Wendy has the table all set for lunch. Too hot to eat outside.
With temperatures rising above 33 degrees Celsius (90F) and very little breeze with high humidity it felt like 100F. We were expecting guests for lunch and a boat ride so we spent the morning with chores and errands. By noon, as planned, Greg and Patricia (from London), and Jim and Judy (from Grand Bend) arrived but it was so hot in the sun, we couldn't sit outside. We headed to the condo and completed our lunch in air conditioned luxury. It's this kind of weather that makes a summer, but also proves the worth of an A/C Unit.
A small cruise ship, Clelia II passes us going up-river with Sarnia in the background.Click hereto read about Clelia II
Patricia (left) Judy, Greg, Captain Jim at the helm and Wendy. Click the picture to enlarge.
After lunch we moved down to the dock and boarded the Phoenix. I had started the A/C earlier so the cabins were nice and cool and provided our guests with a spot to stay cool until we were able to get under way and then the breeze off the lake took over and we enjoyed a nice 3 hour cruise out on Lake Huron and around Sarnia Bay and Port Huron Michigan. . . .
This weekend we drove 220 miles from Point Edward up to Orillia to watch our good friends John and Cheryl participate in two very strenuous events. Cheryl was doing a triathlon swimming 750 meters, then riding her bike 33 km, and if that’s not enough, finally running 7 km. John, not a floater or a great swimmer, was biking and running in a duathlon (run 2km, bike 33km then run 7km) I could never, even when I was young, do any of these so I was amazed that they still had the energy left to host a barbeque party the afternoon after this early morning race. They started the contest at around 8:15 and were all finished before 10:30.
We had reservations for a room at the Quality Champlain Hotel right downtown, close to the waterfront park and all the action.
Saturday night, before the big race, we enjoyed a sumptuous meal at Theo's Restaurant. From left to right - Wendy, Cortney, John, Cheryl, Tim, and Jeff (Cortney and Jeff are members of Cheryl's running club). Pete and Donna had an evening wedding to attend so they couldn't come.
The lot with all their stuff is called the ‘transition’ and it’s where they change from one part of the race to an other. A light drizzle has little effect on this race and may be better that sweltering heat.
I timed things wrong and missed a great shot of John and Cheryl at the finish line - together!
Cortney and Jeff pose together after the event.
There isn’t really a lot to see on a race that covers miles of open country, but we enjoyed seeing them when they got back. I think just being around this energetic gang helps Wendy and I keep younger, at least in our minds.
John enjoys some energy food, peanut butter and jam on a pita.
Wendy, Teresa, Ed and Me after a long lunch at Studabaker's. (note: spelled with an 'a' unlike the car 'Studebaker') (Mariposa 'guitar art' in bg) Click any picture to enlarge.
Since we figured John and Cheryl would be resting after the race, I invited my old high-school buddy Ed and his lovely wife Teresa to come over from Wasaga Beach to join us for lunch at the beach bar Studabaker's Beach Side Bar and Grill, 211 Mississaga St. E.
Ed had read my blog last year (see blog Orillia from last year) and said if we ever come back to Orillia we should let him know. Of course I had their house special 'Pint and Pound'. A pint of Coor's light and a pound of wings (10). I must say they rank right up there with the best. They offer over a dozen different sauces and also battered or plain.
I was actually worried that I couldn't keep a productive conversation going for very long. How much could we have in common, being out of touch for so long? Wendy hasn’t seen Ed since 1971, and I since a school reunion 15 years ago, and neither Wendy nor I had met his wife.
Obviously I was wrong about running out of things to talk about. Three hours went by in a flash and there was still more stuff to cover, but as it turned out we ran out of time. We hit it off as if we only missed a few months and his wife Teresa was great. The meeting ended with all of us vowing not to let years pass without linking up again. I promise!
Above, John and Myron ham it up at the barbeque. Below, Wendy, Barry and Holly.
Bye bye - Donna (tonight's non-sipping dd) driving with Francis and Pete riding. (kids in back with their dad)
Off to the BBQ at John and Cheryl’s. Pete and Donna were there along with Donna’s sister Francis and her husband Myron, with their two children, and Holly and Barry from Waubaushene. Tall tales abounded and the steak and scallops were superb, cooked to a turn by John and Pete and aided by John's new digital read-out thermal fork. Lots of drinks and talk.
We're not sure about a fall cruise this year since Cheryl and John are off to China, Pete and Donna are working and Holly and Barry haven't solidified any plans yet. Apparently Chris and Deb have already boked a 7-day Caribbean. Maybe we'll wait 'til spring???
