A 'Between Adventures' Post

Since there haven't been many big events going on for the past little while - aside from a weekend camping trip / fishing trip / ninja invasion at Rondeau Provincial Park (I'll explain the ninjas, don't worry!) we've just done a few little fun things here and there.  I'll try to get you, the faithful - or perhaps bored, lonely, or otherwise - reader, up to speed on what has kept us out of trouble for the past little while.

Ninjas!!

Okay, Half-Pint is 4 years old.  He hasn't acquired years of experience to always know what's going on around him.  And he speaks his mind.

You see, we were camping at Rondeau Provincial Park.  The Thursday was quiet as the park only had a few people in it.  It was like we had the place to ourselves, with the in-laws and cousins and Tammy... but I'm not going to get into that feud now.  Beside, she brought chocolate chip cookies...

On the Friday, campers began trickling in, filling up the sites around us. 

Well, it became apparent that we were in the midst of an Islamic gathering of families.  Lots of 'floor-to-ceiling' dress on the women, the full face coverings, niqab, hijab, burkhas... It was all there.  So on the way back from a trip to the washroom Half-Pint says, in his most innocent and matter-of-fact way "There sure are a lot of ninjas here!"  Priceless!  Well son, those people behind the face coverings aren't quite the silent and deadly warriors you think.  I think we'll let that bubble get burst a little later.

Fishing

We had a chance to fish off the big pier out in the bay at Rondeau.  One evening the fish were biting like crazy.  Everyone was pulling in nice sized bass.  It was lots of fun!  It got a bit crazy on the pier with so many kids ripping around, we thought for sure we'd be scooping someone up out of the lake!

High marks for the scenic shot at sunset!

The Rapala Thug was working it's magic!

                                                

Half-Pint is eyeing up E-Bomb's bass...

                                               

Even Bun-Head got in on the action!

Oh Yeah!  Brother KP getting in on the fun!

Another one!

                                                

And... another.

I have to mention LP losing a lure on what might have been the biggest fish of the weekend.  A trip to Bass Pro will fill the empty spot in your tackle box, kid!

Everyone was catching nice fish, except Christine, that is.  She did catch a wee sunfish, though!  Good job, girl!  So sorry!

  

Oh my, that's a big one!  How are those worms working out for you?   Lures won that weekend!

Half-Pint was able to set 4 hooks into his sleeping bag...
Don't ask.

And Brother KP was able to snag himself.

We found KP was less risk to himself and others if we just kept him boxed up all weekend!

Not everything was fast-paced fishing and ninja-fighting action, however.  Grandpa found a few minutes of quiet and used it to his advantage!

My Big Fat Redneck Weekend!

Okay - it was just a day, really.  But it was excellent!

First, a little shooting out at the farm.  The young boys LP and E-Bomb were able to shoot a BB gun, move up to a .22cal rimfire rifle - and even take a few shots with a 12 guage shotgun!  

It turned into a pigeon hunt after a little while.  That was even more fun for the big boys!

Later that same evening...

We went to the Enduro Races at the local Speedway!  The big boys took a bunch of the little boys to watch cars go 'round and 'round!  The Enduros are lots of fun, and we all enjoyed ourselves.  We picked cars we wanted to win at the beginning of each race and hoped for the best.  Brother KP had one of his choices finished in 2nd!

 We Got Heart-broken

My wife and I had the chance to go see Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers in concert when they were in town.  It's fun to see how many songs of his a person actually knows - without knowing who sang it.  My wife is in that category.  With close to 60 million albums sold and playing for around 35 years you're bound to recognise a song or two! 

They had nothing fancy in the way of stage props, pyrotechnics (none) or other gimmicks.  Just six older dudes who play some really cool music and have fun sharing it with an audience.  I love seeing good musicians play and interact together.  These guys have played - and played together - for a long time.   It showed, too.  It was a good display of musicianship, not showmanship. 

Sorry for the crappy pictures.  They were taken with a cellphone camera.

That's It.

That's some of the big stuff we've been up to, while not doing anything 'big'.  Thanks for taking the time to read this installment.  Stay tuned for more - the summer season is upon us!






Oh, one more thing...

I didn't know how to work this into any of the above narative, so I'll just let the picture speak for itself.  As a father, I'm so proud it brings me to tears!

