Wasaga Beach Ontario, July 22nd
Wasaga Beach Ontario, and yep, that’s Canada and made it to Pete and Coleen’s, remember them? Met them my first week on the road in Myrtle Beach and they invited me up to Canada sometime, so here I am…and glad to be here. I didn’t get a very good sleep last night, but that was because of my choice of sleeping and there were squitters to worry about as well as cops driving thru the park every once in awhile, but they never saw me or my bike parked in the pavilion. At about 5:00 this morning some guy with his kid showed up at the park to play on the slides and I don’t know who was more surprised, me seeing a kid climbing up to slide or them when I said something. Anyway, they decided they’d go elsewhere to play which was a good thing cuz I still needed to get some sleep. Since I didn’t sleep well, stayed laying there and figured I’d wait until I was good and ready to get up, but may have waited too long cuz at about 7:00 a cop drove thru the park pretty slow and I figure they had either seen me or was looking for something pretty hard that as soon as they left I figured, better get the sleeping bag rolled and packed and get dressed. Well, about 5 minutes later another cop drives in and I take cover in the crawl thru on the slide, but this time the cop stops next to the pavilion and now I know they know where my bike is. Fortunately that cop left and I got out of the slide and packed the bike as a park maintenance worker came over and told me that the cops are coming to haul the bike away to which I said that’s why I’m trying to get it packed as quick as I can and get out of here. Did get out of there and decided to head a different way toward downtown than the main road, I don’t want them finding me or anything, especially if they put out a call about me. Thought about heading over the border back to the US, but then thought what if they let border patrol know, I’d have a tough time getting back into Canada and I still have people to see so I decided to go back to the casino I was at the night before and see about getting cleaned up and such before heading to Toronto.
Ok, got my face washed and fangs brushed that I feel a lot better that as soon as I can find the freeway to Toronto, I’m good to go and hope to get far enough away from Niagara Falls so I don’t have to worry about the cops, well, did just that, and remember the parking in the casino was free with the new players card I got the night before? On the road to Toronto found my first visitors center and stopped in because I could really use a map of Canada and they were just opening that again, great timing. They gave me a map and the guy was really helpful because not only did he show me the route I needed to take around the lakes thru Thunder Bay back home, but he highlighted all the roads I’ll need to take for the trip. Great, I’m good to go and now have an idea of where I’m going that have to check out Toronto and some of their sites, like that tower they have and it also connects me to another one of the great lakes, Ontario which I’m not sure I’ve touched yet. On the way there the rain started to come that pulled under an over pass to suit up, with the rain gear that is, and some other bikers decided to follow suit. They were saying that the forecast for the weekend was for some nice weather, but like I told them, haven’t seen TV for quite some time. They were also going to Toronto, but for different reasons than me, I’m just going to site see since it’s early. The rain eventually let up before I made it to Toronto which wasn’t too long a drive and as I pulled into town notice a lake shore drive that if that works anything like the ones in the states, it’ll take me right along the lake for pictures and should take me downtown. You can see got pictures of Lake Ontario so I think that makes three of the five I need to hit…don’t remember, which one does Cleveland touch? After the pictures made my way downtown and sure enough, just like the states, along the lake and too downtown that now all I have to do is find free parking. Well, not today cuz not only didn’t I find street parking close to where I’m going to be at, but with the threat of rain figured a parking ramp would be a good choice. Parking wasn’t too bad for Canada, $14 dollars for event parking and you won’t believe what event is in town…again, what timing by me.
As long as I’m site seeing today, have to do the CN tower which you can see is pretty impressive. There is no comparison to the Space Needle in Seattle, but you do have to take into consideration when they were both built and for what purpose. Not sure what this tower’s intent was, but it’s definitely worth taking the ride to the top. Bought the pass that takes me to all three levels and unlike going to the highest point of the Empire State building, every level here is worth seeing. Too bad it’s a rainy day too cuz on a clear day you can see all the way to Rochester NY and Niagara Falls…guess you’ll just have to wait for my next visit or check it out yourself. There’s also a level which has a glass floor to walk on making you feel like you’re standing that far off the ground. Notice a lot of people afraid to go on it, but hell if it can support the weight of some of the people I saw on it, it’ll support us all. Well, you can see my feet in the picture so I had no problems going out there, but than again, there’s not a lot that scares me…that is except for the back hills in Virginia. Met Andrea and talked to here about bikes because she just got one herself, just a little 185, but at least she’s riding and getting around town on the best transportation there is, a motorcycle. You can see pictures of the Sky dome, wait, they renamed it to Rogers Centre, not my spelling, but I’ll have to check it out and that’s where my timing is great once again. You’ll never guess who’s in town for a baseball game today, yep, the Yankees, remember I just saw them about a week ago in New York…and you thought it was the Twins or Brewers.
