The Squamidian Report – May. 4 /19
Issue #884
Including:
From Lorne
From Russ
The Ontarion
Hi All,
I’ll pick up last week’s story here, where we limped on in to
Bloomingdale to an auto repair place only to find the guy there was
also too busy to help us out. There was a second auto shop just down
the road and while not expecting much from them, I asked anyway. To my
surprise they said no problem, they just needed to pull a car out of a
bay and ours could come right in. This was a relief and we were
grateful.
Once on the lift, the mechanic inspected both wheels but couldn’t find
any indication of punctures or damage to the tires. Then they sprayed
soapy water on them and found that both the front and rear wheel air
valve stems were leaking where they seal at the rim. Now, I have no
idea how or why both valve stems on the same side would suddenly loose
their seal at the same time, but they did. Both wheels had to come off
so the tires could be removed in order to replace the valves and give
to the tires another closer inspection. While the wheels were off the
mechanic noticed our front brakes were getting warn down to the point
where they should be replaced for a safe trip back across the country.
The price they gave was minuscule compared to what it would cost out
here on the coast and safety is always first so we had them do that as
well. I thanked both the boss and the mechanic when they were done.
I’ll never know why or how both valves would fail at the same time but
that was the only car issues we had on the trip.
While in KW I was able to do some music with my brother, not as much as
I’d have liked but we managed to jam for an hour or so. I had brought
my Martin guitar along and would play it for a few minutes each evening
in our motel room just to wind down a bit, and I played it most
evenings down in the reck room of the home we stayed in just for
something to do. And, the guitar seemed to be enjoying the road trip
too.
One place I always liked to drop into when in KW was a hobby shop on
Courtland Ave. So I did, only to find they were in the middle of
closing down. On-line shopping has put them out of business. People can
buy R/C items cheaper through places like Amazon than the hobby shop
can bring the in same item at holesale. He can’t compete with that. I
did manage to purchase some little LiPo batteries for my toys. Oh well.
And then there were the usual idiots on the road. For the most part we
had virtually no traffic but in busy areas there was lots and some of
those drivers need to be culled from the herd. One time we had a line
of traffic approaching us. There was another car and a truck behind us.
Then, some impatient, entitled moron at the rear of the approaching
line of traffic just pulled out, into our lane in order to pass the
vehicles ahead of him/her. We, and the vehicles behind us took to the
shoulder in order to avoid being hit. Another time, this time on the
Duffy on or way home, we and another vehicle were passed by a Jeep
doing about 3 times the speed anything should be going on that road. He
passed on a tight, blind curve, and was gone out of sight. Again,
impatient entitled idiots. Oh well. Oh, there was also the truck that
kicked up a stone or something from its tire as we bypassed Calgary.
The stone hit our windshield and now its cracked, needing to be
replaced. And the driver in Winnipeg that passed us as we were passing
a tractor trailer, on a two lane road. Again, oh well.
Now the return trip west….
Day 1…
First day back on the road was uneventful (thats a good thing) and we
made it to Wawa, 954km. One thing that caught my attention was as we
drove north up the 400, we went past a ski hill called Mt St Louise. I
chuckled a bit as I looked over at the hill. Our street has more
elevation change than that whole hill has. I guess its what you get
used to.
Day 2…
Wawa all the way to Brandon MB. 1370km. That was not our intention. We
had wanted to get past Kenora because thats an expensive place to stop
and there was still lots of ‘day’ left. However, the next options were
in Manitoba. Google Maps showed a motel in Falcon Lake, just over the
border and the reviews were all good so thats where we headed. The
place did not look all that great from the outside and not much better
in the lobby but I took a look at the room and while it looked a bit
tired it look good enough so I checked in. Then, we both went into the
room and I pulled back the cover on the bed for a look at the ‘clean’
level. We both turned and walked right back out, I went back to the
lobby and got unchecked and away we went. Perhaps we should have tried
Steinbach MB but figures what the heck, why not get past Winnipeg
and on to about Portage la Prairie. Thats a bit longer than we’d have
liked but the driving was good so why not. Problem, every motel was
full, turned out they always are because travelers stop there instead
of in Winnipeg. The next centre big enough to have any services is
Brandon. Wow. Ok, not much choice. We rolled into Brandon just past
8pm, after a very long day for us old farts. It didn’t take us long to
fall asleep in our motel room that night.
Day 3…
We were on the road at our usual 6am with the intentions of making it a
relatively easy day. At 976km it was relatively easy and we pulled into
a motel in a small Alberta town called Bassoro at 3:30pm, about an hour
or so east of Calgary. We were able to enjoy a relaxing evening, with
everything we needed within walking distance.
