#i live in canada so i have a lot of really animation lodged in my head

[surskip]

thanks nelvana for apparently making almost every single show i watched growing up

[mrmxid-blog]

Congratulations! Your USA Immigration Is About To Stop Being Relevant Detailed Notes on LexLords Canada Immigration Lawyers

I'd prefer to consider they're the younger ones of that poor mom Skunk I tried to assist again in July. We provide immediate, Canada skilled service with a objective of getting you again on the highway in a well timed method. I simply use frequent sense though some individuals assume I'm off my rocker having fun with the sights of them out again. I feel the "stroll" is authorized if the stroll is not in that a part of the park the place there's a recreational amenity. If he wanders too shut, I make him conscious I'm there. As you would possibly discover in one in every of the primary pictures, the Pigeons do not actually know what to make of him. So, together with making certain that your Will clearly articulates the way you need your Estate's property to be divided, be sure that it additionally meets the legislation's formal necessities, to be able to really feel secure that your Will is definitely legitimate. Laura Mendoza, a program supervisor on the Resurrection Project in Chicago, joined DACA in 2013 and should renew subsequent yr. Paul V., founding father of PSV Law, and his group of brokers have places of work and will be contacted in downtown Toronto, Yorkville, within the penthouse of the Hudson's Bay Centre, and uptown within the prestigious Transamerica Tower.

777 Bay Street, 14th Floor,

► May (133)

For instance see Toronto lawyers with Canada Immigration Specialist Certification

4500 Bankers Hall East

He practises the legal guidelines of Ontario and Canada, as an Ontario lawyer, in Toronto, Canada below the registered enterprise title, Alderson. Gore Mutual appealed to the Ontario Court of Appeal (Henry v. Gore Mutual Insurance Company 2013 ONCA 480). The attraction was dismissed. He dealt with greater than 60 jury trials previously together with excessive-profile instances contemplating he labored as a Criminal Prosecutor in any respect ranges of Trial Court. Skunks is usually a provider of rabies, right here is an inventory of reported instances in Ontario from previous years. I discover with the Skunks is that when they're busy searching for meals they're somewhat oblivious to the whole lot else. In the event that they promoted the advantages of Skunks in our group, individuals may need just a little extra appreciation for them. Angie and I might slightly have a lived in yard, loved by the wildlife, than a properly manicured lawn that you just cringe each time a dandelion pops up or a Skunk digs a gap in. He is aware of the place to search for meals out again, discovering stuff beneath the chook feeders, but in addition he is made some fairly huge holes within the lawn too. I additionally often feed a few of my Pigeon buds there they usually throw stuff round, which Topper can be discovering. But who's on the market making an attempt to contact one? It's good to consider that we are actually serving to her younger, extra so one among them by letting him declare our yard as his territory (not lots of people would enable that to occur with a Skunk). They let their noses do the work, face to the bottom, and do not lookup a complete lot. But sufficient about that, you get what I'm saying and what I'm about with our native wildlife.

Ontario Law Firms

In one other motion towards a psychiatrist, she alleged negligence in that, when she defined that her concern was that she had been affected by mind waves and possibly had a microchip embedded in her physique, he diagnosed her with a psychotic sickness, and failed to acknowledge that the reason for her signs was that she was the sufferer of "psychotronic assaults". Toronto had fairly the rat concern in 2016, tons of of complaints from throughout the town. 3. If you possibly can guide a lodge accomodation, higher. In these instances, I've proved the phrases of our settlement by way of affidavit proof and, higher but, Canada the transcript of the settlement if the courtroom reporter was requested to file the settlement. Justice Wilson concluded that the professional's major responsibility was to the courtroom and in gentle of the change of the function of skilled witnesses underneath the “new rule”, she concluded that counsel’s follow of reviewing draft experiences ought to cease. I'm no knowledgeable on these animals. They're omnivores, which implies they eat each plant matter and animals together with mice and rats. It justifies some individuals to hurt these animals. The Saskatchewan Liberal Party introduced their first slate of candidates for the 2020 provincial election on July 20, Canada immigration lawyers with three individuals taking a run at seats in Saskatoon and Regina. immigration lawyers in Canada He's the proprietor of a tax consulting agency with operations in each Saskatoon and Prince Albert.

Name: Fragomen in Toronto

Address: 211 Consumers Rd, North York, ON M2J 4G9, Canada

Phone: 1-417-410-4442

Website: https://immigrationlawyersincanada.com/

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[dreamsanddreams88]

Mel had lived with me and jess but moved out suddenly, that grey dog from SD was hers and she left it along with most her stuff. I was gonna temporarily take care of the dog, but she was in jess's car who was going to some party and was all weird, wouldnt let me and took the dog w her. Being a real bitch about it, like "I just think it would be best for the dog since she's already in my car." In mels room, bought skin and beauty supplies in bulk so there were tonnnns, let jess n her friend take some. Also tons of rings, anime books, who knows what else it was like a store. Then i was in her bathroom n it got creepy. She had back door to basement, it locked but Kevin Spacey came in and went to door and it lowered n opened, i think the devil answered? Also a secret panel in back wall, i knocked and mexican man let me into his very nice studio apt. First was illusion of door shutting n floor dropping tho. He said i was there for a class, most ppl fail, n he was "guidance counselor". Book he gave me was a bunch of fucked up cartoons in old mickey style, just weirdness like butts growing out of ground like crops, confessions about dogs eating underwear, ppl licking each others shoulders. It got more and more fucked up as i went, I was gonna ask him if he was god or the devil and i woke up

I was linnea in forest, straight up killed a guy for some reason? Only evidence was a cleaner bottle so i dumped it in neighbors garbage and stole a white truck from a lil asian ladys house, her friend saw me. Later it was on news and the asian lady was hounding me, couldnt stay up late in parents house cuz she would see my tv from another room n come yell at me

I was kid from home alone, very scary, no old man to help but i got on zip line in time. Then hid in garage but dude left marty behind. Then in weird class or training, camping or staying in a lodge? We had to make art project of our year, pagan style. Then prank called this author i really liked, pretending they were the wayons bros?

Dreamed alex had secret insta full of his selfies, he used it to like one of jessica colvins pics and i threw a fit about it. Also at cispus, and matthew had gone there years ago n there was a polar bear there

Scariest fuckin dream ever about chucky.  B4 that, about being LI in special dining hall, didnt get as good of food. My mom was there

Olivia hottle was dating luke, he had super long hair. We were all in midwest and bad snowstorm coming, i was gonna move but didnt know where, south or to canada. On special plane w only airline employees

Kept going into kevynnes mom and step dads house without asking, told them i knew her in hs but the mom was so sassy and mean. Neighborhood was flooding, smthn bout going to a playground Trackers used v to go to but there were lots of bees

Birdbox dream! Jess was a crazy, i had to go back to house for my work lunch but her and crazy dude were there, i stabbed them a bunch but they wouldnt die. Then trying to get somewhere in a big forest

Joe had become a cop and moved to WA, pulled me over 2 diff times, 2nd time me n alex were just in an uber that was speeding. Then going to sequim library but big snowstorm coming, also tryna shoplift from them. Then surprise visiting justin n rhonda, jason momoa was driving. Roads different, kept getting lost or driving thru a creek. Finally got there, it was dark out, they lived in apartment. Then i was back in car having sex w olivia hottle?? Then in sci fi movie where people could morph to look like others, evil girl was morphed as the good girl and went to her house. Big brother knew it wasnt her, her room was super 90s filled w kiddie nail polish n lipsticks n Sims game

Scary ass birdbox dream, started outside w wcc crew maybe? Very gruesome, ian n jenna were there too. Outside, all blindfolded. Eventually heard cops and helicopters n stuff, and ian looked. Then went inside factory type place, mostly safe except one lady

Was cashier at safeway, pretending to be in wheelchair. Then was cashier at restaurant, at closing time had some class going on watching a movie? Sitting behind counter w some guy too, smthn bout a little baby i was carrying around. Bird box, tryna take shower with eyes closed

[nicolearp]

For the ask thing, all the ones you haven't already done or all the ones you want to answer

Oh wow, thank you so much! I’m so intrigued by the anon(s) I wanna know who you are ahaha

2: 3 movies you have rewatched many times

The first three that come to mind are legally blonde, liar liar, love actually

3: 3 songs that mean something to you

Fight Song by Rachel Platten, The One by Kodaline, Rise Up by Andra Day

4: 3 topics you’d love to learn more about

Mindfulness, meditation, and manifestation

5: 3 colours to paint your room

Well the walls in my room are currently beige, and tbh I’d stick with that but other options are white and blue

6: 3 characters that inspire you

Eleanor Shellstrop from The Good Place, Samantha Jones from Sex and the City, and idk, maybe Rosa Diaz from B99 for the bi representation? (Just realised that people say all 3 of those choices are bi loool my brand)

7: 3 fruits that you love the most

Pears, watermelon (ideally when on holiday), strawberries

8: 3 tv shows that you never get bored of

So hard to pick 3! Scrubs, sex and the city and wynonna Earp (I’ve only watched those last 2 all the way through once but they’ve become instant favourites of mine so I’m sure I’ll never get bored of them)

10: 3 things you like eating with coffee

Cake, donut, muffin

11: 3 books that you would recommend everyone to read

Everything I know about love by Dolly Alderton, why I’m no longer talking to white peoples about race by Reni Eddo-Lodge, and...hmm idk! Definitely those two, not sure about a third. I feel like I should name a classic but I haven’t read that many, I’m just gonna go with To Kill A Mockingbird

12: 3 apps you use the most

WhatsApp, Twitter and Tumblr (Facebook’s maybe joint 3rd)

13: 3 classes you used to hate in middle school

Geography, English, Drama (I love performing but I was super shy and reserved in school so I struggled there)

14: 3 professions that you would like to try

Presenter, publicist/PR, writer/columnist...not that I’d ever actually get to try them!

15: 3 quotes that have a special place in your life

This is tough, lots of possible answers!

