Once again George and I crashed the log cabin home of Dave and Lisa Adlard. Their Candle in the Woods.
Normally I join Dave on his morning run when I visit. But this year we were both injured and instead rode mountain bikes. Dave seemed to lag behind.
For some reason he kept the bike in the toughest gear all way round.
Morgen knew how to shift gears but is seen here begging me to slow down.
» next travelogue post on this trip – why I go to Coeur d’Alene
15yrs or more since I had last seen Scott Whiteside from Lethbridge, we hooked up to scramble the most enticing peak in the Crowsnest Pass.
Originally a gymnastics coach, Scott now runs the climbing wall at the University of Lethbridge and has climbed the highest mountain in South America, Aconcagua. (Actually his group turned back before the top even though Scott was feeling great at the time.)
Scott and his wife recently purchased a holiday home in the Pass with a view of this mountain. To find out how we made it to the summit — check the comic video clip.
photo – George Novak
» next travelogue post on this trip – cycling Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
First stop on a holiday down to Yellowstone and the Tetons was Head-Smashed-In.
This was my first time visiting this World Heritage Site though it is less than 2hrs from home.
For over 5000yrs tribes ran bison over a cliff here, one of the oldest, largest and best preserved buffalo jump’s known.
Fascinating and well run — despite what Dana and other friends have to say.
» next travelogue post on this trip – Climbing Crowsnest Mountain
The everglades are a marshy subtropical stew: skunk water, sawgrass, hammocks (islandlike masses of vegetation), palms and mangrove forests.
Much of the year the Glades are impossible with biting insects.
I took a ranger led canoe day trip through the 10,000 Islands (actually only hundreds of mangrove islands) out of Everglades City.
The highlight was a frolic of dolphins that came close.
There is a good 10-day water wilderness trip from here all the way to Flamingo. What a trip that would be!
Next time, perhaps. This is the last post on this series of travelogues. I left the sun for frozen Calgary on the first day of Spring.
The Heat are the hottest team in basketball right now. And you can get a ticket for $10.
The Heat loss, the only NBA game I have ever seen, was a bit dull. Far less entertaining than the NHL Flames hockey, by comparison.
Shaq was not particularly impressive though I can see how he dominates under the rim. He is huge, even in a big man’s game.
More impressive was coach Pat Riley. A big man too, very much in charge. Pacing, he looks the movie version of an egocentric coach.
Riley recently called Dwayne Wade, the Heat’s top scorer, the most gifted player he had ever coached. High praise.
Shaquille O’Neal and Dwayne Wade
Next travelogue on this trip >> baseball – Florida everglades
I bought a scalped ticket ($15) for the Jays vs the Red Sox. Canada’s Team put on starters and still lost (4-8) to mostly minor leaguers from the much stronger Boston franchise.
Not a Pro baseball fan, I still very much enjoyed the mild vibe of a Spring Training game in small town Dunedin, Florida.
We sat in the second row above the Sox dugout. My scalper actually chatted with some of the Boston players.
Did you hear about the “Miracle on Grass“? Canada beating the USA in the World Baseball Classic?
In Dunedin I saw Canadian hero Adam Stern back with his Boston Red Socks. Stern had a home run, a triple and a single in Canada’s upset 8-6 victory over the biggest American names in professional baseball.
Next travelogue on this trip >> baseball – Miami Heat basketball
A classic barbecue place. And a Blue Jays Spring Training baseball game. 🙂
I actually sent an audio review on Eli’s to the Rockin’ Ronnie. Still waiting on that to be published on one of his audiocasts.
La Nouba is an independent production built right into downtown Walt Disney World, Orlando.
It has been a big hit. In fact, Disney is considering building more specially-made Cirque venues at their other giant amusement parks around the world.
I loved the show. Their trampoline act is the best I have ever seen.
The current poster girl for La Nouba is one of the most popular Cirque performers, Natasha Hallet, member of the 1992 Canadian Olympic Team.
Next travelogue on this trip >> baseball – Blue Jays in Dunedin
I drove by the International Speedway. It’s HUGE! Daytona is the Birthplace of Speed.
Then had lunch at famous Daytona Beach.
There was an indecent Spring Break bikini crowd around, but the bigger news was Daytona Bike Week which had ended just before I arrived.
If you are thinking of buying a Harley and driving down next year, be sobered by the death count: 21 motorcycle related deaths over 10 days. The previous high of 15 Bike Week fatalities was set in 2000.
The law requiring motorcycle riders in Florida to wear protective helmets was repealed in 2000. Most victims this year were not wearing helmets.
The second largest world gathering of motorcycle fanatics I much prefer — Sturgis in South Dakota, near Mt. Rushmore. I would be happy to join you in a Sturgis pilgrimage!
Next travelogue on this trip >> La Nouba, Cirque du Soleil
I visited Peter and Joyce Long at their new active retirement community just outside Ocala, Florida.
It’s a perfect Truman Show gated community catering to those age 55 or older who no longer work — but who refuse to slow down!
36-hole golf course, softball fields, swimming pools, aerobics, dance studio. 80 clubs and organizations catering to every interest, even synchronized swimming. We were waiting for the fitness centre door to open at 6AM each morning.
Two neighbours were both recently widowed. They met through the Singles Club and are now getting married.
If you are currently living in a SITCOM (Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage) you want to email Peter — peter.long@longsworld.net — to learn more about what it is like to retire to Florida.
Also, check Peter’s photos of our Kayaking and Cycling day trips. Flickr (free) membership required.
Next travelogue on this trip >> Daytona Beach, Florida
Rick McCharles 