It rained pretty hard when we left Marathon. Even a little hail thrown in. It rained very very hard as we drove east with some lightning and thunder thrown in. It took a couple of hours but we managed to drive out from under it. We stopped in Sault Sainte Marie last night. We took a trip over the International Bridge this morning and cruised through the American Sault Saint Marie. There was a ship in the lock, headed up river. Massive vehicle up close. From there we crossed back over into Canada and made our way to North Bay. We're going to Ottawa tomorrow. We're going to see if we can catch some of the Canada Day celebration.
Maybe not. There aren't any hotel rooms available in Ottawa. Going to have to wing it. We have reservations in Montreal starting on Sunday. Just have to figure out where to stay Saturday night.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Marathon, Ontario
We are in the bustling burg of Marathon, Ontario this morning. We've been following the upper edge of Lake Superior. Some wonderful views along the way. We even had to slow down because of a black bear crossing the highway. Kind of startling to come around a cornor and see a bear crossing the street. He must have been use to it, he didn't even look back at us, just headed off into the brush.
We spent most of the day driving. Nothing much to report today. Have to look at the map to see where we might end up this evening and what sorts of things there are to see along the way.
We spent most of the day driving. Nothing much to report today. Have to look at the map to see where we might end up this evening and what sorts of things there are to see along the way.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Lots of Bugs
Driving through Idaho and Montana we ran into lots of bugs. It sounded like heavy rain hitting the car.
International Falls
Lot of traveling, not a lot of time to blog. Here are some of the places we've visited over the last couple of days. More detail to follow....
Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump - Designated a World Heritage Site by the UN. Very interesting, all the detail that went into a sucessful hunt. And what they had to do to process the kill after to help them survive the lean winter months.
MooseJaw The Chicago Connection The end of the Soo Line railroad
Stopped at a Motel that had wireless internet connection, except for some reason we couldn't pick up the signal.
To Winnipeg. Drove through town and decided to move on. Stopped at a little motel along the highway. It was only later that we woke to the sound of trains passing on the other side of the highway.
Here we are in International Falls Minnesota. It turns out there are no falls here. They were covered up when they created Rainy Lake back in 1905. So, the second thing to see is the KOOCHICHING COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM and BRONKO NAGURSKI MUSEUM. I learned about Bronko as a youngster. Living in Milwaukee Wisconsin, learning about the history of the Green Bay Packer was part of daily life, just like eating. Bronko Nagurski was retired by then and living in International Falls. One of the NFL greats. A very very tough guy. The weather report on the local weather station used to report on the temperatures in International Falls. Always seem like the coldest spot in the country in the winter.
Having trouble with the pictures. I was able to post a bunch on Flickr Click on the bolded Flicker and it should take you to them.
We're headed for Saulte Saint Marie today. Driving around Lake Superior. Should be some beautiful sights. With luck, I should be able to post somemore tonight.
Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump - Designated a World Heritage Site by the UN. Very interesting, all the detail that went into a sucessful hunt. And what they had to do to process the kill after to help them survive the lean winter months.
MooseJaw The Chicago Connection The end of the Soo Line railroad
Stopped at a Motel that had wireless internet connection, except for some reason we couldn't pick up the signal.
To Winnipeg. Drove through town and decided to move on. Stopped at a little motel along the highway. It was only later that we woke to the sound of trains passing on the other side of the highway.
Here we are in International Falls Minnesota. It turns out there are no falls here. They were covered up when they created Rainy Lake back in 1905. So, the second thing to see is the KOOCHICHING COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM and BRONKO NAGURSKI MUSEUM. I learned about Bronko as a youngster. Living in Milwaukee Wisconsin, learning about the history of the Green Bay Packer was part of daily life, just like eating. Bronko Nagurski was retired by then and living in International Falls. One of the NFL greats. A very very tough guy. The weather report on the local weather station used to report on the temperatures in International Falls. Always seem like the coldest spot in the country in the winter.
Having trouble with the pictures. I was able to post a bunch on Flickr Click on the bolded Flicker and it should take you to them.
We're headed for Saulte Saint Marie today. Driving around Lake Superior. Should be some beautiful sights. With luck, I should be able to post somemore tonight.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Fort Macleod
We proceeded north to Glacer Nation Park. There was a lot of road work going on most of the way there. At times we were driving on temporary roads made of gravel. We stopped for lunch at this view point over looking Flathead Lake.
