January 28, 2009

Heading back for another vacation in Puerto Morelos



We left the Island in good time this morning crossing the swing bridge at 06:15 a.m.. The roads were clear until just North of Parry Sound where we ran into a light snow fall, the roads were somewhat snow covered and traffic was light. We stopped at the Parry Sound Tim Horton’s for a pit stop and liquid refreshment, we were surprised to see they were not busy, there were few customers and no one from the Island this time. Usually when we stop here we meet someone we know, but not today.

On to Barry we went to do some last minute shopping for items we needed to pick up for our trip and lunch. Those who have had the good fortune to eat at the Mandarin (Chinese buffet restaurant) will understand when I say we planned this meal since last year’s trip. Dwayne and Nancy told us how much they enjoy this place; we have been eating there ever since when passing through. Again we had another good meal, the salad bar was exceptional, I was going to make that my whole meal but couldn’t resist the temptation of all the other food just sitting there waiting to be eaten now could I?

What is a vacation without an adventure? You gota have something to talk about when you get back, right? We were leaving Barry at about 1:30 , traffic was slow due to the heavy snow cover and slippery conditions, as we were rounding the ramp to Hwy 400 the car skidded to the left of the roadside and over the curb – there we were side by each - stuck . Allan got out to shovel while I took his picture (he wasn’t too happy). Knowing we weren’t on the Island we didn’t expect anyone to stop but one nice man with a 4X4 ½ ton truck stopped and pulled us out. Before he came by though one car stopped, its driver was checking to see if we were ok and asked “Do you have a cell phone?” Allan answered “Yes”, the man nodded and then drove away. Who were we to call and where would we find the number???? Toooo Funny!

That was the highlight of our day – with the exception of travel conditions the rest of the trip from Barry all the way to Buffalo. The roads were heavy with snow and traffic was very slow because of it. For the next 5 hours we traveled 40 sometimes 60-80 kph. There were times when the edges of the road and sometimes other vehicles were too close for comfort – there was not much steering in places, the snow just took you where it wanted. Miraculously there were no accidents; we didn’t even see a fender bender along the way. Traffic never stopped, it was a steady slow pace all the way. We arrived at the Best Western in Buffalo at 6:35, had supper at Max’s just next door and called it a day. It was a long one, but we were grateful that each of us and the car survived the trip in one piece! Another good day!

THIS WAS OCTOBER 2008 ON MANITOULIN

We have had a beautiful autumn this year, the fall colours have been just out of this world!

We took 5 of our Grandchildren and a friend of theirs on a hike through McLean's Park the weekend before Thanksgiving. The had lots of fun hiding on each other along the trail by hiding in a natural ground hollow and covering themselves with leaves then when the rest of the group would catch up they would jump out of the pile of leaves and scare them. What great fun they had. The times memories are made of. Lady wanted to uncover them while they were hiding so Grandpa had t keep her busy until the joke was played.

In this photo you can see the trails are many and they are well marked out in the bush for walking and mountain biking. Several people from this area use the park. It is 100 acres of bush land that have been donated to the Township of Assiginack for the purpose of recreational walking trails.

Here they are on their way - I am taking the photo; Allan is in the lead and there are 5 kids with the dog in this photo - seems we are missing one - where do you think he is??

Perhaps here you think? You are right - this is the other one hiding in the leaves.

A group photo - they are really happier than some look

McLean's Park is on the New England Road off Highway 6, South of Manitowaning, this is a very pretty section of the Island

The kids were just awed with the colour on this tree

They were also interested in the colour transition on several of the trees such as this one above, many of its individual leaves had all 3 colours of green, yellow and red on them.

Lady has another friend, she came with the Grand kids for a week-end

We did crafts again - a favourite pastime both at camp and at our house

They convinced Grandpa to give them one last marshmallow roast before winter sets in, you can see the weather was cool but not cold enough to disrupt the party.

This looks like the marshmallows were finger licking good!

Sooooo Gooood Grandpa!

Here is our 5 year old enjoying chocolate dessert

After her fill of chocolate she decided to pretend she was a turtle.

