tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13182797623135143592024-03-05T01:51:11.796-08:00Flying FreeFlying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-87736611634760920102010-10-09T19:33:00.000-07:002010-10-09T19:43:33.636-07:00Saturday<span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" >I'm almost ready to start the long trek home, but before I go I want to tell you about some scenic views that just can't be missed when you're down this way.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >I took a morning off from ballooning last week, and drove the “Turquoise Trail” from Albuquerque (ABQ) to Santa Fe. Don't miss it!! Cutting north from Interstate 40, about 20 miles east of ABQ, SR 14 meanders along the high plateau on the east side of the Sandi</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">a Mountains, going through villages full of art galleries and Indian craft shops. But, I didn't stop at those – just can't take in any more.</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >BUT, I did take a 14 mile detour </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">off SR 14 to the highest point of the Sandia Mountains - 10,700 feet above sea level, 5,000 feet above the valley floor along which runs the Rio Grande.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Unlike most mountain tops where the view is crowded by trees or other mountains, from this one you can see all the way to the western part of forever – according to the Automobile Club guide, the Sandia Crest panorama “encompasses 15,000 square miles”. That's a big lot of desert, mountains, city, volcanic cones . . . . And the road up to the Crest provides great views of the plateau and prairies to the East.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >These photos are from the Fiesta toward the Sandia Crest; then</span></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguesDdcAyEnBJRxPsdv9IJfhyJKCeh9kmhZkoL0MCW_AjZkSIh7mSUno88rxDZ-waGg4qJIyj5HUeS9S-org4uN6fjgwZM1bRD060LBw8c_9_2fW88KN6xubb00qB7h3oVg6bEJQpkgQan/s200/view+of+Sandia+IMG_3379.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 88px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526240675588242482" /><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" > from the Crest looking west.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Take your telephoto lens; a tripod, lunch, and go!!</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >I paid only a brief visit to Santa Fe; walked through the Old To</span></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKocZKnxU-enFVoWQWWmSION7CflX_WCZqS0Hfd3Tcxq0bZX2kFfnEfN_3I1ktM1FLx76oFX7S3K32f3-kfsbbFb7ikD5NvWUM6Qo6cn7OwGJv7YxGzdsjn1VliO-w5DLuYxsSVJY8lgy/s200/View+from+Sandia+IMG_3373.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 126px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526240681783935394" /><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >wn main square which is much larger and more picturesque than that of ABQ. Local craft people sat on the porch floors of adobe buildings that line the square, selling their own silver and turquoise crafts. Evidently they have to be licensed as authen</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >tic to be there, and a lottery decides who gets a turn to sell.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >I didn't do justice to touring either Santa Fe or ABQ – guess I'll have to come back :)</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >And, just so I don't forget why I came here, here's a photo of a morning "Mass Ascension" - </span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >o</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" >rganized chaos, but beauti</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" >ful, isn't it</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">?</span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHk-ivAx0VK7ISRBLsV86yEhJTw6dY9h14iDblEEIg60WvGVTC1VeCDxUoTCg9hjdPZL1VtjkgPfUnZAGLvE8FjIYiOabOLOOEiZSBv3qisKTcNBO_VM9W_ld8urCnoSQ-op_xas6kllB/s200/Mass+Ascension+chaos+IMG_3489.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526241937648204050" /></p>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-91162728378556753422010-10-08T11:57:00.000-07:002010-10-08T12:12:49.185-07:00Morning at the Balloon Fiesta<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshg1z829qjOaEdVqGL7fOd_Iudo4vyF9oHao2AaL4_0deMUd6Hoq9V8PSzoLayU_yzV884XA4PwSjMJkpXEhcRUDXpJFSAUhIptN-CCWS3gQaU_p3MA6LUpudmstl05FOuizoArudoD6N/s1600/dawn+patrol+IMG_3396.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshg1z829qjOaEdVqGL7fOd_Iudo4vyF9oHao2AaL4_0deMUd6Hoq9V8PSzoLayU_yzV884XA4PwSjMJkpXEhcRUDXpJFSAUhIptN-CCWS3gQaU_p3MA6LUpudmstl05FOuizoArudoD6N/s200/dawn+patrol+IMG_3396.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525752387768443522" /></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Dream – I'm reading a book –</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "> a mid-40's male detective remembers 15 years back to when he ignored the long blonde hair on the stairway – and, the aftermath. The price 'they' paid, for his oversight.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Is it morning? Still d</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" >ark, but I hear more cars passing; get up – 4:30, yes, time to get up. Wash with babywipes (no water); dress in the ever-so-dim light of battery operated lamp; jeans, 3 layers, cap, Canada bandana, cloth gloves.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Sky is black, stars abound, no light on the horizon.</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Meet new-found Minnesota friends in next campsite who crew for 2 Canadian balloons; drive to Field;give parking attendant banana bread; go to Crew Hospitality tent.</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Breakfast – breakfast burritos, all you can eat Krispy Kreme donuts; Belgian w</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" >affles, juice, coffee, coffee, coffee. Several hundred pilots, crew and Fiesta volunteers laugh, chat, eat, and get ready for the day.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Off to launch site – continual phone calls between fellow chase-crew; pilots (2 balloons from Montreal). Pilot briefing with weather and</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" > ground control is ove</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" >r – pilot has to decide - Yes, we'll go; no, not yet; no, wait, YES, NOW.</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Sky lightens a bit in the east; stars still glimmer; concessions open selling coffee, 'funnel cakes', breakfast burritos, souveniers, . . . Announcers begin their daily spiel, giving the schedule of the day; bad jokes; lifting spirits to an even higher peak. Sightseers crowd the field; stumbling a bit in the grass, waiting for light, for BALLOONS! Photographers everywhere. Check the number of cameras on this tripod! <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DTuqcS67IZ4T79Dyv0F6ZrZy4Ey6UlnbtWa-lNWIrFQ6LZDVDukwTzCFvfHHTPDEFaqYT7GFuC0WDChZb8qN7u-YyxURxPkhrIV6Nxr1-oJFIgXz6p4bJRxYJ2taNLElqPxnqcl-rT0L/s200/phtographer+IMG_3419.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525754127948791458" /></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Crew unpacks “envelope” (the balloon); gondola; ropes; radios; lights; fan; pr</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" >opane. . . . Lay it all out; I get to help lay out the envelope and ropes and then do traffic control, keeping the sight-seeers from walking over the envelope and ropes (</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >Why, they ask, in a snit? Because if your heel goes through the rolled-up envelope it can ruin a $15,000 balloon</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" >.) Hurry up!! Pilot wants to go NOW, to be part of Dawn Patrol, launching at 5:45.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Ready? Use fan to inflate the balloon with cold air; keep walking under the envelope, touching only with cloth gloves (oil on hands ruins silk envelope); fluff envelope up so it will inflate more quickly. Attach the Crown with velcro strips; keep people off of the envelope and ropes; answer questions from observers; HURRY.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Envelope is full of cold air, still lying on its side; tethered to truck. Pilot lights the propane; as air heats, the envelope begins to stand up. Noise, flames, heat. Gondola still on its side, crew checking – instruments in? Lights attached; crew has keys to chase vehicle? 2 way radios working? HURRY. Envelope is up, gondola is in position, pilot is in; double checks everything, mixing propane and air to keep the balloon upright and ready to go. . . . . .</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Zebra-garbed field official arrives – ready to go?? final instructions to pilot. Pilot </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" >decides who to ride – darn, not me, this time. Zebra checks the field, the wind, the 10 other balloons in our</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" > immediate area – not yet, not yet - - then, two arms up, frantic whistle, you're off!! The group cheers!! Away he goes.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Crew gets another coffee, then begins the chase. Pilot says “I'll try for Second and Alameda, near the school”. Roger. We drive the streets near the Field, find our balloon touched down in a dirt parking lot of a small condo development. Chatting with our two guys is a t-shirt garbed woman, who tells us she was walking the arroyo (drainage channel), on her way to school.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >She helps us pull the balloon over to the pavement (pilot uses hot air to lift off a bit); then to roll it up, pack, lift, put everything away. She tells me she's 'retarded', and we agree that helping with </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" >this balloon is a wonderful thing to be part of. We give her a trading card for our balloon, and she carries on to school, to tell her friends about the start of her day.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" >We return to the field; drive home; and back to bed. It's 8:00 a.m. Can I pick up tha</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" >t dream where I left off? I want to know how the book ends!</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">My favourites, so far.<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKynUPnHXa5DDV8Rbc6n2DqEqLDf-kJUkaxMPXmOJgYjd8Z3hPSZIlQapy-XJ5HG0BehNk6_33K226XGB9A8rJ54fhYWnxVj500WZLIc9fIOkKRrx6I0IJrEgdL9QgmpNaKD9rZYo5_Boc/s200/wait+for+me+IMG_3454.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 124px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525752920114778434" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbURxj9sut6PP2_ls8OdNLLx3hqDc_J183bKURMixghKYwvBpb0_vaSUSP1MET9QoQCqNHIhgGuca6STegZkv_OYgat7xJuZbsBmwllDqjuV40loSnMrRoZXIgTShoB1Hug4hWaMzsDdTY/s200/Pondemonium+IMG_3425.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525754005065077762" /></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >"Arky", with lady bug trying to catch up - I guess Noah forgot her.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >and, "Pondemonium", the most creative and original I've seen so far.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Enjoy!</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><sdfield type="FILENAME" format="PATHNAME"></sdfield></p>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-45128024484511976452010-10-04T12:59:00.000-07:002010-10-04T13:26:50.326-07:00update October 4<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSLdXa_IJKaTiZVnZer2RiQA0jvzhEmpgdx-DXB_lQ3DtZHXclck81pTmF6_8I3ZqEUFZI0paDouXxdHg65xmzjSmTHF0IDQ7B-673uISMIs5WqQAyCwhQ-SJgezWnuVQAtNjm6vOPKhe/s1600/ABQ+camp+IMG_3189.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSLdXa_IJKaTiZVnZer2RiQA0jvzhEmpgdx-DXB_lQ3DtZHXclck81pTmF6_8I3ZqEUFZI0paDouXxdHg65xmzjSmTHF0IDQ7B-673uISMIs5WqQAyCwhQ-SJgezWnuVQAtNjm6vOPKhe/s200/ABQ+camp+IMG_3189.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524289134807232482" /></a><br /><br />October 3, 2010<div><br /></div><div>It's been a busy 2 weeks - finished the Habitat build in Grand Rapids, Minnesota; stayed overnight in St. Paul, seeing the season's premiere of Garrison Keelor's "<a href="http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/">Prairie Home Companion"</a>; waiting in Wichita for a replacement tail light for the trailer, and now have been in Albuquerque (ABQ) for 5 days.</div><div><br /></div><div>Above is where I'm camped - note the shade tent - it's been in the mid-90's which is a little hot after the long underwear weather during my last 2 weeks in Minnesota.</div><div><br /></div><div>The <a href="http://www.balloonfiesta.com/">Balloon Fiesta</a> is just great - words can't describe the sight - hundreds of balloons, hardly any alike (except Wells Fargo bank - they have 2!); and funny shaped ones too - a parrot from Holland, a little man from Japan, one from Lithuania, and at least 3 from Canada. I hooked up with one of the Canadian ones last night, as I wanted to crew for my home country; so, I toured the balloon field (equal to 54 football fields), looking for Canadian license plates. Didn't I find "Wicked", a ballon built in Aylmer Quebec by a fellow who works 3 blocks from where I live in Ottawa. So, I got to help launch the balloon, and put it away again when lightning started to strike on the field. Have I found a new hobby? We'll see.</div><div><br /></div><div>So far, the most magical moment of the Fiesta is the sight of 50 balloons directly over my head, backlit by an absolutely blue sky. As I lay back in my chair, looking straight up, the balloons looked as if they were little globes of colour, floating in a clear blue sea. Magic! Here's a picture from my "living room", the RV park is directly across the street from the Fiesta site.</div><div>another memorable moment was this morning when I had a breakfast burrito - hashbrowns, chiles, scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese sauce, all wrapped in a tortilla - to my Potluck pals - care to try it?</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYqNWqi-QomIoL-oTCkwLKgLNnxtm1yM5fZOjTy1_7mMCjlxaiQbkwjs_5ozFQE6leKLx6edsOntZ603C1BQ6lQL0BhMVzIwBE2MxrH_ovtuduaOtdm9unE_s4EayoVVrv8U3K1hRjkwT/s200/IMG_3334+stinky.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524289125959423474" /><div><br /></div><div>Spent a half day at the "<a href="http://www.vla.nrao.edu/">Very Large Array</a>", in Soccoro about 50 miles south of ABQ. It's a set of 27 radiotelescopes that are linked together; moveable; that are set up to receive radiation signals from outer, outer space. Fascinating (to me), as the scientists continue to try to understand how the universe started; how it's grown; how it is / or is not, shrinking. . . . . Sure makes me think about God - did She know what she was doing or what!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>ABQ is a beautiful place to visit - the city is in a huge valley -</div><div> probably carved by the Rio Grande River; and is bounded on the East side by the Sandia mountains. There are so many places where one can see for miles and miles and miles, across the valleys to the next mountain range. Not like we'd see in Alberta as we drive toward the Rockies, but mountains that are 7 - 10,000 feet high covered with sage brush and tiny trees. Saw a herd of antelope, grazing next to a herd of cattle - anyone remember the song "Oh Give me a home, where the buffalo roam?" No buffalo though. </div><div><br /></div><div>Am about ready to come home - have been "dry camping" while in ABQ - that is, no electricity, no water. Since it gets dark at 7:00 p.m., the evenings are long, or at least they are until I go to sleep at 8:00 p.m. - I miss not being able to make my coffee and stay in bed in the morning, as I am able to do whenever I have electricity. The other thing I really miss is radio; I considered whether to buy a satellite radio before I left, but didn't; that's the only purchase I should have made. Another thing to consider for next time is to buy a tiny generator, so that I can have some electricity when there are no hook-ups. Ah well, live and learn, eh?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-39150986896415389692010-09-19T14:18:00.000-07:002010-09-19T14:45:07.525-07:00September 19 - Grand Rapids, and more<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ">It's been a busy 8 days since my last pos</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ">t – I left Roseau on September 8, having enjoyed a lovely five days with cousin Leanne and family, and learning even more about my family history on my father's side.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span>Then to Moorhead and Fargo (cities across the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "> Red River from each other). I only went to Fargo to check out Cabela's, a full service sporting goods store. Wow – everything any camper would ever want, and could ever need, from soup to nuts to overalls and propane powered coffee-makers. Cabela's is decorated around stuffed animals, of all sizes – chipmunks to moose, and everything in-between.