Galaxie Diner - Wasaga Beach

Here is the promised picture of the diner.

Jennith

The Beginning of the Wasaga Saga

After leaving Awenda Provincial Park, we meandered down various back roads until we got to Tiny Beaches Road. At which pointed was continued meandering at a rate of 40 km/hr on a road which wasn't quite 2 lanes, but was paved.

The beach houses ranged from extravegant to old and mouldy. In some cases, blown sand from the beach had covered entire lawns and driveways, even drifting onto the road. Apparently, everyone came up to their cottage last weekend for spring cleaning. I could have furnish about 3 or 4 apartments if I'd had the inclination or a trailer to pick up the numerous couches, matresses, fridges, TV's, deck chairs etc. Although, I suppose not everything was useable. I'm glad I'm not the Garbage personnel that has to pick all that stuff up.

At this point, the sun was starting to set and we decided to keep an eye out for some quaint and memorable place to eat - like fish and chips out on the docks or something. We finally drove into the town of Wasaga Beach (pop. 3000) and finally settled on eating at the Galexie Diner. The food was excellent diner fare with real cheddar cheese melted on the burgers. We couldn't even finish the order of poutine and drink that we'd got to split between us. (Oh, we also split a milkshake of course - no problem finishing that.)

The decor was put together by a creative mind. It was colourful and included all the necessary 50's diner paraphenelia - like the large paintings of Elvis Presley and Marilyn Munroe and vinyl seats. The waiter was cheery and appears to be running the place on his own. We did take pictures, but after my battery died, so I'll have to post them after Gabe sends me the picture.

Today's news - not much. I am mostly unpacking and organizing. I built two bookshelfs to house my library of text books, field guides and novels. I'm planning on going through the websites and picking out some places to apply to tomorrow. Yesterday, I met the local Mississauga News Carrier (who has my old route) and was talking on her cell phone while delivering. I don't think discman were old when I finished my route - I had a sony sport walkmen and chronically broken headphones. I was also suprised to see a child of maybe 7 or 8 casually talking on a cellphone on the way home from school. I can still say (although I don't know for how much longer) that I've never owned a cell phone mostly because I've yet to need one enough to justify the cost. Its not that I'm against them, but it does strike me as odd to see them being used by young children. When I was young, rotary dial phones were still the norm - and I'm not even old yet. Funny how things change.

Well, I'd better get back to unpacking, cleaning and cover letter writing.

Jennith 

Fourth Beach - Cuspy Spring

 

White Trillium at Awenda Park in May

Triumph over shade
Light captured in spring before
Leafy umbrella 

Better Picture of Round Lobed Hepatica

 

Round Lobed Hepatica

 

Looking back on First Beach

 

View From 1st Beach

 

Dutchman's Breeches

 

Wistful and Wild Awenda Provincial Park

If you took exit 121 off of highway 400 and traveled west on the 93 past Midland and past Penatanguishine then followed the Ontario Provincial Park Signs, you would discover a gem of a park nestled on the peninsula. Awenda is 2,915 Ha of mostly hardwood forest edged with sand and rock beaches like the one depicted above.

Arriving during that cusp in spring, the hardwood forest floor is annoited with some of the showiest and biologically interesting plants in North America. My long standing favourite (being at heart an Ontarioite) are the Red and White Trilliums that scatter the forest floor with their tidy three petalled blooms, which have been in the works for 7 years. Another neat fact about Trilliums is that their seeds are dispersed by ants (Best of the Raven, Friends of Algonquin Park). They have "oily handles" that bribe the ants to carry the seeds back to their hills, where the handles are eaten and the seeds discarded. Red Trilliums are pollinated by carrion flies attracted to the flower by "its colour and carrion odor". (Forest Plants of Central Ontario)

After going hiking 2 days in a row without my handy-dandy, well abused copy of Forest Plants of Central Ontario, I was still able (with the help of the photo above) to identify a new-to-me plant - Round Lobed Hepatica (I'll have to check the photo again - it may be blunt lobed - "distinguished by its pointed lobes"- go figure). Dutchmen's Breeches (see photo above) wins the award for most entertainingly named plant.