Shortly after that we became part of a convoy of vehicles behind a pilot car going over a streach that had just been resurfaced. That slowed us down as we went around the lake.
Glacier National Park was next. We took the Road to the Sun route across the mountains. We timed our vacation just right because the Road to the Sun is closed most of the time because of ice and snow. It opened completely on Friday, 23 June. This is a two lane road that winds through the park. Past the mountain lakes and up the mountains to Lassen Pass and over 6000 ft. That road was mighty narrow at times! But is was worth it. Spactacular views!
Shortly after that we became part of a convoy of vehicles behind a pilot car going over a streach that had just been resurfaced. That slowed us down as we went around the lake.
Glacier National Park was next. We took the Road to the Sun route across the mountains. We timed our vacation just right because the Road to the Sun is closed most of the time because of ice and snow. It opened completely on Friday, 23 June. This is a two lane road that winds through the park. Past the mountain lakes and up the mountains to Lassen Pass and over 6000 ft. That road was mighty narrow at times! But is was worth it. Spactacular views!
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Missoula Montana?
We made it out of town yesterday, finally, shortly before 11. Lots of last minute details to attend to. We hope we didn't forget anything that is absolutely necessary. We ended up taking both back seats out of the Rav4 for the extra room for everything. We don't have a kitchen sink, but it seems like we have everything else... Once we get on the road we made good progress. Up the Gorge to Boardman. It was a beautiful day for traveling, brigtht and sunny, nice view of the river most of the way. The river getting progressively higher and higher as we passed each dam. Each of the three dams was spilling water, hopefully enough for the fish to fight their way upstream to spawn. We turned right to Umatilla and onto Pasco. Another right heading toward Spokane. Lot of farm country. Miles and miles of fields being plowed. Not sure what crop is grown there, I'm use to fields of wheat and corn this time of year. Anyway, we hit Spokane right at 5:00 and Friday rush hour traffic. Wasn't too bad, never having to stop completely. Spokane is right at the state line. It didn't take but maybe an hour or so to drive across Idaho. We started to hit some hills and mountain passes there. Trees, lot of trees in that part of Idaho. Green! A welcome change to the brown fields and rolling hills with sage brush in eastern Washington. We stopped for dinner somewhere around St Regis and were pleasently supprised to find that Montana is one of the few states that doesn't have sales tax yet. On the way to Missoula, an engine warning light came on. Its the one that actually looks like and engine. The owners manual said that basically, something is wrong, take it to a dealer to have it checked. Great! Just what we need on the first day of a driving vacation. The car still seemed to run fine, so on we went. Like we had much choice but to continue and hope it wasn't something serious. We got to Missoula, found a hotel and checked in sometime after 10 (Mountain Time, one hour later than Pacific Time) This morning we found the only Toyota dealer in Missoula and took the car in. Normally they only do oil changes on Saturday, but they found somebody to plug the diagnostic module into the car and run the tests. He noted some error codes and went off to find out what the problem was. It seems that there are a couple of sensors before and after the catalyst part of the emission control system. It seems that the information they were sending to the car's computer wasn't what was expected. So it turned on the warning light. It's ok to drive. It just might be letting out a bit more than it's suppose to in the exhaust system. What a relief. Considering what could have happened.... We thanked the mechanic profusely and were on our way. North to Glacier National Park and on to Canada.
It's late. I will post more in the morning. But first. I have to show these pictures of our winshield. Going through Idaho and especially through Montana we drove through clouds of bugs. Huge bugs. Lots of Bugs. Bugs committing suicide on our windshield.
At times it sounded like heavy rain hitting the car. This is what it looked like in the light of morning
It took a bit of elbow grease to clean that off!
It's late. I will post more in the morning. But first. I have to show these pictures of our winshield. Going through Idaho and especially through Montana we drove through clouds of bugs. Huge bugs. Lots of Bugs. Bugs committing suicide on our windshield.
At times it sounded like heavy rain hitting the car. This is what it looked like in the light of morning
It took a bit of elbow grease to clean that off!
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
The excitement is palpable
It just isn't that often you get to use a word like "palpable", you have to exercise every opportunity.
palpable \PAL-puh-buhl\, adjective:
1. Capable of being touched and felt; perceptible by the touch; as, a palpable form.
2. Easily perceptible; plain; distinct; obvious; readily perceived and detected; gross; as, palpable imposture; palpable absurdity; palpable errors.
