As we'd hoped, Thursday turned out to be a beautiful day. Good thing, too, as we've spent the better part of it outside seein' the sights that Thunder Bay, Ontario has to offer.This morning we set out for the Panorama Amethyst (yes, I had to look up the spelling) Mine and had a lovely couple of hours digging up some real beauties. There was a guide there who gave us WAAAAYYYY too much information about Canadian history when Jack asked him what the heck is pictured on the back of the Canadian $20 bill. (We thought the pic might have been a shot of the "Oh - AY - Oh. OHHHHhh Oh" [you have to sing it... low, high, low, hiiigghhh, low.] witch's guards from The Wizard of Oz. I guess not.)
We were warned that the black flies were pretty thick, so we sprayed ourselves down and headed out with our buckets and picks. My family visited what I believe is the same mine when I was a pre-teen and I remember it as being fun then. (I also remember my brother, then about 7 or 8, walking out of the mine with his pockets full of stones and bypassing the weigh-in! I think the stones were about $1 a pound then; they're $3 now.) It was fun this time, too. Jack found some beautiful stones and was so into his hunt that he roughed up the ends of his fingers pretty good. A little hand cream and they'll be good as new before hitting the road tomorrow, though.
After stones, we explored what little there is to see in downtown Thunder Bay. They have a pretty set of falls there and a section of pretty well-worn houses and small businesses around a shipping port. We then had lunch, found a grocery and a beer store and headed back to camp.
Something worthy of note, I think: When we were pulling out of The Beer Store (no, that capitalization is NOT incorrect) a guy honked at us as we tried to pull into the drive and out onto the street. Nothing that we'd think twice about, right? Jack mumbled something about the intelligence of the guy's posterior and we pulled out and stopped at the next light. A guy who had been behind us in The Beer Store lot, pulled up next to us in an SUV and said, "That wasn't me that honked at you back there. I'm sorry about that. Have a nice visit, eh?" Needless to say, we were pretty impressed. Who do you know that would take the time to apologize to a stranger for someone else's discourtesy? Wherever we've been here in Canada, people have been nothing by friendly and kind - what a nice change...
Tomorrow, we take off again. Although we'd like to end up in Sault Ste. Marie, I think it may be too far (I'm still recovering after the fun house ride we had yesterday.) We'll let you know where we land as soon as we get another hook-up (so to speak.)
Much love. Please write and let us know if you're all ok!
L
8 comments:
Hi guys!!!! Well just to let you know the cat seems to be doing OK now. He is on medicine and we are waiting to see if the growth near his eye is a tumor or just an infection that will go away. We went to Canada(London) for a day but was rather disappointed and came back home. The mine looks like fun!!! This is the second week of our vacation and we sure are getting alot of rest..not doing much. Just kickin back...
Hey! Glad to hear about the cat. I hope it turns out to be something minor. Having a sick pet can be as expensive (both financially and emotionally) as any other member of your family! What was up with London? I know I was there as a kid, but don't remember visiting as an adult. Not much shakin'? Maybe the four of us can go over to Tunnel BBQ in Windsor before summer's over - yum!!
Thanks for the post! As always, you're terrific!
L
oooh gem stones! Can't wait to see your treasures. I like you hat in the pic dad.
The weather has been pretty steamy in MI - temps in the mid 90s! Thank goodness for air conditioning!
Oh, by the way, I had that 2nd ultrasound a couple of weeks ago- and everything looked good. (We have one big baby....measuring larger than normal every time--ahhhhhh, maybe it'll be here sooner than expected :)
Talk soon, love, m
WHERE IS LEYRER?????
Hey Michele,
We can't wait to see what you'd do with some of these stones :) Just how big IS this baby? My buddy had three kids - each over 11#. Big guys, even today! How has all the heat affected you? Stay in touch - we'll see you very soon. - L
Mike and Laura - THANK YOU for keeping close tabs on us through all of this. We appreciate being missed! :)
Hey Guys,
I know you're close to getting home and we're getting close to taking off. Actually tomorrow night at 7:00 is our expected take-off. I thought you should know, Laura, I now own a laptop and have set up a Blog page...but not nearly as cool as yours. I still can't figure out how to put a slideshow on it. I have pics, but haven't figured out the slideshow part. Anyway, we must get together when we return and compare notes and pictures. Have a very safe remaining trip.
JD and ME
Mary Ellen: What is your blog address? Is it on Blogger? I'd love to follow along! The slideshows are very tricky. I still have to try seven or eight times before they post. Wish I had some advice for you. Don't become a slave to the blog. Post when you can and have a WONDERFUL time. We'll be thinking of you!
L
Hey, if you're having that kind of trouble, there isn't much hope for me. The blog I started is the usual blog address with alaskadreamers. I will probably give up on the slideshow idea. But, who knows. I bet you'll be glad to get home. I've shared your summer adventure with everyone I know. You two are just too much! Again, be safe. See you in late August.
M.E.
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