Month: September 2017

Made it to Olga in Fishkill!

Pictures are not posting for some unknown reason. I lost 2 earlier posts, too, that just disappeared. At some point I’ll try to recreate them. Okay, I’m combining a lot here, a lot of fun. Papineau Park was quite amazing with stunning views, Pink lake (not the color but the prior owner’s name) and estate of Mackenzie King. Then to Gastineau, another estate of the most famous Canadian Loyalist. Gastineau was challenging to locate being assisted by a kindly gentleman telling me to go to Fairmont Chateau, get directions and gate code to enter, which I did. I walked the grounds, even though the interior of the buildings were closed. But, I opened a door which was supposed to be locked, to find a ranger who chatted a brief while with me. Then headed to Montreal and got so frustrated with traffic, rerouting, and my lack of recall of French vocabulary on all the signs only in French, I decided I would come back another time to explore Quebec and Eastern Canada. Over the bridge to the USA and headed to Women’s Rights NHP which is quite remarkable with 3 other outlying buildings and Seneca Falls Locks to explore. Then to Traynor family in Bemus Point for a great visit and Eileen & Roger’s for a great visit. Monday and Tuesday at my dear friend Olga’s for a visit. 

“Yours to Discover”, aptly stated on license plates for Ontario, describes Tuesday. I found, however, that Toronto was just toooo big to discover in a day; so, it’s on my bucket list to come back. On to Presqu’ile, where my wrong turn brought me surprised delight at “Big Apple” store which had a display of live animals. I had never seen a water buffalo-there were two. The two moved down to the edge of the fence. Shortly thereafter, a young goat jumped up on one of the water buffalo! Then he jumped off the water buffalo and over the fence on the visitor’s walkway! A younger woman and her mom kept the young goat within the area while I got help. Immediately after the goat was back in the fenced-in area, he went and jumped back up on the water buffalo, whereupon I called for assistance once again. That young goat is so agile, he jumped from one water buffalo to the other in hopes of jumping the fence again-that’s entertainment for me, for sure! I still chuckle to think of it!

Presqu’ile Provincial Park brought a discovery of my campground neighbor, Rhonda, as the likeminded, lovely gift of the Universe to both of us! Sure I went to the Beaches and the lighthouse, but the discovered treasure of chatting with Rhonda as the campfire blazed was a delight at an entirely different level-for which my gratitude reaches a deeper level. Bless your soul, Rhonda! And, Sandbanks Provincial Park does indeed have the softest sand ever with gulls everywhere! Discover a new joy today and revel in the delight!

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Norman Bethune’s mother was Elizabeth Goodwin. He married Frances Penney twice, they went separate ways and he wanted to marry her a 3rd time

Got the tent put away by 4:30 am, before the hard rains came down-hooray, since I don’t enjoy putting the tent away when it’s soaking wet, or taking it down in the pouring rain, either. First stop, Bethune Memorial House NHS in Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada. I arrived at 9:40, noticing that opening wasn’t until 10 am. A kind ranger came out to advise me that I would have time for a coffee down the way rather than just waiting. After thanking her, off I went, but found a Park by the water a few short blocks away to have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a plum from the rations I carry. I photographed some brochures I had. Then to Canada Post to mail a postcard and buy extra stamps to mail postcards to grandchildren later in the day. Back to Bethune site by 10:40. Dr Norman Bethune was a doctor and humanitarian of the highest order, known worldwide. He was born at this site in 1890. His father was a Presbyterian minister. His paternal grandfather (or was it great grandfather?) had begun the Presbyterian church in Canada.  There were b&w movies of Bethune’s taking refrigerated blood to military forces in Spain to save lives. He married, but then got TB which was a death sentence at that time. He recovered and remarried the same woman, Elizabeth Goodwin. He came up with a design for a necklace to assist in treatment of TB. He designed surgical instruments which he used. He assisted in China where he died at 49 from a cut sustained performing surgery from which his weakened state could not heal. The house displayed one Oriental chair which was original to Bethune, and the rest designed in period pieces. The displays had text in 3 languages-English, French and Chinese. 

Drive through Muskoka area, over the Severn Bridge and down Canal Rd, when a squirrel ran across the road. The squirrel was a very dark gray in color, as was another one I encountered much later on the day’s journey. The Mnjibaning Fish Weirs  on the map required a Google search to discover they are now called Atherly Narrows, over which Ontario 12 now passes, which Indians are trying to protect as their ancestors created these areas to catch fish many years ago. I headed to Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, which my GPS took me to a field and there were no signs for it, just a huge area of retirement villages. So, headed on Route 26 towards Craigleith Provincial Park, to discover Northwinds Beach where I could enjoy the cloudy, rainy day while taking in the Southern Georgian Bay scent, sounds, and sights. Rain is forecast again, so I forego any more beach activity I had planned on Bruce Peninsula to head towards Toronto. Holding onto the idea that rain is really liquid sunshine, but better sightseeing in a city than at the beaches when liquid sunshine happens. Enjoy the moment, each and every one of them ! P.S. Lynne McTaggart is hosting a Peace Intention Experiment from 9/30-10/5, online, if you want to participate you could Google it; it’s free!

