Cyprus Lake and the Grotto

I always enjoy looking at people’s photo albums from far away places. They showcase scenes and landscapes of areas where I doubt I will ever have a chance to go. Similarly, I like to share photos of places where I do happen to wander, so that those people from far off places can get a small glimpse of some Canadian landscapes.

Two days ago, Joanne and I returned home from our three-day camping trip at CyprusLake…

We left London, Ontario fairly early – by our standards! – and enjoyed watching all the passing farm fields as we traveled north. Cyprus Lake is located just south of Tobermory (where you can catch a ferry to venture further into Ontario’s north). After we had found our camping site, we made a quick walk down to the lake. The water was warm and clear and I began looking forward to a swim, but a cool wind had started to pick up and clouds began rolling in.

Back at the campsite, we quickly tied our tarp to the surrounding trees, so that we’d have a small dry place to sit in case it did start to rain. And it did! It took a bit of work to finally get our fire burning nicely. The rain came and went, came and went and we were lucky to have been able to cook ourselves a yummy meal during one of the dry times of the evening.

Later on, we went for another short visit down to Cyprus Lake and I did go for a dunk in its warm waters – to get rid of the damp chill caused by the rains. Even though the skies were still filled with clouds I told Jo’ not to worry cuz tomorrow the clouds would be gone and we would have a great day in the sunshine.

The next morning saw the sun peeping through the clouds now and again, and the rains had stopped. We packed a lunch and spent the next hour hiking along some trails that would lead us to the shore of Georgian Bay and the Grotto. I marveled at this tree and its ability to do whatever it took to live and grow in this wooded area. It had grown horizontally for a span of almost twenty feet before it started growing vertically again, once it had reached a small clearing where it could reach for the light. I think that this inspirational picture will be my profile image on Facebook for the next week or so.

We reached the shore to see jagged cliff walls, cobble stone beaches and layers of slate rock. Joanne took Koly for a small walk while I stayed behind to take a few photographs.

Capturing a flowing wave as it cascades over a rock is one way to learn patience. In a way you have t o become one with the water, listening to the rhythms of the waves as you sense the rise and f all of each swell… waiting for the one that rises above the rest.

Even the small wave in the bottom right corner of this photo adds to the excitement and mood of this entire scene.

All the different colours of the rocks and the water are a true delight to me.

A little while later, we continued on to the Grotto. While all the shoreline is a splendid sight, the Grotto is a small area where all the magic in this area comes to life. There are caves and rock outcroppings that were given a littl e more special attention by the melting polar icecaps of over 10 000 years ago.

But I have no pictures of this area to show! There was a rescue taking place by the police, and a special fire rescue team with the assistance of the local coast guard. Someone had hurt themselves in one of the caves – just a minor slip, I heard, with a really sore ankle and leg, making it too difficult to climb back out of the cave. With so many people watching it was impossible to take any nice photos.

We continued on to the beach area. There was no sand at this beach. We spent a while hanging around on these large rocks. The shoreline at the top of this photo is all cobble rocks and the far shore – this area is kinda like a bay – is all cliffs.

The clouds were starting to break up and the beginning of a great afternoon was upon us. I got my camera out to take some more photos. Many regular readers o f my blog know that I like to use computer effects on some of my photos to make them more interesting and artistic. I think that this photo really captures the essence of a relaxing adventure along an Ontario shoreline – sitting, relaxing, thinking, all the while listening to the waterbirds and the sounds of the waves lapping at the rocks around you.

Here I go again, with the computer filters, taking a simple picture and turning it into something that evokes a deeper emotion within the viewer.

I tell ya – all of this relaxing sure has built up an appetite wit hin me!

Although the skies remained clear I was keeping my eye on the clouds way off in the distance.

As each hour went by I could witness this air mass creeping closer and closer.

Even a few hours later, after we had returned to Cyprus Lake, we could see these same clouds drawing ever nearer. By the early evening they had reached our campsite and we watched as they continue to pass overhead. Yeah! No rain for us this evening!!!

My last three photographs were taken by the shore of the lake. Again, I had a bit of fun using computer filters to make these images a little more interesting.

Waves have always fascinated me. I dig their quantum mathematics and light reflecting prowess. I also love the colour blue!