John and Cheryl live in Toronto but have a condo in Orillia. Pete and Donna and Francis an Myron live in Orillia and as I mentioned, Ed and Teresa live in Wasaga Beach.
All in all we had a great weekend, in spite of a little rain. Departing at 9:30 am, I set the Garmin GPS on 'shortest distance' and took a long (5 hr) scenic drive back to Point Edward on Monday arriving without incident around 2 pm. . . .
There ought to be a law… And nowadays there likely is!
In our complex world with high paid lawmaker politicians, it seems every elected official feels compelled to “leave his mark” by introducing some new legislation. I for one have had enough of the micro-management of government.
Because there are so many laws covering each and every minute aspect of one’s life, the danger; as I see it, is that everyone has been forced to be “a criminal” one time or another. There are so many laws that I doubt there is anyone, other than a new born baby, that hasn’t intentionally or non-intentionally broken some law at some time. If there are so many laws on the books that many of them become unenforceable, then more and more of them will become disregarded. Once, everyone is in the habit of breaking trivial laws, it becomes easier for that person to break yet another more serious law. Criminals don’t make great citizens.
People should be persuaded to “do the right things” by education, encouragement and positive reinforcement rather than police enforcement. Of course there are always some people who “don’t get it” and do things that are dangerous, irresponsible or encroaching on the lives of law abiding citizens. But there always will be those types, regardless of whether or not there is a specific law against what they are doing. Usually some broader law is already in place to cover these eventualities. Leave it at that!
Our country was settled by people who had had enough of the oppressive laws of Europe and elsewhere and came to North America to start over. Unfortunately, we have few places to go this time so let’s all press for less government and take control of our own lives. . . .
FLOATING A PLAN: Participants float in Lake Huron on Sunday afternoon as part of the Float Down. It was estimated more than 1,000 people participated in the event.(Times Herald photos by WENDY TORELLO)
BEERS TO YOU: Participants float down the St. Clair River on Sunday afternoon during the Float Down.
WATCHING THE TUBE: Pam Harrin of Yale gathers tubes on the sand Sunday afternoon at Lighthouse Beach in Port Huron during the Float Down in the St. Clair River.
One of our favorite places is the Fanshawe Pioneer Village on the outskirts of London, Ontario. We often come here to see our friends from Orillia, Pete and Donna perform their War of 1812 reenactments. Today the ceremonies were not at all acrimonious as we were invited to a lovely wedding ceremony for Christine and Mark in this picturesque and peaceful setting. Although very hot and humid, the rain stayed away all day and the overcast sky allowed good, shadowless photos. (More to follow - check back) Later that evening, the bride and groom's parents hosted a lovely reception at the Delta Armouries Hotel downtown. The groom's great-uncle Bill (77) is a real character and sure can kick it up as you can see in this video. His dance partner Cindy is no slouch either.
"It's not sanctioned, but the annual float down event in Port Huron is still expected to happen. There is no official organizer, so marine officials and the U.S. Coast Guard have no idea how many people might jump on inner tubes and other makeshift floating devices and make their way down the St Clair River to Marysville. St. Clair County Sheriff Marine Division Lieutenant Dennis Maurey says they'll be keeping an eye on things. More than 22 hundred people have signed a Facebook page, indicating they could take part in Sunday's impromptu event this Sunday. Last year, over 6 thousand people took part, but dozens didn't make it all the way to Marysville. Some had to be rescued after developing hypothermia or drifting into the shipping channel while others suffered alcohol related problems."
You can click here to read my blog entry about the float down from last year. I thought they banned it after last year but I guess thanks to Facebook, thousands are planning to go. I plan to take the dinghy or the Phoenix out to watch. Stay tuned for pictures etc soon.
I was curiously amused earlier this month when, on returning from my Tuesday feast of half price chicken wings, I saw a small group of people gathered in front of my dinghy at Sarnia Bay Marina. (If you’ve been reading my blog, you will know that I use the dinghy to ‘commute’ from my slip in Bridgeview Marina to Stokes By The Bay on Tuesdays and Thursdays.) I was amused because it is rare to see the ‘general public’ on the docks since there is a ‘controlled access’ door restricting use to registered boat owners and their guests. They always let me tie up for dinner, I suppose because my home marina is affiliated and has the same manager, Dave Brown.
You can see the old Thompson 27 and the back of Captain Brill. I took this picture Aug. 3
On this particular evening I could see that this motley group of tourists, complete with Styrofoam coolers and picnic baskets were waiting to board a scruffy looking old Thompson 27 motorboat which had, I noticed, for the past week or so been moored near the end of ‘A’ dock. This is a spot normally reserved for transient yachts. Any time I happened to see this boat it was being attended to by a black man wearing a crisp white captain’s shirt, complete with gold epaulets. On other visits I‘ve seen this handsome captain and one time he held the door for me as I returned to the marina. As I left the marina this time noticed that the boat’s registration number was foreign so I snapped a picture. I assume the number C154130N is a Caribbean registry since it is not Canadian or American.
