Highlights from our California Trip -Part One

In eight days we did the round trip to Eugene, PUC, Sacramento, Roseburg, Marysville and home again.  People think we are crazy not to take a plane and rent a car... but we have a car... and what is better than a couple of days with your sweetheart on a road trip?

Waiting in line at the US/Canadian border I saw this cute little vehicle advertising the checkerboard guy.  When I got home and checked him out he does a lot of entertainment shows... like on cruise ships.

We had dinner the first evening with cousin Janice in Eugene... and then drove on to Roseburg yet that day.  This is the second time we have met her at P.F. Changs to eat... and again failed to take her picture.  The best I can offer is the horse at the entrance to the restaurant... Lovely horse, eh?  Shirley wanted a photo of it so she could draw it.

Our GPS routed us on a shortcut thru the backroads from Winters thru Lake Berryessa and Pope Valley to Angwin, where we planned to have dinner with Duane and Mary Cronk.  But first we had to stop for Shirley to take pictures of the sheep in Winters... which reminds me of this brunette joke.

This blonde was tired of all the hassles of being blonde, so she went to the beauty parlour to have her hair dyed brunette.  On the way home she passed by a field and saw the farmer out there tending his sheep.  So she stopped and asked him, "If I could tell you how many sheep you have here in this field, would you give me one of them?"


The farmer replied, "Sure."  So the brunette went back to her car, took out her calculator and added up all the legs of the sheep, divided by four, then came back to the farmer with her answer.


"You have 314 sheep here," she told him.  So the farmer told her, "go ahead and pick out one the sheep."


The next day the farmer came to the home of the lady and knocked on her door.  When she answered the door he said to her, "If I could tell you the natural colour of your hair would you give me my dog back?"

At the east end of Lake Berryessa was this Monticello Hydroelectric Project... built in 1986 for 17 million dollars.  Looked like a good deal to me!

It was such a lovely afternoon, we could have spent it all easily taking pictures along this road to PUC.

The grass was greening the hills, and the trees were starting to come into leaf.  What an idyllic setting for a home... but we had to stop stopping to take pictures if we ever hoped to get to PUC before dark.

As soon as we arrived at Cronks and made our greetings to everyone, Lorne, their son invited us to join him on a walk.  Perfect!  After many hours in a car we needed some exercise.

He took us on a trail behind PUC on college land and told us about how his dad had been active in saving this property from being sold for development.  It was a marvellous place to hike!

As soon as we returned we all went to nearby Calistoga to their favourite restaurant... Checkers.  I thought Duane and Mary looked great for their age... and we had such a delightful visit together.  It was just like we had never been apart.  Duane, who spent most of his life in Public Relations and writing articles for the engineering and construction industry is the publisher of their local community paper... the Angwin Reporter.  Check it out to see current photos of the wild turkeys on the hill.

When I was a student at PUC Duane came one day to the Art Department and talked to the art professors asking if they could recommend a student who could do photo darkroom work for him.  That is how we met... and for the next three years I did a variety of projects for Duane... even silkscreen printing of corporate brochure covers.  Above are some post card photos that Duane brought back from one of his trips to Europe.  I framed them up many years ago and have had them in my office ever since.

"The best things in life come in three's, like friends, dreams and memories."  


And I can say that I made some good friends, surpassed my wildest dreams and have the best memories of my time at PUC and my working for Duane and Mary Cronk.

Not to be Stumped

The last day before we headed out to California, Shirley went to Victoria to see a doctor... and I took on the challenge of removing a huge stump.

On the front of the tractor is the reward for six hours of hard work and persistence.  Pretty huge, eh?

The trick to winning this challenge is to cut off every root around the stump and one at a time I pulled them out using either my tractor or a one-ton chain winch... which is attached to a nearby tree.

Cutting roots with a chain saw is hard on the chain... but I power wash all around the root where I plan to cut... and this helps a lot.  By pulling out each root, it is then easier to go deeper around the base and expose more roots.  I did this until I could not find any more roots.

