Grandma....Don't look at this one!

Kids...don't try this at home. Press PLAY for video.

Annual August Long Weekend Camp Trip

We went on our annual August Long Weekend Camp Trip. This year, my sister and her family joined us.

It was a very WET weekend. However, we were fortunate to have Derek join our group and he is an ex-boyscout, ex-junior ranger, ex-army guy and therefore he had EVERY camping provision known to mankind. Indeed, his kitchen set-up looked like a scene from RAMSEY'S HELL'S KITCHEN.

During the evening we were blessed with periods of clear skies (and stars) which allowed us to gather around the campfire for a rousing NEWLYWED GAME.

The children were all issued glow sticks and played our their own games.

The campground held a HISTORICAL weekend. During the afternoon they recreated a battle scene from the 1812 war.

We grabbed what sunshine we could find and played on the beach in between lightning storms.

The campground held a PARADE with the intent to make as much noise as possible. A prize was awarded to the NOISIEST participant which turned out to be Sarah and Dylan (they said they were a team). Press PLAY to hear their noise entry.

The campground has a nature centre and Sarah and Dylan were able to observe various indigenous creatures as well as hold a snake.

The Wigamog Inn

We recently returned from a relaxing family vacation at the WIGAMOG INN in Haliburton, ON. We chose this Inn because if is geared towards families and was crawling with children. Dylan had a great time with their all-day children's activities such as water trampoline, Capture the Flag, tie-dye shirts, etc... The activities even extended into the evening to include the whole family.

On this night a Cartoonist taught us how to draw a cartoon (actually quite easy!)

Dylan met many children during both indoor and outdoor activities.

We were delighted that Dylan was able to try a waterski lesson and got up without any difficulty (press PLAY).

Of course, there were rainy moments...but even these times were enjoyed with the ever present books.

We made a cool day-trip to the Wolf Centre. This is a wolf habitat where you could observe wolves from behind a two-way mirror in the visitors centre. Because it was a cloudy day, we were fortunate to witness several wolves during the daytime.

In fact, we were blessed to witness several animals at close range around our Inn including two baby fawns (GORGEOUS and just 3 metres away without us having our cameras), a doe, a skunk, several groundhogs, rabbits, hawks, and of course....wolves.

The Grand Canyon

From Sedona we travelled along a scenic road toward the Grand Canyon. This was a spectacular route to travel. Along the way we stopped at SUNSET CRATER Provincial Park to walk though a lava field from a volcanic eruption approximately 1000 years ago.

We arrived at Grand Canyon in the evening and witnessed the awe-inspiring view of a sunset.

The next day we took a plane ride over the canyon.

Followed by a float day trip on the Colorado River.

Along the river we stopped to see a series of petraglyphs on the canyon wall.

And floated by this beautiful bird of prey.

That night we stayed on a Navajo Indian Reservation in their motel. As you can see, this tribe certainly has money!

One of our trips was to Antelope Canyon....one of the most beautifully lit canyons in Arizona (and the subject of many photographic displays).

The highlight of the trip was hiking on the trails in Grand Canyon. We descended and ascended part of the Bright Angel trail. One has the option of journeying this trail by foot or by mule. This muletrain passed us, kicking a lot of dust.

This is a video of Andrew finishing our hike. Press PLAY

The only injury on the trip was a "twig" which was imbedded in Andrew's calf. Andrew didn't even know it was there (heat, dehydration). This twig was buried quite deep into Andrew's tissue and required the use of a Ranger's tweezers to extract it.

The Red Rocks of Sedona

Andew and I returned from a trip to Sedona and Grand Canyon. This was our first trip alone in 12 years. Sedona is so beautiful...words that come to mind to describe it are: sensual, mystical, serene, vibrant. It is a contrast of the vivid red rocks next to the pale desert.

The area is known as the Red Rocks because of the picturesque red mountains resulting from their iron oxide content.

Every morning we would go for a one or two-hour hike around various mountains. Our favourite was "Bell" Mountain.

The Red Dust Clings to Everything After a Walk

You had to plan your days carefully around the temperature. This was, afterall, desert. You had to be finished your hiking by 11:00am and then resume after 5:00pm. We could start our morning at 56F and end the day at 122F.

Swimming and lounging during the afternoon heatwave

We hiked up Cathedral Mountain which was considered strenuous (and it was) but worth the effort.

