MullBain... The Hottest Summer I Can Remember

Good friends, good weather, and a great spot to meet... Wood Lake is about 20 miles east of Bracebridge. Our hosts John and Cheryl made sure it was one of the best highlights of our summer. We always have fun with them.

Before we left I spun up a big pork shoulder on the rotisserie. I cooked it for 7 hours in LOndon because I figured it would be so hot up north that we wouldn't want to heat up the cottage. I was right. We have had the most 80+ degree days that I can remember this year. What a summer!

Of course extreme heat always makes it possible to get a few thunderstorms but it couldn't put a damper on or fun.

We took an excursion drive a few miles to the Black River at Vankoughnet to visit the falls. The dry weather has reduced the river to a trickle compared to other pictures I have seen.

Above is an internet picture of these same falls, probably in the spring.

I couldn't believe it! Pete cast a rubber worm in and almost immediately reeled in a nice largemouth bass. Good going Pete.
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If Cruz Could Run - Why Not Me? I'm Canadian Too.

I might have even taken the VP job if I was asked.
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3 T's Tree Service (Trimming, Topping, Take-downs)

Our property was hit hard by the "Emerald Ash Borer", a terrible little bug that reputedly, originally, came over to USA from China in shipping pallets. They crossed the St Clair River into Canada a few years ago and have caused horrendous destruction, wiping out most of the beautiful Ash trees in our province. All the dead and dying trees must be taken down before they fall down and do great damage or injury.

It's been a headache that I have been procrastinating with for the past few years as the remedy could have been very costly to say the least. These are big trees that I can not cut down myself. The province has spent millions trying to eradicate the insect but has lost the battle. This means there will likely not be anymore Ash trees left soon.

Clarence came by a couple of weeks ago on his bicycle and knocked on our front door. I was a little skeptical when he wrote up the quotation on his little note pad:

The price was very low but I was relieved to see the 3 men on the job were actually very professional. Mostly self-taught I suspect, they claim to have worked on government contracts to cut down and remove these trees. I believe Clarence when he says they have many years experience with trees.

Clarence disassembles a dead ash tree. Not something I can do.

These are not little trees!

 Mike drops the limbs with precision. There was actually more than 12 trees if you count the multi-trunk clumps which they call one tree.

These country boys did the job for about the price of ONE tree if quoted by a name brand tree service. Tomorrow they return to clean up the carnage... I hope!  Well, I know they'll be back because I only paid them half of the money, and clean-up was included in the price.
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Rix On The Rocks in USA On A 90 Degree Day.

Over to USA to get the mail and essentials (cheap booze).

In the nice weather we like to go to Rix on the Rocks. A restaurant that used to be called the Pilot House. At the south end of the city of Port Huron MI. I don't know how long it will be here since it looks a little too empty for a Saturday noon. Hope they get a good dinner clientele.

The food, simple, while not spectacular, tastes great in the open air with a nice view of the river.

The servings are generous and they make a mean Reuben sandwich with fresh cut fries. The large pitcher of icy cold beer goes down well in this heat. For $35 for 2 with tip, it makes for a great lunch. CLICK HERE to view their page.
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Sleepy No Wake Zone

Bridgeview Marina is actually comprised of two marinas. The main part is where our condos are located at the north end. There is also another, smaller lagoon called the Guildwood (named after the Best Western Guildwood Inn that used to own it) at the southerly end. There is a meandering canal through a 9 hole golf course and grassy wetlands. This canal connects the two marina entities. It always reminds me of some place in swampy Florida, especially when it's 90+F like it's been lately. I snapped this "artsy" pic of a dilapidated sign about half-way along the canal on the golf course side. I'll call it my artsy picture for today. As usual, you can click on it to enlarge it.
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More "Shipart" - Artsy Pic for Today.

Click on the "objet d'art" to enlarge it.

This is an abstract view of the Sarnia refineries as seen from the US side of the St Clair River.

I created the picture using a close-up of the crusty, rusty sides of the freighter Algorail which has been tied up at the Sydney E. Smith dock all summer.

I superimposed a sillouhettish refinery shot and  - voila! My artsy pic for July.

Look at all the "art" on the sides of the Algorail freighter!

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Port Huron to Mackinac Island Race 2016

Click on any pic to enlarge.

Every year we enjoy watching the sail boats come up the St Clair River and head out a few miles for the start of the famous Port Huron to Mackinac race.

What turned out to be the winning boat Areté was tied up at our marina for the past two weeks as the crew readied her for the race. You can CLICK HERE to read the newspaper article about the record-setting win.
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44 Years...

Our anniversary today marks 44 years of wedded bliss. 
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Roller Derby Contact Game

"Donna Doyawanna" left and that's Erin, "Steelhead" #6 right.

 We drove to Petrolia on Saturday afternoon to watch Erin's first "contact" game. Up until now she only participated in low-contact events.

Too much action for my camera, all a blur.

Although it looks a little barbaric, the girls do it all in the spirit of fun and a party and sleep-over was held back in Point Edward at one of the player's houses. Since we are at the condo these days, we met Erin there on Sunday.

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Canada Day; a day set aside for us to reflect and appreciate this wonderful country in which we live. We parked at Doug's store on Wharncliffe and walked across the bridge to Harris Park.

There was an aura of excitement, pride and enthusiasm in our midst; the reason for my new-found patriotism I guess. My niece Sarah, and her husband Calvin flew all the way from South Africa just for today's event. As a scheduled part of today's celebrations 40 or so fortunate immigrants, including Calvin, were sworn in and became Canadian citizens.
 

Native Canadian dancers as well as representatives of a local dance academy entertain the crowd.
 

Politician Deb Matthews seizes a photo op with a native dancer. Politicians are all the same!

In the past, listening to hypocritical politicians dispensing their Pablum to the masses never appealed to me. But this Canada Day, more than any before, had more meaning to me and I actually felt the emotion of the thing. 
 

Erin dyed her hair bright red, especially for the event.

During the speeches, on cue, an impressive display was put on by four, vintage, Harvard trainers.  As they flew over a cannon was discharged and there was a very festive atmosphere. What a great setting for Calvin's "swearing in" ceremony!
 

Calvin raises his right hand with the other proud new Canadians as they take an oath and pledge their compliance with Canadian laws and obligations.
 

 Calvin signs and proudly shows off his new citizenship papers.

Calvin and Sarah pose with two Mounties at the colourful event.
 

Later we all drove out to Thorndale to the lovely home of Wendy's brother Doug and his wife Daphne's place where we all enjoyed a fine BBQ/dinner.

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Happy, Happy...

Erin bought me a new hat to keep the sun off the dome. What do you think? The red maple leaf kinda goes with my rosy cheeks. I'm told I look several months younger. Right on! Party time! Have a great Canada Day weekend.
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