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span>By way of contrast, I also went to Scheels, another </span><span>full-servi</span><span>ce sporting goods store. Much of the same products for sale, BUT an interesting contrast in decora</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ">ting. In addition to all of the stuffed animals – bears, moose, deer, chipmunk, beaver . . . . Nearly all of the US Presidents were also gracing the interior – in full-size replicas a la Madame Tussaud's. Would anyone care to write an essay comparing and contrasting the décor of the two stores; or, do an analytical piece on that topic :)</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span>Also spent a half day at the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "> Hjemcomst Center in Moorhead. (Hjemcomst means homecoming in Norwegian). This Center memorialises the individual dreams of two men.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> <span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqH_iny-JCFjxlB13h2p5fvpigsFoiKn9Maj1noSJyITHm7OtC8L_bsSRQtgUmuGKHxvInOE081wJlPfHR50slBUK65-aJyQVgXbxTYFH0253egZLDUyHXwQBsQ9sq-XoyEml3Mnf97nG/s200/ship.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 135px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518740014449516050" /></span>The first, Bob Asp, wa</span><span>s</span><span> a guidance counselor at a local high sc</span><span>hool </span><span>and</span><span> had a dream about construct</span><span>ing and sailing a replica of a Viking ship to Norway – and this is from the middle of Minnesota remember. After years of work his dream became real, and though he died shortly before the voyage was to begin, his children carried on his dream, and did indeed sail to Norway. For more</span><span> on this ins</span><span>piring tale, see </span><a href="http://www.hjemkomst-center.com/ship/main.htm">http://www.hjemkomst-center.com/ship/main.htm</a></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span>The second dreamer was Guy Paulson, who want</span><span>ed to replicate a Norw</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ">egian Stave church. As a worker in wood, he wanted to honour those who had gone before, and the thousand-year old stave churches which still stand in Norway. He too perservered, and made his dream a reality. For more info on this one, go to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><a href="http://www.hjemkomst-center.com/church/main.htm">http://www.hjemkomst-center.com/church/main.htm</a></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><a href="http://www.hjemkomst-center.com/church/main.htm"></a></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7Ml6EVsaMaE1Sxx404CLP2ib3eg9gRQbnmyiQ03H-fz0pxe4Eq-6SbOyJjfzRI3xZ1Ul1jJfxAfeKhak7IYeo7UcY-JntKCu9riaapcouUvXYGSuiBBNmA-limIKtbtTcF3PJ9ZnWibq/s200/church.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518740018193237794" /></span>Then, I resumed my east-ward</span><span> journe</span><span>y to Grand Rapids, Minnesota whe</span><span>re the next Habitat Build is taking place. On my way, I sto</span><span>pped at the Mississipp</span><span>i Headwaters Centre </span><a href="http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/index.html">http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/index.html</a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span>and stepped over the beginning of that great River. I took a photo of the River, on my way out of the park, ½ mile from where the river begins. What do you think? Does that look anything like the River you know or think of?</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NrF-BzfnpuMKdQTCQOAF0SSaEcD6kcydTl_gw1N6a0xmKjy9P-dEw7JAiJlDmj5S6r5ESXSz-iIgxJ2yLTF9wq6vagr-abJK50qmSaFaqN3BaufKPU5QpH_WC0vTxMtkBjPiIS32MeWi/s200/IMG_3108.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518740040289618706" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaa_Py2GsJCUEfkctFT72a1N9O0_jseQF-vzYl7AAc3b67d9bZlY_hkFphAbIXkdmM0_tLIky0WkpGhofMGtYLkOHRX2uXMjSz-VIXUfQzsq5b1Us5UzMr2CQyxzU0U2LId-xpYysLsnu/s200/mrng+on+Miss+IMG_3117.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 121px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518740028201372386" /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span>Arriving at Grand Rapids – birthplace of Judy Garland by the way – I set up at Pokegama Dam camp site , which is a beautiful and well-run campground right on the banks of the Mississippi., above. I wake each morning to the sound of the river rippling by – wow! Spent some time at an annual meeting of the Minnesota Street-Rod Association, and may have located my next tow vehicle, if I decide to get rid of the Mazda Tribute that has carried me so many miles.</span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEarzR6G4xqW41SovXIClmqNk5YuTLbOXS4BP94JqtlwYXCOREwMsQNGsOe3j_FWk-xVwVWlKa0kh3aDygeNJ31D2UNa5yEtG87Idzo4yPBhffwB2grhvGmoM7UH8Ih8Chw9yTqAjnuPVO/s200/Next+tow+vehicle.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518740033822418658" /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ">Also went to Hibbing, MN, to see a three-way continental divide. I had always thought that there was only one, THE continental divide that runs down the Rocky Mountains; but no, there are several of them. The one near here is not at a high altitude, but a drop of water that falls upon it can go one of three ways; One to the Red River, then north to Hudson Bay. Another, to the Mississippi and then to the Caribbean; and the third, to the east, to Lake Superior, the St. Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean. Boy am I learning a lot!!! For more info, see: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurentian_Divide">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurentian_Divide</a></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span>While in Hibbing, I visited another open pit mine site – there are so many in this part of the world, and I didn't want to miss anything. The Hull-Rust mine is said to be one of the largest in the world. For more info, see </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hull-Rust-Mahoning_Open_Pit_Iron_Mine">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hull-Rust-Mahoning_Open_Pit_Iron_Mine</a> .</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">See <a href="http://www.gogeometry.com/mining/hull_rust_mahoning_hibbing_open_pit_mine.html">http://www.gogeometry.com/mining/hull_rust_mahoning_hibbing_open_pit_mine.html</a> for a short video that shows the entire scope of the mine.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><br /></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ">And, on the way back from Hibbing, I ran across a planetarium, giving free admission. I saw a great movie on the demise of dinosaurs – the movie ran across the dome of the planetarium, and it was fun to see/hear the dinosaurs stomping to their end. As well, two fellows were using a sophisticated, though small, telescope to look for sun spots. They showed me how to use the telescope, and I saw 2!! They then explained sun spots, and were very envious when I told them I hope to see the Great Array in Soccoro, NM (stay tuned for that.)</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><br /></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ">The Build here is going well – we're working on three houses, one of which is to be finished in time for a September 26 open house of the HomeBuilder's Association – I'm learning how to put on exterior siding, put on j-channel in an elegant fashion, and carry stuff. I love it. It combines much of what I love best – immediate results; Christian service; good company; being outdoors; travel – could I become a 'full-timer', living year-round in my little rig? Food for thought.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><br /></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ">Off to church now – I'm finding that the United Methodist churches are closest to my theology and I feel comfortable there. After that, I'll be repairing a few minor leaks in my baby Boler – can't see myself sitting in the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, festooned with a blue tarp, so I'll try to get that fixed before I leave here next Saturday. My Habitat experience is giving me confidence that I can fix some things, and knowledge about what questions to ask before I start. Good stuff!</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span>Bye for now. Keep in touch, eh??</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-29506224018325393092010-09-08T16:19:00.000-07:002010-09-08T16:28:08.563-07:00September 8 - Minnesota, and relatives!<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">What a heart-warming experience! I've been in Roseau, Minnesota since Friday, visiting with my second-cousin, Leanne, and her husband Keith. They've welcomed me warmly, and I've really enjoyed staying in the warm, comfortable roomy house –</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> quite a contrast to my 13 foot Boler trailer!</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">We met last year when I was to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">uring through the area, and we just hit it off. Leanne is a central person in my family history, as she is related to many people in the area, and knows almost everyone else. Being a former school teacher, a very active church member and of Sons of</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> Norway, and a participant or instigator of many local activities, she's well-connected. Among other things, Leanne is a quilter, and plays accordion in a local band, entertaining not only at local events, but also at Norse-focused events in the mid-West. Keith is a highly skilled carver and carpenter,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> and both he and Leanne have displays in the local historical museum of the Norse art.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">My paternal grand-mother and grand-father (Karen Gaukerud and Theodore Haaby), were both from families of 9 children; and Leanne is the grand-child of one of Karen's sisters. Many of the children from both sides stayed in this area, and some of their children (people my age) are also nearby. And, that means that I have so many relatives in this area that I have only to close my eyes, throw a stone, and I'll hit one. Being so </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">well-behaved I don't do that, but during my visit, Leanne has frequently said, “and you're related to that person, through the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "> Gaukerud (or Haaby) side of your family”. It's been overwhelming to me to see how many relatives I have here.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Leanne and Keith have showed me around, taking me to local cemeteries, one of which contained headstones for TWO Karen Haaby's (my maiden name); and another where my grand-mother, another Karen Haaby, is buried. One was my great grand-mother. Very eerie to see a headstone with one's own name on it. Thank goodness the dates were wrong, so I'm not dead yet.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYy2wwlhuWgQ0nyFFqos8HccFHFqqLdonAOocV12jkRuW7Z13aje_rZH0fSpCWodFppqao8gE0kEhb7azLkj8dkRbPCKtEVWNoEEvYzwnxDxjgm1EF0PRvzojKNUSIaH1Jg6DFjN8kiil/s200/Gravestone+IMG_3036.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514686730080032866" /></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">On Sunday we went to the Rollag Steam Show, an annual event in a village 3 hours away – it brings together hundreds of tractor and other steam engine machines, and thousands, yes thousands of people from near and far. Remember we're in northern Minnesota, about 50 miles from the border with Canada, and farming has been the way of life here since the settlers came (my ancestors among them) in the late 1800's. </span><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">We saw tractors and farm equipment of all sizes, some dating from the early 1900's; a working sawmill, powered by steam engines; displays of Norse hand-work – embroidery, weaving, knitting.</span></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfW8AEWGY1uLzMy4pxXozlObOn7jzhhNbB_DP0lD_J_adc3EHfiATJGMJmawJWaZm_VjG1WzBNiUE7syddy7wtLvcnpoZr3oi2urbexQ0vAGGpuTz0T_dwmshTtk14c7IjEp_VpAPlNeJ/s200/tractor+IMG_3048.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514687772221297138" /><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyN3gnB3KwOrN-IT4iErBFbW-En5WXFMLfo-aGX-Lm2arFf0qXbyYaa3fDwWXqQjdYhQemuIvr13My1eVgzx-rvX9aXNopPcfgLBwYk8hU7wrJ9svbidMvex3xAyn6j8jOh9ZTZBNLiJh/s200/Karen+and+RR+engine+IMG_3060.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514687393151455010" /></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">I also experienced some Norwegian food – lefse, of course, which is a tortilla-like bread made of potato and flour. I was also treated to </span><a href="http://rommegrot-sweetcreamporridgerecipe.html/"><span style="color:#303030;"><span style="font-family:Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">Rømmegrøt (Sweet Cream Porridge)</span></span></span></span></span></a> <span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">I was chatting the white-bearded fellow in front of me while waiting in line for my lefse, and when he told me what he was ordering, I said “what's that”, and the conversation all up and down the line halted, faces turned toward me in disbelief – how could a person not know what “ Rommegrot“ is?? (Could they tell I was not a local:) Nothing would do but that I had a bite of it. He offered me a clean spoon in a gentlemanly fashion, and I slurped into a bit of heaven – wow! What a great taste – fresh cream, thickened with a tiny bit of flour, mixed with sugar and a bit of cinnamon, and topped with melted butter! Sort of like condensed milk on steroids. I was later told that this was often eaten by women who had recently given birth, to restore their strength. I guess!!</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">If you want the recipe, go to: </span><span style="color:#303030;"><span style="font-family:Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"><a href="http://www.gjenvick.com/Recipes/Rommegrot-SweetCreamPorridgeRecipe.html">http://www.gjenvick.com/Recipes/Rommegrot-SweetCreamPorridgeRecipe.html</a></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">For those of you that attend our potlucks, stay tuned - you may get to sample some!</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">We had dinner last night with Leanne's brother John and his wife Randi; and talked and laughed about many things. John took over the family farm years ago, and now their son is at school studying agricultural business. They have 1500 acres of diversified crop (wheat and beans, maybe some beets), which John carries on by himself. When need arises he can hire help, or sons and sons-in-law also help. In the past Randi worked there too, driving the huge combines to get the crops in. But, her work as a nurse took her away from the farm work, and John has carried on, and is a successful small farmer.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">As always, Americans are interested in our Canadian health care system, so there was lots to talk over dinner about that. We also compared notes on living in the heart of a culturally diverse urban Canadian area with life here in rural northern Minnesota. Neither side won out, by the way – I think we agreed that each has its pluses and minuses, and it seemed we were all content with our choices.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">This visit has been good for my soul; it's great to feel connected to so many blood relatives.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">And, now I'm off to the next leg of my journey – will end up in Grand Rapids, Minnesota for Saturday, as my next Habitat build starts Sunday. But, am taking the long route going west to Grand Forks, North Dakota, then south to Fargo-Moorhead for a day or so, before heading east again to Grand Rapids. Bye for now.</span></p>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-9448018212111932152010-09-03T10:51:00.000-07:002010-09-03T10:51:00.220-07:00September 2<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">This is likely the last of my Mine Visit entries – don't know why they're so fascinating lately, but yesterday I visited my 5<sup>th</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">in the last 6 weeks. Pa</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">rt of it has to do with the fact that I'm where they are, and they're really interesting. Here in northern Minnesota and Michigan, mining was the heart of much of the economic development of the area, in the mid 19</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><sup>th</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "> and early 20</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><sup>th</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "> century, and some have been preserved for tourists.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> Today I visited the Soudan Mine Underground Laboratory at Soudan, Minn. (drove up from Duluth this morning, as I didn't have enough time to both see Soudan and Duluth and still make my rendevous with my cousin on Friday.)