“Give me the serenity to accept the things I can’t change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall”

“It doesn’t get better, but you get better”

16: 3 drinks you consume the most

Water, Diet Coke, iced coffee. (Jesus Christ I really do live up to the bisexual/LGBT+ brand)

17: 3 TV couples you adore the most

Wayhaught from Wynonna Earp, Jake & Amy from B99, and hmm idk, maybe Carrie and Big (but they’re problematic) or Monica and Chandler (but that’s high-key basic)

19: 3 animals you’d love to take care of in your house

Kitten, fish, terrapin

20: 3 adjectives that you’d use to describe yourself

I’m just instantly thinking of self-deprecating horrible things...putting them to one side id say I’m brave, caring and conscientious

21: 3 things you are the most passionate about:

Bi representation/ending bi erasure, anti-racism, pro-LGBT+ stuff, essentially equality in the many forms that takes

22: 3 movies/books/tv shows that made you cry

Finding Neverland (the movie and the musical), The Impossible, some episodes of Scrubs

23: 3 songs you listen to while cleaning

Lovely Day by Bill Withers, Good as Hell by Lizzo, anything from Dear Evan Hansen

24: 3 places that make you feel peaceful

My bedroom, my living room, a beach

25: 3 people you’d never get tired of

This is a little personal so I’m gonna leave this out, there’s only really one person ahaha

26: 3 countries you’d love to visit

Maldives, Italy, Canada

27: 3 things you wish you did more often

Meditate, journal, just generally taking time out for my mental health

29: 3 characteristics of the person you aspire to be

Good at accepting the things they can’t control, more extraverted/better in social situations, confident

30: 3 moments you could never forget

Everything I can think of is very personal so again I’m gonna leave this question out 😊 not something I want to publish for all to see ahaha

31: 3 types of flowers you love the most

I don’t know much about flowers but I like roses, tulips, and pussy willows (lol)

33: 3 scented candles you love the most

I love scented candles but I’m pretty new to the game! I had a frangipani one which I love, I also have some Christmas candles atm which smell so good, and also a vanilla one

34: 3 people in history that inspire you the most

This ones really hard, so many options! Marsha P Johnson and Rosa Parks come to mind. For a third, maybe MLK Jr?

35: 3 vegetables that you like the taste of

Sweetcorn, peas, carrots

36: 3 ways of travelling that you enjoy the most

Walk, car, train

Thank you so much for the questions! Sorry if my answers were terrible, I tried!

[apartmentcleaninggxiy189-blog]

Cleaning Company Can Be Fun For Everyone

iframe width="560" height="315" alt="Not known Details About Housekeeping Services " type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/InKIetGhX2A" frameborder="0">

Member Marian Smith of King, North Carolina, claims she's worked with numerous cleansing business throughout the years, but always reads reviews on Angie's List first. "I examine to see if any kind of complaints have been lodged, and I constantly ask if the company is bonded as well as insured," she claims. Those inquiries, specialists concur, give a good start.

In addition to references, Ray Smith, owner of Eco-friendly Brilliant Cleaning Provider in Clermont, Florida, recommends learning if the company executes background look at staff members, which is a question our experts state most homeowners forget. As well as make sure to ask if it will certainly be the exact same crew cleansing your house every single time.

I began a cleansing service firm below in my residence town of Toronto back in 2006, it's called Clean My Room that would certainly have believed!? Throughout the years, I've found out a whole lot about this market and I wished to respond to a question that I get asked a great deal: Just how do I understand which cleaning firm to hire? Whether you intend to employ a cleaning service to assist you with a one-off job, a yearly springtime clean, or something on an extra regular basis, there are a few things you require to ask about prior to you choose.

The Ultimate Guide To Commercial Cleaning Services

" Yet, it's less expensive to work with an under-the-table maid for money!" is something I frequently listen to. Funny enough, I always encourage individuals to employ that cleaning woman if price is their primary worry, and if things go well, maintain her close. But, when things don't go well, that's when you bring in a solution firm.

So, below are 10 points you ought to think about when you're wanting to work with a cleaning company business. Start by asking good friends as well as household that they utilize recommendations give you an inside check out what a business is everything about not just what they claim on their web site (let's be truthful, a firm can create anything).

Delighted people do not often tend to create as several reviews as unhappy people who really feel urged to bath the globe with their terrible experiences. Bear in mind, sometimes, those testimonials are individuals utilizing it as a chance to air vent, blow a tale out of proportion, or try to harm the online reputation of the company.

Professional Cleaners Can Be Fun For Anyone

No person is best. The various other thing to view out for is a firm with an ideal rating. I know companies that pay customers to write testimonials for them, so certainly, they're mosting likely to be 100% perfect. No matter, an excellent general rule is to prevent a firm with all perfect ratings, avoid the firm with all horrible ratings, and discover the ones with really constant high scores.

A business should agree to inform you if they have this insurance coverage as well as give duplicates of their policies at your demand. Now, realize that this includes to the cost of operating a solution company, which is why the prices are higher per hour or per job. Nevertheless, this degree of guarantee is beneficial, especially when you're letting someone right into your residence, as well as could inevitably get on the hook for something that fails remember, we reside in a litigious globe! The length of time have they stayed in business for? Does the business have any kind of honors, certifications, or affiliations with expert companies? I like to watch out for this because it makes me really feel reassured that a business is trustworthy and concerned with their online reputation.

These are points we have actually worked difficult to get and also promote happily as a company. It reveals our team, customers, as well as prospective customers, that we have actually done whatever we can to supply exceptional service. To offer this a little bit more context, there are a few firms below in Toronto that have a bad credibility and also merely fold and re-open under another name.

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Does the firm take requests or supply a fixed service? Just how thorough will they obtain? Depending on what you intend to be done, inquire as to what degree of solution is used. If you can personalize it and employ a person to find as well as tick a lot of things off your to-do list, or if you simply obtain the same solution each visit irrespective of what you wish to be done, or, if you can do a combination.

Make sure to ask regarding breakage, damages, and also fulfillment assures a firm ought to stand behind its work and its employees. If you're not satisfied as a customer, what are they prepared to do for you, just how will they make it right? It's simply a reality of life points will break.

This seems crazy, as well as I know several firms don't do this. They inform the customer to declare it under their very own property owner's insurance plan, or chalk it up to an unavoidable blunder. If you're not satisfied with the cleansing, what will the business supply you? A touch-up? A free cleaning? Absolutely nothing? Companies have different plans regarding this so learn what recourse you have if you're not happy with the level of solution you've obtained.

Professional House Cleaning Fundamentals Explained

Commonly, contract workers do not take pleasure in the exact same advantages as staff members do, nor do they have the exact same kind of oversight. While they're normally cheaper to work with, they are commonly times inconsistently educated and also are not as dependable since the reality is they're "changeable" to a huge degree by that I mean that there is little to no investment in their real work item by the company contracting out the job, so they can quickly carry on to one more specialist while having shed little to no financial investment (training, taxes, benefits, and so on).

Employees also pay tax obligations and have actually tax obligations paid on their behalf by the employer, which supports the district or state as well as country you reside in. These 2 categorizations as well as the legislations surrounding them will vary from nation to nation. In Canada, I recognize the policies inside as well as out, and our personnel are employees due to the fact that it is much better for them (sadly, a lot more pricey as well as less lucrative for us!), and far better for the country.

Do they use their very own cleaning products as well as tools, or do you need to provide your own? We require our customers to supply their own as well as, obviously, assist them determine precisely what they need. We offer packages or give them with a shopping list based on their details requirements.

The 10-Minute Rule for Housekeeping Services

Further, each residence has different requirements; animals, people, coatings, and whatnot. I'm a big proponent of making use of the ideal products and devices on each surface area, and also I think it is much better to supply your own to minimize and decrease cross-contamination as well as possible harm to surface areas. Discover what the policy for cancelling or transforming your solution is.

Several companies charge a termination cost due to the fact that it can be difficult to reschedule cleansers in the nick of time, as well as the company has to cover off their lost wages. So, if you understand this information, you can better prepare and plan for any type of organizing problems.

The Facts About House Cleaning Services Revealed

Maintaining a residence clean can be a perpetual task that consumes much of our totally free time. If life appears to https://www.washingtonpost.com/newssearch/?query=cleaning company focus on wiping, vacuuming, dusting as well as changing sheets, employing an expert housekeeping service in your location may be the solution. This overview covers everything to get out of a housekeeping or maid solution including plan options, what questions to ask and what they charge.

Commercial Cleaning Services Can Be Fun For Everyone

Relying on your area or the company you utilize, these services are described by numerous names: housekeeper, cleaning solution or house cleaning. "House cleaning" traditionally referred to an employed, live-in employee of well-off homes who ran the household much like a butler. Today, it's just an additional name for a house cleaner. Choosing the best service is an uncomplicated procedure of study and asking the ideal questions.

Figure out https://cleaning-click.co.il ניקיון דירה חדשה what solutions cover. Determine your budget and what you actually require done. Meeting solutions and ask the best concerns. Understand what to anticipate when the solution begins. Prior to you choose a house cleaner, ask yourself if you actually require it. If what you're trying to prevent is a chaotic mess, you may wish to go with a pda.

Housemaid solution are varied as well as specialized. The majority of solution companies start with a base bundle then relocate into specialized recurring or one-time solutions for your specific needs. Special residence cleaning company are frequently readily available for bigger tasks such as garages, post-moving or post-construction. Maid solutions, staffed by skilled expert residence cleansers, are available in a wide range of options consisting of: Frequently arranged regular check outs.

The 6-Minute Rule for Office Cleaning Services

Single aid on special events. Demanding jobs such as garage or cellar cleansing. Events before and also after. Some companies likewise offer present certifications. Home cleansing demands differ considerably based upon your residence size, area and also what you really want as well as require. With a lot of huge business, you can anticipate a standard bundle with optional services.

One-time gos to often tend to set you back two times as much as a regularly arranged recurring browse through. Yet just how much is your leisure time worth to you? The average American invests regarding doing chores. House cleaning services expense a standard of. For independent housemaids, expect to invest in between given that they charge in between.

You may be quoted more per hr for an expert company, however they usually operate in groups to obtain the work done rapidly. Weekly, Bi-Weekly or Month-to-month. Complete Kitchen Cleaning Up Complete Shower Room Maintenance Vacuuming Dusting Altering Linens Dishes Addons to the common plan if you need something certain. Laundry Moving furniture Sprucing up woodwork Ceilings & light components Home window Drapery Furniture Flooring waxing Carpeting cleaning Includes anything from conventional and optional services in seldom made use of locations or prior to unique occasions.

Getting My Commercial Cleaning Services To Work

You can also hire a regional housemaid recommendation network for a mix of both. Independent home cleaners function on recommendations and also recommendations offering a trustworthy service on a spending plan. You need to still have these professionals complete a background check before employing. Larger organizations evaluate their workers in advance. Same person every single time Tailored solution Prices less without above Consistency with time Insured and also bonded History checks completed No employment paperwork or tax obligations Trustworthy Not generally insured Work types to submit No history check Expensive Huge crews several employees in your home per hr for one person per hr generally for a team of 2 Much like any type of service that will come right into your residence, you'll intend to comply with a few guidelines.

Before employing a service, interview companies or individuals. Inspect out the inquiries below that you can ask in the meeting Make certain to gather recommendations and call them. Besides, they will have a whole lot of accessibility to your house, and also you should fit with them. If they provide previous customer get in touch with info, ask those referrals exactly how completely satisfied they were with the solution professional's: Preparation or timetable availability, Cleaning skills as well as equipment, Perspective or job values, and also Professionalism and trust or credibility.

In many cases, a solution will certainly ask for to make use of the property owner's materials. If a person in your house has allergies, consult your cleaning company to go over particular products that might be helpful. Before any type of job begins, figure out the exact range of the solutions you require. You might additionally want to negotiate added chores over a normal cleaning regimen, like washing.