Day 4…
On the road at our usual time and through Calgary by 8am. Gotta love
the view of the Rockies from out on the prairies. Kicking Horse Pass
and Rogers Pass were challenging as the highway becomes pretty twisty
and steep in places but the scenery was good. Still lots of snow in
those mountains, which is good. We stopped in Golden for lunch and then
headed on west toward Kamloops. We had through we’d maybe stop there
for the night but even after wandering around in the Harley dealers
showroom, it was still way too early to ‘come off the road’. So, on we
went to Cache Creek but it was still too early to call it a day and
being less than 4 hours from home we decided to just keep on going and
ended up home about 7:30, after stopping for some groceries and to pick
up the mail. Part of that last leg is over the Duffy. Duffy Lake is
still frozen and there is lots of winter in those mountains but the
road was dry and driving was just fine. An easy 1120km day. So, it took
5 days of driving to get to KW and 4 days to get back. Must have been
more motivated on the return trip.
Total trip… 9347km. Averaged gas milage, just short of 38/gal. Not bad for an 11 yr old Camry.
Road conditions were interesting. The highways through most of BC and
Alberta are in great shape. Saskatchewan and most of Manitoba have
highways in worse shape than the streets in KW. I don’t think a vehicle
in the Winnipeg area could last more that a couple of years without
being shaken to pieces. From the Ontarion border to half way across
Manitoba it so bumpy you can’t even carry on a conversation while
driving. Brutal. Most of Northern Ontario has great highways as does
the south as long as you stay off the really major routes and stay out
of the cities.
Personal opinion… road trips are great. I’d do it agin should the
opportunity come along although doing it in the ‘off season’ sure
helps. And, if time is not a factor, and there is more than one person
involved, its cheaper than flying when you take getting to an airport
and parking, the cost of the flight, getting to the destination at the
other end, and rent a car etc in mind. And, you get to see a lot of
nice country along the way. And no, the prairies are not boring, there
is always something to see.
One last observation, the car dealerships in Norther Ontarion and
across the prairies don’t seem to sell cars. Their lots are full of
pickup trucks but not a car in sight. Interesting.
And the last, last observation….the most challenging day was the one where I realized I had forgotten my wife’s birthday. Oops!
doug
****
From Lorne
You may remember I was sick at the site of the colour of the concrete
resurface of the front steps and porch. Well, my dislike is a
thing of the past as it is all flaking off in chunks, baring the old
original 60 year old base. The 'repair' was ill performed last summer
at a cost of $1,100 and the fly by-nighter gave me his phone number so
that I might call if all is not well. Well ! All is not !
Calling the number only resulted in 'THE NUMBER YOU ARE CALLING IS NO
LONGER IN USE'. Incidentally, I was kind of getting used to the colour
and each chunk I shovel away brings tears. If someone with the name of
'Brad' comes knocking at your door and offers to do repair work, hold
him there until I come and exchange words.
Lorne
****
From Russ
According to the Kincardine News, May 2, 2019:
“Well it looks like Inverhuron’s spring bear is back. He was spotted enjoying some birdseed just before he pulled the feeders
out of the ground. Everyone be on alert for him and keep your garbage
and birdfeeders in a place where the bears can’t get at them”.
Good luck with that.
Yes, they look cute & cuddly, and you want to get closer to maybe
take some pictures, but they are ‘wild animals’. They don’t know you
only want pictures, they may see you as an intruder, and in competition
for their food. You cannot outrun a bear. They can run up to 40 MPH in
short bursts.
I wasn’t going to write about bears this week, actually I wasn’t going to send anything to the Squamidian. Tell you why:
“How are you?”, they ask, but they could care less! Because it’s been
my experience if I begin to describe ‘how I am’, they immediately
remember they have to be somewhere and fade away. So, I’m not going to
bore you with a long tale describing “how – I – am”.
I was in to see my doctor the other day, and He asked me ‘how I am’, and he really wants to know, so I told him.
First I had an attack of the gout.
Then I caught a bad chest cold.
Then I developed pneumonia in my left lung.
Then I was thrown from my 3 wheeler, landing on the hard ground on my
left side in a ditch with my heavy bike covering my legs, pinning me
down, so I couldn’t get myself up on my feet. I called (moaned) for
help. Nobody heard me. No cars went by. There was no help. I resigned
myself to relax, and lie there until someone finally saw me in the
ditch, or until I died; whichever came first.
Neither of the former happened, so I tried the next best thing; I spoke
to the Lord, and said if this is how I go out, so be it, but if you’re
not yet ready for me, please help me up. Which He did! For me who can’t
get up off the floor, I was able to push the heavy 3 wheeler off my
legs, and get up onto my feet, mount the bike and ride it home! For you
‘non-believers’, please take note. “Prayer works”.
The ER doc said X-Rays indicate #7 rib broken, and maybe 2 or 3 lesser ribs are cracked.
My doc said it will be 3 months before my ribs would heal, then
prescribed “pain management” as the only thing they can do for me.
Pardon me while I cough, cry, cough, cry, etc.