After I had cut off all the roots I could see, I knew there was still the centre tap root that would be very tough to expose and cut.  So I attached my chains to a root in such a way that when I pulled it caused the stump to start to rotate and twist off the tap root... much like a wrench gives leverage to untwist a nut off a bolt.

I could not pull the chain winch more than a couple of links before it was too hard to move... so I attached the tractor with another chain and would give a little slack and jerk the tractor back to try to shake the stump a little.  Then I could pull the chain winch another couple of links.  I would repeat this method probably 20 times, each time gaining a little more until the stump was loosened such that I could ram it with the tractor bucket and lift it out.

In the upper right corner of the picture is the chain winch attached to the tree... and you can see the pressure washer on the walkway above.

Next to the tractor is the pile of roots I had to pull... likely 10-12 of various sizes.

Another trick that helped was to attach a small chain to create a "V" to centre the pulling load for maximum power.

There is a lot of satisfaction in wining the battle over a stump... and not being stumped!  This is the second large stump that we have taken out this winter.  The other was a cedar tree stump next to the driveway just inside our front gate.

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.  Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.  Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.  Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.  Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.  The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race." -Calvin Coolidge, 30th president of the United States (1872-1933)

An Afternoon in Victoria

As soon as we had finished our essential shopping... Costco, Staples and Home Depot... we did a few frivolous things that we seldom take time to do.  We loved the IMAX Arabia so much, we went back to see it again.  

In front of the IMAX/Museum building I was amazed to see several trees ready to burst forth in bloom!  Only a few blossoms were starting to open... but next week I think many of Victoria's streets will be pink.

When we stopped at the Wharfside for some fish and chips... it was raining pretty good.  And then it stopped and the sunlight sparkled in the raindrops on the glass.  Photo by Shirley.  To see more of Shirley's creative photography click on this 365Project link.

We were sitting right next to the outdoor patio... and were pretty happy to have a dry table inside.

We enjoyed our view of the harbour, the parliament buildings and Robbins parking lot... but the most delightful was watching the float planes come and go as we ate.

Walking back to the truck on this pedestrian street, you can see it is "off season."  Soon it will be busy with tourists... but today I took a minute to be a tourist and took a picture of my sweetheart.

With almost an hour to burn before the Red Art Gallery event, we headed out to Oak Bay to check on the progress of the new Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

It was after five so all the workers were long gone... but as you can see the second story is coming along nicely... which couldn't happen until three stories of underground parking were completed.

The huge crane works steady all day...  but enjoys a little break at the end of the afternoon.  It knows there is still a lot of work before this project is completed.

It will take more than a year before we can sleep here... but it is good to see things progressing.

Not far from the Hotel site is the Victoria Golf and Country Club... and what a dramatic ocean view it enjoys!

As the sun was setting the clouds were catching the last rays of the day.  I am looking forward to an invitation to golf here!

Last week we received an invitation to attend a special opening of the new Red Art Gallery in Oak Bay, thanks to Bobb Hamilton,  an old realtor friend from Kelowna days, who now lives here and is married to the artist.  Just to see this invitation is worth the click.  This is a photo I took of Marion Evamy at her gallery last evening.

I first became aware of Marion's work a couple of years ago at the Sydney Community Center Annual Art Show... where she won "Best of Show."  I really love the feeling that radiates from her work.  If you are at all interested in art you will want to click here to check out her website.

We only had a few minutes before catching our ferry home last night... and in all the years we have been going back and forth, this is the first time I stopped to take a photo of this handsome totem pole in the lounge area at the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.  I love the detail and the design.

I never cease to be amazed at some of the shots I get with only my little iPhone.

Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally used up and worn out, shouting '...MAN,what a ride!' 
George Carlin 

TGIF Grateful List

What a week!  I have so much to be thankful for... and besides that it's Friday!

I am thankful for my sweetheart!  Shirley Ann is the happiest person I know... and she is always so encouraging to everyone.  She can find something good in almost any situation.

