Zach LarkinsJUNE 15th
Okay, so it's not as famous as the Ides of March, but June 15th approaches and for the rest of you, it is no big deal. Well, it is for me. That's the day wifey and I head out on our vacation.
We're going back to Manitoulin so there is some planning to be done here. Actually, I do the planning and she does the packing, but that's just semantics. I do have to go out and by a couple of more Neil Diamond CD's though. Hey, you might hate him, but in my world, he rocks. You just don't find a poet like him everyday. Even I would have probably missed him if my sister hadn't told me to listen to ‘Solitary Man' all those years ago. I have all his albums and most of the tapes, but the car doesn't have a tape player in it so I have to get CD's. And before you give me advice on how to get around this little dilemma, my burner packed it in a while ago so I can't make my own discs.
Wifey has every CD the Guess Who ever put out, so that won't cost any extra coin. I like Burt and Randy as much as the next guy, but she plays air-keyboard whenever they're on and it's a bit distracting. Especially when she invades my side of the car to play the wrong notes. Sometimes I just can't pull over (think QEW at rush hour) to point out where her fingers and toes should be during a particular passage. No matter, we'll sort it out as we drive.
This year, we're taking the ferry both ways. We board at Tobermory and head for South Baymouth on the island. It's a 2 hour crossing so we'll have breakfast on the boat and stroll the decks if the weather is nice. We'll stroll the decks even if the weather is bad, but neither here nor there. Once across, we make a bee-line for the cottage we rented.
We found this resort last year and weren't even out of the car yet when wifey said she love to come back. Now, the cottages are, let's say, rustic. In this case it means there are no TV's or radios. Which is just fine with me. They do have indoor plumbing, which the better half insists on. And this year, we are on the lake side so guess who's going fishing every morning? Walk out the door and 40 or 50 yards later, you've got a line in the water. Bass, trout and walleye. Does it, can it, get any better?
The afternoons are reserved for travelling the island and visiting restaurants and craft shops. We hit a lot of them last year and this year we'll know which ones to linger in. Night time will see us sitting under the moon beside a Coleman lantern playing cards, listening to tunes. Oh, I can't wait.
We're going for two weeks and the wife thinks I need clothes. I think I need a pair of jeans, maybe a pair of shorts, 4 changes of underwear, maybe six tee-shirts and a pair of runners. Guess how far that idea got me? She already has half a suitcase packed with just my clothes. I can see that sucker being filled up by the time we leave and she'll have another one just with her stuff. (Side note: who the hell takes high heels with them on vacation? No wonder men can't understand women)
Then of course comes the foodstuffs, canned spuds, veggies, snacks, coffee, etc. And the bug spray, bug repellant, flashlight, batteries, toilet paper, pit stop, shampoo, soap, etc. And the bed clothing, linens, pillow cases, blankets, sweaters in case it gets chilly at night, slippers, sun- glasses, etc. And the BBQ set, complete with lighter fluid, spatulas, tongs, charcoal, lighters and grill brushes. One camera with 40 rolls of film, more batteries, the CD player, the discs, more batteries, tea towels, coffee filters, an iron, some hangers, light jackets, road maps, etc.
You can see why I'm trading the car in for a semi for this trip. And she's cut back from last year. Like I said, I need very little in the way of clothing, but I must have my fishing rods and maybe 2 tackle boxes. That's what vacations are all about.
So, if I only show up here sporadically for the next week or so, you'll know why. I'm really looking forward to this. I hafta go now. She's calling me to pack some more stuff.
We're going back to Manitoulin so there is some planning to be done here. Actually, I do the planning and she does the packing, but that's just semantics. I do have to go out and by a couple of more Neil Diamond CD's though. Hey, you might hate him, but in my world, he rocks. You just don't find a poet like him everyday. Even I would have probably missed him if my sister hadn't told me to listen to ‘Solitary Man' all those years ago. I have all his albums and most of the tapes, but the car doesn't have a tape player in it so I have to get CD's. And before you give me advice on how to get around this little dilemma, my burner packed it in a while ago so I can't make my own discs.
Wifey has every CD the Guess Who ever put out, so that won't cost any extra coin. I like Burt and Randy as much as the next guy, but she plays air-keyboard whenever they're on and it's a bit distracting. Especially when she invades my side of the car to play the wrong notes. Sometimes I just can't pull over (think QEW at rush hour) to point out where her fingers and toes should be during a particular passage. No matter, we'll sort it out as we drive.
