Autumn Art and Annual Awards

Following the departure of Hurricane Jeff (look out for the Blog) a more sedate pace returned to the Frosts in Canada. Well that was the theory!

So what did we do on our latest weekend. A little bit of this, a little bit of that, and a large bit of fun.


During the week Julie and I received reminders from our most prolific emailer (Louise) asking if any of the members of the Muskoka Steamship and Historical Society were interested in attending the Annual Muskoka Awards. We love a good awards night and although it wasn't cheap, the fact that the event was being held at Red Leaves on Lake Rosseau seemed like a good reason to pay the dollars and take the drive.  http://www.redleavesmuskoka.com/ 

So it was into the posh frock and on with the cashmere. Leap into the CuRVy, punch JW Marriott at Rosseau into Mrs Garmin and up, up and away. Driving on any of the local roads is lovely and with the leaves on the deciduous trees displaying more and more colour the drive alone was worthwhile.


Arriving on time (wow) we found our way to the ballroom after looking at the lovely and no doubt expensive art that was on display. Surprisingly we found our way to the bar!!!! Some things never change....

As with all awards of this type there are many deserving nominees and the judges have the difficult decision of selecting one winner. Unfortunately I didn't get the opportunity to make an acceptance speech, maybe the assembled crowd was lucky! None the less it was a great night.

Following a very relaxing sleep and the by now traditional Saturday morning cooked  breakfast we headed off with picnic basket packed in search of art. September 24 &25 had been on our calendar for some time as it was the date of the 33rd Annual Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour. www.muskokaautumnstudiotour.com

Art of all types was part of the Tour and the brocure included a map of the Muskoka area with the artists curriculum vitae and directions to find each studio. Deciding to head for the most northerly studio we were pleasantly surprised that the light rain was diminishing as we drove. The further we travelled the more vivid the colours became... 

So even without the art the scenery would have made the trip worthwhile. As for the art. We have to continually remind ourselves that we need to get all our treasure home in December. 




Studios visited on day one included those of Catharine O'Mara, Brian Markham, Susan Higgins, Charles Knapp, Marni Martin, Beverley Hawksley and the Lindgren Pottery. We fell in love with and could have bought items at each place. It was all good!!! 

Even better than the art were the artists themselves. They were welcoming, friendly and were happy to take time to talk with a couple of random Aussies. And the snacks, coffee and hot apple cider were pretty good as well!!!

I may have forgotten to mention that as well as Awards and Art there was a concert thrown in to the mix. The first of the Coffee House Concert Series  http://www.muskokaplace.ca/pages/coffee.htm was on and although we were a little weary we took note of that great Canadian saying "Suck it up Princess", ate some dinner and picked up Dianne, Susan and Gary and headed out for an evening of flamenco guitar!

Good would definitely be an understatement if you wanted to describe Gary Santucci http://www.feicanada.org/files/Gary%20Santucci%20Bio.pdf he was not only a great guitarist and a  nice guy he is doing wonderful things in Hamilton. Great end to a wonderful day. Sound sleep again!!!!!

Autumn Studio Tour Day Two was much closer to home and again the studios were fabulous and the hospitality continued.... But we were very disciplined and came away with only a book, a card, heaps of photos of trees and great memories. A tour like this may work in the Narooma, Tilba, Bermagui, Quaama area. May be worth thinking about MACS....

15 Miles on the Erie Canal

What an interesting night. Following a very good and very cheap meal at the New Great Wall restuarant we were entertained by fellow travellers in a nearby room. Entertainment plus, lol. But the room itself was very comfortable and even I slept well.
Breakfast was provided with the room and we took advantage!!

Unfortunately we were leaving town a day before we would have liked as Salamanca, NY and the Dudley had been charming. When you have hotel view like this, guard dogs like Bandit and Buffy and a Musuem that looks like this.......









There were only a couple of things planned for the final day of our trip. Getting home and prepared for Jeff's arrival and to take a ferry ride on the Erie Canal. A few years ago I was loaned a Bruce Springsteen CD "We shall overcome - The Seeger Sessions - (thanks Jaimey). One of the tracks on the CD and the accompaning DVD was "Low Bridge - Fifteen Miles on the Erie Canal", that track,the CD and the DVD showed just how good American  music can be.