If it weren’t for wanting to get to Wasaga beach while it’s still light out and I could really use a shower, might have thought about sticking around for the game and seeing about scamming a free ticket, but’ll do the next best thing, take the last Roger Centre tour. It was about $20 Canadian which might not be too bad, but I hope they show us how they open and close that roof. Hey check out the waiting area for the tour, they must have the right kind of fans around her, Packer fans with a helmet and jersey signed by Brett Favre…I’m liking this place already. Margaret gave us the tour and she definitely knows her Roger Centre and history of the area. She did point out an aluminum bench in the museum suite which I didn’t get a picture of, the seat that is and was talking how the Blue Jay’s were definitely a Canadian team because of playing their last game before moving in to the Sky dome, ok, name at the time in a snow storm and like she said, can’t be too comfortable sitting on aluminum in the snow. Well, I had to educate her on that later that the seats in Lambo field are aluminum, but she had never heard of it…ok, that’s because their still on the kick that the Argonauts, you know the Canadian football team are the inventers of football which eventually became American football as we know it because of some of the colleges picking it up…what ever, but you should know about Lambo field. One other thing in the museum suite is the hole in the desk that was donated by the old General Manager, everyone, including myself thought it was for trash, but not at all. The manager had it specifically built and to the far end of the desk for bats because most of the time when they needed to talk to a player, they were coming in from practice with bat in hand, that incase he had to give them some bad news, doesn’t want them holding a bat…hey remember the movie with Al Capone? It was a great tour and you can see from the pictures that we got to see all the levels, even the nose bleed, which I don’t remember how far from the floor we are at that point. Oh yea, and they use to have tours of the roof where people could walk the cat walk from one side to the other, but after too many people getting scared of the height and having problems making the trek since it’s a half hour trip, they stopped doing it but are in the process of bringing it back…ok, just screen people better and once committed, make’em go all the way.
Time for me to head north after the tour and found out from Pete that it’s clear and sunny where they’re at, but me, gonna have to put on the rain suit and head that way, hopefully getting out of it sooner than later. The directions Pete gave me were great and I was on the back road to their place in no time…now just have to stop for gas. Well, since all I know is a Kilometer is less than a mile, figure I better get gas sooner than later that stopped at a station only to find out their out of gas….all gas. Ok, not a problem because there’s a small mom and pop place just up the road, and yep, they have gas, just not the premium, but this time, not taking any chances. The pumps pumping slow so their almost outta the cheap stuff and figure I have enough gas now to get me to the next major town to fill up…well, ran into another problem, my shift peg is laying on my floorboard…yep, they even call them floorboards on a bike. The shifter peg, which the Seattle dealer warned was rusting gave way that now what do I do. Tried the suicide shifting thing, but this is worse than most because not only do I still have a hand clutch, but have to reach across with my throttle hand to pull or push the shift, well, not such a good idea that have to come up with another plan. Ok, for most who don’t know what suicide shifting on a bike is, it’s one of those things where you had a foot clutch and had to take your hand of the handle bars to shift – maybe doesn’t sound that tough, but just try it sometime. Anyway, did get it wired up thanks to some wire from a local fireplace shop that all I need now is a Harley dealership close and hey, there’s one in Barrie which is about 45 minutes away and on my way. You can see I made it and that’s a whole other story in itself.