As for the trail, it was easy going and free of roots and rocks. The trees were largely maple, oak and beech, standing like pillars amongst large glacial accidentals (big boulders left behind by the glaciers). The beaches were stunning. The sand is white and clean (and warm on a 24 C day) and the rocks in the water looked like crooked dinosaur teeth. There are 5 beaches, including one set aside for pets. Each was different, but the first and the last were the most photogenic.

You can see that they are continuing to upgrade the park. New bathrooms and changes houses mingled with older ones, while many facilities including an amphitheatre were clearly new. We didn't get a chance to visit the kettle lake or any of the campgrounds owing to the fact that the park isn't set to open until May 10th, 2005. I would love to go back there to camp in the fall. It sounds like they have quite a bit of camping and even showers.So, we thoroughly enjoyed our hike and took over 100 photos between us. I am suprised that I had never even heard of this park until I went looking for something to do near Barrie. Its not enormous, but it is pretty and quite different that many of the parks I've been to. I would definately recommend it if you wanted somewhere to hang out on the beach (not sure if it would make great swimming) and a few short trails. I imagine that it could get busy in the summer, we were lucky to have the place to ourselves.

I'll post a few more pictures from Awenda, and then continue my saga tommorrow.

Cheers,

Jennith

And Our Paths Diverge

Gabe is back on the road heading home, and I'm about to start studying for my exam - which I will hopefully write this afternoon - so I won't have time to miss him until after I write it.

Yesterday, we went up north to check out Georgian and Barrie. Then we went to Awenda Provincial Park which will be the subject of my next blog - once I get all of the photos off of my camera (battery died). I'll just say here that it is a well kept secret and an absolute gem of a park. The red Trillium above was photographed there along with an assortment of spring wildflowers.

But enough for now, I'll write more on our trip tonight - and take my lonely stretch of road in stride. Hopefully I can get all the messy unpacking stuff done before Gabe comes back.

Cheers,

Jennith 

Vifa Nia Rama Squafa

The Bruce Trail was fantastic! We could practically watch the leaves unfurl on this perfect sunny sunday. We hiked along the cliff at Rattlesnake Point conservation area. The most prevalent flowers were the white Trilliums and Trout Lillies and Violets. However, I did see some Purple Cohosh - an obscure plant that I took a while to identify some years ago.

We've moved the furniture around and unpacked a little - and it is starting to sink in that I'll be staying here a while.

Tomorrow we're off to Barrie to inspect Georgian College - then maybe we'll explore a bit around Barrie. I'll be studying economics on Tuesday and job hunting Wednesday. Thursday will be a mix of jobs and unpacking. Who knows what is in store for Friday.

Trillium thriving
On rocky limestone soil -
Purity rooted

Night,

Jennith

Yamma nia kiem! 

THE ROAD GOES FORWARD

Alright, we are heading out to rattlesnake point today for a view of the spring flowers. I'm hoping to apply there for a job too.

I'll hopefully have some nice pictures to post later after our hike and some new Haiku.

Congratulations to James and Kelly on their engagement!!

Cheers,

Jennith 

Farewell to New Brunswick

Well, I actually didn't get many pictures between Fredericton and Mississauga. Its a bit hard when you leave late and decide to drive through. We arrived in Mississagua at about 2:45 Ontario time or 3:45 our time.

I picked the Nacawic Irving Station (Pokiak technically speaking) as it seemed the most symbollic.

We actually are leaving soon, so I can't blog long, but I'll try and get back at it soon.

My final exam never happened owing to a computer glitch - but I seem have it reschedule for Tuesday with a promise to get my marks in before the cut off for graduation - it just means more studying economics. Sigh.

Well, I"ll write something more exciting later or in a few days or when I get some nice pictures.

Cheers,

Jennith 

Exam complications

I'm waiting for my exam to start - my professor who happens to be in russia hasn't released it yet. Sigh! Not fun.

