The Squamidian Report – July 18 / 15
 
Issue #686

Including:
The Ontarion

Hi All,

We had enjoyed a brief break from that heat although its come back again, at least for a little while. In fact, we even had an occasional rain shower over the past few days. No where near enough rain to make much of a difference but every precious drop helps. More importantly, the forest fire smoke has moved away. Its not 'gone', the fires are not out, its just that the winds have moved it in a different direction. Most mornings we can see the Elaho fire smoke drifting back in from the Upper Squamish but as soon as the winds pick up the smoke is pushed back. Being able to breath again is kind of nice.

A cool thing happened the other day. Its quite common for the search and rescue aircraft that are stationed at CFB Comox to do flight maneuvers up and down our valley here. They come over and do low slow banked turns as that fly back and forth. Anyway, we heard the big CC-115 Buffalo pass overhead, very low overhead, and went out onto the deck to watch. Kyra was here and she loves watching planes. The Buffalo was assumably practicing the low slow flight needed for searching as well as practicing dropping markers. It would fly north toward the south side of Brohm Ridge, barely above the treetops, then turn south and line up with our street. It would disappear out of sight below the trees for a moment or so then come back into view through the trees at the north end of the street. Then, it would fly right down the street, just barely above the trees. Pretty cool. About half way down the street it would drop a long orange ribbon type marker. I don't know what its target was but of the several it dropped during several passes, one landed behind a house on the east side of the street closer to the other end, one ended up on a roof, and another came down just down the street, again on the east side, because thats the side the open hatch was on, I guess.

Its amazing how low and slow those planes can be flown. That makes sense of course because they are known for their STOL capabilities. Its also amazing how quiet they are. Those big twin engines do put out a very nice deep note but the actual volume is relatively low. The Buffalo almost seems to float as it passes by. It was almost like a private little air show.

I've seen both the Buffalo and the S&R helicopters pass through the valley in a heck of a hurry at times over the past years when they are on a mission, on their way to a situation that calls for their expertise and abilities. At time like that they are not flying slow. They need to get to where they are going as quickly as possible and they use the Howe Sound, Squamish Valley and Checkamuss Valley corridors as a route through the mountains into the Interior. It gives you a pretty good feeling when you see them heading to a 'situation'. Not only are the pilots and crews on those SAR aircraft the very best the Canadian military has, but they are the best trained SAR-techs as well, totally professional and dedicated. Its too bad that their military and political bosses don't seem to give them the respect they deserve. However, anyone who finds themselves in distress out at sea, along the coast or in the mountains or anywhere else in this country sure has respect for those yellow aircraft as they take up station over a situation or fly search grids looking for lost people or downed planes etc. I tend to come across as a bit jaded and crusty, but it sure makes me proud when I look up and see them training right over head. They have and will always have my respect and admiration. If anything, even more so than the best of our police and fire fighters, because they often must do things or go places where there simply is no backup, they themselves are the only life-line. If things go wrong, there is usually no one to come for them. If things go wrong, they too often don't make it back.

Last week I wrote way too much, so this week I'll keep it short and end it there.
doug
****


****

THE ONTARION REPORT

Hello everyone!
With the weather holding out well I’ve been getting some projects done around the house. Carole and I have been talking for several years now about installing a gate between our side wall and the fence that divides our property and the neighbour’s place. We finally decided to make an effort to research the type and cost of such a project last week. We were out shopping last week and while out we stopped at Home Depot to see what sort of gates they had to offer. They only had a wooden gate pre made with a cast iron diamond shaped hole in the top quarter of it that could be mounted in a fence. We didn’t like the rickety look of the 1x6’s that were already warping from the heat and weather. I guess they had been sitting outside in their yard for a couple of years already and had taken a beating in the rain and snow. So much for that idea! We drove on up to Northfield Dr in Waterloo and checked out the antique gates at Kieswetter’s “Timeless Materials” yard. They have all sorts of construction items from over the many years that they’ve been dismantling buildings and businesses around the Region. They had a few old jail cell doors that would have fit the space we have to fill but they weighed in at around 100 lbs and just looked TOO COOL for what we want! They also had several old barn yard gates that appealed to me but not to Carole so we decided to pass on them as well.

From Kieswetter’s we moved to the other side of King St on Northfield and found a place called Jay’s Fencing. It’s a modern company that builds and installs fences, gates and railings of all kinds. Carole sat in the air-conditioned car while I went in to their show room to see what they had to offer. I talked to Josh, the owner’s son and he showed me the exact style of wrought iron gate we’d been thinking and talking about. I went back out and got Carole so she could see what they had as well. We both liked the style and extra features of the gate Josh showed us and we decided to go home, take some more measurements and if it would fit, we’d order one for the spot! I checked the measurements and found that the gate was ideal for the installation. I went back to Jay’s the next day with Adam and his truck and we hauled the gate and posts along with all of the accessories home within about an hour of ordering and paying for it! With two good days of lovely weather that followed, I managed to install the gate and it looks terrific! We now won’t have to worry about anyone, especially neighbourhood kids getting into the back yard and falling into the pond when we aren’t home. I guess we won’t have to worry about that happening when we ARE home either! LOL! The gate is black wrought iron and is about 6’ high with pointed fleur- delis finials on top of each vertical bar. In the 48” width of the gate, there are 10 vertical bars. With the finials on top of each, it will prevent anyone from climbing over the top. I’m sure the gate is climb proof anyway but the points help to prevent that from happening. The gate came with a keyed locking latch system so we can lock it when we are away or in for the night. It also has sturdy hinges that are spring loaded so the gate will close automatically when released after opening. I also installed a latch on the wall of the house as a catch for the purpose of holding the gate open if need be! Finally, the back yard feels secure after all these years! Chalk up another worthwhile project! Oh yah, and the gate came with a 20-year warranty against the paint chipping or pealing and all other parts are also guaranteed for the same length of time! I’m sure the gate will last at least that long and more! Hell, I hope I’m able to last that long and more! Hahahahaa…. What a goal, to outlive your garden gate! LOL!

That’s about it for this week folks!
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>
I thought I wanted a career. Turns out I just wanted paychecks!                                                            
   
****

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.