Wednesday, September 09, 2015

WATCHING A BIG LAKE FREIGHTER DOCK THIS MORNING

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THIS IS THE BULK CARRIER SAGINAW WHICH TIED UP THIS MORNING IN GODERICH…..IT’S DOCKED RIGHT NEXT TO A LARGE GRAIN ELEVATOR

Made myself a rather amazingly good cup of coffee this morning.   Of course I did undergo an excellent in-depth instruction procedure before Kelly left.  From my all night recliner beside our large east facing window I kept an eye on the sky after first light hoping our rainy cloud cover would dissipate.  Stepping out onto the deck I was totally delighted to find our predicted cooler weather had set in & that was enough for Pheebs & I to head out for a walk around our morning Pine Forest trail.  No flying annoyances in the air & how nice that was now that the miserable sticky heat is finally out of here.

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SOUTHERN MOST TIP OF GODERICH’S LONG BEACH

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I SUSPECT THIS FELLOW TO BE A CORMORANT

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GODERICH’S OLD LIGHTHOUSE STILL STANDS TALL ON THE BLUFFS OVERLOOKING THE HARBOR

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JUST A RELAXING DUCKY DAY ON THE DOCK

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SOME DAYS I JUST DON’T KNOW IF I’M UP OR DOWN

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FISHERMAN’S WHARF

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Knew we had to head off somewhere this morning but the question was where.  Still an unsteady cloud cover so wasn't too inspired to venture off too far.  It was up to Goderich with us & a stop at McDonald's for a burrito.  Caught a nice break when driving down around the harbor & seeing a large lake freighter backing down along the dock towards Goderich's huge grain elevators.  Quite a procedure with something that large moving in reverse carefully manoeuvring itself around being careful not to side swipe the concrete wall at dockside.

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WITH IT’S MASSIVE PROPELLER IN REVERSE THIS MIGHTY LAKE FREIGHTER SLOWLY BACKS ITSELF IN THE DIRECTION OF THOSE LARGE GRAIN ELEVATORS IN THE BACKGROUND

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LOOKING TOWARDS THE BOW

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THIS GAGGLE OF CANADA GEESE WERE NOT DETERRED BY THIS SHIPS PASSING ONLY A MATTER OF FEET AWAY

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DECKHAND IN RED USES A WALKIE-TALKIE TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE CAPTAIN IN THE HIGHER UP WHEELHOUSE

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I SUSPECT THIS MAY BE THE CAPTAIN HIMSELF

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A BOW THRUSTER CHURNS THE HARBOR WATERS BRINGING SAGINAW’S BOW IN CLOSER AS A DOCK HAND BELOW TENDS TO THE LINES…..AND  IN THE BACKGROUND IS THE UPPER PORTION OF THE LARGE SIFTO SALT MINE WHICH EXTENDS  FOR A FEW MILES OUT UNDER LAKE HURONDSC_0012

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ALL IS FINALLY SECURE

A further drive down along the beach road showed us the Inuks & Shuks still standing along the shore despite persistent rumors they are to be taken down.  Their numbers just keep increasing & it has become quite a tourist attraction for Goderich.  And to think it all started with someone simply piling up a few rocks & chunks of concrete one day.

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NOW JUNIOR I DO NOT WANT YOU GOING CLOSE TO THE WATER

A wee walk for Pheebs at the doggy walking area & we were back into the Jeep heading over to the North side of the harbor where we could catch an overall view of the large lake freighter I had just taken photos of at the South side of the harbor.  With still no sign of Old Sol breaking through the clouds we decided to just head on back home.  Jeep was due for a good clean-up anyway so I busied myself with some vacuuming & a wash job.  Think it was around 2 when our skies began clearing & I could immediately feel my spirits rising & oh how nice to feel cool refreshing air once again.  At last, at last, at last.  Just makes me jump for joy & want to run around the block 10 times:)))))))))

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TRAIN CARS TO THE LEFT OF ME, SHIPS TO THE RIGHT OF ME, WHAT IS A LITTLE JEEP LIBERTY TO DO 

We first met Jim & Renee from live. work. dream while ranch sitting east of Tombstone Arizona a few years ago.  Met them a couple more times in California near Borrego Springs & again one time in Slab City.  Hard working full timers these two.  I especially liked their last couple posts entitled, HOW COACH NET SAVED OUR DODGE & FULL-TIME RVING DILEMMA: TO KEEP OR SELL YOUR HOME.  We too have Coach-Net for roadside assistance & actually had to call Coach-Net 2 years ago when we blew an outside dually tire on our Class C Winnebago while heading south near Trinidad Colorado.  In Renee's post about whether to sell or retain a house while full-timing I could very much identify with Renee & Jim's thoughts.  Although not full-timers we are in a similar situation with very similar thoughts & ideas regarding the whole house issue.  Indeed a timely post for us.

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OUR SPOT THIS MORNING TO WATCH THIS BIG LAKE FREIGHTER DOCK

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GRAIN ELEVATORS ARE TO THE RIGHT

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I SUSPECT THE FELLOW CARRYING THE GUITAR IS BOARDING THE SHIP TO REPLACE ANOTHER FELLA COMING OFF HIS TOUR…..WHILE DRIVING THE ‘STRATFORD AIRPORTER’ YEARS AGO IT WAS NOT UNUSUAL FOR ME TO PICK UP SAILORS HERE & TAKE THEM TO PEARSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN TORONTO & VICE-VERSA

So how did I make out in the old food department today?  Well just marvellous.  Peanut Butter & Honey sandwich on a Tortilla for breakfast, a McDonald's burrito & carrot muffin a couple hours later.  Lunch was was 2 Eggo waffles with real maple syrup.  Supper was half a dozen chicken fingers with a smattering of left over fried potatoes & a small Yogurt for dessert.  And that was it.  A pretty good food day I'd say & with no fuss or bother it just makes it all the better for me:))

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GROANER’S CORNER:(( On a visit to the library I happened to notice a man and a woman, both deaf, signing with intense gestures, apparently in a heated debate. The man said something; and the woman seemed upset. She started signing her reply very fast, to the point where the man couldn't understand a word; she also signed in big, wide gestures, which is the equivalent of volume.  Finally, looking strained, her companion took her hands, "silencing" her. Then he signed, very small and slowly: "You don't have to shout, I'm not blind."

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- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

3 comments:

  1. Love watching those huge Lake freighters pull into the harbor in Goderich have seen it a few times over the years.
    Glad you can enjoy this cooler weather.
    Looks like you made out pretty good in the food department too.

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  2. Really enjoyed your pix of the freighter. I know that corner of Goderich fairly well, 'cause my sister lives up on those bluffs behind that grain elevator. But i'm particularly pleased that you managed to eat well, and learned to make good coffee. (I get lots of brownie points here by making the morning coffee!) Looks like you may survive this week on your own!

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  3. And yes, welcome back to the cool weather!

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