Wednesday, May 1, 2019

We're finally home.....



Our Location: Summer Home, Tehkummah, Ontario

A few very cold, wet and dreary days at Buttercup Ridge, but also one really nice day that helped to dry up some of the water, and the constant wind also helped with that but still soggy and muddy. We had to re-level once and would have had to so again if we stayed longer. We didn’t do much over the last remaining days but managed to do a few little errands.  

Toronto sky line, circle K (who knew we had 'em in Canada), and getting closer to C & M's.

We had one remaining goal while at Buttercup Ridge and that was a trek into Toronto to visit oldest daughter Courtney and her hubby Matt. They live on the east side of downtown which meant we didn’t have to go all the way through the city. Toronto like any other major city is just busy all the time. Except for the DVP (Don Valley Parkway) the traffic flowed relatively well with only a few slow downs, so we were fortunate. The DVP was stop and go the entire way, lucky we weren't going too far. We spent a few hours visiting C & M, catching up and just enjoying their company. It’s always wonderful to see my girls and their other halves but they lead very busy lives and so we keep our visits short.

Courtney & hubby Matt. Courtney, Riley and Matt.

We decided we’d pull out on Monday, April 29 and head north due to the incoming bad weather. We decided it’s better to be high and dry in our summer location even if it’s a few degrees cooler, it’s only for a couple of days. So with that in mind we pulled out of Buttercup Ridge around 8 am  on a bright and sunny Monday morning. 
 
Some sights along the way.

A leisurely drive along ON 7 to ON 12 North brought us to the small town of Orilla, and from there we hopped on ON 400 North bound for the rest of the day. A stop in Parry Sound due to yet another issue with the rear tire on the Igloo had us at Seguin Automotive Repair at Exit 214. Darcy and Dave both agreed it was a wheel bearing issue. I watched as Dave pulled it apart and made note that the wheel bearing was loose but otherwise in perfect condition. Now how could that be? Both sides had the same issue but only wear on one tire. Hmmm…. I think there may be another issue but I’ll have that dealt with in the fall on our way south again. I know the perfect place in Hamilton to have it looked at. So Dave reset and tightened the wheel bearings on both rear wheels, replaced a tire and checked everything else. They could find no other issues. We only went a few minutes down the road and pulled in at a Walmart. We called it quits for the day. It was now mid afternoon. 
 
Strawberry Channel (top L), Hwy 6 S (top R), Hwy 400N (bottom L), Hwy 69 N (bottom R)

Morning found us up and on the road by 8 AM with a mostly sunny sky above and the decision to bypass our regular stop in Lively to visit friends Randy & Linda. We instead opted to go all the way through to our home spot, we'll be visiting with Randy & Linda on Sunday at their camp on the island. A stop in Espanola for fuel, a dump station and a few groceries would be the last stop until we were parked in our spot. 

A single turbine blade for a wind turbine. I think I heard they are 90 feet long.

At 2 pm Riley was opening the gates to let us on to the farm and by 3 pm we were up the big hill, turned around (which is always a bit of an adventure) and with the basic set up complete. Not a bad amount of time for us. We pulled on our shoes and headed up to see Dad for a quick visit. He was surprised to see us, he hadn’t been home when we came by and so didn’t know we had arrived. 

Top - along ON 12 N heading toward Orilla. 2nd-snow/ice on ON 400N, 3rd-water in the farm fields Hwy 17 E. 4th one of the many little inland lakes with ice along Hwy 6 S.

Back home for a light snack, a bit of reading and around 7 pm we climbed into the Dogsled to drop in for a visit with my brother Rick and his lovely wife Barb. Son Jason wasn’t there at the time but is around for another day.

So there you have it, our last few days. We have now arrived home and over the next week will set up our Igloo for the summer and begin enjoying our time with more family.  
 
Top Left- town of Espanola. Bottom- crossing the river into Espanola, Top R, snow in the bush along the way.

A belated Happy Birthday to two nephews, Allan and Jesse. Allan was 35 way back on April 21, and Jesse turned 23 on April 28. Allan is my sister's only son, and Jesse is my brother’s youngest son.  Jesse and girlfriend Claudia just bought their first house and moved in 2 weeks ago. So a congratulations to them on that as well.
 
Crossing the swing bridge onto the Island. The North Channel which flows under the bridge above.

Thanks for stopping by, I’ll do one more update before I stop blogging for the summer months. I just don’t seem to have the time to do a blog while we’re here. As I type this it is raining, today and tomorrow will be rain events on both days but after that the good weather starts and we are looking forward to it.

Until next time… take care, be safe,

Deb





22 comments:

  1. Glad you are Safely tucked away for the Summer. Instead of stopping entirely you could do weekly blogs.
    Enjoy your Summer.

