Canadian Buffoon's Hi Low Vacation - South Central Musings

[pkondz]

I'm so overdue to spend some quality time here and get caught up!

But you're here now!

The earliest I need to clock in is 2:00AM, which happens often. Otherwise my 8 hour day is 4:00AM- 12:30

Those hours are....
more insane than mine!

And I thought you read her TR!!
We met and took a picture by Mission Space. This was just after her missing phone fiasco on Test Track.
It was VERY nice. The three of us (including hubby) had a nice little chat. I still regret not getting to the ditch.

Ugh! Yes I knew that!
Mia culpa.

I know I probably won't catch up in points but I felt bad I missed the last guesses and I don't want to be a "quitter"

Play your cards (i.e. guesses) right
and you could be right back in it.

First of all I thought your accommodations was quite cute. I think it looks very comfy and would be a nice place to get some relaxing time.

It was really a nice place!

1. You get up at 7:45
2. Yes, you're getting in to this Gift Shop thing
3. Movie on the TV
4. There's another Elk in town
5. Asked directions twice
6. What's for dinner? Elk of course
7. Chapters can never be too long

Noted.

Sure.... Just wanted to say "Ha Ha, Made you look!"

 

[pkondz]

7:30

of course

iPad

Out

twice

Elk for dinner

Never!

Noted.

Your cabin was meh to me. Although after staying in Buhl Mansion in Sharon, Pa nothing will ever be better!

I took a look.
Wow! That place is beautiful!

Okay... You win!

 

[pkondz]

Pu-lease, who do you think you're kidding?

I know. I'm worse than that, obviously.
Cut me some slack, Alison!

I've always told people I need to be hit over the head with a sledgehammer. Subtlety is not my strong suit.

I don't get it.

Well except for the deserts, mountains, and interior valleys. With the exception of your day in Long Beach, how much

About that much.

I know you like to project this online appearance but we all know you are a sweetheart at heart.

This online appearance of being amazing
and possibly the most incredible man in the world?

Yep! That's me!


Oh. And did I mention "modest"?

Modest to a fault.

Leave it to you to give me the sheer facts.

I'll never say no to a woman in sheer.

Our bears seem to live off of trash can remnants.

Well... ours too, actually.

Well maybe you could have brought a wider selection or suggested the sharing thing.

But, but, but... she always wants a muffin!!

So have you booked your airfare yet? How often did you want me to remind you? I can be very annoying (if you want me to). ..

I have to wait for next year's Indy schedule to come out.

I watched the race the other day and called Kay over.
"Watch this for a second, I said."
She got really excited when she saw the Two Dolphins fountain
by the Aquarium.
"We were there! We were right on the racetrack!"

And then she left.

Racing ain't her thang.

 

[pkondz]

Happy Birthday Bunny Boy!

 

[Steppesister]

Sorry @MarieLightning and @Steppesister ,
your TRs are just gonna hafta wait.

Oh! You got to meet Liesa!
That's nice.
And I thought you read her TR!!
We met and took a picture by Mission Space. This was just after her missing phone fiasco on Test Track.
It was VERY nice. The three of us (including hubby) had a nice little chat. I still regret not getting to the ditch.

I *think* he does.

Shelly, let's just make sure we plan this for a future trip sometime ok? Cuz, I was sad you guys didn't come too!

I feel honored that I made the cut on TRs that you visited!

Yes! (You should!)

 

[pkondz]

I'll get there!
I suppose I could stay up late again
and comment.

<sigh>
It looks like that's what it'll have to be.

The things I do for my harem.

I *think* he does.

I'm getting there!
I'm getting there!!!

Yes! (You should!)

I give up.

Folks,
the update's gonna be a while...
Got things to do.

 

[franandaj]

Yes! (You should!)

So did you get your computer back or are you posting from your phone?

 

[franandaj]

I give up.

Folks,
the update's gonna be a while...
Got things to do.

I get that. When you can't see through your eyes because you're so tired and your brain can't make sentences, there is nothing else to do but sleep. I'm there.

