Post a random thought

[syl]

Originally Posted by beachmidwife

We had a serendiptius PI moment last night.....we were at the John Hartford Memorial Bluegrass Festival in lovely Bean Blossom Indiana, waiting to hear Tim O'Brien perform. A nice man behind us commented on my husband's Akumal t-shirt, and we got to talking and found they travel to Playa regularly, and even own a condo there. So I ask if he is by any chance on the PI forum, and lo and behold, it was diogeron! I've known we live in the same town, and I have always thought we should meet, and we did! It's a small world!

I love this.....

[CDLVancouver]

Originally Posted by JoanieBlon

Both the Red River and the Assiniboine River that merge in "the Forks" area of downtown are WELL over their banks, but that doesn't really seem to be creating any major problems. We walked all around the Festival Park area ~ where they were setting up for a children's festival this weekend, and also walked around a bit of downtown as well. All seemed OK so far, but if Canada continues to get the extreme rain they've been receiving, there could be troubles in the future.

During our lengthy train trip across the heartland on Canada, we saw lots of swollen rivers and standing water. We understand that alot of the area outside of Montreal is flooded. Farmers' fields are soggy and waterlogged. Either they haven't been ablr to plow and plant ~ primarily wheat ~ or if they have, I'm sure that the seed must be rotting due to all the rain and cold weather.

flooding seems to be becoming an annual event there.

Originally Posted by JoanieBlon

We've seen a grizzly bear, a black bear, a mountain goat, loads of deer, and also a number of caribou while in Jasper. We noticed that people with tender plants or flowers that they've just set in the ground cover them completely with wire cages to keep the roaming critters from munching on them....we've seen HUGE hoof prints in flower beds and droppings all over the place, so there must be all sorts of wild life just lurking out of sight.

the elk LOVE to eat up shrubs and especially cedar hedging. had to replace several at my place just outside of banff after they stripped them down to the stalk. they kept the grass short though...but they were a pain for other landscaping...they really like leaves and anything green!

Originally Posted by JoanieBlon

Today (Sunday) we board the train again and set off for Vancouver. We're scheduled to arrive there tomorrow morning about 10am.

welcome to vancouver! sorry, but we're a bit cup crazy right now. should be fun to see and be a part of though! heads up monday night....therell be lots of action downtown!! get downtown early, say 3pm, to take it in. if you want to get a seat in a sports bar or other, best just plant yourself there by noon! ground central will be around granville street, near the arena, and robson street.

[_Josephina_]

Originally Posted by JoanieBlon

We enjoyed a 4 hour stop in Winnepeg. Unfortunately, I was not in touch with the Bumpers, but I'm sure they're OK....

Both the Red River and the Assiniboine River that merge in "the Forks" area of downtown are WELL over their banks, but that doesn't really seem to be creating any major problems. We walked all around the Festival Park area ~ where they were setting up for a children's festival this weekend, and also walked around a bit of downtown as well. All seemed OK so far, but if Canada continues to get the extreme rain they've been receiving, there could be troubles in the future.

During our lengthy train trip across the heartland on Canada, we saw lots of swollen rivers and standing water. We understand that alot of the area outside of Montreal is flooded. Farmers' fields are soggy and waterlogged. Either they haven't been ablr to plow and plant ~ primarily wheat ~ or if they have, I'm sure that the seed must be rotting due to all the rain and cold weather.

We had showers and rain almost all the way across Canada. We were in the train, so that really didn't effect us at all. We enjoyed very warm, sunny weather the several days we were in Montreal (c'est chaud!!). The 4 hours we spent wandering around Winnepeg were sunny ~ but breezy. It started in raining again when we got on the train.

Here in Jasper, the weather has been pretty nice with lows of about 4C and daytime highs of 15C - 19C with broken clouds and many sunny periods. I've been able to walk around most places with just a long sleeved tee, jeans, and my flip-flops, although I did don sneakers, socks, and a jacket when we visted the area of the Columbia Glacier.