First off, they weren’t sure whether they had shifter link or not, but after Cheryl checked in the back, good news, they just got some in and can fix me up right away since I’m traveling thru, maybe it helped that I was from the states too cuz they might want to get rid of me…well on the contrary had a great time talking with everyone there and not only were they going to fix my shift link, but they’ll take care of my 5000 mile oil change, yep needin one already, 25,000 miles in less than 90 days…remember the 90 day rule? I’m desperate for a belt that have to check the clothing department out. With the weight I’ve lost on this trip, my pants don’t fit anymore and can’t afford to buy new pants cuz don’t have room for them, but a belt won’t take up much room, well, that’s cuz I’ll be wearing it. Aileen did a great job suggesting some belts and check it out, sorry the picture doesn’t show the belt very well, but it did get you looking at my crouch now, didn’t it…ok, enough. Like Aileen said I should be styling for the money I’m paying for the belt that go with something that stands out instead of plan and all the other women in the shop agreed…ok, now how many of you would pick me up in a bar with this belt? While I was waiting and since I got off the road I was suppose to take to Wasaga beach, got some great directions from Dave, sorry I missed his picture, but that’s because I just remember him telling me how much I’ll enjoy Wasaga and how the women can go topless there so I should have some eye candy when I get there…like I said, that’s why no picture cuz I was already dreaming about that. Well, Cheryl, Josh and Amber got me on the road pretty quick and like I told Cheryl, don’t be offended but someone warned me on this trip that that name would haunt me…well, it’s not that it haunts me, but has me thinking of the country song I hear every once in awhile, ‘Every Time I Hear Your Name’ by Anderson Keith…you have to hear it to understand. Well, the other ironic thing, guess what her husbands name is? Yep, Dale…same name, different spelling - oh well, life goes on.
Finally on the road to Wasaga beach and Pete’s gonna pick me up where ever I end up that you bet, a bar called Stud Lunnigan’s and guess what, the local drunks bought me a beer. That works for me cuz after the day I’ve had I could use one and Pete’s on his way. Well, sucked it down and Pete showed up which I don’t think the locals were too happy I was leaving without buying them a drink, but like Pete said, have people a the house to get back to. Check it out, their having a party tonight, just for me and it’s with a bunch of Sicilian’s, I’d say Italians, but these guys are from island. Jim and Theresa are from Washington and showed up for a few drinks, Gus and Kasia are from Toronto and going to be in town for the weekend and Karl and Carlie are from the area I believe, but we’re just gonna eat like Italians do and drink. Gus brought the meat and what a variety, thin steaks which I tried calling my buddy Tony to find out what he calls it cuz I know he has a name for it, pork chops and Spinochey, tried to spell it the way Gus was pronouncing it, but great Lamb shish kabobs, oh and a special spice to put on all the meat too. And get this, that grill that Pete is using is one he brought back from Myrtle Beach this year and was waiting until I showed up to use it…what a deal even though he thought I’d never call. Had a lot happen today that now it’s time to chill and party like Italians…I mean Sicilians do. Tomorrow, let’s see what tomorrow brings, ok? Toronto and Wasaga pics.
Ok, got my face washed and fangs brushed that I feel a lot better that as soon as I can find the freeway to Toronto, I’m good to go and hope to get far enough away from Niagara Falls so I don’t have to worry about the cops, well, did just that, and remember the parking in the casino was free with the new players card I got the night before? On the road to Toronto found my first visitors center and stopped in because I could really use a map of Canada and they were just opening that again, great timing. They gave me a map and the guy was really helpful because not only did he show me the route I needed to take around the lakes thru Thunder Bay back home, but he highlighted all the roads I’ll need to take for the trip. Great, I’m good to go and now have an idea of where I’m going that have to check out Toronto and some of their sites, like that tower they have and it also connects me to another one of the great lakes, Ontario which I’m not sure I’ve touched yet. On the way there the rain started to come that pulled under an over pass to suit up, with the rain gear that is, and some other bikers decided to follow suit. They were saying that the forecast for the weekend was for some nice weather, but like I told them, haven’t seen TV for quite some time. They were also going to Toronto, but for different reasons than me, I’m just going to site see since it’s early. The rain eventually let up before I made it to Toronto which wasn’t too long a drive and as I pulled into town notice a lake shore drive that if that works anything like the ones in the states, it’ll take me right along the lake for pictures and should take me downtown. You can see got pictures of Lake Ontario so I think that makes three of the five I need to hit…don’t remember, which one does Cleveland touch? After the pictures made my way downtown and sure enough, just like the states, along the lake and too downtown that now all I have to do is find free parking. Well, not today cuz not only didn’t I find street parking close to where I’m going to be at, but with the threat of rain figured a parking ramp would be a good choice. Parking wasn’t too bad for Canada, $14 dollars for event parking and you won’t believe what event is in town…again, what timing by me.
