A COLD AND WET RAINY BAYFIELD DAY REMINDED ME OF JULIAN, CALIFORNIA

ALL OF TONIGHT’S PHOTOS ARE FROM IN AND AROUND JULIAN, CALIFORNIA……..AND MY LAST TRIP THERE WAS TO THE CEMETERY IN SEARCH OF MARSHAL SOUTH

 

The steady rain which came in the night pretty well stayed all day.  The furry guys were following me around like crazy first thing this morning so I knew they were needing a break.  Off to Goderich we went in the pouring rain.  They held the fort while I popped into Wal-Mart for a few things.  Just so happens they have a McDonald's in there so I got a Sausage and Egg McMuffin to go and split it with the bums in the parking lot.  I recently mentioned that Kelly & I never eat out much and a commenter wondered about my trips to McDonald's with the guys and if that it counted as eating out.  Well, technically yes but really, no.

HISTORIC JULIAN HOTEL

Our cold and wet rainy day reminded me of an artsy little town 4,235 feet up in California’s  Cuyamaca Mountains.  We have been there three times over the years and every time we are there it is.....cold and raining.  All of today's photos are from historic JULIAN located just one hour east of San Diego.  Last time we were there I was in search Marshal South's final resting place.....and I found it.

 

NOW, HERE’S A GOOD EXAMPLE OF………..WINDOW SHOPPING

Somehow I missed FREIGHTLINER'S trip to Cape Breton on Canada's east coast a few weeks ago.  No narrative but they do have some nice photos of the Cabot Trail and stops along the way.  Kinda neat to see the tide going out around a rock formation and then people walking where high tide had just been.  I did that Cabot Trail with just me and my old Volkswagon camper back in 86.  That whole east coast of Canada is another beautiful place in it's own right.  Did Prince Edward Island as well but did not make it to Newfoundland. 

Sure seems to be a big 'fracas' going on over some recent changes to Facebook.  Still sort of looks the same to me but then again I am not a big Facebook user.  Other than my blog being automatically posted in there and checking what a few friends are up to each day, neither Kelly or I have a big interest in all the 'hoop-la' connected with Facebook.  Neither one of us have any interest whatsoever in all that game stuff etc.  Not saying these are bad things but it's just different strokes for different folks.  In a recent post I blogged about my interests shifting and some of that shift seems to be away from a lot of this kind of stuff.  Years ago the interactive social sites would have interested me, but that was years ago.  Kelly feels the same way so I think we will just stay at the comfort and uncomplicated techno level where we are and enjoy life as we can handle it:))

AND YES, JULIAN IS WELL KNOWN FAR AND WIDE FOR IT’S DELICIOUS APPLE PIES 

I see a lot of buzz around about the new Google+ social site.  I did manage to stumble my way in there and leave a comment Wednesday but that might be about as far as I go with it.  I will keep it open though with the light on just in case I feel the need to ring somebody up and say, “hey, how’s it going eh.”  The format looks and seems to operate a lot like Facebook from what I can tell.  It's basically another socially interactive site and as I've said, those kinds of sites just don't push my buttons anymore.  If I am going to communicate with someone I still much prefer to do it through email.  I do have a Twitter account but have always asked myself...why!!  My computer interests are evolving but where they are evolving to I'm not sure.  But, I do know where they are evolving from.  Maybe I am just looking for, and hoping to come across, something with a little more meaningful substance to it.  At this point I have no idea what that might be.

I still enjoy writing my daily blog for the most part but I do have my days when I get a little shaky about it.  From emails I have received now and again I know other bloggers go through the same thing.  I have had days where I picked up my cameras, put them back in my camera bag and stuck the bag back into the far reaches and darkened confines of my bedroom closet thinking, that's it, no more blogging.  I'm finished!!  But, regardless of how frustrated I become with myself at times, I am always drawn back to the keyboard each night. 

I keep a close eye on our Sitemeter and figure when the daily number of hits on our site begins to steadily drop, that will tell me interest in our Bayfield Bunch blog has finally run it's course and come to an end.  That will be the time to cut it loose and let it go.   There are a lot of new and upcoming great blogs and bloggers out there so there will never be a shortage of RV blogs for people to read.  I will continue blogging about our trip this winter but when we get home next March I really have to seriously, seriously, sit myself down and think this whole blogging thing through again and decide if, 'enough has finally become enough.'   Or, just pack it in for the summer until we are on the road again.  We’ll see.  Question is, if one likes writing, photography and traveling, where does one go after the blogging era comes to an end.  I am keeping my mind open for new ideas:))

 

And, for some mighty fine photos from a Gal who knows her way around a camera, be sure to check out Levonne's blog at A CAMP HOST'S MEANDERINGS: AN RV ADVENTURE  Great header photo............

