The Gloppidda Machine

Friday, September 27, 2013

During the night the trucks rolled by on Highway 17, then at 6 am the local industry started in Thunder Bay, ON. 

In an old movie "How to Murder Your Wife" staring Jack Lemon, who lived in a townhouse in New York City with his "Man Servant" Terry Thomas. Thomas gives us a description of the machine in the lot next to where they live. Watch this:  

We had a Gloppidda Machine next to where we lived at the KOA.

So until next time remember to "Discover It and Live It".

Early Morn By The Lake

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Some have said that a picture is worth a thousand word. I had the opportunity to experience the special time at the beginning of the day. So here is 14,000 words describing my morning.   

 

So until next time remember to "Discover It and Live It"

Lake of the Woods

Tuesday, September 24, 2013 - 14C with sunny spots.

We left Winnipeg, MB at 9:30 am with a destination of Kenora, ON in mind. We didn't have the nights campground booked but we told the Anicinabe RV Park was a good place to stay. I had it already programmed into the GPS. So off we went.

The highway east had a variety of surfaces to contend with, rail crossing bumps, construction, gravel shoulders, and no shoulders.

Entering Ontario the speed limit was reduced to 90 km/hr. Not a big problem but there were a lot more turns and hills that slowed us down and speed up on the flip side. It reminded me of a "Rolls-Kin-Ardly", rolls down one side of the hill and can hardly get up the other.

Highway runs right through the middle of town. So all big trucks and campers are maneuvered around the locals and tourists. There is no shortage of hills in town either.

We found the campground and were set up in no time. The shortage of level usable land is apparent when looking for a service station big enough to handle our truck and trailer. We decided to fill up after unhooking.

Some of the downtown is along the water. Many buildings are being renovated. We parked and walked to get a close up look at the water docks. The "Kenora" was tied up and cleaned for winter storage.  

Further down the Kenora Air Service had many small plains docked as well as a large "Beaver".

Back at our new home for two days, we relax on the well grassed site. Behind is the Lake of the Woods adjacent to the campground.

The view from the trailer showed a trail closer to the water. There are many private homes across the bay, one with a yappy dog.

Here is a little trivia you can use at your next NHL party. Who won the 1907 Stanley Cup.

We found out, now you know.

So until next time remember "Discover It and Live It"

Lake Louise Tea House Trail

Sunday September 1, 2013

We set out on the Sunday of the Labour Day weekend for the trail hike with Kerry, Lynne, Kaney, Lexi, Nikki and two of their friends for a day's hike at Lake Louise.

The destination was to hike to The Plain Of Six Glaciers Tea House.

The original tea house was built in 1924 by Swiss guides employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was a rest stop for mountain climbers en route to Abbots Pass. The name Plain of Six Glaciers comes from the hanging glaciers of Mount Aberdeen, Lefroy and Victoria, as well as the Lower Victoria and Lefroy glaciers and the hanging glacier on Popes Peak.

The place was packed with thousands of hikers, wandering tourists and dogs. Heading for a very full Lake Louise village public parking. There were along so many vying for a close parking space.

We found a parking spot, a good walk to the trial head in front of the Fairmont Lake Louise Chateau We put on our hiking shoes and gear and set out following the shoreline trail to the back of the lake where it connects up with the Plain Of Six Glaciers Trail.

The whole distance was to the Tea House 5.5km’s one way (3.4 miles); Time: 2 hours one way; Elevation Gain: 370 meters (1215 ft); Maximum Elevation: 2100 meters (6890 ft).

There was a wedding photo shoot taking place in front of the hotel at the waters edge. The bride and groom looked on as the male contingent of their wedding party hiked into the cold waters.

From the valley ridge you can look back at Lake Louise and the Fairmont Chateau.

We started our climb higher and higher towards the tea house meeting people on horse back and many others returning from the top. The people coming downhill tend to forget how much quicker they are covering ground compared to the hikers going uphill. It was a quiet procession of tired-looking walkers, dressed in less than proper gear, and enthusiastic hikers smiling. Some people told us “You’re almost there!”, but we didn't believe them.

The temperature was in the 30ºs and the sky was clears, making for a very hot walk. We had already consumed three bottles of water.

We only walked to the beginning of the switchbacks. From here the trail climbs, we understood , through the forest and up to an alpine grove and finally the tea house.

The others in our hiking party, who we hadn't see in two hours, made it to the tea house. We were told the view is specular and the refreshments are of a high price. Everything is prepared on site and cooked with propane stoves.

At the beginning of the season a helicopter makes a trip in to stock the tea house with supplies such as flour and sugar. Additional goods are brought up by horses or packed in by the employees each week. The staff work five day shifts and hike in on the same trail as the tourists. They sleep in cabins surrounding the tea house.

We stopped to see some experienced mountain climbers and the wild-life.

In the end we walked a 10 km round trip and were pleased that we accomplished that.

So until next time, don't forget to “Discover It and Live It”.