Happy Birthday Robyn and Jolene

Since Mike and Kim decided to move, still in Cambridge and only minutes from their old place, their kids birthdays were sent on the same day at their new place only a few after their move.

Want a cookie?

Happy Hallowe'en!

Fall Colour Ride

With winter fast approaching, there are only a few good riding days left and this weekend's weather was especially great that a chance to ride could not be passed up. After a short ride on Saturday and spending early Sunday afternoon at the Snyders Family Farm with Mike, Kim and their kids, we chose to participate in the Waterloo Wings' Fall Colour Ride on this Thanksgiving Monday.

Heather and Jolene searching for pumpkins.

We left home minutes after 9am on a slightly cool morning and, after a quick stop for gas, we reached the meeting point in New Hamburg at 10 minutes before 10am. To my suprises, there was literally a handful of club members waiting for us the local Tim Hortons. Those waiting included Kevin and Maysey from Cambridge, Mike and Diane from Stratford and Doug from Kitchener. Those not in attendance were probably too full from eating turkey all weekend.

The ride officially started just past 10am with no particular destination in mind. Mike, with Diane navigating, led a parade of all of five motorcycles through mostly empty roads to Blyth. There we stopped at a restaurant that, like most others on a holiday Monday, was closed. Our leaders quickly came up with an alternative lunch plan and no more than five minutes later we were eating at a small family restaurant, Stickers, in an even smaller town of Auburn. We were at the restaurant from about noon until 1pm.

Welcome to Auburn, Ontario!

From there, we rode further north through Lucknow before finally making a turn for home in Kinloss. Our final stop was in Teviotdale where Heather and I arrived on nearly fumes. I made a note to Heather that we just finished a riding stretch of almost two hours.

During a break in Auburn.

Kevin & Maysey and Doug separated from the rest of group as we got to Wellesley and we lost Mike & Diane a couple of minutes later as we made a final push towards home where we arrived at around 4:30pm. Although the group was not big, it was a great friends with great friends on a very beautiful day. The temperature reached 25C but on this October day there was not a spec of humidity which made the day even more enjoyable.

View Larger Map

Short Ride to St. Marys

With not many riding days left in 2011 we took advantage of somewhat warm weather and rode to St. Marys today.  While in St. Marys we bought some goodies at a local chocolate store and then proceeded to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum for a short tour.  The hall itself is only a couple of rooms in a small house but there's still a lot of artifacts to see.  Once home, I was told that Heather's great-grandmother used to a baseball writer for a newspaper in St. Marys.  Small world.

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

View Larger Map

WATER TOWERS

The Garage Project

Even before we purchased our new house, I've envisioned having a fully insulated and finished garage, if only to make it a little warmer for storing motorcycles. After getting a quote from our builder, it became apparent that I'd have to do it myself as the builder's quote was $6,500.

I started on it early as on the first Saturday after taking possession of the house, with help from my friend Remi, the garage was fully insulated and about 80% drywalled. All of that was done in a matter of about 10 hours and the cost of materials of less than a tenth of the builder's price.

11/30/2010 - Moving day: unfinished garage

Our motorcycles were still spending the winter of 2010/11 in my parents' garage since it might have been difficult to ride them 35 miles in December. That is why I was in no rush to finish the job. In fact, I waited nearly eight months.

3/20/2011 - Fully insulated and mostly drywalled

I finally started on finishing the job after getting back from the Freedom Rally in Sudbury which happens every August long weekend. Over the next 7-8 weeks, with little help from Heather, the garage was completed which included drywalling, mudding, sanding, and painting (two coats of primer and two coats of paint). Although there was a little tedious work, which made the project move at a snail's pace, I very much looked forward to getting it done.

9/23/2011 - Anybody want to guess what is being painted here?

9/24/2011 - Walls and ceiling painted, stairs stained

9/24/2011 - The other half of our double garage

Grand River Raceway

In addition to rides, the Waterloo Wings also organize a variety of off-season functions for members to gather.  One of those was today's trip to Grand River Raceway in Elora.  The night included a buffet plus a full card of horse racing.  I've never been to horse racing so I took every advantage of this opportunity.  Heather and I made small bets on a few early races and even saw some returns.  One of the races was named after our group and some of us got a chance to have a photo taken with the winner.

After eating some of the club members began leaving while the rest of us went to the slots to use up our vouchers.  Trying to be smart, I used my two vouchers to only spin once and left with money in my pocket.  Adding the cost of food and horse racing bets, I managed to break even.  Not a bad night.

St. George Apple Fest

St. George hosts an annual Apple Fest and this year was the first time we were able to attend it.  We wanted to bring some kids along as well but we were only able to get Jolene to join us.  With her in tow we focused mostly on kids activities such as pony rides, Jolene`s favourite, balloons, etc.  Hopefully it`s an experience that she enjoyed and will remember for at least some time.

Time to rest

Driving the fire truck

Pony ride

Boomer and Shannon`s wedding

Our friends Ryan and Shannon, whom we met only a couple of years ago at their home in Swanton, OH, were getting married today.  Well, sort of.  They will be getting married a couple months later in Hawaii but today gave them a chance to have a ceremony accompanied by their family and friends.

