Trip to Purdon Conservation Area

Scene along County Road 12 near Lanark

View from the lookout at the Purdon Conservation Area

It was much warmer when I got up this morning 21C (70F) and this was before 7:00 a.m. however when I went outside there was a really nice breeze so it didn’t feel that warm.

This morning I sat outside and read and did some painting on my doggie part of our name plaque. It was very pleasant with the breeze but when I was painting at the picnic table, it was hot and my paint kept drying on me. This is good for the piece you’re painting on but not good for the paint you’re using.

This afternoon we headed southwest to see if we could find the Purdon Conservation Area. We did find it without any problems and had a nice drive. Purdon Conservation is a wetland area and is home to the wild Lady’s Slipper Orchid from mid-June to mid-July so we missed that and I have to say that other than a nice boardwalk throughout, it wasn’t much but it was a lovely afternoon and we saw some towns and places that we had never seen before. We drove through Lanark which when I was a kid was home to the Kitten Mill but that is no longer open although the village itself is kind of cute – not by Merrickville or Perth’s standards but cute in its own right. For anyone who doesn’t know Merrickville and Perth are two very cute, trendy little towns in Eastern Ontario with all sorts of little shops.

Watched TV this evening but it pretty much sucks! Only a few days till we look into satellite TV!

Sunday Jaunt

View from my lawn chair this afternoon at Tranquil Acres

I enjoyed my walk this morning as it was another cool, bright sunshiny morning, only 13C (56F) outside.

I had decided yesterday I was going to make a trip into Ottawa to pick up some things and get the mail from my sister’s house so I set out around 10:45 a.m. and headed into Ottawa. I made several stops and got to my sister’s around 2:00 p.m.

When I arrived Nick and Becky were there for a short time so I got to see them which was a bonus. Nick was there to pick up his clothes. After they left, Margie, John, Danica and I chatted a bit and I headed out to do grocery shopping around 3:00 p.m. arriving back at the campground at 4:15 p.m.

I sat in my lawn chair for a while after I got home - see photo above.

Nothing else happening today!

Beautiful Day!

Wow! What a difference this morning. We slept last night with the windows open as it seemed to have cooled off last night. This morning when I woke up it was only 18C (66F) inside the RV. It’s been a long time since it’s been that cool inside. The outside was bright and sunny with no humidity so I had a very nice walk. A real Ottawa summer day!

Unfortunately I found out too late that there was a pot luck tonight at the campground so we didn’t go. Next year when we’re here, I’ll have to pay more attention.

I had planned to go out and pick up some groceries today but was lazy so just stayed around the campground reading and chatting with neighbours.

Michelle sent us new pictures of Luke so he is the photo for today’s blog.

Trip to the Vet and Housework!

Northern California coast near Crescent City, CA

Battery Point Lighthouse, Crescent City, CA

I woke up to a nice bright sunny day today with no humidity. It was actually quite refreshing at just past 7:00 a.m.

After breakfast I got the refrigerator defrosted. It badly needed it but I hate to do it when it’s so hot because I only have two small coolers and one big insulated lunchbag to put things in while the defrosting is going on.

Today was Bib’s day to visit his doctor and get his yearly checkup and his shots. He was his usual “Vinnie the Killer Poodle”. We always have to muzzle him so he doesn’t bite the doctor. He got his shots so he’s okay to cross the border now.

Again I didn’t take any photos today so the ones above area again of Northern California taken last November.

Uneventful Thursday

These are the gates that we have to open and close every time we leave or come back to the RV Park

A couple of little frogs cooling off in the Mississippi River (at Appleton, Ontario)

Today was cooler with a bit less humidity but still got to 32C (89F). The forecast had been for 26C (78F).

This morning I packed up the laundry and went in to Carleton Place to the Laundromat. There was only one other person there when I arrived but before long it was full. I was glad to get done and get out of there. Then went to the grocery to pick up a couple of things and arrived home around 1:00 p.m. There is a wooden gate to gain access to the campground so if you’re traveling alone you have to get out of your vehicle, open the gate, get back in and go through the gate, get out again to close it. So I had opened the gate when I saw Gordon and Bib coming my way. It’s always nice to have someone there to open and close it for you. Photo shown above.

