Not camping yet!

JANUARY 26th 2018.

Finally a really nice day.  Still cold, but almost beginning to feel like spring is around the corner - yes I know that is far too early - just wishful thinking.

We decided it would be great to take a drive through the countryside, and stop for lunch at one of our favorite spots.

It was quite windy along the way, and the fluffy snow was blowing around some.

You have heard us mention The Erie Bell many times.    Well here we are again.

Today the bar was quiet so it enabled me to take pictures to show you the place.

Those of you who have frequented our own little family pub - The Old Copper Kettle, will appreciate the clock they have in The Erie Bell.

Should you have a problem reading the time,  bring a mirror with you.

As you can see I have had no problem getting used to sitting on "the other side of the bar" - and enjoying it.

Once again, lunch was delicious.  If you ever get the chance to be in the Kincardine area we would recommend you make a stop here for refreshments.

After lunch we wandered down to the Marina.  A very cold, icy and snowy Marina. Naturally very quiet and deserted.

Opposite the Marina is The Lighthouse, which also houses a museum.

From there we made our way towards Lake Huron.

Yes, that is all ice.

You can see where the waves froze and more ice formed along the shore line.

Quite fascinating  and very cold.

And so back on the road heading home, after a great lunch and trip around the harbour and shore.

It was good to be out on the road again.

JANUARY 27th 2018.  -  You never know what is lying in wait for you.

It was another good start to the day.  Still sunny. 

About 11 a.m. Mike came in from the garage and said he wasn't feeling so good, and he had a lot of pain in his shoulder area.   By 11.30 a.m. I had driven him to Durham ER as it was obvious something was very wrong.

There was no hanging around and he was in a room very quickly.    Test after test and at least 5 EKG's in 3 hours.  The Dr. on call was very good and made conference call to St. Mary's in Kitchener.  Her thought was Heart Attack, although it was not actually showing so on the EKG.   Due to the not knowing exactly what was going on Mike was admitted to the hospital.   The actual heart attack came through the night, so it was a good thing he was admitted. 

Tuesday 30th Mike had to go to St, Mary's for further tests.   It turns out he had four blocked arteries. One was 100% blocked and the others were only 20% blocked.  None of them were main arteries.  So he lucked out and was told medication should do the trick for him - no surgery required.

He was allowed back home on Thursday March 1st.  That is when I was given a new job - now a Nurse.  Not good at that though.   However we managed just fine.

Naturally there has been many different tests and Dr. visits almost every week since.

Mike is still recovering nicely.

SUNDAY MARCH 18th 2018

After 6 weeks, Mike is doing very well.   We have another really beautiful day today.  Yes - it is very cold, but bright and sunny, so we decided we would take a nice country drive and enjoy ourselves.  It was about time!

We made our way through the countryside towards Collingwood area.

As you can see there is still a lot of snow on the Blue Mountain Ski Hills.

Due to the beautiful weather it was quite a busy area.

The ski runs were all busy, some very busy, some a lot quieter.

Most of the trails were busy too.

Still a lot of snow there.

There was still some ice around Georgian Bay.


And so we made our way back to Durham.

It had been really enjoyable day, and we are both hoping to do more days like this.






TUESDAY MARCH 20th 2018 

We decided we couldn't let the first day of spring go by without taking another road trip.   It was a great looking day, but extremely cold.  I put together a picnic lunch and we headed off to MacGregor Point.  Not camping yet - unfortunately - just a day trip.

The trail certainly had a lot of snow packed down.   However, the sky was so blue and clear it felt good to be outside enjoying it.

There was a lot of ice on Lake Huron.

As you can see Mike is doing well and enjoying the fresh air - regardless of the very cold temperature.

I braved the icy cold wind blowing off the lake and ventured to the edge of the shore line.

We were quite cold enough at this point, so headed back to the car for our picnic lunch'

After lunch we drove into Port Elgin and made our way to the Marina there.

That was deserted and very icy.

This side of the Marina had a lot more sunshine.

It was a really nice break and we were glad we did it.

We are still looking forward to the start of our camping season, as soon as the weather warms up a little.

I will get back to you as soon as I have more "stuff" to report.

You all have a great weekend and if I haven't got back to you before next weekend, Happy Easter to you all.

MAC GREGOR POINT

Wednesday October 18th 2017.                                                      166807

Fabulous looking day, although very windy.  Yes, it is that time of year when MacGregor Point is the place we camp, as there are not many parks open for camping at this time of year.

Due to our cool, wet summer,  and warm sunny fall, the leaves are falling from the trees, but not as colourful as usual.

Once again we were lucky enough to get our favorite #8 site.

All set up and having lunch by 12.15 p.m.

Luckily. although windy, the sun made it possible to sit outside and enjoy a wonderful fall day.    And that was where we stayed until about 2 p.m.   Then time to explore.

First stop, the Turtle Pond.    This time there was far more vegetation growing in the pond.    We do notice the pond looks different almost every visit.