I am grateful that Shelby and family were home last weekend... we had such a good time together.  They had never been to Edith Point, which is one of favourite places to go hiking.  It was cute to see how Lucy could use a sore elbow to negotiate a free ride on her dad's shoulders!

I am always grateful for a picnic lunch... and on this sunny but chilly day we found a sheltered spot at Edith Point where we made almost all the food disappear.  Even Beatrice helped... with her longing eyes she wooed us into compliance and was generously rewarded.

I am grateful for photography.  Isn't it wonderful how today everyone has a camera.  If you have a phone today, you almost always have a camera.  And it is so easy now to share our photos.  Here Shelby is doing a semi-professional photo shoot of his eldest daughter, Maizy... while Beatrice is nudging up with her request... "Take my picture too!" For more photos and humour check out Shelby's blog.

I am grateful for Maizy, our eldest grand-daughter.  She is growing up so quickly!  And what a talented artist she already is.  I bet she drew a dozen pictures while she was with us last weekend.  There were so many on the floor at one time we considered how nice it would be to paper the floor with them.

I am grateful for Lucy, who is now seven years old... and so full of life and energy.  There is never a dull moment when she is around.

I am grateful for the snow... grateful that it was on Mt. Baker and not on Mayne Island.  This past week I was able to use the power washer on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to take the moss off the driveway.  Wednesday my power washer was frozen and wouldn't start, so I just pulled it into the workshop and put a little cube heater on to it for an hour while Shirley and I had our walk.  When we got back it started with no problem and in spite of it being minus two C. I power washed another section.  

Meanwhile just 18 miles away in Victoria they got six inches of snow and traffic was snarled up on the Pat Bay Highway.  We never got a flake!  Mike at Trio Gravel Mart told me today it took him two hours to drive six miles to work yesterday. 

I am grateful for the curiosity of young children.  Would it be that we would never lose this quality.  Here our grand-daughters are peering with wonder into a hole in the base of an Arbutus tree, wondering if Mr. Racoon or Mr. Rabbit might have it's home there... careful if per chance they might fall in and have an "Alice in Wonderland" experience.

I am grateful to have my MacBook Pro now operating with Windows 7!!!  Rob, the Apple rep at Future Shop help me with the install today.  When we finished I was so happy to see the Windows log come up on the screen... but the Rob didn't want me to make to big a deal about it... he didn't want me drawing the attention of nearby customers to see such an aberration in their store. 

So why did I do it?  The stock trading platform I use is only available for a conventional Windows operating system.  The final straw in making the decision to go with a Mac this time was it had to be able to run the trading system software.

I am grateful for the way MacBook handles photos... and now that I have got used to it I am just delighted how slick and quickly one can crop, straighten, edit and fix little things on the photos.  Anything with photos is a dream to work with now... it makes doing slide shows a delight.  As my kids would say, "I've been drinking the Kool Aide too long."

      

I am grateful for a delightful afternoon in Victoria.  After getting my computer set up with Windows, Shirley and I went to IMAX for a double feature Arabia" and "Horses."  Since we have seasons passes, we just have to get our money's worth, right?  Both were awesome photography and interesting stories.

There was just enough time to go out for a special three-course dinner before catching the last ferry home.  This was our first Groupon Coupon that we have used... and at a very nice place... the Black Olive on Pandora Street.  

The trip home was longer than usual... the route tonight went to Galiano first before coming to Mayne.  But the time went fast when you can spent it on the computer.  I am very grateful for having 3G sticks... both Shirley and I were able to do a lot of blogging as we travelled home.

The Quote of the Day:  

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy: they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." -Marcel Proust

Tell me... what are you grateful for today?

Michael Palin... A Travelling Entertainer

Thanks to NetFlix we have become raving Michael Palin fans.  It started by viewing his Pole to Pole BBC series.  We loved it so much we hated to see it come to an end... so we then went with him on several more travelling adventures.

This 8-part series starts at the North Pole, and follows the line of longitude 30 degrees east as close as possible all the way to Antarctica.  Filmed in 1991 Michael uses every possible different form of transportation possible, starting with a ski plane, then an icebreaker, trains, ferries, buses, taxis and ending with a dog sled trip to the south pole.