How are you?
By your old, broken Uncle Russ
****
THE ONTARION REPORT
Hello everyone!
Well, we finally had a spring day with loads of sunshine! Thursday we
got outside and I fertilized the lawn and did a load of other spring
prep work. I think I’m getting too old to be doing the amount of work
it takes to keep the outdoor stuff in shape. I pretty much wore myself
out with what I did on Thursday of this week. I guess nobody ever said
that home ownership is easy did they! Oh well, it’s just something you
have to do when you take on your own home. I’ve been at it for the past
46 years and it won’t end until I’m 6 feet under I guess. LOL!
At least I’m still here to enjoy or complain about it, whichever I choose!
*
Have
any of you been watching Jeopardy on TV this past couple of weeks?
We’ve been watching it most evenings and there’s a fellow from Las
Vegas on that’s just amazing when it comes to answering the questions
or should I say answering with the correct questions! I think over the
past 21 shows he’s only missed two or three out of all the answers he’s
given. He’s now won over a million and a half-dollars and is still
going strong. We like to watch this show because it is more than just
fluffy TV game show junk. It actually makes you think and of course you
actually learn something when you hear the questions to the answers
they give. I know, if you aren’t familiar with the format of this show,
my description may seem a little confusing but the show is based on
answers given that the contestants must supply their reply in the form
of a question. An example of which is, “Answer: Donald Trump” … to
which the contestant must reply ‘Who is the President of the USA?’
I hope this makes better sense to those who don’t watch “Jeopardy”.
Anyway, I like this show and will continue to watch it just to see how
long this young man from Vegas can keep on winning and how much money
he’ll rake in! It’s an interesting show for sure!
*
I
still haven’t managed to install my new “wind blocker” in the MG yet
but I’m sure that one of these lovely spring days I’ll get it done.
There’s just been too much other stuff to attend to this past few
weeks. We’ve only had the MG out for a spin once of twice so far this
year but intend to do lots of cruising with the top down once we can
count on the weather being warm enough. I actually saw another MG on
the road when I was out and about this afternoon. I guess this is the
season for Sports car enthusiasts. The sunshine tends to bring them out
of hiding after a long hard winter! For many years manufacturers
stopped making convertibles but now they seem to be gaining in
popularity once again. I remember back in the 50’s and 60’s they were
the vehicle to have for summer cruising. Anything from a small
convertible sports car to huge American made vehicles like Cadillac,
Chevrolet and monster sized Chryslers with what we called “Rag Tops”
back in the day. If you want to see a nice array of these classics in
the summertime just attend any of the many advertised, “cruise nights”
at your local restaurant parking lots. Particularly those that are
known as Drive-INS or hamburger joints. Just go on line and enter
“cruise nights” and you’ll find a list of locations that you can attend
to enjoy looking at these classic beauties. I hope to get out more
often this year to as many of these events as I can with the MGB. It’s
fun to walk through the rows of special vehicles and talk to the
different owners about their hobby vehicles. Of course if you’re not a
“car nut” then it’s not quite as interesting! Even if you’re not into
this hobby, it’s still fun to look at these classic vehicles. I know
that one of the big events for these car hobbyists is put on by the
city of Kitchener in the summer time. They call it “Cruising On King”
and they have a parade of classic vehicles that winds from Victoria
Park in Kitchener up to and along the length of King St in Kitchener
and then they all park the length of King St so the public can walk the
downtown and enjoy looking at the vehicles on a warm summer evening. I
haven’t participated in this even yet but may just attend it with the
MG this year. I’ll have to Google it and find out the date of this
years event. Most weeks there are two or three “Cruise Nights”
somewhere in the KW area and I try to make it out to a few of them each
month. It’s a fun thing to do on a summer evening.
I haven’t got the pond open yet but by the end of May I should have
that done as well. The gardens are just starting to green up but all of
a sudden the back yard will be in full bloom again and the pond will be
bubbling once more. I had to cut the grass already yesterday and it
won’t be long before it’ll need mowing every second or third day! It’s
just one of those summer chores that come regularly in the nice
weather. Oh well, it’s much better than having to blow or shovel snow
isn’t it? I certainly think so anyway!
We usually have Robins nesting in a nest on our back patio by this time
each year. However this year they decided to build a new nest in an
artificial flower box that we have hanging on the front wall of our
garage near the porch. They have already laid three lovely blue eggs
and are taking turns sitting on them in the limited sunshine we’ve been
having. Hopefully they will all hatch and not become prey for the nasty
grackles that tend to steal other birds eggs this time of year. It’s
nice to see Mother Nature at work in all her forms. Plants growing and
lawns greening as well as the birds and animals that come out in the
spring. Spring has sprung indeed! Finally!
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>
Hatred .. Suicidal courage.
****
Have a good one..
the doug
The Fine Print!
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