 

[QueenJen]

Hi ~ I couldn't stay away. I was busy getting ready for my own little trip to Colorado when I last read your TR and then was too overwhelmed/felt too behind when I got back - I think there were another 15 pages of reading. So what did I do? Buried my head in the sand and said....well, maybe I'll catch the next one and try to stay caught up. You are just too entertaining - and love the group chatter as well. So....rather than get caught up on only 15 pages or so, I'm getting caught up on around 100 pages-it will take me awhile. I wanted to jump in for more contest points....as my 10 just won't do.


1. Sure. Why not. It's a trend.
What time do we get up? 8:00

2. Do we go in a gift shop? yes

3. We watch a movie.
In a theater? yes On the TV? no On the iPad? no

4. Elk. We see more.
In town or out? both

5. Haven't asked this for a while.
Do I get asked for directions? I'm gonna say yes.
Of course I do. See how smart I can be?
How many times? I'll guess somewhere between 1-4.
I'll narrow it down.
Less than five times. Oh...I have to be more specific? How about 3 times?

6. How do I get revenge
on that elk? you don't

7. Are these chapters too long? How can you even suggest that? We hang on your every word.


Did you see it? Nothing from this chapter as I have not caught up....but, I'm still seeing things from the previous chapters.
I hope not!
Because I didn't do one this round. Oh good.

But... for bonus points.
How hard did you try to find
something anyway??? Well - as you know from my previous answer, not very hard as I have not gotten there. I have no shame still wanting bonus points.....I'm still looking for things in previous chapters and did see that I could getaway from Frontierland and that you have your own Studios sign now...and that was before reading the chatter. Hey - I'm still back around page 38.

 

[Steppesister]

So did you get your computer back or are you posting from your phone?

Laptop, but only for today, and then it goes back tomorrow; they returned it to me WORSE than it was when I dropped it off!

 

[pkondz]

I get that. When you can't see through your eyes because you're so tired and your brain can't make sentences, there is nothing else to do but sleep. I'm there.

Sorry. Had a lot of trouble reading this
as my eyes can't focus too well right now.

 

[pkondz]

Hi ~ I couldn't stay away.

Well hi there! Welcome back!
You've been gone since September!
We missed you around here!

I was busy getting ready for my own little trip to Colorado when I last read your TR

How was that?
What did you do? See?

and then was too overwhelmed/felt too behind when I got back - I think there were another 15 pages of reading. So what did I do? Buried my head in the sand and said....well, maybe I'll catch the next one and try to stay caught up.

That one will be a bit.
Gotta finish this one first.

You are just too entertaining - and love the group chatter as well.

Awww... thanks!!

So....rather than get caught up on only 15 pages or so, I'm getting caught up on around 100 pages-it will take me awhile. I wanted to jump in for more contest points....as my 10 just won't do.

You've officially climbed out of the cellar.

1. Sure. Why not. It's a trend.
What time do we get up? 8:00

2. Do we go in a gift shop? yes

3. We watch a movie.
In a theater? yes On the TV? no On the iPad? no

4. Elk. We see more.
In town or out? both

5. Haven't asked this for a while.
Do I get asked for directions? I'm gonna say yes.
Of course I do. See how smart I can be?
How many times? I'll guess somewhere between 1-4.
I'll narrow it down.
Less than five times. Oh...I have to be more specific? How about 3 times?

6. How do I get revenge
on that elk? you don't

7. Are these chapters too long? How can you even suggest that? We hang on your every word.

Noted.

Did you see it? Nothing from this chapter as I have not caught up....but, I'm still seeing things from the previous chapters.
I hope not!
Because I didn't do one this round. Oh good.

But... for bonus points.
How hard did you try to find
something anyway??? Well - as you know from my previous answer, not very hard as I have not gotten there.

Good thing you didn't look too hard, then.

I have no shame still wanting bonus points.....I'm still looking for things in previous chapters and did see that I could getaway from Frontierland and that you have your own Studios sign now...and that was before reading the chatter. Hey - I'm still back around page 38.

Keep finding them...
and I'll keep awarding points.

 

[franandaj]

This online appearance of being amazing
and possibly the most incredible man in the world?

Yep! That's me!