There we no turtles or chickadees to be seen today.

Then on towards the Lake,  which,  due to the high wind,  was extremely choppy.

From there on to Sun Set Point.

The waves at Sun Set Point were so large, when they happened to break over one of the many rocks there it left a misty spray over the rock.   The wind was now blowing at

65 KPH.

 

                                                    The waves crashing on the rocks.

To get out of the wind we got on to The Old Shore Road Trail, which led us in to Nippising

Camp Ground, then on to the Deer Run Trail.   There were no deer today, just a few squirrels and a lone snake sunning itself.  The snake took off real quick when we arrived.   Not that I mind!

That lead us back to our camp ground, and that was where we spent the remainder of the day and night.

It was very windy all evening, but it did make for a very good campfire.

Thursday 19th October 2017

Nice bright sunny morning and not quite so windy.








This morning we decided to wander another section of The Deer Run Trail.

We could really see some of the fall colours here today.

Now the trail was covered in leaves.

There were not any deer,  but we did see two Grouse, a few squirrels and 4 humans.

This part of the trail takes us along what could have been a large farmland area many years ago.   You could see the remains of a stone wall, a large cedar fence and a huge apple orchard.  There were still apples there on the trees.

The weather was perfect for a hike like this,  and two hours went by real quick.

Made it back to #8 in time for a late lunch.  Then like yesterday we sat outside relaxing and enjoying the sunshine.

But the inevitable happened - itchy feet - time to walk again.

This time we did a shorter walk, starting  at, yes you guessed it - The Turtle Pond. 

The Chickadees were waiting for us today.

Along with the Nuthatch.

There were no Turtles.

From there we walked the Boardwalk around The Huron Fringe Trail. 

Usually this area is almost a swamp and water, and where we can hear and see lots of frogs.   Today, however, there was a tiny amount of water and a huge amount of vegetation, which was growing very thick.    So different to what we are used to seeing here.

And so we made our way back to our campsite.

As the sun began to set it got quite chilly.   Luckily the campfire worked as well as it did yesterday, so we were toasty warm sitting out around the fire all evening.

Another really great day.

Friday 20th October 2017.

Well, it's another great looking day, although quite cool this morning.   Not cold enough to eat inside, so breakfast was enjoyed outside again.

Today we head home.  We do have a lot left to finish around the house this weekend, as the weather forecast is for a very wet week ahead.

I know the yard will be covered with leaves, as it was bad enough when we left.

And so the Birthday Celebration draw to a close.  It's all been great.

                                                           --------------------------

As you all know it has taken me a while to get caught up with this blog, but unfortunately that was the last camping trip Mother Nature allowed us in 2017.

We have got a good deal of the work down around the house.  Including installing two new windows in the living room.   

So glad we managed to get that done (and we did it all ourselves)  as it kept us a lot warmer when the temps dropped to -33c and lower.

 

Now we are planning on this year, 2018, camping trips.   2017 gave us a lot of camping adventures, who knows what is in store for us in the coming year.   Fingers crossed it is all good.

Catch you then!

Tuesday October 17th.2017

Today is my birthday.  It's a real nice day too.  So Mike and I are cruising the local countryside.

First stop - Eugenia Falls.


The last time we were here there was hardly any water at the falls.

Due to the recent rainfalls, it is extremely pretty right now.

The ravine is very deep, and you cannot see the bottom.

It is almost like standing in the tree tops.

Back to the road and on to the next destination of the day.

Which will be Walters Falls.

We have never been to Walters Falls, so this is a new adventure for us.

As we pull into the parking lot it looks to be very impressive.

The "Gazebo" looked really inviting.

If you have never been here,  it seems it could be a neat place to explore.  There is a wonderful looking Inn - Walters Falls Inn.

First stop here for us was the Mill with the large water wheel.

Then on to the Falls.

                                          We could just see the bottom of this ravine here.

It was well worth the visit.   We will return.   Now, however, it is time to enjoy the countryside on the way back home.

Elijah, Natalie and Mario are joining us for dinner.   Too bad Vince, Barb and Kayleigh can't make it.

I got thoroughly spoilt, and it's been a great Birthday.   NOT over yet.   Mike and I are camping tomorrow to conclude the Birthday Celebrations.   Catch you there.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Niagara Falls  -  The start of my birthday celebrations - October 12th

              70 years!!!!



Cannot believe I am this old, well almost this old.   A few more days to go.   
But no complaints.
It's all been great fun.

So today we are celebrating at Niagara Falls with Natalie and Elijah.

My 70th Birthday Picture.

Horseshoe Falls.

U. S.  Falls

Natalie, Elijah and myself.

The guys offered to pay for me to take the Zip Line across the Falls.

(No this is not me)

I declined the offer.

I told them I hope to return when I am 80!

Clifton Hill always looks good.

So much to see, so much to do.

The Maid of the Mist.

We all had a great time, and I can't thank them enough for making it all happen.

More Celebrations to come!!!