We've seen a grizzly bear, a black bear, a mountain goat, loads of deer, and also a number of caribou while in Jasper. We noticed that people with tender plants or flowers that they've just set in the ground cover them completely with wire cages to keep the roaming critters from munching on them....we've seen HUGE hoof prints in flower beds and droppings all over the place, so there must be all sorts of wild life just lurking out of sight.

Today (Sunday) we board the train again and set off for Vancouver. We're scheduled to arrive there tomorrow morning about 10am.

It's been a WONDERFUL trip so far! I have to say that Jasper National Park is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen ~ very possibly THE BEST ~ right up there vying with Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, Yosemite, etc. The drive along the Icefields Highway towards Banff is absolutely spectacular! Snow capped mountains loom up abruptly on both sides of the highway, and there are numerous waterfalls and rushing streams along the route.

We also did a drive yesterday to Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake. Both of these places are "picture perfect" spots ~ large, arctic lakes surrounded by craggy, snow-capped mountains.

Need to get packing in preparation for the next leg of our journey...didn't know when I started typing, that this was going to turn into a mini trip report! Watch for new slide shows in a week or so....

I'm so happy to hear that you have enjoyed Jasper That is where my home roots are, and it holds a very special place in my heart. Banff is also very beautiful, but it its own unique way. Enjoy Vancouver!

[Skiptown]

Home from three nights in Seattle. The most awesome days weather wise I have ever spent there. Total sunshine , staying on the 43rd floor of the Westin looking right at the Spaceneedle . The Olympic Mountains out every day. I worked some, we walked a lot, great food. Went to the Pike Place Market, The Woodland Park Zoo, Westlake Plaza and many places inbetween. Home, tired and ready for work tomorrow.

[Uno]

Originally Posted by beachmidwife

We had a serendiptius PI moment last night.....we were at the John Hartford Memorial Bluegrass Festival in lovely Bean Blossom Indiana, waiting to hear Tim O'Brien perform. A nice man behind us commented on my husband's Akumal t-shirt, and we got to talking and found they travel to Playa regularly, and even own a condo there. So I ask if he is by any chance on the PI forum, and lo and behold, it was diogeron! I've known we live in the same town, and I have always thought we should meet, and we did! It's a small world!

I love random connections!

My most memorable was when I first moved to Oregon. I was terribly homesick for my friends in L.A. I called the operator to find a number and connect me. As he tried he said "Calling North Hollywood huh? I'm from there but I am in Portland Oregon now." We got to talking about North Hollywood. My roommate had a garage band and played all the time. Way down the street we could always here another garage band playing. Both would turn it up a little more after each song. "Dualing garage bands." This on all one summer.

So as I'm talking to the operator he said he was in a band in North Hollywood and had great memories. Then he said what street it was on. It was the other band from down the street. I said "Do you remember a band down the street playing at the same time? " He laughed and said yes and they would crank up the volume. I said "THAT was my roommate's band!"

I lived down the street from this guy in LA and here we are talking randomly on the phone both now living in Oregon.

He asked me if I still wanted him to keep trying to connect my call. I said "No. No thanks. I'm good now. "

[Uno]

Originally Posted by Skiptown

Home from three nights in Seattle. The most awesome days weather wise I have ever spent there. Total sunshine , staying on the 43rd floor of the Westin looking right at the Spaceneedle . The Olympic Mountains out every day. I worked some, we walked a lot, great food. Went to the Pike Place Market, The Woodland Park Zoo, Westlake Plaza and many places inbetween. Home, tired and ready for work tomorrow.

That sounds awesome, and possibly a record for continuous days of sun in Seattle.

[BonnyW]

Originally Posted by Uno

I love random connections!

My most memorable was when I first moved to Oregon. I was terribly homesick for my friends in L.A. I called the operator to find a number and connect me. As he tried he said "Calling North Hollywood huh? I'm from there but I am in Portland Oregon now." We got to talking about North Hollywood. My roommate had a garage band and played all the time. Way down the street we could always here another garage band playing. Both would turn it up a little more after each song. "Dualing garage bands." This on all one summer.

So as I'm talking to the operator he said he was in a band in North Hollywood and had great memories. Then he said what street it was on. It was the other band from down the street. I said "Do you remember a band down the street playing at the same time? " He laughed and said yes and they would crank up the volume. I said "THAT was my roommate's band!"