Now you've got it!

Oh. And did I mention "modest"?

Modest to a fault.

Well OK I"m not sure about that one....

I'll never say no to a woman in sheer.

Where do I find sheer?

I have to wait for next year's Indy schedule to come out.

What does that have to do with coming to Long Beach?

I watched the race the other day and called Kay over.
"Watch this for a second, I said."
She got really excited when she saw the Two Dolphins fountain
by the Aquarium.
"We were there! We were right on the racetrack!"

And then she left.

Racing ain't her thang.

Racing is not my thing. Well we (me and possible husband 30 years ago) used to go to the Saugus Speedway, but I'd bring a box of wine and we'd like the demolition derby and the race cars that didn't have a lot to lose. The potential wrecks were the best part of it. In these more professional races they try not to get get in wrecks, that was most of the fun!

We try to get out of town on race weekend. We just lucked out this year, I had no idea that the weekend I was able to book at Disney was the weekend of the race!

Yes! (You should!)

I'm counting my blessings, but now he's caught up on your TR too!

Sorry. Had a lot of trouble reading this
as my eyes can't focus too well right now.

Then go to bed!

 

[pkondz]

Well OK I"m not sure about that one....

Where do I find sheer?

Frederick's of Hollywood

What does that have to do with coming to Long Beach?

Because that's when I want to go.

We try to get out of town on race weekend. We just lucked out this year, I had no idea that the weekend I was able to book at Disney was the weekend of the race!

I knew! I knew!

Then go to bed!

Couldn't. I was at work.
But I got there eventually.

 

[pkondz]

Um...


Just out of curiosity...

Does anyone want to read an update?
I mean... it's written and everything.

 

[juniorbugman]

Yup we are waiting. There is only so much Easter candy that you can eat while waiting.

 

[pkondz]

Yup we are waiting. There is only so much Easter candy that you can eat while waiting.

Well... in that case...

 

[pkondz]

When I'm Calling You...

Note to self.
Don't lose the contest points.

It took me over two hours
to re-tabulate everything.

Good thing I wasn't tired
when I started!!!!


Oh, wait.....

---------------------------------------------------------------


Wednesday, September 21st.

After a pleasant night's sleep
in our little cabin,
we woke up at 8:30am.

And... it was flippin' cold!
-1C/30F to be exact.
I'm on vacation!
What's it doing on the wrong
side of freezing???

I can confirm that the food
we'd left in the trunk of the car
had not spoiled overnight.
Luckily, it hadn't frozen either.


I quickly got up and about
and while Ruby got ready,
I wandered around a bit
taking some photos.

Does anyone else wonder why they
have wood stacked up...
if no one has a wood burning fireplace?

We wandered over to the dining room
and got there at a very
vacation respectable 10am.

I kinda don't mind this
"not really having an agenda" thing.

I do believe in rope drop...
but sometimes it sucks!


There was a fairly good selection
of breakfast grub.
Toast, scones, ham, quiches,
fruit, cheese, hash browns, eggs,
yogurt, trail mix and
juices, coffee or tea to drink.

(What is with the chickens??)

Ruby really liked the fresh scones.

I started to laugh.
I pointed out that she was a woman sconed.

She pointed out that if I wrote that
I'd probably lose readers.

What do you think?


Hello?




Hello???


<cricket><cricket><cricket>

Whoops! Guess she was right.


One of the very few things
we had planned to do
on our trip,
was visit Maligne Canyon.

Maligne Canyon is a water carved
slice in the rock measuring
up to 160ft deep in spots.
I wasn't really sure what to expect.

On the drive over (only about 15 minutes)
we stopped a couple of times
to take snaps of the scenery.

Crossing the Athabasca river.

And also at this lookout area.

We arrived at the parking lot and
immediately set out and were soon
standing on "2nd bridge"

Whoa!
(looking almost straight down)

We were pretty mesmerized
and happy we'd come right off the bat.
Unfortunately, the photo doesn't do it justice.

Now... should we make our way up
to the "1st bridge" or continue
down to the others?

We decided to go up, since it wasn't far.
It meant back tracking a bit afterwards, but...