</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> The Soudan Mine was a working iron ore mine for about 80 years (1882 – 1962 I think). It produced high quality ore in huge chunks that steel mills could use without any processing, and was in great demand when open hearth furnaces were used. But, when Blast furnaces came into being, they needed small pellets of iron, and so the processes used at the Mine I visited outside Marquette were developed, and Soudan Mine closed.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> In 1965, US Steel donated the Soudan mine to the State of Minnesota, on the condition that it be maintained as a demonstration of a 'deep' mine, and after a touristy type visit by a theoretical physicist, his wife suggested that the mine could be used as the location for a laboratory that needed shielding from cosmic rays for its experiments – and, there, the Soudan Lab was born.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> For more detailed info on the Labs and their work, please see: </span><a href="http://www.hep.umn.edu/soudan/brochure.html">http://www.hep.umn.edu/soudan/brochure.html</a></p> <p style="text-align: left;margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Enough to say that we travelled down ½ mile in one of the 'cages' pictured here – the Cages are placed upright, and run on vertical tracks, at a 78 degree angle, at a speed of 10 mph. The cages are made up of two parts – one to carry people (18 at a time); and the second to carry iron ore, 6 tons at a time. It takes 2 ½ minutes to descend 2341 feet to the 27</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><sup>th</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> level, where we went on two tours. The first was a straight mine tour, which followed the descent from the surface with a ¾ mile ride on a little train, horizontally into the mine.</span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepMtuT51k_F76iYIAWo151omm9HEBn44d7KL8QvGfNph7_iUckk05fWywSAxQD_e5wPi8IyHTz-nf3vcpxTZNR82adHDHuELJzRhZhMWywSh0Vd4gduqacRV7Na5ZDRZs1f-eGwwpIsRr/s200/Cage+Soudan+Mine+IMG_3008.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512376606618502850" /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in">The cage was sort of enclosed, but the guide did go in each time we entered, to shoo out the bats that may have been visiting.<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixgunAOEFdQqwJv8SXNbvkOGoPoXmiflpBbPlvWVwlUSJlxX1KVU4xBkVl9O_25CeEaEn7xJBbMnLqz4kKaXHCCxnFMTMmZpLebJJyO_9aJJ4lxBNkF2AX7VPdRinaQSmV1KLrhf3qgAn/s200/how+deep+3018.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512376620184885890" /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">This mine was notable because the seams of iron were so pure and so dense, that no shoring up or drainage was required. Just blast and extract – much simpler than the other mines I saw whose seams of ore were so mixed with other minerals, that constant drainage and shoring up was required through-out.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">The Lab tour was separate one, so after a half hour back at the surface, some of us descended again to the 27<sup>th</sup> level, and toured the theoretical physics lab. This lab was established to capture “neutrinos”, shot from a cyclotron in Illinois – yes, really, 500 miles all underground! Each second, we on the surface are bombarded by trillions of ne</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">utrinos, and the physicists want to understand how that affects or is affected by gravity, the atmosphere, the Sun, and outer space. So, by capturing neutrinos which have NOT been affected by rays from the sun, the scientists can help us get to Mars. (I'm about to make my reservation :) Is the lab effective? So far only about 10 neutrinos PER WEEK are captured; but according to the scientists that's fine, as it gives lots of data.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">We were told that though the effect of neutrinos can be observed, their existence can't be proven; so physicists had to make up the idea of them, to explain things like gravity. Hold that thought.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">There is a second lab on the same level, this one dealing with “dark ma</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">tter”, that is, the 90% of the universe that we can't see, hear, feel, experience. The idea behind the “Cold Dark Matter” experiments is to show the action of molecules down to absolute zero (minus 480 degrees F), so the molecules can be tracked, as they move much more slowly when it's cold (just like the rest of us?) This lab is tracking “Weakly Interacting Molecule Protons” or WIMPS. Hmmm.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">We were told that the concept of 'dark matter' can't be proved, but it must exist to explain how the universe is made up.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">[I learned while in Soudan that there is an underground lab in Sudbury also studying neutrinos; but using a different method - guess I'll have to go see that one too sometime. For more info on that, g to </span><a href="http://www.sno.phy.queensu.ca/">http://www.sno.phy.queensu.ca/</a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">So what's all this mean? I don't know of course – you theoretical physicists out there will understand it all. But for spiritual people, isn't it interesting that even hard scientists, so dedicated to 'proof', have to make up things to explain how the universe started and how it works. For me</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">, the Mine Tours have been a wonderful confirmation of the existence of God, a God who helps scientists find ways to explain Creation and how it works, and helps people like me understand better how the worl</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">d works.</span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEwcR0C0S8E7YUS1EosrJz2uT0ENK8RkzKILNhLDxSpW2sdyq0KHngvErcUuwu16ihu8azpBeUYc5MsRzZX0owfuOhQIzWcpg3zw7Fv6dE5d2JiVg3o0-u5E9mdGPJbgYusODJZVsozhc/s200/Soudan+undrgrd+1+3028+.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512376625257739042" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></p>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-55826130858076495382010-09-02T10:43:00.000-07:002010-09-02T10:51:01.136-07:00September 1<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9QTRG_iuJp6JHbppErKKMz472pIOXHv51G0XN9Nl_GPss1KCyzkbNbdmTCQfi4b0_jlBZl3ocpHAk4zErlLxC3zZ_JRQDZN75lMGWFGT7-_gqmuqd9NEDj5eP5Te7hcD8_fODsGHZFfF/s1600/Copper+Harbor+2976.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9QTRG_iuJp6JHbppErKKMz472pIOXHv51G0XN9Nl_GPss1KCyzkbNbdmTCQfi4b0_jlBZl3ocpHAk4zErlLxC3zZ_JRQDZN75lMGWFGT7-_gqmuqd9NEDj5eP5Te7hcD8_fODsGHZFfF/s200/Copper+Harbor+2976.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512374515835224610"></a><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial, sans-serif" style=" ">Spent a lovely day in Michigan's Copper Country, at the extreme end of the Keewanan Peninsula – look on a map of Lake Superior, and see the peninsula pointing to the left, near the extreme west end of the Lake. It's a lovely drive up from Marquette, and the last 15 miles into Copper Harbor were arched by elm and maple trees, just beginning to turn colour. The two lane road is fine to drive, and I recommend Copper Harbor for wanderers. DO GET GAS IN HOUGHTON/HANCOCK, before going further.</font></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial, sans-serif" style=" ">Also, good camping at the Fort Wilkin's campground at Copper Harbor – full hook-ups for Rvs, clean, level shaded tent sites, clean bathrooms/s</font><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">howers, good fishing (I hear); a local Camp Host who provides info and teaches how to bake bread on a stick over an open fire.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> <font face="Arial, sans-serif">Copper Harbor houses two bars, no churches, no gas station, one ice cream store, and a wonderfully restored military fort, dating from the mid-19<sup>th</sup> century. Originally built to maintain order during the first Copper Rush, Fort Wilkin was active for only a fe</font><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">w years in the 1840's; then recommissioned again briefly in the late 1860's – was there a perceived threat from Confederation?? Don't know.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">The Fort is staffed by in-costume interpreters, who not only know the actual history, but also local myth from both Indian and Soldier perspective. (Was local lovely Fanny Hooey really kidnapped ? Both local and Indian legend agree that it was so, but formal history does not substantiate the event– hmmm.)</font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"> After Copper Harbor, drove back through Houghton and Hancock, Michigan - a local university seems to provide most employment, and students on their first days back at class d</font><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">id their student thing – walking out in front of passing traffic etc.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"> The Keewanen Peninsula is well worth a longer look – it has a history for both fishing and copper mining, and there are many small villages around the exterior; and so many beautiful views of Lake Michigan, that one can't take them all in.</font></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial, sans-serif"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeCzZ3f4Fe1eePUgSS5d7g6Se2qpSzax7loftBM9FcqgLVbApdnJG-UBYhxZyRNruA-om5E5-DdV-gaRxA1Fj9tmq6nluAuKb0suIFhZnFLjp7KVeGCAJhvGBYFd825rv-ru_-p045c_n/s200/Copper+Harbor+lighthouse.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512374524786615970"></font></p>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-47049058695929842992010-08-30T07:22:00.000-07:002010-08-30T07:39:18.138-07:00What to do in Marquette<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Marquette is quite lovely – built on low hills bordering on the Lake, with some</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> beautiful Victorian homes, in good repair. There's also some interesting buildings; for example, a former Lutheran Church, turned into a personal residence. It's bric</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">k, and the words “Lutheran Kierke” are still etched in the stone above the doorway – cou</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">ldn't see the inside of course, but beautiful from the outside. The public library has been restored, and also is beautiful in a classic style, inside and out. It overlooks the lower harbour, and I've spent quite a bit of time at the desks</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> with huge windows admiring the view while I do my computer stuff. It's very scenic – the lake forms the northern and eastern horizon everywhere, and is just so huge! Usually quite calm, but when the wind comes up, you can see white-caps, and waves.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Northern Michigan University lives here, and the students have now returned. Even so, the town is pretty homogeneous, as was Iron Mountain – I do miss the diversity of Ottawa, with colour, language, dress, food from everywhere, everywhere.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">On my first day here, I took in a tour of a local iron mine – an open pit mine, measuring one mile East to West, one mile North to South, and 1100 feet deep. (Sorry, no photos – not allowed.)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> According to the Guide who showed us around, this mine has 3</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">0 years of Iron left in it – wonder what size the dig will be then?? The portion of iron is much lower than in mines that are dug into the ground – at the one in Iron Mountain, the portion was 70% I think; here it's about 30%, so they have to move 3 tons of ore to get one ton to process. AND, the resulting ore has to be 'pelletized', to be usable by steel factories. To do that, the ore is powdered, then combined with limestone and baked at 2,400 degrees, (yes, no typo); then pressed into marble sized pellets and taken by train to Escanaba for shipping. On our tour of the Plant, we passed by tanker-car sized kilns, through which the pellets are baked. Why not shipped from here? The docks aren't big enough</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> for the ship size needed to make the transport economical – needs to be around 1,000 feet long, such as I saw in the Sault, and the docks here only accommodate 750</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> feet ships. So the docks here are used mostly for off-loading coal and limestone, to feed the ore plant. The plant is so big it needed it's own electricity -generating capacity; and the plant had surplus capacity which now powers the rest of Marquette – size matters!</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Did I tell you abou</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">t “Da Yoopers Tourist Trap” ? A Yooper is a resident of the Upper Peninsula – get it?? The Tourist trap is a gold mine of local humour – deer hunting men; truck sized rifles and chainsaws. Etc. Fun! Didn't buy anything, but sure enjoyed the humour.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGlFtkdzTEIh0W51BS0DcEFqhN073osMRdH5xLDCjKXCI7DLFzLgqU687WpEHkRQLb0RFyFVJMoJeXntkA-MWpxyvCkC6DMg8ay3720Uls6OQF7UY-1lfaTsDrefxMLKnQA5CjUR_pkfC/s200/Gun+and+flag.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511208476814090658" /> "Da Yoopers Tourist Trap"</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">I've taken in a local production at a theatre which is housed in a working boat-house, owned by the power boat man I'll tell you about in a minute. It was an original production done in opera style of a melding of 2 of Aesop's fables, illustrating the theme that even the mighty need the small. The singers were uniformly very good, especially considering Marquette's small population (about 30,000). Well worth seeing. The boat house was being used for a wedding reception the following night, so take down started immediately after the performance. But, it's still used to repair boats!! And, I've sampled local food – ever heard of Cudighi? It's Italian sausage, shaped and cooked in a patty, put on a bun, covered with mozarella and pizza sauce. Well worth one try. And, pastys also abound here – they've been served to us by three different groups, and reflect the mining history.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">I haven't tried the Gaming at the Casino where we're parked – in the first place, it d</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">oesn't look like anyone is enjoying themselves – they don't talk to anyone, just glare at the machines; in the second place I wouldn't win; in the third place, the Casino is so smoky I can't breathe, so I'll keep playing Mah Jong and Freecell on my computer, and call it a day. Won't win any money that way, but on the other hand . . . .</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">We've been w</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">ell-treated by HFH here; one of the staff invited us to join her at her favourite local restaurant, and we enjoyed the largest stack of spareribs I've ever experienced at North Woods Restaurant. Then, we went to her home on a near-by small lake, and dove into strawberry shortcake, and more stories.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">One night last week, a local supporter of HFH took us for a scenic tour of this part of Lake Superior on his 50' power boat. 3 bedrooms!! What a treat,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> to see the coast from the lake view instead of the other way around. Toured by a beautiful home sited into the rocks; a tiny cove for a boat; a pool carved into the rocks – gorgeous!</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRbGePDvR3fxj1c7hDiesjjlx6zMrUY6tPLdowzwoXY9s9W3OmUeSc-jk5awlRupbeZ4HsPjp-akc0UtdHqAkl3Nk_oOYpyObs7h1W3kCMdXAKFxXEM3lxYqjzr4hS9ofxcww-pcEC7Nt/s200/Street+view+from+water+IMG_2949.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511209029921920834" /></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">We've been told frequently how dangerous the Lake is – people drown near here nearly weekly – there are rocks near the shore, many just below the surface; and the heat and winds cause currents that sweep people away from shore regularly. One young man drown 2 days ago – the water looked calm; it was very hot; he thought “I can swim to those rocks, no problem”. Sad. And, the boat owner emphasized the point, saying that even in the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "> middle of the lake there are rocks just below the surface – there are always some novice boaters that say “I'll just take 'er out and let 'er rip”, and they do, sometimes ripping the bottom out of their boat.