Cape Cod... here we come beaches!!

After a great trip to Cape Cod in '08, we decided to head straight back for another round - this time with our friends the McMullans. Last year we stayed at Massassoit State Park but this year they are closed for some massive repairs to their electrical system after a major storm. That meant that we had to pick a new destination. Easy enough. Nickerson State Park is located about midway up Cape Cod itself thus making it the ideal choice for beach proximity and Cape exploration.

We arrived at our campsite around supper time on Independence Day and after a quick set up we were off to the local JT's Seafood for some lobster roll platters and fish and chips. Bellies full we drove off to Hyannis to check out the Independence Day fireworks. Traffic was insane (apparently this was the official fireworks location on the Cape for '09) and we missed about half the show as we scrambled around to find parking but all in all it was worth the effort.

Day 2 was one of our more relaxing days. We picked up some lunch and snacks at the local Shaw's and whipped straight out to Marconi Beach for some boogie boarding. Sweet rides. Too bad I wasn't able to take photos of myself cause I was smokin'. Next year I'm stepping up and hangin' ten if it kills me (and it very likely will).



Day 3 we drove up to Provincetown (aka P-Town, aka expensive-cramped-verygay) and then out to Race Point Beach on the National Seashore. Here we opted to turn in our previous day's parking pass ($15) and upgrade to the full 2009 pass ($45). Here we come beaches!!


While quite beautiful, the waves at Race Point were not big enough for our newly acquired boogie boarding skills. So back down to Marconi we drove to catch some curlers.


After a full day in the sun and surf we zoomed across the Cape to First Encounter Beach to catch the sunset. Spectacular!


Day 4 brought us back to the beach. This time we opted to ignore the signs saying that Nauset Beach was full and take our chances in the noon hour queue. We were only about 5 cars back and soon enough we were in the lot and heading down to Nauset for some more sun and surf.

Day 5. Martha's Vineyard. After a little mix up on where to hop on the ferry we finally reunited with the McMullans on the shuttle from Falmouth to the Martha's Vineyard ferry to Oak Bluffs. The ride over was about 45 minutes - just long enough to hand feed the sea gulls as they swooped down alongside the ship.






Day 6, more beach. Day 7 on the other hand was spent entirely in Nickerson State Park relaxing on our very own private beach and hiking one of the many trails. A great way to wind down the week.

Happy Can.Day '09

Happy 142nd birthday Canada!

We spent the majority of the day relaxing, barbecuing, playing soccer, and checking out the local fireworks.



The forecast was for thunderstorms and at one point it appeared as if it was about to happen (see pic below) but then, nothing. Nothing but sunshine that is. A great day.


Finally, most of my blog readers (yes, all 4 of you) will understand this next photo. If not, just click the pic and read the title for a clue.


Cheers.

Hanging out in the backyard

This weekend the weather was forecast to be wet so we decided to stick around and relax. We played soccer, worked on the garden, BBQ'd, and generally kicked back as we eased into the first weekend of summer '09.



A small collage of game faces from Sara has she battled evil monsters on her NDS after supper on the back patio.



Here's another "chipmunk up a pipe" photo. These little guys aren't all that brilliant and love to "hide" up in eavestroughs when startled. Duh.


Here's the chippy pic from June '06.
I decided this year to grow some cilantro (aka coriander). I've already started using the cilantro in some of my meals and quickly learned that it has a very strong flavour fresh off the plant. Still good though. What I didn't realize is that cilantro produces tiny white flowers. Cool.

Grass Mountain Hobos and USWM

Photo by Kenmore.

Friday night and I'd just finished my annual visit to the Sparks Street's International Chicken-Rib Cook-off. Belly full, I was grinning out the bus window watching the pour souls try to dodge the downpour of a serious thunderstorm when I noticed a text message waiting for me. It was Kenmore saying that if I was still interested in heading up to the Black Sheep Inn for some music and beverages, he was in. I mulled it over a while (pulled pork sandwiches with a side of baked beans and a pint of Guinness can take a lot out of a man) but in the end I opted in.