(We had started our walk at the "interpretive Plaza"
which we completely ignored.
Which is how we wound up bypassing
the "1st bridge".)

...I'm glad we did!
(backtrack, I mean. Sheesh.)

Again... looking almost straight down.

Annnnnddd... again, the photo sucks.
It was impressive.
Just take my word for it.
We both stood there gaping with
our mouths open.


After a bit, we backtracked
and continued down the trail.
Every turn took us to a new wonder.
To say that this walk
was a trip highlight
is not an understatement.

Okay... I'm really torn between these
next two photos.
They're both of the same spot.
Which do you prefer?
(bonus point opportunity.)

Gradually, the chasm widened out
and the water slowed.

The best part of walking
the Maligne Canyon trail,
is that it's all downhill!
Or at least, it's mostly downhill.
There are a few spots
where you have to go up
before you can continue down.

Hello, Ruby.

It's not an overly long walk,
about 2 kms or 1.3 miles.
But it's not level ground either.
By the time we got to the end,
about an hour or so later,
Ruby's ankle had had enough.


We had originally planned to
retrace our steps, but...
I got her situated at a picnic table
and headed back to get the car.


By some cruel twist of fate,
the trail had been redesigned
in the few minutes we'd been off it,
and was now almost all up hill!


What kind of sick trick was this???


I didn't want to leave Ruby alone
for too long, so I started to climb
at a much faster pace than we'd
descended.

A few seconds after I commenced my ascent,
an older couple from Ohio
(Betty and George. Say hi everyone!)
asked me for directions.
"Does the trail loop back at the bridge?"

I don't know why everyone always
assumes I know where to go,
(Do not tell me where to go!)
but they do.


At the time, I didn't know where
"the loop" was, exactly.
If they'd turned before they
got to the bridge,
they would've (maybe)
found the loop and gotten
back to the parking lot
where their bus was waiting.

But from where they were standing,
the fastest way back,
(which just happened to be what I told them,)
was back the way they came.

They told me they had to get back to their
bus in five minutes.


Um.... good luck with that!
Google says the walk from that point
would take about half an hour.


I don't know about them,
but I did it in under fifteen minutes.

I may have been a tad out of breath
by the time I reached the parking lot.

No time to catch it, though.
Ruby was waiting.


A few minutes later, I picked her up
and we were on our way.

We paused a moment to say "Hi"
to this guy.... or gal, I suppose.

Continued in following post​

 

[pkondz]

Continued from previous post​

All right... enough elk for one trip.
Where to now?

Hmmm....

And then a light came on.

The Maligne canyon is carved out
of the rock by water flowing from Maligne lake
into the Athabasca river.

So... Let's go find Maligne lake, okay?

That's not it.
That's Medicine lake.
It's on the way.
And it's one heck of a view.
(And is actually also fed from
Maligne lake.)

Eventually, after about an hour's drive,
we arrived at Maligne lake.
And we were starving.
The lake can wait.
Let's eat!


The lodge at Maligne lake
is quaint enough...
But I didn't take a photo.

I told you!
We were starving!
Pictures can wait.

And yet....
I did pause to take photos
of the inside.

Go figure.

So... cafeteria type food.

But!
They had clam chowder...
and strawberry rhubarb pie.
So... I definitely didn't complain!
(Also grabbed a sandwich.)

Ruby had yogurt.
She has so much to learn.
(Okay, so she doesn't like pie....
please. I don't know why I married her.
And the clam chowder would probably
kill her... but, still!)


In this next shot, if you look in the upper
left corner, you'll see a canoe.
The sign reads:
"Original canoe from the movie classic
'Rosemarie' which starred
Jeanette McDonald and Nelson Eddy."

The movie is from 1936,
so you may not remember it...
But if you Google "Indian Love Call",
you may recognize the song.
If you're a MASH fan...
You'll remember Col. Potter trying to sing it.
He sang the title of this update.


Since it was so sunny,
we decided to eat outside.

And just about froze to death.
It wasn't that warm...
and there was a breeze coming off
the glacier fed lake.

Speaking of the lake...

I've seen worse views.

