Friday 10th July 2015….road trip !!!!!!

Well I was able to watch the first set of the Murray v Roger semi final this morning before I went to play tennis…Federer as always been my favorite and the first set that I saw which he won was scintillating tennis and when I finished playing tennis at the club I managed to get to the club house to see the last game which Federer won and the commentators were saying what a glorious game it was so I now look forward to the final on Sunday…he will be in tough against Novak but do not count him out!!!

After taking a shower at the club I got on the highway and drove 125 km to Campbell River where I turned off into this park

It was an easy walk to the falls but on the way saw these huge water pipes…

The falls go into a deep canyon!!!

The sound of the thunderous falls was lovely…

This bridge was just opened this spring!!

Just a beautiful area….

Then on the road by the ocean

I then arrived at my friends home where I was going to stay the night.  Norma and Croft have been friends for many years and have always been so good to me it was great to see them again and to get caught up on the happenings in our lives…..this is the view from their front garden

and this!!!

Resting on the shore, two kilometres south of Campbell River’s city centre, lies the forty foot tall Big Rock. An anomaly in the local landscape, this monolith has graced the shoreline for at least ten-thousand years. In its time as a denizen of Vancouver Island it has been at the core of thousands of stories.

The Ice Age

Where did the Big Rock originally come from? The scientific explanation is that it is a glacial erratic left over from the most recent ice age. This is referred to as the “Wisconsin” ice age and was the last of three major glacial stages. During this stage (about 26,000 to 13,300 years ago) the ice sheet that covered North America was 3 to 4 km thick and extended down to the 45^th parallel north (northern Oregon). The glacial sheets took so much water from the oceans that the sea level was lowered by 100-120 meters and the weight was so intense that it deformed the Earth’s mantle and crust and even altered the Earth’s gravitational field! Huge expanses of coastal plain opened up the coast as the sea level dropped. At one point you could walk from Vancouver Island to Haida Gwaii. In fact, underwater archaeology has revealed the presence of permanent human habitations at the 100 metre mark.

On the west coast, the glacial sheet flowed towards the ocean. It is possible that the Big Rock originated hundreds of miles North-East of its present position. The most likely explanation of its origin is that it was plucked off of the top of the landscape and dragged along under the glacier, the pressure and friction scouring and polishing it into its present shape.

The Campbell River Big Rock is pretty big, but it doesn’t compare in size to the world’s largest known glacial erratic, “Big Rock” (also known as the Okotoks Erratic) near Okotoks, Alberta.

First Nations Legends (adapted from Michele Sirett’s “Big Rock Statement of Significance”)

Of the various First Nations peoples that have populated the areas neighbouring the Big Rock, three tribes have distinct origin stories about the Big Rock that survive to this day.

Laich-kwil-tach

The legend tells of a Grizzly Bear who terrorized the people of Cape Mudge on Quadra Island. The bear was tricked into jumping across the water to Vancouver Island. The people knew that if he didn’t make it and touched the water he would turn to stone. If he did make it to Vancouver Island he would stay because the food sources were more abundant. The Grizzly almost made the jump across but touched the water’s edge and was turned to stone. This legend also explains why there are no Grizzly Bears on Vancouver Island.

K’ómoks (Comox)/Pentlatch

This legend tells the story of Kumsno’otl, the Transformer. Kumsno’otl travelled about the land. One day he went to a place where an octopus-shaped monster lived in a lake and devoured people who went near the water. Kumsno’otl decided to destroy the monster when he noticed the misery it was causing the villagers. When Kumsno’otl killed the octopus-shaped monster he cut up the monster and threw the stomach on the ocean’s beach where it was transformed into stone.

Watch the animated presentation of this story, a production of the Museum at Campbell River and Raven Tales/New Machine Studios.

Tla’amin (Sliammon)

The legend tells the story of Mink and the Whale. Mink, a small boy, was swallowed by the Whale during a fishing trip near Mitlenatch Island (just off the southern shores of Quadra Island). In order to free himself Mink cut through the stomach and killed the Whale. The Whale beached on Vancouver Island and transformed into an enormous rock.

Interestingly, Mitlenatch Island also has a ‘turned to stone’ legend of its own. As retribution for the local people’s indolence the Great Spirit turned the local princess into stone. He placed her in the ocean as a continual reminder of his presence.

Tradition has it when I come to visit we go down to the harbor dock and have fish and chips…. some of the best I have ever tasted and we did again and thanks for buying Croft!!!

Came home and chatted and had tea and cake and just a good time….

In bed which is very comfy…..  come back and visit tomorrow and see what I have planned!!!

Yashi Kochi!!!!

Thursday 9th July 2015…..another full day!!!

