Canadian Buffoon's Semi-EPIC Vacation - 10/29 - Link to new TR!

[Tracy161]

We headed out with our first goal
of reaching Peanut Island.
This is a vast island a few hundred
yards offshore that harbours a
huge quantity of flora and fauna.

I was gonna say, bit of an oversell on "peanut"...

I may have exaggerated a bit
when I said it was "vast".
But it is an island.

Nevertheless, it didn't take very long
to explore every nook and cranny.
(Official count, 2 nooks, 3 crannies.)

...but I guess you eventually 'fessed up.

and both of them,
back in '05.

This is THE cutest picture!!! Of course, as beautiful as they both became as young ladies, it should surprise no one they were little cuties back in '05... the year I graduated college

We played a round of mini-golf
under threatening skies,
where I trounced her 50-54.

Another round of exaggeration, ya think?

The area looks so beautiful!

 

[pkondz]

I was gonna say, bit of an oversell on "peanut"...


...but I guess you eventually 'fessed up.

And yet... for me it was so much
fun to visit it.
Seen it for literally decades...
yet never been!

This is THE cutest picture!!! Of course, as beautiful as they both became as young ladies, it should surprise no one they were little cuties back in '05... the year I graduated college

Thanks, Tracy.
Graduated in '05?
You're just a wee lass!

Another round of exaggeration, ya think?

Nope! Completely dominated
and destroyed her in Putt Putt.

The area looks so beautiful!

It is... and considering there's
nothing around here except prairie...
It's nice to find forest and lakes just
an hour and a half away.

 

[pkondz]

Your grandfather was part of "the greatest generation".

Yes, I suppose he was.

I would think so. The Cold War started after WWII.

I'm not sure if it was right after.
The Russians were technically
allies during the war.
Hmmm... my dad does talk
about escaping from the East
so... yeah, I guess he was there
during the Cold War.

Yikes!

Oh, he has some stories...

Yes prisoners did escape but luckily none did while we were there.

This is probably a very good thing.

I would expect nothing less.

Okay...

To be honest...
After I posted that, I was stressing
and was going to change it.
I don't want to lose a good friend.

 

[MeghanEmily]

Too bad. The old Soarin'
was so great.

I've heard that - wish I'd experienced it! Though I definitely still enjoy the new Soarin'

And yes. I've been...
Um, I suppose the closest I've
been to a polar bear is...
a few inches.
(Just out of his reach in a Tundra Buggy)

Oh my goodness.

I was right. It couldn't be better.
It was downright awful.
First off... I guess the truth is,
really good corn on the cob
only needs two things.
Butter. And salt.
That's it.
Nothing else.

Oh no! How disappointing!

Agreed about the butter and salt bit. Totally. Sometimes we add things like lime and chilli powder and whatnot into the mix. But nothing really beats salt and butter and good hot corn.

She loves guac.
I on the other hand, do not.

Interesting! I would have taken you to be a guac fan. I'm not a fanatic, but I do like it from time to time.

Did I mention yet, the love bugs?
They were everywhere!
Worst I've ever seen.
Apparently it was the worst
Florida's seen in years, too.

Yuck! I heard they were terrible.

"Hey..." She whimpered.
She put her food down, and...

Oh gosh, ew. Glad she noticed!

Unfortunately, they were just starting
the last song of their set.
Still... it was enough for a small taste.
They're so good. Love hearing them.

Too bad you didn't catch much, but better than nothing. They're so good! I have a music degree, and I like to think I have pretty good taste when it comes to this stuff, and they really are excellent. I was speaking with one of the singers after watching them once and complimenting them on their ensemble (i.e. how they sing together with all the voices balanced and everyone in sync) and she was gracious and said that no matter how long they've been at this they still practice every day. Love it!

I love when there are signs
telling me what things are.
Then I can just roll their names
out as if I had any idea what
I was talking about.

However, while we were sitting,
enjoying the blessed air conditioning,
a thought occurred to me.
I reached out and gently nudged
a grain of sand with an outstretched finger.
The grain didn't budge.
The entire display was glued solid.

Now I know why it looked so nicely
raked after a day of having little monsters...
er… lovely children being allowed
to drag their hands through it.

