‘THE BAYFIELD BUNCH’ DRIVE THROUGH A CEMETERY TO TAKE A WALK IN AN AREA CALLED ‘THE GROVES’

IN ANOTHER MONTH THAT WHOLE TREED HILLSIDE ON THE HORIZON WILL BE ABLAZE WITH AUTUMNS SPLENDOR

With new A&W breakfast coupons in hand we headed off to Goderich this morning for bacon and eggs.  Great breakfast as usual but I wished they would tone down or eliminate the annoying music noise coming out of the overhead ceiling speakers!!

ON A WALK THIS MORNING AT GODERICH’S ‘THE GROVES’ I SPOTTED THIS SWEET WILLIAM AND QUEEN ANNES LACE ON THE GROUND AND A SMALL AIRPLANE PASSING UNDER THE MOON IN THE SKY ABOVE

After seeing the reforestation project behind the Maitland Cemetery on Monday's coffee drive with Richard I figured it would be a great place for a morning walk.  Kelly, Pheebs and I arrived at The Groves a little on the late side and already the day's heat an humidity were beginning to climb but we did get in a good half hour walk before having to retreat back to the Jeep.  Kelly and I with our dog Max had first hiked this area back in November of 2002 just a few weeks after moving to Bayfield.  At that time it was an old growth forest we walked through with the sky barely visible through the tall tree canopy overhead.  This whole 24 acre area was in the direct path of Goderich's F3 tornado 5 years ago and the old growth forest was torn asunder.  This morning we walked under clear blue skies in a totally unrecognizable environment from 2002.  It is truly amazing how the whole community with help from many donors and organizations came together after the tornado and not only cleaned up all the damage but have continued to develop the whole 24 acres into a brand new nature area open to the public. 

WHEN KELLY AND I LAST STOOD ON THIS SPOT IN 2002 THE SKY WAS BARELY VISIBLE DUE TO THE OLD GROWTH FOREST HERE

AMAZING HOW THAT TORNADO DEVASTATED EVERYTHING AND NOW AFTER THE BIG CLEAN-UP YEARS AGO ONLY A FEW SMALL TREE AREAS FROM THE ORIGINAL FOREST REMAIN….EVERYTHING IN THE ABOVE PHOTO IS NEW GROWTH EXCEPT FOR THOSE FEW SCRAGGLY TREES AT RIGHT

THERE ARE STILL MANY SIGNS OF THE TORNADOS DESTRUCTION

THIS TREE TOP WAS TWISTED RIGHT OFF

  

THE TORNADO OCCURED ON A SUNDAY

THE WHOLE AREA HAS BEEN NEWLY RE-PLANTED WITH THOUSANDS OF YOUNG TREES

A FEW SMALL AREAS OF THE OLD FOREST STILL STAND

A GROWTH OF MUSHROOMS ALONG THE WAY

PATHWAYS ARE MADE UP FROM TONS OF WOOD CHIPS LEFT OVER BY ALL THE DEAD AND DAMAGED TREES AND BRANCHES…., IT STILL AMAZES ME THAT A WHOLE FOREST ONCE STOOD HERE

We were fortunate to meet a fellow on the trail by the name of John Hazlitt who has spearheaded the reforestation project over the years.  A local conservation expert, historian, and author John  is out walking the trails most every day Spring, Summer, and Fall.  

LOCAL CONSERVATION EXPERT JOHN HAZLITT EXPLAINS HOW HE HIMSELF MADE ALL THE WOODEN SIGNS AND POSTS IN ‘THE GROVES’

There is a trail leading down to the Maitland River far below but we didn't go that way this morning but will return again when cooler weather is once again upon us.  Beautiful place and for anyone in the area I'd recommend a walking hike here and especially a month from now when forests will be ablaze with Autumns early colors.  From ‘The Groves’ main viewpoint there is a spectacular view across the Maitland River below and up through a softwood forest on the other side.  I'll be sure to get some photos of that in early October.  For anyone interested here is an informative link about ‘The Groves’.  Behind Maitland Cemetery: The Groves  Only way to ‘The Groves’ is through the Maitland Cemetery so keep bearing to your right all the way back to the far right Northeast corner to find the trailhead.  The short road to the trail can be easily missed so watch for it.