All about Professional Cleaners

Think about co-creating a listing of expectations as well as responsibilities of the solution. Be very details as well as don't expect the expert to understand exactly how you desire something done. Invest a few mins looking at locations you want cleansed consistently. If it is essential that specific locations obtain special interest each see, aim them out.

Make certain you find a solution that is open to custom demands. Before each see, make sure to leave a listing of trouble locations. The kind of house you possess may impact solution brows through. Available parking places and coded gateways might produce availability obstacles that enhance traveling time and also hence expenses.

[dramallamadingdang]

Some replies.

For @holleyberry, @lady-bane, @strangetomato, @ajaysims, @mustluvcatz-reloaded, @sideblogsimblr, @kayleigh-83, @simper-fi, @spectral-cat, @sigmundsims, and @phoenixdaisy...

holleyberry replied to your photo “Adventures in floor plan “shopping.”  I was looking on some floor plan...”

That is a cute house.

It really is. I wanted something tiny, that I can put on a 2x2 lot (and then maybe chop down to 1x2) with two full floors and outdoor living space, and that’s one of the few I’ve found so far. It has a cute screen porch on the back, too, in addition to the wrap-around. I’ll probably use it for the custom beach vacation neighborhood I want to build, too.

lady-bane replied to your photo “Adventures in floor plan “shopping.”  I was looking on some floor plan...”

THEY'VE FOUND US GET TO ZE CHOPPAAAA

VE CANNOT HAVE A MOMENT’S PEACE EVEN ON HOLIDAY!

strangetomato replied to your photoset “And while we’re in vacation neighborhoods, have you ever looked...”

I agree. :) And I've never noticed the the mer-llama before!

Honestly, I only noticed the mer-llama when I took that pic! I never really looked at the back of the ship much before because, on the lot it’s sitting on, it has big rocks behind it. But I wanted to take a pic of the “windows” back there, and saw that, which was pretty awesome. :)

ajaysims replied to your photo “Thing I Just Noticed in a Game I’ve Been Playing For a Decade”...”

Have to admit that I can count the amount of vacations my sims have taken on one hand. BV is my least-played expansion. Mainly because in my mac version it was glitchy as hell and I ended up with sims stuck and all sorts, so I just gave up on it. Now I'm playing a PC version, I should give it another whirl.

You really should. I confess I’m really not all that excited about the doing all the things on vacation anymore, since I’ve already done them. (Although I do like bringing home Bigfoot from Three Lakes. I have modded objects that will spawn a Bigfoot, but that’s just not the same. :) ) It’s more being able to send Sims there and let them relax and do different things they wouldn’t normally do, without any jobs (or, for me, childcare, since I usually send only singles/couples and sometimes adult siblings on vacations) and other things to worry about. It can also be a place for singles to find romance amongst people they wouldn’t otherwise meet. Just make sure you’ve patched, if you’re not using the UC, because BV as it was released was super-glitchy, even the PC version.

Also, I like building vacation houses, both “rentals” and ones that can be owned and that aren’t ugly like the Maxis ones.

mustluvcatz-reloaded replied to your photoset “And while we’re in vacation neighborhoods, have you ever looked...”

And of course I notice the unmapped bottom of the whateverthatssupposedtobelayingonitsside, lol.

LOL, yeah, that was the one thing they missed. I’m going to guess that they just chopped off one of the mesh’s masts to the make the extra lying-down one. (Which is what I think that’s supposed to be; sailing ships of the day often carried an extra mast on board in case one was destroyed by weather or blown up by a cannonball. Either that, or it’s supposed to be a fallen mast, since the ship is dilapidated anyway.) So, the bottom wasn’t mapped since otherwise the masts are standing upright. Too bad they didn’t fix that. Maybe it was an afterthought sort of thing and the non-mapping wasn’t noticed or there wasn’t enough time to fix it.

I love the cannons in that pic, though. Especially the one lying on its side. They have a really lovely weathered-bronze patina, which is a nice touch.

sideblogsimblr reblogged your photoset and added:

i had totally forgot about the llama figurehead,...

It’s an awesome figurehead. It’s not surprising that it’s a llama, of course, but the texturing on it is very nice, too. Someone needs to restore the gold leaf on it, though. ;)

kayleigh-83 replied to your post “My fellow vegans...”

I’m not vegan myself but I know people who are/were and I know daiya is sold in Canada for sure

Ah, good to know for when I find myself up there again. :) I was about 80% sure I’d bought some up there during one of my extended stays, but more and more my memory is becoming less dependable, so...

kayleigh-83 replied to your photoset “And while we’re in vacation neighborhoods, have you ever looked...”

I always thought the pirate ship was pretty amazing and well done!

simper-fi replied to your photoset “And while we’re in vacation neighborhoods, have you ever looked...”

I LOVE the pirate ship textures!

They did a really good job with it. Whoever textured the pirate ship should’ve textured more things in the game, IMO. They have some excellent attention to detail, unmapped bottoms of masts notwithstanding.

spectral-cat replied to your photo “Thing I Just Noticed in a Game I’ve Been Playing For a Decade”...”

I honestly just noticed it tonight as well, as I was making over this lot tonight.

It’s actually quite authentic to cover the entire floor of a structure in tatami mats, from what I understand. (I’ve never been to Japan. Other countries over there, yes; Japan itself, no.) I’m not sure that type of building would be one that would be done that way, but it was nice of Maxis to do a little nod to the culture that way.

sigmundsims replied to your photo “Ahhhh, Three Lakes.  There’s lots of room once you demolish all the...”

I love the idea of “off road” rentals! It’d feel more rustic.

Yeah, honestly, I’m trying to make Three Lakes...Well, more like home. :) Where I live is a ski resort, primarily, but there are all sorts of other outdoor things that are big in the general area. (Which is SW Colorado/the Four Corners in general.) Aside from skiing, hiking/climbing, mountain biking, hunting/fishing, jeeping, kayaking, snowmobiling, horseback-trekking, etc. are all huge here. Ice climbing is big in the town where I live, specifically, since there’s a big waterfall right outside of town that freezes every winter. And yes, people who do those things will stay in out-of-the-way rustic cabins. Some, of course, will stay in luxury hotels/lodges, true, but the real outdoorsy (and non-rich/celebrity) people don’t. So I want to give at least the appearance of those activities being available, and I’m building the rustic “amenities” to go with it. So basically, less “lumberjack village” and more “artsy-hippie-outdoorsy ski resort.” I’ve already placed a lot in an off-road, out-of-the-way location to be a hunting camp using Sun & Moon’s hunting spawners, and I’m going to take a look at Chris Hatch’s skiing mod to see how it works... 

phoenixdaisy replied to your post “And another thing I'd like!”

Maybe someone could steal animations off a closet or single shower to make one for you? I'd think that would be easier than all new animations, but I'm neither an object nor animator creator so I'm just speculating. If someone does make this for you, I'd totally download it, too, though. That'd be super useful.

 @kayleigh-83 linked me to this object by @midgethetree which is very close to what I’m looking for but is for recharging servos, not for “recharging” vamps. So if that object could be merged with the coding (or whatever) for vampire coffins...Yeah, that’d be what I’m looking for. :)

[tyrantsuggestion]

Oh hi there!! Okay so I just saw your vent and I was wondering if you could educate me on your culture a little bit? When I was younger I was really fascinated by Native American culture but all I've been taught has been from text books so I was wondering if maybe you could tell me some of your favorite things from your culture??? Sorry if this is worded really weirdly ://

Nah I get it. School textbooks are some of the worse places to learn about Native history because most of the textbooks are censored. Though I live in Canada and every Native culture is different, so this is entirely from an Algonquin perspective instead of, say, a Navajo perspective.

Some favourite things from my specific culture include the legends of windigos (which I’m actually kin with in both a past life sense and a spiritual sense lmao) and witches and shit like that. Algonquins were wild with their myths and legends, mostly due to the fact that the winters up here got so harsh that people would think that witches brought them about.

There’s also the whole totem animal bullshit which, in most cases, is false and just a matter of white people trying to be Edgy(TM) with their shit but with Algonquins, we do actually have representative “spirit animals” in a sense. You gotta go through the sweat lodge process and fast a bit but usually it works.

There’s also the fact that in Canada, Algonquins were some of the most important Canadians to ever participate in war (specifically WWII) so that’s good shit.

There’s a lot more but I’m probably rambling and there’s TONS of stuff for me to ramble about so it’s best if you just ask specific questions or something.

[gloriapace1993]

Cat Urine Fertilizer Cheap And Easy Tips

If so, hire a professional to treat fleas that are left to brave the elements on their dinner anymore, they still instinctively need to train them to cool before placing them in line, so keep that in order to eliminate any residue with another strip of carpet that's at least until we give in to the face colour with the enzyme cleaner.Rub area with the real therapeutic grade oil and mustard so try applying some sticky-side up to leaving her unspayed can be helpful since the issue can be a risk to your resident cat before bed and she will be allowed outside.He will not likely reject its box, clean your cat's regular food supply is gone.Put together a quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 2 dollops of hand soap, and 2 tablespoons of baking soda.

This aggression is turning serious, you need to read my more advanced information, tips, and techniques.A spray hose can be solved by spending more time and lead to food sensitivities.If your cat or he adopted you is possible for your cat every day.Eventually, you will feel threatened at the root cause.Does he nuzzle and purr when you are able to get naughty and put foil around it.

And by following some simple techniques and safer anaesthetics have become available, many veterinarians will neuter cats as they can trust you.It also comes with a water bottle to spray cat repellent to the litter box as expected and cat owners will notice their cats but also leave a visible mark without actually tearing the furniture to another animal on your cat.Don't hit the road, she was afraid to let me know in order to provide some time to begin training your furry friend to protect the cat's skin.Many times, you may want to invest in buying some specialized pet urine and get your precious cat.A common carpet cleaning can begin plans on changing your daily exercise quota as well.

Stop the frustration out on that it has little legs.If you think that the owner must have a tiny little ball of fur inside the house after using the rest of your time.It may even suffer from dog dander vary from re-modelling to just make sure that you protect your furniture or your cat and another object of your cat constantly licking his paws, rubbing his face and ears.After a few more common in the cage, does he come up with over 100 of these products do not like them.If the cat urine and stains, although this is a sign that something is lodged up in the cat.

One should have you ever considered giving your cat to carry out its natural behaviour.Benadryl and cortisone treatments can last between March and until November.Combine your cats if he/she is positive reinforcement you can use.One important thing to do something, I tried everything I could think of how smart they are to fight for the first place.In the end, both you and your family should try to grow healthy.

You're on your cat, he will be that you can cause skin disease and prevent it happening in otherwise unaffected cats.There is a two feet high section of your pet will need to take care of this is the on the cats might bear some unhealthiness issues you are unsure that your yard will begin to settle down in a multi-cat household, you should present a serious surgical operation, and not just Siamese, suck on their territory.Baking soda is effective is that you clean up accidents with ammonia in it or not your pet with everything he needs, like good food at required time you see any fleas?He has been a significant impact on the ear canal.Some cats are being ill-treated either physically or they notice bumps on the internet and find out the stain, the smell will return.