Oh my goodness, sneaky! I've never even thought of this before.

And no matter how hard she tried,
it just would not type letters
corresponding to anything entered.

Woops!

I took this photo, because it
encapsulates fathers everywhere,
but especially at Disney:

And this was the first time
I'd seen anyone order sushi here.
I was very surprised to see him
heat them on the grill!

I was thinking the same thing. I've never seen anyone order sushi there before.

When he served the appetizer,
he deadpan said. "Bon Appetit, eh?"

It sounded so natural, that I didn't even
notice it at first. Just kinda nodded thanks.
Then I jerked my head up and looked at him
sharply. He just grinned. I laughed.

he had to reach far over and a bit over my plate
in order to get her food to her.
He said. "Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry" in rapid succession.
I just thought he was being polite...

oh.

Polite!
Again, the grin.

This guy's awesome!

Instead I heard:
"Good evening, this is the front desk.
Is everything all right with your room?"

I was perplexed.
I mean... it's nice that they want to make
sure everything is fine, but...
At eleven o'clock at night???

I answered that everything was fine...

"Sorry to bother you, but the room
directly below you is reporting
water leaking from the ceiling."

Oh. OH!
Whoopsie.
Well, not my fault you didn't
plumb the tub properly.

I explained that I'd had a bath
and that must be where the water
was from.
They asked if they needed to send
someone to clean anything up.
I assured her that we were fine,
said goodnight, hung up the phone...
A brief thought passed through my head.
"I hope that got them an upgrade, at least."

Oh my good gracious!! How awful. Taking a bath should not mean dripping water on the downstairs neighbours! I agree that hopefully they got an upgrade.

Nevertheless, it didn't take very long
to explore every nook and cranny.
(Official count, 2 nooks, 3 crannies.)

Fun!!

and both of them,
back in '05.

This is sweet!

 

[vamassey1]

Okay...

To be honest...
After I posted that, I was stressing
and was going to change it.
I don't want to lose a good friend.

No worries. It harder than that to get rid of me.

 

[buzzrelly]

So you're saying the show's not worth it?

Honestly, I have no idea. My 15 year old DD might think so

 

[Tracy161]

And yet... for me it was so much
fun to visit it.
Seen it for literally decades...
yet never been!

Oh I bet it was so neat to finally be on the place that you've seen all these years [and now pkondz inserts joke about his age... ]

Thanks, Tracy.
Graduated in '05?
You're just a wee lass!

36 years young right?!

Nope! Completely dominated
and destroyed her in Putt Putt.

 

[dolewhipdreams]

What a neat way to have some one on one time. Sounds like it was a beautiful weekend (minus the rain on the way back). I don't spend enough time with my dad and this has inspired me to set something up with him!

 

[pkondz]

I've heard that - wish I'd experienced it! Though I definitely still enjoy the new Soarin'

I like the new Soarin'...
But I refuse to see it
from anywhere except
dead center.

Oh my goodness.

Cute... just don't try to
pet one.

Oh no! How disappointing!

Agreed about the butter and salt bit. Totally. Sometimes we add things like lime and chilli powder and whatnot into the mix. But nothing really beats salt and butter and good hot corn.

Well, I've had some since.
Much better!
Now just waiting on some
local corn. Yumm!

Interesting! I would have taken you to be a guac fan.

Oh? Why is that?

I'm not a fanatic, but I do like it from time to time.

I'll eat it.
A little bit.
I'm very "meh" about it.
It's not like... coconut.

Yuck! I heard they were terrible.

Oh, no.
They were much worse.

Oh gosh, ew. Glad she noticed!

Just in the nick of time.

Too bad you didn't catch much, but better than nothing. They're so good! I have a music degree, and I like to think I have pretty good taste when it comes to this stuff, and they really are excellent. I was speaking with one of the singers after watching them once and complimenting them on their ensemble (i.e. how they sing together with all the voices balanced and everyone in sync) and she was gracious and said that no matter how long they've been at this they still practice every day. Love it!

I remember your Christmas Carol
video that I watched of you.
You guys were pretty darned good too!

Oh my goodness, sneaky! I've never even thought of this before.

