… and the bones.

Pic 561
Yard sale

September 1, 2009

Back in Ottawa: central library on Metcalfe.

This picture reminds me of two more differences I noticed on my recent road trip to the USA:

- We didn’t see any beggars in the places we went. But panhandlers (and hobos) are everywhere in Canada.
- In the United States, lots of people say hello and good morning to strangers. It’s nice; it makes you feel good. Not in Canada.

(For the other things I noticed, please see Yellow piano.)

Oh, and don’t forget these things:

- They are crazy about freeways. They clog up mid-sized towns like Lancaster, PA with masses of freeway interchanges when simple roads would do just fine for getting you where you want to go. This keeps everyone in a frenzied state of high-speed travel readiness at all times.

- They pack sugar into every meal, especially breakfast.

I had fun visiting the US but I’m still very glad to be a Canadian. We’re so much more sensible!

Pic 560
Walk don’t run

August 31, 2009

Two years ago:
Pic 207
ABUS

August 31, 2008

We left Lancaster in the morning and spent the night in Watkins Glen, NY. I knew Watkins Glen sounded familiar, but it took me a while to figure out that it is famous for being the site of some kind of car race.

Here is a car parked on the street in Watkins Glen, NY. It’s pretty but I don’t think it’s going to be in a race.

I liked it in Watkins Glen. Here’s an old building I saw there.

Watkins Glen is also the home of Watkins Glen State Park. We took a walk through the gorge after breakfast. (A couple of $1 breakfast sangwiches from Burger King. I don’t know how they can sell them for that.)

Here are some pics of the gorge.

Here’s Judy reading the plaque. Maybe you can read it too. Anyway, there are staircases all through the gorge so you can walk up underneath and behind waterfalls.

This is Minnehaha Falls. The pool has been worn into the shape of a heart. Pretty darn romantic I’d say.

Here’s me in front of a waterfall.

Then we set about trying to drive home on small highways so we could see the sights. We got this wrong yesterday by driving up the wrong side of the Susquehanna River, the fast side with the divided highway where you can’t see anything. We did better with Lake Seneca, sticking to the thin gray roads. It was nice.

Along the way we saw some Mennonites walking along the road. I think Mennonites are similar to the Amish in their beliefs and culture, but they are somewhat more willing to use modern technology. I liked seeing them.

That was about it for this road trip. We crossed uneventfully into Canada and I was not charged duty on the three bottles of US beer and part of a bottle of US whiskey that I was illegally importing. Not to mention Judy’s $3 worth of US peaches. We declared the whole load of swag and they waved us through anyway.

I might post some more pics of the trip in the next few days. It’s not like I go on a road trip every day. Thanks for reading!

Yesterday my brother John Kelsey married Tina Fruchter at their home beside the Conestoga River in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

This is the groom with my nephews Morgan and Ted.

Here are Tina and John with their friend Lydia, who read the vows.

Just as the service was ending, this herd of cows came down to the river to drink. I think they were Amish cows.

Best wishes John and Tina! For many years of happiness by the river.

Pic 559
Little Buddha

August 29, 2009

Other than the Segways, tourism in Lancaster is all about the Amish. We watched the movie Witness for research. Remember the scene where Harrison Ford dances with Kelly McGillis in the barn while 'What a wonderful world it would be' plays on the car radio? That's how I learned everything I know about the Amish.

Sometimes I wonder if everybody who dresses up Amish to sell you something is really what they seem to be.

These people were having a hymn service in Penn Square this morning. I don't know who they are. I think the little girl is cute. I know, it's very Norman Rockwell, but I don't mind. I like Norman Rockwell!

Next: the wedding. (That’s why we’re here, did I mention that?)

Pic 558
Brick chimney

August 28, 2009

Two years ago:
Pic 206
Yellow leaf

August 28, 2008

Road trip, day two. There are wacky pianos all over the place in downtown Lancaster PA. Quite a few of them have got somebody playing them too. This one is right outside of the Brunswick where we are staying.

Here’s a link to some more about the pianos:
Keys for the city

Things I’ve noticed about the USA (so far):

-Lots of Spanish-speaking people, even up here in Pennsylvania.
-No French on anything!
-They put powdered non-dairy products in their coffee. I went to two corner stores and neither one of them had a carton of cream.
-Seat belts seem to be optional. Motorcycle helmets too.
-You can bring your own beer & wine to a restaurant and they will serve it to you.

There might be more. I’ll get back to you.

Pic 557
Five peaks

August 27, 2009

Tonight: Scottish Inn, Coopersburg, PA. Next stop Lancaster.

Pic 556
Bridges

August 26, 2009

Two years ago:
Pic 205
Morning mist on Kamaniskeg Lake

August 26, 2008

This is on the sidewalk on the east side of Bank, between Cooper and Somerset.

Pic 555
Strawberry fields, forever

August 25, 2009

Two years ago:
Pic 204
The way it goes

August 25, 2008

Pic 554
Maintiens le droit

August 24, 2009

Two years ago:
Pic 202
Zoo York

August 24, 2008

Pic 203
Neon 2

August 24, 2008

Pic 553
Pigeon

August 23, 2009

Two years ago:
Pic 201
Bog

August 23, 2008

Some ride. Looks like that’s it for the Super Ex.

Pic 552
Traffic light

August 22, 2009

Two years ago:
Pic 200
Neon 1

August 22, 2008

At Confederation Park. Here’s the plaque:

Pic 551
Another flower, another wasp

August 21, 2009

Two years ago:
Pic 199
Soup Noodle Beef

August 21, 2008

Moe’s side door

Crosstown Traffic

Pic 550
Nice shoes

August 20, 2009

Two years ago:
Pic 198
Hoop

August 20, 2008

War memorial.

Pic 549
Beetle

August 19, 2009

Two years ago:
Pic 197
Ships in the night

August 19, 2008

Every colour.

Two years ago:
Pic 195
Infinity bridge

August 17, 2008

Pic 196
Women are Persons

August 18, 2008

Centennial flame.

Two years ago:
Pic 194
Arr�t

August 17, 2008

This is Muffy.

Pic 546
Egg sac

August 16, 2009

Two years ago:
Pic 192
Electric railway

August 16, 2008

Singer and fiddle player in the Cajun band.

Mud monster

The astounding Tanya Tagaq, who channels animals. By far the most exciting performer I saw at the folk festival. You should check her out on YouTube.

Person in the crowd

Mongolian singer Namgar. I think that is her name, and also the name of her band.

Namgar in concert in the dance tent. The fiddle player also does a little throat singing. I find I like music best when performers step into the animal realm a bit, as Namgar does.

Tanya Tagaq again, with that guy from Calexico.

That guy from the Acorn. (I’m really no good with names. I’m glad this is just a blog, not real journalism.)

Guy in the crowd.

Over all I thought this year’s folk festival didn’t have as many big names as other years. No… oh I don’t know… Judy Collins or Pete Seeger.

Maybe they’re out of money. The weather slammed them hard on Sunday, as it has the last couple of years as well.

Maybe the folk festival should just merge with the blues festival, which draws a much younger crowd but would probably like to have the older demographic as well.

Hey, what a great idea! A festival coalition. Don’t forget that you heard it here first.

Pic 545
Spiderman, spiderman

August 15, 2009

Two years ago:
Pic 191
Experimental farm 3

August 15, 2008

Some guy’s shirt. Seen at the Ottawa Folk festival.

Tanya Tagaq was there! More tomorrow.

Pic 544
Dragonfly

August 14, 2009

Two years ago:
Pic 190
Experimental farm 2

August 14, 2008