The Squamidian Report – April 17 / 04
For the ‘ON LINE’ version of this newsletter, go to:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/doug_b2/report.htm
Also in this issue:
Cuba Sus
Nova Scotia Peter
The Ontarion
Hi All,
There is a definite downside to all this warm sunny weather we have been having. The forests are drying out way too fast and the snow pack up in the high country is melting too fast. Our streams and rivers are running high because of the accelerated snowmelt. The snow is supposed to melt slowly over the summer, putting water back into the ground and streams.
We were down at the river with Yogi. He was doing his usual puttering around in the water but the water is up onto the areas where we usually do our walking. We watched a pair of west coast ducks as they seemed to be playing with the fast water. They would fly just above the water up stream a short distance and then surf down through a section of rapids. When they reached the quieter water below the rapids they would fly back up and do it all over again. This went on for a long time. They were doing it again the next day.
Oh hey, I seem to have a new job, again. The company I had started with last year had laid my off during the summer so the owner could hire some of his out of work logging buddies. That worked for him until he found that men who had learned to run equipment out in the bush were a bit careless on construction sites. By then a small landscape company that needed an equipment operator had scooped me up. The excavating company from last year had called early this spring and had asked me to come back and I did. I worked for him for about 6 weeks and he did the same thing again, laid me off and took on some of his buddies. So I was out of work for about 3 weeks but the landscape company wanted me back as soon as he had enough work lined up so I wasn’t too concerned. However, I was out for a walk last Monday and stopped to talk to the owner of a machine doing a job just down the street. I’ve talked to him before so he knew me and that I was supposed to be working for Castlerock.
When I told him that I seemed to be laid off he called a friend who has a larger excavating company and who was looking for an operator. I started with them on Tuesday morning. They’ve got me running a huge Hitachi 330. I have trouble climbing up onto the tracks to where I can reach the cab door.
I’ve spent the rest of the week on a job site where a condo development is going in. We are excavating down to ‘solid’ material. The whole valley is a flood plain and has seen numerous flood events over the past several thousand years. Each flood has placed a layer of material, sand, silt, gravel, or clay. Also over that time period the rivers have changed their courses several times, putting down more gravel. We have to expose the sand below the clay to be on structural material and build up with clean gravel from there. Interestingly and I’ve touched on this before, there are the remains of very old trees sandwiched between the clay and the sand. This is about ten feet down. The clay is an airtight cap over top of the water table so the trees are in very good condition considering that they were probably buried during a flood many thousands of years ago. They are a bit soft and tend to fall apart once they have been exposed to the air and dry out but it’s pretty cool to dig them up.
There is a somewhat similar type of wood out here that is the flooring trend up in Whistler. It’s called river bottom pine although it is actually found laying on the bottom of the ocean and has only been down there for a hundred years or so. These are first cut old growth trees from when logging was first started out here. They were dumped into the water so they could be log boomed down to the mills. Some of the big heavy trees took on enough water to cause them to sink. Once settled into the mud on the bottom they have aged while being protected. The grain of the old growth wood is straight and clear, salvage companies find them, haul them up and they become the prestige wood of choice for the rich and famous.
****
Cuba yes, yes, yes! Con’t
Even after being
home for a week our heads are still in paradise! It’s amazing how it stays with you. Of course I talked the ears off all of my customers and most
thought that I was now working for Cuba tourism or World Vacations. That wouldn’t be such a bad job going to
resorts all over the world and then doing reports on them. I really think I could handle that. Ah yes, back to the story.
A typical day at the resort…..rise up at
7:00am. smother ourselves with sunscreen, stroll to breakfast, eat in less than
20 minutes (everything is ready and waiting for you), head for the beach for a
wonderful long walk. The warm wind is
blowing 25 knots and always from east to west, walk into the wind first so the
walk back will take less effort. The shells we find are extremely tiny and
rare. We pass resort after resort with
all their thatched umbrellas and lounge chairs parading the way. Lifeguards parole their sections of the
beach making sure no one goes out too far.
