Oct 30 2010 7 Night Western (PART 2)

[tjbaggott]

WOO HOO, FEE WIFI! Now THATS my kind of hotel!
What can I say..... "I WANT TO BE BACK HOME RIGHT NOW!" We left during a heat wave, had the air conditioning on most of the way here, but right now, it's like 7 degrees out (that would be about 41 or 42 for you American folk). It's Bloody Freezing and I only brought 1 pair of jeans, only short sleeved t's and a hoodie! But we made it here all in one piece (each).

We did great by leaving at 1:15 a.m. and drove straight through (stopped for a quick Tim Hortons Breakfast and 3 bathroom breaks) and arrived here at exactly 5pm! NO TRAFFIC whatsoever, plus going a few clicks over the speed limit, cut 4 hours off the total travel time! Only issue with driving last night was almost hitting a WOLF!! A Gorgeous Grey Wolf! I've never seen one before in my life, so that was pretty cool to see one last night. Sheri, I have some photos I'll share with you. All the way up here, there are signs along the highway indicating caution at nighttime because of moose and bears (never mentioned any wolves). I have photos of those signs, and a photo of Tim with a GIANT MOOSE statue! If on the way home, I see a real moose, I'll be sure to take a photo!
Went out for dinner with my guys tonight. Our last dinner with DS17 till Christmas! It was cramped in the back seat on the way here, but manageable. Tomorrow is move into the Dorm day for DS, and other DS is getting adjusted to the fact that Geoffery Efferory (as he calls him), is not coming home with us! The train runs between here and Ottawa, so we'll probably have him come home for Christmas by train.

My son, not impressed with the weather, standing at the Terry Fox Lookout, overlooking the Bay:

[/IMG]

We gave him his gift. I included with the book a two page handwritten note for my son, from me, his mom. He read the book to Tim, and Geoffrey's voice was shaking after the first few lines (he was trying SO hard to not be emotional!):

[/IMG]

I'll post other photos once I'm back home, if anyone wants to see. Leaving Sunday and will be home Monday. Don't think we'll do the drive straight through on the way back though.

 

[threeiscrazy]

WOO HOO, FEE WIFI! Now THATS my kind of hotel!
W Only issue with driving last night was almost hitting a WOLF!! A Gorgeous Grey Wolf! I've never seen one before in my life, so that was pretty cool to see one last night. Sheri, I have some photos I'll share with you. All the way up here, there are signs along the highway indicating caution at nighttime because of moose and bears (never mentioned any wolves). I have photos of those signs, and a photo of Tim with a GIANT MOOSE statue! If on the way home, I see a real moose,



We gave him his gift. I included with the book a two page handwritten note for my son, from me, his mom. He read the book to Tim, and Geoffrey's voice was shaking after the first few lines (he was trying SO hard to not be emotional!):


I'll post other photos once I'm back home, if anyone wants to see. Leaving Sunday and will be home Monday. Don't think we'll do the drive straight through on the way back though.

Free Wi Fi makes everything, even the cold weather, better.

I can't wait to see the pictures of the wolf! The only one we saw was through a spotting scope. Samantha said they looked like big German Shepards. The "naturists" (? is that even a word?) observing them didn't care for her description, but I thought from where we were viewing she was spot on. And you know I need a good picture of a Moose.

I love that book Judy, and to be fair I can start tearing up reading it even when it's not a gift for someone going on to that next stage in life.

Be safe coming home & enjoy having Tim in the car all by himself.

 

[tjbaggott]

Free Wi Fi makes everything, even the cold weather, better.

I can't wait to see the pictures of the wolf! The only one we saw was through a spotting scope. Samantha said they looked like big German Shepards. The "naturists" (? is that even a word?) observing them didn't care for her description, but I thought from where we were viewing she was spot on. And you know I need a good picture of a Moose.

I love that book Judy, and to be fair I can start tearing up reading it even when it's not a gift for someone going on to that next stage in life.

Be safe coming home & enjoy having Tim in the car all by himself.

I never got a picture of the wolf. It was something that happened so quickly and then he was gone. He ran across the highway, in our path, DH put the brakes on, began to swerve into the other lane (no other traffic in either direction), then the wolf seemed to get off the road, so Dh got back into our lane, then the wolf jumped back out in front of us. By this point DH had slowed enough, that if we hit him or he ran into us, the vehicle wouldn't be damaged, and he likely would have survived, But then suddenly he was back off into the woods. All this took place in 10 seconds or less, and it was just before 4 a.m. No picture just my memory.