Only a day and a wake-up until our vacation starts. Three weeks worth. It has been almost 20 years since I've taken that much time off all in one streach, other than being unemployed, that is. Last time it was a trip to London, Paris and Washington DC. The capitols of three of the worlds most powerful countries. Quite a contrast. Old world vs new world. But that was then, this time, we are going on the grand tour. Up into Canada, turn right and drive until we hit Montreal. Visit with the family then head south to Atlantic City,take another right and drive across mid America. Lots to see along the way: America's Biggest _______ (whatever....)
It's getting down to the final preparations. One more load of laundry before we can pack the socks and underware. Three weeks is a lot of clothes. I've been filling the ipod with music and audiobooks. We have the electric cooler for the car, to keep the liquids and snacks cool and fresh. It's hard to remember everything... camera, binoculars, laptop, books, magazines, asprin and assorted pills and medications, maps, umbrellas, jackets and sweatshirts. We even have a couple of collapsable chairs just in case we need somewhere else to sit. Q-tips, dental floss, nail clippers. All that good stuff that you have at home but want with you on the road if you need it. So much to remember. So much not to forget.
palpable \PAL-puh-buhl\, adjective:
1. Capable of being touched and felt; perceptible by the touch; as, a palpable form.
2. Easily perceptible; plain; distinct; obvious; readily perceived and detected; gross; as, palpable imposture; palpable absurdity; palpable errors.
Only a day and a wake-up until our vacation starts. Three weeks worth. It has been almost 20 years since I've taken that much time off all in one streach, other than being unemployed, that is. Last time it was a trip to London, Paris and Washington DC. The capitols of three of the worlds most powerful countries. Quite a contrast. Old world vs new world. But that was then, this time, we are going on the grand tour. Up into Canada, turn right and drive until we hit Montreal. Visit with the family then head south to Atlantic City,take another right and drive across mid America. Lots to see along the way: America's Biggest _______ (whatever....)
It's getting down to the final preparations. One more load of laundry before we can pack the socks and underware. Three weeks is a lot of clothes. I've been filling the ipod with music and audiobooks. We have the electric cooler for the car, to keep the liquids and snacks cool and fresh. It's hard to remember everything... camera, binoculars, laptop, books, magazines, asprin and assorted pills and medications, maps, umbrellas, jackets and sweatshirts. We even have a couple of collapsable chairs just in case we need somewhere else to sit. Q-tips, dental floss, nail clippers. All that good stuff that you have at home but want with you on the road if you need it. So much to remember. So much not to forget.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Good Friends
A nice day, today. A bit overcast this morning for my walk with Bailey. Not too hot, not too cold. Here is a nice rose we saw along the way.
The color is a bit washed out. I have to figure out how to fix that in the pictures I take with my camera phone. That or else start taking the regular camera with me. This was the best of the lot of the flowers we saw. Most are a bit past peak bloom now, starting to wilt and droop.
We took Max, the local lightrail, downtown with some old friends this afternoon. Our destination: Hubers for a light snack and libations. Max dropped us off a block from Waterfront Park. There was some sort of festival going on, lots of people, food vendors and live, loud music. We didn't find out until later it was the Get Your Pride On, a celebration of "diverse" life styles. We headed to Hubers to relax and visit. Fred is under going chemo and radiation therapy to combat a recently diagnosed aggressive cancer. He had several lumps removed from the lymph node area under his chin a couple of weeks ago. Several more started to grow but it appears the radiation has beaten them back, for the time being. This is the second strike for Fred. He has been fighting lymphoma for years with some success but this latest is a new cancer. Fred has been losing weight because, as the doctor says, the cancer is eating him up. He has a dietitian working with him to try to maximize the number of calories he eats. He doesn't have the best of appetites now so when he does eat they want him to pack it on. As you might imagine, his spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, literally. He's got a bum leg because of a knee wound that knocked him out of the Vietnam war. He relies on his cane now, more than ever. And he's been carrying it around for years. It hasn't always seemed like was needed in the past. In the end, a good time was had by all. There were lots of interesting characters from the Pride celebration to observe on the ride home. It is simply amazing all the different ways humans can (and do!) express themselves.
Next week at this time we will be on our way to points east! It's time to do some serious packing and planning. Making lists of things to take, things NOT to forget. We have a small electric cooler that plugs into one of three cigarette lighter outlets in the Rav4. We will have cold drinks and healthy snacks along the way. This is really getting exciting. We are still working on the route to Montreal. More homework with the road atlas!