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">And, we were here just in time for the annual Rotary Seafood Fiesta – 3 evenings of fish and music. I went twice – free admission – and bought a bit of fried whitefish and some strawberry shortcake and listened to the bands – mostly blues, but some bluegrass. No jazz. But the sky was blue; the food was good, and the music was better – a great way to conclude my travelogue of Marquette – it's a nice town to spend some summer days in.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Finally, we did work, really we did. Here's a photo of this group of builders, which includes a staff person, the homeowner and some of her friends. What a crew, eh?</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOeVbW4n8GKDKLwPcND_AgNH6dz3R8HkaCtyKfbN8dKSCoIweS9j2xIMRRC4Gg0-VqyGUCpLZiUrwReAGjro3aXtfryJSJ3CaXfdxiFYPlPU0N2Pth_Bzg3qm1M96ghFcp5xFkOwCAove/s200/Builders.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 175px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511212079550042050" /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><sdfield type="FILENAME" format="PATHNAME"></sdfield></p>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-85545534666467009662010-08-25T17:00:00.001-07:002010-08-25T17:24:36.931-07:00Habitat Build - Marquette, Michigan Aug 24<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_h6WZlQKf1go/THWwRKkyP2I/AAAAAAAAALE/JIH22O8R66I/s1600/Marq+house+exterior+day+1+IMG_2867+Small+Web+view.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_h6WZlQKf1go/THWwRKkyP2I/AAAAAAAAALE/JIH22O8R66I/s200/Marq+house+exterior+day+1+IMG_2867+Small+Web+view.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509503528100577122"></a><font class="Apple-style-span" face="arial">Exterior of one of the HFH houses to be finished by Thursday.<br /></font><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="arial"><br /></font></div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="arial">This build is very different from the one in Iron Mountain. In the first place, we're putting finishing touches on 6 houses, all of which will be turned over to the new owners on Thursday August 26. The fact that 6 houses are involved and to be Dedicated all at once is unique, according to “Mike” who is the executive director of HFH here in Marquette County, Michigan. HFH got a rural development grant from the federal government on the condition that the houses be located outside the urban area and that no owners could move in until all houses were complete. (there may be other conditions, but that's the gist of it.)<br /><br />Following usual HFH criteria (living in sub-standard housing; sweat equity; ability to pay interest-free mortgage) six families were chosen, and work has been underway for about 18 months, I think.<br /><br />So, at this build, we 7 Care-A-Vanners came in 12 days before the dedication ceremony, by which date ALL 6 houses have to have passed building inspections, etc., as well as be in ready-to-move in condition. Most were pretty much ready, but the new owners and we Care-a-vanners have been doing touch-up painting; caulking missed nooks and crannies; putting in window blinds and doors; but also constructing, roofing and painting sheds; installing and painting molding / baseboards; building interior and exterior stairs; helping lay cement pads for stairs. We have an onsite supervisor - Matt, who is 25 years old, and has built 46 HFH homes, 40 in Washington State, and 6 here. He reports to Gerry, a retired staff sergeant in the Air Force; she oversees all of the construction, purchases materials, deals with inspectors, etc. Gerry has the final word, but Matt is the on-site director.<br /><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_h6WZlQKf1go/THWwm72OEmI/AAAAAAAAALM/lCdhnwcnVwE/s200/Marq+kitchen++day+1+IMG_2868+Small+Web+view.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509503902104293986"> This is a view of the interior of the kitchen on the day we arrived.</font><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="arial"><br />Our Care-a-vanners group is small – 5 rigs, but only 7 people, as I and two men are sole occupants of our rigs, joining two couples to be a small but might force :) Jim has been on 40 builds, Leroy and Janice about 15; Skip and Dave have not only done HFH, but also helped with Katrina rebuilds and other Red Cross rebuilding activities; Larry and I are the new-bies, but Larry has sophisticated skills in fine carpentry and cabinetry and has been doing the precise work. I'm a good go-fer; and am learning so much. All are patient with me, and will take the time to teach me new skills, and coach me as I try to do the work.<br /><br />Our days are simple – work; beginning each day, and each meal with prayer; a “Happy Hour” in late afternoon, where we talk over the events of the day, and tell many tales of our travels – my goodness, have we as individuals put on the miles around the world and over the years! Several times Leroy who has been a professional musician plays bluegrass on guitar and sings his own and other's music – mostly of the Johnny Cash variety – and we try to sing along. Music around a camp-fire is a wonderful thing. An early supper; and early to bed as we have to be on-site 15 miles away by 8:30 a.m.<br /><br />I shower at the Y (15 miles away), as I don't have facilities – the others do. I also use the bathroom at the Casino, as again I don't have facilities – I don't mind, generally – it's the price I pay for living full-time in a 13 foot trailer.<br /><br />We're housed at the local Casino, about 10 miles from town; we have electricity but no water, and no dump facilities. The Casino had set aside 5 sites for us, for 2 weeks, and the out of towners who come by in their big rigs looking for a nice place to park, look sideways at us. We offer them a hammer and 2 weeks worth of volunteer work in exchange for a site, but so far, no one has taken us up on that.<br /><br />The site is very sandy, as much of this part of Michigan seems to be, so keeping sand out of the trailer is an on-going challenge. However, right out my door is a forest bedded with blueberries, so I add them to my granola every morning and get my vitamins that way. The Casino parking seems safe – well lit, with lots of security. And, to my surprise it's relatively quiet; some cars coming and going, but not much people noise, though occasionally, very rarely, we hear someone in the parking lot yelling “I won, I won”. I've not been tempted yet, but who knows!<br /><br />Enough for now – bye all.</font></div>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-807340859328288472010-08-16T13:02:00.000-07:002010-08-16T13:11:18.231-07:00Adieu to Iron Mountain<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSpIm-7EzQzbMpBlS_sH5n1YOhtH1wM9ZI1gTDRpXSN-MvJaAyOvS2kP705_l1BRerHcFUEi2MyHu0OA97sVfxQfskX6PrdYYc4c7msdtMZdM9OoeqOwlvi-qrvZHNbL0goB0xmee5oro/s1600/end+of+build+2+aug+13.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSpIm-7EzQzbMpBlS_sH5n1YOhtH1wM9ZI1gTDRpXSN-MvJaAyOvS2kP705_l1BRerHcFUEi2MyHu0OA97sVfxQfskX6PrdYYc4c7msdtMZdM9OoeqOwlvi-qrvZHNbL0goB0xmee5oro/s200/end+of+build+2+aug+13.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506101818745522274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oyFZjVzlsHZhxEyI8gZP1wmIYX8Qz13xohyFLDInohul1m4E3jL1Hg6kwis3a8Ko8PDvMAwdTHp8g9v-0vJWlfJhviQQRKH330Sbr7iq_IGEuZcfUlEjJJYhYIM6tqIhum-x6G6YVeFp/s1600/End+of+build+1+aug+13.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oyFZjVzlsHZhxEyI8gZP1wmIYX8Qz13xohyFLDInohul1m4E3jL1Hg6kwis3a8Ko8PDvMAwdTHp8g9v-0vJWlfJhviQQRKH330Sbr7iq_IGEuZcfUlEjJJYhYIM6tqIhum-x6G6YVeFp/s200/End+of+build+1+aug+13.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506101657494175970" /></a><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Well, the Iron </span><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Mo</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">untain build is finished, at least for this group of Care-A-Vanners. We closed down yesterday (Aug 13), having finished the roof, the inside framing, the basement insulation, and installation of soffits and beginning of fascia. Evidently we were lucky that the weather allowed us to work every scheduled day, as so often rain closes down the Builds</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "> in this part of the world. I think we were only down for about 3 hours, as lightning kept the guys off of the roof, but we all just moved inside and worked there.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> <span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">This has been a real learning experience for me in many ways – learning the vocabulary of house construction (joist vs truss; stud vs nailer; speed square vs framing square; framing hammer vs finishing hammer. . . .). I'll be well-prepared if I run into a crossword puzzle based on house construction. And, I'm developing some skills – using different kinds of saw; different sized nails – who knew there were so many!!! Measuring, measuring, measuring, then cutting. So much to learn!</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> Working with others has</span><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> been a challenge for some– we've had a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">n informal structure, and it's sometimes not clear who's in charge; or who has the last word on how to do a particular procedure. For those who like clarity, it's been a bit of a challenge. But, on the other hand, so many have been bosses and leaders in their professional and pre-retirement lives that following instructions is not as easy as it might be if we were young and naïve in our experience.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> <span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">It's a great feeling to have helped Aimee and </span><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Joe get their house underway. Their joy and appreciation has been obvious every day. They, and her father Mike, have worked more hours than any of us, every day; and while Joe had taken the two weeks off; Mike has often gone into work and done a 12 hour shift at his paid work at the paper plant before heading back to the Build Site.</span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVphnFOh0N1ZTFbImel7lOMvLJBwBFU9RCcKP1tcJSMxSjSA7LUF5Kx2xN0y3IQAnYq8LGi7yynLENwOvqzloVJwRmTvNk4luo-hm9RdX968XiZmKkC-GFWRASiX9Zpq8tqHRh_gqs47d/s200/Celebrating+completion+of+roof+aug+13.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 163px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506102048516384690" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYksaRtor-x6gQJ6-JVJ91_WR2s4FvSxgWk50iAqn9DloMwYraL3SNAfMtuK7Y3G3rLPpOSZzbLdSIyB6ZccoGoG4kS8LFKuwzX_yf98r5xlWaREE_QrpI0m958vXkf67Sg59MUBDQoZ1/s200/Langstroth+family+at+Closing+party+Small+Web+view.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 172px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506102296821387218" />Joe carries Aimee across the threshold, to celebrate the completion of the roof; and the family shows their joy at our farewell party.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Aimee's sister Nicole; an</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">d Mike's wife Jody, took care of the 4 children, and made sure we were well fed. What a family!!</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> <span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">As Care-a-vanners, we've had lots of fun – 'happy hour' every day talking over the day's work, jokes, story telling. We've taken tours together – the Big Spring, Fayette, the Iron Mine; and eaten many fine meals. </span> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> <span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">It's been a great experience.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">And now, on to Marquette.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-77806309795320149592010-08-09T17:13:00.001-07:002010-08-09T17:30:45.105-07:00Build Day 6 and, the week-end!What a great week-end! On Sunday most of us toured two great tourist sites - highly recommended to those of you travelling this way.<div style="text-align: justify;">First, we went to "Big Spring" - Kitch-iti-kipi where, legend has it Indian braves and maidens made decisions about their love lives. 200 feet across, 40 feet deep, with 16,000 gallons per second flowing from the underlying limestone. You float across the Spring on a self-operated observation raft, and get to take pictures through the crystal clear water of the water bubbling up through the sand. For more info, and location go to<a href="http://www.uppermichiganwaterfalls.com/"> www.uppermichiganwaterfalls.com</a></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaWmgKHEwBOqs2DI6pcm-6XOgMrSomGctQd41_OLsRR4DB_ujMN5lve_FKzHWMXyR87kaoruvLFUk7Xps7V0AS97hK5tZgvs4UoW9s4g3K4ARHZTPj8eLvyGkgwTl6TdkJT_WzI3oxnuX/s200/Big+Spring+Mich+Aug+8.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503568465378668194" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then, on to Fayette Historic State Park, which is a townsite formerly owned by Jackson Iron Company. It closed in 1891, and in the late 50's the State bought the site and has been restoring in since then. Many buildings, or their foundations still exist, and the free admission, and free guided tour and good signage make a visit very informative. Learning about life in a company town in mid-19th century makes me very grateful for being alive today, not then.</div><div> For more information, go to <a href="http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=417&type=SPRK">this website</a></div><div>Here's a photo of the old smelter.<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJap8EB17Vb8GufGS2u6O3bd8bjf6XlU3mUJcOCC8Eiz39GA44PY_erX9pLtpCDLegC8TgRebSVH51sDo6egsNHwG5tjyqYC7eWL8Fb7PkKNIEdLraoZeB4tUsyzumUIHsl5TU9RG5BnY/s200/Fayette+smelter++Mich+aug+8.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503570192527403586" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then, on the way back, the foreign visitor in the group (me), was introduced to a new American tradition - frozen custard at Culver's. I had a brownie blaster cement mixer with chopped up heath bars added - think Dairy Queen, on steroids! yum.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today at the build we continue to make good progress. The insulation is on most of the outside of the house; the tar paper is on half of the roof; we'll finish both tomorrow. It was another hot day - high 90's, plus humidity, so we sweat a lot, a lot. I should lose weight, right??? I spent the day with the Skilsaw; and cutting insulation with a box knife. We were disappointed to learn that the windows won't arrive in town until next week, so we can't put them in; that also means we can't insulate or sheetrock the interior walls; or finish the siding. Darn - we really would like to leave Joe and Aimee further along, but it's definitely out of our control.</div><div>Here's where we got to by end of day today. Bye for now.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglP_5HGtsCENtEht_DSNLSCQgHH_M1BL1zZfo5DaiyR2ydIYz_nV6pib0hlFziIK0sGkG4tIVZhdSFLO2bPlTBQWJBHTbfVDhQqAelTUvEsBxp5y9tqxNklW9fVYXQl2d5uOlt28YxjQP/s200/end+of+day+aug+9.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503571446879950274" /></div>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-57250734694766209662010-08-07T12:41:00.000-07:002010-08-07T12:41:00.476-07:00Saturday August 7 Iron Mountain, Michigan<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK49vMOObkE_Rt_rlfCc029wbA-buFdXX76yowWLeoWIsKg3N3nt6b9Iwyw4oehDKaVR0x5NUTqcONhJ3AuRcQSNT_CS0Hvmm1fq5ynTPcFYEjoou6LED-fajblU6x1Sow2LRysYoW-dvM/s1600/end+of+day+aug+6+2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK49vMOObkE_Rt_rlfCc029wbA-buFdXX76yowWLeoWIsKg3N3nt6b9Iwyw4oehDKaVR0x5NUTqcONhJ3AuRcQSNT_CS0Hvmm1fq5ynTPcFYEjoou6LED-fajblU6x1Sow2LRysYoW-dvM/s200/end+of+day+aug+6+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502720397582878754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs88M5gn3kqNcAARcsn8FxDz2oyjXT2WA65zkYUlI354wst_WpQv_s1Raigx8Ntc1ErgOvWySAQGewR6VtKPrmBcKK-NfWWfQ8CFfYc8rAS4-hX6RTvWrFOKp6rA2CjLoOucEtRaCUtknU/s1600/end+of+day+aug+6+1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs88M5gn3kqNcAARcsn8FxDz2oyjXT2WA65zkYUlI354wst_WpQv_s1Raigx8Ntc1ErgOvWySAQGewR6VtKPrmBcKK-NfWWfQ8CFfYc8rAS4-hX6RTvWrFOKp6rA2CjLoOucEtRaCUtknU/s200/end+of+day+aug+6+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502720253055486162" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Well, we got the sheeting on the roof yesterday - hauled the sheeting up by hand, and nailed like crazy. We had access to a nail gun, and boy does that speed things up. And, the ladies' team prepared all door and window frames for early next week, when they will arrive on site. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Our aim is to leave the house totally enclosed so that interior work can continue as the weather gets cold. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We're all quite sad that we can't finish the house bef</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">ore we go; we'd love to help Aimee and Joe move in, but the house won't be ready for quite a while yet, as after we leave there are just a few volunteers who donate 1 full day per week to continue the work.