Nothing exciting today!

Errands in Ottawa

Photos from the Northern California Coast



This morning when I got up it was already 25C (77F) with no breeze. After I walked Bib, I decided not to take my walk this morning. It was just too hot and humid and I already felt sort of ill. Since we were going in to Ottawa today, I decided to do some mall walking.

Gordon had a date with his Macintosh (computer) friends to meet up at the Fishy Place AKA Lapointe’s in Bells Corners for a fishy lunch. Before this was arranged I had already decided to go in to Ottawa today to go to the chiropractor.

I called yesterday for an appointment and found out that my chiropractor, Ken Dick is off for a number of months due to an operation but has someone filling in for him. At the time of booking I thought thank goodness it’s a guy.

I had some items to buy at GNC and also prescriptions to pick up in preparation for leaving for Lindsay next week. We got back to the RV around 4:00 p.m. to a hungry puppy. I sat outside for a while but it was just too hot. I didn’t get much of a breeze although the trees seemed to be blowing.

We watched ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ tonight. It was nice to see parts of Italy but the movie itself was a little hard to follow and somewhat disjointed however there wasn’t a lot of choice!

I didn’t take any photos today so have taken two photos from our trip of the area north of Smith River, CA along Highway 101.

Due to our thunderstorm tonight and the satellite being down I won’t be posting this blog until tomorrow morning.

Hottest Day in This Area That I Can Remember!

Today was very hot and humid even at 7:20 a.m. It was already 24 C (76F) then so I only did half my walk. There was a little breeze, but very little. Forecast was for 34C (93F). Our thermometer actually read 39C (102.2F) at 4:00 p.m. There was a pretty stiff breeze later in the afternoon but that didn't cool anything off. Right now it's 8:30p.m. and it's still 29C (85F).

I spent most of the morning uploading photos of the Gift Opening Party on Saturday to my Yahoo site and trying to get them arranged in some sort of order. The link to my Yahoo site is in the sidebar and the photos are under Nick and Becky.

Other than trying to keep cool today, nothing much happened. I did sit outside with Bib for a while but not very long. Bib didn't seem to mind sitting in the shade.

Photo today is of a pretty flower in the flower garden here at the campground – no idea what it is though!

End of the Month Again

Gordon had planned to go to the dentist today as he has a tooth that’s been bothering him but when he called he found out his dentist is away till August 7th and we’ll be leaving for Lindsay on the 9th so he’ll have to wait until we get back in September. The good news is that it’s not been bothering him for the last four days or so. Late this morning we went out and got propane and took Bib for a little drive. After lunch I went and got groceries.

Since it's the end of the month, here are our expenses for July:

Campground Fees – 676.14

Groceries – 459.34
Laundry – 27.25
Wine/Spirits – 69.10
Entertainment – 0.00
Snacks – 7.25
Eating Out – 70.64
Fuel for Truck – 267.30
Propane – 27.00
Dog Food/Vet etc – 247.36
Repairs RV/Truck – 968.95
Misc – 241.22
Insurance – 189.44
Internet – 13.00
Cell Phones – 108.77
Medical/Dental – 138.12
Gifts – 502.88
Total – 4013.76

We had an expensive service this month on the truck. The rear oil needed to be changed and that is always expensive. We also got our bathroom sink replaced in the fifth wheel so this month was expensive in that regard. We switched from a one year contract to a two year contract for internet satellite so I expect we will be charged for two months next month. The $13.00 is for something to do with Gordon’s domain that I don’t think we should be charged for so we have to look into that. Our alcohol consumption didn’t increase this month, we just bought wine for the rehearsal dinner for Nick and Becky’s wedding. Also the gift category is higher this month because of the wedding as well. Considering all the expenses we had this month, I thought we did quite well overall.

Quiet Sunday & More Wedding Photos

Wedding Sunset

Best man, Pete and his significant other, Sam

Rings

First dance for the newlyweds

The wedding cake that Becky made

Betty & Garth

Nick, Becky & Becky's Mom

Becky's family

Nick & his sister, Danica

The three sisters - Betty, Margie & I

Nick with his parents

Nick and his Mom

Danica

L to R - Danica, John, Margie, Nick

Nick & best man, Pete

Today we spent a very quiet day after all the festivities of the weekend. It was bright and sunny with no humidity and when I sat outside for a while this morning I was actually too cool in my shorts.