Here's a close-up of the registration number. See the blue ropes tied to the rail?
Obviously this man dressed in a captain’s garb was taking people out for charter on his tired looking old boat. "How does he get away with that at a municipal marina?" I mused. "Probably has no license and no insurance." I speculated.
I never thought too much more about it until last Wednesday August 4th I heard a ‘low emergency’ call come in on the marine radiotelephone. “Pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan. This is Captain Brill. Over.” “Captain Brill, this is Sarnia Coastguard Radio. What is your location? Over.” “My location is a finger dock at Sarnia Bay Marina. Over.” “What is the nature of your distress? Over.” “The nature of my distress is that the harbour master has asked me to leave the marina. He has called the police. I have no money, no fuel and no place to go. I was hoping that the coastguard could advise me of a place to tie up. Over.” After some waiting the girl on the radio returned to the air. She said “I have spoken to my superior and must advise you that the Coastguard does not have any docking facilities and this is really not a coastguard matter."
After an hour or so I decided to take the dinghy over to Sarnia Bay Marina and see if Captain Brill was still there. On my way over I saw the OPP patrol boat leaving the government dock area over by the grain elevators and PaddyFlaherty's restaurant. (this is where Captain Brill's boat was found) I continued on to Sarnia Bay and saw that the old 27’ Thompson had left. I looked around the bay but didn’t see anything, so I figured Captain Brill must have moved on. Knowing that he had no fuel I figured he’d just drifted away down the river.
This morning I saw the news article on the internet and my Captain Brill story is nearly complete. I doubt I’ll ever see him again but I’ll watch for more news coverage and post it here. (In the news picture you can still see the blue ropes tied to the rail.)
Bye bye Captain Brill
Sarnia Police don't think there is any criminal element linked to an early morning incident at Sarnia Harbour. A 27 foot sunken pleasure craft was discovered, with its bow pointed skyward just before 6 am. The incident and task of raising the power craft to the surface has been left to the Harbourmaster.
I'm asking the same question. I've been at the condo most of the month and my camera interface to my computer has been down. So.... I have quite a few pictures stored up and I'll attempt to add some to the July gap. Let's just say I've been busy doing nothing. Sorry!
Still alive and well though. Hope you are having a great summer. Where DID July go? Check back in a few days.
One of my favorite yearly car events is the huge show at the Fleetwood Farms Mansion on the outskirts of London Ontario, hosted by owner Steve Plunkett. Click here for more details.
I love to cruise my 1948 Oldsmobile along listening to the radio tuned to an oldies station. I tell people the amazing tube radio only receives the classic old music of the past.
Click on the picture to enlarge Sixty-two years old, this '48 Oldsmobile predates me by one year. I think it has more original parts still working than I do and it certainly has fewer wrinkles. I keep it over the winter in heated parking at our condo near Sarnia. I anxiously wait until all the salt in rinsed off the roads before I venture out.
A few years ago this grand old 1948 Oldsmobile won "Best of Show", first place in the Canadian Oldsmobile Summer Nationals held at Fanshawe Park in London Ontario.
Here's my Oldsmobile later on the cover of the Oldsmobile Club magazine. I was at the Oldsmobile Summer Nationals held at the Plunkett mansion in 2007. Click to enlarge.
I’ve enjoyed this “art deco” example of 1940’s styling for 13 years having purchased it from the Guelph area. I believe it came from Quebec. I love my Oldsmobile because of the unique period styling. Walt Disney had a Model 66 and his cartoon characters like Donald Duck sported a stylized cartoon version of the convertible model of this very car. (although I never realized it as a kid) The only time I’ve ever seen one almost exactly the same was when I drove mine over to the hundredth anniversary of Oldsmobile at LansingMichigan back in 1997.
The post war models, were very popular and in high demand with a lot of them produced. The body sheet metal was shared by Chev and Pontiac. However since the grill was in such high demand by the custom car guys of the fifties, these cars disappeared relatively quickly from the vintage car market. Postwar examples such as this are becoming increasingly rare.
This Oldsmobile model 66 is equipped with a 4 speed Hydramatic automatic transmission coupled to a 238 cu. in. L-head 6 cylinder engine. As a remarkable show of appreciation in the states, General Motors offered a new Oldsmobile equipped with the revolutionary Hydramatic automatic transmission free to any returning war amputee. This was the first automatic as we know them today, first produced in 1941. During the war, they were coupled with Cadillac engines and used in army tanks. The experience GM had with the military versions, gave them time to work out the bugs and this strong gear changer went on to be used in the Allison division in medium and heavy trucks. A strong transmission indeed!