They wouldn’t want to lose a tourist…..bad for business. Now its only 10:30 am. And a beer would go
good (I never drink beer!) We walk up to the beach bar, which is already in
full swing with Cuban music playing loudly and people dancing. Life is good. The beach is littered with lounging sun tanners and a volleyball
game is in progress with strong scantily clad young men and women
participating. After our break we wade
in the water meeting the big rollers head on.
The water is beautiful but it is hard work standing up so we just dive
into the waves and let the current take us down the beach.
Wow! It’s lunchtime
and we aren’t even hungry. Oh well. We
try the pasta restaurant just for a change and find it takes much longer to get
our dinner but who’s in a hurry! By
the time we finish its around 2:00pm and time for a nap so we head back to the
room and watch a movie until we fall asleep.
Another walk is in order so we head into the town of Varadero to see
some sights. We pass many outdoor bars, restaurants and markets. The sellers in
the markets eagerly barter to unload their wares. It seems the wood products (canes, carvings, shoes) are all made by
their brothers and fathers and the crocheted clothing by their mothers. I’m not
sure if we buy that but it is the explanation you get when asked if these
products are made right here in Cuba.
The streets are busy with old cars, horse drawn carriages, double Decker
buses, scooters, taxis and bicycles.
All ready to give a ride to the weary tourist. We enjoyed the walk but
did break down accepting a horse and buggy ride when the driver yelled out,
“only $2.00”. It turned out to be extremely pleasant riding at a comfortable
pace to view the town. No one worries
about getting lost as the cross streets are all numbered so it is easy to tell
how far you’ve gone. The carriage
drivcr drops us off at our villa in time for a quick shower and then off to the
evening meal.
The dining room is
buzzing with happy, sunburned “holiday
ers” as we step into the huge airy room.
The long buffet tables are beautifully arranged with a variety of meats,
vegetables, fruits, salads and desserts.
Where do you start? And of
course the wonderful ever flowing array of your favourite drinks. The wine was from Spain and never
disappointed us. Our hosts were very
attentive, cleaning up after each course and making sure our glass was never
empty. It is an odd, but wonderful
feeling, to eat in a restaurant day after day and not ever get a bill. We did, however, leave $1.00 American
dollars after every service to show our appreciation for all they had done.
At 9:30pm the nightly
show begins under an open-air theatre.
Dozens of white plastic chairs are set up between the thatched roofed
stage and the pool area. We get a seat
early and wait for the show to begin. On the lobby wall a schedule of the weeks
entertainment including a magic show, a Cuban show (dancers and singers), a
comedy skit, an interactive quiz, a fashion show and much more. The resort has it’s own group of
entertainers called the animators (only it was spelled in Spanish) who organize
the weeks activities. So we sat for two
hours under the stars watching a delightful play and thinking how lucky we are
to be experiencing all this. As we
stroll off to bed we realize how much we had done and how little we had done
that day. This surely must be paradise.
So if any of you are
tempted to do this kind of vacation do not worry that a week is not
enough. Each day stood out from the
rest and good rest it was.
Until next time,
****
When I was 2 months old my father (Sgt. J.B. Latulippe) was posted (transferred) to Germany. We were shipped out on the Queen Fredericka. My mother was prone to seasickness but I was placed in a basket on the cabin floor and as the ship rolled and pitched I would slide from one end of the cabin to the other laughing and giggling. To this day, during winter months I often find myself sitting in a rocking chair dreaming of the motion of a boat going through the water. My wife (Susan Brubacher) will ask me what I’m smiling about and I tell her “I was just out for a sail.”
