Road to... the final edition.

Well, enjoying our last full day.  Here are the photo's from the Farm Market we visited the other day.

This morning I finally got to see the Bald Eagle that has been flying around. The others had all seen it and I was a little envious.  Then just a few minutes ago a lovely Doe came by to say hello and munch on a leaf.  She only stayed a few minutes then continued on her merry way.
In between those two visitors, Cathy and I also saw a dolphin - or something with a fin - swim by. Add that to the Cougar, several local hawks and eagles, etc.  Fun.

Road to... cont'd, part trois.

Yes, we made it to Victoria. We have seen and done much, as the pictures (seen on my Facebook albums) have shown. I only wish I could remember all the wild and crazy things we have done, but it is late as I write this, having had a couple of Rum and Cokes and shared a few bottles of wine.
On this day three of the four of us went back to Victoria to check out the RBCM.  But not before we went to the local Farm Market.
It was awesome.  In the local church back yard, the local farmers, fishermen and sundry other locals shared there wares.  They could not have been nicer, friendlier or more eclectic!  If I did not feel like such an interloper from California, I would have struck up more conversations.  Especially with the (very) elderly gentleman with the jeweled, manicured finger and toe nails.  But I digress...

I promised Miss Wendy, who needed to stay behind to find her ankles, that we would be home before dark!  It get's dark here around 9:30 - we laughed, she did not - (Actually, she needed to rest her aching back :(  - she was feeling much better upon our return).
The museum was cool, as was the IMAX movie. Biggest screen in British Columbia, dontchaknow!
While driving back I needed to pick up breakfast and a light snack.  A Tim Horton's Maple doughnut and a Swiss Chalet Chicken dinner.  They had them both in the same place - Nirvana!  Pictures tomorrow, perhaps.  Alas, all was not perfect.
While preparing to go and locking the car, I reached behind me to close the door.  Little did I know that the genius engineer who designed the front doors put them on a severe angle.  So much so that while it cleared by big butt (bigger while eating on vacation) it did not clear my  tiny little head.  It smacked me so good, Jay turned and said WTF?
Well, it broke the skin and I have a nice souvenir of the TH/SC on my head!  So far, the chicken, fries and gravy appetizer were worth it.  I will let you know how the doughnuts are tomorrow. And if there is any residual pain.  Not a big fan of the teasing I am getting from Cathy, et al, however!

So, to bring you up to speed, here are some other days of images from our trip, but not including today.  I would have done today, but with the grilling, drinking, and following up on all the comments, I can only do today's images another day...

Day 5

Day 6

Day7

Feel free to leave your thoughts.  Or not, eh.

Here is a short video of our rainstorm. 

Road to... cont'd.

Seattle is a great city, so most of you already know everything there is to know about it. Home of the first Starbucks and Nordstroms.  I guess I was not aware how far it is inland from the coast.  There is actually a mountain range between it and the ocean.  It may rain often in Seattle, but not when we were there - two whole days without rain!
I also must say that I was shocked at how little traffic there was, compared to most cities of similar size that I have visited.  Perhaps everyone uses public traffic.
I also thought is was nice of VP Joe Biden to stop by our hotel to say hi. 
Well, I have places to go, people to see, and things to do!  So with that, here are links to two more days worth of boring photo's for those of you not on FB.

Day 3:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151033185099390.448126.721144389&type=1&l=b6aa6111da
Day 4:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151033292829390.448135.721144389&type=1&l=f8f2b4bb44

Road to...

Um, Road to what Glenn?  Oh, sorry.  Just made me think of these.

Let the Hi-jinks begin.  Way late and much more than a dollar short, here are some low lights from the road to Seattle and Victoria via Amtrak (had it been all in Canada, it would have read better - via VIA, but I digress).

Hit the road very early on a Saturday morning, being dropped off at the lovely Irvine Rail Station by our 'practically perfect neighbors', the Thorton's.  It being so early, we neglected to photographically record their kindness.

Quick jaunt to Union Station - which should be a tourist stop on everyone's to do list; right across from Olvera street and a famous sandwich restaurant called Philippes - a French Dip legend that I have overlooked and have to correct in the future.

To help set the tone of our trip, on our first leg of the train ride we met a nice family from Colorado Springs, vacationing in California for the first time.  They were on their way to, where else, Disneyland!  Cathy was happy to get them in the mood before they even got there.
After they got off in Anaheim, another family moved into their seats.  This group was from New Zealand on their way to San Francisco.  We were two for two on meeting great people, and that trend has continued on the entire trip - except for some wacko lady we ran into in LA.  This grandmother and granddaughter did get on our car, but luckily we never saw her again until she disembarked somewhere in Washington State.

Well, for the next 36 hours we road the rails.  Won't bore you with the hour-by-hour details, but it was just what we all expected, except for the amount of food they offer you!  With nowhere to go, it seemed like we were always walking to the dinning car - actually, for us Sleeper Car residents we had our own private Parlour Car - La Ti Da...

Anyway, I have some photo's posted in an album on Facebook that show the 35 or so hour trip.  You should be able to see them both here:

Facebook link, day one:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151031856309390.447983.721144389&type=1&l=bec1ee5265
Facebook link, day two:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151031919119390.447995.721144389&type=3&l=9def60ca30

The whole thing makes me think of the Great Canadian, Gordon Lightfoot!