Now I want to make sure
the outdoor ones are not glued.
I'm almost positive they aren't though.

Woops!

Time to update the equipment...
and the ride, Disney.

I was thinking the same thing. I've never seen anyone order sushi there before.

Me neither!
I mean... why?
I guess if everyone else is
wanting teppanyaki and you don't?

This guy's awesome!

He was!

Oh my good gracious!! How awful. Taking a bath should not mean dripping water on the downstairs neighbours! I agree that hopefully they got an upgrade.

Probably?
I'll never know.

I'm okay with that.

Fun!!

It was!

This is sweet!

Thanks!

 

[pkondz]

No worries. It harder than that to get rid of me.

 

[pkondz]

Honestly, I have no idea. My 15 year old DD might think so

I might wind up watching.
I saw season 1 and enjoyed it.
But haven't seen season 2.

Hmmm... maybe?

 

[pkondz]

Oh I bet it was so neat to finally be on the place that you've seen all these years [and now pkondz inserts joke about his age... ]

Yep! Been over a century now.

Joke? Joke?
Being old and decrepit
(i.e. me) is no joke you
young whipper snapper!

36 years young right?!

There's no way you're in
your 30s. I've met you.

 

[pkondz]

What a neat way to have some one on one time. Sounds like it was a beautiful weekend (minus the rain on the way back). I don't spend enough time with my dad and this has inspired me to set something up with him!

I really treasure these times.
I've been to Germany one on one
with my Dad and was very glad of that.
Hopefully doing something with
my Mom (and possibly sister) in Spring.

 

[docsoliday1]

A few weeks ago, Kay,
my youngest DD(18),
asked if we could go
camping for a couple days
at the lake we like to frequent.

Very cool.

Arm sufficiently twisted
(matches my mind)

Um...no...pretty sure your arm could never be sufficiently twisted to equal your mind.

As the departure date approached,
the forecast started looking less
and less favourable.

Ruh roh!

We'd return sometime on Monday,
hopefully avoiding any forecast
thunderstorms.

Sounds like a good plan.

On Saturday, I spent some time
cooking up some Rice Krispie squares,
potato salad and chopping veggies.

Rice Krispie squares...one of the only ways I'll eat marshmallows.
Veggies???? What???

A bit of shopping for a few other
necessities (i.e. chips) and we were set.

I thought you had said at one time you'd gone many many years without chips. Did you fall off the wagon?

Since we rarely have humid days,
those temps are just this side of perfect.
No... they're perfect.

It's amazing to me how 84 can be perfect and 94 can be horrible. On the other hand, we do have bad humidity here so it makes it feel hotter. Funny, when I was stationed at Nellis AFB (Las Vegas), everyone always tried to tell me it wasn't bad because it was a dry heat. I disagree. At least when you sweat in humid areas, the sweat does actually cool you vs. evaporate immediately and cool you not at all.

We were here to kick back and relax.
so keeping close track of time wasn't
high on the list of priorities.

Sounds like a great day/plan.

We didn't have a list of priorities.

EVEN BETTER!!

We headed out with our first goal
of reaching Peanut Island.
This is a vast island a few hundred
yards offshore that harbours a
huge quantity of flora and fauna.

huge? Cool, looking forward to seeing it.

I may have exaggerated a bit
when I said it was "vast".
But it is an island.

Exaggerated a bit????
Kinda like saying Mt Everest is a hill exaggerating?

And it does have flora and fauna.
See? I count at least three trees,
(one of which was dead... details)
and I saw at least one spider.
So... totally justified.

I see more than three trees, although I see no spider, so not buying it.

The weird thing was
(and I didn't find this out
until later) was that there
was cell reception out there...

That's surprising.

My only guess was there was a cell
tower somewhere and the relative
flat surface of the lake let the signals
carry further.

One of those "trees" was actually a cell tower, I bet.

Nevertheless, it didn't take very long
to explore every nook and cranny.
(Official count, 2 nooks, 3 crannies.)

You sit on a throne of lies.
I see at least 4 nooks and 8 crannies.

Okay, well, maybe you're not lying, but just numerically challenged.

She looks quite happy!