Starting with you know what and then at 9 o clock went to  play

two hours of mixed doubles and I met my partner Trish, we will be playing together in the senior Games next month, she is a lovely lady and we did well togther and  had fun.

After tennis came home and did some chores and then went to visit with Karen I thought because of the heat and her dog Lilly we would just stay inside drink ice tea and eat fattening desserts but no Karen had other plans…firstly Lilly was staying with her son so no worries about the heat for the dog and Karen wanted to go for a hike…who am I to say no…….so off we went to

This is a nice hike through dense forests

and then beside the ocean

Ending up at Dodds narrows a stretch of water where usually the tide flows quite fast but not today…we sat awhile and watched the boats come through

Now I want you all to know that when I took the photo above I did not know until I cropped the photo that this was the driver…

Ladies please turn away!!!

Too funny!!!

It was a nice hike almost two hours and we were both so hungry so we stopped at a local pub for dinner…

Another nice day.

I am going on a one night away road trip tomorrow and hope I have internet so stay tuned !!!

Firefighters' selfie: en route to Canada.

News

62 Jalisco firefighters off to northern Alberta

Longtime partners called on to help during a bad year for fires

 

Mexico News Daily | Thursday, July 9, 2015

Firefighters from the state of Jalisco, their season having ended a few weeks ago, have gone to where they’re needed: fighting wildfires in the Canadian province of Alberta.

Sixty-two arrived yesterday in Edmonton, the province’s capital, en route to the north of the province to join the 1,700 firefighters who have been working in the region for several weeks.

As of last night there were 92 wildfires burning in the province, 33 of which were out of control, but the situation has improved: upwards of 120 fires were reported burning on the weekend.

“The fire season in Alberta has been particularly busy,” said an Alberta government information officer. “We’ll take the help that we can get,” said Geoffrey Driscoll.

“Every little bit helps and we’re certainly happy that our partners in Jalisco were able to give us some firefighters.”

The relationship between Jalisco and Alberta goes back at least 10 years. In exchange for helping fight fires in Canada, Jalisco’s firefighters are provided Canadian training. The Alberta government pays travel and housing costs and salaries to the Mexican firefighters when they’re called upon to assist.

“We’ve been working with them on training and a number of different things,” said Driscoll of the arrangement. “. . . we have brought their training standards up to our own, so that’s why we can have these firefighters here.”

Jalisco firefighter Héctor Trejo said he and his crew are ready to go.

“The guys are good to go. Our season just ended a couple weeks ago so we’re happy to help up here.

“Most of the guys, this is their passion — fight fires, get to know the forest — and what better way to do it than come to another country and help others.”

Trejo noted one adjustment his crew will have to make is in the use of water.

“There’s more water in the forest up here than Mexico so that’s a bit of a challenge for us down there and then a challenge up here using water pumps and stuff.”

 

Yashi Kochi!!!!

Wednesday 8th July 2015…a short blog!!!

Woke at 7am and started watching tennis and I have one comment to make and you really need to be a tennis fan to understand this…I also make this comment having been a top flight soccer referee…..at one stage of the tennis match this morning the Canadian guy and this is not showing favoritism, was serving at a crucial point in the match…they had just played a long rally and you could tell he was a little winded anyway they are allowed 30 seconds to serve and he went over his time and the chair umpire gave him a time count violation warning…I mean really at such a critical time he could have left it alone but no he did it again a few games later …. my view and understanding is when I came off the soccer field if no one knew my name or was making any noise about me I had reffed a good game ..this umpire with millions watching showed his power and totally unnecessary and the TV commentators agreed with my views…the kid went on to lose the match and it was not because of this decision but I just feel in such a competitive sport a very minor infraction should have been left alone…little rant over!!!

Went shopping after tennis and when I came out of the Mall my rear passenger side tire was flat……I managed to get air into it and went to a local tire store….exactly the same as in México..great service right away, great job done and the cost 35 dollars…in Mexico 5 dollars!!!!!

Then went and met an old friend Beryl for coffee which was nice to catch up and then supper with the poker boys and then poker…I could tell from the get go it was not my night and I was out the maximum 20 dollars most of the night but like a good Pearson boy did not give up and made a late serge and finished the night only one dollar in the hole!!!!!

Happy Birthday today to Kirby!!!

Now time for bed.

Yashi Kochi!!!!

Tuesday 7th July 2015..another full day!!

Well here we go again another busy day coming up but first I watched Serena power her way into the Women’s semi finals at Wimbledon..boy is she ever strong and whacks that little yellow ball!

I then packed up some food and drinks and off on a road trip down to Duncan about a 50 minute drive to go on this hike..

 

Mt Tzouhalem ("zoo-hay-lum") is a fascinating place, with as much history as it has rocky nooks and crannies.

