We drove Irene up to Toronto this afternoon to join Catherine at the Royal York. They are departing in the morning for the west coast on the Via Canadian. This train travels between Toronto and Vancouver, crossing the picturesque lakelands of northern Ontario, the western plains and the splendid Rockies, finishing its journey on the Pacific coast. Other stops include Sudbury Junction, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Jasper and Kamloops. They will be traveling Silver and Blue class with a double bedroom sleeper compartment. I’m sure Irene will have a blast. Continue reading link for pictures.
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“I am Sixteen Going on Seventeen”
You all know the song!!! If I was there Laura, I would be singing it to you along with Happy Birthday. You have the perfect day for a party and a sleepover in your new tent. Take lots of crazy pictures and have lots of fun. We are all thinking of you and we want to buy you tickets to a performance. You have your choice but you have to let me know when to order the tickets for. Check out the Toronto tourism website for “The Blue Men” or “Cirque du Soleil” and let me know which one you choose. Both shows are premiering in Toronto and then head to Las Vegas.
Lots of Love sent to you today.
Lookie Lookie, Look Who’s 50
I believe that someone out there who reads this blog is celebrating a Birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY IAN. We are all so excited for you now that you have reached that half century mark. Did your family surprise you with FIFTY candles on your cake? Hope you are celebrating in style and fine fashion as you are well deserving the pampering. We are lifting a glass and toasting to your health, wealth and happyness. Cheers
Columbus Ohio
Today we did a little sight seeing of the state capital and discovered it is both beautiful and prosperous. Along our travels we found a giant motorcycle store called Iron Pony Motosports. The building was previously a super Kmart.
Late in the afternoon we had margaritas at a Mexican restaurant called El Vaquero, then crossed the parking lot for supper at The House of Japan. They had an indoor koi pond and chefs juggling knives. We slide into the bar stools of the sushi bar. We watched our chef make hand rolls including unagi (eel) and octopus. We started with Miso soup and sampled the sweet shrimp, salmon, spicy tuna, snapper, yellow fin and of course California rolls. It was the nicest shushi [picture] we have had since Vancouver. It went down nicely with the Shapporo beer and green tea.
Marysville Merriment
Yesterday we spent our day in and around Marysville. You could feel the holiday spirit all around with the local fair going on, sidewalk sales and the streets alive with thousands of motorcycles – mostly Hondas. They had a large enough gathering of VTX motorcycles to qualify it into the Guinness Book of World Records. The downtown streets were roped off for a huge streetparty with live music including the British Invasion.
We found a local watering hole for lunch of grilled chicken Caesar salads and a bunch of $1.00 Light Horse draft. When we went to settle the bill, the people at the next table had bought our beer.
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Honda Homecoming Weekend
Here we are at the Honda Homecoming. This is a gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts who gather at Marysville, OH for a weekend of motorcycle festivities. Marysville is where the Honda Goldwings are made. The trip here took 5 hours with breaks every hour for a stretch and a sip of water. It was fun as we traveled down the 401, over the Ambassador Bridge and along I75 south to Findley where we headed southeast to Columbus. We are staying is Dublin, Ohio at a Woodfin Suites Hotel. More pictures to follow
Ontario Blue Jays -17yr olds
Just a quick note to let everyone know that Steve’s team had a fantastic tournament and are USSSA World Series champions. A great job done by all the boys and apparently Steve pitched great. Despite the 107 degree heat on Friday, it was a little cooler Saturday at 103. The boys rallied and beat the Texas team 12 to 8. The Texas team have only lost 3 games until they met the OBJ’s. Congratulations to everyone on making Canadian baseball history as we are the first Canadian team to win the world series 17u team. On becoming World Series Champions for not only the first time in Ontario Blue Jays history, but the first time for a Canadian team to win a U.S. World Series or National Championship.
My First Ride
Today Tom and I travelled to Kitchener to bring home my new bike. When Brittney (previous owner) handed the key to me, I giggled. Everything went smoothly at the DMV and once the plates were on Tom rode it home for me.
Once home we cleared the driveway of vehicles and Tom pushed me up and down the driveway so I could get the hang of balance and steering straight. Then it was time to turn the key and start the motor. We practiced starting off in 1st gear then braking. It took awhile for me to get the knack of slowly letting out the clutch and giving it enough gas as to not stall. Soon I was ready to go down the gravel road towards the bush. Tom walked beside me barking orders like a drill sergeant. A little gas, release clutch, feet on pegs, coast, feather brake… repeat. I was sweating bullets in the heat but I survived my first ride! Tom said I did good for my initial ride. I’m registered for the C.S.C. Motorcycle Training Program at St Clair College this weekend. Wish me luck.
Help me name my new bike.
On Friday I passed my motorcycle M1 drivers licence test and today, I am an official motorcycle owner. It is a 2003 electric blue ZZR 250 Kawasaki Ninja :>) We drove to Kitchener for a look see and when I swung my leg over the saddle I felt a tingle pulse through my loins and said “SOLD”!
Calgary bound
Brian is flying off to Calgary tomorrow to attend a month long camp with CISV. This is an International Peace/Leadership camp. Brian was interviewed and selected to be a Canadian delegate for the 15yr old camp hosted in Calgary. He will be with kids from Great Britain, Jordon, Argentina, Columbia, Ecuador, France, Greece, Italy and Iceland. He will be living and boarding at the Calgary International French school. He will participate in a conference like setting with various field trips to show off the Canadian way of life to the other delegate teenagers. The kids plan and organize their own camp programs. He is all packed and ready to go.