A breathtaking archeological destination was Montezuma's Castle. This was the cliff dwelling for 60 Pueblo Indian families. It is simply chilling to see this site and the ingenuity of these mysterious people who lived here from 1240 to 1400 a.d. and then simply abandoned this structure.

Montezuma's Castle

This beautiful church was designed by Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright and it is situated on a small mountain, between two pillars.

Chapel of the Holy Cross

Sedona - Our B & B

We stayed in the most marvelous B & B in Oak Creek Village, by Sedona. If you are travelling as a couple (no kids, no dogs) then we highly recommend the Adobe Hacienda B & B.

A Welcoming Entrance

Serene Mexican Fountain

Nightly Campfire

The Redrocks View from our Bedroom Window

Recumbent Trike Built for Two

Andrew has managed to attached Dylan's recumbent tricycle to his own to creat a tandem recumbent trike. The two road warriors strapped on several saddle bags, a tent built for two, two tiny sleeping bags.....and they went camping overnight!

Press PLAY to see this engineering marvel in action.

A UFO Sighting????

As mentioned above, Andrew and Dylan completed an overnight bicycling/camping trip. They were at Presqu'il Provincial Park which borders Lake Ontario. Late at night, Andrew was at the toilet near the lake when he spotted an Unidentified Flying Object. It was a very large light, as big as the moon, hovering over the lake. He could see several planes circling below it. Several other campers were at the lakeside watching it too.
Now we must keep in mind a) the park is near a Canadian naval base b) the object was flying over the U.S. side of the lake c) OH MY GOSH WHAT IF IT WAS A YOU KNOW WHAT?

Andrew refuses to acknowledge the latter but I like to beg the question, "what if??????"
See the VIDEO below.

Top 8 Ways You're the Best Dad

Dylan wrote the following card for Andrew on Father's Day.

TOP 8 WAYS YOU'RE THE BEST DAD

1. You make the world's coolest recumbents


2. You always take me to great restaurants


3. You have a cool job!


4. You love me with all your heart!


5. You can comfort me when I'm sad


6. You (sometimes) buy me toys!


7. You take me to movies


8. You are a nice gentleman

Oklahoma! The Musical.

Dylan's teacher arranges a Broadway musical at the school every year. This year she directed and choreographed the musical, Oklahoma. Wow! Andrew and I were flabbergasted with the quality of work she produces from these children age 8 to 12. You would think you were watching a performance directed by Bob Fosse! Dylan was in the Chorus and enjoyed every moment of the experience. We left the production singing, "Oh what a beautiful morning....."


Dylan (in the front row) with the Chorus

A Song and Dance Number

Dylan's First Sleepover!

Dylan was recently invited to sleep over at a friend's house. You can see his smile beaming from ear to ear. He had a great time!

Landscaping Before and After

Andrew and I grew bored of looking out our back window and seeing our blank garage wall. So, one weekend we built, stained, planted our backyard trellis garden. We are very proud of our work.

BEFORE

AFTER

I love my iRobot Roomba Vacuum!

I tend to rebel against gadgets (since my husband brings them home by the armful). However, I must admit that I LOVE the the robotic vacuum cleaner, iRobot Roomba. This little guy will clean carpet, tile or hardwood. You set it in the room and then it returns to its docking station when the job is completed to recharge itself. It does this with little beeps and lights which give it an almost pet-like endearing quality. No wonder that I nicknamed it Boomba the Roomba. Here is a video of it in action. Press PLAY.

Roomba in Action

Long Weekend in Collingwood

We spent the long weekend in Collingwood with Mum and Dad. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate. We had a steady stream of rain, hail and cold breezes. However we still were able to make the most of our situation by going on hikes and taking advantage of the indoor/outdoor pools.

The highlight of the trip was a visit to the Collingwood Scenic Caves. Can you spot the "Indian Chief's profile" in the rock formation below??

Dylan was able to squeeze through the cave called "Fat Man's Misery". (He was the only one in our group).
Snow does not melt in the bottom of the caves until November. Mum and Dylan took advantage of this and had a snowball fight.

Another hike took us to the top of Blue Mountain (Dylan's ski hill). The gondola was operating for the mountain bikers and we were given a free ride down the hill (you only pay for the ride up!)

In the village, Dylan enjoyed a game of "checkers" with another boy.

Mum and Dylan enjoyed the momentary sunshine by indulging in a box of onion rings.