It's named after a fierce aboriginal chief who lived in the caves here, and who died in 1854. Before he moved to the mountain with his followers, he was a leader amongst the Cowichan people. It's documented that when a large party of northern tribes arrived in Cowichan Bay to raid for slaves, Tzouhalem helped to lead an unprecedented alliance of southern communities in response. They baited the attackers with canoes filled with warriors dressed as women, who led the raiding canoes to a bloody ambush on the shores, which no northerner escaped.

There is also a large Christian cross near the summit, originally placed (as a wooden cross) by local Catholic churches in the 1970's, and then replaced by the current welded version in the late 1980's by some Knights of Columbus

  So there are no trail markers but I found a map from the folks at the Visitors service center and found where I needed to park at this lovely church..

  Looking up from here is the mountain

and the X is the cross and seen here with the great zoom on my camera

 

This was a steep hike through thick forests and all the while hiking I thought about my favorite hike in San Miguel  which also goes up to a cross like this, good memories!!!

This is the San Miguel cross

I think this driver should have turned left instead of right!!!

After about 45 tough minutes I came to the summit and even with all the haze of the smoke the views were quite lovely!!!

I had my lunch with these views and it was a great hike and of course going down much easier!!!

These were the only form of life I saw the whole time!!!

I then drove about 20 minutes on a neat small road

and then onto a gravel road where I saw these two beauties!!!

and then arrived at the destination of my next hike

A short hike with fantastic views of this great structure and again I let my imagination run wild and picture all sorts of goods being hauled on these lines!!!

I am getting good at these selfies!!!

I arrives home at 6 o clock in time for a quick bite to eat and off to the tennis club, never tire of saying that as I have mentioned almost every day…I had been invited to join a men’s doubles but this time a younger group they were in their 50’s I think…this was really good tennis and the old guy here managed to hold his own and it was great fun I must have done Ok they want me to come back….joking aside I am so blessed to be able to do the hikes I did today and then 90 minutes of really hard tennis..I never take my health for granted!!!

Will admit now stretched out on the couch with tea and some cookies writing this….was a good day!!!

Question for you!!!

What is the difference between women’s and men’s soccer!!!!!!

 

 

Yashi Kochi!!!

Monday 6th July 2015…..the fires!!!

 

 

 

• Times Colonist •

Smoke from fires north of Vancouver turns the sky a murky orange.

 

Smoke from fires north of Vancouver turns the sky a murky orange.

