The Squamidian Report – Oct. 18 / 14
Online Version
Issue #647
Including:
The Ontarion
Hi All,
There's snow on Brohm Ridge. Yup, snow. Actually, there is fresh snow
on the top of many of the higher Coastal Mountains and on the upper
reaches of the Whistler sky hills. Check the web cams and see for
yourself if you don't believe me. Brohm Ridge is kind of a gauge for
indicating the approach of winter. Its only about a mile high (5,000+)
ft and still quite close to the moderating effects of the Sound so when
snow starts showing up, up there, you know winter is getting closer.
We've been having some pretty cool (as in 'not warm') weather and some
very heavy rains of late and like always during or near winter, rain
down here can be snow up there. The Upper Lodge of the gondola while
high above the Sound is still only at about 3,000+ ft and its still
'fall' up there, no trace of snow yet but that will come, big-time, in
another few weeks. 'Fall' up at the lodge means yellow alders, red
blueberries, silver lichens and green mosses. Very colorful.
One of the cool (as in 'kind of neat') things about the fall rain
storms blowing in off the Pacific is the surface run-off. Its all rock
around here so very little rain soaks in to the ground. Most of it just
starts heading down hill. So, its quite common to see temporary
waterfalls cascading over the rock faces and slopes. There are several
places along the Gondola route where these temporary waterfalls occur.
You can hear them as you ride up in the silence of the gondola car.
Temporary waterfalls also come cascading down over the cliffs and rock
cuts along the highway. Always interesting.
While the fall rain storms can create some interesting scenery, they
can also get in the way. Our riding chapter had scheduled a campout at
Porteau Cove for this weekend but the lugubrious weather forecast
caused us to cancel. Actually, we took a vote. The ones who were there
and involved in the conversation were not at all interested in camping
in the cold and rain, so, the vote was unanimous. The two or three who
would have wanted to camp regardless of the weather were not there.
Thats how it goes. They are still free to go camping but I know they
probably won't. Even die-hard campers don't like pouring rain.
And speaking of rain and gondolas, we had popped in to the Park Royal
shopping plaza in West Van for some stuff we couldn't get here. Yes,
even with the newer stores and outlets that have opened up over the
past few years, there are still items not readily available locally.
Anyway, while there, 'The Wife' decided to look at rain coats in one of
the sporting goods outlets and found a couple of coats she liked. She
didn't purchase one but said she'd probably take another look at them
next time she was there. Then, on the way home we decided to stop at
the Gondola and do a quick ride up and back down. After all, we need to
get our numbers up as much as possible before the second of November.
Now we couldn't just get off at the top, have our passes scanned and
then get right back on for the ride down. Well, we could have but that
would have been silly so we went in to the lodge. There is a gift shop
/ clothing store there. That in itself might seem silly, why would
there be a clothing store at the top of the gondola. But it makes good
sense, a lot of visitors come up, only to find themselves in a world
that is alien to them. It can be cold, or wet, or whatever, and they
might be dresses for riding in a car, not for spending time up in the
sub-alpine. The lodge's clothing store carries a supply of brand-named
items that include things like sweaters, vests, hats, gloves, jackets
and rain coats and so on, and, their pricing is virtually the same as
you'd find on those items in any other store, no greedy markup at all.
There, hanging on a rack, was the same rain coat she had wanted in the
city, for the same price. Only guess what? Pass holders get 20% off any
regularly priced items in the gift shop and clothing store. We were
running a bit short on time and had to head back down but thats where
she will be purchasing her rain coat.
doug
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THE ONTARION REPORT
Hello everyone!
The other night I was watching the news and they had an article about
trends in air travel. Now of course when we travel by air we have
always traveled “coach” I believe it’s called. You know, the seats
where your knees are up under your chin for the whole flight! Well
apparently the airlines in an effort to appeal more to the affluent
folk of our time have been experimenting with different forms of
comfort seating in their “Business” or what is more commonly called
“First Class” accommodations. In the past couple of years, the airlines
have gone from large comfy “leg room” seats up front to what they
called luxury “sleep” accommodations. These were totally reclining
seats with blankets and a shoulder height wall around each of these
seats so sleeping passengers could have some privacy while traveling
over night or long distance. Last nights news report was on the latest
“Luxury” appointment on the Dubai Airline. The new Luxury Class
accommodations on that airline consist of “Three Room Apartments” for
each passenger or traveling couple. These apartments come complete with
a fully stocked kitchen and bar and your own full time butler to tend
to your every need! It also comes with not only “turn down” service at
bed time but also provides you with “Tuck In” service if you so desire!
One press of the button bedside and a lovely smiling young lady appears
to tuck you in so you’re nice and cozy for the flight. The reporter
that was chosen to do the news piece on this new service was of course
given the round trip flight from NY to Paris compliments of Dubai Air
for free. Just to show the world what is now available if you have the
coin to afford such luxurious travel. The cost of the news reporter’s
particular trip was a mere $18,000.00 round trip! He reported that he
was even allowed to keep the complimentary pajamas upon return to NY. I
wonder when Air Canada is going to start this service so Doug can
arrive here at Waterloo International smiling and well rested instead
of a tad groggy with sore knees? Hahahaha…… I’m sure he’d be first in
line when they do!
Hey Doug, I’m sure they’d even have a tuck in service for your new
Guitar so you could rest easy knowing it wouldn’t be bouncing around in
the lower cargo bay! Of course it’d likely cost you an extra $2
Grand for that bit o’ comfort as well! Guess we’d better hurry up and
win that Lottery we’re so patiently waiting for eh? LOL!
Sorry to say folks that this weeks edition is short and sweet as my
typing fingers are not in any shape to do much more than you’ve just
read! Thanks for your patience and consideration. I’ll hopefully be
back in form next week at this time!
Thanks for tuning in and I’ll look forward to talking to you all again next week in The Ontarion Report!
Bye for now … Greg
PS: Something To Think About>
Hard to believe: Kites were used during the American Civil War to
deliver letters and
newspapers!
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Have a good one..
the doug
The Fine Print!
The articles in these issues are the sole property of the persons writing them and should be respected as such.
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