Even though the sun was not setting when I took this picture, I was able to change colours and intensity on my computer to create a sunset burning overhead, reflecting on the water.

Sooo… that’s about that! A simple camping story with some simple photos highlighting a few scenes from a Northern Ontario shore and nearby lake. I hope that my readers from afar will enjoy these images and think of making Canada a vacation destination in their future travels where the rain is free, the sunburns are pink and the campfire is always burning…

Jim

Canada Day Weekend 2007

While I was online, yesterday, on my facebook pages, a ‘chat’ box opened and I found myself talking with someone from North Africa. I talked a bit about the snow that we’ve been getting recently and my fb friend talked about how she has never seen snow, in person. Our conversation made me realize how much I’m missing the daylight and the warmth of the summer season so I thought I would dedicate today’s blog to my memories of a camping trip, from 2007.

Joanne, Koly and I spent an amazing weekend with our friends Jim and Audrey. Jim and I have known each other since kindergarten. Jim has a twin brother, Ken and the two of them have been my best friends since our youth. Many people tell me how lucky I am to have such a strong relationship for so long and they are right!

Jim had just bought a small piece of property in Northern Ontario – not as far north as Temagami and not as far east as Algonquin Park – and we decided to go for a visit during the holiday weekend. Most of the property extended high up into the forested hills that surrounded a small, flat grassy area at the base of the hill. It was perfect for this party of four and a dog.


The sky was overcast with a light drizzle coming down, so we put up our tents immediately upon our arrival.


As with any camping trip, the next most important thing to do was to get a fire started. Jim and I decided to go for a short walk down the sideroad to gather some more fallen branches that were easy pickin’ along the ditches. A small commotion of birds flew past and attracted our attention. We both looked up. A bit stunned, Jim and I looked at each other in amazement and then back up to the sky.

Never before had either of us ever seen a rainbow directly overhead. I would have thought that it was impossible, but there it was – or I should say - there they were. Not only did we see one, but there was another, bigger one in the sky as well. There’s more – there was a third rainbow in the sky, too. This third rainbow was upside-down and backwards to the other two with it’s end almost touching the end of the first rainbow.

Jim and I discussed how this could be a reality. We talked for several minutes with our necks bent backwards gazing at this wonder, trying to figure out how this phenomena could exist. Joanne and Audrey were a bit disappointed that they hadn’t noticed these rainbows, but more were about to appear.


The other rainbows that we saw, this afternoon, were the ‘normal’ ones that we were used to seeing throughout our lives. Although this photo is not very clear – the colours that we saw were very intense and bright. This rainbow also had a second ring of colour and the contrasts of the colours of the sky between these two rings was very interesting. If you look closely at the above photo you will notice that the rainbow makes contact with the Earth in front of the hills in the distance. After all of these occurrences we all concluded that this was a very special place for our camping trip.


Soon after, Jim and I had to find more wood for our fire. It would be dark within the next hour and we didn’t want to have to walk through the tall wet grass searching for wood after the sun had set. We found several half-rotted logs from trees that had fallen down many years before. Jim and I had to prop up the logs and jump up and down on them to break them into smaller lengths. Everyone who sees this photo says that it looks like Jim and I are dancing a jig.

One of the things that I am famous for, on any camping trip, are the dinners that I like to prepare. While everyone relaxed by the fire, I made myself very busy getting everything ready. My specialty is potatoes. I place a sheet of tinfoil on the table and drizzle it lightly with vegetable oil. Then I begin to layer the thinly sliced potato rounds onto the foil. I mix in onion and I think we had asparagus on this trip, too. Each layer gets a sprinkling of salt and pepper and another thin drizzle of oil. I usually build this up to three layers. I cover it all with more foil and it’s ready for the fire. My potatoes do not get cooked above the flames, but below. I used a shovel to dig a small hole into one side of the fire pit and I place the foiled potatoes into a wire cage before they go into the hole. Hot coals are placed on top the potatoes and 40 minutes later they are done.


Jim had brought a cooking rack that fit perfectly over the fire and soon we had mushrooms, zucchini slices, green pepper and chicken wings to add to our feast.


As the stars began to appear, we settled around the fire, telling stories and catching up on old times.