Photo by Kenmore.
I arrived at the Inn around 8 pm to find Kenmore settling in with a cold pint of Belle Gueule Originale. The opening act, The Grass Mountain Hobos, were up on stage testing out their sound levels. They're a bluegrass band from PEI - banjo, fiddle, dual acoustic guitars, mandolin, and tons of vocal harmonies. They proved to be a lively bunch and highly entertaining.


Photo by Kenmore.
The United Steel Workers of Montreal hit the stage running. I'd seen them play here last March so I thought had a pretty good idea of what I was in for. Boy was I mistaken. Having only recently returned from a 15 show tour of Europe they were showing no signs of jet lag. The place was hopping.

Gern f. took hold of the audience from the opening note of Shot Tower and even managed to get them all up and standing for the encore with a little help from members of The Grass Mountain Hobos. All evening the breeze was blowing outside across the Gatineau River, while inside it was sticky muggy hot. So much so that at one point in the evening, Gern stepped down off the stage mid-song, grabbed a bottle of water from a nearby table, slapped an empty chair in the middle of the floor and then proceeded to douse himself. Yes, a complete re-enactment of the infamous Flashdance scene. Too funny. And there wasn't a soul there that didn't want to join in. Thankfully though Gern did spare us the dancing bit.


Photo by Kenmore.
All in all it was another night to remember at Le Mouton. Thanks Paul and thank you USWM. Cheers!

Long live the Prez

The other day we hit the local Loblaws to pick up some of the items highlighted in their latest issue of "President’s Choice Insider’s Report". This particular issue is dedicated to the 1,000 tastes of Canada and showcases products inspired by cultures including Greek, Indian, Italian, Chinese, Mexican,... This trip I was focusing on the beef skewers, ribs, tzatziki, tandori chicken, various sauces, and well, you guessed it, the 12 new flavours of potato chips. These new bags even have their own resealable zip-lock. Wicked.

At 3 for $5, I had dropped 6 in my cart at the main entrance before even entering the actual store. It was pathetic. I then added 3 more bags once I had more items in the trolley that I could use as camouflage (honestly though, you really can't hide 9 bags of potato chips). By now my wife had refused to push the cart and soon wondered off to buy flowers telling me that she would meet me back at the van.

Oh well, they do go well with beer and it is summer time.

The Berlin Wall in Montreal

Stumbled across this piece of history while making my way from the underground parking to our room at the Hotel InterContinental.

OVO in Montreal

This weekend we took off for Montreal to spend a couple of days in the hustle and bustle of the Old Port. We also decided to check out Cirque du Soleil's latest show, OVO.

The Cirque show was very entertaining. We all enjoyed it immensely. Technically we were not allowed to take photos inside the big top so you'll just have to take my word that the show was a display of super-human powers and freakish agility.





This weekend was also a picture perfect weekend for weddings and wedding party photos. We spotted 12 brides in photo shoots at various locations across only a few blocks in Old Montreal. Some looked glamorous and some, ahhh, not so much.







This last shot was just a funny angle I spotted while waiting for Paula to check out of Old Navy. Fun times.

Gr.6 grad day

Graduating from Grade 6... it doesn't quite sound right mixing the word graduation and the number six together but then again when you think about it, it was 8 years in one education facility making it highly likely that this will be the longest stretch of learning they will receive under one roof. Not to mention that this time was spent largely with the same group of friends. Time will tell how many of these girls will remain BFFs but now is the chance to celebrate and enjoy the moment (parents included).




One of the classmates' parents threw a little - scratch that - big party for the kids at their home in Orchard Estates. The gathering was sponsored by Tim Hortons and Wendy's and they even hired a lifeguard to watch over our wee ones while they created chaos in the pool. There was even a full sized zip-line in the back for the kids to test their wings on. Good times.

PS: Is it just me, or do kids nowadays say "I love you" to their friends way more than we ever did when we were that age? I'm sure the parents are to blame but really, is it such a bad thing?