I have a chest full of old costumes and other items, whenever the Grand kids come to visit they always like to get dressed up. Here is the bride and her bridesmaid. I am in the background fixing the waist band on the bridesmaid's pj's.

This is the lucky groom

The 3 year old is looking ??? and saying does it get any better than this?

We made a visit to the farm one day, this is our acrobatic Grandson enjoying his climb

The 3 musketeers in the granary

After a good Thanksgiving dinner Clint fell off to sleep, Gadget took full advantage of a nice soft warm spot for a little nap too.

Lady carries her dish sometimes - here she is be looking for her Thanksgiving dinner.

Allan's Garage is coming along - he is now putting in the large doors - they came in a do it yourself kit. No one has offered to help with this task so he is on his own with this one.

We went to the camp early one morning in mid October, here we could see the white frost on the grass in one of the fields on our way

It was a lovely morning - notice the fog on the water

The whole day remained calm and sunny, this was taken in late afternoon

This must be the year of the garage, Dwayne is building one as well. Here he is trowelling his cement.

A little extra in the load allowed for a new step to be placed at the back door of his house, or is it the front door - I am never too sure.

Now that the cement has set up the work really begins.

But Dwayne now feels it is time for a well deserved rest, he and 2 of his friends head North for a Moose hunting trip. These guys never travel light, this truck has 3 Four Wheelers and a trailer, the truck cap is full and...

Dwayne is taking his trailer along with our slow burning stove. They put up a plastic shack and light the wood stove to dry out their hunting cloths - so they say.

Wes, Dwayne and BJ heading out for the big hunt. They came home empty handed but had lots of stories to pass along.

Allan and I went back to Michigan and met with our "U"pper friends again between the 23rd and 27th of this month, we had another enjoyable time with them. Allan did several odd jobs for them during that time that they needed done before the winter sets in.

This time we saw several deer in their back yard

and the wild turkeys were still there

On our way home on the 27th we came upon the results of a snow storm just before we turned off Hwy 2 West of Engadine

We had clear skys most of the way home except for this section of highway, we did have some snow fall while we were driving though here but nothing too severe.

Some people have skeletons in their closts, we have monsters - luckly they only come out once a year - on Hallowe'en

Do you see the family resemblance?
He is so sweet - and to think he is all mine!

Well here we are at the end of another month and all is well. I had lazer eye sergury done on my left eye to repair a hole in the retina last week, and now I am like new again. This brings me up to date with news from our house, so until the end of November do take care,

Keep smiling,

Anne

Update to September 30th, 2008

Man, this retirement life is a busy one, there are so many things I should be getting done before winter sets in but I just can not seem to find the time to get to them... And I was afraid of being bored when I retired – the joke is on me.

Following the making of our maple syrup we removed the old siding and windows on a rental house here in town. Dwayne gave us a hand - that made the job go a lot faster. The house took on a miraculous change from white with orange trim to a nice grey blue with white trim. Our 4 year old Granddaughter chose the colour, it is one that is not common in town and the tenants are really happy with the new colours... We still have the garage siding on this property to do, it was supposed to get done this fall but Allan is now working on his own garage at our house so the rental unit will have to wait until next spring.

Our garage is coming along quickly, just Sept 23 we had the cement floor poured and on Oct 6 they completed the roof shingles. Dwayne is helping on his days off and our retired neighbour Walter is working with Allan on a daily basis. Allan is really pleased with his two efficient helpers.

Oh , and we put a split rail fence around our patio at the house and a new water system in at the camp this summer as well (to replace the stolen pump from last fall) , so you can agree, we have been busy. For the past few years we have been making a list of things we needed to do at home and the camp when we retired, now we are working on it. You could call it the bucket list I guess. We are not near finished with the original list and it is growing! I hope the money doesn’t run out and we live long enough to finish it!

Entertainment was high on our list of things to do at the camp again this summer, along with the usual dinners with summer friends and neighbours we held a small party to celebrate our retirements and 40th wedding anniversary. It was well attended and we all had a great time. A special thanks to Denise who catered to the event, it took a load off us not having to set up and clean up!