    It's about time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Rick. I hope you and Kathy have a nice summer.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

      Delete
  2. I ditto Rick. I just started following you this last winter. I kept hearing about an "island" so I was looking forward to your "island photos". And I love family photos...…….Elva Shannon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Elva. WE have a very quiet summer and don't do a lot of things. Perhaps I'll remember to take my camera along when we venture out and post a few shots but I can't promise anything. Have a great summer.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

      Delete
  3. Welcome home to you two. Always a great feeling to get back and come in off the road for some rest and relaxation. Will keep an eye out for you in the Fall when we all get to rumbling south again for another season in the great American Southwest. Thanks for you comments over the winter:))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Al. It is always great to be back among familiar faces and places and relaxing. We hope you and Kelly have a fantastic summer.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

      Delete
  4. Welcome to your summer home. Hope you can find time to give us a brief update. Enjoy your family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Contessa. We hope you and Colin enjoy the vacation and the summer as well. Be safe!!

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

      Delete
  5. Bet it is good to be home and see the family. Have a great summer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jim & Barb. Good luck with your building project. I hope the summer goes well for both of you and that you take some time to explore and enjoy. Be safe.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

      Delete
  6. Glad to read you and Riley made it to your summer home safe and sound. I am sure your dad was happy to see you two. Looking at the pictures of your family and thinking of the others you posted I have to say you are a good looking group. I totally understand about the not blogging because of the busyness of life and its enjoyment. Maybe you could sneak a couple of pictures of that island out to us as the summer progresses. Regardless, you and Riley have a wonderful summer and looking forward to the next time we hear from you.
    I am thinking we will be close to the same distance north in a couple of days hope we do not encounter any snow or frozen water...:) Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Deb & Tom. I'm sure by now you are safely tucked away somewhere in Upper Michigan and enjoying this terrible weather just as much as we are. LOL. Perhaps I'll remember to take my camera on some of our outings and snap a few photos to share with the folks here. We shall have to see what comes of it. Hope you folks have a fantastic summer and hope to see you later in the year.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

      Delete
  7. I have enjoyed following you and Riley in your travels this year. I guess I always hoped that our paths would cross somewhere but we can try again next year. You are in a nice part of the country. The drive from the Soo to Sudbury was always nice when we used to visit North Bay on a regular basis. Hopefully you get some warm weather real soon and that your summer is spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lorne, we hope to meet up with you and Sue in the years ahead. I think it would be most interesting. I assume you've made it home to your summer park by now, and we hope you have a most enjoyable and profitable summer and fall. It's a long drive from SS to North Bay. Some nice country to see but some lousy road conditions too. Stay safe and out of trouble.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

      Delete
  8. So nice to visit with Courtney . I dob't miss the DVP , when I used to drive it everyday to work in the late 60's, much prefer country living.
    Glad you made it to your summer place on the island, visiting with your Dad and more family. Our friends Rob and Pat (you met last winter) are at their hunt camp up there as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks George. WE hope you and Suzie enjoy the summer months down there in Southern Ontario. I never miss driving in TO, I don't mind it, but I just never miss it.
      I recall meeting Rob & Pat. If I knew where they were we might get a chance to visit if they're here long. Stay safe, hope to see you later in the year.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

      Delete
  9. Welcome home! Guess your dad is one happy man to have you two girls there with him. Courtney and Matt are a cute couple! Happy Birthday Alan and Jesse! Congrats to Jesse and Claudia on their first home purchase..always so exciting! Looking forward to your summer updates for sure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Shirley. Dad is pretty happy, we see him at least twice a day. C & M are a sweet couple. Thanks for the birthday wishes, I'll pass those along to the boys and to J & C regarding their new home as well. I'll see about the updates, it's always busy here but we don't seem to do much of anything. LOL.

      WE hope you and Ken have a wonderful summer with lots of family time. Hope that shoulder is doing well!!! Maybe we will cross paths this coming winter season.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

      Delete
  10. Glad to see you two are home safe and sound. Have a fun summer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Doug. Hope you and yours are all doing well. We hope you all have a wonderful summer. Stay safe.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

      Delete
  11. Welcome home! Enjoy the week of setting up, and I hope the weather is on your side for that. It was great to see you safe and settled for the summer.
    Our friends, R & P are leaving Manitoulin this morning now that the boat is running again. They do enjoy their hunt camp up there on the island.
    Take care you two and enjoy the visits with family and friends. Your Dad will now be at peace that you are home too. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Patsy. We hope you and Bill have a wonderful summer with lots of family time. George mentioned R & P are up this way. If we knew where maybe we could get together for a visit or lunch. The boat does offer a bit less travel for sure.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

      Delete