Still enjoying the warm sunny summer weather, outside, walkabouts, and chatting with more neighbors sure keeps us busy. Early afternoon I took the car to Strathroy and got our emissions test done, it passed so now we are good for another two years. Then back home to do some more reading in the shade for a while. It does take a while to read a book outside in a lot of campgrounds, people stop by to visit and chat, we sure get to meet a lot of people, not complaining.
Then its about time to fire up our Weber to grill a turkey breast, potatoes and zucchini for another tasty supper.
Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer,
since August 2006
Two days in a row and the weather is excellent, nothing much to do except enjoy it! And enjoy we did. Walkabouts, coffee, chatting with neighbours, relax in the shade reading our books, loving summertime and campin. The resort is pretty quiet for a few days leading up to Labourday the last long weekend of the summer we will savour every minute of it.
Late afternoon Maggie was out walking Mike and became thirtsy so they stopped by for a cold beverage and a chat. She's a sociable little dog.
Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer,
since August 2006
Another wonderful sunny warm day. Not a lot on the agenda today just coffees, computing, walkabouts and chat with neighbors. A quick trip to Forest for a few items then back home Suzie can sort the laundry while I walk it across to the machines.
While they do their magic we can enjoy our books in the shade, walking back and forth to check the machines and chat with a few people here and there, rver's are such friendly people. Our neighbor Trish had bought a Weber Q 100, just like ours and wanted to bbq a chicken, so I went over to just show her the simple process and she was amazed. Then before we know it its time to fire up our Weber Q 100 and for some baked potatoes, T-bone steak, fresh mushrooms and onions, broccoli and cheese a few large shrimp with garlic and a slice of beefsteak tomato.
so tasty
Now after supper we can read for a while as the sun is setting and the evening cools down a bit. Then Trish, Jordan and Maggie dropped by for a visit sitting around our propane fire to take the chill off. before calling it another great day.
Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer, since August 2006
107 miles today (173 kms)
Sunday morning, sunny and warm again but windy. Morning coffees, computing and walkabouts we take our time getting ready to hit the road. No rush, we don't want to get to Rock Glen resort too early on a sunday, we will give "the weekenders" a chance to pack up and move out so we will have a better selection of sites when we arrive.
Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer,
since August 2006
Today is our last day at Sturgeon Woods Campground and Marina in Leamington a nice new addition to our R.O.D. membership campgrounds. It has been great to spend the week with our friends, sightseeing, visiting, sharing meals, campfires and stories.
After this mornings coffee and computing, a bike ride around the campground by the marina, with a beautiful view and mirror images in the water.
Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer,
since August 2006
Once again its a sunny warm morning, coffee, computing, walkabout and a bike ride. Then a short drive to town, first stop is a vegetable stand for a small basket of huge beefsteak tomatoesonly $3.00.
After the tornado warnings, heavy rain and high winds overnight, this morning is sunny and warm. There appears to be no damage around the resort, other than a few small branches on the ground, so all is good.
We do love fresh fish, especially Lake Erie pickerel (or walleye as some people call them). And found out that we can go to Wheatley (supposedly the "Freshwater Fish Capital of the World"). Its only a short drive about 15 minutes away so shortly after 10:00 am we took a scenic route there.
Another sunny hot day and loving it, but very windy. Morning walkabouts and computing the seven of us decided to take a 20 minute drive to Kingsville and tour the Pelee Island Winery. Arriving in time for the 12 o'clock tour, we checked out the store.
Well today is sunshine and warm, a very nice day and we have nothing much on the agenda today. So can I take a deep breath and get caught up, we have been so busy (all this socializing is hard work and too much fun). I have not had time to keep the blog up to date. First thing in the morning I posted sunday, a travel day, new campground, and seeing friends we have not seen for a year. Got bikes down and went for a bike ride about the resort, its quite large and flat, nice for riding.
Then into town for a few groceries and back home, check with the other guys to see what 's happening then a bite to eat for lunch. Well they are going to do a bit of shopping so we can relax for a while Suzie reads her book and I can get our blog postings done to date. Finished editing the over 100 pictures I took, added a few words and got monday done. Now I feel better.
While doing this Suzie peeled a pot of potatoes for supper. Bill and Barb brought a turkey and their deep fryer, so we are having a potluck dinner tonight deep fried turkey. When they all got back from shopping we got together for a happy hour, with a few appetizers before putting supper together.