It is interesting to see all the different cultures, in Finland, Russia, Turkey and the Mediterranean.  In Africa down the Nile... the pyramids, Ethiopia, Lerata, Kenya and Lake Tanganyika.  A witch doctor warns him of an "evil shadow" following him and shortly after he cracks two ribs whitewater rafting and misses the only boat from Africa to Antarctica.  To what lengths will he have to go complete his trip from pole to pole?

Michael sets himself a daunting challenge to circumnavigate the world in less than three months without flying.  It is amazing the cultures and frustrations he goes thru, missing travel connections and getting a week behind in the first three weeks.  The trip is plagued with problems, as well as fun stuff, like the unforgettable ceremony when crossing the International Dateline.  This 7-part series made me want to try to do it too... except take a little time to enjoy more details along the way.

We have seen several Everest expeditions... and in fact just saw a 6-part Everest -Beyond the Limit series with Russell Bryce that was exceptional.  But Michael's Himalaya includes more than just his trek to Base Camp One.  You get a real feel for the magnitude of this highest in the world mountain range as you travel with Michael thru Pakistan, India, Nepal, China, Tibet, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.

How much Michael Palin can a person take?  When we finished this incredible circle trip around and thru the Sahara I made a few mental notes of incredible architectural masterpieces I would like to personally visit... and I would think one could get some pretty good prices on hotels right now with all the unrest in that area... not to mention the free live entertainment and strife in the streets.

Michael Palin is such a gentleman in the travelogues it is hard for me to recognize him in his early days with the Monty Python boys.  So we dusted off a VHS relic and watched "The Meaning of Life."  I can see why it was such a hit with Shelby!  It fulfills every teenage boy's fantasies.  How can one understand the meaning of life without sex education?  There is a lot in this movie that challenges what you believe about life... and death.  Why are we here anyway?

I love the creativity of this piece of work.  Truly a classic!

I think this quote sums it up very nicely:

"Try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations."

My End of the Week Grateful List

After a week with very few sunsets, several snow storms, twice with hail... we were grateful to see even a modest sunset Friday evening.  I kick myself for not taking any photos of the snow this week, which melted almost immediately upon falling.

I am always grateful for the opportunity to be able to do rock work... and this week I was able to work outside four afternoons and complete facing some ugly concrete sono-tube post foundations for our sun deck. Again I regret not taking photos of the work in progress, but I took footings that looked like this...

and made faced them with sandstone to hid the round concrete footing.  It bothered me that the post did not sit in the center of the round foundation, so I cut part of the front edge off before applying the rock.

Here you can see all three posts that I did.  The rock curb in front will contain a planter with soil that will fill up the base of the middle post footing.  It was one of those fiddly little jobs that take a crazy amount of time to produce such a small area of rock facing.

This is my neighbour Jack's driveway off Heck Hill... where I have re-shaped it so the water now runs off it into the ditch instead of all coming across the intersection.

I am grateful to have a sweetheart who isn't afraid to drive our truck with a load of gravel... and this week brought two more loads back from Victoria for this driveway.

I have been keeping an eye on our neighbours place... Jack still lives mostly in Bermuda.  This week the  ramp onto the front step was replaced by a couple of small steps.  Later Jack plans to have a larger landing/step that will sit on the concrete house foundation and hide it.

Update on the Artichoke War... we are grateful for a victory!  Shirley picked up artichokes again this week at SaveOn Foods and at last the price has been changed... now $1.99 for the smaller artichokes... but not for the grand size that is in this photo!

We are grateful to have our son Shelby and family home for the long weekend.  Monday is Family Day here in Canada... except in Prince Edward Island it is called "Islander Day."  Check it out.  I like that... I think we could call it Islander Day too, don't you?

I am grateful for my daughter Sherilee and her faithfulness in consistently posting her Friday Night Grateful Moment every week.  I always look forward to reading it.

"Its funny that those things your kids did that got on your nerves seem so cute when your grandchildren do them."