Bird Watching 101

Ron and I decided to go bird LISTENING.  Yes, most people go bird WATCHING and we did that too but we took along our devices and tuned in on the Merlin App

We headed into Prince Edward County and went on roads that we have never been on before and found a National Wildlife Area.  They do lots of research on our feather friends by capturing, examining, tagging and releasing them.  They had two little birds there to show us and explain the process and then off they went back to their little flock.

We walked along the paths with our apps turned on, picking up a few new sounds to save to our life lists.  It was a beautiful area to walk.

We walked down one lane and were treated to beautiful butterflies gracefully swooping around us and landing on the flowers.  

Pictures don’t do them justice.  How did God think to create these amazing creatures and to know that they came from ugly caterpillars.  I was so hoping that one would land on me but I was not as enticing as the fragrant aromas along the way.

At the end of one of our little jaunts, a lighthouse stood bravely where it has been since 1881.  Although not in use anymore, it was surrounded by spectacular views.

Another path led us through a majestic looking forest.  Grass covered the path and the trees provided a canopy.  It was so peaceful as we strolled listening and looking.

We were careful to stay on the paths in order to avoid contact with poison ivy…we have had enough of that in our house over the past month.  

Anyone see a problem with this picture?

We left the sanctuary and drove through the Sandbanks Provincial Park.  It looked like summer was over with all of the empty parking lots.

After a couple of hours of exploring we decided it was lunch time.  One of our favourite places to go in the County is the  Waring House Restaurant. There are a few businesses on the property and one of them includes a Cookery School. You know that they want a good reputation for their school and the food has never disappointed us.

After a few more stops, we grabbed a coffee and headed for home.  Bird watching was something that I never really thought I would be doing.  My thoughts of this activity went back to the old show The Beverley Hillbillies. (You can watch the video by pressing the link.)  This morning I did not have the bird sight seeing uniform.  I only had my cell phone with the Merlin App.   Just like Miss Jane was always looking for Jethro…

I had my Ron.

So what do we do in retirement….just about everything!

I added a few new birds to my list so the day was productive.

Exploring

Every morning we wake up and look to see where Stephen and Kylie are and hope for pictures and an update.  They were in Palma, Spain today.  

They rented a scooter to tour the area.

They saw some nice scenery.  They are happiest when they can find an animal to pet.  

I always ask for food pictures and so we got that too.  They said that they found some in the restaurant that could speak English so it helped them to get fed.

They went to a Coves de Campanet.  I didn’t think I would be able to do the cave exploration but Stephen thought I would have been able to.  It really looked very interesting.

Back in British Columbia…One of the members from Kitimat is filling in at the RCMP.  He stopped in to meet us.  Stephen was his trainer and he wanted to meet his parents.  He bragged Stephen up and it was nice to hear.

This morning, we watched the Good Friday service from home.  

After that, we went for walk with the dogs.  There is local dog named Princess who usually leads the way.  This morning she was waiting for us when we walked out of the house.  There is a nice area close to the house with lots of trails and nice views.

After the pups got their exercise, we went for a drive.  We stopped at a cafe and picked up a treat.  

We drove into Bella Coola and stopped at the totem pole that is there to remember the residential schools.

We went for a little walk along the shore.

We stopped at another spot which was at the end of the airfield.  We would have walked further but a snake stopped my desire to go any further.

It was another good day.

The Month of September

My last blog was on the first of the month and so I thought I should wrap up September with another email.  It's not like we haven't been doing things.  It's just been that I have been too busy to record it.

September 1 - Ron started back working at the Three Hills Detachment knowing that it would only be a few days before he was done.

September 2 - We went to church and enjoyed being a part of the church that we had called our home church for the past 3 years.

September 3 - Labour Day and both Ron and I worked.  The GlobeTREK team came for supper.

September 4 - Ron worked and met with the Moving Company.  Chapel at the college was a prayer send off for our GlobeTREK travellers.

 I helped prepare the dinner at Emma's (my boss) house for our department welcome party.

September 5 - I went to the airport early in the morning to see our team off.  They will be travelling for 8 months.  Ron's last day in Three Hills.

September 6 - We went to Airdrie for a follow up ultrasound from my surgery and took in a little bit of the horse jumping at Spruce Meadows.

September 7 & 8  - Ron and I worked to get the house ready for the movers and took time to see the twins.

September 9 - Our last Sunday at church and there just happened to be a barbeque to enjoy after the service.

September 10 - I worked and then we went to Marion and Merve's for a delicious steak dinner.  Marion had become such a great friend and it was so nice to have this time with her.  She even let me do all my laundry there!  Now, that's friendship!!!

September 11 - We had an early appointment with my specialist and was told that the ultrasound looked clear of cancer!  I don't have to go back until 6 months!!!  We had a farewell lunch at the detachment for Ron and then I got my hair done in the afternoon and had to say goodbye to my stylist...so sad!

September 12- Pack Day.  I had supper at Emma's with last year's travellers.

September 13 - Pack Day and then we stayed at the Best Western.  Said our goodbyes to Andrew, Brianne, Elliott and Sawyer.  :(

September 14 - Load day. Cleaned the house and headed to Stephen's.  It's always such a strange feeling.

September 15 - Relaxed around Cochrane.  Homeless!

September 16 - Drove to Pincher Creek in the morning for church and checked into the Stardust Motel. 

September 17 - Signed the papers for our house and got in and played pool.

September 18 - Moving truck arrived and action happened.

September 19 - 20 - unpack days

September 21 - Ron started work in Pincher Creek - Cpl Ron Clark!

September 22 - last box unpacked

September 23 - Church and rest day!

September 24 - Had a doctor appointment for my 55th birthday, went out for lunch and got our tv and internet hooked up.

September 25 to today - organizing and rearranging - making this house our home.

And now, I must get myself ready to walk to church in snow!