May was a busy, busy month ... more than our normal schedule.

 

Shortly after getting to Barrie and getting established in our usual campsite we had to help get Jo's brother Rick out of his old place and into a new apartment. Around the 10th we got him into a motel for a week as we searched for a new place ... and we'll be his transportation for some time to come.

 

Our kids and grandson arrived from Texas on the 21st and Brooks was able to help us move Rick out of his old place into the new on the 23rd ... boxes ... movers ... hot ... work ... Mac burgers ... whew.

 

Once that project was complete Leighanne decided to get Everett his first haircut. Here's Rocket man getting the first do ... without a clue as to what was about to happen.

 

 

While the chopping was going on the hairdresser let Ev blow some bubbles to distract him. Having never done that before, there was more sucking on the bubble wand than blowing, but finally mastered a couple of good ones.

Then the chop job and the expression pretty well says it all ... "I'm not too sure about the buzzy thing in the ear but the rocket machine is still keeping me here."

And finally with the new "little boy cut" he powers the rocket sled into a 9G turn at Warp 3 to escape the universe ...

You know we can't resist the critters and this is a new one on us.

 

Here's momma red squirrel gingerly sticking her right paw into the grease pan of the BBQ which had the residue from some nice steaks some days before ... and looking to see who's watching.

 

 

The analysis must have met her expectations because she then crawls into the mess ... here on tippy-toes.

And for the next 15 minutes or so proceeds to polish off what was left in the pan.

And you thought they just ate nuts, eh.

We have been so busy here in Barrie that I am just starting to catch up. In the process of doing that here is a recap from a week ago and the weather. That storm was incredible and I'm not sure what the true definition of a blizzard was but if you look at the local weather channel pic below, especially the evening ...

 

 

... 32 degrees feeling like 21, wind gusts to 32 MPH, and fairly steady blowing snow ... not a nice afternoon ... and it was a good 24 hours before it broke and calmed down.

Anyhow, all gone and about 65 today.

This last week was a very busy one as we found out that Jo-Anne's brother was being evicted from his apartment ... for a myriad of reasons, including the manager who he was living with suddenly being taken by terminal cancer and to the hospice all within a couple of weeks.

The result was that we had to help Rick find a new place and get his apartment packed up in time to move to the new one this next Thursday. In addition he is not able to use his car which has required us to do the driving around for Rick, us, and also Bill Martin who needs occasional trips and supplies ... busy, busy, busy!

It's Snowing!

 

If you look at the last post and the pretty sunny pictures ... what a change and welcome to the northern climates. Last week it averaged around 70 and was sunny and pleasant for many days.

Then last night a gusty front came through with a fairly steady rain and steady 20 mph winds. This morning we woke to 32 degrees and the continuing precip and wind.

First the rain changed to sleet and then progressed to pretty good sized snow flakes which continued well into noon with today's high to be around 44.

The ground was too warm for the white stuff to stick very long and yet was a really neat reminder that we are still quite a bit north in this huge continent.

Settling into our northern home.

 

Below is the Flying Scotsman parked in the Barrie Ontario KOA. We are slowly unpacking the RV, cleaning up 4000 miles of dirt, debris, and bugs and getting things sorted out and repaired ... again ... still.

 

Everything you see on the patio was stored in the bus basement and had to be sorted, cleaned, and assembled to make life here comfortable. As you can see here the maple tree on this site is just starting to "spring" into life and you can look back in the blog a very short time to see these trees in their final fall plumage.

 

 

And here is the master griller putting the final sear to some great Canadian beef on the first BBQ of the season.

Like I said the bike, table, grill, deck box, umbrella, chairs, hoses, carpets, signs, flags, etc, etc, etc, are all carried in the basement of the RV and it makes converting a bare piece of concrete into a nice home for the summer fun and exciting ... still loving the life! Wish y'all were here, eh.

The Flying Scotsman has left the US!

 

We have arrived in Barrie for our summer stay and have had a really cool run from Texas through Key West to our summer spot here north of Toronto.

 

One note on our may trips to the north. We have come up here many times in the last 40 years or so and have had so little problems that it is worth a comment. In only one instance in over 100 crossings we have only had a customs person come in the RV and that was north of Duluth and the person just wanted to see our bus at a really remote crossing on a slow day.

 

Wow ... we made the latest run to the north! We did about 4000 miles from Texas to Toronto via Key West and it was a fun trip with little or no problem.

 

Below is Niagara Falls from the Canadian side on a very grey and rainy day.

 

 

The only RV park that could accommodate the bus was in Niagara proper but we really  love Niagara on the Lake (NOL) which is about 10 miles to the north. This region has many wineries and NOL is a super little town very similar to those in the California wine regions.

The Prince of Wales Hotel on the main street of NOL is the epitome of 1800s living and very typical of the village and surroundings .... cool place.

We have been to the Angel Inn before and they haven't changed ... I guess since 1800 or so ... a bit older than me eh, and it is always a treat. Soldiers and citizens in 1812 quaffed a lager or two in this room just about 200 years ago.

Jo-Anne's pot roast was done to perfection and melt in your mouth as my seafood bake was perfect. We are always amazed as how these small inns can make super attractive and tasty food better and more timely than the major chains ... dunno.

The KOA in Niagara was OK with gravel sites. The last time we were here we stayed at a Canpark just to the west but our site and the facilities here seem better for future reference.

Once we get settled into our summer abode in Barrie we will chat more about it but today is more about getting the sewer hose hooked, computer functional, and the power on ... yup it is close to 80 and we need the AC ... now!