We drove the Elantra as we wanted this trip to be as short and quick as possible.  Our plan was to come home the same day but we brought a tent just in case.  The border crossing in Port Huron proved to be more difficult than others as the border guard took a very close interest in our trip to the United States.

The ceremony was held at Shannon`s parents` place just outside of Kalida, OH.  We got there just before 3pm as did many other fellow members of VROC.  The whole evening had a Hawaiian theme with a relaxed dress code.  The ceremony was short but sweet but also interrupted by a quick rainfall.

Site of the ceremony

Flower girl

Flower girl

Heather and I stayed for a couple of hours but once crowds started dispersing, we did too.  After saying goodbye to the newlyweds and other VROCers we were on the road by 6pm and shortly after encountered a vicious rain storm.  It rained for a while and we made it home safely.  But, as some people say, rain on a wedding day can only bring good luck.

Wedding cake

The ceremony

Labour Day Weekend in Wiarton - Departure

It was yet another gloomy morning in Wiarton.  It got somewhat worse even before we left as a slight mis-communication left Heather and I riding alone a few minutes behind the Waterloo Wings.

It didn`t get better as some 30 minutes into the ride it started to rain.  We stopped for a couple of minutes to put our rainsuits on but Heather didn`t feel like doing it since she was already in a sour mood.  The communication between the two of us is definitely something we need to continue working on.

We found the group at Redwood Restaurant just outside of Clifford.  That stop gave us a chance to warm up and get in better spirits before the final stretch to Woodstock.

View Larger Map

WATER TOWERS

Labour Day Weekend in Wiarton - Day 3

Unlike yesterday, today was a wet morning.  It rained throughout most of the night and only started letting up as we were waking up.

Under overcast skies we went on another ride today but without Heather, Sandy and Lynne who chose to stay back at the campground.  Today Al took us to some of the waterfalls that are sprinkled throughout Bruce and Grey counties.  But before we got to the first waterfall we made a quick stop at the Kemble Women`s Institute Overlook.

Kemble Women`s Institute Overlook

After that we stopped at Inglis Falls where the admission fee was $3.  While most of the waterfalls don`t charge admission fees, they are all worth the price.  From Inglis Falls we rode to Kettles Restaurant where we had another excellent lunch.

Inglis Falls

The tour continued with a stop at Walter`s Falls located next to the Falls Inn and Spa which today was hosting a wedding.  It was there that we again saw a few raindrops.

Falls Inn and Spa

Thanks to Lynne we enjoyed a tasty supper of sloppy joes.


View Larger Map

Labour Day Weekend in Wiarton - Day 2

It was a sunny morning in Wiarton.  Heather and I took a stroll through the grounds stopping at the office as well as the statue of Wiarton Willie.  Today`s plan called for a leisurely ride through Bruce Peninsula.

Heather with Wiarton Willie

Following Al, the group rode mostly along the coast with a couple of scenic pit stops including Hope Bay Campground, Little Lake and a marina in Lion`s Head.

At Hope Bay Campground

For lunch we stopped at the Tamarac Island Resort Inn.  As we were eating, it started raining.  We all got into our rainsuits but it stopped raining as we left Tamarac Inn on our way back to the campground.

During lunch at Tamarac Island Resort Inn

The evening plan consisted of a trip to Tobermory where the group has dinner reservations on the Chi-Cheemaun.  Since it`d be a late night we all packed into two cars and left Wiarton around 6:30.

MS Chi-Cheemaun

We boarded the ferry at 8pm with service to South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island.  While on the ferry, we enjoyed the dinner with dessert and an amazing heat lightning show.

Dinner time!

It was nearly 1 in the morning by the time we got back to Wiarton.


View Larger Map

Labour Day Weekend in Wiarton - Arrival

Since Cyclefest ceased to exist after the 2010 edition, there was now a void in our schedule that hadn't been there before.  But the Waterloo Wings still wanted to continue the tradition of camping but without all the work of organizing a rally.  Their plan this year was to spend the weekend in Wiarton.

However, it seems that once not in their own backyard, only the hardcore members of the Waterloo Wings made to Wiarton.  Those included Kevin & Maysey, Doug, Todd & Wendy, Peter & Lynne and Heather's parents, Jim & Sandy.  Al & Marion who live just north of Wiarton also took part and even hosted Friday's welcome BBQ.

Heather and I still worked on Friday but only for a portion of the day and we were rolling in the early afternoon.  Taking the back roads, we moved very well and arrived at the campsite around 5pm.  Once checked in and set up we rode for the BBQ to enjoy the company and made our way back to the campground under the cover of darkness.

The crowd at Friday's BBQ

View Larger Map


WATER TOWERS

Our First NASCAR Race - Pure Michigan 400

Luck isn't something that follows us on a daily basis but we did manage to get a little dose of it when Heather won NASCAR tickets from Kool FM.  The tickets were for a race at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan.

