The Lower Fort Garry

One of the fur traders in the fort.

If I recall, he spoke French!

Dying the Yarn

If you ever wondered how the early settlers dyed the yard they had, the question was nicely answered in a small display.  

The various colors were vibrant.   I was impressed with the ingenuity and creativity of the early settlers. 

Neighbors Came to Visit

The re-enactors all know one another and help support one another's roles.   As I was touring a 1750's house, all kinds of neighbors showed up to greet me.  

They were all most delightful and charming.

Making a Home at the Lower Fort Garry

As I walked around the Lower Fort Garry, it was impressed with the re-enactors.   The young lady below did a nice job on the violin, even with a 21st century Band-Aid on her finger. 

 Besides that, she kept to her role and she did a great job on the violin!

Happy Thanksgiving 2016

Be thankful for those who love you and for those you love.
Be thankful for what you have.  Many have much less.

And, be safe out there! 

Skinner's!

Near the Lower Fort Garry is a landmark.   Established in 1929, everyone in the area has been to Skinners for their World Famous Hotdog.   To be fair, they offer a number of different hot dogs.  And, mine was...VERY good.  It was also totally in keeping with my diet!

I passed on the ice cream.   But, it was tempting.  

My thanks to the wonderful staff at Skinner's for their hospitality!

The Arrival of Dignitaries at Lower Fort Garry

This is actually a painting on the under-side of a bridge next to the damn.   I am quite surprised that the colors were as vibrant and sharp as they were.   This area of the continent is known for some rather inhospitable winters! 

The summers are beautiful.   I've been there in February with a -45F wind chill and a -35F air temp.   The summer is a lot more fun!

Traveling in Canada

One of the things I like about my job, is that I get to travel to Canada.  Generally, I am just in the Toronto or Winnipeg areas.   I really like Winnipeg.   In my youth, I was a canoe guide in the Quetico Provincial Forest and BWCA.   I loved the woods.

So, I try to get out and see the area when I can.   It's better than sitting in a bar, at least for me.

On this trip, I managed to get to the Lower Fort Garry area.  Canada utilizes a lot of hydro-electric dams and sells some of its surplus electricity to the US.

I really wanted to grab a fishing rod and see how they were biting. 

 I'm not sure if this is totally accurate, it's been a long time, but I believe the last cast I made in Canadian water left me wanting to go back.   Just as the lure was about 6 feet away, something hit it.  The rod bent, the line broke, instantly.  It was HUGE.  And, I never saw it.

I wonder if that fish's great, great, great, great grandson is hiding in those waters.

Sometimes You Can't Get from Here to There in a Straight Line

My apologies to all for the blog being a bit slow this week.   My primary hard drive started to go.   I suppose a bearing was wearing and I noticed the computer would work for a while and then get very slow and lose the wireless connection.   I thought it was a fan.   But, when I took the covers off and started digging around (because that's what you do inside a computer), I felt the primary drive.  It was too hot to touch for long.

So, I got an ice pack from the fridge and laid it on the drive to keep it cool.  And, I backed everything up for the next 2 hours.  I went through 2 ice packs!  But, it worked.

Then, it was a matter of getting a new drive, getting it installed, finding all the programs I need, getting them installed and then, and only then, could I see if I could copy my data from a spare drive back to the new hard drive.  

I am very pleased to say that I was finally successful.  I have a few more programs to load.  But, I am generally back.  So, my blog readers can rest assured their respective lives can go on without the tragedy of losing this blog! 

I learned a lot in this process.  The first thing, of course, is to pay attention.   The second thing, is to back up your data!  The third thing, is to not let too many people talk to you when you are stressed about work, the computer, your data, and the blog.   It just sort of slowed the entire process down.

But, I believe I am back. 

It's nice to be back.

Blog Update. Hard Drive has Crashed!

Due to a sudden hard drive crash and burn, my blog updates will be delayed for a couple of days.  I believe I have my photos safely backed up.  But, that will remain to be seen.

Fingers crossed.

In the mean time, this image was not taken by me.  But, I love it.

She is our future.   Take good care of her.   Teach her to work hard.  Teach her to study hard.  Teach her to be kind to those deserving kindness.  Teach her to understand justice.  And, teach her to be strong, so that she can withstand those that seek to do her harm.

Rest well, my little princess.

Traveling to Winnipeg

Meet Roxanne!

This lovely young lady was my waitress at a restaurant I picked randomly. 

I thought the lighting made her smile look fantastic.

Thanks Roxanne!

Guests at the Birthday Party: A LeDoux

Meet Carol,

She was one of the guests at the surprise party at my home.   I've wanted to meet her for some time.  She held political office, taking over after her husband (Scott LeDoux) passed away from ALS.  If that name doesn't ring a bell (no pun intended), Scott was a heavy-weight boxer who fought Ken Norton, Ron Lyle, Gerrie Coetzee, Leon Spinks, George Foreman, Mike Weaver, and Larry Homes.  He also did an exhibition match with Mohammad Ali.

I had no idea Scott (the Fighting Frechman) lived near me.   So, I was very pleased to find out that the birthday girl and Scott's wife were friends.  

We had a lovely conversation about Scott and politics. 

Thanks Carol!

A Surprise Birthday Party

I am not exactly certain how my house was picked as the location for a surprise birthday party.  But, it was!

Meet Christie!

She turned "mumble mumble mumble" age that day.   So, we were able to host a party for a whole lot of people I didn't know! 

Happy Birthday, Christie!

Ahlman's Shooter's Round-Up: Another Trip to the Gattling Gun

Before I wrapped up my visit to Ahlman's, I had to walk back through the various exhibits the way I had come.   And, it was worth it to stop at the Gatling Gun again.

Ya gotta love that smoke!

Ahlman's Shooter Round-Up: The Civil War Cannon Crew

I was surprised at how many men it took to fire a cannon.  If memory serves me correctly, there were at least 8 people involved in firing a cannon. 

Here the crew is getting ready for a demonstration.

And, the firing was pretty impressive. 

I enjoyed this a lot.   I wanted to get closer but the cannon crew was not exactly supportive!

Ahlman's Shooter Round-Up: The Doctor is In!

Besides the German and US WWII forces that were re-enactors, there were others who were fascinated with earlier histories. 

This group was from the 1700's. 

Complete with a doctor who doubled as a dentist!

And medicine!

s

Ahlman's Shooter's Round-Up: WWII Germans!

I heard there were both US and German re-enactors.  However, I never found the US guys.   But, the German's were fantastic. 

This officer never left character and would not look at the camera.  

I think he even had the dog trained to not look at the camera!

My sincere thanks.   I would love to do more photos of all of you!

Ahlman's Shooter's Round-Up: More Old West Re-enactors

I really liked both of these parties.   The "shoulder" holster was more common than I thought.   The Saloon girl had a great outfit.

And the black attire with matching holsters and silver vest was a fantastic look.

My sincere thanks to you all!  I'd love to do more photos of all of you!

Ahlman's Shooter's Round Up: The Old West

I really enjoy watching most of the re-enactors.   The old west cowboys and gun slingers represented quite a time in the US.  

I didn't get any of these people's names.  But, how about that steely look!!

Ahlman's Shooter's Round Up: GULP!

Before anyone gets excited, no this isn't actual chemical weapons.  But, it did get my attention!

Ahlman's Shooter's Round Up: A Crewman for the Gatling Gun

Meet John!

John was busy helping people get up to the firing line and briefing them on the basics.   And, he was very busy loading the magazines that held the 20 rounds!

Thanks John!

Just one last photo of a Gatling Gun and the smoke in the air.   AHHHHHHH...smells GREAT!