 

OUR LAST DRIVE TO JULIAN FROM BORREGO SPRINGS WAS VERY SCENIC…. HERE, KELLY CATCHES AL UNDER A RAINBOW PHOTOGRAPHING A RAINBOW 

GROANER'S CORNER:((  As migration approached, two elderly vultures doubted they could make the trip south, so they decided to go by airplane.
When they checked their baggage, the attendant noticed that they were carrying two dead raccoons. "Do you wish to check the raccoons through as luggage?" she asked.
"No, thanks," replied the vultures. "They're carrion."

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-Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

-Until one has loved an Animal, their soul remains un-awakened.

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

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

NICE MORNING FOR A MOTORCYCLE RIDE

NO, THAT IS NOT A SPIDER IN THE TULIP

The humidity over the past few days has put that summer warmth back in the air & with today's sunshine we in southwestern Ontario had ourselves another totally beautiful weather day. 

BUMBLE BEEN IN AN AZALEA FLOWER

Saddled up the motorcycle about 10 this morning headed out for coffee at Tim Horton's in Goderich.  Following that I hit the country back roads for a leisurely drive through the farmlands of Huron County.  The aromatic smell of blooming lilacs permeated the air as farmers busied themselves on their land with spring planting.  Cattle lazed in the fields & Mother Nature had on her finest coat of lush Spring green.  Just one of those special kind of mornings for meandering slowly along on the bike.

It's quite an ongoing battle of wits I have here everyday with the half dozen squirrels who conspire daily to thwart my best efforts of making our bird feeders.....squirrel proof.  Hanging the feeders from branches on our Sunburst Locust tree with fishing line has been a big help because the furry little monkeys can't get a toe hold on the thin lines to scurry down.  It is amazing how far they can leap as they continuously attempt to make pin point landings on the feeders from the tree trunk or higher branches.  Their antics are totally comical as I sit at the computer & watch all the shenanigans playing out before me.  It's a merry-go-round as they figure out how to get to a feeder & then I go out & adjust it's location.  They figure out another angle & I figure out another solution.  I tried to hang some peanuts out for the Blue Jays but the Cirque du Soleil high flying squirrel trapeze act got them too!!  On & on it goes.  Me & the rascally black squirrel gang.  What a bunch of mischievous Monkeys.

 

Tuesday I will be back to work first thing in the morning with the mobility van again & I'm looking forward to that.  Going to be a bit of back & forth scrambling between tight schedules in neighboring towns to get several people to various hospital appointments on time but that just adds a little excitement & challenge to the job & I love when things get busy like that.

OUR FERNS ARE GROWING WELL AGAIN THIS SPRING

Kelly's Dad over in Spencerport New York is barely holding his own & grows weaker by the day if it is possible to grow any weaker than he already is.  I never thought the human mind & body could take so much punishment & keep functioning.  He has been in & out of the hospital several times in the past few weeks again & is expected to undergo another surgical operation this week again.  Just a week & half ago he was in with congestive heart failure but made it  through & headed home again.   Like I blogged about before, Frank was one of those Marines fighting on the Island of Iwo Jima & wounded there during the second World War.  He is over 90 now & he's still fighting hard to stay alive just as he had to do all those many years ago in the South Pacific.

                         

                      KELLY & HER DAD

A fellow RVer & Facebooker sent me an email yesterday from an RV Park in Sierra Vista Arizona saying they were heading over to Bisbee & Douglas to have a look around & wondered how to find Belle Starr & her Silverado Ranch.  Emailed Joe back some directions & today he emailed back saying they had dropped in to see Belle on Sunday.  He was quite taken with Belle's spunk & enthusiasm just as we were when we met Belle last winter.  Sounds like they had themselves quite a chat.  Belle is still wheelchair bound but holding her own & still keeping an eye out for some good reliable & trustworthy help on the ranch...................

BELLE & HER GOOD FRIEND HOGAN

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Know how to prevent sagging? Just eat till the wrinkles fill out.

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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

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

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

TODAY I DID BATTLE WITH A SANDWICH MACHINE!!

