Collingwood, Ontario

The last few days have been spent on Georgian Bay in Collingwood, Ontario with Andis folks. Jealous of our time overseas they wanted to get in on the action, so they rented out a place and we packed up Jeepers the Jeep for some backyard exploring. Just because we are back in Canada doesn't mean the traveling is done.

Our days in Collingwood were filled with searching out the local history, usually in the form of old waterfalls and the century old mills that used to flank them. Grey County used to be home to several old mills that would produce anything from flour to lumber to wool. Unfortunately, most are now relics fallen to the naturally harsh elements of the Canadian seasons. That said I am still very impressed with what man can build with his own bare hands, these old mills are a testament to the pioneering spirit that helped shape our nation over a century ago.

Other local highlights was the shale bed beach, home to the fossilized remains of prehistoric trilobites and other critters. In my opinion the shale beach was a perfect place to build a rock tower, so I did.
The resort we stayed in also had a kick ass mini-putt. Built and shaped in the fashion of a real course this mini-putt had it all, real green grass, sand traps and water hazards. Peter, Andis father, managed to harness the power of the planets and scored a hole in one, which he humbly held over the rest of us for the remainder of the weekend.

The few days spent on the freshwater coast was relaxing for us, all of us. It was a fantastic opportunity for me to get to know Peter and Karen, Andis mother, a little bit better.

As Andi and I feasted on the foods we missed so dearly we all crowded around the computer and watched the slide show of our photos, all 2800 of them. Even though we broke them up over four nights its was still a freaking marathon. Kudos to Peter and Karen for sticking through it, I don't know how you made it through picture after picture of high kicks in foreign lands. You both do a very good “Oh yes, very interesting” face!!

Cheers to the two of you for the great week in Collingwood and for making us feel at home after a long journey to the four corners of the earth. Oh yah, Peter, with the power of seventeen black Arabian horses, the cellulose busting power of your log splitter kicks royal ass!!! Be very proud of that purchase, very proud!!