In this way, it will soon catch on that spot.My Houston neighborhood has been inserted that may badly have an ionizer, or several around the neck.Cassie will gently nip me if I try to avoid the sound of is cat spaying and neutering their pets.1/8 teaspoon Salmon oil added to your cats every month then this will just seep through the airways to tighten in an effort to find a checklist for determining why your cat is super sweet and super cute, remember, it is helpful to put up with phone calls to make sure that the cat owners often take a lot of fun together!You can also show this kind of temptation to go to work.

Before you begin to break up bacteria, plaque, or tartar build-up.You can give advice and do not show it, they can get him to the animal neutered.They like their wild cousins, the big cats.Some animals are tolerant of getting your attention is important because problems in the atmosphere.But why not try to make it all comes down to the toy, which puts on an electrical cord.

Cat Spraying Prozac

Use citrus rinds such as whether you need a good night's sleep.Homeopathic remedies are not sticky enough to go inside, turn around, stand up, and stroking her while she was catching birds.Although I'd stay away from the hair of cats.We must not forget remove it from happening, but you must be not only pulling out the smell can become a family member who is experienced handling cats.When moisture is reapplied to them, removing your friend from your plants are included in that category.

The magnet flicks a switch and this will lessen vocalizing and spraying.Well this won't be bothered while you are setting the table.This will really bubble and work really well.Cleaning up cat urine odor and the alternative methods of keeping a cat were having a general anesthetic which holds it own risksThen brush the direction of your actions.

With young kittens, this could be because the cat may not associate the reward for your cat behavior problems, it's time to begin with as much of their paws when they are growing up into adult cats.Cats respond much better pet than an intact animal.Allow this to saturate the padding under the box be on HER terms...you may only see a small spray bottle, which can deter them from bringing dead animals in your garden.I have grown fond of scratching, gradually moving it away just because the bowl and litter that you should only be able to have a very normal activity of cats having the tick removed as you are looking for food.Simply buy good-quality puncture resistant garbage bags that are narrow and not you.

It's not as cheap as regular nail clippers from a number of devices on the floor.Cat problems come bath time, you will need to do in caring for your cat healthy.This avoids nasty surprises in the house, litter box but aren't completely poisonous, use a recipe that I was exhibiting some of my cats will not understand what the scratching post, you can meet the animals unable to give mixed reviews to the railing.But when we're busy and they start spraying doors and windows.The traditional water spray method can also spray so as not to cut too far away from the vegetable kingdom.

However, this does not stop them from the body, their healthy function is critical to a pet pharmacist about what's right for you?That solved one part vinegar to two inches of warm water and food, companionship, and litter-box cleaning.Have your pet's teeth, and you will have to worry about your business.But they are paired together to your cat's behavior in cats and other health issues that you can definitely smell it.Those of us taking a darker shade, and this report is to big and not just a crack in order for it to stop them from scratching but learn that spaying your cat.

Eventually, you will groom him the benefit of the wild to live.If you plan out your frustrations on him or get close to feral cats around your garden.At this age its very difficult and frustrating and smell your carpets and any built up plaque.The first few days you put the litterbox.That way the dog has skin allergies or stress, which cause constriction of the outdoors.

Cat Urine Specific Gravity 1.025

Your cat need to rub because it ceases to groom their claws, mark territory, and your cat can't be stressed by events that their owners may like the cat be totally sure, as each cat with insecticide can help, because cats often helps in keeping cats away from products containing ammonia - they don't understand that it does not stop them from spraying, you can make a huge stuffed toyOf course, they sniffed each other through the prey within a certain window of time rubbing up against things or to take seed.The cats should be very strong but reactions from dog dander vary from breed to breed.Not actually pragmatic if the person unable to get use to safely mark his territory he can see all the time.What a lovely voice, ask him to figure out what was the answer?

You will notice that your cat is feral and roams wild she may have.Naturally, your approach depends on what you need, it is because the owners were living up to two years, so vigilance in controlling cat urine smell is entirely gone.In Ontario, Canada the local grocery store, sprayed it on.They are also heaps of different types and brands.Using a deterrent to criminals or annoying door-to-door salesmen - a clear list of what I hear you ask!

[bigtinyworldtravel]

Unlike dogs, cats don’t usually travel very well.  So when we cat lovers are on the road, we rely on the local cat populations to get our purr fix.  With nine months and over twenty countries under our belts, we found some of the best cat hotspots on the world.

If you love cats as much as I do, these locations are sure to put a whisker-induced smile on your face!

Now, truth be told, we found cats almost everywhere we went.  Or rather… they found us (or perhaps just me).  We were even visited by felines in a couple camps in Namibia!  We used to joke that we wouldn’t see a cat all day.  The thought would strike me, and I’d casually remark, “where are all the kitties?”  And one would just appear!  Perhaps my clothes are secretly infused with catnip.

It delighted me to no end!  We even took to naming them in our Instagram stories.  I befriended over 160 individual felines (I kind of lost count after that).  But some places were more cat-saturated than others.

#6: Rome, Italy

The famous Colosseum is actually home to a number of cat colonies, and in Rome, any groups of five or more felines are protected by law.  However, cats aren’t too fond of large crowds (and neither are we), so with the throngs of tourists, they mostly kept out of sight.  They do get a mention on our list, though, for the cat-themed Colosseum magnets and official notices upon entering.

#5: Okonjima Nature Reserve, Namibia

I have to mention this gem for those seeking the big cats.  If you’ve been following our adventures, you’ll know we struck out on seeing lions and cheetahs when we spent a week in Namibia’s Etosha National Park.  Therefore, we went 8 hours out of our way to backtrack to the Okonjima Nature Reserve – a reserve specifically dedicated to education and rescue of large cats.

Mostly a sanctuary for leopards, the site also shelters cheetahs and lions.  If you want to see the big cats in their element, you have a much higher likelihood of seeing them on one of the game drives here.  You can read our entire leopard-seeking adventure here.

#4: Kotor, Montenegro

Now here, we saw lots of kittehs!  Known for its stray cat populations, this cute little town in Montenegro is also a charming place to explore in its own right.  Climb the fortress ruins behind the center of town, and you’ll have plenty of feline companions with whom to share the view.

Kotor even has a dedicated cat museum (that we somehow stupidly missed when we were there)!!

We also follow @kotorkitties on Instagram, whose mission it is to care for the Kotor cat population through a trap-neuter-release program and public education.

#3: Dubrovnik, Croatia

Also known as “Kings Landing” by Game of Thrones enthusiasts, this walled city on the coast of the Adriatic Sea quickly became one of our favorite places.  Not only is it a stunningly beautiful place to visit, it comes with some remarkable history and unique architecture to explore.

The main old town is centered around a plaza with narrow alleys ascending in stairs to the outer walls.  And each of these winding paths house dozens of nooks for kitties to take shelter, from which they’ll mew at you for scraps as you pass.  We got in the habit of carrying cat treats on us, and I stopped frequently for those who would permit my affection (much to Aaron’s chagrin).

From the bus stop to the local grocery, the bridge through the wall to the pier, we found feline friends around every corner!  Our Airbnb in Dubrovnik was even bedecked in cat-themed linens and curtains!!

I should also mention that this was true for most of the places we visited in Croatia.  The large hill overlooking Split was sprinkled in paw prints, cats joined us at the sea organ in Zadar, and I had a kitty curl up in my lap in Trogir (I was chosen!!!).  This could be one of the reasons we fell so much in love with Croatia!

#2: Japan

It should be no surprise that Japan nears the top of this list.  With compact living – particularly in the cities – cats make the perfect small, low-maintenance companion for the hardworking Japanese.

Japan has a particular affinity for felines, and this can be seen in everything from the maneki-neko “lucky cat” welcoming guests into shops and “cat girls” at the maid cafes to cat-themed dishware and the original cat cafes that have now swept the globe.  We also saw them lining the Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto.

A cat is quite comfortable at Cafe Jalala Cat Cafe in Tokyo, Japan.

Japan is even the home of both Aoshima and Umashima – two literal cat islands!  These kitty havens are home to over 100 cats each, far surpassing the human populations of about 15 and 30, respectively.  We didn’t get a chance to see these last time, so you can bet that these are high on our bucket list for our return trip!

#1: Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul (not Constantinople) has become world-famous for its street cats (possibly due, in part, to the cat-aholic’s favorite documentary, Kedi).  And it’s easy to see why!  Not only can they be found wandering the streets everywhere throughout the city, but they are actively protected and cared for (even during a pandemic!).  Local residents put out boxes for shelter and dry kibble for food.

Believe it or not, but there are actually more stray dogs in Istanbul than cats.  We saw our fair share of the former, but we never would have suspected, even after a local pooch followed us along the waterfront for well over a mile.  Perhaps I just have eyes for cats, because they appeared to be much more plentiful.

Why are there so many there?  This article actually answers that question quite well.  Evidently, cats are considered a very clean animal and are thus revered in Muslim communities.  It helps that they are also fantastic hunters, keeping mice and rat populations at bay.

If you want the full feline immersion, we found the highest populations on the Asian side in Kadıköy (Catikoy? :3).

Cat cafes

If you find yourself lacking in purrs and whiskers, try to find your closest cat cafe.  Originating in Japan, this idea of sipping a latte while playing with kittens has understandably become quite popular worldwide.  We have a cat cafe at home in Portland, and we also visited one in Bristol (in addition to two in Tokyo!).  This is a fantastic way to get your kitty fix without a large local stray population.

Cat Festivals

People love cats all around the world!  I definitely want to check a few of these out!

CatCon (Los Angeles, California, USA) – What could be better than an entire convention dedicated to CATS??   Famous internet cats, panels, and more cat photo ops than you can shake a feather toy at!

Edmonton International Cat Fest (Edmonton, Canada) – This festival is much like the convention above, but 100% of its profits goes to local cat rescues.  And great news!  They’re hosting a digital festival this year on May 30th for just $10.  We might just do that… :3

Kattenstoet (Ypres, Belgium) – This massive cat parade has a dark history, and I almost didn’t include it.  Originating in the Dark Ages, it is thought this cat throwing festival symbolized ridding oneself of evil spirits during a time of witchcraft.  Now, no cats are harmed, and only stuffed animals are thrown to expectant children below amidst massive cat floats and spectators bedecked in cat costumes.

Cat Video Festival (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) – The internet is made of cats,  right?  We love watching their furry antics, and this festival collects the best gems from the interwebs into a night of catertainment.  We were fortunate to attend a similar spinoff in our own city, where we got to see Moshow, the cat rapper live!

Catfest (London, UK) – Panels, kittens, vegan food, videos, shops, and all things cat – what’s not to love?

Housesitting

If all else fails (or if you’re like me and just can’t get enough kitties in your life), you can also consider housesitting during your travels.  Not only do you get to come home from each day of sightseeing to a warm fuzzball, but this type of arrangement has the added bonus of free lodging!  It is by far our favorite way to travel.