This year, we're taking the ferry both ways. We board at Tobermory and head for South Baymouth on the island. It's a 2 hour crossing so we'll have breakfast on the boat and stroll the decks if the weather is nice. We'll stroll the decks even if the weather is bad, but neither here nor there. Once across, we make a bee-line for the cottage we rented.
We found this resort last year and weren't even out of the car yet when wifey said she love to come back. Now, the cottages are, let's say, rustic. In this case it means there are no TV's or radios. Which is just fine with me. They do have indoor plumbing, which the better half insists on. And this year, we are on the lake side so guess who's going fishing every morning? Walk out the door and 40 or 50 yards later, you've got a line in the water. Bass, trout and walleye. Does it, can it, get any better?
The afternoons are reserved for travelling the island and visiting restaurants and craft shops. We hit a lot of them last year and this year we'll know which ones to linger in. Night time will see us sitting under the moon beside a Coleman lantern playing cards, listening to tunes. Oh, I can't wait.
We're going for two weeks and the wife thinks I need clothes. I think I need a pair of jeans, maybe a pair of shorts, 4 changes of underwear, maybe six tee-shirts and a pair of runners. Guess how far that idea got me? She already has half a suitcase packed with just my clothes. I can see that sucker being filled up by the time we leave and she'll have another one just with her stuff. (Side note: who the hell takes high heels with them on vacation? No wonder men can't understand women)
Then of course comes the foodstuffs, canned spuds, veggies, snacks, coffee, etc. And the bug spray, bug repellant, flashlight, batteries, toilet paper, pit stop, shampoo, soap, etc. And the bed clothing, linens, pillow cases, blankets, sweaters in case it gets chilly at night, slippers, sun- glasses, etc. And the BBQ set, complete with lighter fluid, spatulas, tongs, charcoal, lighters and grill brushes. One camera with 40 rolls of film, more batteries, the CD player, the discs, more batteries, tea towels, coffee filters, an iron, some hangers, light jackets, road maps, etc.
You can see why I'm trading the car in for a semi for this trip. And she's cut back from last year. Like I said, I need very little in the way of clothing, but I must have my fishing rods and maybe 2 tackle boxes. That's what vacations are all about.
So, if I only show up here sporadically for the next week or so, you'll know why. I'm really looking forward to this. I hafta go now. She's calling me to pack some more stuff.
Histeries, Mysteries and what not
Lifes little slices
Mystical Creativity
who the hell wants to walk all the way up a board walk in high hills?? well, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21....They do i guess. not me, i want some comfy shoes.
although i did just walk around the mall a few days ago, my feet Killed me soo much i finally caved and bought a pair of tenniesso i could change. at first i wouldn't cave and said "Shoes don't have to be comfortable, they just have to look cute." lol
i LOVE Eric Clapton!! wore out his CD a few times while on a trip. i don't think i remimber what Neil Diomond sings.
your vacation spot sounds perfect, especialy the fishing. i love fishing!!!
Have fun!!!
Tammy
youranter
Opinions
opinionatedranter
Tales From The Green Lantern
Thanks again for the comment.
Histeries, Mysteries and what not
Lifes little slices
Mystical Creativity
i gotta find my Eric Clapton now. moved my best stereo out of the studio up into my great room. gonna listen to it loud while i paint crosses and journal some today.
Have fun!! Tammy
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
And where ya been?
youranter
Opinions
opinionatedranter
Tales From The Green Lantern
Hi D. I can't say I've ever read any of Shephard's stuff. There is a place on the island that sells books really cheap and it's a treasure trove. Hard to find copies of just about anything at the price of a song. We're going back to stock up our library and I'll keep my eye out for his work. Thanks for the tip. BTW, it isn't where I've been, it's where have you been?
youranter
Opinions
opinionatedranter
Tales From The Green Lantern
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
I must say I'm rather bereft at not having one of my favorite
arguersdebators come in broadside to blast me with a ringing opposite view...Oh, I think you'd enjoy Shephard very very much. He wrote the screenplay for "A Christmas Story", if you want some idea of his voice.
youranter
Opinions
opinionatedranter
Tales From The Green Lantern
yer Canuck pal, eh? me. Lol.