Recollet Falls Hike

 It was a fabulous day out today, sunshine and cool breezes, the perfect day for a hike. We decided to go down the highway a bit and check out part of the French River Provincial Park. There isn't any camping available at this area. It's a protected space in the province, full of history. I've left the photo of the description board full sized so you can enlarge it to read it, if you wish.

 This is Scott, waiting so very patiently for me, as I get my camera and other assorted stuff straightened out and ready to go.

 They weren't kidding when they described it as rugged. There was a fair bit of clambering to do. But we took our time, and didn't find it too hard. There are blue dots on the trees marking the trail. I have a new best friend to help me on these trials...... an old cane that used to belong to Scott's dad, now acts as my walking stick. It is a huge help, far more than I ever thought it would be. When Scott first grabbed it, I thought he was going a bit nuts, but when I tried it out, turns out I'm the one that was nuts not using one for all these years.

 This was the plaque that was in place at the end of the hike, describing some of the history of the place. I've left this one biggie sized too, for easier reading.

And this is what we came to see...... absolutely glorious!! It was worth the walk to get here. The sign at the beginning of the trail said that it was 1.5 km. I think that must have been measured as the crow flies, because my GPS walking tracker said it was 2.5 km, one way. It was a great work out, and now we are both completely tuckered out. Supper was the old campers stand by of weiners and beans. And there just might be a campfire this evening, provided the mosquitoes don't carry us away. LOL!

We're home

This is that long road down to the bathroom at the end of it.
Not bad in the daylight, quite pretty, actually. But, beware
the dark of night.

Our lovely little hardtop trailer, that I truly enjoy, except for the major
flaw of no bathroom

Well, I must say that these past 10 days of vacation just flew by. But then, they always do, don't they. We spent 5 days at Sauble Falls Provincial Park, and another 5 days at Earl Rowe Provincial Park. We had never been to either park, and they were both nice, each in their own way. Sauble Falls was quite foresty and wilderness like, and not very close to any major cities. Earl Rowe, on the other hand, was quite close to a city, and far more planned, city park like. Each had their own goods and bads to them, but, on the whole, I preferred the forest to the city park, if only for the quiet alone. When we got to Sauble Falls on the Wednesday, there were only ourselves, and one other couple in the whole campground section we were in, and they were on the far side of it from us. It had to have been the darkest, spookiest 11 o'clock at night walk to the bathroom I have ever done. No moon, and no stars for light, since it was overcast, and had been raining. Just the forest, a small flashlight, and me. I had been softhearted, and left Scott sound asleep in the trailer, not having the heart to wake him up, drag him out of a warm bed, just to walk me down to the bathroom. I thought I was this brave, stout-hearted, modern woman, who could manage the walk by herself. Wrong! I couldn't see anything outside the small circle of my flashlight, but could hear all kinds of rustlings and strange noises. I was halfway there, and totally spooked, but kept going. Needless to say, for the rest of those lonely, late night walks, I woke Scott up, dragged him out of bed, and had him accompany  me down that road. I love my little camper trailer, but I must confess to coveting an upgrade to one with a bathroom in it, just for situations like that.

Design Wall Monday Sept 6

We're going on vacation this week, so I've pulled Cactus Rose back out of her box, and started preparing, and glue basting down the applique shapes for the second block. Actually, I did the shapes for the second one about a week ago, and have managed to get one of the branches sewn down by taking it to work with me, and sewing on my breaks. It helps keep my mind, at least temporarily, off the tensions flying around there due to the closure of 40 beds, and the resulting disruption to both patient's and staff's lives. Thank you, Lord, for vacation away from it for a while. We're going camping, which might be a challenge, since the long range forecast is showing cooler temperatures, but we're getting a hydro site, and taking electric heaters with us. Cactus Rose is going on vacation with us, so I wanted to see how she is looking all dressed up, so far. One thing I noticed while hanging her up is that she is going to need major blocking, once the applique is done. Her edges are stretching. But, I'll figure that out when I get to that stage. I've been using an applique method shown here and am really liking her method. As with everything, it is getting easier and faster with practice. But, I think I might look for a Michael's 40% off coupon, and splurge on one of those mini irons. Ironing around those shapes with a standard iron is a tad cumbersome, not to mention dangerous to fingers. LOL. And now, time to go get started on some laundry, and packing up stuff for vacation. Oh yeah, go on over to Judy's to see more design walls.

September Goals

Ok, so I'm not a goal type person, but I've got so much going on here that I'm starting to for get what is is I'm doing or trying to accomplish. So, I will make a kist. It will be interesting to see if, at the end of the month , any of them are actually done.

1 Vacation, that one's easy.
2 Finish applique on 2nd Cactus Rose block
3 Finish unit 2s for Pineapple quilt along
4 Finish Double Duty top
5 Bind and hand sew down the back edge of the OBW.

Maybe I'd better stop there. Not included in that last is the 4 shifts I have left before vacation can start. And packing up the trailer and car so that we can leave right after Scott gets off work on Wednesday. I might sneak in my iron, and fabric and spray starch to prep more shapes for the last 2 Cactus Rose blocks. Depending on the weather, there might be a lot of time for stitching, outside in the glory of nature, if it is nice. Inside the trailer, if it is wet. Note to self... add a good light to the list of things to pack. And now, I'm off to have a shower, get dressed and go shop for some thread to match the colours of fabric for my favourite rose.