I built a 10’ Mirror Dingy in 1980 and sailed it for 10 years in Pictou Hbr. One day while
sailing with Suzy, a strong gust of wind surprised us and as the boat healed quickly Suzy slid off the seat into the bottom of the boat. Immediately after that, a large sailboat went by with a couple in the stern sipping on glasses of wine and looking very relaxed. This prompted Suzy to comment “That’s the kind of sailing I want to do.”
I sold the dingy and bought a 22’ and then a 27’ boat that I now own. Every once in a while Suzy goes for a sail and has a glass of wine.
In 1997 I was on board “Decision “ owned by Trueman Stright, sailing in a race around Prince Edward Island. We were caught in a thunder and lightning storm while going under the fixed link and the next day the wind built to over 30 knots. We were 25 miles off shore, half way between Cape North and East Point in 30’ waves doing 15 knots. When a 6-ton boat gets picked up by a wave and it starts to surf it is quite a rush. There was a wake shooting out 10’ on both sides of the boat, and it sounded like a freight train going through the water. Two ripped spinnakers and 2 ½ days later we arrived back in Charlottetown, a very tired but happy crew.
In 2000 I was on the 39’ sailboat “Romana” helping the new owner deliver it from Key West, Florida to Pictou, Nova Scotia. We had just left the Chesapeake Bay when a noticeable drop in temperature warned of an approaching thunderstorm. We quickly double reefed the main and rolled up the jib. My watch started at 9:00 and for the next 2 ½ hours I wrestled with the wind and waves to keep control of the 12-ton boat. The torrential rain was too much for the scuppers to handle and at times was 2” deep in the cockpit. After large flashes of lightning the sky was so dark nothing could be seen but the light of the compass two feet in front of me. At 12:00 my watch ended I curled up in the “V” berth and slept soundly till morning.
After years of adventures from the Magdalene Islands to Key West and from Northumberland Straight to the Bra’s Dor Lakes, I wanted share my experience with people who have similar interests on board my own boat. I obtained my Masters Limited Certificate (Captain) and had my boat inspected by Transport Canada. Sunshine Sailing was created.
My crew and I offer two-hour sailing excursions in Pictou harbour and Northumberland Strait, aboard the 27-foot sailboat ROJOTOO, We can accommodate up to six passengers. Our emphasis is on the sailing experience, the wind, the waves and the sunshine. Evening trips can be laid back, while watching the sunset, summer afternoons can be a salt spray, gunnels awash, 20-degree heel sailing experience, as the land breeze takes you out to the fairway buoy at a good clip. All is determined by the wind. Passengers can sit back and enjoy the sights or help in raising the sails and trimming the main and jib. Longer voyages are available depending on time and bookings.
Some of the sights that tourists might not usually see in Pictou county include the remains of the coal pier from which the Royal William made the first steam powered crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in 1833, at the mouth of Pictou Harbour stands the Quarantine hospital built in 1849, for many of its patients the only sight they ever saw of the new world.
For more information and reservation call or “e” mail
1-902-485- 4119 peterlatulippe@ns.sympatico.ca
Cell1-902-759-3339 www3.ns.sympatico.ca/peterlatulippe/sunshine
****
THE ONTARION REPORT
April
16, 2004
Hi
everyone!
Well, you can tell Spring has sprung.
People are putting better and better stuff out in their garbage. It seams that
when the weather improves so does the quality of the refuse placed at the curb
for pickup come “garbage day”. When we moved back to civilization 6 years ago
this coming August we noticed the difference in the amount of garbage
generated. Maybe out in the small towns of Ontario people tend to hang on to or
make better use of their possessions. Although we had to deliver our own garbage
to what is called a “Transfer Station” we seldom had more than a couple of
bags. Grant it there were times when I’d look in the huge dumpster and see a
bicycle or two or an ancient refrigerator but nothing that I’d make the effort
to climb in after. I guess when people’s garbage wasn’t on public display at
the curbside you didn’t see half of what was thrown out. Once we moved back to
the city where garbage is place out weekly it was a shock to see some of the
great stuff tossed out. Of course when we first moved we had one heck of a load
of boxes and other items that we decided to reject. Our curb load was 3-4 times
what it normally is now.