JP

AAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

The car holds less than we hoped, so were reconfiguring our plans. We're still optimistic and stressed, but we'll make it.

Jennith


Moving makes your things
Into liabilities -
Headache, stress, dismay

Sun sets, Season ends
My life crowds into a car -
Insanity reigns

Spruce limed by fire -
The horizin's sentinals
Gaurd the distant view

Stormy Skies

Stormy sunset fades
Wind blows raindrops in my eyes
Future clear skies seen

Jenn 

42 Hours Until We Hit the Road Jack

Hey everyone,

I suppose Jack won't really care when we start our travels. . . besides an 8:30 am start with only 12 hours budgeted for sleep and apartment cleaning and final car packing is a more than a little ambitious especially for me. That said - we are close to 90% packed and Gabe has volunteered to clean while I finish my economics course. (Sorry ladies, he's definately taken).

The plan is to head for Ottawa on Thursday and meet up with my "cousin" Liz who I haven't seen since Trudi got married May of 2000 or 2001. All I remember is that it was on a long weekend, and we were stuck in 3 hours of traffic - arriving as the wedding party excited the church in spite of leaving double the time needed for the trip to Saint Catherines. Actually, Liz went to some get together before the wedding rather than the wedding itself, but regardless its been about 5 or 6 years.

The next part of the plan (assuming of course that we don't change our minds) is to head for Barrie (Georgian) via backroads - assumming we don't' decide to drive straight through. Anywho, we are looking forward to a scenic view and and a picnic somewhere between A and B. We are considering podcasting on route too - but regardless I'll take some photos and post them.

This is actually the second version of this post today -the spell checker ate the other one. I have some guest content in the form of haiku poems and a boggy photo - but I'm at school so they may not get posted until I am back home.

I have no idea where the picture came from, I found it on my H drive - its likely an internet image, but it is certainly not mine. I'm hoping to see some soon as we swing back toward the peak of the solar cycle.

I'm not sure what the glow in front of the hill is - unless it is the northern lights reflected on water or something. I miss the North.

Willo-wisp candles -
A flaring curtain dances
Wisdom on my soul

Beckoning fire -
Sky ghosts call my soul howl
Across the distance

Anywho, enough poetry - back to to money, banking and fiscal policy

Jennith

The winner is.....

Amanda MacIvor

Brown paws with black mud,
Through trails along river side
exploring is fun!

The runner up is Erin with:

Overdue Haiku
Never hand stuff in on time
procrastina-spring

Yeah!!!

I actually wrote more, but I'm waiting to see if picasa gets around to publishing the last entry I wrote before I repeat myself too much. This is our living room - kind of bare. My computer is also on the floor.

Lucky Number Slevin is a great movie - if you are into the genre - excellent directing and filming.

Back to pakcing/studying I go

Jennith

Going, going, gone

Hey everyone,

Sorry about the wait on the announcement of the winner of the Haiku contest - I have to check on a possible error before posting the winning entry - But the Winner is:

*imaginary drum roll*

Amanda M from Thunder Bay who is also moving this week.

I'll post her entry as soon as possible. As I said they were all excellent, some were funny, some gave useful advice and other were just poetic. Erin was the runner up - but she has an unfair advantange because we think too much alike. I liked the imagry in Amanda's poem. She painted this great picture - I could see the dog and the mud and the river. I miss Thunder Bay.

So, we're really leaving on Thurday and everything you see in that picture as well as this computer will have to fit in a car. There was a great picture of this computer - I'm sitting cross legged on the floor and the moniter is sitting on a milk crate - as my desk was sold yesterday. We don't have much left, we were pretty lucky with selling stuff. So I just have to write one more exam - and we need to finish packing and cleaning and we are out of here on Thursday.

We went to a movie last night - our first this year - just to unwind a bit. We had intended to see the New Ice Age movie, but it started before we had a chance to leave. Instead we went to "Lucky Number Slevin" We really really actually enjoyed it, considering that we didn't expect much of it except tht I've never seen Morgan Freeman do anything bad yet.

