have leg 8, one of the easier legs but I am prepared that things can change and I hope to be ready if that happens. <br />
<br />
I usually only run to supplement my regular training but I am getting right into the whole training thing.<br />
I have downloaded a plan from a helpful website, borrowed a gps from my daughter and am trying to stay on track. I love the gadgets and devices that make this kind of thing easier. Sometimes I feel like I can run forever with my ipod. Having a gps to run with to alert you if your pace drops is so helpful! Especially if it keeps me from hitting a wall 1/4 mile from the finish. The creme de la creme was the new treadmill at the gym I work out at. It has the softest running surface ever and all kinds of programs that you can put in like the Cooper Test which just happens to be the test our team does each spring before we get on the water. This treadmill almost makes it so you don't want to go outside. Check it out at this link: <a href="http://www.woodway.com/"> Woodward Treadmills </a> These treadmills are apparently not cheap but if you can find one at a gym, you will love it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-45963274758090231182011-03-20T18:19:00.000-07:002011-03-20T18:25:06.132-07:00Yak for a Stack<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"> My kids and many others are currently down in Florida training for sprint canoe/kayak. They have been there for many weeks, working hard for the upcoming season. The big break in this training regime is <i>Yak for a Stack</i>, an event that has been going on as long as I have been paddling and seems to get bigger (costume-wise) every year. The idea is simple, dress in a costume and then paddle a short distance with a partner of a discipline different than your own around a buoy and back. The stack is a stack of money, not huge, but substantial if you are an athlete lacking cash. It seems that these very competitive people cannot just leave it at that. They have to make the biggest, most creative, complicated costumes possible, so that there is absolutely no way they could paddle in it. I am sure that they begin their plans for next years' costume the day after the contest. Below are some of this year's costumes.</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g1Rk6oHkjDI/TYam6ItgnxI/AAAAAAAAAbg/rzywbE0IFp0/s1600/despicible+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g1Rk6oHkjDI/TYam6ItgnxI/AAAAAAAAAbg/rzywbE0IFp0/s320/despicible+me.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FrTgad0ATEw/TYam85jA94I/AAAAAAAAAbo/Ni2jtLhRKTY/s1600/guys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FrTgad0ATEw/TYam85jA94I/AAAAAAAAAbo/Ni2jtLhRKTY/s320/guys.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6bGCrEdz3rg/TYam-RBWBnI/AAAAAAAAAbs/vmOS5Ib8OAg/s1600/hyrogliphics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6bGCrEdz3rg/TYam-RBWBnI/AAAAAAAAAbs/vmOS5Ib8OAg/s320/hyrogliphics.jpg" width="183" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VEsTqor6BWM/TYam_vNS-NI/AAAAAAAAAbw/Pb3C10Erwm8/s1600/pink.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VEsTqor6BWM/TYam_vNS-NI/AAAAAAAAAbw/Pb3C10Erwm8/s320/pink.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gQM3SSfAi2w/TYam7BUCBKI/AAAAAAAAAbk/kHWeHlcS_Nw/s1600/green.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gQM3SSfAi2w/TYam7BUCBKI/AAAAAAAAAbk/kHWeHlcS_Nw/s320/green.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right: 1em; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OiGYvvaj0Hg/TYalALcIgVI/AAAAAAAAAbc/4fjJisGKRnY/s1600/dd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OiGYvvaj0Hg/TYalALcIgVI/AAAAAAAAAbc/4fjJisGKRnY/s320/dd.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">These three always do their costumes in threes, (Snap, crackle, pop, Three blind mice, etc.) They may need an idea for next year so if you have one, let me know. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-79826777479073773062011-03-14T18:03:00.000-07:002011-03-15T16:51:13.761-07:00On-On!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sB-7a0yn_S4/TX63Htd7pvI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/XgDsbrCHZWc/s1600/me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sB-7a0yn_S4/TX63Htd7pvI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/XgDsbrCHZWc/s200/me.jpg" width="174" /></a></div><br />
I attended my first Hash House Harriers event on Sunday. This very odd event may be something I could do again mainly because it is bizarre and I am fond of the bizarre. Here is the definition of the HHH:<br />
<i>The Hash House Harriers (abbreviated to HHH, H3, or referred to simply as Hashing) is an international group of non-competitive running, <b>social<b></b></b> and <b>drinking</b> clubs. An event organized by a club is known as a Hash or Hash Run, with participants calling themselves Hashers</i><br />
<br />