One other thing I forgot to mention, mid afternoon, we are still on our merry way here. Up ahead on the road, we notice red tail lights, brakes on, which triggers a reflex of cautionary driving. I slowed down, and as we got closer, we realized it was a pickup truck pulled over to the side of the road, and a tree lying completely across our lane. It was a two lane highway, all the way here. The guy in the truck was a local, we assume, and he was on his phone or radio. We moved our way around the tree, and do hope that guy stayed till help came. It was in the middle of no where out there. How the tree fell, I've no idea. We never saw lightening, and although it was windy, it wasn't windy enough to knock over a tree. Who knows? That was around 4pm. Lots of traffic going the opposite direction we were, and I do hope there was no issues with that tree.
Planning on sleeping in, in the morning, as I didn't really sleep last night. I can rest in a moving vehicle at night, but not sleep. I'm too worried about animals, near misses, and last night it rained all the way here. My eyesight is not the best at night as it is, and when rain is added into the mix, it's really bad. So DH drove from 1 till 9:30, then I took over till 3pm. While he drove that last little bit, I wrote my thoughts out to my son. We had the laptop with us so the boys could watch movies, but Tim could not understand why we didn't have internet. That was a funny hour of trying to explain how internet works!
Anyway, gotta catch some sleep. If I see another wolf, I vow to try to get a photo!

 

[figmentnnemo]

Jiminy was out on our last cruise

 

[mmouse37]

Have safe travels.... and I just have to say- in my house we are HUGE DR Seuss fans- that book is, has to be, one of his best- it trancends age, it's a great thing for a newborn or a kid going to college, an amazing gift! And you have a fabulous long weekend, too!!

Our youngest DD graduated college in June and her big sister (who is a Kindergarten teacher) bought her Oh, the Places You'll Go book....youngest DD started to cry...it was a very appropriate gift as our youngest is the world traveler!!! I got teary eyed just reliving the moment!!!

Oh...and since some were speaking of zuccini breads....I made a banana bread this morning...one of my specialties!!!

MJ

 

[morgansmom2000]

One other thing I forgot to mention, mid afternoon, we are still on our merry way here. Up ahead on the road, we notice red tail lights, brakes on, which triggers a reflex of cautionary driving. I slowed down, and as we got closer, we realized it was a pickup truck pulled over to the side of the road, and a tree lying completely across our lane. It was a two lane highway, all the way here. The guy in the truck was a local, we assume, and he was on his phone or radio. We moved our way around the tree, and do hope that guy stayed till help came. It was in the middle of no where out there. How the tree fell, I've no idea. We never saw lightening, and although it was windy, it wasn't windy enough to knock over a tree. Who knows? That was around 4pm. Lots of traffic going the opposite direction we were, and I do hope there was no issues with that tree.

If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it does it make a sound?

Sorry, I'm up far too early for a Saturday morning!

Glad to hear you made it safely. Good luck with the move in

 

[dizney-cruiser]

Judy (and everyone else), for future reference, I will always want to see pictures!! That had to be a scary moment with that wolf but I'm happy to hear he moved on!!

Sorry if I missed this, but what is your son's actual name?

Is your daughter already at school?

I hope you have a safe journey back home?

Speaking of pictures. . . I just looked at the ones in adnil's signature. . . she has some beautiful family portraits from formal night - but I love the ones of the "Roy Suite"!!

 

[tjbaggott]

Judy (and everyone else), for future reference, I will always want to see pictures!! That had to be a scary moment with that wolf but I'm happy to hear he moved on!!

Sorry if I missed this, but what is your son's actual name?

Is your daughter already at school?

I hope you have a safe journey back home?

Speaking of pictures. . . I just looked at the ones in adnil's signature. . . she has some beautiful family portraits from formal night - but I love the ones of the "Roy Suite"!!

His name is Geoffrey. My DD19 has decided NOT to go to College this year, but says she WILL go next year. She was looking for a fulltime job for the interim. I say WAS, because yesterday she had her 3rd job interview at Walmart. When I called home last night, she announced SHE GOT THE JOB!!!! YEAHHHH, now she can start paying off some of those bills of hers that piled up over the past 2 months. I'm happy for her as I know this is a huge relief for her too.
Pictures, I'm such a picture taker. That wolf caught me off guard, I was trying to sleep at the time. The tree one, OH I wish I'd gotten that one too, but I was driving at that point, and DH just doesn't respond fast enough when I yell, "CAMERA"! He saying, "But there's a tree in the road, don't drive into it", DUH!!!!
It's sunny out today, a little warmer, but not a heck of a lot. At least no more wind or rain. Heading off in just a few minutes to move him into the dorm. I can't wait for that part! I'm anxious to see how big his space is, who is roomate might be, what floor he's on, ect....