POPPA GOOSE TOUCHES DOWN ON THE POND THIS MORNING

We will drop below freezing tonight again so I'll leave a touch of heat on in the Motor Home just in case.  Had I thought to do that about 3 weeks ago when we had an unexpected nasty couple of cold nights we wouldn't have had to replace our kitchen taps in the rig last week!!

SOME OF OUR FRONT YARD BIRD FEEDERS

Had a mobility van run this afternoon so that that thankfully took up a couple of hours.  Had to take a fellow to the hospital for X-rays so while there headed for a sandwich in the cafeteria.  Of course the cafeteria had closed 5 minutes before I got there so I was left to do battle with a stupid sandwich machine in the corner.  Machines were just put on this earth to drive people like me bonkers.  By the time I figured out all the instructions & put my money in that miserable thing I had to enlist the help of 1 nurse & 1 member of the kitchen staff to finally help get my darned turkey sandwich out of there.   A gas pump & that sandwich machine must be cousins because they have a lot in common!!

AM HOPING JUDY & EMMA CAN ID THIS BIRD FOR ME (could it be a Brown Thrasher?)

My little blurb about 'so how was your trip,' in Sunday's blog brought in a few responses & I think JERRY summed it up very well when he said, "Gypsy is 100% right. Family doesn't understand or want to know, usually. Our kids, though, do read the blog most times, and they never ask! Old friends drop away like flies! We have a couple of folks that follow us, but everyone else is gone. The fellow bloggers are the ones that keep us going, and we hope our following helps others."  Well said Jerry:))

BLUE JAY ON THE BIRDBATH

A friend in California had an interesting Facebook response to mine & other bloggers concerns regarding 'RV There Yet.'   He writes, " i just don't understand why people are so egotistical about building a huge number of followers and having a huge number of hits."  I think he has a couple very good points there & may have planted some seeds of thought in my mind about some possible blog changes in the future.

MOURNING DOVE >

And about my frustrations with being stuck at home for the summer I received a Facebook message from another blogger friend who in part said, "The truth is, I have been ready to get going literally 2 weeks after arriving home."  So nice to know that I am not the only one who has this problem every year when we come home.  Thanks John:))

And another friend from Stratford sent an email with his response to my Sunday blog in which he simply said, " Big Al: After reading your blog this morning, all I can say is I hope you found out who peed in your Corn Flakes! "  So, there you have it, different strokes for different folks.  And I had better be keeping a darned close eye on my corn flakes too!!

ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAK >>>>

Noticed some fellow bloggers have been using something on Facebook called, 'Networked Blogs.'  Looked interesting so I decided to pursue it.  Well, that was quite a journey through a  muffled maze of menus with many twists & turns along the way.  Click this, choose that, enter this, click next, etc. etc.  By the time I had finished & emerged out the other side of the maze I was burning the midnight oil & just as confused as when I started out.   I'm sure I did something & made some changes here & there but I'm not sure what it was that I all changed.  Oh the joys of this blogging adventure I am currently on................10-4!!

GROANER'S CORNER:))  Throughout the centuries, mothers have been given their children plenty of good advice and notable quotes. Here's just a small sampling:

PAUL REVERE'S MOTHER: "I don't care where you think you have to go, young man. Midnight is past your curfew!"

MARY, MARY, QUITE CONTRARY'S MOTHER: "I don't mind you having a garden, Mary, but does it have to be growing under your bed?"

MONA LISA'S MOTHER: "After all that money your father and I spent on braces, Mona, that's the biggest smile you can give us?"

HUMPTY DUMPTY'S MOTHER: "Humpty, If I've told you once, I've told you a hundred times not to sit on that wall. But would you listen to me? Noooo!"

COLUMBUS' MOTHER: "I don't care what you've discovered, Christopher. You still could have written!"

BABE RUTH'S MOTHER: "Babe, how many times have I told you -- quit playing ball in the house! That's the third broken window this week!"

MICHELANGELO'S MOTHER: "Mike, can't you paint on walls like other children? Do you have any idea how hard it is to get that stuff off the ceiling?"

NAPOLEON'S MOTHER: "All right, Napoleon. If you aren't hiding your report card inside your jacket, then take your hand out of there and prove it!"

CUSTER'S MOTHER: "Now, George, remember what I told you -- don't go biting off more than you can chew!"

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S MOTHER: "Again with the stovepipe hat, Abe? Can't you just wear a baseball cap like the other kids?"

BARNEY'S MOTHER: "I realize strained plums are your favorite, Barney, but you're starting to look a little purple."