As long as I’m site seeing today, have to do the CN tower which you can see is pretty impressive. There is no comparison to the Space Needle in Seattle, but you do have to take into consideration when they were both built and for what purpose. Not sure what this tower’s intent was, but it’s definitely worth taking the ride to the top. Bought the pass that takes me to all three levels and unlike going to the highest point of the Empire State building, every level here is worth seeing. Too bad it’s a rainy day too cuz on a clear day you can see all the way to Rochester NY and Niagara Falls…guess you’ll just have to wait for my next visit or check it out yourself. There’s also a level which has a glass floor to walk on making you feel like you’re standing that far off the ground. Notice a lot of people afraid to go on it, but hell if it can support the weight of some of the people I saw on it, it’ll support us all. Well, you can see my feet in the picture so I had no problems going out there, but than again, there’s not a lot that scares me…that is except for the back hills in Virginia. Met Andrea and talked to here about bikes because she just got one herself, just a little 185, but at least she’s riding and getting around town on the best transportation there is, a motorcycle. You can see pictures of the Sky dome, wait, they renamed it to Rogers Centre, not my spelling, but I’ll have to check it out and that’s where my timing is great once again. You’ll never guess who’s in town for a baseball game today, yep, the Yankees, remember I just saw them about a week ago in New York…and you thought it was the Twins or Brewers.
If it weren’t for wanting to get to Wasaga beach while it’s still light out and I could really use a shower, might have thought about sticking around for the game and seeing about scamming a free ticket, but’ll do the next best thing, take the last Roger Centre tour. It was about $20 Canadian which might not be too bad, but I hope they show us how they open and close that roof. Hey check out the waiting area for the tour, they must have the right kind of fans around her, Packer fans with a helmet and jersey signed by Brett Favre…I’m liking this place already. Margaret gave us the tour and she definitely knows her Roger Centre and history of the area. She did point out an aluminum bench in the museum suite which I didn’t get a picture of, the seat that is and was talking how the Blue Jay’s were definitely a Canadian team because of playing their last game before moving in to the Sky dome, ok, name at the time in a snow storm and like she said, can’t be too comfortable sitting on aluminum in the snow. Well, I had to educate her on that later that the seats in Lambo field are aluminum, but she had never heard of it…ok, that’s because their still on the kick that the Argonauts, you know the Canadian football team are the inventers of football which eventually became American football as we know it because of some of the colleges picking it up…what ever, but you should know about Lambo field. One other thing in the museum suite is the hole in the desk that was donated by the old General Manager, everyone, including myself thought it was for trash, but not at all. The manager had it specifically built and to the far end of the desk for bats because most of the time when they needed to talk to a player, they were coming in from practice with bat in hand, that incase he had to give them some bad news, doesn’t want them holding a bat…hey remember the movie with Al Capone? It was a great tour and you can see from the pictures that we got to see all the levels, even the nose bleed, which I don’t remember how far from the floor we are at that point. Oh yea, and they use to have tours of the roof where people could walk the cat walk from one side to the other, but after too many people getting scared of the height and having problems making the trek since it’s a half hour trip, they stopped doing it but are in the process of bringing it back…ok, just screen people better and once committed, make’em go all the way.