 

[threeiscrazy]

Jiminy was out on our last cruise

I have never had the opportunity to see him, I'd love too!

 

[threeiscrazy]

His name is Geoffrey. My DD19 has decided NOT to go to College this year, but says she WILL go next year. She was looking for a fulltime job for the interim. I say WAS, because yesterday she had her 3rd job interview at Walmart. When I called home last night, she announced SHE GOT THE JOB!!!! YEAHHHH, now she can start paying off some of those bills of hers that piled up over the past 2 months. I'm happy for her as I know this is a huge relief for her too.
Pictures, I'm such a picture taker. That wolf caught me off guard, I was trying to sleep at the time. The tree one, OH I wish I'd gotten that one too, but I was driving at that point, and DH just doesn't respond fast enough when I yell, "CAMERA"! He saying, "But there's a tree in the road, don't drive into it", DUH!!!!
It's sunny out today, a little warmer, but not a heck of a lot. At least no more wind or rain. Heading off in just a few minutes to move him into the dorm. I can't wait for that part! I'm anxious to see how big his space is, who is roomate might be, what floor he's on, ect....

Yeah for the job!!!

My DH is the same with the camera. I'll casually mention how pretty the scenery is, then I'll ask if he can take a picture, then it will drive me crazy how l-o-n-g it takes him to pick it up & turn it on, then the shot is gone. That was our whole drive out West. Then I realized I could just let him drive & I'd take the pictures! It worked pretty well.

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

Glad to hear that you made it safely to Geoffrey's school! What handsome sons you have. Hope he gets all settled and then the tears will really start to flow!

Beth

 

[dizney-cruiser]

His name is Geoffrey. My DD19 has decided NOT to go to College this year, but says she WILL go next year. She was looking for a fulltime job for the interim. I say WAS, because yesterday she had her 3rd job interview at Walmart. When I called home last night, she announced SHE GOT THE JOB!!!! YEAHHHH, now she can start paying off some of those bills of hers that piled up over the past 2 months. I'm happy for her as I know this is a huge relief for her too.

Does this mean she is joining us now?

 

[threeiscrazy]

Does this mean she is joining us now?

No she's not joining us, she's just not going to start school this fall, but now she is EMPLOYED!!!

 

[eyes4mickey]

His name is Geoffrey. My DD19 has decided NOT to go to College this year, but says she WILL go next year. She was looking for a fulltime job for the interim. I say WAS, because yesterday she had her 3rd job interview at Walmart. When I called home last night, she announced SHE GOT THE JOB!!!! YEAHHHH, now she can start paying off some of those bills of hers that piled up over the past 2 months. I'm happy for her as I know this is a huge relief for her too.
Pictures, I'm such a picture taker. That wolf caught me off guard, I was trying to sleep at the time. The tree one, OH I wish I'd gotten that one too, but I was driving at that point, and DH just doesn't respond fast enough when I yell, "CAMERA"! He saying, "But there's a tree in the road, don't drive into it", DUH!!!!
It's sunny out today, a little warmer, but not a heck of a lot. At least no more wind or rain. Heading off in just a few minutes to move him into the dorm. I can't wait for that part! I'm anxious to see how big his space is, who is roomate might be, what floor he's on, ect....

Glad to hear that you guys arrived safe!!! I can't say that i've ever seen a wolf. Have a safe trip back. Glad you had some wifi to keep us updated.

 

[Pudo]

Just a reminder that I am putting together a teen email list. I compiled a list of families with teens. I want to thank those that have already PM'd me. Below is the original post and teen list.

Can we get a teen group list together? Maybe everyone with a teen can PM me with a first name and email address. I can compile the list and PM it back to all those that participated.

My guess is once I PM back the list, the teens can figure out the best way to communicate like Facebook.

