Tuesday, December 05, 2017

‘YAHOOHIE LOUIE’ LOOKS LIKE WE’RE GONNA BE HEADING FOR THE GREAT AMERICAN SOUTH-WEST AGAIN:)))))))))))))))))))))

DSC_8767

STRONG WINDS HAVE ONCE AGAIN WHIPPED UP LAKE HURON WATERS

Kelly rolled out of the driveway at 6 a.m. heading for her medical consultation appointment in London at 7:45.  Said she would phone as soon as the consultation was over and let me know what date the ultra sound endoscopy biopsy would be set for.  I waited anxiously by the phone for her call and about 8:30 the phone rang.  It was Kelly and I could tell right off by her voice that she had good news.  Her procedure is slated for the end of March and that meant we had enough time to head south once again.  On the phone we quickly came up with a departure date of Saturday December 23rd. 

DSC_8770

MORNING BOARDWALKERS BUNDLED UP AGAINS THE COLD WINDS COMING IN OFF THE LAKE

DSC_8764DSC_8766

Pheebs and I headed out for a Jeep ride and it probably was half an hour later that it finally sank in that we were actually going to be heading for the South-west again this winter.  My mind in an effort to protect itself from disappointment had been working steadily at the probability that we would not be going anywhere this winter so I guess I had been kind of unknowingly adjusting myself to that possibility.  Wow, what a rush it was when this morning’s reality set in.

DSC_8773

IN GODERICH HARBOR THIS MORNING WITH IT’S ODD SHAPED BOW WE SAW THE BULK CARRIER VOLGABORG

DSC_8771

THE ON-DECK CREW WERE BUSY WITH THE SHIP’S LOADING

DSC_8774

I’M ASSUMING THOSE ARE GREEN HATCH COVERS

DSC_8776

SEEMS ODD TO SEE A BOW LIKE THIS WITH A STEEL WINDOWED STRUCTURE ON TOP

DSC_8777

A FEW PHOTOS FROM THE HARBOR’S NORTH SIDE WHERE YOU CAN SEE GRAIN OR CORN BEING LOADED THROUGH A LONG TUBE SHUTE JUST AHEAD OF THE BRIDGE

DSC_8779

YEP, THAT IS ONE STRANGE LOOKING BOW ALRIGHT AND IT’S THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER SEEN THIS SHIP

DSC_8778DSC_8780

THAT’S THE LOADER TUBE TO THE RIGHT

DSC_8783DSC_8786

I’M WONDERING IF THAT IS THE CAPTAIN  UP THERE OBSERVING TODAYS LOADING PROCESS FROM VOLGABORG’S STARBOARD ‘FLYING BRIDGE’

DSC_8785

Earlier in the morning I had had it in my head to maybe take a cruise up through Amish/Mennonite country but with travel plans in my head my only thoughts were to head back home after our coffee and muffin and begin packing up the Motorhome.   Main reason for that is the fact this is predicted to be the last nice day of the year and with temperatures going into the freezer by morning I figured I might as well get some things organized and into the rig while temps were above freezing (45F) and there was no snow on the ground.  Plus, it was a partially sunny day:))

DSC_8789

WELL I GUESS I DON’T HAVE TO TELL YOU WHAT I’M UP TO HERE NOW DO I:))

DSC01672

WALKING HALF A BOX OF SOCKS OUT TO THE RIG AND I’VE ALREADY GOT ALL MY TRAVEL CLOTHES MOVED BACK IN

DSC01675

I’LL SOON BE SPENDING A FAIR FEW HOURS IN THIS FAMILIAR SPOT AGAIN

DSC01678

LOOKING FORWARD TO ONCE AGAIN GETTING OUR JEEP’S HEAVY DUTY SIDE-WALL TIRES INTO THE DESERT SAND, ROCKS, AND GRAVELY GULLEY WASHES OF THE GREAT AMERICAN SOUTHWEST

DSC01679

THE JEEP IS ALL SET TO GO BUT THE MOTORHOME NEEDS AN OIL CHANGE BEFORE WE HEAD OUT IN A FEW WEEKS

Four years ago today we were over at Jackie and John’s (Sarge) place in Congress Arizona where I was digging up some baby Agave plants and 6 years ago Kelly and I set out to explore around Locomotive Rock near Darby Well Road west of Ajo Arizona.