Except for paint and some trim items and replacements like tires, this car is completely original and in showroom condition. An older "frame off" reconditioning has preserved this spotless beauty so that you might enjoy it for many years to come. Although it was recently professionally appraised conservatively at $26,000, you can own this lovely 1948 Oldsmobile at a price well below the market value. Proudly enjoy this vintage Oldsmobile for only $20,995 but don't wait until someone else makes an offer.
Please click the comment button below to inquire. I'll be glad to answer any questions you may have. Leave your email address and we can schedule a time when and where you can view this incredibly beautiful survivor from the past.
Note: I will never publish or reveal your email address to anyone.
If you or someone you know would like to try fishing in Ontario waters for the first time (or the first time in a long time), circle the week of July 3-11, 2010 on your calendar. For those nine daysonly (12:01 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday), Canadian residents can enjoy the fun of fishing in Ontario without a licence during the annual Ontario Family Fishing Weekend.
All other regulations, fees and limits will apply
You must abide by the conservation licence limits set out in the current Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, available from fishing licence issuers, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, or online. For example, your limit on walleye and trout, may be two instead of five or six.
Events related to this special weekend will take place across the province. . . .
It was a warm weekend albeit a little rainy at times when Erin and Jake arrived after noon on Saturday. In conjunction with her job with the St Clair Region Conservation Authority, her mission this weekend was to find some minnows of various varieties to place in the public aquarium in Strathroy. Our daughter never ceases to amaze me, so I hid my skepticism of her ability to catch darters with a small bug catching net that she brought with her.
Picture from: Field Guide to Birds of North America
In her quest for little fish around the condo docks, she came across a young Common Grackle that had somehow crashed into the water and was drowning. It was making an attempt to swim but because of the continuous seawall around the condos, there was no place to exit the water. Erin scooped the poor dying bird up with her bug net. She called the owner of Salthaven, Brian Salt on her cell phone for advice on how to resuscitate the little urchin who was now making a clicking sound indicating the bird's imminent expiration. Erin has worked as a volunteer with Brian for several years.
Erin took the bird up to our condo and with the use of a hairdryer, a space heater and some window screens created a warm environment for the now dry little bird in the bathtub of our lower bathroom. She kept the bird there all night with the light off to try to calm him down and allow him to regain his strength. Sunday morning to our amazement the little thing was still alive and to even Erin's surprise, flew from our balcony to a nearby branch, said "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" and flew off as if nothing ever happened.
We spent a few hours on Sunday in the dinghy (in the rain) mucking along the banks leading to the Guildwood lagoon. Our efforts to catch minnows with a net proved ineffectual even for Erin so she chalked that up to experience, with me promising to check out dip nets next time I'm in USA at Gander Mountain. We spent an enjoyable time in spite of the rain and as Erin said
"Summer's too short to let a little rain dampen your fun." . . .
I asked around and no one seems to know why the Americans would set off a truly extravagant fireworks display at exactly one week BEFORE the fourth of July. The elaborate and very costly display was paid for by Acheson Ventures and is presented from one of Acheson's properties near the Bean Dock on the US side of the St Clair river. My daughter Erin had an explanation for why it is early but first a little background on the man who paid to orchestrate this magnificent show that lasted nearly an hour.
James C. Acheson
As his grandfather was inspirational as an inventor and a protègè of Thomas Edison, so Dr. James Acheson is inspirational as a leader in the arena of community giving. Dr. Acheson ran his family's 90 year-old global specialty chemical firm, Acheson Industries, Inc. for 20 years before establishing the philanthropic organization, Acheson Ventures. A man whose generosity and love of community prompted him to spearhead unprecedented initiatives for the South side of Port Huron, Michigan.
Erin tells me that because Jim Acheson's birthday is the week before the 4th of July, the fireworks are set off early. In fact, the story goes, one year he was actually fined $150 for setting off fireworks on a day other than the 4th of July contrary to local bylaw. He said "It's my property and I'll do what I want." True or False? . . .
The rain was holding off for the annual Sarnia Street Machines car show and shine in Centennial Park. My friend and condo neighbor Gary came with me from Bridgeview in my dinghy. We left it at Sarnia Bay Marina while we checked out the 500 or so beautiful cars.
A nice '57 T Bird with Sarnia Bay Marina in the background
We ran into another friend and neighbor George who had come over on his bicycle.
I was quite taken by this whimsical, cute, custom hot rod. Click the pic to enlarge.