We put the potatoes on and sliced up the baguette, John and Wendy put together the green beans, broccoli, dressing and gravy. Bill fired up his fryer and put the turkey in.
turkey is cooking
Bill's fryer
This was a thirteen pound turkey and was completely cooked in 35 minutes. So tender and juicy, cooked to perfection and not at all greasy from the deep fryer, it was fried in 5 gallons of fresh canola oil.
all done
Bill is carving the bird
our feast
Now we have a feast, this rving lifestyle and really roughing it, but I think we can handle it. Now a bit of cleanup and put the leftovers away and get the campfire going. Such another warm and beautiful evening again. The skies were cloudy and looked like it might rain, but we made it till way past bedtime and no rain, John was getting dozy and so are we, time to call it another great day.
We like to pick on John.
And about the tornado that went thru Goderich on sunday. We left there a week before and were able the see the old downtown core once more before all the damage was done, it was so pretty there. Sadly there was one fatality and everyone in town has been accounted for. Two couples we know live there, the one couple received no damage but the other apparently had a few broken windows, a tarp over their roof and the shade trees in their yard are gone, they are shaken up but fine. For a bit of footage click http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/581752--goderich-devastated
Monday morning and another beautiful summer day. Coffees and computing then a walkabout stopped by John and Bills sites and we have a plan for today. Lets explore Point Pelee National Park. So back home we go have a bite to eat and back to their place.
Saturday was a great day in Plattsville, and after a chat and coffee with our hostess Lea on Sunday morning we are on the road shortly after 10:00am to Sturgeon Woods Campground and Marina near Leamington Ontario. This is a new membership park for us R.O.D. (Resorts of Distinction), we camp here free and are checking it out with two other couples we met quite a few years ago, in Lewiston New York. So 233 kms (144 miles) and three hours later we arrived at the most southern point of Canada.
Up early this morning coffees and computing. Had an email from mother that her motion sensor light, I installed the other day was not working properly. So a quick trip to Waterloo and check it out. At 8:00am the traffic on hwy 7/8 was backed up quite a distance, at least one mile, all heading into the New Hamburg fairgrounds for Moparfest (Canada's Largest All Mopar Car show) with almost 1,600 Chrysler product vehicles in attendance. We have been many times, but no time this year.
lotsa traffic
At mothers I checked out the sensor light and it was not responding properly. So I returned it to the Home Depot and exchanged for another (last one in the store). Back to ma's reinstalled this one and more problems. So take it back to the store get a refund and reinstalled a regular light switch, back to the drawing board.
Now back to the farm and finish securing our coach, a bite to eat and a shower and into Plattsville for Cass and Aarons' BBQ. This is a co-ed baby shower for the daughter and son-in-law of Lea and John. Same place we went for the Canada Day Party.
This is the place
Here we parked our coach about 1:30pm set up and checked out the happenings. Its a nice warm day but overcast. There is a nice 115 lb pig on the spit roasting quite nicely.
pig is looking good
We just walked about chatting and socializing. Watching the kids playing in the pool, the band setting up and everybody (including lots of friendly dogs) just enjoying another summer social event.
poolside fun
Not your typical baby shower but certainly and good time. Gift opening and all that stuff then the weather was threatening more rain around 5 pm. A couple of shelters were moved into place to attempt to keep the band dry (they were excellent). But finally shortly after 6 the food was ready people began to eat and the band had to quit and pack up in the rain.
Finally about 7:30 still raining hard we went to our house to relax for a it and dry out. Then we have another party to go to.
Buck and Doe
Starting 8 pm at the Plattsville Arena is a Buck and Doe for Rick and Dana. Dana figure skated with my daughter Jessica for many years and she even came camping with us a few times building sandcastles on the beaches. So we have to go to this function as well. The arena is the perfect party place, the ice is taken out in the summer for a while. So many people (hundreds) coming and going, chatting dancing. A lot of these people I have not seen much for about 15 years or so when they were 8 to 10 years old. They knew us, but now all growed up. Such a great time seeing all the people, and familiar faces everybody seems to be getting older, even us! From 1989 to 1999 we were very active in town with the Optimist Club, Figure Skating, and the Restaurant (Jessie's Diner), involved with dances and cars shows etc.
Hanging out around the bar
A nice surprise daughter Jessie and friends were there to celebrate and see a lot of people she had not seen for quite a long time as well. Gotta love these large parties in small towns, almost like a huge family reunion in the party mode. Well we had a great time today, celebrating the beginning of a new relations and the birth of a new life, (best wishes everybody) a lot busier than we are used to but would not have missed it for the world. Finally a couple of blocks back home to crash, we are on the road to Leamington in the morning.
Plattsville has not forgotten how to have some great parties!
A beautiful sunrise this morning and its gonna be another great day! First thing in the morning I am off to Pettigrew's Garage in Plattsvile to get some maintenance done on the car and our new tire installed. Then from here to Mom's in Waterloo and install the new sensor light switch, replacing the old one that quit.