I had my 59th birthday this year and got myself a present, something I have been wanting for the past year. She has a tail, 4 legs and a furry body – I gave her the name “Lady”. Yep, I got a puppy, she is now 5 months old, spayed, adorable and weighs about 50 pounds – I think she is going to be a big dog, You are probably asking “What was your first clue?” She is a mix of Samoan Husky and Black Lab

In August we visited good friends in Escanaba and Bark River, Michigan for a few days, while there we visited the Fayette Historical State Park and Kitchitikipig State Park.
I have included some pics of the day trip but if you would look to see and learn more on these just type in the park names to Google and voila. We enjoyed both parks very much and would recommend it to anyone who is travelling in the area.

Now that fall is here it is my hope to be able to keep this blog updated on a more regular basis, so we will see how it goes. Do keep checking in from time to time to see what is happening in this part of the world.

I am including some pics to let you see how we spent our summer. If you wish to enlarge the pictures to get a better look just put your cursur on the picture and left click you mouse.

Take care and keep smiling, it makes people wonder what you have been up too!

Anne

A Pictoral Review of the Summer of 2008 at the Elliott's

This is the Micheal's Bay Road house prior to new siding and windows

This is the transformation - notice the Township has laid a new sidewalk in front of it as well. NICE don't you think?

Here is the new garage - see their supervisor Lady in the bottom left corner of the above photo?
from the inside
this shows its proximity to the house - 30 walking steps to the back door of the house.
Dwayne and Walter on the roof
Lady still supervising and looking happy with the progress














Our 4 yr old Granddaugher and Grandpa playing Frisbee, is Grandpa going to catch it?

This is the result of a week-end at Grandma and Grandpa's

Even Lady is wiped!

Lady and her best friend


















The new rail fence around our back patio

We planted Virgina Creeper to grow up and through the fence to aid as a visual barrier from the street
The 2 youngest of our Grandchildren her picking haws with their Great Great Aunt so she can make Haw Berry Jelly

Here they are again taking a rest under a cool maple tree after picking haws on a terribly hot day













This is Allan picking haws for us, I made 2 batches of Haw Berry Jelly for the first time ever. Our youngest Grandson just loves it on toast with peanut butter


















We were fortunate to be invited to a private performance of the Elliott Family Circus with Ring Master and Trainer both on hand to make us feel welcome.

It was an awesome experience seeing a skeleton dancing let me tell you!

Lady following her surgery - no chance of her having puppies now

A visit with great friends and relatives Bob and Edith
They serve a great dinner!














We attended a wedding in September, here is the mother of the bride and a good friend of her's kicking up their heels with delight that the event went off well

Allan having a dance with the Bride
The bride in a joyous moment
The Groom, Bride and Mother of the Groom



The next few photos are of Kitchitikipig State Park in Michigan

This boat/raft is pulled from one side of the hole to the other


















Another view of the boat/raft


















The water is so clear you can see to the bottom - it is 45 feet deep and 45 degrees F








If you look close (in the bottom left corner) you will see fish. This view is taken from the centre of the boat/raft. You stand around a railing and look down. Really neat!



In some areas you can see the springs that feed this large deep hole, where the water comes up there is usually a swirl of sand that draws your attention to it.

Another view

















These next photos were taken at the Fayette Historical Park in Michigan



Iron ore was brought here from Escanaba by boat to make pig iron. The company started to work here in 1864 and by 1891 the furnaces closed due to cheaper production by using coal. The fuel previously used was charcoal which these people made from local hard wood. At this time the village of Fayette became a ghost town except for the hotel, tourism and commercial fishermen.

The government purchased the property in 1959 and turned it into a State Park.

Remains of docking facilities


















The Company Store


















The Local Hotel

Here we are with our Northern Michigan Friends at Herford and Hopps in present day Escanaba - an excellent place to eat!

This is what they get to see regularily in their back yard - wild turkeys - these birds come by for frequent visits to our friends home and to other neighbours in the area

4 of my Grandkids
having cool floats on my back patio
















Then a cool dip in the outdoor pool ; certainly nothing fancy but they seemed to think it was refreshing!