Low Bridge
By Thomas S. Allen
I've got a mule, her name is Sal
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal
She's a good old worker and a good old pal
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal
We've hauled some barges in our day
Filled with lumber, coal, and hay
And we know every inch of the way
From Albany to Buffalo
Chorus:
Low bridge, everybody down
Low bridge cause we're coming to a town
And you'll always know your neighbor
And you'll always know your pal
If you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal
Get up there Sal, we've passed that lock,
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal
And we'll make Rome before six o'clock
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal
One more trip and back we'll go
Through the rain and sleet and snow
And we know every inch of the way
From Albany to Buffalo
Low bridge, everybody down
Low bridge for we're coming to a town
And you'll always know your neighbor
And you'll always know your pal
If you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal.

Travelling to Lockport to get to the ferry was easier than we thought (thanks to Mrs Garmin) and although the day was a little dreary it was a comfortable morning drive. As we drove through Orchard Park NY we looked for Ralph Wilson Stadium where we'd be in a week without success.

When we did did get to Lockport we did find our Barge but we didn't find Sal. The trip was interesting, the locks fascinating and the knowledge that if we had a boat we could travel for 584km (363 miles) amazing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erie_Canal
Mmmmm another time maybe....

A very peaceful couple of hours but I wish they'd use the "Boss's" version of Low Bridge on the ferry........ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roqhd3yG3Qk&feature=related

After that break it was back to reality, into the CuRVy, on with Mrs Garmin, press go home, goodbye to the USA, back over the border and into the Great White North.

ps while writing this (late) post I've been listening to Bruce Springsteen on YouTube. I've got to see him live!!!!!!

From PA to Salamanca

Refreshed after a sound sleep we headed for the Motel pool but disappointed to find it only opens at 9am, instead expended some energy in the well appointed gym and made our exit by 9.30am. Rather than spend of lot of money and time we prepared breakfast in the comfort of our room punched a few directions into Mrs Garmin and headed west in cloudy/ foggy conditions on Interstate 76.

Even following the highway I realised how wrong I had been in my thinking of what we would see in our brief stay in Pennsylvania. Sure, we didn't travel to either Pittsburg or Philadelphia and we had seen the lush farmlands of the Dutch Country but I had not expected to be travelling though rugged mountains and wonderful forests. I guess that is why I hope we can keep travelling there is so much to learn.

Mountains had been made easier for general traffic and for the CuRVy by a series of long tunnels on what was becoming an increasingly foggy day. The probable reason for the fog was that the elevation of the mountains was actually considerable and one of the mountains that we went under was actually the highest point until you reached the Rockies. Didn't slow the mighty CuRVy nor the Frost team. Only one thing slows us down and that is another travel option.......


So after passing signs for a few more "burgs" we  took the hint......

and headed for the road less travelled. Now going north on PA 120 passing by the delightfully named Hollidaysburg which at times like this quite true.

Dense forests now surrounded us and with the Interstate long gone we were in some ways on a road very similar to the very familiar Highway 1 in Australia which will be the rooad that takes us from Sydney to Narooma in 2012. A very relaxing and scenic drive which was broken by the very occassional farmhouse and the even less occassional town.


We had planned for this to be a picnic day and with my hunger pangs increasing we noted the lack of roadside picnic tables that seems to be true in both Canada and the USA. Oh well the weather exactly suitable for eating outside for the greater part of the year and there are no shortage of restaurants over here. And as they say "seek and ye shall find"..

Suitably saited it was back aboard the CuRVy and on through more delightful scenery with one brief stop to look at a great woodworking gallery (and a Hershey Ice Cream) before arriving at our abode nor the night. The towns and huses were again lovely and it was a pity that we didn't have time to stop and explore a bit more. Next time maybe......

You are never really sure about just how true the description of a hotel in Hotels.com is, but when a hotel has hosted a US President (Franklin D Roosevelt) entertainers like the Drifters and a Heavyweight Champion of the World (Larry Holmes) it had to be good!!!

The Hotel Dudley was!!!

Dutch Country Roads to Gettysburg

Refreshed after a good night we woke early and headed past quite a lot of "Burgs" and through Lancaster toward a country breakfast at Miller's Smorgasbord at Ronks PA. The breakfast was worth the one hour, 110km (55 mile) drive, for the names off some of the offerings alone. The place was meal, service and people were great. 

http://www.millerssmorgasbord.com/breakfast.php As usual we had to try at least a little of everything which took a little time but it was well and truly worth it. We had a long chat with Brenda, our server, who was raised in a Mennonite family in the area and was able to tell us a little of the various local religions. Pennsylvania has since the time it was Granted by King Charles II to William Penn in 1681 been known for it's Freedom of Religious Conviction. This wide variety of religions continues today. 