The color is a bit washed out. I have to figure out how to fix that in the pictures I take with my camera phone. That or else start taking the regular camera with me. This was the best of the lot of the flowers we saw. Most are a bit past peak bloom now, starting to wilt and droop.
We took Max, the local lightrail, downtown with some old friends this afternoon. Our destination: Hubers for a light snack and libations. Max dropped us off a block from Waterfront Park. There was some sort of festival going on, lots of people, food vendors and live, loud music. We didn't find out until later it was the Get Your Pride On, a celebration of "diverse" life styles. We headed to Hubers to relax and visit. Fred is under going chemo and radiation therapy to combat a recently diagnosed aggressive cancer. He had several lumps removed from the lymph node area under his chin a couple of weeks ago. Several more started to grow but it appears the radiation has beaten them back, for the time being. This is the second strike for Fred. He has been fighting lymphoma for years with some success but this latest is a new cancer. Fred has been losing weight because, as the doctor says, the cancer is eating him up. He has a dietitian working with him to try to maximize the number of calories he eats. He doesn't have the best of appetites now so when he does eat they want him to pack it on. As you might imagine, his spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, literally. He's got a bum leg because of a knee wound that knocked him out of the Vietnam war. He relies on his cane now, more than ever. And he's been carrying it around for years. It hasn't always seemed like was needed in the past. In the end, a good time was had by all. There were lots of interesting characters from the Pride celebration to observe on the ride home. It is simply amazing all the different ways humans can (and do!) express themselves.
Next week at this time we will be on our way to points east! It's time to do some serious packing and planning. Making lists of things to take, things NOT to forget. We have a small electric cooler that plugs into one of three cigarette lighter outlets in the Rav4. We will have cold drinks and healthy snacks along the way. This is really getting exciting. We are still working on the route to Montreal. More homework with the road atlas!
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Flew the Coop
This is the guy thats been living in the rafters under out our deck. He chose today to try out his wings, or else is parents "gently encouraged" him to leave the nest. He found his way to the base of an overturned wheel barrow just out side our computer room. We watched his mom feed him berrys a couple of time before we went out and took pictures. He froze when we approached, just like he was still in the nest: If I don't move maybe they won't notice I'm here....
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
A Walk in the Park
Sunday was a very nice spring day. A bit sunny, a bit windy. Warm in the sun, cool in the shade, the breeze refreshing. We took Bailey for a walk at Dawson Creek Park. It's part of a high tech industrial area. A park with walkways, several ponds and a stream connecting them. All man made, several of the ponds have fountains in them. Ducks and geese abound as do the signs that they are NOT to be fed.
Several trees that form a canopy for a small bridge over the stream
The stream from the bridge and below, Bailey slacking his thirst, or reloading to make his mark on more of the park
I took all of these pictures with my camera phone. I'm not quite sure why the color is hosed. I need to explore the photo manipulation tools available to see what can be done. It's pretty neat to be able to whip a camera out of my pocket and snap pictures when you come across something interesting. Get a lot more pictures. Don't have to talk as much that way, just show them the pictures.
We are making our plans to drive to Montreal later this month. ROAD TRIP! We got a 1G memory chip for our regular camera so we won't run out of room. We've been buying extra batteries too. This is going to be fun! Our next door neighbor told us not to miss the Head Smashed In Buffalo Head Interpretive Center outside Fort MacLeod Alberta. How can you go wrong with a name like that? Going to take lots of pictures....
Several trees that form a canopy for a small bridge over the stream
The stream from the bridge and below, Bailey slacking his thirst, or reloading to make his mark on more of the park
I took all of these pictures with my camera phone. I'm not quite sure why the color is hosed. I need to explore the photo manipulation tools available to see what can be done. It's pretty neat to be able to whip a camera out of my pocket and snap pictures when you come across something interesting. Get a lot more pictures. Don't have to talk as much that way, just show them the pictures.
We are making our plans to drive to Montreal later this month. ROAD TRIP! We got a 1G memory chip for our regular camera so we won't run out of room. We've been buying extra batteries too. This is going to be fun! Our next door neighbor told us not to miss the Head Smashed In Buffalo Head Interpretive Center outside Fort MacLeod Alberta. How can you go wrong with a name like that? Going to take lots of pictures....
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