IT IS OBVIOUS MANY GROUPS, ORGANIZATIONS, PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES HAVE COME TOGETHER TO HELP RESTORE WHAT THE TORNADO TORE APART

ALL THESE POSTS AND WOODEN SIGNS WERE MADE BY JOHN HAZLITT FROM TORNADO DAMAGED TREES

We were back home by 10:30 and despite the increasing humidity I was able to get a few more things done in the front yard.  That gol darn Richard sometimes puts ideas in my head and Monday morning he made a comment about how he thought a couple posts on either side of our driveway might look nice.  I hadn't thought about that and of course the idea stuck with me and I couldn't shake it.  An hour later with the help of my chainsaw, wheelbarrow, fridge cart and a shovel I had two 5' gate posts dug in on each side of our driveway.  Nothing fancy of course but that gol darn Richard sure had got me to thinkin again:))

A LITTLE HARD TO SEE THE POSTS BUT THEY’RE THERE:))

Into the house about 1:30 with my mornings clammy clean shirt going right into the laundry basket and my near 72 year old clammy self going right into the shower.  Rest of the afternoon was spent in my recliner in front of my fan but hey it's day 3 without having to run our A/C.  Bonus.  However……..and there often seems to be a however doesn’t there.  Six o’clock weather report tonight says we are headed back into that miserable hot and humid stuff beginning tomorrow with temps climbing into the low 90’s.  Awwwww nuts looks like I’m headed for Complainer City again:(((((((

WOODEN BENCHES ARE ALSO MADE FROM TORNADO DAMAGED TREES

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A few comparisons between work and prison::

IN PRISON...you spend the majority of your time in an 8x10 cell.
AT WORK...you spend most of your time in a 6x8 cubicle.

IN PRISON...you get three meals a day.
AT WORK...you only get a break for one meal and you have to pay for it.

IN PRISON...you get time off for good behavior.
AT WORK...you get rewarded for good behavior with more work.

IN PRISON...a guard locks and unlocks all the doors for you.
AT WORK...you must carry around a security card and unlock and open all the doors yourself.

IN PRISON...you can watch TV and play games.
AT WORK...you get fired for watching TV and playing games.

IN PRISON...you get your own toilet.
AT WORK...you have to share.

IN PRISON...they allow your family and friends to visit.
AT WORK...you cannot even speak to your family and friends.

IN PRISON...all expenses are paid by taxpayers with no work required.
AT WORK...you get to pay all the expenses to go to work and then they deduct taxes from your salary to pay for prisoners.

IN PRISON...you spend most of your life looking through bars from the inside wanting to get out.
AT WORK...you spend most of your time wanting to get out and go inside bars.

IN PRISON...there are wardens who are often sadistic.
AT WORK...they are called managers.

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A wife and husband both talked in their sleep. She loved auctions; his hobby was golf.  The other night, as they slept, the golfer yelled, "Fore!"  His wife yelled back, "Four and a quarter !"

SO SORE IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD

A SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL MORNING

Richard and I had missed our semi-annual country drive coffee tour last Thursday so this morning we caught that up with Richard driving this time.  Got ourselves all caught up on the latest mysteries of life as we cruised some scenic roads around Goderich.  Checked out a trail area at the north end of a Goderich cemetery and stood on the shores of Lake Huron at Bayfield's Beach marveling at the absolutely beautiful morning.  Probably one of the most majestic skies I have seen in a very long time.  Unfortunately I didn't have my Nikon DSLR's with me but I did have my point and shoot Canon Powershot in my pocket.  Just a super great morning.

GREAT VIEW OF THE MAITLAND RIVER AT THE NORTHERN END OF GODERICH’S MAITLAND CEMETERY

THAT’S RICHARD THIS MORNING LOOKING FOR COLORED ROCKS ON BAYFIELD’S BEACH

CLOUD PATTERNS THIS MORNING WERE PHENOMENAL

We were back home before noon and when I say home it is because Richard and I only live a couple hundred yards from each other so whenever we return to our Park we are both 'home'.