This afternoon Gordon got our desktop PC set up with the program for booting up the satellite. I napped and read and then vacuumed, dusted and washed the floors then did some interneting. Have you ever checked out www.jibjab.com? It’s got some cute little videos. My favourites are This Land, Big Box Mart and Drugs I Need.

Anyway, nothing happening today!

Since I didn't take any photos today, I'm posting more wedding photos. Some didn't turn out all that well, my camera has restrictions but here they are anyway.

Wedding Gift Opening Party

The happy couple relax after an afternoon of opening wedding gifts

All the bows were being put on Nick's person somewhere -he's a good sport about it

Nick & Becky open one of the gifts from Debbie & Peter (Margie & John's long time friends)

Our Mom (Nick's Nanny) made this quilt for Nick before she passed away. There was a note on it to give it to him for his wedding

Nick and Becky open Best Man, Pete's gifts

Nick and Becky open Best Man, Pete's gifts

Becky's Dad, Al chugs champagne (I told him I'd take his photo if he did it)

Gift from us - photo of the Nick's Uncle Garth and Aunt Betty's cottage taken by Uncle David (Gordon) and changed to a conputer generated watercolour painting

Nick & Becky open gift from Nick's Uncle Albert and Aunt Reina

Nick's Aunt Terry and cousin Ben couldn't come to the wedding from England. Photo above is of Nick and Becky opening one of their gifts.

Today there was a gift opening party at Becky's Opa and Oma's house. I'm not going to write about it. I'll just post photos. By the way, these photos represent only a small portion of those actually received.

Congratulations Nick and Becky!

Nick and Becky cutting the cake - Becky made the cake and decorated it herself. It was good too!

Nick and Becky share a kiss with the Ottawa River in the background at sunset

Nick and Becky leaving the church in Nick's friend, Kyle's 1938 Chev Coupe

Nick and I in front of the church before the ceremony

Today started out cloudy and humid with a high smog advisory.

Nick called last night and wanted us to be at the church today for 5:30 p.m. to take family photos with him before Becky arrives.

We went to The Gourmet Restaurant in Carleton Place for breakfast and then toured some streets of rural Carleton Place that we hadn’t been on before. We also stopped at Mississippi Lake RV Resort to see what it looked like. They wouldn’t let us go in and look around. You have to make an appointment with the owner if you want to go in and tour the place. There are a lot of cottages on Mississippi Lake that I didn’t realize before. I had never thought of the Carleton Place area as ‘cottage country’.

I got my hair done this afternoon and then went and got my driver’s license renewed. At least I know my hair will look good on my driver’s license.

Around 3:00 p.m. the sun came out and stayed out so we had a really nice sunset in the background for some of the photos.

We left about 4:45 p.m. and headed into the church, All Saints Lutheran at Pinecrest and Queensview. We beat everyone there but with rush hour traffic on a Friday night, you never know. We got the photos done of Nick and Pete and Nick and me as aunt and godmother. It was a beautiful wedding but was very hot in the church. Nick looked very handsome in his tux and Becky made a beautiful bride.

After the wedding the immediate family headed over to Andrew Hayden Park and we took more photos before ending up at Capone’s at the Nepean Sportsplex for the reception. I got to dance with my husband, that doesn’t happen often. I also got a dance with Nick. He and Becky really seemed to be having a good time. Becky baked her own cake and did a really good job.

We got home about 11:45 p.m. and Bib was really happy to see us!

Helping Out

Nick and his best man, Pete (taken last night at the rehearsal dinner)

It was cloudy and humid this morning but still managed to do my walk. After breakfast and some interneting, I mowed the area around our ‘house’. With all the rain we’ve had it was badly needed and if I didn’t do it today, it probably wouldn’t get done till Sunday as the next two days will be busy.

This afternoon one of our neighbours that we met last year came over and asked if we could move his trailer. He’s one of the seasonal people here at the park. They bought a new trailer that is being delivered tomorrow so Gordon moved his trailer off his site and into an area where it can be picked up tomorrow after the new one is delivered. He did a very professional job!