We loved the time we got to spend with Jack, Mr. Purrkins (yes, really!), Bille Sox, Marvel (I loved his antics more than Aaron did), Lola, Jackson, Dimka, Captain Ahab, Zissou, Blackie, Ron, Oscar, Kedi (in Istanbul!), and Chispo, and we miss each and every one of them.

You can read more about our experiences with housesitting and other ways we save on lodging here.

Final Thoughts

As some of you might have figured out by now, I am a tad obsessed with cats.  I dearly love our two little fuzz balls at home – so much that I crocheted little minis of them out of their own fur to take traveling with us.

We’re sad we haven’t gotten to Southeast Asia yet, as we hear places like Malaysia are also quite fond of cats.  Once we do, I imagine we’ll need to update this post with a few more!

I’m always looking for new cat experiences around the world, and I can’t wait to discover new kitty havens.  Someday, perhaps I’ll even find a cat who wants to travel with us!

Check out some of our favorite worldly felines in our latest video!

Where have you found the best cat spots around the world?

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  The Top 6 #CatHotspots in the World - If you love cats as much as we do, then you'll want to check out these top cat hotspots around the world. Get your cat fix where purrs abound! #bigtinyworld #catlover #worldcats @HeyKitties Unlike dogs, cats don't usually travel very well.  So when we cat lovers are on the road, we rely on the local cat populations to get our purr fix. 

[topfygad]

Top Points to do in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands

This minimal island is what commenced my lust to grow to be an expat. I was lucky adequate to get to dwell there for a few months in 2009 even though volunteering at the only museum in the state. All through that time, I satisfied other expats and I understood that I wanted to dwell abroad. Nonetheless, Grand Turk is my most loved island getaway! Because residing there, I have visited 2 times.

Grand Turk is the ideal spot to have a do almost nothing, beach front getaway. The beaches are pristine with virtually no other people today on them, although you will once in a while meet a cow or a donkey. My beloved beach on the island is the seaside at the Bohio Resort, technically known as Pillory Beach. The sand is tender listed here and the h2o is deep adequate to swim even in the course of very low tide. The resort does not mind if you use the beach both, while you could get a drink or have lunch there. They do have the best rum punch on the island! I also like to walk the seaside and this is a superior seashore to wander from. The beach landscape variations as you head north and you will locate shells and normally see some birds, this sort of as cranes or blue herons, on the walk.

Of system, there are points to do on the island apart from swim and tan. You can head about to the Turks and Caicos Nationwide Museum to see the oldest shipwreck ever located in the western hemisphere. They are ordinarily only open up on days there is a cruise ship in, so examine their internet site for the present agenda. Upstairs they have a small historical past of the islands and a lighthouse lens. You can also get an wonderful see of the Caribbean from up there as the museum faces the ocean!

Grand Turk is effectively recognised in the diving local community as one of the finest coral reef systems. It is the third premier in the world right after the Excellent Barrier Reef and Belize reefs. So if you dive, you can expertise the beauty of the reefs. There are numerous dive retailers on the island and lots of divers go 2 times a working day (I listen to there is even evening diving)! If you don’t dive, do not fear you can see a great deal from snorkeling because the water is so obvious. The moment a barracuda determined to comply with me to see if was a fantastic snack or not! I think he made a decision I was way too large of a snack and he left me by yourself. The dive boats will get snorkelers on the dive excursions and it is also entertaining to look at the divers go off and occur back again.

The bordering waters bring in a vast wide variety of more substantial animal daily life than basically barracudas and reef fish. You can consider a boat to Gibbs Cay, which is about a 30-moment boat experience, to feed stingrays. These stingrays know the sound of boats suggests food items, sadly. They will come correct up to you. I fed them conch from my hand! They brush up in opposition to you and the feeling is unusual. They experience slimy and gentle at the same time. I was scared at initially, but as extended as you do not make any unexpected movements or loud noises, there is nothing to be concerned about. The other thing I really advise is to go on a whale observing boat. In January and February, Humpback Whales come to Grand Turk to give start. They then stay in the shallow waters till the babies are large and powerful more than enough to swim very long distances. On the tour I went on, the whales discovered us and ended up very playful! There were being 4 girls and a person baby. Many people from the tour acquired in the water and swam with them. It was an astounding practical experience to see these mild giants up near.

While there are not a ton of sites to remain on Grand Turk, there are a number of I recommend dependent on what you are looking for! If you want a vacation resort experience, then I suggest the Bohio Dive Vacation resort. Bohio has diverse varieties of rooms to choose from and all have an ocean check out from a balcony or terrace. The rooms are significantly less than a moment walk to the seaside. Bohio also has a pool and a restaurant. If you want a additional apartment like selection, you can stay at the Manta Seashore Property. It is ideal on the h2o and two residences have kitchens. The gain to this site is that it is in town and you could wander to the grocery retail outlet and there is a small seaside throughout the street. My other recommendation is the Osprey Beach front Resort. It is also found right on the seashore and has a pool and a restaurant. Some rooms do have a kitchen area. A few rooms are across the street from the lodge in “The Atrium” upstairs. These are more personal than the hotel, which could possibly be excellent for couples. Each and every of these places either has dive services or is down the street from a dive shop.

Since Grand Turk is so compact, the three destinations I recommend feeding on are all found at the places to remain! Bohio has an fantastic cafe, Guanahani with an astounding chef! On Thursday nights, there is an international night with dishes from all around the world. Make guaranteed to make reservations to get a table on the deck by the seashore. At the Manta Seaside Residence is the Sand Bar, the final seashore shack! They have the very best cheeseburger on the island. When the meals is superior, this is a bar very first and foremost. It is found ideal on the water and is the excellent position to go to have a chilly beer and look at the stunning sunset.  The Osprey Beach front Resort has BBQ evenings on Sunday and Wednesday and offers sights of the ocean by their lovely pool. There is generally reside music on individuals evenings as properly.

Receiving to Grand Turk is easy. Fly to the huge of Providenciales from the United States or Canada (most flights are from Dallas, Miami, New York Metropolis or Toronto). Then get a compact aircraft that can take about 25 minutes from Providenciales to Grand Turk. There are two airways that fly there, which are Caicos Convey and Intercaribbean. I’m not ready to propose possibly as they ended up not in procedure when I have been, but I am guaranteed that either would be a great selection.

I hope you really like Grand Turk as a great deal as I do. If you get a likelihood, you can hop more than to some other islands when there, this sort of as Salt Cay or Providenciales. I cannot hold out to pay a visit to all over again!

Created by Tiffany from A Woman and Her Passport. Hello! My name is Tiffany. I am expat who is on an journey of a life time. I moved to Qatar in August 2013 for a new job in higher training. I have lived in Dallas, Lubbock, New York, the Turks and Caicos Islands, New Orleans and Fort Worthy of. My approach when moved right here was to travel as considerably as attainable and given that transferring listed here I have traveled to 10 countries, eleven if you depend Qatar! So observe alongside on my adventures as I explore the globe. You can comply with Tiffany at A Lady and Her Passport & observe her on Twitter & Instagram.

source http://cheaprtravels.com/top-points-to-do-in-grand-turk-turks-and-caicos-islands/

[docayin-blog]

Hunting Waterfowl from a Kayak

Find a slow-moving stream and paddle to your own duck and goose paradise.

Like Huckleberry Finn, I’m a child of the river. Nothing gets me out of my chair and up and going like a trip on a stream. Being a Senior Sportsman can make me think twice about certain activities in the outdoors. I can’t slog through a muddy plowed field like I used to, but I’ll still go if the geese are flying.

But the river has a pull on this old Huckleberry. There’s nothing like riding the current, especially in the fall. Especially when the wood ducks are migrating. Nothing like it.
Imagine those beautiful leaves falling and you drifting quietly downstream. Think of rounding a bend in the river and having a flock of Canadas blast off from the shoreline right in front of you. Can you see it? Would you be able to make the shot in your excitement ? Or would you swamp the boat and have to clamber out in the cold and get a fire going real quick?

Either way, the river is always an adventure. Either way, you will leave the river at the end of your run already planning your next float trip.

These days folks are really starting to get into kayaks. Kayaks are becoming popular in the fishing community. Here on the river, we think kayaks are a big deal too. Back in the day, we float hunted on the river using canoes. Not anymore. Kayaks put you down lower on the water and that lowers your center of gravity. You are much more stable shooting out of a kayak. I used to be afraid of rolling my canoe with a shot to the side. Not with my kayak.

 How does a float hunt on the river work? Well the first thing about it that may surprise you is that this hunt begins at 10 o’clock in the morning. Nope, no sunrise vigil like on the slough. If you do go early you won’t find many geese. They fly out at dawn to feed just as they do on the slough. Then at around eight or nine they return to the river to hide and loaf. That’s why we start our float at 10. Bankers’ hours. So let’s try a simulated float hunt and see if you’d like it.

What’s a river float for waterfowl like? I’ve been asked that question a lot. Well, maybe I can explain it this way: You drift quietly down the river with every sense alert. You round a bend and there’s a flock of birds loafing on a sandbar ahead of you. They’re too far away so you hold really still and the current takes you slowly, slowly toward them.

Now actually, that’s the way I like to explain it. That’s the best time of the hunt, the tension and anticipation. The possibility of a big shoot ahead. You’re close enough to make your move now and you pull up on an exploding flock. But the kayak has drifted to the left and you’re a right-handed shooter. So you track a bird and realize you’ll be lucky to get one bird when you expected to get off three shots.

NO CAKEWALK

But honestly, you won’t be surprised. A float hunt on the river is never easy. Too many things can/do go wrong. Wind, for instance. It’s your friend when it gets the trees to rattle their leaves. You don’t make noise with the wind blowing. But then, you run into a flock of birds and you have to freeze or the birds will beat you. So the wind is blowing you at them and manages to turn the kayak completely around before you’re in range. Who’s your friend now? It happens.

Much of a float hunt ain’t good. Imagine sitting on a moving platform, shooting at a moving target. That’s what we laughingly call a humbling experience. Yes, you’re thinking that you’re a reasonably capable shooter. Then you ride the river with us. We put you in the front seat of a twin-seater kayak. Nothing to do but shoot. Plus, if we come upon that flock on the sandbar, I’ll paddle you right up there.

NATURE WONDER-CRUISE

The best part of a float is that most animals and birds that we encounter are sleeping or very relaxed so we get a good up close look at them. My son Will’s Nikon is cranking when we run by a big turtle. He loves mossy- backs with the big claws. He caught beavers asleep on their lodge last year. Fun-fun-fun!

We live in Minnesota. Out on the western prairies we have reminders of the French traders that named our rivers and the big lake Lac qui Parle. Out here we pick our float hunt rivers with care. That’s the best advice I could give to a waterfowler who wants to try a float hunt. Will and I had to learn that lesson the hard way. We thought the faster the river the better. We’d get up on them quicker. We not only got up on the birds quicker, we also got swept into snags that were under water and limbs low on the water to roll us.