SHORT ON PHOTOS TONIGHT I ZIPPED OUT AND TOOK A FEW IN OUR FRONT YARD

Didn't take me long to get onto the end of my shovel again as I planted a chunk of Purple Loosestrife we had stopped and pulled out of a ditch on our morning travels.  Added a wheelbarrow load of dirt to my little swamp project and propped the Loosestrife up with a rock.  It's anybody's guess whether it will grow but I'll be anxiously watching for any green shoots next Spring.

HUB OF OPERATIONS

IT MAY LOOK LIKE SOLID GROUND BUT IF YOU STEPPED IN THERE YOU WOULD GET A MUDDY SOAKER

YOU CAN SEE MY PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE STOCK STUCK INTO MY MINI-SWAMP AND PROPPED UP BY A ROCK >>>

Can't say enough good things about the absolutely beautiful gorgeous late August day we had ourselves here in southern Ontario.  I'm very hesitant to ever use the word 'perfect' in describing anything but by golly at 70F today I think we came pretty darn close to the true meaning of that word.  Well in my shaky little world anyway:))

One doesn't normally associate muscle pain with feeling good but for me these past couple days my aching legs tell me I've been using and strengthening muscle groups that I haven't regularly used for awhile.  This little ongoing front yard project of mine is just what I needed after being inactively stuck in the house for so long due to our recent hot and humid weather.  So tired these last couple nights I can hardly stay awake and muscles so sore they squawk.  Nice:))

Kelly spotted a message and photo on Facebook Sunday morning by Melissa Ivers.  In that message Melissa writes “Biscuit enjoying the car ride on this beautiful day”!! — with Rod Ivers.  That’s encouraging news that Rod is getting out and about and what a great photo of Rod’s little dog Biscuit.  She’s a real cutie and we got to meet her a couple winters ago when Rod drove up to Congress from Mesa with sweety pie Biscuit her very self.

ROD’S LITTLE DOG ‘BISCUIT’…..AND THIS IS THE RASCALLY SWEETY PIE WHO CAUSED ALL ROD’S WOES IN 'ROOMBA'

GROANER’S CORNER:(( A guy dies and goes to heaven. It's a slow day for St. Peter, so, upon passing the entrance test, St. Peter says "I'm not very busy today, why don't you let me show you around?" The guy thinks this is a great idea and graciously accepts the offer. 

St. Peter shows him all the sights, the golf course, the reading room and library, the observation room, the cafeteria and finally, they come to a HUGE room full of clocks. The guy asks, "What's up with these clocks?"  St. Peter explains, "Everyone on earth has a clock that shows how much time he has left on earth. When a clock runs out of time, the person dies and comes to the Gates to be judged." The guy thinks this makes sense but notices that some of the clocks are going faster than others. He asks why is that? 

St. Peter explains, "Every time a living person tells a lie, it speeds his clock."  This also makes sense, so the guy takes one last look around the room before leaving and notices one clock in the center of the ceiling. On this clock, both hands are spinning at an unbelievable rate. So he asks, "What's the story with that clock?"

"Oh, that," St. Peter replies, "That clock belongs to one of the two people who are now running for President of the United States. We decided to use it as a fan."

WITH COOLER AIR UPON US I FINALLY HAD MYSELF AN ENJOYABLY PRODUCTIVE MORNING

SEEING MORE AND MORE FROGS AROUND OUR POND THESE PAST FEW DAYS My recliner sits about 2 feet from our back porch's sliding patio door and I often sleep with that screened door open about a foot.  Although sound asleep I'm sure my face had a big happy smile on it as overnight temps fell following a brief but heavy wind and rain storm moving through our area late Saturday night.  That storm front brought in the most welcome and much appreciated cooler air front that most of us have been waiting so long for.  Can't even begin to tell you how nice it felt waking up surrounded by that cool invigorating air coming in through our opened windows and doors:)) 
HAPPY TO SEE OUR RECENTLY PLANTED CONE FLOWERS DOING WELL