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">Last night we went to a 'fish fry' at the local Elks Club - some of the folks in our group are members, so they signed us in. While tasty, the most memorable element was the salad bar - the only lettuce I've seen all week! We are being fattened up I think for next week. I may treat myself to a big salad tonight, just because I can!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_p5pbwRwpzxXoiiSY2Ki61f9XCN-K1y87-VsLfYcwxaDD1dVEuinuiY7AGJqiFyid5YsyLcLCxAzXQqfaFySLbvVt_kogCUJ49YXTg7h05Ggl3TvhPcx8kejfvAEF2luJtNJa5YGef6Uj/s200/karen+in+a+hard+hat.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502723119051265010" /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">This morning we went to a old iron mine, in nearby Vulcan, Michigan. We went into the mine in a little train, and about 1000 feet into the mountain. I believe we were 300 feet below the surface, though we had gone in horizontally. The bats graciously shared the space with us.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It was quite spectacular - at one point, the mine had caved in (after it had closed because of the economy, in 1945), leaving a huge cavern 700 feet across, 180 feet high, and, in one place, 1400 feet deep - quite an exciting vista, but couldn't get a good photo. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This mine was interesting to me, because I had visited a silver mine in northern Ontario a few weeks ago, and while they had to take out several hundred tons of ore to get one ounce of silver;the iron ore here in Michigan was 55% iron, meaning much less was taken out to get at the iron. Evidently the ore was shipped by train to Gary Indiana for processing. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">There, your history lesson for the day. And to top it all off, here's a picture of me in a hard-hat. It may be a while before you see that again!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Now, off to do laundry - my clothes have more dirt in them than they do fabric. And they're held together by very lady-like perspiration :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-81485606420396059702010-08-05T16:57:00.000-07:002010-08-05T17:30:31.749-07:00Iron Mountain Build - August 4 and 5<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXQirLeD-czbi1eVGN_stLIFt1JYWqJqNwh8AasmpXWq3P0c21QQcLHeFWrR_2dgyrp-nr0o1d2rPmRQ3VbSmtaocarL-EUkdJqgmNDHJF1SBeyZ40kEGEpxfxyPL5P2F3oQ9lKkTVjRu/s200/before+morning+break+aug+3.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502081199612483826" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hDvTz6ZdvF-aJ_db-ldwBThL9ZnYkC0Ds1RvdZ04Vt36Pnv5Esoc5GW2iEk5YsAkGooJF_9AtBU17zwdPe33cQLId_wwxLRLkp9TUqwygkI9FkA4ZS5PVUhFKgSjVKg25yI_FyIfbcAz/s200/end+of+day+aug+3.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502081213624024066" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZA14z0_TEib1ZAA5kHzkO8wgSx-_GXGDvR8N8QK1AS3XTtGmlIvZfT48ul2IXZUjwpC44UD9zdsbCc4M_RhzTRlEvlBmswO2H8pXLo9JLzRh-gkeuYZkFkqNJxNUWXfn8AgJvecxRO8R/s200/before+lunch+break+aug+3.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502081209172864482" /><br /><br />(1) before a.m. break (2) before lunch break (3) end of day<br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">August 3</span></div><div> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">A very productive day at the Build today. We put up the exterior walls, which we had unloaded from a truck the day before. T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">hey were pre-fabricated, made to measure, by inmates in a nearby prison. The hard part, besides the lifting and carrying, was making sure everything was 'plumb' (straight up and down); and “square” that is, fit to the foundation precisely. “level” as a concept comes later. We got the exterior walls up before morning break. (see 1 above)</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Before lunch, we got most of the interior walls up – again, pre-fabricated by inmates.(2) Then, before we left for the day, we finished installing the interior walls, got the 'top plate' on the top of the exterior walls, and put 'hurricane clips' on the top plate, to fasten the roof trusses to the house. (3) As you can see, I'm learning lots of construction-specific </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">vocabulary.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">The men are doing much of the constructio</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">n-specific work, reading the plans, confirming location of walls to the 1/2”, leading in lifting the heaviest pieces. But while all of the above is happening, the women are busy too - organizing the materials – 2 x 6's here; 2 x 4's there; labelling the tool shed – hammers here, chalk lines / measuring tapes there; they're doing all of the caulking around all of the joining places - ll of them!!, both on top, and underneath in the now floor-covered basement.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "> Women are double checking measurements, sawing boards with the power saw, lifting, toting, carrying everything here and there. Moving, putting up, taking down, moving, putting up the scaffolding. Some of us have now had a lesson in how to effectively nail, and are putting that to good use, as we follow behind the men who ha</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">ve put in the main nails to hold the pieces in place, and our nailing secures that the pieces will stay together. One of our leaders, Roseann, told a story about Roslyn Carter, wife of the former president, who was asked about her greatest aspirations – the audience expected to hear of desire for world peace, or some such lofty goal. But no, Mrs. Carter's highest hope was to be able to drive a 16 penny nail with 6 hits!! Now there's a practical wish!</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">The home-owners, Aimee and Joe, have been there much longer hours than we have – we work from about 8:00 to about 3:00 (all of us are over 65 at least!); but Aimee and Joe are there until it gets dark, making sure that their home is getting done as quickly as possible. We have a photo of them putting the first exterior wall up – what pride, what joy!!</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">After this pleasant day – really, it was great – temperature only 85, humidity only 75%, we went to a water-ski show put on by a local ski club. The Bad River Ski-ters are a national award-winning ski club, and we watched young people from age 6 up put on all manner of displays – 15 skiiers behind one boat; pyramids of 12; doing a 360 on swivel skis; barefoot skiing; slalom ski jumpers doing a complete vertical rotation off the jump; people starting on their back, feet first, then rising to ski backward around the lake – Wow!!! A pleasant end to a good day.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">And then for Thursday, the crane came in, and we put the roof trusses up before lunch, and are getting the bracing reading to begin putting sheeting on the roof tomorrow. See photo below. It was amazing to see the crane operator, working from controls on his belt! He walked around the site, keeping his eye on the crane and his thumbs on the buttons on his belt, moving the roof trusses back and forth with great ease. He was done in less than 45 minutes - glad we didn't have to do that part by hand.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We also put up the shed for Aimee and Joe; but lifted the roof up 'by hand', so to speak. Good reminder of the olden days!</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">To top off another great day, we went to a fund-raiser for Habitat - a Door County Fish Boil, with Lake Superior whitefish, topped with melted butter; red-skinned potatoes, boiled onions, baked bean, coleslaw and pie. And that was on top of "pastys" for lunch - think Jamaican patties with hash for a filling - they are the speciality in many mining towns where men from Cornwall came to show the North Americans how to dig in the mines. I won't lose any weight at this rate - we are indeed well-fed.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEL16jnwzY761OzTjX65TQcl6IHNLTDvxu8-GYW-PSjputFuZZdrup1Suo70sz_krNscbgGBV8Zcikt6CuaMVGmiS6Ul4NhBXH-xWwwNYIrLkFFRoWqP8C3jY7YtcewTVBMi61dfDpz8k/s200/End+of+Day+Aug+5.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502085420758716642" /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in">(4) roof trusses in place, end of day August 5</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><sdfield type="FILENAME" format="PATHNAME"></sdfield></p></div>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-92107947555047411162010-08-03T17:25:00.000-07:002010-08-03T17:37:16.897-07:00Iron Mountain Build - day 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLM1-2vi72FG4zZ4OCeScxV1jMz7waMtS9c2MKLGTIO9c00EASBYN_EsXtV7pwMaHw-RKzw55ZbJKJfMnqYOItaSPWWCdeQruQQo41TZUFIWoDGzqKqdaAX_3JAPYgsH_DRFwu9CTaRbVm/s1600/Day+1+end+of+shift+2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLM1-2vi72FG4zZ4OCeScxV1jMz7waMtS9c2MKLGTIO9c00EASBYN_EsXtV7pwMaHw-RKzw55ZbJKJfMnqYOItaSPWWCdeQruQQo41TZUFIWoDGzqKqdaAX_3JAPYgsH_DRFwu9CTaRbVm/s200/Day+1+end+of+shift+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501346992078692370" /></a><br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVr6n6e59XuNBNBay6I9z0zBdJFP81Ua9i_gf5vV-G_WCOCROozqX4Xlwb5UukfnvDdhR1kt_aH_EXvaBkUkSSsJRlx7p041MprgBt3wUe2S-ROWN5_QTFZ8qRSa1lcDXteeEYJyM8-_B0/s1600/Day+2+end+of+shift.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioixcfzGU2k7WYV1ZUd9NbNVOAJDDApu1ZeqO29llTpzIO2_iO57ZdGH0uupK-tXOCXiI0TwhJcNT1mdhRtIzbMVJH-AdPJPsiFsmo_j01v-llV_WfEpDPDxJZplxhuyRey8xJH49YkdUr/s1600/Day+1+start+of+shift.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioixcfzGU2k7WYV1ZUd9NbNVOAJDDApu1ZeqO29llTpzIO2_iO57ZdGH0uupK-tXOCXiI0TwhJcNT1mdhRtIzbMVJH-AdPJPsiFsmo_j01v-llV_WfEpDPDxJZplxhuyRey8xJH49YkdUr/s200/Day+1+start+of+shift.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501344899381036642" /></a><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">August 3</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">We started work on the Iron Mountain build for Habitat for Humanity (HFH) Monday. 9 rigs - 3 from California; one from South Carolina, Oklahoma, Minnesota,Texas and other parts of the U.S., and me, the sole Canadian. You're welcome – glad to hold up the side. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">The picture on the left is at the start of our work - there is a foundation poured, but that's all!</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">The picture on the right is at the end of Day one - centre beam down, all joists in, flooring begun.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">FYI, the Habitat “Care-a-vanners” here all have rigs that are subs</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">tantial – except for me of course. Several 40' RV's, several couples are 'full-timers' who have sold their land-based homes, and live on the road year round. More on this later.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">We were welcomed Sunday with several orientation meetings, one led by our 'group</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> facilitators' who are part of the construction crew; one led by the HFH local affiliates Executive Director, and followed by a picnic dinner put on by the local affiliate and the young couple who will own the home we're building. Joe and Aimee are their names.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Joe and Aimee and their three children will live in the 3 bedroom home which they hope to be able to move into by Christmas. Like other HFH buyers, they're chosen by a local committee according to 3 criteria; currently living in sub-standard housing (Joe and Aimee's family live with her adoptive father, his wife, her sister, 2 other children.) Second, they have income adequate to make the payments that will arise from the purchase (Joe works full time in Green Bay, Wisc, about 70 miles from here – he commutes 2 hours each way). Third, they have agreed to put in sweat equity (work on the house, or related to it). Joe has taken two weeks vacation from his job to work with us while we're here, and Aimee is here all day, as is her grand-father, and her sister when she's not working.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">It's now the end of Day 2. We've gotten a good start, putting down the centre beam, adding floor joists all along, as well as ?sill? and other boards around the edges (no laughter from the house builders among you). And, today we got all of the flooring on. The pre-fab exterior and interior walls were delivered today – and unloaded by hand, by our crew. And, just when we we were feeling a little overwhelmed, another truck delivered the roof trusses, and the pre-fab materials for a shed we're also building.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-bottom: 0in; ">End of Day 2<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVr6n6e59XuNBNBay6I9z0zBdJFP81Ua9i_gf5vV-G_WCOCROozqX4Xlwb5UukfnvDdhR1kt_aH_EXvaBkUkSSsJRlx7p041MprgBt3wUe2S-ROWN5_QTFZ8qRSa1lcDXteeEYJyM8-_B0/s200/Day+2+end+of+shift.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501346195473740626" /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Tomorrow morning we start with the exterior walls. That will be fun, as they have to be lifted by hand. Thank goodness for the crane that's coming Thursday to put up the roof trusses.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">It was a good day, but hot!! Temperatures around 100 degrees, and no shade where we are. We have good leaders, and they insist that we drink lots of water, wear hots, sunscreen etc. All good, so far.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">After today's shift I went for a swim in beautiful Lake Antoine (that's An-toy-ne here in Michigan); and really enjoyed the cool water after a hot day!!</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">While I hoped I might lose a few pounds on this Build, I'm learning that Builds are classified as either 5-pounder, or 10-pounder – not according to the difficulty of the build, but according to how much weight participants gain. We're well fed at lunch by the local church people, and the donuts just keep coming for morning break. Ah well.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Now, I'm off to have some ice cream - I deserve it, after all that hard work. ::)</span></p></div>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-27873121399603326372010-08-03T17:02:00.000-07:002010-08-03T17:13:32.893-07:00Sault Ste Marie > Iron Mountain, MichiganTrouble with photos -<div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyflOakE-90AueeimiWcTjcxma2COv_dgnnISsLsPgLQQ5lN64mkt2olLrM3ptzoTwtr7tgirydAj4F_VvIzSNcwtX2ACo9CX3VA5VR0ma8ln4mMRDORECOIepwPsfYM2U4tiyeqHzMeVX/s1600/Ship+into+lock.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyflOakE-90AueeimiWcTjcxma2COv_dgnnISsLsPgLQQ5lN64mkt2olLrM3ptzoTwtr7tgirydAj4F_VvIzSNcwtX2ACo9CX3VA5VR0ma8ln4mMRDORECOIepwPsfYM2U4tiyeqHzMeVX/s200/Ship+into+lock.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501338867184421938" /></a></div>SHIP INTO LOCK - note position of name of ship, centre of photo.</div><div>CAN'T GET OTHER PHOTOS INTO THIS POST. SORRY!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">I've arrived safely in Iron Mountain, Michigan after driving from Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan yesterday. Stayed in the Walmart parking lot in SSM, Michigan, and I think I'll double check again before I stay at another. There weren't many rigs there - 2 others to be exact – and though another pulled in at 10:00 pm, and another at 4:30 a.m. (?), there just weren't enough folks around to feel really comfortable. No one bothered me; and, I had introduced myself to the folks in the big rig that I parked next to, but it wasn't a night of 100% comfort.</span></div><div> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> I was glad when morning came – had breakfast at Subway and used their free Wifi to check my email. Then I went to the Soo Locks, and saw two huge ships go through – one was 1004 feet long, the second about 750 – amazing to see how quickly the water rushing into the lock pushed them up 21 feet – the pictures should show the change in height. I remember once many years ago, when my daughter and I were driving through the Welland area in Ontario, and in the middle of a big field appeared a full size cargo freighter – that's how I learned of the existence of the Welland Canal, between Lakes Erie and Ontario. At the Soo Lock yesterday, I met a couple from Ireland who told me about the locks that have been built between two lakes near Dublin I think, which are self-operated, and you pay by credit card – the wife said it's quite amazing the first time you do it, following instructions on the LCD screen. But the fellow says he prefers the canals that have lock-masters who do all the work, winching the gates up and down, open and closed, and guiding the boats by hand.. He knew of our locks in Ottawa, which operate on that principle. I told him they were built by Irishmen, and he was pleased to see their influence in the New World.