I'm not sure who I'd recommend it to. I think Pat, Geoff and Andrew would like it for sure and possibly Margo. The directing was outstanding - from the sets to the camera work to the acting to the level of detail - everything was brillianty executed.

here is a link to the trailer.

Cheers,

Jennith

Happiness is a blue sky and weather shaped pine

Wow! The end is really near! We sold the couch today and the chair, by this time tommorrow we won't have a bed or dishes or bookshelves.

I'm really getting excited about the trip - mind you I still need to go through my stuff again and get rid of more stuff. Sigh. . .

Musing on judging the Haiku contest: The winner is selected - but won't be announced until the next blog entry as I need to contact them first. They were judged based on format, creativity, and imagery with bonus marks for interesting words, humour, advice and a season word. I haven't marked anyone's work since 2nd here - and it was just a bit awkward since I was judging the creative work of my closest friends and family. They were all great, and I enjoyed reading them. Please feel free to submit any others to my site for prostarity. It turned out not so hard to mark them - but initially I was "hah, silly me - look what you have gotten yourself into". More to follow.. .. .. THANK YOU everyone for your submissions.

Recomended song: Mr. President by Pink and the Indigo Girls. - It sounds more like the Indigo Girls than Pink - and its smart, very smart.

Hmm, other thoughts. . . I guess I'll have to remember them when my head hurts less.

Night

Jennith 

Haiku Contest Ends Today!!! - Bogged down with Calculus

Okay - quick link to Haiku Rules - Entries due at midnight.

Red grained vessel filled -
Stomach acid protein shake
Toasting survival

Line integral traces
Smooth curve in a vector field -
Path independent?

Anywho, speaking of math - I'd better get back to studying before I end up in the bog house or worse.

I'm heading home in 6 days - it'll be an interesting 6 days for sure.

Cheers,

Jennith 

2 Days Left to Haiku - 6 Left to Pack

Sun sets at storm edge -
Glory uncapturable
By mere camera

Haiku Contest Rules - deadline is Friday, April 21st, 2006 at midnight

Lesson of the day: if you get a good quote on a rental vehicle tentitively book it. We were just shopping around 2 days ago, still unsure what we were doing in an attempt to compare the cost of shipping to renting a vehicle - we called back yesterday for more details to find some of the prices had gone up $150. We've decided to go for a car rather than a van and hope that we don't end up with a Kia Spectra as a full size vehicle. Grrrrrr, Discount Rentals. The last time I rented from them (2 months in advance) they didn't have the van I requested when I went to pick it up - instead they offered me a discount on the Ferrarri sports car - seeing how I was moving my stuff to various places in Fredericton. I did eventully get a discount on their shuttle vehicle (a van). Sigh.

It does look like we'll be driving down to check out Humber and Georgian, move my stuff and a few other things. Not as exciting as the road trip to Cape Breton, but at least we don't have to worry about camping in 6 feet of snow.

Anyhow, I must return to the glorious world of vector calculus. . . but as a mostly unrelated aside here is a link to my math teachers Giant Pumpkin Growing website. You can click on the more giant pumpkin link for more pictures and details of last years growing season. He even has a variety of seed named after him. You can also click on the 2513 link if you want to check out the kinds of math assignments I've been doing.

CHeers,

Jennith

Jennith 

Stormwater Pond

Evening,

Here is a shot of a local stormwater pond at dusk. I'm not sure if the big pile of silt is a design feature or a hint that erosion may be an issue. Perhaps it is most indicative about the local construction boom.

Here is the Haiku of the day:

Half moon silt in pond
Seeks new home downhill from old -
mysterious cause

Stormwater races
Off hard impermeable
Surfaces - recharge?