I was sitting outside reading my book when Gordon poked his head out the door. He just had socks on and we started talking and he started to come outside, lost his footing and slipped coming down the stairs. It seems like he broke his toe so we had to go out and get tape and gauze to bind it so he’ll be able to get into his shoes tomorrow for the wedding. He’s also got an abscessed tooth that we’re hoping won’t get any worse. He’ll have to go in and get it pulled on Monday.

Rehearsal Party

Nick and Becky cutting their rehearsal dinner cake

Humid and cloudy with sunny periods this morning so I did my walk.

Betty, my sister and Garth, her husband picked me up around 2:00 p.m. Betty and I went to our younger sister, Margie’s to help set up for Nick and Becky’s rehearsal dinner which took place tonight. Gordon remained behind to feed the dog and then joined us for dinner around 7:00 p.m. The rehearsal party got back to the house around 7:45 p.m. and we enjoyed a buffet dinner.

We got home at 11:30 p.m. and I’m pooped so not writing much tonight!

A Low Key Day

Today I woke up to pouring rain and Bib wanted to go out at about 6:00 a.m. so I got dressed up in rain gear to take him out, then went back to bed. No walk for me today! Didn’t get up till about 9:30 a.m. I haven’t done that for ages and just as well because my neck was really sore. Must remember not to sleep in anymore.

It alternated between raining, pouring rain, sun and cloud for the day. I watched TV all morning after I got up, also haven’t done that in ages. Finally at 2:00 p.m. there was absolutely nothing on (we don’t have cable) so turned it off and got on the computer for a while.

TV pretty much sucked tonight. Can’t wait till we get satellite TV!

I didn’t take any photos today so resurrected one from our trip of sunset at Joshua Tree National Park.

Got Lots of Errands Run Today

Spider's web in the early morning dew (taken on my morning walk)

Today was bright and sunny again with no humidity until late afternoon again when we had a little shower. After my walk, I got the laundry ready and went into town to the laundromat. Then I picked up some wine for Nick and Becky’s rehearsal dinner on Wednesday night, got some groceries, looked around the little mall in Carleton Place, picked up Gordon’s pants at the dry cleaners, stopped at the new Shopper’s Drug Mart and got home around 1:30 p.m.

After unpacking groceries, unpacking laundry and getting the bed remade, I sat outside and read for a while until I got bitten by a mosquito then came in and cleaned my strawberries (about half of them were rotten and they weren’t even on sale)! I made a small potato salad for Gordon for Wednesday night as he won’t be able to eat what the rest of us are eating at the rehearsal dinner so he’ll have to pack a lunch to take to the party.

The remainder of the day/evening just went by as normal and we didn’t get any more rain as of this posting.

Sleepy Sunday

Today was another sunny day with no humidity but we did get some rain and a bit of a thunderstorm late this afternoon.

We didn’t do anything special today so not much to write about. The campground is having a one stroke tole painting morning on Saturday and I’ve tentatively signed up for it depending on how long the wedding and reception go on Friday night and whether there will be a present opening party on Saturday. I haven’t taken a tole painting class since we were in the house and I badly need a refresher on the roses so I can finish our sign with our name on it.

Also I didn’t take any photos today so that’s it!

We Visit Almonte and Christmas in July!

That's some beard, Santa!

Santa's 'sleigh'

Mill Falls, Almonte

Today was cloudy and cool with a threat of rain all day. Nearly all the cows in the field were laying down, a sure sign of rain.

Late this morning we went for a drive and wound up in Almonte, a little town just north of Carleton Place. It’s a very “in” place to live so the prices of homes are out of sight. Almonte has turned into quite an artsy place with all sorts of little curiosity and art shops on the main street. We parked and walked around for a bit and took some photos. Almonte has a waterfall called “Mill Falls”. The blurb below came from the ‘Waterfalls of Ontario’ site and from the Almonte site:

The town of Almonte was once called Shepherd's Falls, and it contains 2 waterfalls within short distance, each with two distinct waterfalls (see also Grand Falls). Mill Falls is a set of two pretty plunge class waterfalls, a rare class in Eastern Ontario (but see Rideau Falls). Each waterfall is about 8 m wide, with the upper falls about 3-4 m in height and the lower a good 5 m high. A wooden footbridge leads over the top of the smaller, upper falls to a private residence.