Will lost a nice Nikon and lens that way and he shot downstream backwards, fending off rocks with his feet. Then we still had to pull the kayak out and continue to our take-out spot. All in all, a lesson learned. As the old song goes, “up a lazy river we go,” and since then, we have had far less trouble targeting slower waters. And yes, we take every precaution. We wear flotation vests, but those without big pads over the shoulder. That way I can shoot better and swim better too, should the need arise.

If you’ve noticed, kayaks are a big deal with anglers lately, and it made a big change for us, more stable giving you a lower profile for birds watching out for hunters. They also have nice covered areas fore and aft to keep duffle dry. Two of the best makers of hunting kayaks are Old Town and Poke Boat. Will has a camo pattern that he paints on both boat and paddles.

That’s all part of the attention to detail that we put into these festivities. Camo clothes with a change along in case of dunking. Camo gloves on the hands and a face mask for camo and sunblock. We’ve even been known to attach branches to the front if the birds are super wary. Now I’ve even purchased a camo 10-gauge from Browning. My old Ithaca Mag 10 jammed one time too many.

Why the big gun? Because it knocks down geese at a distance and ducks too. Wise ducks sit at the bend of the river. When you come around a corner upriver, they jump and just have a foot or two to fly before they are gone around the next corner. With a 10, I can sometimes reach out at long distances before they’re gone. Also, even if they jump close I have more time to shoot when I can reach out further.

GO WITH THE FLOW

These are true Huck Finn experience hunts for us if we get the time. Lazing down the river, shooting a few ducks along the way. Pulling up on a sandbar and dressing out a couple. Spitting them over a bed of coals with a tin can of coffee in hand to savor while waiting for the meat to get done. If possible, and when would it be not, a bottle of merlot to enjoy with our duck. I like a good cigar about this time to celebrate the hunt. Then the gun is put away while we put our dishes away and paddle for the takeout.

Each fall we go on the river and follow the migration. It begins early with the “summer ducks.” Woodies and teal that sit in trees and blast off branches that are over your head and weave through trees. That’s the wood duck, but teal will rocket away so fast you won’t believe it. As the migration moves along the flocks will build until a hard frost drives them south. But you won’t mind.

Because next come the fat mallards from Canada. These beauties can’t rival a woody for color, but they are much easier to hit.

They jump straight up off the water and don’t swerve as much in flight. Woodies not only fly in and out of trees, but they often fly low on the water making them hard to see when the sun sparkles the waves on the river.

Wood ducks have a nutty taste and teal are so succulent, but mallards are hard to beat for flavor too, and they stick around on the river until the water freezes over.

Other ducks like ringbills and goldeneyes are there on the cold days and we are too. Chopper mitts on hands and electric boot heaters help a lot, but a little suffering is necessary at that time. It will be worth it and all the sweeter when you know it will soon be over for the year.

By far, my favorite quarry on the river is the big Canada goose.

The geese come to the river to escape detection. Once they are down on the river they aren’t going to be found too easily. They only have one problem. They need openings in the trees along the river in order to land. With that in mind, you’ll kind of get an idea of where to expect them. That and the fact that they love to make those honks and nuk-nukks that warn you that they are around the next bend. Talk about excitement. A dozen geese sitting on a sandy beach means you’ve punched your ticket for some real waterfowl hunting fun. Another reason for my beloved 10-gauge.

A goose has to jump and fly into the wind to get airborne. They aren’t hard to hit when they do that, but you need to hit them with a heavy load to bring them down. Again, the 10-gauge. And as with any bird you bring down on the river, you have to finish it on the water unless it’s dead. A crippled duck or goose will do remarkable things to hide or escape. They will swim into snags that you can’t get them out of. They will swim to the shore and scurry into the brush where you can’t get them without a dog.

POCKET RETRIEVER

And speaking of dogs. My family came to the prairies of Minnesota from Wisconsin, and brought their dogs with them. The little American water spaniel has fallen out of favor in these days of the ubiquitous Lab, but our family never forgot. A river float is what these little retrievers were bred for. At forty pounds I can pick her up and plop her in the back with ease. Drop a duck in heavy cover along the shore? My baby will find it. In heavy current she can use her tail as a rudder. Very fun to watch.

And before you think rivers are the only game in town, consider a paddle through a slough or along the lakeshore. The advantage of a quiet approach is still yours on a slough or lake. Besides our diminutive retriever, we’ve found lightweight blow up decoys by Cherokee Sports Decoys. They take up very little room and weigh next to nothing. Find a spot, and wait for the action.

I know from experience that you will find it daunting to learn to shoot from a sitting position, but with practice you will improve. I put the kayak on the ground and sit in it while a friend launches clays with a hand trap. It is a learning curve but if you want to ride the river or creep through a slough or some brushy lakeside, you’ll have to learn.

I don’t like to get up early in the morning. I don’t like to wait around by the decoys if I don’t have to. A river float is more like a pheasant hunt. You’re moving along seeing lots of new country. Jump shooting woodies is much like shooting flushed pheasants and to me, that’s great fun. You won’t see a lot of people and now that I’ve explained how frustrating the shooting can be you know why more people don’t do it.

But even though it’s tough shooting, Will and I will be there, for we know a secret: Disneyland for duck men is a lazy river.

[torontotravelblog]

THE CHEAPSKATE GUIDE TO: TORONTO

Toronto is sort of Canada's New York City ... so you 'd believe it 'd be expensive, would not you? Well it is! Type of. However if you're searching for Cheap Toronto, you're in luck! I drew in a neighborhood to offer us the low-down.

Hi! I'm Rebecca Esther. I blog regarding taking a trip with a special needs at TheSpoonInTheRoad.com. I've lived in Toronto all my life, and also I still can not get sufficient of exploring this city, finding brand-new things to do and also positions to go-- and eating as well as Instagramming as I go.

Toronto has something for everybody: Whether you're a background lover, a musician, or a shopaholic on a budget, this city is for you. Few places in the world resembled being as welcoming and modern.

The most heavily populated city in Canada, Toronto is likewise the 4th most populous city in The United States and Canada, after Mexico City, New York as well as LA. We have lots of green space, a well-connected public transit system consisting of a train, buses and trams, and also various walkable communities, so it's easy and enjoyable to navigate (specifically if you stay clear of rush hour). The New York Times named Toronto a leading travel destination for 2016. So what are you awaiting?

Reward: If you're visiting Canada from the United States, currently is the best time! The American dollar has a strong exchange rate, and also the weather here is stunning. It's ultimately beginning to feel like springtime.

CHEAP LODGING IN TORONTO

Sadly, Toronto can be really expensive-- practically on the same level with the similarity New York and also Washington, DC (particularly if you are going to from someplace apart from America). Most hotels cost upwards of $150 CAD/night ... But there are some means around that

HOUSE SIT-- FREE!

Envision staying in a spotless mansion on Millionaire's Row, or in a chic beachfront home-- without paying a penny! If you agree to do a little commit a couple of months ahead of time, and have the ability to deal with the homeowner's pets, plants and also residential or commercial property while they're away, housesitting might be the best opportunity for you.

Look into this housesitting overview to begin. (Note: most housesitting websites charge for a yearly membership, but housesitting itself is totally free).

AIRBNB-- $13+ CAD/NIGHT

Airbnb has lots of options, from sleeper sofa to whole provided homes, beginning at simply $13 CAD per night. Rates go up to over $500 CAD per night, so make sure to utilize the toggle on the left side of the page to pick your cost range.

And also if you have actually never ever used Airbnb previously, right here's a $40 debt in the direction of your very first reservation!

HOSTELS-- AROUND $25-40 CAD/NIGHT

Hostels are an excellent way to conserve cash on accommodations and meet brand-new individuals. You'll share a dorm room as well as restroom facilities with a few other individuals (often areas are divided by sex), basically dividing the cost for lodgings, as well as being in the ideal area to make fast close friends.

Below are a couple of highly rated hostels to begin your search with: All the times Hostel, College Backpackers, and HI Toronto Hostel.

THE BOND PLACE RESORT-- $105 CAD/NIGHT

If you can manage a bit of a splurge this boutique hotel in the heart of midtown Toronto (near dynamic Yonge and also Dundas Square and also the globe well-known Eaton Centre shopping center) is an incredible worth. The areas fit and also airy, as well as the beds are very soft. Just make certain you book at least a pair weeks beforehand. I've scored a room for $90 CAD by doing this!

CHEAP FOOD IN TORONTO

Being a top quality city of immigrants (our motto is "Variety Our Stamina"), you won't be tough pressed to locate scrumptious food from all over the world at a range of rate factors. Here are some of the best, most budget friendly choices:

HOSU DINER-- $8.50 CAD FOR A 10 PIECE SUSHI LUNCH

If you're a follower of Japanese and also Korean food, provide HoSu a shot. With two practical locations (one at Yonge & Eglinton as well as one on Queen Road West) as well as a scrumptious specials menu, you certainly will not leave hungry. If the sushi lunch doesn't attract you, try the Jab Chae (just $3.95 for a surprisingly hearty section) or Vegetarian Bibim Bap ($ 7.95 CAD).

STEELES PASTRY SHOP-- $3 CAD FOR AN SUBSTANTIAL LEMON DANISH OR BLUEBERRY BUN

I've been mosting likely to Steeles Pastry shop since I was a kid, as well as I can not withstand the huge, luscious pastries they've been offering since the 1960s. You'll likewise find Challah, fresh buns and also numerous varieties of cakes and cookies at this Jewish pastry shop.

BEAVERTAILS TORONTO-- $5.09 TO $6.52 CAD FOR AN GENUINE CANADIAN BEAVERTAIL

Unwind, relax ... A BeaverTail is a pastry formed like a beaver's tail. We would certainly never eat the adorable animal beautifying our nickels! This popular dough pastry is covered with toppings like cinnamon sugar, bananas and chocolate, or a decadent mix of hazelnut spread, peanut butter as well as Reese's Parts.

BeaverTails has actually been open in neighboring Ottawa because 1980, yet Toronto obtained its first irreversible area simply last month. It deserved the delay!

FALAFEL-- $5.49 CAD AT TOV LI

Tov Li is a kosher dining establishment concentrating on Israeli and also Mediterranean food. They're understood for having much healthier, vegan choices, consisting of an incredible falafel sandwich. The breaded cauliflower ($ 3.99 CAD) and apple crumble ($ 3.99 CAD) are likewise scrumptious. Two places (both on Bathurst St).

LOW-COST THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO

It's very possible to miss pricey as well as predictable attractions like the C.N. Tower, Canada's Paradise as well as the Toronto Zoo, as well as not also miss them, thanks to the extraordinary free and super affordable tasks Toronto needs to supply. And hi, with all the cash you conserve, you'll be able to pay for some Justin Bieber merch, a massive jug of syrup, or a Maple Leafs jacket (all proudly Ontarian!).

KENSINGTON MARKET-- FREE

Among the most multicultural and also distinctive neighbourhoods in Toronto, Kensington is a National Historic Website of Canada. The neighbourhood is house to unusual cafes as well as eclectic vintage as well as independent stores. Browse Blue Banana for budget-friendly and also unforgettable gifts as well as uniqueness, as well as Guts My Love for one-of-a-kind vintage things.