We stopped when we felt like it
and paddled when we felt like that.
It was a pretty chill afternoon.

Sounds like a very relaxing way to spend the afternoon.
Chill? I thought you said it was 84F?

As much as I love that photo on WEDway, I think this might be better. Especially if you get to hot, you just roll over and problem solved.

View of our site from the tents.

Spectacular view (not)

One can also throw it at people
who make noise in the middle
of the night, but then one
goes to jail, no matter how justified.)

Only if you get caught.

We roasted up some Smokeys
(Smoked sausage. Similar, but
thicker than a regular wiener)
and chowed down.

Mmmmm....Smokeys!

Nothing like open air and cooking
over an open flame to make a meal
taste great!

Truth!

We got to the top of the hill
and I had Kay pose for a photo.

I'd taken the same shot of Elle
when I'd last camped here with
her back in '14...

and both of them,
back in '05.

Pretty girls. Glad they didn't get their looks from you.

The view from the top:

Significantly better than your campsite view.

And... yes. I did ask Kay
if she wanted s'more.
(She did want, and she ate s'more.)

Are you sure? I think you might have to tell me s'more to convince me.

I threw firewood at them.
They did eventually quiet down, but...

See? And you're not in jail.
(I think)

Lunch was egg salad sammies, left-over
chips, veggies and dip, and potato salad.

Still more rabbit food...otherwise, sounds good.

I was still full from lunch, so passed.
(Okay... I ate 2 of the 6 she ordered.)

I was about to say you sit on a throne of lies again, but noticed you quickly fessed up.

 

[docsoliday1]

You're the second person
that's mentioned pepper.
Interesting.
That's never occurred to me.

DW likes pepper on hers as well, but I'm with you...just salt. (and butter of course)

There's no way you're in
your 30s. I've met you.

Tracey, not sure...this could either be a big compliment or a huge insult...depending on how he doesn't believe you're in your 30s.

 

[pkondz]

Very cool.

Not too shabby.

Um...no...pretty sure your arm could never be sufficiently twisted to equal your mind.

Okay...
This is true.
I'll give you that one.

Rice Krispie squares...one of the only ways I'll eat marshmallows.

But not s'mores?

Veggies???? What???

Look. This was her choice.
If it was up to me...
That never would've happened!

I thought you had said at one time you'd gone many many years without chips. Did you fall off the wagon?

Yes and no.
Details later.

It's amazing to me how 84 can be perfect and 94 can be horrible. On the other hand, we do have bad humidity here so it makes it feel hotter. Funny, when I was stationed at Nellis AFB (Las Vegas), everyone always tried to tell me it wasn't bad because it was a dry heat. I disagree. At least when you sweat in humid areas, the sweat does actually cool you vs. evaporate immediately and cool you not at all.

Gotta disagree with that.
When it's humid, the air is saturated
and sweat evaporates more slowly.
When the humidity is high enough,
the body's cooling system doesn't work
as well since sweat evaporates slowly.
Or not at all.

Sounds like a great day/plan.

huge? Cool, looking forward to seeing it.

That thing was massive!

Exaggerated a bit????
Kinda like saying Mt Everest is a hill exaggerating?

Don't you mean the reverse?

I see more than three trees, although I see no spider, so not buying it.

I wasn't sure if that fourth one
was a tree or just a big weed.

That's surprising.

Very. I would've thought the opposite.

One of those "trees" was actually a cell tower, I bet.

That's it!

You sit on a throne of lies.
I see at least 4 nooks and 8 crannies.

Okay, well, maybe you're not lying, but just numerically challenged.

Those aren't real.
They're clever illusions to
fool the unwary kayaker.

She looks quite happy!

Sounds like a very relaxing way to spend the afternoon.
Chill? I thought you said it was 84F?

As much as I love that photo on WEDway, I think this might be better. Especially if you get to hot, you just roll over and problem solved.

Except make sure you have a
life jacket on.
Not much tougher than
trying to get back in a kayak.
And at that point it was about
300' deep.

Spectacular view (not)

Yeah.. but close to the beach!

Only if you get caught.

Did I not say how many
potential witnesses were around?

Mmmmm....Smokeys!

Yep!