Adnil530 - DD Michelle ( 14 )
Beachbumpirates - DD Megan ( 15 )
Cmbar - DS ( 13 )
CruiseFan52 - DNephew Jonathan ( 14 )
disneyfreakjackie - DD Stephanie ( 19 ) , DD Shannon ( 15 ) & DD Alexandra ( 14 )
eyes4mickey - DS Troy ( 13 )
Jeninpa - DS Bryce ( 15 )
Jerry112 - DS Jeremy ( 17 ) & DD Katie ( 13 )
lexiconjoe - DD Tesa ( 16 )
micandkay DD Kati ( 19 )
NewmanFam6 - DD Sydney ( 13 )
pegthelawyer - pegthelawyer, DH, DD ( 19 ) , DS ( 17 ) & DD ( 15 )
podsnel - DS ( 13 )
Royfam - DS Brandon ( 15 )
Sarge219 - DD ( 15 )
scriv2 Renee ( 15 )
ShannonR DD ( 17 ) DS ( 14 )
skwak - DS Josh ( 16 ) DS Brett ( 14 )
suzdisneyfan - DD ( 13 )
tjbaggott - DS Daniel ( 13 )
utahdisneyDD - ( 17 )
Vanillabug -DD ( 16 ) & DS ( 14 )

Thanks for your participation,

Jeff

 

[Pudo]

We gave him his gift. I included with the book a two page handwritten note for my son, from me, his mom. He read the book to Tim, and Geoffrey's voice was shaking after the first few lines (he was trying SO hard to not be emotional!):

Glad to hear all is well, love this photo!

Safe home.

 

[tjbaggott]

LoL, somebody has a real sense of humour! My son Geoffrey's room mate's name is Jeffrey! Nice kid though. We've met him and his parents, who live only 3 hours away (at the U.S. border). They said our Geoffrey is more than welcome to go home with them on any weekend their son goes home (like Thanksgiving).... Very nice offer! I'll leave it up to the boys to figure out. It all depends on how well they click, right? So far all is going great. He's all moved into his room and is unpacked. We did some shopping for him. Ended up buying him and early Birthday present. We couldn't bring his little TV, and just as well we didn't. I don't know WHERE he would have put it. We went to Future Shop and Walmart to see if we could find a doohickey that would allow him to use his computer monitor as a TV screen to play his xbox from. There is free cable in the room, so in the end, we decided to get him a TV that can also be used as a computer Monitor. Talk about space saver! Geoffrey is flying high, on the parental love/spoiling.......... He's back at his dorm now, having fun with setting up the TV, the router, the xbox and cable.
I called Bell, his cell phone service provider. They are supposed to have towers up here in November, but they had apparently said the same thing last year and never came. There is absolutely no Bell service up here. His contract with Bell lasts another year and a bit. The lady at bell just read me the clause in the contract, that basically says, he chose to move up here AFTER signing the contract oo. fire department here at the hotel, have to go...

 

[threeiscrazy]

fire department here at the hotel, have to go...

I hope everything is ok.

 

[tjbaggott]

Today Continued, We had to leave the hotel, due to a gas leak. Lots of firemen and fire trucks. Don't know when we'll be able to go back. I did smell the gas once I was in the hallway there. Now back at my sons Dorm on his computer. He has phone service from the land line in his room, and I'm now on the phone waiting to speak to a Bell Manager. The first lady read me the clause in the contract, about no service areas ect. ect ect.....
but my argument with the manager will be that BELL, is or WAS a HUGE phone company here in Canada. No service we'd expect in remote areas, such as the travel route we took on our way up there. BUT, in a major city center, like Thunder Bay..... This will be a fight. The phone can't be used here, period. Anyway, we'll get it sorted. Off to dinner now, then Family night here on Campus. Hopefully we can sleep in our hotel tonight. LOL
Ta Ta

 

[Grandma4ever]

Today Continued, We had to leave the hotel, due to a gas leak. Lots of firemen and fire trucks. Don't know when we'll be able to go back. I did smell the gas once I was in the hallway there. Now back at my sons Dorm on his computer. He has phone service from the land line in his room, and I'm now on the phone waiting to speak to a Bell Manager. The first lady read me the clause in the contract, about no service areas ect. ect ect.....
but my argument with the manager will be that BELL, is or WAS a HUGE phone company here in Canada. No service we'd expect in remote areas, such as the travel route we took on our way up there. BUT, in a major city center, like Thunder Bay..... This will be a fight. The phone can't be used here, period. Anyway, we'll get it sorted. Off to dinner now, then Family night here on Campus. Hopefully we can sleep in our hotel tonight. LOL
Ta Ta

Hope all is well at the hotel.

Do you have any documentation to show that it was said that there would be a tower that is not? I hate the way they suck us in and then walk all over us. Sending some pixie dust to help with the phone company!