MARY'S MOTHER: "I'm not upset that your lamb followed you to school, Mary, but I would like to know how he got a better grade than you."

BATMAN'S MOTHER: "It's a nice car, Bruce, but do you realize how much the insurance is going to be?"

GOLDILOCKS' MOTHER: "I've got a bill here for a busted chair from the Bear family. You know anything about this, Goldie?"

LITTLE MISS MUFFET'S MOTHER: "Well, all I've got to say is if you don't get off your tuffet and start cleaning your room, there'll be a lot more spiders around here!"

ALBERT EINSTEIN'S MOTHER: "But, Albert, it's your senior picture. Can't you do something about your hair? Styling gel, mousse, something...?"

GEORGE WASHINGTON'S MOTHER: "The next time I catch you throwing money across the Potomac, you can kiss your allowance good-bye!"

JONAH'S MOTHER: "That's a nice story, but now tell me where you've really been for the last three days."

SUPERMAN'S MOTHER: "Clark, your father and I have discussed it, and we've decided you can have your own telephone line. Now will you quit spending so much time in all those phone booths?"

THOMAS EDISON'S MOTHER: "Of course I'm proud that you invented the electric light bulb, Thomas. Now turn off that light and get to bed!"

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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

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

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

EVER WONDERED WHAT 'SINGING' IS

CLIMBING DOWN INTO THE CORONADO CAVE, SOUTHERN ARIZONA

Today's photos are random pics from this past winter.

The most amazing & impossible thing happened this morning.  After 7 months in storage.....the lawn mower started!!  And, to raise this to miracle status....it started on the first pull!!!!  Now, like many other folks, I have been cutting lawns ever since I was a kid & that is a lot of 'shortening green stuff' over the years.  Never has this ever happened before.  Could it be the beginning of a new era in Al's life.  Am I about to be elevated to mechanical genius at last.  No, not so fast.  I was soon brought back down to earth when the mower sputtered to a stop a short time later & would not start again.  Hmmmm, now let me see.  How do I spell the word.....G.A.S.!!

HIKING ANOTHER MOUNTAIN TRAIL

Emjay inquired in a comment on yesterday's blog about how Kelly & I met Max, Checkers, & The Motormouse.  I actually did a blog about that last September & how that all came together.  Check out......OUR 3 FURRY BEST PALS

OVERLOOKING BISBEE, ARIZONA

Updated my Facebook profile this morning.  Had been a few years since doing that so figured it was a good rainy morning for updating some old info on the site.  Things do change you know.

CHECKING FOR TREASURES ATOP CRYSTAL HILL, SOUTH OF QUARTZSITE, ARIZONA

Ever wondered what 'singing' is.  I asked myself that question one time many years ago & came to a simple conclusion.  On my way to Goderich this morning while listening to a Nat King Cole song on the van radio I was reminded of what I had figured out singing to be. 

OK, SO HOW DO I GET THIS DARN THING STARTED (at the Ranch near McNeal, Az)

If you take a word or words & speak them the way they are written, that is talking.  If you take those same words & elongate them in a melodic fashion, that is singing.  If you just say the word 'fashion,' it is in talk form.  Say the word & stretch it out for 2 or 3 seconds & you are....theoretically 'singing' the word.  Put a bunch of words together, stretch them out, & you have just composed & are singing your very own song.  If you have an exceptionally pleasing voice you just might be the next Nat King Cole or Bing Crosby, so next time nobody is around.....try a little out loud word stretching:))  There is multitude of average singers in the world these days with 'great singers' being clearly in the minority.

MORNING WALK WITH THE RANCH GANG

The internet is so loaded with various skims & scams it's always difficult to separate the legitimate stuff from the garbage.  And, in my opinion, the garbage outweighs the good stuff. (just like television) Awhile back something called RV THERE YET came across my desktop.  Had a look at the site & thought it looked OK but it wasn't until I saw it popping up on a few other trusted blog sites that I decided to join up & put it on our site.  FROGGI DONNA commented on yesterday's blog suggesting I read FABGRANDMA'S BLOG opinion about RV There Yet and so, after reading her post I am now wondering if anyone else out here has any thoughts or experiences with RV There Yet.  Would very much appreciate any feedback folks. 