Time for me to head north after the tour and found out from Pete that it’s clear and sunny where they’re at, but me, gonna have to put on the rain suit and head that way, hopefully getting out of it sooner than later. The directions Pete gave me were great and I was on the back road to their place in no time…now just have to stop for gas. Well, since all I know is a Kilometer is less than a mile, figure I better get gas sooner than later that stopped at a station only to find out their out of gas….all gas. Ok, not a problem because there’s a small mom and pop place just up the road, and yep, they have gas, just not the premium, but this time, not taking any chances. The pumps pumping slow so their almost outta the cheap stuff and figure I have enough gas now to get me to the next major town to fill up…well, ran into another problem, my shift peg is laying on my floorboard…yep, they even call them floorboards on a bike. The shifter peg, which the Seattle dealer warned was rusting gave way that now what do I do. Tried the suicide shifting thing, but this is worse than most because not only do I still have a hand clutch, but have to reach across with my throttle hand to pull or push the shift, well, not such a good idea that have to come up with another plan. Ok, for most who don’t know what suicide shifting on a bike is, it’s one of those things where you had a foot clutch and had to take your hand of the handle bars to shift – maybe doesn’t sound that tough, but just try it sometime. Anyway, did get it wired up thanks to some wire from a local fireplace shop that all I need now is a Harley dealership close and hey, there’s one in Barrie which is about 45 minutes away and on my way. You can see I made it and that’s a whole other story in itself.
First off, they weren’t sure whether they had shifter link or not, but after Cheryl checked in the back, good news, they just got some in and can fix me up right away since I’m traveling thru, maybe it helped that I was from the states too cuz they might want to get rid of me…well on the contrary had a great time talking with everyone there and not only were they going to fix my shift link, but they’ll take care of my 5000 mile oil change, yep needin one already, 25,000 miles in less than 90 days…remember the 90 day rule? I’m desperate for a belt that have to check the clothing department out. With the weight I’ve lost on this trip, my pants don’t fit anymore and can’t afford to buy new pants cuz don’t have room for them, but a belt won’t take up much room, well, that’s cuz I’ll be wearing it. Aileen did a great job suggesting some belts and check it out, sorry the picture doesn’t show the belt very well, but it did get you looking at my crouch now, didn’t it…ok, enough. Like Aileen said I should be styling for the money I’m paying for the belt that go with something that stands out instead of plan and all the other women in the shop agreed…ok, now how many of you would pick me up in a bar with this belt? While I was waiting and since I got off the road I was suppose to take to Wasaga beach, got some great directions from Dave, sorry I missed his picture, but that’s because I just remember him telling me how much I’ll enjoy Wasaga and how the women can go topless there so I should have some eye candy when I get there…like I said, that’s why no picture cuz I was already dreaming about that. Well, Cheryl, Josh and Amber got me on the road pretty quick and like I told Cheryl, don’t be offended but someone warned me on this trip that that name would haunt me…well, it’s not that it haunts me, but has me thinking of the country song I hear every once in awhile, ‘Every Time I Hear Your Name’ by Anderson Keith…you have to hear it to understand. Well, the other ironic thing, guess what her husbands name is? Yep, Dale…same name, different spelling - oh well, life goes on.
Finally on the road to Wasaga beach and Pete’s gonna pick me up where ever I end up that you bet, a bar called Stud Lunnigan’s and guess what, the local drunks bought me a beer. That works for me cuz after the day I’ve had I could use one and Pete’s on his way. Well, sucked it down and Pete showed up which I don’t think the locals were too happy I was leaving without buying them a drink, but like Pete said, have people a the house to get back to. Check it out, their having a party tonight, just for me and it’s with a bunch of Sicilian’s, I’d say Italians, but these guys are from island. Jim and Theresa are from Washington and showed up for a few drinks, Gus and Kasia are from Toronto and going to be in town for the weekend and Karl and Carlie are from the area I believe, but we’re just gonna eat like Italians do and drink. Gus brought the meat and what a variety, thin steaks which I tried calling my buddy Tony to find out what he calls it cuz I know he has a name for it, pork chops and Spinochey, tried to spell it the way Gus was pronouncing it, but great Lamb shish kabobs, oh and a special spice to put on all the meat too. And get this, that grill that Pete is using is one he brought back from Myrtle Beach this year and was waiting until I showed up to use it…what a deal even though he thought I’d never call. Had a lot happen today that now it’s time to chill and party like Italians…I mean Sicilians do. Tomorrow, let’s see what tomorrow brings, ok? Toronto and Wasaga pics.
posted by Dalej Webb at 11:53 PM
1 Comments:
Sounds like you better quit listening to country music.....
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