Without much time to plan the trip we scrambled to find a suitable solution.  We were once again lucky when VROCers Scotty and Marlene from Adrian, Michigan offered us accommodations for the night before the race. Adrian is a town less than 30 minutes from the racetrack but being one of the biggest towns in the area, a lot of visitors stay here, even some NASCAR haulers.

On the way to Adrian on Saturday evening we stopped in Dundee for a quick supper as well as a fresh pie.  We spent the evening out on the porch shooting the breeze and spent the night sleeping on an air mattress.

We were up just after 5am on Sunday and after saying goodbye to our hosts, we drove to Wal-Mart for some last minute supplies and then drove in darkness to Brooklyn.  We arrived at the track at 6am and were the last car in the first row of parking at the Highway 12 entrance.

Hwy 12 entrance to MIS

We spent the next six hours taking in the atmosphere around the racetrack, shopping for souvenirs and otherwise enjoying our first experience at a NASCAR event.  That experience included visiting the MIS rookie tent where we got a chance to meet Slugger Labbe, Paul Menard's crew chief.

Heather with Slugger Labbe

Heather in front of a racecar in the fan area

Our lucky streak continued to stay with us as we also got to be fifth or so in line to meet Michael Waltrip who  showed up in the NAPA trailer to sign copies of his book, In the Blink of an Eye.  Even before meeting him, I decided to become a fan of his team and especially his main driver Martin Truex Jr.  I can't really explain why I chose his team since I still consider myself to be a new NASCAR fan.  Maybe it's because I always enjoy their TV commercial.  Those guys know how to have fun.  I didn't get an autograph because I'm not really big on getting them but I did shake Michael's hand even though it was an awkward handshake with him holding a Sharpie in his right hand.

Michael Waltrip signing Heather's book

MIS water tower

We were inside the race track nearly two hours before the race which was scheduled to start shortly after 1:30pm.  Our seats were towards the bottom in between Turns 1 & 2.  We could have moved up since most NASCAR races don't sell out these days but the thought never crossed my mind.  For our trouble we got covered in rubber debris.  The race ended with Kyle Busch winning and Heather and I baking in the heat.

Leaving the track, we were one of the first cars to leave although I was cut off by an antsy driver which made us take a somewhat longer route towards the border.  With nothing but souvenirs to declare, we got home around 8pm.

Freedom Rally '11 - Day 4

It was once again time to go home.  With our motorcycles nearly packed the night before, we said our goodbyes and left home.

We stopped for gas in Waubaushene and made our next stop in Barrie just in time for lunch at East Side Mario's.

Heather with Wauby in Waubaushene

Then we avoided traffic all the way to Woodstock.  This was the first time we've ridden from a weekend up north, Sudbury or Combermere, where we had to continue past Waterloo.

Resting in Grand Valley

View Larger Map

WATER TOWERS

Freedom Rally '11 - Day 3

Sunday is a slow day at the rally.  The morning is quiet, the afternoon is taken up by the bike games and the evening is when everyone sits down for catered dinner/award ceremony.

During this year's events Heather won youngest rider and also a free admission to next year's rally.  Since next year's rally falls on the same weekend as the Twins Festival, I may be the one who ends up using the free pass.

Heather and Kevin - youngest and oldest riders at Freedom Rally 2011

We spent the night in Heather's parents' motorhome after sleeping in the tent the previous two nights.

Freedom Rally '11 - Day 2

Saturday is a day of traditional rides.  I had planned a ride for Heather and I to Manitoulin Island.  We didn't get rolling until later in the morning.  We first rode west along Highway 17, portions of which were recently widened.

Before reaching the island we made a couple of stops in Espanola as well as Birch Island.  Espanola is known as the paper town as it's home to Domtar, the largest producer of freshsheet paper in North America.  The ride south towards Manitoulin Island was full of beautiful scenery and twisty, for Ontario, roads.

Veterans memorial in Birch Island

As lunchtime approached, we stopped in Little Current which is the first town on the island, just past the bridge leading to the island.  The bridge was actually up when we got there but it only took a couple of minutes before we were moving again.

The bridge to Manitoulin Island

Little Current is a very small town but also a very popular tourist destination.  The streets and beaches of Little Current were full of people enjoying today's perfect weather.

We ate at the Anchor Inn Hotel and of course we both had some type of seafood.  After lunch, I led Heather on a ride deeper into the island.  The roads on the island were no longer twisty but scenery reminded me of any farming community I've seen before.

As usual, we getting very tired riding on a hot day so we decided to turn around in Kagawong.  I took us there just for the purpose of getting a water tower photo but the destination reminded Heather of a school trip she'd done years ago.

It turns out that Kagawong is home to Bridal Veil Falls.  We stopped there on the way out of town and descended a few flights of stairs to get a closer look at the falls.

Bridal Veil Falls in Kagawong, ON

On the way back to the campground, we stopped at a gas station in Espanola for some refreshments.  We arrived back at the campground well after 5pm and just before supper.  The ride may have been a little longer than planned but when an opportunity is there, it is tough to pass it up.

View Larger Map

WATER TOWERS