Allan caught an early morning sunrise on South Bay

Here are some bashfull friends at our 40th wedding anniversary/retirement party. They are really hinding their faces so you will not recognize them on their 'WANTED" posters

Some others caught in light conversation Denise - she looked after preparing the tables and the steak for us - AND ALL THE CLEAN -UP Great Job Done Denise!
My little princesses
I enjoy these two so much; they are first cousins, only a year apart in age and get along so well together. Allan and our 9 year old Grandson moving slabs for winter use


















The young man is learning how to chop wood much to his parents dismay!


















The kids and Lady at play


















We also watched Monarch Butterflies hatch

Then they were released into the wild















Due to lighting and colours it is difficult to see this one but, here we are on July 1, 2008 - we tie dyed shirts and wore Canada hats while we watched Allan raise the Canadian Flag in our Celeberation of Canada Day

We had several get togethers this summer with our South Bay neighbours
This is Davis with his suspicious look ( I don't think he trusts me - go figure!)

Shirley - always has a smile and enjoys political conversations - there has been lots of them this summer with the US election coming up
Bill - listening intently so he can make a sound decision and feel confident with his vote.Roy - below with his sly smile answering and guiding Shirley in the right political direction

This is Dwayne - he is not into politics
Mary Ruth - a great host and another good cook
Here are the 3 men in my life: Allan, Clinton and Dwayne

Our 2nd oldest Grandson and oldest Granddaughter took snorkling lessons this summer in their preparation for their trip to Mexico this winter. They will be snorkling on the reef in front of Puerto Morelos, since having had lessons we all feel more confident in their abilities and knowledge of the sport.
















We had brunch with Bob and Edith at Abby's in M'Chigeen.

The food, atmosphere and staff are terrific, I highly recommended that you go there.













Dwayne and the kids enjoying their new boat

Our youngest Granddaughter learned how to snorkle in the hot tub. Ya think she will be ready for Mexico?

Here they all go to Butterfly Hill in hopes of finding Monarch Butterfly caterpillars

Grandpa found some wild strawberries and oh they were so good While taking the kids back home we were fortunate to be at the Little Current bridge when it swung to let boats through
Here is my birthday gift to me; we had a difficult time coming up with a name - once the Grandchildren came it was not too dificult a task. The youngest is in love with Thomas and his trains - what else could a girl train be called but "Lady" Yep Lady is her name and she is our Thomas Dog. Here they are enjoying the hot tub again
Action below - trying to catch a fish - "God grant me the ability to catch a fish today sooo big that even I don't have to lie when telling about it!"No fish so were are the marshmallows Grandpa

These pictures were taken at the local museum

If only he knew what it really meant to have to pump and carry water!
















Where is the real flower?
















Our little 4 year old Granddaughter was the youngest participant at the dance recital. She is taking dance again this year and really enjoys it.

This is our 2nd oldest Grandson participating in a skit at the School Musical this year




































He was also in the choir that night



















His little sister was in a skit as well - not really sure she was comfortable being there though



The Rainbow District School Board held its annual retirement dinner again this year and there were 3 people retiring from the Island. Shown here are from left to right: Mark Olack, Heather Hutchinson, Allan Elliott and Board member Larry Killens who congratulated them and wished them well in their retirement





Here they are making birthday gifts for there Mother.

Dwayne and his family celebrating another birthday, I will
not say whose it is or how old he is either! Promise
Here we are with Bob and Edith at Red Lodge this spring

Look up, look way up at this big machine!

I'll soon have the hang of this! We were invited to a puppet show - very entertaining
Then we did some hand and foot prints for fun and framed them
The 2 youngest Grandchildren enjoying the tulips at the cenotaph
Our visit to the McDonald Farm in Mindemoya

















A new mom and her baby

Here are other moms to be waiting for the bid day in the maternity waiting ward


The new Dad for next year














It really is cow poop! Yuk! Don't they have a toilet to use?

Me with the farm dog - what a pet!




I hope you remembered to left click with you mouse on the photos if you wanted a closer look.