IT'S LIKE DRIVING ON STILTS!!

 

"HERE'S LOOKIN AT YOU, KID".......TREE FROG ON OUR WINDOW SILL...(all of tonight's pics are file photos)

DEER PARK LODGE where Kelly works whenever we are not in the southwest has just put together a nice new website complete with a 'Beach Cam' where you can see what's happening on their beach in streaming real time video.  Just click on the sites webcam icon.  Remember, if your out on the west coast of the country & you click on the web cam at 8 p.m. it's going to be all black because in real time it is around midnight here.  Some of the photos on Deer Park's website are mine & I will be going over on Saturday to photograph a few more cottage interiors for the site.

 

DEER PARK BEACH

I have had a lot of various vehicles over the years from Mini-Minors & VW Beetles to Vans, Motorcycles & RV's, including a Motor Home.  But, nothing prepared me for the different cornering & handling characteristics of a Jeep.  Although the Jeep & my very first ever car, a VW Beetle, have many similarities, handling is not one of them.  Driving the Jeep TJ Sport is akin to driving on a long pair of wobbly stilts.   Gone is that smooth road hugging secure sure footed sports car feel I have become complacent with over the years.  It's been quite a mismatched dance the Jeep & I have been doing as we go about the business of slowly getting to know each other this past week. 

HOLLYHOCK FLOWER

A left or right turn from a stop sign has been quite a performance as I wibble wobble, hop & jerk myself through the gears (I'll blog about the gears later) in a series of steering wheel confusions & corrections to keep myself straight & level.......and upright!!  Because of the short wheelbase, high clearance, & light weight of the Jeep, a turn can be like a newbie stunt pilot practicing an aerial snap role on a windy day & every time I sneeze I almost do a complete 360 degree turn right on the road. 

OUR PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS PATCH

It's been quite a 'getting to know you' feeling these first few days that's for sure but I have already sensed an early bond building between the Jeep & myself as the cornering, shifting, & over all handling become smoother each day.  We are definitely learning to dance better together as we each anticipate each other's moves.  Me & Jeepers are fast becoming big pals because already I can feel the old time driving skills coming back.  Been a long time since I took a keen interest in a vehicle like I did way back in the crazy old days of yore.  This is going to be a fun ride for sure & we've barely known each other a week:))

EYES ARE UPON US IN OUR CACTUS PATCH

Last Monday we took our Hyundai Santa Fe over to Waterloo Ontario to pick up the Jeep.  I noticed the engine was a bit jerky & missing.  Even at an idle the engine was not running smooth.  This morning we dropped it off at the Bayfield Garage & they diagnosed a bad ignition coil & spark plug wires.  Ignition coil was done today & the plug wires are on back order to be installed next week.

THIS IS A 5 YEAR OLD FILE PIC OF THE HURON COUNTY PLAYHOUSE WHERE KELLY & I SAT IN THAT SECOND ROW FOR 'COUNTRY LEGENDS' A FEW DAYS AGO

Kelly had a rare day off today & it was nice to have her home puttering around doing stuff a person with a rare day off gets to do when puttering around at home.

 

HEAVY WAVES ALONG THE GRAND BEND PIER

I fussed with the Jeep for awhile today & came up with a plan for a little renovation job in the area behind the front seats where I took the rear seat out.  I could do it myself but then it would look like I did it myself so think I'll get my handyman friend Bruce to do the project so that it looks professional.  Kelly also came across a Jeep tutorial video this afternoon showing how to remove & re-install the tops so we just might tackle that little job shortly too.  Is it possible to get too brave!!  If there are any newbie Jeep folks like ourselves out there you can check out that video here...  JEEP TUTORIAL VIDEO

AND YES IT'S TRUE.....THE NEARBY TOWN OF EXETER ONTARIO DOES HAVE WHITE ALBINO LOOKING SQUIRRELS...................

GROANER'S CORNER:((  It is said that a conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. And speaking of thinking,  did you know that Atheism is a non-prophet organization.  And if you must borrow money, borrow it from a pessimist.....they don't expect it back!!

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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened

OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

AL'S SMUG MUG PHOTO GALLERY http://stargeezer.smugmug.com/ (a work in progress)

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.