IMG_1114_thumb[4]

NO I’M NOT DIGGING OUT THE BIG ONE, JUST THE LITTLE ONES AROUND THE BASE

DSC_5000_thumb[1]

ONE SAGUARO AND A BUNCH OF ORGAN PIPE CACTUS NEAR LOCOMOTIVE ROCK

Our decision to resume our winter travel plans to the southwest is not exactly a slam dunk decision.  We have both become quite cozily comfortable with where we are.  I think part of it is the fact we have not experienced this nice cozy warm Christmasy feeling since the winter of 05/06.  I have slipped into my old long lost Christmas spirit and have been enjoying numerous childhood memories of many a Christmas past.  I have to admit it’s very nice here at night with all our Christmas lights twinkling away, house warm as toast, and a flickering fire going while sitting at my keyboard plunking away at my blog surrounded by all my favorite music.  I think we have it pretty nice but figure we had better cash in on our RV travels while we still can and still have the option to head south for the winter.  We both understand the reality of nearing the end of our traveling years and not the beginning of our traveling years.  So once again while we still can we will head out and see once more what adventures we can drum up along the way……….

DSC_8788

PHEEBS SOAKS UP SOME WARM SUN THIS AFTERNOON IN OUR CARPORT

GROANER’S CORNER:(( To All Employees
From Management Subject Office conduct during the Christmas season……………..
Effective immediately, employees should keep in mind the following guidelines in compliance with FROLIC (the Federal Revelry Office and Leisure Industry Council).

Running aluminum foil through the paper shredder to make tinsel is discouraged.

Playing Jingle Bells on the push-button phone is forbidden (it runs up an incredible long distance bill)

Work requests are not to be filed under "Bah humbug."

Company cars are not to be used to go over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house.

All fruitcake is to be eaten BEFORE July 25.

Egg nog will NOT be dispensed in vending machines.

---------------------------------------------------------

- Two snowmen in a field, one turned to the other and said "I don't know about you but I can smell carrots."!

- Did you know that Santa's not allowed to go down chimneys this year? It was declared unsafe by the Elf and Safety Commission.

---------------------------------------------------------

Knock knock!
Who's there?
Holly
Holly who?
Holly-days are nearly here again!

===================================

41 comments:

  1. Congratulations on the travel change. But getting your touch on the local pictures as winter arrives has also been a real treat for me. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Answer to your question about the funny looking bow on the grain carrying vessel
    As you already know it is Swedish it is considered a polar class 1 ice class vessel there are seven categories but here are the first three
    Polar Class Ice description (based on WMO Sea Ice Nomenclature)
    PC 1 Year-round operation in all polar waters
    PC 2 Year-round operation in moderate multi-year ice conditions
    PC 3 Year-round operation in second-year ice which may include multi-year ice inclusions.
    As you could see she can operate anywhere there is ice
    But you do need to keep in mind there is a limit to the thickness of the ice that they can travel through without and icebreaker escort
    Don't quote me but I think it's about three US feet
    I hope that answers your question

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When she load up there her next destination is Ireland to unload
      This is from her AIS forward Data report
      VOLGABORG AIS Data

      Last report: Dec 06, 2017 01:18 UTC
      Ship type:General Cargo Ship
      Flag:Flag of Netherlands Netherlands
      Destination:IRELAND
      ETA:Dec 20, 12:00
      Lat/Lon:42.80303 N/82.48098 W
      Course/Speed: 162.5 ° / 10.6 kn.
      Current draught: 7.8 m

      Delete
  3. I am just so very thrilled for you two. I too have enjoyed your winter stories but also know how much you love those western night skies. Bet you will appreciate it all so much even more this time,around. Best of both worlds, christmastime,at home and then head south. We will be south from end of January through later in February so maybe our paths will cross once again.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hooray! Good news ......
    Our date is 18 Dec. but may be leave the home late due to weather conditions
    Hope to see you in Arizona.
    You live very "Far" from me , so ... to see you we have to drive to AZ :-))

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is great news! Glad to hear you're traveling again. I hope to be right behind you if I win this mental fight of going without Dolly and Fergie again this year.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Whoo Hoo!! So happy for you guys! Hope Graham and I can do the same by mid Dec.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I sat here with tears of joy as I read Kelly’s good news. Thanking the Lord for answered prayers. I’ll be looking forward to reading about your travels.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Glad you get to head south this winter. Heck, get that oil changed pronto, throw yor stuff in the motorhome and head out by this weekend. Why wait till the 23rd. The weather will only get worse.