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">The locks were the most interesting thing for me in the Soo, although being stuck in traffic at the top of the international bridge for an hour had its moments. </span> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">My trip to Iron Mountain was uneventful; about 5 hours I think, with an unexpected time change as I got close. I learned today that the four counties that border Wisconsin are on Central Time, rather than Eastern – that explains why my GPS kept telling me I'd arrive at 4:40 pm when I knew darn well I wasn't going to go 120 miles in one hour. Going across Highway 28 I was struck by how straight the road was for maybe 50 miles – there were several places along the route that looked like former air-fields or something – maybe a WWII training area? I'll have to look that up. But, for the most part, just small pine trees; no towns, no houses; a village of 2 or 3 houses every 15 – 20 miles – pretty empty!! I see on the map that this is the Hiawatha National Forest.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">I did stop for 2 hours in Manistique, Michigan, which is where my ex-mother-in-law was born more than 90 years ago. Took many photos, and happened to meet a historian who's just published a book about the history of the town. I was interested to learn that the lumber industry there was fading by 1913, because all of the big trees had been cut – isn't that what happened in our Ottawa area as well – and about that time?? I'll send photos to the lady I mentioned, and can meet with the historian again in two weeks if she has questions. It's a quaint little town on the North Shore of Lake Michigan, and absolutely beautiful in the views of the Lake. It was fun to have the historical photos, and match them with the ones that I took of the same land-marks. Manisique is well worth a stop, with several good museums.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Going back to Friday, I had a learning opportunity that morning at the Walmart in North Bay, where I had stayed overnight, uneventfully. I had gone to MacDonalds for my coffee at 7:00 a.m., just in time for the morning staff meeting of Walmart employees. The meeting was held in the MacDonalds, and free donuts were available to all, even the non-employees. It began with the manager asking about birthdays or anniversaries; then the crowd was cajoled into doing the Walmart cheer – did you know there was a Walmart cheer? It was led by two who were coerced by the manager into doing so – one, the only dark skinned person in the place, the second the only identifiably mentally challenged person in the place. They began reluctantly, but the manager cheered them on, and then the whole group of employees joined in. Let's hear it for Wal-mart – give me a “W” . . . .</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Then there was bingo, for about $120 – maybe they had to buy the cards, and that's where the money came from? Then, a few words of encouragement, from the manager, and the meeting broke up.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">So that's how the day begins for employees at that Walmart – wonder if they're all like that?</span></p></div>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-20365207385372679372010-07-30T07:10:00.000-07:002010-07-30T07:20:27.250-07:00"Going Boldly" (apologies to James T. Kirk)<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">July 29, 2010</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">So the big adventure begins – or at least the driving / moving part of it. Getting ready to be on the road for nearly three months required a lot of thought and planning. I've got a small trailer (13 feet long); and a 4 cylinder SUV to pull the trailer with. Space is limited.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">First issue is what do I need in the way of clothes – 2 seasons; 'construction'-type work; camping; touristing, northern Michigan and Minnesota AND New Mexico. . .</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> Second issue is what gear do I need – cooking on a Coleman stove; no electricity, no running water for at least 10 days of the trip – cooking equipment; dish washing; clothes washing; me-washing . . What tools do I have to have, and should I buy the 'speed square' Habitat requires in Canada, or wait till I get to the U.S? And, what is a speed square anyway? I'll let you know when I find out.. </span> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> Weight is the third issue. Can I really take 2 iron fry pans (one a grill, one a flat bottom), as well as toaster oven, crockpot, and pressure cooker (for when there's no electricity)? Will my 4 cylinder Mazda Tribute be able to pull it all?? Will it increase my fuel consumption?</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> Personal safety is another issue – I'm right to be a bit apprehensive I think, but planning ahead and being prudent, will lessen the anxiousness. Have gotten a personal alarm (actually, the same one I used in Paris in 1997); am looking for a touch-sensitive one to hang on the trailer door. And, am always very careful where I park the trailer. </span> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> Why all this planning? What an adventure I'm on. – I will be away until late October, working for 2 weeks each on 3 separate Habitat for Humanity 'builds' – 2 in upper Michigan, 1 in Minnesota. Am part of one of Habitat's volunteer groups called RV Care-a-vanners. We're individuals/ families who sign up to work on Habitat builds across North America, where needed. We bring our Rvs / trailers, whatever skills we have, a hammer, 'speed square', good boots, lots of willingness, and work for 2 weeks to help local volunteers build or renovate houses. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><a href="http://www.habitat.org/rv/about_cav.aspx"> </a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><a href="http://www.habitat.org/rv/about_cav.aspx">http://www.habitat.org/rv/about_cav.aspx</a></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><a href="http://www.habitat.org/rv/about_cav.aspx"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "> I also hope to visit some new-found relatives in Northern Minnesota – it was so great to meet them last year, and I'm looking forward to getting better acquainted.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> And then, after Minnesota and Habitat, I'm off to Albuquerque, New Mexico for 10 days of the International Balloon Fiesta – what an event – picture this – every morning for 10 days, between 500 and 700 balloons lift off, all at once! Wow! And that's just the beginning – but I'll get to that when I get there around October 1.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> For now, I'm in North Bay, Ontario, parking overnight at the Wal-mart, right between two other fibreglass trailers. It will be fun to see how many are here when I wake up. No cost to park here, but no facilities – ah well, I'll spend the money elsewhere.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> The drive was fine – about 4 hours, with some construction, but not much traffic. The headwind slowed me down a bit, but the scenery along the Ottawa River is just gorgeous – across the River is Quebec, with nothing in sight but trees and more trees. This is along the river route that Champlain took 400 years ago, I think, to explore the new land. Would he believe that we can drive it in four hours?? Likely not. I'm going to go now and imagine a conversation with him, to tell him about the trip. :)</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-27934443638427692362010-01-26T09:33:00.000-08:002010-01-26T09:46:06.371-08:00Honolulu, January 12<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78WUBhk_Ep-Vy2imfV_esSnDAC8SMmiAv5RLlJ1DJj8jxYrnr7pwy5_PL_7Of-hOOTWPbwaKE2IEn_JOP8rHOXyej3kO1oPkymB_JhJIAGoWt2Q1thddqVA_Tu5lM661hXhMUfWBwgVgd/s1600-h/Tuesday+at+Waikiki+IMG_2274.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78WUBhk_Ep-Vy2imfV_esSnDAC8SMmiAv5RLlJ1DJj8jxYrnr7pwy5_PL_7Of-hOOTWPbwaKE2IEn_JOP8rHOXyej3kO1oPkymB_JhJIAGoWt2Q1thddqVA_Tu5lM661hXhMUfWBwgVgd/s200/Tuesday+at+Waikiki+IMG_2274.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431105976953508322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAj0nVKpjiw7SceEcqeYL9wo-HQ7E7zAn0W38i_jFrvThJh4bSkpxqrMLPSpZfHYBWHTx82Ayne82YUOGBXQESzGhL5Q8s5Vw_Um4KQ3mT4GFbdA0A6SFtVYYaJ4NNWt_Pz0FIURYtaLuM/s1600-h/Tuesday+at+Waikiki+2+IMG_2276.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAj0nVKpjiw7SceEcqeYL9wo-HQ7E7zAn0W38i_jFrvThJh4bSkpxqrMLPSpZfHYBWHTx82Ayne82YUOGBXQESzGhL5Q8s5Vw_Um4KQ3mT4GFbdA0A6SFtVYYaJ4NNWt_Pz0FIURYtaLuM/s200/Tuesday+at+Waikiki+2+IMG_2276.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431105902371681618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FeMAOsfjkQ7GV1aI1WyHQDYGyOpA7W5MYB6UFsNvZXa0TfHNvNZH9hTs8KwFzc3sbSuj0gtpTNQ1YLF3vTx1OCDXfBUXaUtc0p7O9y-o8_aDwV44HcwIz9suIvYv5jckUHBn7vEqcyZJ/s1600-h/Playing+in+the+water+IMG_2306.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FeMAOsfjkQ7GV1aI1WyHQDYGyOpA7W5MYB6UFsNvZXa0TfHNvNZH9hTs8KwFzc3sbSuj0gtpTNQ1YLF3vTx1OCDXfBUXaUtc0p7O9y-o8_aDwV44HcwIz9suIvYv5jckUHBn7vEqcyZJ/s200/Playing+in+the+water+IMG_2306.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431105814949565938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeCF9y9C88n8nNMkqJkIspX26w1MrF0k2B_PhrgIH2xXxyHQBWYAh1qk7Fpg63JKQ5kv-sBbxN5PHaqbahahhOFeOcvI87dw2Ae4B5n8zsv605i6Dg7Ai22z_cx86sNqBC2AUVFytB7Pw/s1600-h/Karen+and+the+Princess+IMG_2295+.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeCF9y9C88n8nNMkqJkIspX26w1MrF0k2B_PhrgIH2xXxyHQBWYAh1qk7Fpg63JKQ5kv-sBbxN5PHaqbahahhOFeOcvI87dw2Ae4B5n8zsv605i6Dg7Ai22z_cx86sNqBC2AUVFytB7Pw/s200/Karen+and+the+Princess+IMG_2295+.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431105293243159842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJR3NURHwQzOwhRBNfCq1nVK57_QeultZIg4pWTIr1m70-KM1ENf5fOv5Rf2yrPXTYE_bNvQZsyAp_6l8AR-7qpJvoYAk6_MnWUqmkcr4T-zUahDKpotywH1L4OIaP4mC_fbTUUrEGNi5/s1600-h/Ferrari+Store+IMG_2293.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJR3NURHwQzOwhRBNfCq1nVK57_QeultZIg4pWTIr1m70-KM1ENf5fOv5Rf2yrPXTYE_bNvQZsyAp_6l8AR-7qpJvoYAk6_MnWUqmkcr4T-zUahDKpotywH1L4OIaP4mC_fbTUUrEGNi5/s200/Ferrari+Store+IMG_2293.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431103576998750002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5qf0Z5u1RZIQf0ZsV1AL_b9sos67ZRtSswlKn1MhLpN-d9MS34G70rEVKA5lzob2ZFF1IB2pmJmCuG3kM4pVzAlXhzAu0hyphenhyphenws7IUdhxLKNV5gs9JPpvkZf2t1DI2QA_40VjCHV7QDsiP/s1600-h/Biggest+Hawaiian+shirt+IMG_2308.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5qf0Z5u1RZIQf0ZsV1AL_b9sos67ZRtSswlKn1MhLpN-d9MS34G70rEVKA5lzob2ZFF1IB2pmJmCuG3kM4pVzAlXhzAu0hyphenhyphenws7IUdhxLKNV5gs9JPpvkZf2t1DI2QA_40VjCHV7QDsiP/s200/Biggest+Hawaiian+shirt+IMG_2308.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431103474459788226" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In transit - Flew overnight from Auckland into Honolulu. </span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Security leaving Auckland was tight, likely because we were going into the U.S. Got different messages about whether or not we could have a carry-on bag, so opted for the prudent route, each putting laptops, cameras into a single bag. That was fine. Experienced a 'pat-down'; I was one of the randoms chosen for that experience - hmmm.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"> Arrived late enough to go directly to a hotel near the airport (don't bother with the Best Western there - grossly understaffed, none too clean!) Slept soundly, then took the city bus to Waikiki. Since we only had 12 hours until our flight, we figured that approach was the best option to get some exercise, see the sights, and enjoy ourselves. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">See photos for our Hawaiian experience. I really enjoyed just seeing the sights and people-watching. I noticed how pleasant the sun was - the sky was blue, and it was warm - 24 degrees C perhaps; but the sun wasn't painful as it had been in NZ at the same temperature.<br /><br />I'd go back to Hawaii - my appetite is whetted for more exploration. Hmm, wonder if I can drive there??<br />So, that's my trip to NZ - hope you enjoyed travelling with me.<br />Karen<br /></span>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-85913168544308253552010-01-10T20:16:00.000-08:002010-01-26T08:51:35.941-08:00Monday January 11<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Toxuv4yd3Jidf9tCZSRkNJPbzycNVmgvORWPYpxJZOD0x3U1euoILbDuVwLT65ZRljm0Lh-H7WTTOs9FjIEZVOV5kKqplS1P-Edi8jMKKZ_N76hCGR08cPscQzACnZmayTMbXWbkvd8n/s1600-h/mussels+DSC_1314+Small+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Toxuv4yd3Jidf9tCZSRkNJPbzycNVmgvORWPYpxJZOD0x3U1euoILbDuVwLT65ZRljm0Lh-H7WTTOs9FjIEZVOV5kKqplS1P-Edi8jMKKZ_N76hCGR08cPscQzACnZmayTMbXWbkvd8n/s200/mussels+DSC_1314+Small+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431092099157103170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vGr4KWPFfcya8ZvWRTadtdySnn_ySKpPxdqCA_a4DjZvCY8oUsBdG0SQtNVGHcFuxKrY4aMkWvL9nDXPNDjA3PmqZCR9clQrLesKCgEi70K-Br06qikvf4vpvkJ-3Tw-4PruXe7CONRl/s1600-h/IMG_2171.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vGr4KWPFfcya8ZvWRTadtdySnn_ySKpPxdqCA_a4DjZvCY8oUsBdG0SQtNVGHcFuxKrY4aMkWvL9nDXPNDjA3PmqZCR9clQrLesKCgEi70K-Br06qikvf4vpvkJ-3Tw-4PruXe7CONRl/s200/IMG_2171.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431091746543082834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iRB41wqi5oiKaI_GBmgGC42Bbfd1Zo5HeBsKngQUQ7GIqcPddwNE4gixFm5r9LPFKl8df9B5L5Pz4f8_IzDGLv5mDOh-ZJ-k64dIzJw3jb8kH11_lkNgWY8syiOCfi99cCaSc973d0td/s1600-h/The+Perfect+Flat+White.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iRB41wqi5oiKaI_GBmgGC42Bbfd1Zo5HeBsKngQUQ7GIqcPddwNE4gixFm5r9LPFKl8df9B5L5Pz4f8_IzDGLv5mDOh-ZJ-k64dIzJw3jb8kH11_lkNgWY8syiOCfi99cCaSc973d0td/s200/The+Perfect+Flat+White.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431091181908347698" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';">Today is my last day in NZ. It's been a great seven weeks; being in this climate has surely been good for my well-being.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style=""> </span>We've been staying at Rosemary's sister's (Gendy) home in Auckland. Gendy and John have been so good to us.<span style=""> </span>They've driven us around, given us the royal tour over two days of their beautiful city.<span style=""> </span>We saw One Tree Hill, Mount Eden, Mount Wellington . . . . all are volcanoes, and are only 3 of the 50 (yes fifty) volcanoes within Auckland.<span style=""> </span>(</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style=";font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';color:navy;" ><u>www.aucklandnz.com</u></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';">)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style=""> </span>When we came into Auckland last Thursday, I spent the afternoon at the Maritime Museum.<span style=""> </span>Part of the admission fee covered an hour's sail in a large sailing boat.<span style=""> </span>It had been restored or rebuilt on the plans of a vessel that had previously carried logs along the coast.<span style=""> </span>The day was fine, though not hot, and it was so good to be in the salt air.<span style=""> </span>I've been away from the West Coast of North America for 35 years, and I still miss the salt air. See the photo for Maritime Me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style=""> </span>Within the museum were a number of entire boats from many eras of NZ history, including the outrigger canoes on which the Maoris immigrated from other parts of Polynesia about 1000 years ago; smaller fishing and war canoes, and the entire “Black Magic” racing sail boat on which Sir Peter Blake won the America's Cup for NZ.<span style=""> </span>Also included was a replica of a ship's hold, including the bunks on which families slept when they immigrated to NZ as steerage passengers.<span style=""> </span>Whew – tight!!!<span style=""> </span>see </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style=";font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';color:navy;" ><u>www.maritimemuseum.co.nz<o:p></o:p></u></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style=""> </span>Then, strolled along the Viaduct, where I saw millions of dollars worth of sea-going sailboats.<span style=""> </span>They were registered from as far away as Jersey (UK?) and Cayman Islands, though that might have been for tax purposes.<span style=""> </span>John tells me that some of the well-to-do put their yachts in the holds of cargo ships, and send them to NZ that way, rather than have someone sail them around the world.<span style=""> </span>Hmm – Could I ever learn to be that wealthy?? I'll have to buy some winning lottery tickets in order to find out.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style=""> </span>Had a wonderful last supper last night at a pub in Devenport – Mussels, fixed however you like them.<span style=""> </span>Mine were steamed with lemon and cilantro.<span style=""> </span>Yumm – we surely have eaten well here.<span style=""> </span>See the photo for a look of pure joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style=""> </span>Well, off we go on the next to the last leg of our journey.<span style=""> </span>We fly from Auckland to Honolulu tomorrow; overnite there, then on to Ottawa via Vancouver, and home on Wednesday.