The Squamidian Report – Sept. 17 / 16
Issue #747
Including:
The Ontarion
Hi All,
I know that most of you are probably tired of hearing about our Sea to
Sky Gondola and the adventures we have there. But, the whole purpose of
writing this letter is to share our take on life on, or in our case
near, the west coast. And, the gondola has become a big part of our
life. So, like it or not, here is our latest adventure, or experience
or whatever you'd call it. Their marketing department decided its time
to update their promotional pictures. The kind of pictures you see on
their web site and printed materials. We were asked if we'd like to be
the 'people' standing out on the Chief overlook viewpoint in their new
shots. We figures sure, why not. The new pictures would be taken with a
camera mounted on a drone, one of those radio controlled multi-bladed
ones that can carry a camera.
The guys flying the drone and taking the pictures can see what the
camera sees via their view screen mounted on their controller. They
would be flying it out, up, around, taking pictures from different
angles and distances and with different lenses. Cool. One of my friends
has a similar system and videos our motorcycle training sessions as
well as other stuff so I'm quite familiar with the whole thing. When
they finished shooting around the main lodge it was time to head out
the Panorama Ridge trail to the lookout. Some of you have been there,
you know who you are. Our friend in marketing suggested the pictures of
us would stand out best if we were both wearing bright jackets so we
simply went in to the clothing store / gift shop and borrowed a jacket
right off the shelf. Sue had brought her bright orange one but I only
had my grey one so we took a nice bright blue jacket and away we went.
Out at the lookout they cordoned off the area with 'filming is session'
signs and we had to stand out at the end and just spend the next half
hour looking at the scenery, just acting normal and doing what we would
do except for the fact that we weren't supposed to look at the camera,
and we were supposed to stand close together. People our age don't
usually do that but its what they wanted so thats what we did. I must
say, with the sun beating down on us as we both wore jackets made for a
hot half hour. We were quite happy to get out of our jackets and into
the shade as soon as they were done shooting. The whole thing was fun
and interesting. Our friend in marketing will send us some of the
pictures once they have a chance to go through them.
That day had been one of those really spectacular days that seem to
happen this time of year. We had been having several of those, cold at
night, sunny and warm during the day. To that end we've been going to
the gondola on the bike and enjoying the ride. The photo shoot was on
Wednesday and it was so nice out it would have been great to just keep
on riding instead of heading home but we had been tied up all morning
and had to get on with the day. So, the next day when we left the
gondola on the bike we headed for Whistler. With tourist season winding
down a bit traffic is not too bad and the ride pretty nice, bright and
colorful. After having lunch there we headed home and got home way
sooner than I'd have liked. It takes less than an hour to come down
from Whistler, I'd have liked to head the other way and take a few
days. Oh well.
And then on Friday morning as we approached that same lookout while
doing our usual walk we noticed a tiny little nut hatch bird on the
floor of the lookout, right out at the far end where the end and side
panels are glass. It had somehow gotten there but couldn't figure how
to get out. It would fly against the glass, banging its head and fall
back to the deck floor. I slowly approached it hoping it would either
flee the other way and make its escape or that I could scoop it up in
my hands and lift it over the glass. It helplessly fluttered against
the glass panels. So, I laid my sweater over it which caused it to
settle down and become still at which point I gently lifted it to the
top of the railing and opened my hands. It sat there for a moment then
took off for the trees where there were several of it's kin waiting for
it. Hopefully it will be ok. It had definitely been panicking but it
flew away strongly. Oh, while we were rescuing the little bird, an
airplane flew by below us through Olsen Creek Valley between us and the
Chief and banked out between the Chief and the Squaw. That would be
fun, and cool.
doug
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THE ONTARION REPORT
Hello everyone!
Man this weather is just perfect isn’t it? Sunshine filled days with
20c to 25c temps but a bit of a damp weekend in store for the KW area.
We are heading to Parry Sound for the weekend to attend the wedding of
the daughter of friends of ours but it’s supposed to be rainy in that
area for the weekend as well. The wedding is supposed to be held
outdoors at a local golf club but if it’s going to rain I guess it’ll
be moved inside. I hope for the bride and groom’s sake the weather
prediction is inaccurate and the weekend turns sunny for their special
day. Besides, I don’t feel like getting caught in the rain any more
than the wedding party does! It’s not nice to have a special occasion
spoiled by poor weather! If it’s raining outside it’s usually muggy
inside and that won’t make for a nice atmosphere either for their
special day. Oh well, I’m sure that no matter the weather, they’ll be
happy with the celebration of their wedding vows and all that goes
along with such a ceremony! Guess we’ll just have to remember to take
an umbrella along!
The only memorable thought I have about Parry
Sound is the fact that it’s the hometown of former Boston Bruin hockey
star Bobby Orr. Between he and Wayne Gretzke they could pay off
Canada’s national debt with the money they’ve earned through their
years in Canada’s national sport of Hockey!
We’ll be heading up to Parry Sound first thing
Friday morning and joining the bride’s family at the motel they
reserved a block of rooms in for guests of the wedding. The wedding
will take place on Saturday afternoon and then we’ll be enjoying dinner
and a reception/party after the service. Too bad we no longer drink!
It’s usually more fun at weddings when you can get a little sloshed at
the party! LOL! Oh well, better to be healthy and sober than the
alternative! I’m sure it’ll still be a lot of fun! I’ll be sure to tell
you about the wedding and the weekend if it does happen to be a fun
time. If not, oh well, it’ll likely be the last wedding we’ll ever
attend anyway. Since none of our other friends have kids that aren’t
already married the likelihood of another wedding in our lifetime is a
long shot!
We have decided to head north a day before the
wedding date so we don’t have to leave home at 5am the day of! It’s
about a 4 hour drive from Kitchener to Parry Sound so that’s not bad
but seeing the wedding is at 2pm Saturday I believe the smart thing to
do is be there the day before so we are well rested for the event!
The bride’s family lives in the KW area for the most part with the
exception of one aunt and uncle and family that reside in Kansas USA.
The groom’s family is from the Ottawa Valley area and the bride and
groom live in the Muskoka Lakes area. So, they decided to have the
wedding in a place where it would be about the same amount of travel
for either family, give or take. Either way, it’s a bit of a costly
affair for all who have to travel and pay for a couple of nights in a
motel to attend the event! Not to mention the cost of a couple of tanks
of gas and a wedding gift! Oh well, as the mother of the bride put it,
“You only get married once!” If I had my way, I’d figure out the total
cost of attending the wedding and give the bride and groom the money
and just stay home! However, that would benefit the couple financially
but nobody else would have any fun for the money and that’s no good is
it!
I think I’m going to call an end to The
Ontarion for this week since I still have to do a few things before
hitting the hay. I’ll need my beauty sleep so I’m still in good shape
by the time we arrive in Parry Sound. We are expected to help the
parents of the bride (our friends) do a little setting up for the
occasion and I’m not sure if that takes place Friday evening or
Saturday morning so either way, I’ve got to be alert and smiling!
So, 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>
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer!
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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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