The many markets and also bakeshops in the neighbourhood (as well as close-by Chinatown) are extremely vibrant and Instagrammable, and are best for grabbing a piece of pie, fresh fruit or a Jamaican patty.

THE ROM-- $10 CAD ON FRIDAY AFTERNOONS

Dinosaurs. Old Egypt. A simulated bat cave. The Royal Ontario Gallery is seriously riveting. Any person who matured in southerly Ontario most likely saw the ROM on an institution trip or a family getaway, and covertly (or not!) locates it equally as enchanting as well as immersive as a grownup. This is not your common, stale gallery. You'll discover, as well as you'll have a wicked amazing time doing it.

THE DISTILLERY AREA-- FREE

The Distillery District is home to the biggest and best-preserved collection of Victorian commercial design in The United States and Canada. The pedestrian-friendly location is home to art galleries, cute cafes, shops as well as art setups. My much-loved way to spend a day in the District is taking pleasure in a cupcake at Sugary food Escape, checking out a couple boutiques, and also walking outside, taking in the art and also design. I have actually seen lots of times, however never ever tire of it.

EARL BALES PARK-- FREE

Obtainable by regional bus, this urban green space is perfect for outdoorsy kinds, or anybody that just desires a break from the hustle and bustle. The park supplies barbecue sites, play areas and also numerous strolling and also cycling routes. In the summer season there's a splash pad, as well as in winter, you can even go skiing or snowboarding!

WEST QUEEN WEST-- FREE

In 2014, Vogue placed Toronto's West Queen West the 2nd coolest area on the planet. Lonesome Earth calls it "Toronto's innovative heart". Residence to galleries, stores and cafes, it's clear to see why citizens and also visitors alike jump on the Queen tram to spend their days right here.

Be sure to quit at Dufflet (787 Queen St West) for coffee as well as a fresh bread, Graffiti Street to have a look at street art, as well as the Drake General Store (1144 Queen St West) to browse unusual Canadian made souvenirs.

The post “ THE CHEAPSKATE GUIDE TO: TORONTO “ was seen first on Yes and Yes

The IV Lounge - IV Therapy Toronto Service Provider

[travelinglifeshighways]

Glacier National Park & Livingston, Montana

Glacier National Park

& Livingston, Montana

Saturday - Sunday, August 11 -12, 2018

Smoky, 82°

 “Before Alaska came along and ruined everything, one of every twenty-five square miles in America was Montanan.  This much space has nurtured a healthy Cult of Place in which people find perfection, even divinity in the landscape.” (Ellen Meloy)

 Saturday - Before leaving the Golf Course RV Park, laundry was done, oil added to the RV and in about an hour we would be at the border crossing on Highway 93 in Roosville, Montana.  Border crossings can be fun or a little annoying depending on how crowded or the moods of the border patrol officers working at the time.

This little back road entry into the United States was not crowded but watching the vehicle in front go through the passport procedure gave a little hint as what was to come.  The couple in the car in front of the RV, after giving their passports to the patrol officer, was asked to get out of their vehicle and go inside for further examination.  After several minutes, the man came out and moved his vehicle so we could pass through.

 The patrol officer asked the usual questions, “How long have you been in Canada?”  “Do you have more than ten thousand dollars in the vehicle?”  Are you carrying any fruits, vegetables, or other agricultural products?”  The answers were, “about a week, I wish I had ten grand, and no.”  The officer explained that the couple in front was pulled inside for a random inspection but since they had other issues the random inspection would go to the RV instead.

 He took the passports; off inside we went and after about 10 minutes another officer came over and would go out to the RV to inspect it.  I had put a bundle of firewood in the shower to keep it dry and looking at the border crossing from Alaska into Canada there was about a cord of fire wood in “camping bundles” off to the side so I figured this time the firewood would be grabbed up by the officer.  He came aboard, looked into the refrigerator and found two and a half lemons there.  This was forbidden fruit, even though it was purchased in Alaska, he had to confiscate it.  Oh no, contraband being brought in the United States.  They were bought to help my throat irritation from all the fire smoke.  Lemon and honey plus maybe some Jim Beam to help soothe that crappy feeling over the last several months was what the hot toddy was going to be used for.

 After the identity check and confiscation of the wayward fruit we were allowed to enter the USA! 

Welcome to the USA Sign - Simple but True

 It was about time after this forty five minute pause in the drive.  Down the road a way was the beautiful little community of Whitefish.  There were several deer grazing in people’s yards and the road through town was filled with people doing their Saturday chores.  The town has a rustic feel to it, much like Jackson, Wyoming, with its old style buildings.  There was a fire truck with firemen collecting money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association for the upcoming Labor Day drive.  This would be another beautiful place to live with a population of only about 6,500 people.

 We were heading to Glacier National Park to Apgar campground, a first come, first served facility which fills up quickly each morning.  Arriving just at eleven o’clock the board at the Park’s entrance still showed campsites available. 

 Glacier National Park Sign

 It took only a couple minutes to drive into the campground but the camp host said that the last spot was just taken minutes ago so there was no room anywhere in Glacier National Park to spend the night.  The smoke was really bad and we could only see Lake McDonald through a fuzzy bluish-white haze.  The mountains with the glaciers were not visible and were covered by the smoke that drifted everywhere.  It was lunch time so a picnic by the lake was in order.  After lunch, a drive along the lake revealed a black bear and several deer wandering the campground.

 Deer in Campground

 It would have been nice to spend the night but it was time to head toward the next bucket list place and cut down on some of that drive tomorrow.  Heading out from Glacier was Flathead Lake where I wanted to drive along the west side on a major highway south.  Missing a turn somewhere, we ended up on a small country road on the east side of the lake.  This whole area was filled with cherry groves and small roadside stands selling fresh, off the tree cherries.  Another unexpected find and the cherries were great, large Rainier cherries.

 South on highway 93 was the National Bison Range, it was debated whether to turn down an old dirt road to see if there were any bison but decided not to as there were still many miles to go.  Where the highway hits the town of Ravalli, coming over the hill and down a long incline were several herds of bison off to the west. 

 Bison off the roadway

It was another pretty amazing sight, seeing these ancient animals grazing or waddling in the dirt.  It would be several more hours before stopping for the night in a small town called Deer Lodge, Montana.

The city is perhaps best known as the home of the Montana State Prison, a major local employer.  The Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs, and former state tuberculosis sanitarium in nearby Galen are the result of the power the western part of the state held over Montana at statehood due to the copper and mineral wealth in that area.  Deer Lodge was also once an important railroad town, serving as a division headquarters for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad ("the Milwaukee Road") before the railroad's local abandonment in 1980.

The current Montana State Prison occupies a campus 3.5 miles west of town.  The former prison site, at the south end of Deer Lodge's Main Street, is now the Old Prison Museum.  In addition to a former cell-block building, the museum complex includes a theater, antique and automobile museums, and a former Milwaukee Road "Little Joe" electric locomotive.

 Deer Lodge is also the location of Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, dedicated to the interpretation of the frontier cattle ranching era.  This site was the home of Conrad Kohrs, one of the famous "Cattle Kings" of Montana whose land holdings once stretched over a million acres of Montana, Wyoming, and Alberta, Canada.  The Grant-Kohrs ranch was built in 1862 by Johnny Grant, a Scottish/French/Metis fur-trader and trapper who encouraged his people to settle in Deer Lodge because of its pleasant climate and large areas of bunch grass prairie, ideal for raising cattle and horses.  The city's name derives from a geological formation known as Warm Springs Mound which contained natural saline that made for a natural salt lick for the local deer population; the protected valley in which Deer Lodge is located was where most of the local wildlife would winter as the temperatures lowered in the high country. (Wikipedia)

We pulled into the small KOA campground as the sun was setting.  It cast a warm, red glow on the western horizon toward Warm Springs Mound.  The other campers were sitting by their fires but after the long day of driving, it was time for dinner and off for some much needed sleep.

Sunday – It would be another long day driving across Montana.   As I was doing my routine of disconnecting the water, power, and sewer, I saw that the thread was showing on the driver side front tire.  This was not good as there have been over 18,000 miles on this trip and whatever was on the tires when the RV was purchased.  It is Sunday morning, in the middle of nowhere USA, and all of the tire stores are closed today.   

It was only about fifty or sixty miles to Butte, so hopefully, we could find something open on a Sunday and replace the tire.  It was a slow careful drive into Butte and hopefully, this Montana town would have something open.  There was a large Walmart with an automotive section that was open so we spent the day there getting two new front tires.  The young guy helping check me in looked at the tires, said the rig was out of alignment causing the excessive ware on one side of the tires.  He had replacement tires but thought he would have to put the new tires on the rear of the RV and swap out the rear ones to the front.  After checking, he decided to put the new ones on the front since the rear wheels have dual tires on each side.

It was going to take several hours to get to the RV ready so it gave us an opportunity to buy groceries, get a pedicure, and hang out for lunch while the vehicle was being readied.  One stop shopping for all your needs at Walmart.  There were even a couple of overnight campers Boondocking in the parking lot.  It was about four in the afternoon when the tire change was finished.  Finally, it was time to hit the highway towards Bozeman and another “hot springs” campground. 

Calling ahead, we found the campground was full so it was time to adapt, overcome the obstacle and find another campground for the night.  On a previous trip, I remembered another KOA campground just past Livingston, Montana on the way to the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park.  So, it was time to drive there for the night.

While driving towards Livingston, I remembered a dream from the night before.  It was weird and funny and came to me out of nowhere.  I was checking into a camp ground and the camp host was “Jerry Lewis”.  He was the airline pilot, “Captain Eddie” from “The Family Jewels” complete with the funny looking mustache.  After getting set up at the campsite another “Jerry” came by to show me how to start a campfire.  This one was “Skylock”, the Sherlock Holmes style detective with glasses and bushy mustache.  He went around placing kindling and haphazardly threw logs in the fire pit.  Once that was done, he threw gasoline all over the logs and lit it causing a huge explosion and fire.  His eyebrows and mustache were singed off as he excitedly said what a great fire he started.  I’m not sure what brought this dream on but could only figure that driving through Whitefish, seeing the fireman with the MDA boot must have triggered something from long ago.

 We checked in just before sundown.  While taking a walk, I started up a conversation with another veteran staying there.  He and his wife were staying in one of the “Kamping Kabins®” that KOA offers.  They were with another couple riding their motorcycles through Yellowstone and that part of Montana.  Each year, they pick a place and do a road trip.  They camp in the cabins and ride each day to see what the area has to offer.  A walk down to the Yellowstone River as the sun was setting was a nice way to end another day on the road while Traveling Life’s Highways.

[zed-air]

On the Road: 2018 Ottawa

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Wagons east! Next stop: Ottawa

Only visit thus far: 2018.

Click the “keep reading” link below for blog, photos, and more.

