Reflection on the pond at Nipissing University's Monastery Hall.

Here's another photo from "that place" mentioned in yesterday's post.

I took this photo yesterday at the Monastery, part of Nipissing University.

Beautiful Hibiscus - at one point there were 12 flowers!

Trout Lake Rescue - Good Deed #3 this week and a good way to keep karma clean. Yesterday we towed a neighbour and his suddenly not working boat from the Mattawa River by the Stepping Stones back to Trout Lake for repairs. A grand day to be on the water, towed, towing or not.

Mr. P.'s garden and "natural" patio above the garden for sunset viewing.

Our dog, Sunny, is quite the character!

It's the last morning of summer 2011, and autumn begins this afternoon, so I thought it fitting to post a recent summer sunset photo. Can't wait for next summer already!

Last evening, due to a phone call from Mr. P. and noticing it from our shore, Bob and I boated across the lake to investigate a large fire that spewed a lot of black smoke.

Upon arriving on the other side of the lake we found quite a large fire.

The fire was in an area the size of a full basement, and it was clearly unattended - no one around anywhere except for us, in the boat, on the lake.
After a time I called 911. I ended up calling a few times to continue the report.

Finally the East Ferris Volunteer Fire Dept. arrived; however, they spent a lot of time finding the lot on the lake with the fire. We noticed the vehicles driving along Centennial Cr. past the fire, so I called 911 again to tell them they had missed it. I did this twice until the 911 person finally got my cell number and gave it to the fire chief. He called me, and with some difficulty, I didn't know the exact layout of lanes and roads off Centennial Cr. from my lake vantage point, we finally got them directed to the fire. All in all, it was a good "Boy Scout" moment - do a good deed every day.

I quite like how old farm buildings' steel roofs "weather" over the years.

Chainsaw display at the auction, some from as far back as 1950.

Priceless treasures, junk, dust collectors ...?

They were auctioning this off as we left the auction. It was used all that morning to haul stuff around the auction site, but when they tried to start it up as they were auctioning it, it wouldn't start.

Here are a few of the "vintage" vehicles that were for sale at the auction we went to on Saturday. Although most of the for sale stuff was more obviously farm related, some of these vehicles could see duty off the farm.

We went to a farm auction here in North Bay on Saturday morning. Lots of folks, neat stuff and junk.




I prefer the photos in colour, which I may post later, but the black and white versions are cool.

Gotta like bumper stickers.

I went for a stroll around the college a couple of days ago to take some photos. I was amazed at how low the water level was in the college pond. This shot is at the main viewing/sitting area where the college abuts the pond. Actually, when the water is low, the pond area looks quite desolate and ugly. Not sure if the low level is due to the dry summer or the work being done above the pond for a new subdivision.

Mr. P.'s fixer-upper guest cabin.

Yesterday morning I spied a deer coming out of the bush and walking across our septic bed lawn. I dashed in to get my camera and tried to sneak up on it for a photo. I then noticed there were two or three deer - the ones from our neighbourhood, usually Dad and the 2 kids. They were a bit skittish. Anyway, how many deer do you see in the photo - where's Waldo?

TGIF and it's gonna be a beauty day here at the lake today!!

The Lakeview Grocery at the end of Trout Lake Road, more commonly referred to as Spykes, which is the name of the gas bar portion of the store.

Ontario's Community College's Support Staff is out on strike - striking to maintain full time positions. Today is day 1 for most college students. The photos above are from Canadore College's strike lines at 9:30 this morning.

Mr. P.'s first fire at his new "compound."

I took this just before I boarded the Fortuitous at Brophey's dock after a celebratory first drink at Mr. P.'s new "pad." Then yesterday I went back for a first fire celebration - photo tomorrow.

These "Mystery Bay" weeds will soon be turning a gold-yellow colour with the onset of fall.

It's going to be a scorcher today, so be ready to hydrate or beer-rate.

I copied the information below from my pal, UC, and his blog (on my links - "Phone call from the Urban Cowboy")

I copied the information below from my pal, UC, and his blog (on my links - "Phone call from the Urban Cowboy")

UC and I are both pals of the folks mentioned below, and we're quite enthused about this latest project.

Please follow the "escapades" during the latter part of September on UC's blog http://arnotti.blogspot.com/

Pedal With A Purpose

Just when you think my buddy Mike's harebrained bicycle trips couldn't get any more, well, harebrained, oops, he's doing it again.

So what's he been up to lately?

Well, he just finished a 12 day trip down the California coast this spring. Then a short while ago he did a gruelling 32 day adventure pedaling from Ottawa to Key West.

"So what crazy thing is he doing this time?" you ask?
"Pedalling across China? Snork, snork?"

Close - Vietnam.

With his who-I-used-to-think-was-sensible daughter, Julie.


But why not have Mike tell you about it himself.



So similar to Jimmy Buffett's Parrotheads, who "Party With A Purpose", they are going to "Pedal With A Purpose".

To support them, go to "Cycle for Care Vietnam 2011" and donate directly on-line.

Scroll down to "2011 Cyclists" and you will see both Julie and Mike's names. Click on Julie's name, as they have a joint account.

[Clicking on Mike's name just sends you into the ether. Surprize, surprize...]

And who knows, maybe I'll get some updates from Mike & Julie along the way to keep all informed of their progress.

The trip runs from Sept 18 through Sept 30. Go to "Itinerary" for more information on the trip itself - and to see that they are not just biking around Merrickville....

Good luck, guys!

Progress