Canal  was interesting but Fort was more interesting because the Rangers were well-informed and helpful! The rest of the day was spent driving through Ontario on TransCanada 17, taking in the sensory input that surrounded me. A sign said it best: “Become lost in the scenery”-it’s what I do! Lakes, rivers, rocks, trees, shrubs, mountains, valleys, bridges, birds, smells in the air, cat tails and Black-eyed Susans, grasses, the clouds, and today, thankfully, the sun! A boat in Bruce Bay was named, “Life is good”-I concur and hope you do, too!

July 2016 I started and completed the USA portion and today I completed the Canadian portion of the Lake Superior Circle tour-hooray! Lake Superior is the World’s largest freshwater lake AND it covers 10% of the world’s fresh water! It is clear, beautiful and feels great with sand that’s fairly soft and mostly tan in color. Indigenous peoples inhabited the area in both countries. Both countries had their own means of dealing with their indigenous peoples over the short and long haul. Canada appears to have retained much of the indigenous peoples nomenclature. Had it not been rainy and late, I might have hiked the trail to see the Agawa pictographs. A short distance away was Sinclair cove where I could picture myself basking in the sun on the rocks. The sand River was powerful and inspiring as the video shows, reminding me of the power we, as earthlings, have if we work together!  Katharine Cove had on display a piece of art on the sand path to the water of one of the artists of the Group of Seven that revolutionized art beginning in the 1920s. What inspiration artists  had in Lake Superior area with stunning views in every direction! I “oohed” and  “aahed” my way through the journey even when it was raining! 

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MN is the happiest State, as I read in my email link this morning-and here I am, happy in the happiest state! The campground hostess, Joy, is a delight to chat with, which we did for quite some time! Then I continued on the Lake Superior Circle route through Duluth, Grand Marais, etc. to Canadian customs, which was unpleasant and time consuming. Sending love to the Customs official whose search of my car, leaving quite a mess, gave me a personal challenge. Proving I had the financial wherewithal to cover expenses for the maximum of 18 days I planned to be in Canada was at issue; but without internet connectivity, I couldn’t access my accounts to prove my solvency. Finally, I realized my American Express card has an unlimited credit line-so I called the phone number on Custom’s phone and handed the phone to the Customs official to verify unlimited credit line. Whew! By 5:50 I was on my way. Tomorrow headed to Amethyst Panorama in Shuniah!

Amethyst Panorama open from 10am- 5 pm and I arrived at 10:05, leaving at 4:30 pm. Amazing! Not just huge amethyst on display with single crystals the size of my fist, but  acres of land loaded with amethyst and crystals. Just once it rained, even though foggy and overcast all day. Oh the rocks, their beauty and uniqueness overwhelming me! 

Drove  route 11/17, with stunning views the entire way, to Penn Lake Park in Marathon, where I spent the night of rainstorms to arise, shower, and be on my way to Pukaskwa Canadian National Park just a half-hour away. Rain is forecast for today and the weekend-rain gear with umbrella are ready. Enjoy the blessed day!

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Enjoying Blessings of Friendship with Jason Heaps and Karen&Scott Butler in Aspen and Colorado Springs, respectively-such fun! I did soaks at Glenwood Hot Springs on Wednesday-the hot springs pool holds 1,078,000 gallons, the largest in the country! Then Thursday spending the day with dear Jason with breakfast in Aspen watching hummingbirds even visiting at our outdoor table, drive up Smugglers mt, dipping toes in Creek while viewing silver flakes/dust, sitting by the lake, walking and out to dinner in Basalt with Jason’s lovely lady-I ate a delicious elk meatloaf! Thank you, Jason!

Friday morning driving through Independence Pass to routes 24/25 to Colorado Springs to spend a fun time with delightful Karen & Scott Butler and their daughter Heidi. Eggplant and pizza with lots of pleasant conversation and laughter, amid their dogs Rhett & Scarlet. Then Saturday out to Sandy’s, a delicious & down home eatery for over 40 years, for brunch and fun times. God bless your souls, Karen &Scott and Heidi, too-love you!

Today’s road trip was AMAZING! It started with a rainbow! What an experience! A beautiful day for a 4+ hour ride, as the clouds were protecting us from the heat of the sun for most of the ride. This wasn’t the normal road trip, for sure! In the Wolverine Side-by-side on rocky, sandy, holey/bumpy trails; up and down mountain trails for around 50 miles with the newly successful driver, Stevie, at the wheel! Stevie’s husband was kind enough to ride with someone else so I could ride with Stevie-thanks Tommy! Six vehicles in our brigade. We saw ostrich, petroglyphs dating back to 5,000 years ago, a ghost town, hawks, long horn steer, desert flowers/cactus, juniper, mesquite, and mountains 360 degrees around. The rocks are phenomenal, too! I would never have believed we could ride over such terrain as we did; but, with the newly-expert driver Stevie, we traversed every challenge, not without some exciting moments! We crossed over Highway 40 and had some coffee, early on. The leader Jim was kind enough to remove a pesky boulder and warn of challenges as we went along. One of the trails we were going to take was closed because we could see a white pickup truck tilted over and resting in sand above its wheels! Whew-we made it safely back to the Colesanti home and relaxed/cooled off in their lovely pool. Thanks for the amazing experience to Stevie and Tommy-bless your souls always!