Porous pavement can
Reduce peak volume - keeping
Outfall streams healthy

See... they are so much fun to write... contest rules - I look forward to your entries :D

Jennith 

Border Fences Canadian Style

While enjoying Easter with my boyfriends family the topic wandered initially towards the problems with crossing the Canada-US border and related paper work and passport issues. Somehow we can to talking about donating wood for a border fence and the effectiveness of the Berlin Wall in keeping people on one side or the other. Gabe suggested a picket fence - since this is traditional sign of neighbourliness, which led to the suggestion that the only true way for Canadians to mark the border is to drink a lot of Canadian beer and Tim Horton's Coffee and mark our territory like wolves (and/or Farley Mowat).

:D The picture above is by my all time favourite artist: Harriet Peck Taylor of Washington State, USA. Her website is found here. She does fabulous nature batik prints. I highly recommend checking it out.

Cheers,

Jennith

Quick Note

I've changed the posting rules so that you don't have to be a blogger member to post anymore. I haven't enabled the word verification thing - but I will if I start getting spammed.

So good luck with your haiku's - I'll be picking my favourite (okay - being an ex-teacher I'll probably come up with a fair evaluation matrix for it) on Saturday, April 22nd. 2006

Happy Birthday Grampa and Pam, and happy anniversary to the A & K Page.

Gotta Run,

Jennith

If you don't want to post your poems - you know tip of the competitiion or what not - you can email them to me.

Look - Bunny Tails Growing on a Tree

Hi Everyone,

Quick post as I'm trying to plow through as much economics as I can before running off to Sussex.

Against cornflower -
The pale soft blooms disguised as
Q-tips, dangle free

Jenn 

The Joy of Economics

I'm picking my way painfully through chapters and chapters of my online economics course. On the upside, this course has been my nemisis for no good reason. I think it is simply so elementry I can keep interested in it. Alternatively, I'm simply so irked that I have to take it, after getting an A+ in the second course that I have some kind of mental block.

The picture was taken about a week ago while going for a walk. I'm at the start of the bridge from the North Side of Fredericton.

quiessent wishes
soar on calm winds - storm cages
not yet free to burst

symbolled lines across
pages of dry paper crest -
the flood of knowledge

Okay - trying to write poems about studying economics is painful.

Cheers,

Jennith 

Blog Review/ Haiku Contest Rules

Part 1: Blog Tour Review

I took a quick tour of other people blogs using the "NEXT BLOG" button located in the top right hand corner of most blogger blogs. Unfortunately, I didn't keep statistics, but I'd say there is an even mix of blogs based on religious missions, kinky sex, and newly newly minted parents. Other topics common themes included art, photography, plain undecipherableness, groups, manga, and teenie stuff. I didn't count the foreign language blogs - although I'd guess that Spanish was the most common language that I couldn't read. Some of the blogs were borderline content for kids - or at least they could lead to a lot of awkward questions for parents. What's a flechette for?

It was cool to compare the visual effectiveness for different backgrounds and styles. I've come to the conclusion that it might help if I used a bigger font and shorter paragraphs. If anyone knows how I can make the sidebar narrower and the main part wider, I'd appreciate advice. Please feel free to comment on how I can improve either the content or visual aspects of my blog.

Part 2: Haiku Contest

I thought it'd be fun if people had a few minutes to piece together a haiku poem and post them in the comments - I'll pick a winner next Saturday. The rules are:

1. 3 lines - 5 syllables on the first line, 7 on the second and 5 on the third.


2. There has to be one word or phrase that could be interpreted as a season word - but it can be relatively obscure


3. Cutting words (i.e. a dash that splits the poem into two part) are optional, but might count for points


4. You have to not mind me posting your poem if you win.


5. The deadline is Friday midnight, but the comment can be attached to any post


6. You have to identify yourself to win

7. The poems with be judged on the use of interesting words and images, overall effect and originality.

EXAMPLE:

Roots sheathed in cold peat
Hungry sundews ache for blackflies –
Their nitrogen snacks

Good Luck,

Jennith

Spring is really here

Yesterday was all sun, today is grey and rainy. Lots of people visiting this weekend - being easter.

I seem to be still thinking in Haiku.

Cool poems - fun to write

TTYL,

Jennith