This done I ran a few more errands then back home to the farm to give our coach a good washing including the roof, then washed the car while I was at it. Boy they sure look good, all bright and shiny with a mirror finish!
Just more sunshine and cool, hot weather. By cool, hot I mean its the cooling down part of summer, can almost feel fall in the air. Early morning 55f (12c), sure it can get hot during the day but there is something cooler in the air at night, a sure thing that fall is just around the corner. But, its still great weather.
We had our morning coffees and computing then by 9 am we were on the road to Kitchener, for a couple doctors appointments and eye tests, a little shopping and before we know it we were back home just before 3pm. Just in time to begin getting supper ready. Suzie's Mom and Dad are coming for supper and I am putting a 5 lb chicken on our Weber and not sure how long it will take. So I fired up the grill and put it on low at 3:30.
nice chicken
While the Weber was doing its thing with the chicken we prepared the boiled potatoes, salad, swiss chalet sauce and sliced some zucchini for the grill. Roasting nice and slow the chicken was pretty well ready about 5pm (meat thermometer 180f) so we got the veggies on the grill and were ready to feast by 5:30pm. A perfectly done, moist bbq'd chicken.
tasty yes
Then we sat outside after supper chatting and watching the sun set thru the trees as the warm day cooled down. Greg and Shelly also stopped by to chat with Gramma and Grandpa after they were done chores and milking, a nice visit.
another nice sunset
The sun settled down behind the horizon and the temperature dropped, time to go inside and call it a night, after another great day.
Still sunny and warm weather today, gonna go to Waterloo and visit ma again. First stop is at Canadian Tire to purchase a new tire for our car. Last February we were in Benson Arizona and had to replace a rear tire because of a large nail that attacked it. So to balance the tire wear I picked up another new tire here (they are close to being replaced anyway). Our mastercard collects "Canadian tire money" for all purchases everywhere year round and we have a lot of this money accumulated. So a free tire is nice, and soon will get a couple more free tires as well.
Once this was done on to ma's to putter around waiting for Marshalls Pest Control to arrive. Once here the service man identified the yellow jacketsover the garage door and the paper wasps going into the soffit around the front door. He donned his protective suit and began the process taking care of the problem eliminating the visible nest and spraying a fine powder into the openings around the front door making them quite aggressive, so we will stay away from this area for a while and let the treatment work.
yellow jacket nest
paper wasps
After this we had a bite to eat then I checked the the local Lowes for a new motion sensor to replace the one at the front of the house. Puttering around with this for a while and not happy with the one we purchased I returned it to the store, and back to the farm to do a bit more research on a suitable product. Of course the old one (12 years old) did the job perfectly but is no longer available. On the internet I eventually found one that would do the job, in Kitchener, will pick it up tomorrow.
Then we arranged to meet my daughter and the boys for supper in Plattsville to check out the newly re-opened restaurant and celebrate Lincoln's 4th birthday with a tasty supper, a couple of gifts and chocolate cake.
tasty cake
While we were having supper the restaurant was very busy and I bet every one that came in was people we all knew and have not seen for a while, lots of conversation and chatting going on, nice to see these people after so many years. Then its time for the guys to go home to bed and us return to the farm, watch the sunset on the porch with Omer and call it a night.
All is quiet at the farm, just Greg, Shelly and Suzie's dad coming to do chores and milking this morning, very sunny and warming up quite nicely, its gonna be a hot day about 30c (88f) nice... Suzie got a ride to her parents place after her dad was done chores, today the women are going to do some pickling. I puttered around a bit and began cutting some grass here before heading to New Hamburg to check out the picklers and have lunch. Next to the farm they are resurfacing the road with a new layer of tar and gravel, perfect day for it.
After last nights rain the sun shone this morning and warmed things up quite nicely. After coffees and computing I headed off to Waterloo to run a few errands and visit mother. When I arrived she was playing with a neighbour Joanne's dog on her font porch.
Mom and Lilly
We chatted and enjoyed a coffee then I puttered around doing a few minor chores, and inspected a problem with wasps on her front porch that are getting thru the small gaps between the aluminum soffit and brick wall into the attic. After watching the large numbers of these guys and their various different entry points we decided it be best to call an exterminator to hopefully get the job done. They will be there Wednesday morning.
After a nice visit I headed back to the farm stopping in New Hamburg for a few grocery items then home to relax and read in the shade for a while, before firing up the barbie to grill a couple of salmon fillets for supper with a rice pilaf and so tasty beefsteak tomato slices.
yum
After supper it was still nice, but a bit cool in the shade so we sat on the front porch of the house, with Omer, in the sun to read a bit more, watch the cows grazing in the creek and wait for the sun to set.
cows in the creek
Omer here too
a nice sunset into the tree line
Then too dark to read so inside for a bit of tv, (Omer watched tv too), then tie him outside our door for the night to guard our house.