The next day, we decided to stop in the nearby town before continuing on to a lake that Jim wanted to take us to. It was Canada Day and there were lots of things going on. We all had a laugh when we saw this giant banana greeting customers at the local grocery store.


Unfortunately, this is the only photo with Audrey in it, since she was the one taking most of the photos this weekend.


Jim and Audrey were the first one’s to take the canoe out for a relaxing paddle along the shore.

While they were on the lake, Joanne and I took turns relaxing in a hammock.


I had a bit of fun playing around with this photo of Jim in his canoe.


Jim and Audrey had canoed to the place where a small river was feeding into the lake. Much of this area was filled with fields of lilly pads and other aquatic plants.


Then, it was Jim’s turn to have a little afternoon snooze.


Joanne and I had our turn in the canoe, though we didn’t go to far away from shore cuz Koly decided to swim along beside us and we didn’t want him getting too tired.

We filled the rest our stay with more beer drinking, frisbee throwing, swimming and yummy food cooked over a warm fire.

Thanks Jim and Audrey for being such good friends and for sharing wonderful weekends with Joanne and me.

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Well, that story made me forget about the snow for a few minutes… I hope it did the same for you.

Jim

Rubber Trees

Last weekend, Joanne and I had a bit of a soggy camping experience at the Pinery Campgrounds. To keep the chill of the damp rain away we had ourselves a nice warm fire. It was my job to get all the wood ready and this was very difficult because I had forgotten to bring my axe. Joanne suggested that I simply knock the trees down using my thick head… so I tried.



I soon discovered that the trees of this region of Southern Ontario must be made of rubber!!!

Jim

Camping Photos Are Here

Joanne and I had big plans to go strawberry picking on Saturday – that didn’t happen. About half and hour before we were going to leave a huge, black and noisy thunderstorm came to visit for the afternoon. Throughout all of our travels across Canada, Joanne and I both agree that Southern Ontario produces the best thunderstorms! The sky can be clear one minute and then the next it can be as black as night with giant forks of lightning and the loudest thunderclaps imaginable. Very impressive.

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Last weekend Jo’ and I went camping at the Pinery Campground (here’s the link to their website - http://www.ontarioparks.com/ENGLISH/pine.html), but I had to wait for my photos to be developed before I could share them with you. I’ve shared stories from our first night ( http://bitsandpeaces08.blogspot.com/2008/07/alarm.html ) and here’s how the rest of the weekend went by for us.

After a nice campfire cooked breakfast with tea, we hit the beach to do nothing but swim and relax.

The beach went on for miles – you can easily walk along the beach to Grand Bend, which is at least five kilometers further north. Travelling inland from the beach is a slight rise in elevation with forests surrounding all the sand dunes. I took this photo of a white pine tree cuz it reminds me of Temagami ( http://www.bitsandpeaces.com/Tttbeginning.htm ).


The sun was very hot and we had to make sure that we occasionally covered up so we didn’t burn. Even Koly was smart enough to wear his hat!

Koly and I went exploring and we discovered these strange markings on the beach. From previous experience I knew that these marks were made by aliens during the night.

The last time I saw aliens was during the autumn of 2003 in Kentville, Nova Scotia. Every autumn – in the ‘valley’ of Nova Scotia – the pumpkin people emerge from the surrounding farm fields. They are a busy folk with a lot on their minds. One day I was walking home from work and I heard an awful noise that sounded very distressed. I came around the corner and I saw many pumpkin people being chased and herded into alien spacecrafts. I would have liked to help them fight the aliens but I was too busy running in the opposite direction!

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After the day of swimming and more swimming Jo’ and I headed back to our campsite for an amazing meal. I always love the food that we prepare over and under the flames of the fire. It makes me feel like a cave man and I think this connection with my history helps me keep today’s world in perspective.

In the evening we ventured through the forest with our chairs and a few beers so we could watch the sunset.

We had the best seats in the house – front row!


We enjoyed the cold beers and waited and waited…


… and then it was all over in a blink of an eye.

The next day was pretty much the same – swimming, eating, laughing and having a short little break from all the responsibilities from work. We had a great time and Koly showed us how tired he was by promptly falling asleep in the back seat of the car about three minutes into the drive home.