The Amish are one of those religious groups and are evident all along the roads and the farms of the area are amazing. Not using motorised farm equipment or transport doesn't seem to hinder good farmers or good farms but the soil seems good and moisture is abundant. 


Following Brenda's sugested route we headed through her home town of Strasburg thiough we just missed out on Intercourse. IT'S a TOWN!!!!

We followed the "road less travelled" which while slower gave us the opportunity to see more of the wonderful farmland along the Dutch Country Roads. There wasn't a lot of traffic but some of the traffic was interesting to a couple of Aussies. And the houses in the towns along the road are wonderful

We had stopped at a wonderful lookout at the Pinnacle Overlook which gave us a great view of the Susquehanna River. The river was showing evidence of the rain that had fallen as a result of Hurricane Irene. On the way back to the more main road we  stopped and bought some fresh rasberries at a roadside stall that were as sweet as I've ever tasted. Mmmmmm!

Crossing the Susquehanna we headed through more delightful towns and productive farmland before we arrived at Gettysburg. We were pleased that the Visitors Centre and Museum were open to 6 pm. Three hours didn't really do justice to the Museum nor to the sound and light show with Morgan Freeman narrating the Gettysburg Cyclorama http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gettysburg_Cyclorama

Julie and I were amazed and overawed at being on the Gettysburg Battleground. The place where the Confederate and Union Armies had fought and where so many lives had been lost during the three days of the battle.

The words of the Gettysburg Address are as powerful now are as they were when President Lincoln delivered them on November 19th 1863.

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

After that sobering end to the day we wound our way back to our room but not before stopping at a "Bob Evans" Restuarant http://bobevans.com/ for a very nice dinner. After a shower and a glass of wine in bed at 11.

4 Days in PA

It was the last week of the summer vacation and with a week before Jeff arrived we decided that a journey over the border and into the USA would be a good option. There were numerous reasons for this trip but high on this list was the need to renew our US Visa waiver to make a trip to watch the Buffalo Bills during Jeff's visit. Other Aussie's we'd been speaking with had horror stories of long waits to get this "Green Card" renewed and we wanted our time with Jeff to be as trouble free as possible.

So it was back into the CuRVy and past the only bear that we've seen in Canada. Oh well this bear is very photogenic and apart from that, the unnamed building behind it does sell a cheap coffee and muffin and although not a Montague Roasters coffee it is reasonable and the muffins are OK and low fat. "What more do I want" lol!!


Our destination for the evenin was Francesca and Ken's place at Waterdown. A good evening with entertaining host's followed. Ken is an exchange teacher who is working at a high school. Whenever we get together a fun night follows.

Up early the next morning up early, coordinates of the next night's accommoddation into Mrs Garmin and off to the border crossing at Lewiston and into the short lineup.We must have been lucky or perhaps it was Julie's smile but we were greeted by a friendly border guard who directed
 us into the Border Security building. Upon entering the building we greeted by another smiling person who had the forms filled in for us and only needed a signiture and US$6. Too easy!!!! What a good start?

With the early start we had forgone breakfast and we decided to head into a "restuarant" for a coffee and a snack. There were two alternatives and the option of Tim Horton's coffee we chose Checker's. The coffee was better than Tim's but I can't really get excited by "drip" coffee. Oh well the food was nice.

Avoiding the "Interstates" we headed through small towns and through the fertile farmlands of New York State towards the Pennsylvania Welcome Centre at Tioga after buying some wine at the Great Wester Winery. Wine was average but we bought a bottle. One thing that is noticeable about the small towns is that the quality of the housing is at its best in the centre of town and declines somewhat as you leave. Another  interesting thing is the number of "Adult Shops and Gentlemen's Clubs" that appear just outside of town.

Oh well the United States is a place of great diversity and that is just one of the many reasons I like visiting.

Crossing the Pennsylvania boder at Tioga we were remainded of another reason. The USA is a place of great natural beauty full of friendly, helpful people. The Visitors Centre, aopart from being a great resource for information was in a great setting. And there are often great homemade treats available...

When we decided on this trip we didn't really expect to be winding through steep rock cuttings and dense, deciduous forest along Highway 15. Surprising and delighting us we started to become aware of just how wild, rugged and diverse Pennsylvania was. Hunger pangs forced the next stop and although a Subway lunch is not unusual the setting for lunch was. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/team1/page.jsp?ymd=20050517&content_id=6823&vkey=team1_t449&fext=.jsp&sid=t449 Bowman Field had a great picnic area just outside what looked a great place to be any time the Williamsport Crosscutters were playing.