Off-road Trip #1 for 2013

Time To Get Dirty

The London and Area Jeep Owners Club had it's 2nd or 3rd annual "Off-road 101" weekend.  It serves a few purposes...  The idea is to introduce new club members to some trails to learn what their vehicles are capable of.  Also, to learn the skills necessary to be able to navigate said trails in a safe and responsible manner.  Lastly, it's a chance to get out and see some slightly remote, or at least hard-to-access areas of Ontario and enjoy the company of like-minded people.  This year there were 15+ Jeeps and close 35 people in attendance.

Our camping base was located in Bobcaygeon.  It was a pretty basic campground set-up.  Nothing fancy, just functional.

The plan was to meet Friday at the campground and have a pot-luck supper and then go over a few basic tools and techniques used regularly when off-roading.  Once that was done there was an opportunity to look at some people's gear, vehicles and equipment to see what others use off-road.  Mainly though, it's just a big social time.

Saturday and Sunday were going to be spent out on two different trails.  That's the fun part!

Day 1 Trail

Weather forecast: Scattered showers, a bit of sun.

We left our campground around 9:15am Saturday morning and made the short trip to just outside Minden where the Powerline (or Hydro Line) Trail is located.  This is a great beginner's trail.  Drive in to the end of the trail, turn around and drive out.  It has a few fun obstacles that those who aren't quite as courageous can bypass; long water crossings, lots of small rock outcroppings to climb up and over, nothing too crazy.  But, it's an excellent introduction for new off-roaders and a chance to 'get your sea legs' or test out new modifications and accessories for the experienced drivers.

My buddy 'The Teacher' was up for his first off-roading experience in his own Jeep.  I love watching new off-roaders get bitten by the bug!  His wife considers me a bad influence.  She doesn't have a clue what's in store!!

Heading to the trailhead

Drew running his TJ without fenders

Cresting the first big climb

Dropping down the climb

The Teacher preparing to climb his first big obstacle

Brother KP and me heading back to the Jeep

Mike and Veronica learning what their Jeep can do!

A water crossing along the trail

The Teacher's Jeep, christened on the trails!

A very difficult climb.  The camera makes it look less steep than it really is.

These next two pictures are of one of the recoveries we had to do on the trail.  The silver Jeep 'Warthog' got really stuck playing in a mud hole.  I tried to pull him out uphill but couldn't get enough traction on the dirt.  I had Warthog's brother hook a strap to the front of me and with a couple of tugs we dragged him out of the hole.

Another hill to play around on

Day 2 Trail

Weather forecast:  Mosquitoes!  (They were thick and relentless in the woods!)

Again we left our campground Sunday morning around 8:30am.  We headed just down the road a few minutes to the start of Concession Lake trail.  This is one of my favourite trails.

The boys having a delicious and nutritious breakfast of Froot Loops and Nesquik cereals

On the trail the group trundled along over rocks and through puddles.  The trail was more entertaining than the previous day as obstacles come more frequently and the trail is a little less groomed than the one from the previous day.  I didn't take as many pictures as I normally do, but I did take some video footage.  The Teacher is compiling a video of the weekend's adventures.  I will have to share it when it is released.

Drew trying not to kiss the tree as he attempts a big climb

The clouds and mosquitoes cleared in the afternoon

Trail-side snacks.  LP dropped the tub they were in and they all landed on the ground.
He picked them up and was still willing to share them with everybody... 

Brother KP had the camera.  There were 11 pictures of this chair on it!   Funny to see
what kids take photos of when they are wandering around.

Heading Home

On the way home from Bobcaygeon I heard a few strange noises coming from the front end.  The noises got a bit louder so I pulled over and checked things out.  Drew was following along and stopped with us.  He suspected a U-joint or wheel bearing.  Sure enough, wheel bearing!  We called CAA and shortly after we were getting hooked up and towed back to London - one truck for the Jeep, one truck for the trailer!

After a few delays - not being able to disconnect the rear drive shaft for flat towing; not having a 2" ball hitch in either truck to tow the trailer; having to use dolly wheels on the Jeep; one tow truck not having running lights - we were finally headed home!

Oh, one more thing....

Brother KP lost his first tooth!