Visiting Mill Falls is, unfortunately, not the best waterfalling experience. Both are located on private property, and while you easily view the upper falls from the road, the lower falls is only visible from private property.

Almonte is also notable for being the boyhood home of Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball.

When we got back we had a nap and was doing some interneting when we looked out the window and saw Santa Claus go by on a decorated wagon being pulled by the orange tractor so we got our cameras and headed down to the beach. The campground has a “Kid’s Day” every year in July and call it Christmas in July so we got photos of Santa handing out gifts to the kids. They had all sorts of contests and things going on today. On our walk back from the beach there was a cute little woodpecker in a dead tree that we took some photos of.

Same Old

Clouds over the trees (taken on my morning walk)

I was expecting cloud this morning when I got up as that was what it said on the weather report late last night but they were wrong – AGAIN! However, it’s nice when they are wrong and you wake up to bright sunshine. The weather forecasters had also said it would be humid today but the humidity didn’t hit where we were so the doors and windows were open and we were able to enjoy the fresh air with only the fans running.

Today was spent reading and napping indoors and out and that’s about it so won’t bore you any further!

A Tour of Carleton Place

A little frog down by the Mississippi

This morning dawned bright and sunny again and turned into another hot day with a slight breeze. The breeze kept the bugs at bay so Bib and I sat outside for a while this afternoon.

After Regis and Kelly this morning, I got ready and went into Carleton Place for a while. I had never toured Bridge Street which is the main downtown street so I did that today. There are a lot of used clothing/consignment shops and one nice lady’s wear store. After that I went to First Choice Haircutters to make an appointment for next Friday but they don’t take appointments. She said it’s usually no longer than ½ hour wait so I’ll just take my chances. Then I stopped at Your Independent (grocery store). They have a dry cleaners there so took Gordon’s pants in for cleaning for the wedding and then got groceries.

When I left to go to Carleton Place, I went through Appleton as there is construction on Hwy 7 at our intersection where they are putting in traffic lights. I also understand that they are widening Hwy 7 from Carleton Place to Ottawa to make it four lanes and that will take about four years. On my return, I took Hwy 7 and wound up in a line of traffic for about five minutes as there was only one lane available at our turn off onto the Appleton Sideroad. The four lanes are badly needed but putting up with construction for four years will be a huge pain!

I did more internet checking today for RV parks in Florida trying to find something less expensive. We have some coupons for $149/month but they expire at the end of 2006 so may not be useful to us since I don’t expect we’ll be in Florida until early December.

Tranquil at Tranquil Acres

Bib, laying on the couch this morning (photo by Gordon)

One of the deer I saw on my morning walk

Now this was an Ottawa morning, sunny, no humidity, blue sky and a bit of a breeze. I walked probably an extra half a kilometer or so and saw a couple of deer (picture above). The weather we’ve been having up until today is what Gordon calls Ohio summer. I wish they would keep it down there. I hate humidity!

Another slow day here at Tranquil Acres, or I guess you could say, tranquil. Although it was beautiful outside the mosquitoes and little flies were out in full force so didn’t make sitting out all that enjoyable. I had thought about going into town and doing some errands but never got the enthusiasm level up enough to go. Maybe tomorrow! I’ve got to make a hair appointment for the wedding next Friday, I can’t believe my chubby little baby nephew now a tall slim young man is going to be married in nine days! I’ve also got to take Gordon’s pants in to the cleaners.

I spent some time this afternoon looking at RV Resorts in Florida for our upcoming winter trip. Some of them are hideously expensive especially for February, like $1100 ++ electricity. Those are for the Sun Resorts. I’m sure we can find something less expensive. We’re just not sure when we’ll arrive in Florida as Gordon wants to make some stops on the way down in places that we didn’t see last time we did our east coast trip.

I also did some painting on the dog that goes with the sign with our names on it. The dog sign will hang on the big plaque with Bib’s name on it.

Tonight was another pretty lousy TV night. I’ll be glad when we get cable!