This Hash was in honor of St Patrick's Day. We were to wear green, bring $3.00 and a beer. It's a bit like a scavenger hunt with beer being the prize halfway through. (alas, never saw it) You follow chalk marks and flour along the trail with back tracking and criss-crossing through the creek and the mud. When you come to an intersection it could be any which way so if you are ahead you may run awhile before realizing that this in fact is the wrong way and now of course everyone else has found the right way and now you are behind. In order to get some beer you need four people so there is no sense in running off alone. And it is not about being the fastest anyway,(of course if you read my earlier blog you know that I, like Charlie Sheen am all about <b>WINNING</b>) But this is about the beer and the food and the silly songs. (Originally it was about working off the food and drink from the weekend and to make fat old sods feel younger) Apparently you can travel the world and find these events with the songs and runs basically all along the same idea. That in itself is very cool.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3tNANbuh1LM/TX667WsYtcI/AAAAAAAAAaM/MZWFKs4CtT8/s1600/sperm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3tNANbuh1LM/TX667WsYtcI/AAAAAAAAAaM/MZWFKs4CtT8/s400/sperm.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLIIrYql8Uc/TX67S--BaYI/AAAAAAAAAaU/EKaB9l2jnLI/s1600/muddy%2Bshoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLIIrYql8Uc/TX67S--BaYI/AAAAAAAAAaU/EKaB9l2jnLI/s400/muddy%2Bshoes.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XUWy0G-BUME/TX67gFLWwfI/AAAAAAAAAac/_hbTDBiS2nY/s1600/kids.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XUWy0G-BUME/TX67gFLWwfI/AAAAAAAAAac/_hbTDBiS2nY/s400/kids.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
<b>It is good to go with kids, they have good eyes and quick legs!</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-esfrElQNLRo/TX67qwIE0zI/AAAAAAAAAak/acL8lE9rLKc/s1600/wrong%2Bway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-esfrElQNLRo/TX67qwIE0zI/AAAAAAAAAak/acL8lE9rLKc/s400/wrong%2Bway.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>This flour was the cause of some concern and the police to get involved as someone thought the white powder may be someone trying to poison dogs. It seems it might be better to use chalk in high traffic areas or you might end up in Guantanamo Bay!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwGKPMLJcYRTyUJHTs1dIppHGsdd2ZAxMgL28i-1xIvve7Phof5Kb7d8Fk64j4yfMWY9cVBdnZXGnLxIKHunA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>It speaks for itself!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-62561510082476570292011-01-23T12:29:00.000-08:002011-01-23T13:45:10.548-08:00Robbie Burns RunIf you can get out of bed.<br />
Figure out what to wear in minus 18 deg. weather<br />
Get to the start<br />
Run 8 km and don't stop until your done.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sTzlrqTyuNM/TTyOdxBh6FI/AAAAAAAAAV8/TTMd_LRvieI/s1600/P1010293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sTzlrqTyuNM/TTyOdxBh6FI/AAAAAAAAAV8/TTMd_LRvieI/s320/P1010293.JPG" width="162" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sTzlrqTyuNM/TTyO1yOIiBI/AAAAAAAAAWA/nzSrpa3fy5g/s1600/P1010296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sTzlrqTyuNM/TTyO1yOIiBI/AAAAAAAAAWA/nzSrpa3fy5g/s320/P1010296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then you get a steamy bowl of oatmeal and to feel like you did something.<br />
Or maybe you need some some Haggis-that infamous food of Scottish tradition. The ingredients include the sheep's pluck (heart, liver and lungs) as well as onion oats, suet, spices salt and stock. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sTzlrqTyuNM/TTyfeus7iHI/AAAAAAAAAWE/WMj01-sPD10/s320/haggis.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"><u><b><br />
</b></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513260214548879628.post-41883450958406620262011-01-22T18:15:00.000-08:002011-01-22T18:15:51.333-08:00Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (Book Review)<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sTzlrqTyuNM/TTuPQ3kSw6I/AAAAAAAAAV0/hHxljJdyT5w/s1600/514kygRAlRL._SL95_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sTzlrqTyuNM/TTuPQ3kSw6I/AAAAAAAAAV0/hHxljJdyT5w/s1600/514kygRAlRL._SL95_.jpg" /></a>This book, written by Jonathan Safren Foer is sad and funny at the same time. Written from the point of view of an intelligent, curious, young boy whose father died in 911 and following his search to learn more about his father. While hardly realistic, one is willing to suspend their belief in order to enjoy a good read.<br />
This is the authors' second book, the first; <i>Everything Illuminate</i>d, having won several awards. This book is slotted to be released in the theatres in 2012 starring Sandra Bullock, Tom Hanks and John Goodman.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14044943555058557373noreply@blogger.com0