DC 4th

One last beach walk before traveling north to greet Tristan returning from his tour of duty.

We are now in Arlington VA at Tristan's apartment next to the Potomac River. He was in this building last year and wanted back in again, so he rented it, sight unseen, over the Internet - from the other side of the world.

Tristan does not land in the US until Tuesday, but De Anne and I came early to set the place up, avoid Fourth of July traffic, and play tourist.

The bad weather yesterday scared us away from the Mall festivities; however, from the raised Freedom Walk we had a great view of the fireworks and dry weather for a while. Tristan's building is on the left of the picture and the Washington monument is to the left of the fireworks.

Back at the beach

We completed our summer vacation in Canada and arrived back at the beach to enjoy our somewhat obstructed, but never the less, beautiful sea view again.

A few thoughts on Canada. It is a difficult place to remember that you are in a foreign country. I had a harder time with language dialect moving from the Midwest to the deep South back in the 1970's. New construction was going on everywhere. We noted the noise, rudeness, and general chaos exhibited by so many American youth was missing in Canada. A safe, lovely country to visit.... in spring or summer.

 Our next trip, later this summer, is to Washington DC to welcome home our eldest son from his overseas assignment.

Tip of Canada

Since we are on a peninsula surrounded by Lake Erie, Lake st. Clair, and the Detroit river a car or bike ride usually ends up at waters edge.

We visited Amherstburg and toured the waterfront and the remains of a fort with a plaque containing a brief mention of the War of 1812 and the indignities suffered at the hands of the American fleet led by Admiral Perry. 

The waterfront with Bois Blanc island in the background. This side of the island is for northbound ships, and southbound ships use the other side.

 

We also visited the southern tip of Canada. Unlike the USA, this southern tip was devoid of strange people, open air bars, and free-range chickens.

We visited the marsh lands near the tip and it looked so much like the Everglades that we half expected to see an alligator. We also noted the lack of hand rails on the elevated walkway. A clear sign that Canadian liability laws have not reached the fine edge of US laws. 

To preserve the fragile ecosystem we were required to take a trolley the last two miles.

Finally, after a short walk through the woods we arrived at tip of Canada - a beach and the beautiful waters of Lake Erie. Kept beautiful by the constant filtering of water by billions of zebra mussels. 

The right side

We entered Canada across the International bridge from Detroit, passing over to the right side of the Detroit river.  After a quiz about guns, liquor, and tobacco which we seemed to pass, the only comment from the border agent was that he would be glad to go live in our home if we would take over his job.

Terry and Brenda spent a few days giving us a familiarization tour of the area before embarking on their Alaskan cruise, leaving their dog, Koby, to our tender mercies. 

Now, De Anne and I have a great deal of experience caring for canines; however, this one is about 100 pounds lighter than most of our previous charges. On the plus side, since the current politically correct trend is " puppy pooper scooping" a small dog is not without his charms.

We have biked and driven to various points on the Detroit river and in each case I was pleased with being on the right (Canadian) side. 

Full Circle

Long years ago De Anne said she wanted a boat. Following the precept "if Mama ain't happy - ain't nobody happy" I bought her a kayak. That worked for a while until she came to me with a modified request. She wanted a boat we could stay on for a few days at a time with sleeping, bathroom, and kitchen facilities aboard. That led to the Macgregor power/sail boat. Then we decided to rid ourselves of the condo and go to a bigger sailboat, as detailed in our first blog. Now we have come full circle with a new kayak. This one is suitable for two persons.

 The advent of 80 degree weather caused us to actually get it wet in our first tour of St. Andrews Bay. (click on pics to enlarge)

We had the bay to ourselves.

On the local beaches a few spring breakers have arrived in our little slice of paradise and spring is announced by the boats towing college students strapped into parachutes.

The sign in the yard of our condo building that I feel is redundant.

Busy Beach

The local festival, Art walk & gumbo cook-off was last Saturday. Parking was at a premium in our little town and the cars lining the roads displayed license plates from almost every northern state and Canada. I understand it is hard to get far enough south this year.

It is easy to spot the tourists on the beach. Tourists frolic in shorts and wade in the surf with big grins. Locals are bundled and well above the high water mark. We admit to being tropical weenies. We bemoan the cool winter weather while sitting on the porch, libation in hand, catching the last afternoon rays.

What car were you expecting from an artist?

I did buy De Anne some earrings - thus supporting the local economy.

surveying the gridlock from the safety of my balcony.

Merry Christmas

It has been a long time since my last post - but really, how many beach and sunset shots can I post before it is just cruel?

We did have our first northern visitor in early December. Lee came down from Indianapolis and found a moment for photography on the pier.

We enjoyed the local lighting of the Christmas tree at the beach-side park that also included a parade of golf carts down the highway past the largest building in town - the El Governor hotel.

Since it is oceanside the holiday pelican is necessary.

De Anne and I wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!