PORTAL, ARIZONA

Oh, & by the way....My name is AL & I am a peanut butteroholic.  I have now been peanut butter free for 3 days. (again)  Ya-hooey Louie:))

DESERT RAINBOW OVER McNEAL, ARIZONA

GROANER'S CORNER:((  10 LAWS OF COMPUTING

1. When computing, whatever happens, behave as though you meant it to happen.

2. When you get to the point where you really understand your computer, it's probably obsolete.

3. The first place to look for information is in the section of the manual where you'd least expect to find it.

4. When the going gets tough, upgrade.

5. For every action, there is an equal and opposite malfunction.

6. To err is human...to blame your computer for your mistakes is even more human, its downright natural.

7. He who laughs last, probably has a back-up.

8. The number one cause of computer problems is computer solutions.

9. A complex system that doesn't work is invariably found to have evolved from a simpler system that worked just fine.

10. A computer program will always do what you tell it to do, but rarely what you want it to do.

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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

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

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

OH GOODY GOODY GUM DROPS, NOW I CAN START COMPLAINING ABOUT THE WEATHER BEING TOO HOT

AMID THE SAILBOATS

How sweet it was to see the thermometer at 57F this morning at 7 a.m. as opposed to it's 30 & 31F readings the past few mornings.  Nice to feel that touch of humidity in the air & feel the warm morning sun peeking through the tall pine trees.  Any day now I will able to switch my semi annual complaining from, 'too cold' to 'too hot!!'  I knew it would be warmer today because the frogs were really chirping it up around the pond last night.  I still have not seen a single hopping green amphibian yet this year but when I cleaned the pond pump today there was evidence on the plastic water pipe of small egg clusters.  Could be snails.

The pair of geese on the larger pond across the road have abandoned their nest again for the third year in a row so we probably will not see any little furry goose guys paddling around in the water.  We think maybe a raccoon raids the nest & grabs the eggs.  Checkers woke me up last night around midnight barking at a raccoon that had come up on our deck & tipped over a container of birdseed.

OUR RED BREASTED GROSBEAKS ARE BACK

I drove the Santa Fe into Clinton last night for the final first aid class.  I noticed right away a big difference in the car's handling since the ball joints were replaced & new rubber put on all the way around.  Sometimes when things deteriorate slowly you don't notice it & gradually compensate for the deterioration.  Big, big, difference in handling.

The first aid class from 7 to 10 dealt with fractures, dislocations, slings, 1rst-2nd & 3rd degree burns, impaled objects, heat stroke, frost bite, splints, poisons, extruded eyeballs, & lots of other grizzly gruesome things.  Bottom line.......stay in bed every day, don't do anything or go anywhere to avoid all injuries.

Planted 3 more Emerald cedar trees out front today.  In hindsight, I wished we had just bought about a hundred cedars when we first moved here & totally ringed our property with greenery because now 7 years later we would have had a nice tall solid cedar barrier all around us.  Cardinals love thick cedars.....& so do I!!

AZALEAS

My Facebook comments last night were not directed at anyone specifically & were certainly not intended to offend anyone.  Just my thoughts on Facebook in general.  Lots of mighty fine folks out there but a lot of that stuff is not my cup of tea.  It's just that I have a habit of, 'getting things off my chest once & awhile!!'  Different strokes for different folks as the saying goes & not to worry Chef, I still got ya in the mix here:))

SPRING FLOWERS ALONG THE ROADSIDE

Another question about Nikon & Canon cameras a couple days ago.  I'm sure thousands of dyed in the wool brand loyal Canon & Nikon enthusiasts will disagree with me but I don't think any one company is better than the other.  Both have quality cameras with varying degrees of great quality in their many different product lines.  The only reason I chose Nikon a few years back was that I had always wanted a Nikon camera years ago in the 35mm days.  They were just about the top of the line camera at that time.  Since then Canon has made great strides & both companies are now equally competitive.  But, here's a few things that I have noticed over the past few years that might make me consider the Canon line of cameras in the future.

OUR FRONT PORCH AWAITS ANOTHER SUMMER

Whenever watching the news or nature specials I always pay particular attention to what camera's are being used.  I am seeing more Canons than Nikons.  The Astronomy folks use mostly Canon cameras & I think sports photographers favor the Canon line as well.  Also, if your looking to buy new or used lenses & cameras there seems to be far more Canon equipment out there to chose from than Nikon & I think the prices may be better too.  I don't have any stats or facts to back any of this up....just my opinion.

A SPRING DANDELION

GROANER'S CORNER:((  My wife's jealousy is getting ridiculous. The other day she looked at my calendar and wanted to know who May was.

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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

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

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