Sunday morning, sunny and warm after a good nights sleep at Suzie's sister's and brother in law Rose and Ross. They have lots of parking here even with the work trucks parked for the weekend.
Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer, since August 2006
It seems to happen more often than not that the night before we are leaving it rains right into the morning, so its a good thing that we do store most of our outdoor stuff the night before. No rush today as we are heading to Suzie's sisters place this afternoon in Tavistock only about an hour away. So we have time to go to the farmers' market in Goderich this morning. By this time the rain had stopped and it was a beautiful morning. The market is located in the centre of town on the square where the Court house is, with lots of local vendors selling their fresh fruit, vegetables and baked goods.
TGIF (Thank Goodness its Friday), when we were working, Friday was time to get out of work early and get away for the weekend. And all day long they rolled into the resort, tents, rvs, campers, lots of kids, bicycles and I think every campsite had two cars and two dogs. Dogs barking and kids playing sure makes for a lively neighborhood.
A sunny warm morning and nice to walkabout the resort and over to the bluff overlooking the lake. We can hear the waves lapping the shore and the distinct different colors of water as it gets deeper away from shore.
Sunny and hot today, but we have a shady site so its really almost cool, in the sun very hot. But it is nice to be here with the sound of the waves on the shore at the bottom of the cliffs. Today we are thinking maybe a lazy day until I got to thinking that this would be a good day to take a look at the toilet in our rv. Being a marine style toilet ours has a sliding seal that opens and closes to flush, the problem being lately is that it sometimes does not want to close tight and this allows sewer gas into our house.
Well here we are in Goderich Ontario, its been quite a few years since we have been here but not much has changed. This membership park had changed hands for a few years and did not allow rigs over 30 ft long, but has since changed allowing us access again. Goderich is billed as Canada's Prettiest townand it could very well be. The Port of Goderich is an active working port mainly for loading ships with salt from the Sifto Canada salt mines under the harbour extending 5 kms (3.1miles) under Lake Huron, it is the largest salt mine in the world.
Sure glad we packed up most of our outside stuff yesterday as it rained hard all night. So this morning we are not in a hurry, coffee and computing and let the rain let up. We are going to lake Huron Resort in Goderich Ontario another membership park only $9.00 a night with full hookups.
It was a nice leisurely drive only 90 kms (54miles) a little more than and hour on hwy 21 close to the shores on Lake Huron.
Another hot, sunny day but we have been here for two weeks and are get ready to move tomorrow. So after morning coffees, computing and walkabout I drove to Forest for a few grocery items then back home. Today we will do laundry, vacuum, shake the mats, check tire pressure, empty out waste tanks, roll up our patio mat, while its dry and then late afternoon roll up our awning as well. We like to pack up our outdoor stuff the night before departing so that we are not doing it in the rain or while it is wet in the morning.
These chores are done at a leisurely pace in the hot humid weather, plus we have all day to get it done. In between these chores we managed to read in the shade with a snack and refreshment enjoying the hot summer weather.
Eventually its time for supper, but tonight is a simple one, just fire up the barbie and grill a couple of large Oktoberfest sausage (we bought at the market on sunday), a fresh bakery bun with some spicy mustard, chips and celery/w cheese spread for a delicious treat.
tasty treat
Then back outside to read, and eventually pack up our Weber Grill , put the lawn chairs away, and call it a night. In the morning we are on the road to Goderich Ontario until sunday morning then back to New Hamburg for a few days, to visit some family and friends.
Another wonderful sunny sunday morning and its gonna be a pretty nice day, maybe rain this afternoon. So after morning coffees, walkabout, computing and wishing Mike, Trish and Jordan a safe journey to Michigan campgrounds, we hopped in the car off to the Pinery Antique Flea Market near Grand Bend. As a lot of you know is a favorite place for us to take a nice outing on sundays in the summer when we are in this area. The outdoor atmosphere in the woods, many new vendors (and a lot of regulars) always a nice way to spend a few hours.
When we get there Suzie makes a bee-line to John's Books, the only book vendor here that does a book exchange. She had 14 paperbacks and he gave her 10 in exchange, that's a good deal.
Sunshine and summertime, its supposed to be hot and I love it. It makes summertime fun and challenging, finding ways to cool down and be comfortable, sure beats trying to keep warm in the winter. Below is an example of our weather for this coming week and it's been like this for a while already.
