Port Bruce - October 22, 2017 (1).

Warm Enough for a Dip?

[Photo: I walked straight into the deep end]

The tall, stout waves along the north shore of Lake Erie were both cool and inviting yesterday, and seconds after I'd tossed my T-shirt onto a beach towel I was chest deep in the water.

"I'll stay in just long enough to blow the dust off," I said to myself.

Unfortunately, I misjudged the height of the first wave - I was having trouble with the footing at the same time - and my old, trusty pocket camera got a soaker*. 

In my lifetime I have taken dips in colder waters (summer of 2007, at Hattie's Cove on Lake Superior) but not at such a late date in the year. And, the skies were so clear yesterday, some of the photos seem to be record-breaking as well (in my humble opinion).

 Incoming! Even more refreshing than Key Lime ice cream!

 The fellow in the red T-shirt exits the lake a few seconds before me.

Round Two, coming up!

Camera is dried off and still taking photos.

In we go again!

After a quick towel-dry I headed for The Corner View Cafe for a BLT, coffee and a Key Lime cone. All three items were the best of the year, as car after car and bike after bike toured past my corner table. 

If weather allows, I shall return.

*Three 30-second videos did not download this morning, so something is definitely fishy inside my old camera. Rats.

Please link to Port Bruce - October 2, 2017 (2).

Photos GH

Muskrats Prep for Winter.

[Photo: I was looking for Snap Turtle, noticed Rat de Riviere instead]

With some mild weather ahead (i.e., mild enough for motorcycling), I will likely be able to return to an active creek that travels under two small bridges on Edgeware Line, south and east of Mapleton (home of "Taxidermy and Cheese Shop").

I hope to see Mr. Snap Turtle, a large snapping turtle - one more time - before he migrates for the winter. And now I will keep my eyes peeled for the swimming adventures of at least two healthy muskrats that like the same section of the tiny creek. 

Definitely at home in the water, I called them 'river rats' to myself until I showed the photos to a friend in Aylmer. She immediately said, "They're muskrats." 

Who knew? Not me. I don't think I've ever seen one, before yesterday. (Unless the large brown rat I saw, this spring or last fall on a walking trail behind the PUC building at Ridout and Horton, was in fact a muskrat. I just said to myself at the time, "That's the biggest rat I've ever seen!")

Life is full of small adventures, especially if one pokes their nose under wee bridges along the way.

More to follow.

Please link to Favourite Photos (2).

Photos GH

Feeling Some Pressure (6).

After two years of good effort, I think The GREAT Canadian Comeback is about 10% complete. However, during the last month I have been hitting my stride, slow and steady-like, in preparation for my second road race in 12 years.  

Thumb's Up!

[Photo: Uncle Gord and Electric Dan survive the mud] 

Over 15 years ago a group of runners from London raced through Hell (Michigan) and returned home with gym bags filled with muddy, soggy shoes, shorts and T-shirts. The cheese-burgers and Karaoke Night we shared are well remembered; the muddy swamps and dirty clothes are now almost all forgotten. (We had mud up to our thighs in the above photo but didn't seem to care).

Times have changed. In Hell we ran half-marathons. Now I am aiming to complete a 10 Km. race, slow and easy, hopefully without any stoppages - or mud - on October 28 in Springbank Park.

I finished the week with a good run and 2 walks (Total - 28.5 mi.)

Today I start a new week of running and walking, hoping to cover 25 - 30 miles within my limits, and complete three runs in the 4 - 6 mile range. Last week I finished courses of 4.0, 4.25 and 5.0 miles in fine fashion, i.e., slow and steady-like, which is fine by be. And I didn't have to run through one swamp!

Historic Photos:

 The place looks nice on the postcard!

 I say, "Ladies' washrooms? Ma'am, turn left at Swampy Sewers."

My recent route to Baldwin Flats is high and dry. 

Yes, The GREAT Canadian Comeback continues in style.

Please link to Feeling Some Pressure (5).

Photos GH

Yer Outta Here!

"Rejected!"

[Photo: Too many humans!]

The above photo, and several others below, were tossed - for one reason or another - from a recent 'photo challenge'. Life's like that some times. You dress up nice, put a new fedora on your head, and first thing you hear is, "You wearing that to dinner?"

 Too much explanation.

 Subject is too small.

 Subject is too long and dark.

 This makes sense to only one person.

 Gord's first oil painting. Who cares?

Yes, it looks better in colour. Not Allowed!!

 Who cares about mud swallow nests anymore?

 I mean, who doesn't know about my love affair with Port Bruce?

 Even though it's fall, colour photos are not allowed.

 One rare salad fork = two rare birdhouses. Yawn. Outta here!

My Dad. Rare photo from Nov. 8, 1942. Allies invade N. Africa. First time
U.S. troops are involved in big numbers (50 U.S. Rangers raided Dieppe three
months earlier). My father is the Canadian sailor (centre) assisting U.S. troops
exit the landing craft. But, it's not my photo. Imperial War Museum. Rejected!

There. It's out of my system.

Please link to Favourite Photos (2).

Photos GH

Favourite Photos (2).

From Here and There.

[Photo: 'Tis the season of last rides for 2017]

I have been challenged by Jane Harrison (to share some photos on Facebook).
7 days, 7 black and white photos of your life.
No humans. No explanation.

So, I'm looking through my photo files:

The Coves

He walks, he runs, he does it all

South shore of St. Lawrence River, Quebec

Fort Henry, Kingston

Peaceful cove in PEI

Wow. I ate a 99 cent dog, went for a run, drove to Kingston..... just for starters.

More to follow.

Please link to Favourite Photos (1).

Photos GH

Port Bruce - October 2, 2017 (2).

Go South.

[Photo: Catch a warm breeze while you still can]

One goal for October: Ride south when the sun shines, and catch a few rays - 'cause winter's coming.

If this morning had not started off wet, I would have warmed up the bike by 10. Maybe tomorrow the sun will shine. Is Lake Erie still inviting enough for swimmers? Depends on who you ask.

Postcards from along the way:

 The last gull is 137.4 feet from the start of the metal channel barrier.

Arizona-style scene painted on the metal channel barrier?

 Looks like Arizona-style to me : ) except for the sand banks.

 Cornfields of Nebraska?

Highway to Memphis?

Please link to Port Bruce - October 2, 2017.

Photos GH

Port Bruce - October 2, 2017.

Corn, Clouds, Memorable Conversation.

[Photo: And getting there was half the fun]

Corn and soy fields north and south of Belmont are in 'full ripe', and harvesting machines and loaded trucks are busy every day now.

Skies overhead were so clear and crisp yesterday I wanted to write my name in the sky: "Gord was here. Could see for miles!"

Port Bruce welcomed me with a breeze that told me summer is over. Get out the leather jacket.

I conversed with a fellow my age (above) on the beach.

GH: Water still warm enough, eh?

He: Warm enough for me.

GH: Maybe I'll bring my trunks on Thursday.

He: I won't be here Thursday.

The End.

(And I thought it would be okay if he wasn't there on Thursday).

Note to self: Leather jacket, trunks, fresh batteries for camera on Thursday. And order 'fresh cut fries' again.

Please link to Port Bruce, Sept. 26, 2017.

Photos GH