I lived down the street from this guy in LA and here we are talking randomly on the phone both now living in Oregon.

He asked me if I still wanted him to keep trying to connect my call. I said "No. No thanks. I'm good now. "

Great story...I remember running into a guy in Hawaii and after talking for a few minute, realized he lived behind our house in Canoga Park, CA. I lived in NoHo for about 8 years. I lived on Riverside Dr and also on Whitsett and Vanowen. Where abouts was your band?

[Uno]

Originally Posted by BonnyW

Great story...I remember running into a guy in Hawaii and after talking for a few minute, realized he lived behind our house in Canoga Park, CA. I lived in NoHo for about 8 years. I lived on Riverside Dr and also on Whitsett and Vanowen. Where abouts was your band?

I lived just east of Lankershim between Victory and Van Owen (aka the barrio) for 5 years. The band house was off of Coldwater Canyon by Roscoe. After a year there, I headed to Oregon.

[JoanieBlon]

Originally Posted by CDLVancouver

welcome to vancouver! sorry, but we're a bit cup crazy right now. should be fun to see and be a part of though! heads up monday night....therell be lots of action downtown!! get downtown early, say 3pm, to take it in. if you want to get a seat in a sports bar or other, best just plant yourself there by noon! ground central will be around granville street, near the arena, and robson street.

We're staying at The Blue Horizon Hotel on Robson. The bars are CRAZY ~ we went to Earls on Top on Robson...INSANE....so we're enjoying the game in our 18th floor room with a beautiful view of Stanley Park and the West End skyscrapers. Mike's celebrating with some gin on the rocks and I'm enjoying a Spanish Tempranillo and kim chee.... What a PICTURE PERFECT day in Vancouver today! Hope the weather stays the same tomorrow! We head back home early Wednesday morning. Canada has been MAGNIFICENT! We're already anticipating our return trip to this area!

[Brent & Kim]

Originally Posted by Uno

Good hunting to you! I have to get out soon or I'm going to start trying to hook fish in the freezer section at the grocery store.

Did pretty well Saturday....finished with 16.17 pounds. Good for forth out of 36 teams and $725.00.

[melliedee]

I can't bait a hook with those nasty wax worms. They look like big maggots! My brother, who never really left the 8th grade when it comes to trying to freak me out, picked one up and KISSED it. Then, when he put it on the hook he said, "they're juicy," just to give me the willies.

My 5 year old nephew caught a blue gill and I didn't catch squat.

On a good note, the small children swimming in the pond told me that the turtles were not "snappers" and would not hurt me.

[CDLVancouver]

Originally Posted by JoanieBlon

We're staying at The Blue Horizon Hotel on Robson. The bars are CRAZY ~ we went to Earls on Top on Robson...INSANE....so we're enjoying the game in our 18th floor room with a beautiful view of Stanley Park and the West End skyscrapers. Mike's celebrating with some gin on the rocks and I'm enjoying a Spanish Tempranillo and kim chee.... What a PICTURE PERFECT day in Vancouver today! Hope the weather stays the same tomorrow! We head back home early Wednesday morning. Canada has been MAGNIFICENT! We're already anticipating our return trip to this area!

Its been a gorgeous day...i put in a call to the big guy.
And you think its crazy now...wait another hour or so when the game finishes and everyone pours into the streets. They may be in a foul
Mood though given the score after 2 periods

[JoanieBlon]

Originally Posted by CDLVancouver

Its been a gorgeous day...i put in a call to the big guy.
And you think its crazy now...wait another hour or so when the game finishes and everyone pours into the streets. They may be in a foul
Mood though given the score after 2 periods

9 to 1. Glad we're safe up here!!!

[beerbreath]

How about those Boston Bruins!!

USA!USA!USA!

[_Josephina_]

I'm the odd person out up here - I'm a Canadian cheering for Boston (eeek!). Both my girls wear #4 in honour of Bobby Orr, and have for at least 6 years, so our love for Boston goes way back. There dad also grew up wearing Bobby's number. That, and I just can't bring myself to cheer for certain teams I do love hockey though!