While sitting on our front porch just
enjoying a summer evening, we couldn’t help notice how many people were stopping
to check out the items people had placed out for pickup. In fact, people
actually drive through the neighbourhood in pickup trucks gathering these
goodies. We finally realized that if you want to get rid of something that is
large and you think the garbage people won’t take it, never fear, come morning
it’ll be gone. Just place it out at the curb the night before garbage day and
someone will take it if it’s at all useful. It helps to place your items out
before dark so “shoppers” can see clearly what you have to offer. There’s an
old joke about placing one’s garbage in clear plastic bags to allow viewing.
Hahahahaaaa………Well, around here it’s a fact. I’ve actually seen people looking
at whatever’s in clear bags for possible reclamation!
I was out at the curb early one evening
placing our garbage out when a neighbour called to me. I walked across the
street to see what he wanted. He jokingly asked me if I had anything “GOOD” in
my garbage that week. LOL! We both laughed and began talking about the
situation. He too had noticed the increased number of “Garbage Pickers” in the
area each week. We both speculated as to what these people did with the trash
they picked up.
I said it was probably better than what most
of them had at home judging by their looks. My neighbour agreed and with that,
he grabbed us a couple of beers and said “Let’s take a walk up the street and
check out what’s up for grabs”! So, for a lark we took a walk. Well, let me
tell you there was some pretty good looking stuff on the boulevard. Everything
from chairs to dressers to refrigerators was sitting on the grass. There was
even a complete computer in one person’s trash. He happened to be watering his
lawn as we passed by and caught Chad eyeing his wares. He said that if we wanted
the computer we could have it but it was an old 386 and was of little use other
than to play games. Hmmmmmm….thinking back on this now, Doug might have been
the guy to call for this item! LOL! I had no idea back then that Doug was into
computers. Oh well, now that I’ve opened the door, maybe Doug will start making
the rounds in Squamish on “G”day! LOL! Hell, they might even be throwing out 3
& 4 Gig computers these days! Good Luck with your new found hobby Doug!
LOL! (Just Kidding my Friend)
Chad
and I continued our walk and saw many things that we speculated wouldn’t be at
the curbside come morning. It’s amazing how these things disappear.
The following week, I invited Chad over to our front porch for a beer
after placing our weekly donation at roadside. We weren’t there long before the
fellow that lives beside Chad was over, no doubt attracted by the Export in our
hands. He joined us for a cool one and we began talking about the garbage
phenomenon. Jim (the new guy) said he talked to the garbage men that do our
pickup one day and mentioned the “pickers” to them. He said they told him that
these “pickers” don’t take the stuff home and keep it, they have businesses
that they sell the items from. They apparently either take the stuff home and
have a weekly garage sale or they have stores that they stock with the items
they find at the curbside. We were dumbfounded! Jim said these guys make a
decent living from selling other peoples castoffs! I guess when you think of
it, the old saying “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure” rings true. After
all, what better way to stock your business than for FREE!
Since this info has come to light, I’ve paid a lot more attention to what I place at the curb. We have made an effort to take the “good” items to the corner Good Will or Sally Ann box rather than line some individual’s pockets.
Although
I’m really not sure what items are actually given to needy people and what
items are sold by these organization’s stores, I figure at least this way if
charities make use of the goods, the end result isn’t lining some “closet
millionaire’s” pocket!
Hey, you never know, this might just turn
out to be the answer to a retiree’s question. “Now what do I do with all my
free time”? LOL!
Until
next time, thanks for tuning in and think of what treasures you’re passing as
you drive to work next “Garbage Day”!
Bye for now…. GREG.
PS: Something to Think About>
Opportunities are never lost the other
fellow takes those that we miss!
(How appropriate)
****
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the
doug
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