After we poked around a bit,
we decided to head back.
Well.... not before visiting
the gift shop in the lodge.

Of course...


As we drove, we saw a sign for
"6th bridge".

Well, since we didn't walk to that one
(It would've added about 45 minutes,
round trip to our walk.)
we decided to drive over and check it out.

Voila.
The view from "6th bridge".

I neglected to take a shot of the bridge itself.
Oh, well.

It was still fairly early in the day,
so I suggested we drive over
and check out Athabasca Falls
since it was only about thirty
minutes away.

So we did...

Pretty, no?
Not the biggest I've seen,
but picturesque.


After admiring the view of the falls,
we headed back to our cabin.
Around 5pm, we went out for dinner.
We popped into a place called Olive Bistro.
Ruby had a Chicken Caesar salad
while I invoked revenge on our rogue elk
by ordering the day's special,
which was a venison dish.
Sorry, no photos.
Hungry.


And I had apple pie.
Because... pie.


I mean... who doesn't like pie???
You? Tell me yes or no for easy bonus points.


We finished dinner and looked at the time.
We had about fifteen minutes before
the movie Sully started.
Plenty of time.
The theatre is just around the corner.
We made it with at least ten
minutes to spare.
If you haven't seen it...
we both enjoyed it.
I may have got more out of it,
with my background,
but Ruby really liked it too.


And that was it for that day.


We went back to our cabin
and went to sleep.


Well...

Not before visiting another gift shop...



Of course.


Contest



Answers to previous questions:
1. What time do we get up?
Answer: 8:30 -
nailed it,10 points, +/-30, 6 points, +/- 60, 2 points.

2. Do we go in a gift shop?
Answer: <sigh> Yes. - 4 points.

3. We watch a movie.
In a theater? On the TV? On the iPad?
Answer: Theater - 10 points.

4. Elk. We see more.
In town or out?
Answer: Out - 10 points.

5. Do I get asked for directions?
How many times?
Answer: 1 time - 20 points.

6. How do I get revenge
on that elk?
Answer: Eat his cousin - 10 points.

7. Are these chapters too long?
Answer: Yes. But most of you were too polite to say so.
6 points.

Bonus points for being amazing. - 6 points.
Bonus points for evening/afternoon - 6 points.
Bonus points for cabin opinion - 6 points.
Bonus points for looking for photos - 6 points.

orangecats2 - 7:30, yes, iPad, out, 2, eat elk, polite, evening, cabin, looked - 50 points.
Mrs T 2009 - 8:00, no, theatre, out, 3, don't know, polite, amazing, barely looked - 44 points.
mustinjourney - 7:45, yes, theatre, in, 3, eat elk, no, amazing, looked - 44 points.
Mac Brew - 7:30, yes, TV, in, 2, horn, polite, evening, looked - 24 points.
rndmr2 - 8:00, yes, TV, in, 3, call cops, polite, amazing, cabin, looked - 34 points.
Curiouser&curiouser! -8:00, yes, theatre, out, 3, eat elk, polite, amazing, evening, cabin - 64 points.
irene_dsc - 7:30, yes, TV, out, 2, eat elk, polite, amazing, evening, cabin, no look - 56 points.
Captain_Oblivious - 7:30, yes, theatre, out, 2, doofus, semi-polite, amazing, evening, cabin, looked - 56 points.
fallonkendra - 8:30, yes, theatre, both, 3, horn, polite, amazing, evening, cabin - 48 points.
DonnaBeeGood - 8:30, yes, TV, both, 2, poop, polite, amazing, evening, cabin (sorta), looked - 44 points.
jandlinz - 8:00, yes, theatre, out, 4, dinner, polite, amazing, evening, cabin, looked - 70 points.
Terra Nova guy - 7:45, yes, TV, out, 2, candy, polite, amazing, evening, cabin, no look - 46 points.
franandaj - 7:30, yes, iPad, out, 2, eat elk, honest, amazing, evening, cabin, looked - 56 points.
Steppesister - 7:00, yes, TV, in, 3, car, polite, amazing, evening, cabin, no look - 34 points.
afwdwfan - 7:30, yes, TV, out, 3, eat elk, polite, amusing (close enough... actually take 2 extra points), evening, cabin, looked - 58 points.
cinderkelly - 7:00, yes, theatre, out, 1, honk, polite, amazing, no look - 62 points.
juniorbugman - 8:30, yes, theatre, out, 3, plush, polite, amazing, afternoon, cabin, looked - 64 points.
MAGICFOR2 - 7:15, yes, iPad, out, 2, photo, polite, looked - 26 points.
Princess Leia - 7:30, yes, TV, in, 2, horn, polite, amazing, evening, cabin, no look - 36 points.
DISNEYMOON10121991 - 7:45, yes, TV, in, 2, eat elk, polite, cabin, looked - 34 points.
QueenJen - 8:00, yes, theatre, both, 3, none, polite, no look - 32 points.