Canada Day - 2012

It is almost Canada Day.  In case I don't get back here, Happy Canada Day.  Enjoy!  Drink up, hosers.

Dateline Sunnyvale, June 2012

So here I am, sitting outside of a Chipotle Mexican Grillnear the San Jose Airport.  Here on business.  They play music at this chain and a song comes on with a familiar melody.

A long, long time ago I used to have the opportunity to listen to almost every ‘single’ released by an artist – at least in Canada.  With my co-workers, we would often try to guess which ones would be ‘hit’ records.  Sometimes we were right, often not.

One simple Disco song came along one day and it was not liked, particularly by one of my friends, Ray L.  I might say he hated it.  I recall picking it for number one.  I don’t know if it ever became #1, but it was certainly a hit – Shame, Shame, Shame by Shirley and Company.

Well do-tell; it has been re-done!  I don’t know by whom, as I could not find the version I heard on YouTube.  But it was the same song, updated with both male and female singers – and it was also good.

Had not thought about that song -  or my old friend, wherever he is – in some time.  Thanks for them memories, Chipotle!

In My Little Town...

This is an old article, but missed it when it came out.  Nice read about the old home town.  While I could never go back - I do miss it.  Normal, I suppose.  Must make a point to walk along Wellington Street on the next visit.  I should put it in my calendar...

Hat tip to Lesf from the Multiply.com social network.  Can't link to it, as it is private, sort of like Facebook, without the hundreds of millions of members.

Disney California Adventure - Cars Land.

On Saturday, June 2nd, we were lucky enough to go to a Disney Family Preview of the new Cars Land at Disney California Adventure. Was not allowed to take pictures inside, so here are a few of other new attractions that have just opened to the public...

Could not crash the gate - needed special access.  I know a girl... rest of photo's here

Memorial Day Weekend - Day 4

Slept in and awoke to Marc creating an egg - bake dish with all the weekend leftovers.  Fantastic.  And it went well with my breakfast Viognier!

Lazy day other than another trek along the beach.  So more beach shots for you.  That is about it for this weekend.  We will be going to dinner shortly, then driving home.  It is going to be a long day tomorrow.

More bluebirds for breakfast.  They are going to be upset tomorrow.

They live - and ride - well down here.

This the way down.

Mosaic along the steps.

They were actually studying.  Nice place to do it, eh?

More lifeguards.

Sea Shells, surfer, surf.  A good walk, period.

Surf's up, continued.

Anybody lose a pair of pink flip-flops, with stone?

They have a Catamaran attached to the stairwell leading to their home.  Sheesh.

Meditation at the beach.

Other end of the beach walk.

This spot is about 100 yards from our cottage.  Very handy.  This little community of Leucadia is very nice.  The trick now is to find a way to live here... Any idea's?

Cheers all.  Thanks for comments.  Hope you enjoyed them.  We shall see you all the next time.  Now, back to face the real world.

Memorial Day Weekend - Day 3.2

After the beach walk we enjoyed a glass of wine, and started to prep dinner using ingredients from the farmers market earlier in the day. I was in charge of the grill, Marc handled everything else in the kitchen.  The ladies continued the marathon rummy something-or-other.

Going where the weather suits my clothes...

Surf's up; a perfect couple - note the old school long board.

Still Rummying...

Before.

During.

Avec sauce, chez Marc.

Wok stir fry veggies.

Hard to describe, but a cool weather vane.

A wave on waves.

A glass, with a view.

Wonder what they were discussing?

Evening stroll along the shore.

Have I mentioned Rummikub?

Ahhhhh.   Finally.

Indulge me.

We are not quite sure why, but on the cliff is this piece of wood and hand saw.

Someone put Bernice in the microwave.  Re-heat or Time Cook?

Chow time.  Delicious.

Louise Dessert.

Could not get the camera to work properly, but this was a beautiful moon-set.

Off to bed late - sure to sleep in Monday.

Memorial Day Weekend - Day 3.1

Made it down to the sand with Marc.  Earlier, there was fun on the patio with a some bluebirds.  Ladies enjoyed feeding them.  They offered a couple of Cheese Puffs (regular, not crunchy) but since the bag was running low, they stopped.  They apparently made a deal with one to deliver a Puff to London for Carolyn.  Who knew the Brits don't do Cheese Puff's?  Their loss.
Anyway, a few shots of the beach, water, a bird, etc. 

London, here I come!  Can't wait to see Bennett, Hugh & Carolyn.

SoCal

Be Careful!!

Water Temp, 65f; Lifeguard? You are welcome, lady readers.

Three men and a surfboard?

Marc Raymond, oeniphile.

Three Ladies and a cliff.  Lifeguards and naked men remove the fear of height from Bernice :)

Life's a beach

Barely viewable moon that will brighten our night sky, allowing us to see the whitecaps on the surf.

Crashed after a hard day of surfing.

Looking South.

Add caption

Where we are, although left on Neptune.

This really does not need a caption. 

Yep, a Grand Cru from the Right Bank of St. Emilion

Time for the next bottle.  I like long weekends ;)