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style=""> </span>Au revoir.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';"><o:p></o:p></span> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-24986673782171870232010-01-02T18:20:00.000-08:002010-01-02T18:22:39.420-08:00January 3<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQL_LYkUWoZf4kzJJdjrH0YR_eQpGgwQpGyYkCiFvPvuu4TzxAJee0me7q2C-KOYgnI0LoPnLJvq78G8EdLHVj3dmFZ8lKDQV_YjoDp1y6rn79UcOtnya0Hhw-xEz3atHoeEXjOh8QcpTm/s1600-h/Snapper+lunch+jan+2+IMG_2087+Small+Web+view.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422333272245182258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 149px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQL_LYkUWoZf4kzJJdjrH0YR_eQpGgwQpGyYkCiFvPvuu4TzxAJee0me7q2C-KOYgnI0LoPnLJvq78G8EdLHVj3dmFZ8lKDQV_YjoDp1y6rn79UcOtnya0Hhw-xEz3atHoeEXjOh8QcpTm/s200/Snapper+lunch+jan+2+IMG_2087+Small+Web+view.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1JKmmKK4OblPiCt1hgG-pB9erlJ06I83veu2_EqtRrr5n8lwdxc-95SgUTtal0QFvZYwdsWl_Ia7nLBObK9s9Dgx5sXE-EwjtHVzVPpv-gap7i3ueNArH-JFcKJ0IdoV0MKckYB1O6KC/s1600-h/Lakeland+Village+view+IMG_2082+Small+Web+view.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422333168939951042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 161px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1JKmmKK4OblPiCt1hgG-pB9erlJ06I83veu2_EqtRrr5n8lwdxc-95SgUTtal0QFvZYwdsWl_Ia7nLBObK9s9Dgx5sXE-EwjtHVzVPpv-gap7i3ueNArH-JFcKJ0IdoV0MKckYB1O6KC/s200/Lakeland+Village+view+IMG_2082+Small+Web+view.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br />Another busy day yesterday. Graham and Rosemary are ensuring that we see as much of this part of NZ as possible, while they're here.<br />Graham took us to lunch at a nearby high-end restaurant. Right on the Lakeshore, the menu contained breakfast, lunch and dinner choices. I had what is probably the most unusual breakfast I've ever eaten, at least so far. Picture focaccia, topped with a large piece of poached red snapper, followed by a piece of 'middle bacon' (look that one up), and a poached egg. It was really very good, each ingredient perfectly cooked. Then, to finish it all off after 30 minutes of just admiring the view, I had a warm brownie, with ice cream and strawberries on top.<br />We went home and all had a much-needed nap – all that food!!! Then off to Taupo for a concert by an NZ legend Dave Dobben – he's like the Gordon Lightfoot of Canada – I don't know who the American counterpart would be. Not Pete Segar, not Springsteen – but, you get the idea. He was preceded by a girl named "Gin" (Virginia), who's a young bouncy blonde singer with a voice similar to Bonnie Tyler (remember "Its a heartache?). The crowd was about 3500, in an outdoor amphitheatre, on the grass. Beautiful setting; and because the venue, as well as many others in the area, is under a liquor ban to limit bad behaviour, the crowd was well-controlled. Like at the kite festival, there were lots of kids, all rocking to the music. A lovely evening.<br />And now, Rosemary and Graham are off again on the last part of their holiday, driving around the eastern coast, including Gisborne and other small spots. Graham has family in many of the villages, and will introduce his new wife to them all.<br />Marg is already back at work, and after I do some housework, I'll go up to the store and see if they need any help today. I've been lending a hand for a few weeks, just because I like to keep busy. Dave and Colleen have been so good to us, and I like to give back a bit, and those who work there are good company.<br />We're here in Omori until Thursday, then taking the bus up to Auckland for 4 days, departing Auckland on Tuesday, arriving in Hawaii on Monday, leaving for Vancouver/Ottawa on Tuesday. Got that? That international date line sure messes with my mind.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-8386465552830090822010-01-02T18:17:00.000-08:002010-01-02T18:20:27.679-08:00New Year<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxh3JW4jNxTdY27d2grPz-wMByZxRG9ANeD_mZ4b5uQHTq6TnqPVpYzuCL0d1wq1a8t2CrhWZqjISlDUCUUugYF80tAjDGsA4IdApiy-WnA4s3GM-VpA6Yuro3wkAFiNc_HxjR9e8GyAjh/s1600-h/Squid+kite+1+1+10+Small+Web+view.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422332723406607826" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxh3JW4jNxTdY27d2grPz-wMByZxRG9ANeD_mZ4b5uQHTq6TnqPVpYzuCL0d1wq1a8t2CrhWZqjISlDUCUUugYF80tAjDGsA4IdApiy-WnA4s3GM-VpA6Yuro3wkAFiNc_HxjR9e8GyAjh/s200/Squid+kite+1+1+10+Small+Web+view.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHLDGqcQvtYV3ocxQH1SNGLPpNmPeH8-PQP64sBDIlK18O-mcHSThj8QFTT3ZCQ_AeMqB7y2CUBLepe_8s-Mdw4sTumffDmKQXss6xLAnm60_MUQ0PvN8MWwhhdkx-hY2OW3zt6kcw_RA/s1600-h/Ruapehu+2+++5+Small+Web+view.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422332601294208658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 101px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHLDGqcQvtYV3ocxQH1SNGLPpNmPeH8-PQP64sBDIlK18O-mcHSThj8QFTT3ZCQ_AeMqB7y2CUBLepe_8s-Mdw4sTumffDmKQXss6xLAnm60_MUQ0PvN8MWwhhdkx-hY2OW3zt6kcw_RA/s200/Ruapehu+2+++5+Small+Web+view.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzioSiUsUf5Q2mYXQar_ar6uNbPQs0LS2Y9gATOSJtU9m7C2jWLcvNJ13OFdIdhGv3KPUsDBBHK-Bxjzsq1FxY_7oVH0YxmuIP3R6taSoRV0p1z_lhdk40vbfqpdWwbQ7UwJ0gb0hc19Vg/s1600-h/Mount+Doom+20+Small+Web+view.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422332503789401698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 139px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzioSiUsUf5Q2mYXQar_ar6uNbPQs0LS2Y9gATOSJtU9m7C2jWLcvNJ13OFdIdhGv3KPUsDBBHK-Bxjzsq1FxY_7oVH0YxmuIP3R6taSoRV0p1z_lhdk40vbfqpdWwbQ7UwJ0gb0hc19Vg/s200/Mount+Doom+20+Small+Web+view.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br />Spent a busy few days since Rosemary and Graham arrived back on New Year's Eve. I was working up at the little store with Colleen and Dave, just keeping shelves stocked, serving ice cream. Boy, are they busy!!!<br />The village has indeed filled up, as they had said it would. There are people everywhere, cars/RVs towing great big boats, kids playing in the streets – very strange, after the village was so very empty for so long. It should begin to empty out and the end of this week, but we'll be gone by then.<br />Anyway, back to recent events –Mervyn and Lesley Aitken, who are friends from Palmerston North arrived with R and G, and we had a great time. Went to a jazz/blues concert in a nearby vineyard, and heard great music, lots of people dancing on the lawn – must have been 300 – 400 people there if not more.<br />Then home for a NY Eve dinner, prepared by all of us – cold ham, boiled new potatoes, lemon mousse – yum. After that we settled down for a rousing card game – called Quidler, it's a word game, and because all of us love words (the dictionary continues to get a work-out), we had a great time. Silly, but fun.<br />Today, we all fixed breakfast together – NZ sausages, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, courtesy of moi-meme. . . Do we love to eat or what!<br />After Mervyn and Lesley left, R and G, Marg and I took off for Tongariro National Park, which is less than half an hour away. I think I mentioned in an early blog that a very canny Maori chief gave that land to the English govt in the 1840's, as a national park, hoping that it's sacred nature would be recognized and the land would not be developed. The Park contains several active volcanoes, including one used as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings movies; and, the entire park served as "Mordor" in the same films. The 'pretty' mountain, Ruapehu last erupted in 1995/1996, and the entire area within a 50 km radius was filled with ash . The land around the mountain is now covered with low bush, and flax bushes which grow wild.<br />A national kite-flying event was taking place at the golf course in front of the Chateau Tongariro, the one hotel on Mount Ruapehu. How beautiful it was to see dozens of unique kites, flying in a clear blue sky against the backdrop of Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe (Mt. Doom). And dozens of kids running, chasing the kites, and the kites' shadows, laughing wildly. Another food event followed, of course – another picnic, on the grass, watching the kites soar and dip.<br />To end the day, we went to the beach at Pakawa , which is the village next to Omori. There were hundreds of people there, but we found a place to set our chairs in the shade, and slept and read, and watched the people swim, kayak, water-ski. . . . Beautiful, of course. What a way to spend New Years Day. Very strange.<br />Bye for now.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div></div></div>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-91234911412281433372010-01-02T18:12:00.000-08:002010-01-02T18:17:23.047-08:00Christmas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFP4OQReKs3OfB5-OGri2uItSuv7x5vihvj4b40BkgiBJy4DMkBh-wole7LhoszKUWZ9Im9fLA1hTDUUl-iMRIUAGU72x4uYAK_pdyK2_FRT8xuedFB12Fa7CALD9blymZD2stweoQNgtW/s1600-h/mary+joseph+shepherds+jesus+krishna+IMG_1931+Small+Web+view.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422331938015760162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 197px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFP4OQReKs3OfB5-OGri2uItSuv7x5vihvj4b40BkgiBJy4DMkBh-wole7LhoszKUWZ9Im9fLA1hTDUUl-iMRIUAGU72x4uYAK_pdyK2_FRT8xuedFB12Fa7CALD9blymZD2stweoQNgtW/s200/mary+joseph+shepherds+jesus+krishna+IMG_1931+Small+Web+view.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIh2mKCgRaq_fJF0h7I-yVJ2s2U-RJwZ7YGnvsMVvygSqjjsfKN0FOf10i0cBDQb5LR4cU0RJ1sze9vwzIRlN59BhlZekqzop7H0AiQU5iR3vMIQXc9Ac6sveJZr9oX9oSRjpYMChVojkK/s1600-h/Krishna+dec+24+09+IMG_1933+Small+Web+view.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422331828515461938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 179px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIh2mKCgRaq_fJF0h7I-yVJ2s2U-RJwZ7YGnvsMVvygSqjjsfKN0FOf10i0cBDQb5LR4cU0RJ1sze9vwzIRlN59BhlZekqzop7H0AiQU5iR3vMIQXc9Ac6sveJZr9oX9oSRjpYMChVojkK/s200/Krishna+dec+24+09+IMG_1933+Small+Web+view.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBS15OEDrEWorxDtGHtM9oBAa6GVyH5pYZS8MyXJZrpxpREvGW8aMoUIXiWO_rXHrg9HguyScznX450p4J5GxEEsNQzhOIS1VpAzn8aOs_7_DfBOqnG7OrDcHNl2_4CTma9F0R9kWCZQ0/s1600-h/stairway+to+heaven+Copy+of+IMG_1953+Small+Web+view.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422331690337557954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 149px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBS15OEDrEWorxDtGHtM9oBAa6GVyH5pYZS8MyXJZrpxpREvGW8aMoUIXiWO_rXHrg9HguyScznX450p4J5GxEEsNQzhOIS1VpAzn8aOs_7_DfBOqnG7OrDcHNl2_4CTma9F0R9kWCZQ0/s200/stairway+to+heaven+Copy+of+IMG_1953+Small+Web+view.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_PtwnnfoePWLYe2Y7ER9XGXtUGsQBvwwe605adelyr29KIXukdqN_QfY8cwu41_1AUnlSdqZYC3P8KKgX2ScNpvjRykdrJZ-yrjBhJHmDChjlTjnJNr0ZmB9D5bC8Rsy0x8EL2EcDCch/s1600-h/feet+in+pool+Small+Web+view.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422331524715913890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 179px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_PtwnnfoePWLYe2Y7ER9XGXtUGsQBvwwe605adelyr29KIXukdqN_QfY8cwu41_1AUnlSdqZYC3P8KKgX2ScNpvjRykdrJZ-yrjBhJHmDChjlTjnJNr0ZmB9D5bC8Rsy0x8EL2EcDCch/s200/feet+in+pool+Small+Web+view.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br />Christmas Eve we went to a carolling concert at the local community centre. About 200 people were there – they are streaming into the community now, and kids are everywhere. (am missing my grandchildren and great grand-children right now.) A Christmas pageant was integrated into the concert, and the shepherds were played by two great big men in gum-boots, a NZ fashion statement. Mary and Joseph were played by a well-respected couple in the 70's; Joseph's only role was to burp the baby – he told me so, later. Our friend Krishna was in the choir, and she had a great time.<br />Christmas morning, we went to a Roman Catholic church service in Wahai, a tiny Maori village nearby. The church was full, and the service was noisy, informal in a formal sort of way – not nearly as restrained as the Protestant service we attended later that week. I took photos of the interior of the church – the walls were decorated with traditional Maori weavings and carvings, each panel unique, each representing an important symbol of Maori life. For example one panel pattern represented a flounder, another a fern, and the 'stairway to heaven' decorated the panel behind the altar. As well, the rafters supporting the roof were carved and painted in traditional fashion, each one different from the other in pattern and colour. Very rich in colour, symbolism, but no velvet, no gold. . . . Lovely.<br />And to top off the morning, we put our feet into one of the thermal pools on the lakeshore in front of the church. Hot, hot, hot. Graham (a Maori), says the women used to cook in the thermal pools, and build steam cookers over them. I can see why!!<br />For Christmas dinner, we grilled vegetables and Graham barbecued a WONDERFUL beef roast – rare, lightly spiced – yum. And for dessert, a Pavlova, which is a meringue filled with fruit and whip cream – lots of whip cream. Santa found each of us, though we were far from home.<br />And, next day I got up early to call home – see the sunrise?<br />How much I have to be grateful for.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-56225579705722823102010-01-02T18:07:00.000-08:002010-01-02T18:12:42.484-08:00Dec 18<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlwEjb4aotgRsHDpWeUQ5nxmvyxWnL3qTPxp3UufKfrvbLy27uTpHMO2OfgbWQ18SuDTP4OVLb2ZO8NFbI06jBlCTx9WCFH-qUyNzTD2jYlOvxmWdfvnxKA8N6XyeflQDkRGBZP3_vR6b/s1600-h/HUKa+FALLS+dec+18+09+IMG_1840+Small+Web+view.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422330703020440674" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 149px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlwEjb4aotgRsHDpWeUQ5nxmvyxWnL3qTPxp3UufKfrvbLy27uTpHMO2OfgbWQ18SuDTP4OVLb2ZO8NFbI06jBlCTx9WCFH-qUyNzTD2jYlOvxmWdfvnxKA8N6XyeflQDkRGBZP3_vR6b/s200/HUKa+FALLS+dec+18+09+IMG_1840+Small+Web+view.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XgETXHZ_fw9QNtrN18q87nHzP_mV3Oly_M_WYB29hAWXn94Adalkwbrrranl4tLxl_RqX7qe3N4vVaiybFmFXG8wmODse7DrHd37ruE0MT7imehZ-xwPRnVued9nBHMrhdu4SNyN-lbw/s1600-h/mount+ruapehu+dec+18+09+IMG_1832+Small+Web+view.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422330528252828770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XgETXHZ_fw9QNtrN18q87nHzP_mV3Oly_M_WYB29hAWXn94Adalkwbrrranl4tLxl_RqX7qe3N4vVaiybFmFXG8wmODse7DrHd37ruE0MT7imehZ-xwPRnVued9nBHMrhdu4SNyN-lbw/s200/mount+ruapehu+dec+18+09+IMG_1832+Small+Web+view.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzH4s_VgTMjoKsoEaAF9MEhErY8lRv72D0S7-cteEUyeck0uim4_Jd2Pqbt7nYTGELtLKWqlneEvZCA1z5J8gbmISccL0e28TohjO1TSFR3h2TNa2B9-ZJq1jBw6oQeydD0bbe0sbjilQ/s1600-h/thermal+field.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422330354413410562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzH4s_VgTMjoKsoEaAF9MEhErY8lRv72D0S7-cteEUyeck0uim4_Jd2Pqbt7nYTGELtLKWqlneEvZCA1z5J8gbmISccL0e28TohjO1TSFR3h2TNa2B9-ZJq1jBw6oQeydD0bbe0sbjilQ/s200/thermal+field.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br />December 18, 2009<br />Went to Taupo today – a friend of Dave and Colleen's named Tony was taking someone else to the airport, and offered to take us sight-seeing. It's a 40 km drive, but slow even though SH – 1 is the main highway between Wellington (capitol city) and Auckland (largest city). The highway takes us north, winding between the lakeshore and high hills, mostly covered with pine trees. Some areas have been clear-cut – what an ugly sight! Owned by Maori Trust organizations, they're mostly replanted, but still need another 15 years or so until the scars heal.<br />Taupo is a tourist town, making its living on fishing, hiking (tramping in NZ-speak) in the summer, and nearby skiing in the winter. Lots of souvenir shops, good coffee shops, some of the major NZ stores. Prices are lower here than in Wellington, but still higher than in Ottawa, even if you count the 20% difference in our dollars. Their sales tax (GST) is included in all prices, so the price you see is the price you pay, unless there's a small rounding up or down to the nearest 5 cents. No pennies in NZ; the coin that is copper-coloured and looks like our penny is a 10 cent piece. Very confusing.<br />After Taupo, Tony took us to Huka Falls, an important waterway here. Much of NZ's electricity is generated by water, or by thermal hot water. Huka Falls is the sole exit from Lake Taupo, and the water does race through the narrow channel – maybe 20 feet across at its narrowest.<br />Also saw the huge thermal power generation plant – one of many through-out the country. Being built on a volcanic region sure helps the national government generate power.<br />On the way back to Omori, Tony made sure we had time to take photos of two fascinating sights – first, Mount Ruapehu, which even now is snow-covered. It's about 50 km south of us, and is one of three active volcanoes in this area. It's about 2700 Metres high (a little less than 10,000 feet.) It last erupted in a major way in 1995, covering the area in clouds of ash and steam. The 1996 ski season was a write-off, as eruptions continued to cover the ski slopes in ash. It erupted without warning in 2007, accompanied by a small earthquake, injuring one person. Hmm – so much for civil defence and warning systems. Ah well.