I was so energized this morning I didn't know where to start or what to get done first so I just kinda bounced around doing a little bit of everything.  Finished my small rocky flower bed edge, dug a hole next to our bird feeder and placed a small plastic pond liner in it.  Filled it with water and dirt and hope to later plant Marsh Marigolds and Purple Loosestrife plus a few other swampy goodies. 
DIGGING THE HOLE

AND HERE IT IS IN THE GROUND WITH SOME WATER AND DIRT IN IT

I’M NEVER ALONE OUTSIDE

Slipped out of the Park and down the road a bit to dig up a few plants I saw growing in a ditch and also picked up a couple tub loads of sand for a new but small front yard cactus area.  A corkscrew shrub had overgrown one end of our frog pond so trimmed that way back and 'walla' it was like our pond doubled in size.  I had actually forgotten our pond was as big as it is.  Anyway I had myself a great 5 hours of garden puttering this morning doing something I have always so much enjoyed doing.
THAT LITTLE SANDY PART IN THE FOREGROUND IS WHERE WE’LL PLANT SOME OF OUR BACKYARD PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS…NEXT SUMMER THOSE HOSTA PLANTS WILL DRAPE THEIR BIG GREEN LEAVES OVER THAT ROCKY BORDER


I NOTICED WHEN EDITING PICTURES TONIGHT SOMEBODY HAD GOT HOLD OF MY CAMERA AGAIN…..AND I CAN SEE IT WASN’T THE PHEEBS

I’M HAVING TO BE CAREFUL AROUND OUR FRONT YARD POND THESE PAST FEW DAYS NOT TO STEP ON ANY FROGS

THE WHOLE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE POND HAD BEEN OVERGROWN

I CAN BE JUST A FOOT OR TWO AWAY FROM THESE FELLAS AND THEY JUST SIT THERE WATCHING ME

Sitting in our living room this afternoon I noticed it getting progressively darker out, wind came up a bit and a light rain began falling.  To a much lesser extent our Sunday afternoon today was slightly reminiscent of a Sunday afternoon exactly 5 years ago today that turned out much worse.  On that day it suddenly became very dark and a big wind blew through our park bending trees and branches.  The storm had come in off Lake Huron fast, rolled over us and headed inland.  Little did we know that just a few miles away Goderich Ontario was in total chaos having just been struck by a Catagory F3 Tornado.  Five days later I was finally able to get into Goderich and took myself and my camera for a walk around.  The town was still in quite a mess.  You can see my photos here….Goderich Tornado Damage  If link doesn't work try second link.  Goderich Tornado Damage 2


Rain cells have been forming up out over the lake and coming ashore so everything is staying very moist which after the dry hot summer we’ve had is a good thing.   We are now definitely into the early changing of Seasons.  As I type this tonight we are at 66F and that is very much within my comfort range.  Almost makes me want to rush out the door and run around the house 10 times with a great big happy face on:))))))  
IN A FEW WEEKS I WILL BEGIN ROUNDING THESE GUYS UP FOR TRANSPORTATION TO THE PARK’S MUCH BIGGER NATURAL POND ACROSS THE ROAD…OUR FROG POND IS TOO SHALLOW FOR THEM TO SURVIVE THE WINTER GROANER'S CORNER:((   An agitated patient was stomping around the psychiatrist's office, running his hands through his hair, almost in tears.  "Doctor, my memory's gone. Gone! I can't remember my wife's name. Can't remember my children's names. Can't remember what kind of car I drive. Can't remember where I work. It was all I could do to find my way here."  "Calm down. How long have you been like this?"  "Like what?" ------------------------- Teacher: Give me a sentence with the word "INDISPOSITION" in it.
Pupil : I always play center in baseball because I like playing
"in dis position!" ------------------------- Dave: I got this great new hearing aid the other day.
Mary: Are you wearing it now?
Dave: Yup. Cost me four thousand dollars, but it's top of the line.
Mary: Wow! What kind is it?
Dave: Twelve-thirty