VANCOUVER —  Haze from forest fires blanketed much of the Sunshine Coast and the Lower Mainland on Sunday morning.
Ash can be seen on vehicles in areas of the city, including Kitsilano.
The shishalh Nation in Sechelt reported this weekend that there have been big increases in respiratory distress calls to emergency services due to smoke.
The First Nation also reported that the 38-bed St. Mary’s Hospital in Sechelt has reached capacity.
An evacuation alert has been issued for some areas north of Sechelt near the 80-hectare Carlson Point blaze.
Meanwhile, hundreds of residents around B.C. have been told to pack up and get out as several raging wildfires crept closer to homes and businesses Saturday, prompting two more communities to declare states of emergency.
Shortly before noon on Saturday, two mines and a hydroelectric facility in the Pemberton Valley were placed under an evacuation order because of the Boulder Creek fire, which has doubled in size over the last two days to 500 hectares.
“It’s likely going to pick up. We have a chance of gusty winds and really low humidity. There’s no moisture in the air so we are expecting it to be quite aggressive,” Melissa Klassen, a spokeswoman with the BC Wildfire Service, said on Saturday afternoon.
The Squamish Lillooet Regional District also declared a state of emergency, which is issued when there is a threat to people or property and allows the local government to bill the province for operations.
The Boulder Creek blaze, burning 23 kilometres northwest of Pemberton in steep terrain on the Upper Lillooet Forest Service Road, was sparked by lightning last Tuesday and is zero contained. Thirteen firefighters and four helicopters were aiding in that battle on Saturday.
The fire grew signifciantly on Saturday and overnight showing extreme fire behaviour due to gusty winds and tinder-dry conditions.
Three fires — the Elaho, Boulder Creek and Nahatlatch — all displayed a vigorous and aggressive rate of spread, sometimes with crown fires, where the fire spreads from tree top to tree top.
The Elaho fire has grown to 2,000 hectares, while the Nahatlach fire is about 500 hectares.
The Boulder Creek fire tripled in size to about 1,500 hectares.
While crews are on scene they have had difficult tacking the fires because of the steep terrain, thick timber and aggressive nature of the fires, said B.C. Fire information officer Melissa Klassen.
The firefighters are being assisted by helicopters and water buckets but the smoke from the fires also presents a danger, said Klassen.
They wanted to call in a fire tanker plane on Saturday but its services were needed in other parts of the province, noted Klassen.
An evacuation order and a local state of emergency were also issued on Saturday in the Vancouver Island district of Port Hardy, where the fire is burning only about 1.5 kilometres away from the community.
The Tsulatquot River fire, which broke out on Friday and quickly spread to 17 hectares by Saturday, is suspected to have been started by humans, according to fire information officer Donna MacPherson.
Port Hardy mayor Hank Bood said about 100 homes have been evacuated, but only about 10 people had to stay in hotels on Friday night because most were with friends and family.
“We’re hopeful, but it’s still a very volatile situation,’’ he said. “People in the north island need to understand that we are in a very unusual place ... We’re not fooling around anymore.”
In the Okanagan, the 80-hectare Huckleberry fire, located in the rural Joe Rich neighbourhood between Kelowna and Big White, is one of eight large fires that pose potential risk to public safety and 170 around the province.
Thirty-two new wildfires were sparked on Friday, and officials are concerned there will be more this weekend as a heat wave continues, with temperatures spiking to the mid and high 30s in many areas. And there’s no sign of respite from the desert-like weather. Environment Canada meteorologist Matt MacDonald said the outlook is similar next week, adding that a massive ridge of high pressure will remain anchored over the Pacific Northwest and “it’s just ongoing dry conditions and warmer than normal.”
“We are just not seeing a reprieve weather-wise,” said fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek on Saturday. “It’s so hot and dry and that’s causing a lot of concern.”
Fire officials say 21 firefighters worked overnight in Joe Rich and another 40 personnel were been brought in Saturday morning to battle the Huckleberry Fire, which is now burning close to homes.
Heavy smoke can be seen from Kelowna and the blaze is highly visible from Highway 33, which is closed in both directions.
The Central Okanagan Regional District issued an evacuation order late Friday for residents in 142 homes, with an evacuation alert issued for another 158 homes in the area.
An emergency reception centre was set up for displaced residents at a church east of Kelowna on Highway 33. Firefighters from Joe Rich, Kelowna, Lake Country and Ellison fire departments were being assisted by a crew from the B.C. Wildfire Management Service. People were being asked to stay away from the area.
About 40 families registered at the centre Friday night and some were found accommodation at UBC Okanagan, said Bruce Smith, an information officer with the emergency centre, said Saturday. He added that most of the evacuees were staying with friends and family.
Meanwhile, in response to an extreme fire risk in many areas of the province, and a continuing heat wave, the government on Friday issued a sweeping campfire ban.
The ban comes with the fire danger rating for the city of Vancouver, including Stanley Park, now listed as “extreme,” and about 150 homes evacuated due to a wildfire near Kelowna.
Effective at noon Friday, all open burning, including campfires and fireworks, was prohibited throughout the majority of the province.
The only area where people can have campfires will be in the so-called Fog Zone, a two-kilometre-wide strip along the outer western coast of Vancouver Island, stretching from Owen Point near Port Renfrew to the northern tip of the island and Port Hardy.
The ban also includes the use of binary exploding targets used in rifle target practice, sky lanterns and tiki torches. Anyone caught breaking it could face fines up to $100,000.
Elsewhere, a local state of emergency was declared Thursday in the northeastern B.C. community of Fort Nelson because of a wildfire burning near an oil and gas plant. An evacuation order was also issued for the Petitot River Fire and affects about 15 people at the Penn West/Wildboy plant and some houses in the area.
Fire officials were concerned the 4,150-hectare blaze could spread from high winds, but by Saturday morning there was no significant growth.
Firefighters were also dealing with a fire on the Sunshine Coast that broke out Thursday. A blaze about 10 kilometres northeast of Sechelt had doubled in size by Saturday to 65 hectares. An evacuation alert was issued by the Sunshine Coast Regional District affecting about 18 properties. Residents were told they may need to leave their homes within a 10-minute warning and were asked to pack an emergency supply kit containing medication and necessary personal items.

 

There is no sign of any rain soon and the high temperatures are not helping…everywhere there is a haze and the cars are covered in dust..it is quite serious!!!

 

So for a change I did not have breakfast with Wimbledon instead I had breakfast and lunch at Wimbledon….what a lazy morning watched 5 hours of wonderful tennis and great to see the Canadian upcoming star posposil he won in 5 sets to advance to the quarter finals for the first time and then he came back on the court two hours later and played another 5 set doubles game but unfortunately lost that one…

 

 

 

At 1.30pm I went to the club and played doubles for 90 minutes then stayed at the club because I was playing again at 4.30pm so I took a snack my book and borrowed a lounger from the club and sat in the grounds looking at the smoky lake and read…the tennis was great really enjoyed it all but now a little tired….so an easy night for me…..

Yashi Kochi!!!!