<br />The second sight, related to the first is the thermal fields which underlie the hills surrounding Omori. As you may be able to see in the photo, the steam rises from them, through-out the forest. Evidently the fire service gets several calls each year from tourists, telling them that there's a fire in the forest – the fire services goes to the spot on the road where the steam can be seen, but ignores it. It's too dangerous to go up there, as one might fall into a steam vent – poached firemen anyone? Sorry, that's grim humour.<br />So, thanks to Tony who has the last word. When I asked him how would we know if a volcano was erupting, he said "if you can see it, it's too late." Ha! </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-40946352520891818782009-12-14T15:31:00.000-08:002009-12-14T15:37:53.983-08:00Tuesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrld-bhZFK5-Gb8OzUiKvkeEMKXe1YHT1sWCMzqdhh06HcxoK0xC9rmPN_wws1uI6EoZtcomovFANDWRjMD2HsfEERBDZbLU_sC8FCTgxwUqzKh8wg0VTwL5s4PcaxF1BevWPplOHHYHw/s1600-h/Kuratau+IMG_1738+Small+Web+view.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415240051863918098" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 149px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrld-bhZFK5-Gb8OzUiKvkeEMKXe1YHT1sWCMzqdhh06HcxoK0xC9rmPN_wws1uI6EoZtcomovFANDWRjMD2HsfEERBDZbLU_sC8FCTgxwUqzKh8wg0VTwL5s4PcaxF1BevWPplOHHYHw/s200/Kuratau+IMG_1738+Small+Web+view.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQYEfjJAKdROcV84qsSRoZRL-aA8wyWpb64JnQ12GHWksE0A-z0lPfSFJ1o7_GyExU2ULbTSjrZAZ9GPPrwVnWw1zWxHb74vL5nmYwPS4JF5nCjpLMrWF6xXdqAMolIz_lr7ltNibgmSf/s1600-h/Omori+north+to+Kuratau+1736+Small+Web+view.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415239867449271682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 149px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQYEfjJAKdROcV84qsSRoZRL-aA8wyWpb64JnQ12GHWksE0A-z0lPfSFJ1o7_GyExU2ULbTSjrZAZ9GPPrwVnWw1zWxHb74vL5nmYwPS4JF5nCjpLMrWF6xXdqAMolIz_lr7ltNibgmSf/s200/Omori+north+to+Kuratau+1736+Small+Web+view.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvpFwbhY_8lk2ANsxbC4mWgj8_FjxoqIA8X8eTOk8yMJdz06jytuUhTC6Z3ihlHZcnskWR1ydZ75GuRXazjtUlPmciQlao1qZKXa4XXQYa6-ik9NH8vR-Hr_DK508eDrxZFmgE5OS0VYp_/s1600-h/r+and+g+at+work.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415239623167370898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 149px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvpFwbhY_8lk2ANsxbC4mWgj8_FjxoqIA8X8eTOk8yMJdz06jytuUhTC6Z3ihlHZcnskWR1ydZ75GuRXazjtUlPmciQlao1qZKXa4XXQYa6-ik9NH8vR-Hr_DK508eDrxZFmgE5OS0VYp_/s200/r+and+g+at+work.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br />Our social life is picking up some. Rosemary and Graham were up for the week-end, and we enjoyed ourselves cooking together, helping move appliances (refrigerators and washing machines!), watching a DVD of an Eagles concert – good company, good food, good music.<br />Graham barbecued some chicken for us, and we devoured some kumara chips (kumara is a yam-type vegetable that is a staple here.) </div><br /><br /><br /><div><br />On Saturday, Rosemary took us into Turangi (10 miles distant), for shopping etc. To our surprise almost all the shops closed by 1:00 p.m. It's been a long time since I've been in villages that do that. On the way back, we saw again the steam venting from the thermal fields of the near-by volanoes – will put up a picture as soon as I get one. And, we drove to a nearby hill-top which has been sectioned off for more high-end housing development. I'll try to include some of the better photos of the view from that beautiful spot.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>And, yesterday (Sunday), Dave and Colleen who run the Omori store, invited us for fish and chips. Dave has just opened a Chip Stand, and had some fish from Saturday that needed to be eaten – we were willing guests. Yum – a fine moist reddish tinged ocean fish (Tilapia?), in a light crispy batter, perfectly golden brown, cooked to a T. And the accompanying french fries were equally well prepared – the chip stand is open on Friday and Saturday nights, so we know where we're going for dinner this Friday!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>While we ate at the picnic table near the store, Krishna joined us – she's a new employee for Dave and Colleen and will be doing the cooking at the chip stand – she's of Italian and Maori descent, and acquired her name from her Italian yoga-practicing mother. About 25 – 30 years old, Krishna has just returned to Omori which is the seat of her father's "Iwi" (tribe), after living in the bush (woods / forest / remote area), in a community where many live in shipping containers. She was without running water for a number of years. That was her choice – she'd grown up in the City of Wellington, and decided to go 'back to the land', as part of her commitment to the environment. I understand that shipping containers are a ready solution to housing shortages, one that is used in many countries where the climate allows. Krishna had several windows in her, and found it quite acceptable. She talked of her great appreciation for running water and flush toilets, grown from the necessity of carrying buckets from the creek some distance from her home. Her commitment to the environment continues to be strong – she'll move to a home with composting toilet as soon as possible. She is particularly interested in how art reflects culture. We talked briefly about the different experience of aboriginal peoples in NZ, Aus, Canada and U.S., and I know we'll have lots more conversations.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>I spent more than an hour on the phone yesterday with Colleen's internet help desk, trying to figure out why my laptop wouldn't connect with her router. After lots of conversation and experiments, the fellow concluded that her router is higher security than my laptop could connect with – ah well. However, she offered to let us check our mail when we go to the store (which is at least daily, if not more often). So Margaret continues working on her book, and sending chapters off to her editor, and I continue blogging!!!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Are any of you putting comments up? I'm not seeing any, but wonder if you're seeing the "Comment" box at the very end of the blog?? Pls let me know if you see it, because I can try to figure out how to put it up top. Also forgive placement of pictures – haven't mastered that yet. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-13291538897811159302009-12-11T18:00:00.000-08:002009-12-11T18:08:05.546-08:00Saturday, here<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3geUnRNoFivNh5C1o8mHR6BC1B0UY73VayERL_KXXu6XmGvbjWpudSgaVplvKzV5T22mUuh7Jy3Sqn2zyedgo-_KPdhEqXoGdJFdzAUD2FKJF6l3O5Pl6qsxtLGzMoOGZ90Q49w_P2Rc/s1600-h/lamb+in+Omori.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 119px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3geUnRNoFivNh5C1o8mHR6BC1B0UY73VayERL_KXXu6XmGvbjWpudSgaVplvKzV5T22mUuh7Jy3Sqn2zyedgo-_KPdhEqXoGdJFdzAUD2FKJF6l3O5Pl6qsxtLGzMoOGZ90Q49w_P2Rc/s200/lamb+in+Omori.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414165643340731474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_RPSIUwV5DFYVu3WxHpliZg0X8E8r_3e3_81NMHWMxV_wqWondRAWPXE7p3yiZt42SJzdIj3k0EksRjX_-lnDMwzMdAAnpPUvgtjEd50BmD5raRN0vi7wWU7RPGj4F5SKcTAvoRtSf_K/s1600-h/quail+on+post+omori+dec+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_RPSIUwV5DFYVu3WxHpliZg0X8E8r_3e3_81NMHWMxV_wqWondRAWPXE7p3yiZt42SJzdIj3k0EksRjX_-lnDMwzMdAAnpPUvgtjEd50BmD5raRN0vi7wWU7RPGj4F5SKcTAvoRtSf_K/s200/quail+on+post+omori+dec+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414165392230087138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NeYY3oqPNcoov-CpeavaEkfvhtYBS-OvdhEiEPmyQSC42d7XhXwlDQ_PAYFNmdXtKqmEcvue6fQvDKVdvpyN1qSRxw7jjWlsSO1TJMxQgWUmNqGDV_0E_lulCn-uVPn_Xl6mepDY8oFl/s1600-h/K+in+the+Omori+bush.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NeYY3oqPNcoov-CpeavaEkfvhtYBS-OvdhEiEPmyQSC42d7XhXwlDQ_PAYFNmdXtKqmEcvue6fQvDKVdvpyN1qSRxw7jjWlsSO1TJMxQgWUmNqGDV_0E_lulCn-uVPn_Xl6mepDY8oFl/s200/K+in+the+Omori+bush.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414165140826940258" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><img src="file:///C:/WINDOWS/TEMP/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><img src="file:///C:/WINDOWS/TEMP/moz-screenshot-1.jpg" alt="" /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Resting, relaxing, sitting in the sun – the last few days have been low key, easy in all ways. The sun is so bright that a hat is needed at all times – and the NZ slogan to combat skin cancer – slip, slap, slop (cover up, put on a hat, put on sun screen) – is worth following. I was surprised to get a sunburn in about 30 minutes. Not that I'm complaining – did I hear that some parts of the U.S. are experiencing a fierce winter storm?? How about Canada? Does it please you to read that we're expecting heavy rain this week-end?</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> Went for a bit of a walk today along the shore of Lake Taupo. Much of the shore near us is very steep, and covered with trees and bush. Look on Google Earth, for Omori, NZ, and you'll see what I mean. But there is a public trail that goes along the lakeshore, then up some stairs to go along the hillside. Some animal traps are set along the pathside – rabbits that evidently are taking quite a toll on the flowers and other plant life, though it doesn't show at all; and ferrets take a toll on birds – saw lots of broken bird eggs along the pavement today, but no other evidence.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> We're hoping to find a bird book, so we can identify some of the many different ones we see and hear. So far we've identified a Tui (also known as a parson-bird); and a fantail. Another we think is a chaffinch; and attached is a picture of a quail-like critter. <br /></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> Other 'wild-life' include sheep and beef from a near-by farm – we can hear their bleats and moo's on a quiet night. One lamb is definitely a split-personality – see the photo of him, with his black front-half, and white back-half. </span> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> The farm provided the land-based for the Omori community which is a high-end housing development.. The development is sort of strange – most of the 200 homes are very up-scale – huge, for the most part over 2,000 square feet. Lawns, grounds, houses well-kept;. But, 90% of them are unoccupied – they're summer homes, don't know who owns them. Summer is just beginning, and now on a Friday afternoon we're seeing some families drive in. A few retirees are here year-round; fewer local workers (the one corner store; the one property-manager. . . .) But the community is pretty much empty. Very strange. There is NO commercial activity (other than the tiny corner store); no real estate offices, no community facilities such as community hall or churches. The nearest town is Turangi, about 10 miles away. I can't think of a similar example near any place I've lived. How about you folks?</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> The house we're staying is NOT one of the upscale examples; it's a fully-furnished 2-bedroom, large living room, medium sized kitchen; large porch. Very comfortable, nicely furnished, used as a summer retreat by our host Graham, who has just married Marg's friend Rosemary. As with most of the houses here, there's a 'batch', behind the house – a self-contained bachelor apartment attached to the garage. We have TV with 3 channels; a golden oldies radio station, no internet, cell-phone access if we stand in a certain spot 200 yards down the street. </span> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"> We have everything we need (other than internet).</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span> </p>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318279762313514359.post-4969173023608543432009-12-07T00:01:00.000-08:002009-12-07T00:07:01.530-08:00December 7, 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8NwS-JCO3qiWtWr7DtSoIIWIKIpvpgVBolFW-JHkxZLDAlWaUbMfUxSeeRI814GMuDnUeYtQ_gAVnnBqs7MGOlfOYTn6BXSCFyucS1NcnK0J9xe873A15-yPzaH7D4xKmU1YParB9EJO/s1600-h/karen+on+the+porch+dec+6+09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412402467396719154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8NwS-JCO3qiWtWr7DtSoIIWIKIpvpgVBolFW-JHkxZLDAlWaUbMfUxSeeRI814GMuDnUeYtQ_gAVnnBqs7MGOlfOYTn6BXSCFyucS1NcnK0J9xe873A15-yPzaH7D4xKmU1YParB9EJO/s200/karen+on+the+porch+dec+6+09.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueVYywJcJDtlyKxes174-MNmh7dq-IPf_RYEOES8rHbczvpyLOIQbeB61uZByTjVoQ3fq8U2rEI78l8WAbcH4d3bhiTmgeTcnNFbVZCLCRiZJ3wdZ-1gJMUiVnWzdnzM5bYMftFmxixCw/s1600-h/flax+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412402464176351650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 149px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueVYywJcJDtlyKxes174-MNmh7dq-IPf_RYEOES8rHbczvpyLOIQbeB61uZByTjVoQ3fq8U2rEI78l8WAbcH4d3bhiTmgeTcnNFbVZCLCRiZJ3wdZ-1gJMUiVnWzdnzM5bYMftFmxixCw/s200/flax+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBnzjYjyRYn2kW6VRoNDJtmoI1_w1nl12M2ciu8EHXZa9pKhOAxx76v0mLLRAcrHhgUX3ZSaW9exdszIPfacKReb2x66DZfsUs4MRXtMg8qNh9NGSXMpKPJ9q3ZRSzmbps_1kUrHqHLCB/s1600-h/Manuka+bush.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412402460555570962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 149px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBnzjYjyRYn2kW6VRoNDJtmoI1_w1nl12M2ciu8EHXZa9pKhOAxx76v0mLLRAcrHhgUX3ZSaW9exdszIPfacKReb2x66DZfsUs4MRXtMg8qNh9NGSXMpKPJ9q3ZRSzmbps_1kUrHqHLCB/s200/Manuka+bush.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMM8d3z5koCNPUtZT9_tHdkPcEqJU9QWHchB1QvatNv2qDCCNcD2uu7EKlvUCmQdZtv-WrTuHG5YxNKr7AEZwwnxW9hYnuMLTCAksD9P3xSr-wc_o0iHa14nYifzivy_r_jOMPU1aAfNB/s1600-h/flax+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412402455805788946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 149px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMM8d3z5koCNPUtZT9_tHdkPcEqJU9QWHchB1QvatNv2qDCCNcD2uu7EKlvUCmQdZtv-WrTuHG5YxNKr7AEZwwnxW9hYnuMLTCAksD9P3xSr-wc_o0iHa14nYifzivy_r_jOMPU1aAfNB/s200/flax+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gbzw4Te4ZAm1yetHDVQymTie8eD8Ez4RcWRjKR3x9wWbAKvnTB-3IPCE5YefKiwjKkEXzFJ501z3SvEIcAJ-fhRZLfl1YFuwI1aUXfKVnlJf0VAfi5Sj8jXEO-Q4efWV521WoyVuyTWx/s1600-h/Omori+sky+dec+6+09+marg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412402453292670610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gbzw4Te4ZAm1yetHDVQymTie8eD8Ez4RcWRjKR3x9wWbAKvnTB-3IPCE5YefKiwjKkEXzFJ501z3SvEIcAJ-fhRZLfl1YFuwI1aUXfKVnlJf0VAfi5Sj8jXEO-Q4efWV521WoyVuyTWx/s200/Omori+sky+dec+6+09+marg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We've been in Omori several days, and are settling into a routine. I hadn't realized how much the back and forth, up and down, being in others' space tired me out. Really appreciated being with Rosemary and Graham in Wanganui; their sharing of their lovely home, and showing around the area really helped us get into the NZ way of life. We walked, ate, walked, sat, ate. . . . Here in Omori, Margaret and I eat, walk, rest, sit in the sun, eat, walk . . . . Margaret's work on her book is going well, and I'm enjoying just doing nothing!<br /><br />Rosemary drove us up to Omori on Friday; it's a 3 hour drive, and we passed through what is called a desert – big, empty plateau land, much of which is a military training area. Not much to see, though had it been clear, we would have been able to see the 3 active volcanoes in the area.<br /><br />As we got close to Turangi, we could see steam venting from underground caverns – this whole area is known as a thermal area, with hot springs, hot mud soaks, thermal pools – all fed by the volcanic structures under the earth. Seeing the steam coming out of the hillsides was a little freaky -<br /><br />So far, the food is quite similar to home, though there's lots more seafood (those of you on the West Coast would find it very familiar.) There are a lot of British brands, and foods – Marmite ( a yeasty vegetable spread); lots of tea; worcestershire sauce; curry, chutney . . . And, packaging is in metric, so that too is familiar. Most food is imported – remember that we're hours from the nearest source of food – Australia supplies a lot, and of course the U.S. Haven't seen any Canadian food – I brought some maple syrup as a 'hostess gift', and that was much appreciated as it's hard to find here. NZ does produce a lot of dairy products, and the green vegetables are all local. Great apples– Gala, Braeburn and others grow locally.<br /><br />I would say that the climate is similar to that of Seattle / Bremerton / Victoria in that it's moderate – not too hot, not too cold. In the sea-coast areas there is lots of rain; and here on the volcanic plateau, and in the 'southern alps' on the south island, there is snow during the winter. But, here in Omori, the rhododendrons, azaleas are intermixed with palm trees and flax plants.<br /><br />Bye for now.</div></div></div></div></div>Flying Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300239170751753205noreply@blogger.com0