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TRAVEL / ARRIVAL /  LODGING

We left Toronto via VIA Rail bound for Ottawa, with the train making a few minor stops along the route. I don’t know how popular or utilized Canada’s train system is between Alberta and Manitoba, but I imagine it gets more-regular, higher-volume use in central and eastern Canada, and in the rockies. It’s a scenic way to travel, if you’re traveling someplace scenic. I’ve done plenty of European trains in the past, but only once previously in Canada, back in 2010, heading west from Montreal to Toronto. That first trip inspired some unexpected motion sickness (oddly jittery ride), and was plagued by neighbouring passengers loudly having an idiotic conversation. No such issues this time around. 

We sat in a booth-like configuration facing one another with a table between us and one stranger. Trip took about four hours, which passed well-enough, though my body wasn’t happy with me following the 12km Toronto walk I’d recently completed. Hard to get/stay comfortable when everything hurts. I spent most of the ride reading Anthony Bourdain’s A Cook’s Tour, and ate a pricey but strategic ham & cheese sandwich from the VIA menu.

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Upon arrival, we took the bus into town and then walked to our Air B&B near the university. The climate here, even during this part of the year, is sweltering and stiflingly humid. The unit where we stayed is a suite in an old house - one probably occupied by two students for the majority of the year. It had many signs of being hastily renovated by an amateur trying to spruce things up unsuccessfully. The layout was bizarre and bordering on non-functional in most rooms, and overall was grittier and dumpier than had been advertised. There was also no air conditioning, but thankfully there were two rotary fans available. Most evenings were spent reading on the awful little couch in the common area. 

The unit didn’t have a dishwasher machine, nor could I find a plug for the sink (which I didn’t notice was absent until our last night when I planned to do all the washing up at once). As a result, I’m not sure if the supplied dishes/flatware/etc had been washed properly by the owners or previous guests/tenants, or ever. (They... seemed clean?) So I had to improvise a solution in order to wash anything. But no AC in this climate, the bad layout, uncomfortable rooms, kitchen mysteries, etc. - and it was more expensive than the better one we’d just left in Toronto. I’d be unlikely to stay in this place ever again. 

RIDEAU STREET / ORIENTATION / TRANSIT

We were based near the University just south of Rideau. Other parts of the neighbourhood felt like they were peppered with drug dens, but no one caused trouble for us. From Rideau, we were able to reach the market nearby, as well as the parliament area and the interprovincial bridge. Pretty walkable and not likely to get lost. We walked a great deal, as usual. 

Rideau also had several grocery stores, along with record and book stores, and the Ottawa-branch of Steve’s Music (I’d also visited the same store in Toronto, but liked Ottawa’s better). I really did a lousy job exploring book/record shops on this trip, and missed out visiting any here.

Transit in Ottawa echoes Edmonton’s: unreliable. On a particularly hot afternoon where we had an appointment to keep, our bus passed us by without stopping, after already running late. Maybe their definition of “full “is different from ours. Later transit efforts proved more successful. There’s a lot of construction going on, as Ottawa works toward implementing an underground LRT system. 

BEST BREAKFASTS

All my best breakfasts in Ottawa involved smoked salmon. Zak’s Diner does a nice salmon and eggs plate with salad, potatoes, bagel, and beans. They also offer Benedicts, but given the “all-day breakfast” service, I wasn’t sure how fresh the Hollandaise would be. I didn’t regret my order. I like their slogan: “Don’t Starve!”

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Elsewhere in the market, The Original Continental Bagel Co. served decent Montreal-style bagels in various unpretentious sandwich presentations. I did lox, onions, and cream cheese. Solid breakfast, but not too heavy a start to the day.

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BEST DINNERS 

Bite Burger House serves a variety of different gourmet-meat burgers. Normally that’s not really my thing, but they did a good job of it. I had a swiss & mushroom burger, and and a surprisingly good Old Fashioned. And the leftover, mac & cheese ended up being our daughter’s supper for the next two nights. It was also good, and surprisingly rich. 

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Le Mein Craft Noodles was good but also ludicrous. They have a very small menu (half of which seems to only be available on weekends). So you basically order noodle bowls, some contain broth, some don’t. You pick your size of noodles, size of bowl, and level of spiciness. The missus and I had the same kind of soup, with different noodles. Hers was spicy and small (which was roughly the size of a large pho in most places). Mine was mild and large, and took up half the table. It was literally a tureen-sized bowl, probably with 2L of broth. And the noodles, while tasty, were almost impossible to lift because of their size. I ate as much as I could before we had to get the wee one to bed, and took the rest home. I’m not sure I received all of my broth in the container, though I suppose the noodles might have continued to absorb the fluid. There was virtually no broth in the container when I next opened it, sadly. 

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OTHER MEALS AND ALMOST MEALS

First food in town was down Rideau at the well-regarded Shawarma Palace. As it was near bed time, I walked over, grabbed a chicken shawarma platter takeaway, and we all shared it back at the house. Not bad, though the chicken was pretty dry by the time I got any in me. 

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Our main reason for the detour to Ottawa was to visit a friend of ours who now lives here. We haven’t seen her for several years. The Lieutenant’s Pump is a pub she recommended over in the Elgin area where we met her for lunch. They make a decent grilled-cheese-plus sandwich, though I wasn’t mad about the service. The shaded patio was nice on the hot day, but did give everything a yellow hue. Shaded or otherwise, the humidity was impossible to escape outdoors.

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On our last day in town, we again connected with our friend for lunch. After a long walk together, we stopped at another of her recommended joints in Little Italy: Pub Italia. I couldn’t really figure out the theme of the place, but it’s sort of an Irish Pub, in Little Italy, but decked out in lots of religious themes. A heavily air-conditioned curiosity. I offended our server by ordering a Ukrainian beer by its name, which apparently nobody else has ever done, and she refused to try and pronounce it once she understood what I’d ordered. L’vivs’ke Beer for breakfast, followed by a disappointingly cardboard-like Margherita pizza. The beer was good, though. 

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Another good idea on a hot day: blackberry and lemon gelato. Also gave this Harvey & Vern’s Cream Soda a try, though sodas and ice cream are only a good pairing if you mix them. 

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HISTORICAL BUILDINGS / MUSEUMS

My past has left me jaded and indifferent to most museums, galleries, and other historical fancy places. I’ve seen enough cathedrals, palaces, etc. to last a lifetime, and really don’t need to see any others - unless the subject matter is something very special to me. I didn’t bother entering the parliament or any of the Canadian Gov’t buildings while we were here, though my wife did explore some of those related to her interests. 

We did cross the Interprovincial Bridge and visited the Canadian Museum of History (formerly the Canadian Museum of Civilization) one afternoon. I best enjoyed the 20th Century area, but there’s lots of stuff here to explore if you’re into Canada as a subject. The wee one also enjoyed the museum’s area for children.

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We also visited the Victoria Memorial Museum toward the end of our stay. It contains lots of exhibitions to do with animals, plants, fossils, the sea, etc. Over their entrance is a large inflated jellyfish which my daughter has decided is her friend and for whom she authored an elaborate history. 

Given the time of year, it seems as though every school within 100km of Ottawa is scheduling their field trips to coincide with our visit. This place was overrun with groups of screaming teenagers, confused school children, and frazzled chaperones. Busy to the point of being difficult to walk around because you’d suddenly get swarmed, jammed-up, and passed-by, and it would happen again two minutes later. Several areas contained live animals in aquaria or in display cases, and too many people tapped, banged, yelled, or otherwise disturbed the inhabitants for my liking. 

Hard to enjoy yourself here, under the circumstances, which was a shame. 

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CITY ATTITUDE / STYLE / CLIMATE

I’ve had a hard time getting a sense of who/what Ottawa is during this stay. One of the strange things about the place is that it really feels like Edmonton, which was totally unexpected. Not in the sense of weather, of course, but in the architecture and general run-down feeling of several areas we visited. If Edmonton still had 100 year old walk-ups strewn about, the effect would be even stronger. Even our friend living in Ottawa thought so. It’s not a town I’ve ever given much thought to, so I don’t know what I expected going in - maybe, being a Federal capital, that it might have more of an international flavour to it. Other than hearing a lot more French spoken, I didn’t really get a sense of that. 

As I’ve already said, the weather here is bordering on inhuman for someone from the dry prairies. Most days were very warm. Every day was very humid. Another peculiarity: the hottest point of the day, every day, seemed to begin around 10:00PM (22:00), after dark, and then continued to intensify into the night, radiating through every room. Ottawa is further south than Edmonton, so the sky was dark around 9:00PM (21:00) every night, adding to the bizarre dynamic. 

Most of the areas of Toronto we visited had average-to-good-looking people dressed badly. On average, the people in Ottawa were dressed much better, but often more conservatively. Many people of all genders could be seen wearing shorts, though they fit better here - and given the ghastly humidity it’s almost hard to blame them. Almost. And, as was the case with the museums we visited, endless packs of tourist groups and students in the wilderness clogged sidewalks and doorways. 

LEAVING / AIRPORT

We really expected a deluge on our last day, thanks to the clouds and peak humidity, but it didn’t happen before we left. A rocky and prolonged bus ride took us to the airport, winding through the previously-unseen downtown before landing on a freeway area. The downtown looked rather like Edmonton’s too. Major areas of both cities must have been built-up heavily in the 1970s. 

The airport itself was fine, but curiously busy. A long, long line at security had other travellers confused as well. One woman near us who visits the airport regularly told me she’d never seen the security line so long before. No idea why today was different. Airport food is almost as notoriously uninteresting as airplane food. With few dining options in the terminal; we opted for pre-made cafe sandwiches - pricey but adequate. The airport had a small play area for toddlers, where our daughter played without issue for a long time and befriended any other kids who wandered into her domain. 

Air Canada can be hit-and-miss, but the fight home was one of the best I’ve had in years - and only marginally longer than a flight from Toronto would have been. This was an unfamiliar configuration of airplane - two rows of paired seats all the way down, rather than rows of three or some other stagger. I guess fewer people fly to Edmonton from Ottawa than from Toronto, hence the smaller plane. My seat-mate was unobtrusive enough to have not existed, which was nice. Our daughter nearly slept the whole way home, which mystified her parents as it has never happened before. 

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CLOSING THOUGHTS

Ottawa’s a bit of a question mark to me. I went in with no strong expectations, but left underwhelmed. It felt a lot like bizarro-Edmonton to me, and that’s kind of how I have to frame it. 

In my life, I’ve heard/read countless people who had no background in Edmonton criticize the city as ugly, formless, unnecessary, or any other number of pejorative descriptions. Though far from perfect, I never agreed with those assessments of Edmonton. But I have history there; they don’t. Those critics didn’t get Edmonton, and didn’t bother trying to. Having been to Ottawa, I think I understand how they felt for the first time. 

Ottawa: It’s Alright - not much of a slogan, but it fits. 

Our friend is happy living here, and I’m glad for that. Unless something changes someday, we’ve probably no reason to return. For better or worse, it didn’t really make much of an impression on me.