For more information on Nova Scotia and the Pumpkin People visit: http://www.bitsandpeaces.com/Canglonsmenu.htm

Jim

The Alarm

The Alarm

I should have my camping photos developed soon… I imagine I’ll spend a bit of time this weekend writing stories from that great weekend.

I will share one story now…

Joanne was very tired by the time we had finished eating a campfire dinner and soon after had disappeared off to bed. I still had a couple more beers that I wanted to enjoy while the stars shone thro’ the cracks in the pines above. Their were still a lot of noises coming from many other campsites but over the next twenty minutes things quieted down and I decided that a guitar being played quietly in the background would make a nice environment for everyone… I didn’t know how far my music would travel so I certainly didn’t bang away like I usually do.

I was enjoying being able to actually play songs. Now that I have written a few I practice them all the time. Before I only knew how to play short patterns simply repeating over and over again… but now I had songs to play with three or four different chord structures and everything! It’s a lot more fun now.

I spent a bit of time trying to work on a new song that I started writing just two days before. The lyrics first came to me at the same time as a driving guitar lick. I was sitting on my front porch – having a little break from some art related project I was working on – and I couldn’t get this old 60’s tune out of my head. I don’t know why but “What the World Needs Now” was annoying the back of my brain. I was thinking that it would be a funny thing to write a song with the same title and the same first three notes (played by the same horn instrument as the original) and then to bom-blast into a punkish style rock rhythm. The same opening lyrics would begin the song and then change to new lyrics to show how the world and vibration of music has changed over the last forty years.

I finished my patio sitting and went back up the stairs to my apartment and my guitar. I picked it up and started singing the lyrics and imagining the chords to play. After half and hour I realized that I don’t know how to play punk – yet – so I had the beginnings of another folkish style song. By the next afternoon I had finalized – for now! – some lyrics for the beginning of the song. At this point the song only had four chords and I had only created a simple looping dittie again. Sometimes I find that if I just practice one little bit of a song over and over that after a day or two the next part of the song comes to my imagination.

So… there I was, with Koly, keeping the campfire company and singing my new song:

What the world needs now
is a new kind of breath,
not the sweet kiss of death
but a time to be best.

What the world needs now
is a dream without end.
There’s no thoughts of revenge
when everybody’s a friend.

Over and over I played these lines, singing softly sometimes and other times just focussing on my strum patterns and timing. It was a great surprise when the next part of the song came to my fingertips. It took me over half an hour to figure it all out and it sounded great. After this hour long session it was time to take a little break from playing.

I listened to the crackling fire and the near quiet campground as more people drifted off to sleep. I laughed at my folk song because it was supposed to be my punk song and I started to think of the energy of other songs I knew that had the raw sound I was hoping to achieve. The Alarm’s self title debut mini EP started playing in my head.



I first heard of the Alarm when I was in elementary school and I loved their rugged beats and electric guitar riffs. Mike Peters is the lead singer and he has a very passionate and edged voice and he blasts on his harmonica from time to time! To this day their sound is still ahead of it’s time and the content of their lyrics still challenge us with thoughts of finding strength to unite and find peace in this world.

Here are some of the lyrics from one song off of their debut album:

Lie of the Land

Today – don’t wait – don’t hesitate,
get out there and join the march.
Join hands – make plans and take a stand
on the right hand side of the road.

Let’s keep the blaze of hope alive
and never let the fires die.

A note about the album cover artwork: How long did it take you to discover that the photo on the cover is their reflection in the puddle from the back of the album – just upside down!? I thought that was pretty clever.

I put my guitar on my lap and began to play my new song with the chords I had just put together. On my third run thro’, a whole bunch of lyrics came to my mind and my song was a little bit longer. The new lyrics were inspired by the Alarms debut album:

What the world needs now
is a strong and clean breath,
not the sweet kiss of death
but a time to be best.

What the world needs now
is a dream without end.
There’s no thoughts of revenge
when everybody’s a friend.

We’ll have to rely on our instinct.
Our future doesn’t come with a well laid plan
We’ll find strength when we apply our deeper instincts
to make our stand to hear the lie of the land.

It’ll be interesting to see how this song progresses over the next few weeks.

If you would like to learn more about the Alarm - visit their website http://www.thealarm.com/default2008.asp

Jim