    ReplyDelete
  9. That's great news! I hope the roads are okay when you leave ... just keep thinking of the sun and warm weather :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Fantastic news!! I know you both are so happy and excited!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm so glad for you guys! And glad to hear also that you've been adapting to enjoying staying home too. It's not so bad for those of us who do!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Good news for sure! We expect to see the three of you rolling up our driveway sometime this winter!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Good news!
    Maybe the time will come that you don't want to drive the RV and toad to the SW, but there are other options for escaping the Ontario winters ..... drive the car to AZ, FL or MX and find a dog friendly park model, or some other kind of rental property.

    ReplyDelete
  14. So happy for you both, can't wait to see you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Such great news on so many levels!! I can hear the excitement in your voice at being able to move south and Kelly's prognosis. Hoping you are able to take some time in your cross country travels this year.

    ReplyDelete
  16. YES, YES, YES! Happiness indeed! I was holding my breath while I waited for your header to come up! Then, I had to laugh at your description of how we try to protect ourselves against disappointment.
    I could not have described that as well as you did, I am so glad that it turned out that you are not disappointed.

    Look forward to sharing your adventures.

    ReplyDelete
  17. So happy for you and Kelly to be heading southwest for the winter once again.

    ReplyDelete
  18. So very happy for your all. Enjoy each day to the fullest and deal with the end of March once it arrives.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Happy for you! Do you have another hurdle--an MRI on the 21st? The plus side of all this is that the Drs must not be too concerned. An endoscopy is a 15-minute procedure--in and out. Enjoy your SW trip--making memories!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Excited and happy for you and fun travels ahead.
    Just so you know, your photos and the blog are always
    worth not missing one !!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. FANTASTIC..... Arizona is waiting patiently for your arrival....

    ReplyDelete
  22. That's definitely good news. Hoping to see you soon.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great news! I'm very happy for both of you.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Happy News for sure - we’ll be following along!!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Let me join the chorus in cheering the good news you received! I will anxiously follow your travels with Pheebs to the warmer climate! Best wishes with your preps for departure.

    ReplyDelete
  26. So happy to hear that you get to go south for the winter. I know how it is having those plans postponed for health reasons. We are in Texas now heading for Quartzsite in January. We have reservations in Brenda, AZ this winter. Safe travels to you and have fun, I know you two will! Max from Illinois.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Congratulations, I was thinking of you last night looking up and enjoying an amazing clear star filled desert sky. It will be nice to get on the road south again, travel safe !

    ReplyDelete
  28. Happy to hear you will be once again visiting your beloved southwest complete with mountains and cacti. Safe travels!!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. YAAAAAAAAY!! Start making those egg salad sandwiches "to go"!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Very happy for you both! Hoping our paths will cross eventually down the road! Not a lot of time so get crackin' on that RV reload!

    ReplyDelete
  31. So happy to hear that you are able to head south this year. We have been watching for that news flash. hope to cross paths with you, until then safe and healthy travels.

    ReplyDelete
  32. The 23rd is my birthday and it is a great present to know you guys are heading this way. Don't forget Bloggerfest on January 27. 😉

    ReplyDelete
  33. Glad to hear and waiting to follow your travels.

    ReplyDelete
  34. That's WONDERFUL, Al! I can imagine your excitement to be on the road again. I feel that way after being in San Diego for 4 or 5 days! :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Great to hear and wishing you three happy and safe travels.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Good news indeed. Hope our trails cross somewhere in the SW.

    ReplyDelete
  37. That is great news. Hope you have a safe trip. Maybe we can have a cup of Coffee that will take the paint off of one of those ships you keep taking pictures of 3 fathoms below the water line. Are you going to make it to Yuma or So.Cal this year? We ( She Who Must be Obeyed aka my wife ) and I really enjoy reading your blog posts.

    ReplyDelete