Unfortunately the Crosscutters weren't playing until the evening and we had a long way to go. So after watching some fielding practice and enjoying some food sitting outside on a lovely day we boarded the CuRVy and headed south along the valley of the Susquehanna River.

We headed through Harrisburg to the Hotel Carlyle which would be our accommodation for the next 2 nights. After a swim in the very nice pool and some exercise we headed further into Carlyle for a meal at a local Greek Restuarant.



Home for bed after a long, enjoyable and enlightening day.....

2 Days in Tobermory - not too hard!!!

As I sort of suspected while laying awake listening to the wind on a warm humid night the threat of hurricane force winds put paid to our trip to Flowerpot Island. After a lovely relaxed breakfast we headed to the beach. Yes, there are beaches on the Bruce Peninsula, and yes, they are nice on a day when the weather is delightful and improving by the minute.

Now the Tobermory beaches don't quite resemble what I would call a beach at home but in case you have missed it we're about 25,000km from Narooma Main beach and not planning to head that way for four months. And while it didn't have the pristine white sand or anything resembling a wave it was nice for us to put the picnic basket down and lay in the sun and take in some necessary Vitamin D.

 

Even more importantly the time at Singing Sands beach gave us the opportunity to catch up on the 10 weeks Julie and I had been apart. You might notice people in the background in the water and although they appeard to be having fun the thought of trudging over 200 metres (220 yards) of hot sand didn't appeal too much. So having satisfied our need for the sun we headed back to our Wireless Bay Cottage and the dock...



Starting to sound like a Muskoka Cottager aren't I? LOL!!!

Well the afternoon was full of nothing really important and it was gooood. Swimming, sunbathing, reading, eating and drinking.

 I know it's a cliche but it was just "what the Doctor ordered"...... Unfortunately we only had a day and a half of bliss but made full use of every hour before heading back to Gravenhurst via Marianna and Greg's at Collingwood. The reason for us leaving Tobermory was to attend a volunteers Pot Luck at Grace & Speed which was a good reintroduction for Julie to the town that is home for 2011.

Time is flying by

After a 10 week break the Ontario (and points east) Odyssey clicked back into gear the moment we got back to 460 Sarah. Having done the Surrey exchange in 2007 we were aware that the second half of the year was going to fly by and with this in mind after we got home we headed out again.

We'd travelled through Tobermory on our way to Manitoulin Island in May and our brief stay had told us that we needed to return and see for ourselves just how clear the water was and whether the sunsets were as good as they were reputed to be. And for those that are interested, and I am, Tobermory is at the northern tip of the BRUCE Peninsular. http://www.thebrucepeninsula.com/index.html So it had to be good!!!! 

So it was back to my normal position in the CuRVy. Some unkind people when watching me play sport have mentioned that the words Frosty and Passenger go hand in hand but as far as driving goes these days I must prefer to see this person behind the wheel. And after all I think I deserve a chauffeur or at least someone who knows a little bit about what they're doing. And the company is very nice!!!

Flowerboxes are quite an item in Canada, as are gardens in general, but if Australia had a year that includes more than 7 months of winter maybe we'd be as fanatical about enjoying the summer. It would help us Aussies if we actually had more precipitation! Whatever the reason it seems to me that Canadians and their various levels of Government are more interested in the beautification of their towns. 

A brief stop at Timmy's ( http://www.timhortons.com/ ) at C......wood allowed Julie and I to reacquaint  with what had become a staple of our travelling diet. We were not after the Tim Bits and definately not the coffee (the less said about the coffee the better, sorry Canadians), it was the soup and the chili we wanted. One thing in Timmy's favour is that the service is always great and the food fresh.

Heading along the wonderfully named Bruce Peninsula with hunger satisfied the day was nicer and nicer and it also seemed that this part of the continent had been spared the ravages of Irene. Even Mrs Garmin was showing her best behavior and we wheeled the CuRVy into the reception area at Wireless Bay Cottages http://www.blueheronco.com/Wirelessbay/home.htm.

And the weather this day was a good as that displayed on their Webpage! With the weather fine and a lovely sunset promised we took advantage of the offer that came with the apartment and decided on the sunset cruise rather than waiting for the other option of a morning trip to Flowerpot Island.

http://www.blueheronco.com/Boats/gbh/SunsetCruise/home.htm 

While the photographs in the brochures looked amazing it was better in real life....

 

Kind of a "wow" way to finish a great day. "And weren't we lucky with the weather".