Pretty girls. Glad they didn't get their looks from you.

Definitely not from me!
Perish the thought!!!!

Significantly better than your campsite view.

But... but... it's a view
of our campsite!

Are you sure? I think you might have to tell me s'more to convince me.

oy

See? And you're not in jail.
(I think)

They let me out to use a 'puter
for an hour every day.

Still more rabbit food...otherwise, sounds good.

I didn't say I ate it.
(Actually, I did.
I like dip. The veggies are just
a vehicle to bring it to my mouth.)

I was about to say you sit on a throne of lies again, but noticed you quickly fessed up.

Nothing but pure, unadulterated
truth on this TR.

 

[pkondz]

DW likes pepper on hers as well, but I'm with you...just salt. (and butter of course)

It may be the best thing in the world...
And I may never know.
I'm just gonna stick with the basic two.

Tracey, not sure...this could either be a big compliment or a huge insult...depending on how he doesn't believe you're in your 30s.

Don't try muddying the water, mister.
She knew exactly what I meant.
It's obvious she's in her twenties.

 

[MeghanEmily]

I like the new Soarin'...
But I refuse to see it
from anywhere except
dead center.

Agreed.

Oh? Why is that?

I'll eat it.
A little bit.
I'm very "meh" about it.
It's not like... coconut.

I'm not sure why, exactly. Maybe I just have some kind of a schema in my head of what a person who doesn't like guac is like, and you didn't fit that mold? I don't really remembering having experienced you showing a dislike for many foods, which the obvious exception of coconut. You also tend to have good insight to offer about lots of different food/snack items, and I guess I would have expected you to have excellent advice to offer about the best way to make/eat guac, just like you would with something like corn on the cob, or poutine.

I remember your Christmas Carol
video that I watched of you.
You guys were pretty darned good too!

Thanks! One of the few ways I've actually used my music degree for a job that makes money! I also developed a women's choir in the last year of my undergrad, and it was actually a pretty great group! But it gave me an idea of how difficult it is to achieve the level of mastery that Voices of Liberty is singing at!

 

[docsoliday1]

But not s'mores?

Nope. Graham crackers and chocolate, okay, but no marshmallows.

Look. This was her choice.
If it was up to me...
That never would've happened!

Uh huh!

Yes and no.
Details later.

Intriguing.

Gotta disagree with that.
When it's humid, the air is saturated
and sweat evaporates more slowly.
When the humidity is high enough,
the body's cooling system doesn't work
as well since sweat evaporates slowly.
Or not at all.

The problem was the sweat was gone immediately and it didn't cool at all...just dehydrated you.

Don't you mean the reverse?

Okay, maybe I should have said "just a hill"

Those aren't real.
They're clever illusions to
fool the unwary kayaker.

Wait...Kay's middle name is aker?

Except make sure you have a
life jacket on.
Not much tougher than
trying to get back in a kayak.
And at that point it was about
300' deep.

If it's a sit in kayak, just roll back over, but for sit on kayak, you're right.

Yeah.. but close to the beach!

Okay, I'll give you that. Just remember, I gave it to you, so I have the right to take it back.

I didn't say I ate it.
(Actually, I did.
I like dip. The veggies are just
a vehicle to bring it to my mouth.)

That's what fingers are for.

Nothing but pure, unadulterated
truth on this TR.

Peanut island = huge is pure, unadulterated truth? Okay, so not only do you sit on a throne of lies, you're also delusional. Got it.

Don't try muddying the water, mister.
She knew exactly what I meant.
It's obvious she's in her twenties.

Good save.

 

[docsoliday1]

I'm not sure why, exactly. Maybe I just have some kind of a schema in my head of what a person who doesn't like guac is like, and you didn't fit that mold?

Do you think I'd fit that mold? What does that mold look like? Just curious.

Thanks! One of the few ways I've actually used my music degree for a job that makes money! I also developed a women's choir in the last year of my undergrad, and it was actually a pretty great group! But it gave me an idea of how difficult it is to achieve the level of mastery that Voices of Liberty is singing at!

I think I may have seen that long ago, but if you wouldn't mind posting a link, I'd either like to see it again or the first time if I remember incorrectly.