As usual, if I've made any mistakes,
either above or below, let me know.

Bonus points
Curiouser&curiouser! - 2 points for Mall Face.
irene_dsc - 4 points for lack of grip.
Captain_Oblivious - 2 points for the expense account. 2 points for stand-up routine.
Mrs T 2009 - 3 points for the knighthood.
fallonkendra - 2 points for knowing good cookies. 2 points for Winnipeg TRs.
DonnaBeeGood - 4 points for knowing size doesn't matter.
jandlinz - 2 points for thinking I'm awful. 4 points for perfection.
Terra Nova guy - 4 points for skinned knees. 2 points... wears aprons. 4 points for jail.
franandaj - 2 points for dedication. 2 points for being wacky.
Steppesister - 2 points for showering. 2 points for muffin magic.
afwdwfan - 2 points for hungry hippos. 2 points for seeing dead places.
cinderkelly - 4 points for being sweet.
vrajewski10513 - 4 points for in-laws.
sk8jdgca - 4 points for knowing her athletes.
irene_dsc - 4 points for shaving.
orangecats2 - 2 points for being able to spit through the gap.
juniorbugman - 4 points for the real frozen.
MAGICFOR2 - 2 points to help with the jet lag.
MHSweb79 - 2 points for being a Whac-a-mole.
Tracy161 - 2 points for stalking... er... being concerned.
Princess Leia - 4 points for starting rumours.4 points for the elk.
Gigi@Disney - 2 points for snorting coffee out her nose.
DISNEYMOON10121991 - 4 points for knowing what quality time is.
QueenJen - 2 points to welcome her home. Saw the signs. 6 points each (12)

Side bet: mustinjourney + 10 or – 20 : Keg


Score

Steppesister - 367 points
franandaj - 362 points
orangecats2 - 359 points
Captain_Oblivious - 342 points
irene_dsc - 300 points
DonnaBeeGood - 298 points
juniorbugman - 295 points
DISNEYMOON10121991 -290 points
Terra Nova guy - 281 points
rndmr2 - 245 points
mustinjourney - 244 points
Curiouser&curiouser! - 243 points
Mac Brew - 238 points
MAGICFOR2 - 237 points
cinderkelly - 234 points
Mrs T 2009 - 230 points
afwdwfan - 224 points
fallonkendra - 223 points
jandlinz - 216 points
Thumper_Man's Wife - 189 points
Thumper_Man - 185 points
Gracefulskinny - 183 points
Chrystmasangel - 177 points
DaisyDuck001 - 154 points
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes - 143 points
queenbetsey - 135 points
chookie94 - 122 points
Heluvsme - 96 points
Princess Leia - 88 points
bankr63 - 87 points
tashers - 84 points
chillitsanne - 57 points
QueenJen - 56 points
natebenma - 39 points
SoccerDogWithEars - 34 points
vrajewski10513 - 34 points
SnowWhiteOz - 30 points
kaileighbug - 28 points
krnelson65 - 22 points
lisaviolet - 18 points
Tracy161 - 16 points
MHSweb79 - 15 points
cindianne320 - 4 points
DizzneyDi - 4 points
Ladyfish77 - 4 points
MarieLightning - 4 points
sk8jdgca - 4 points.
KathyM2 - 3 points
Gigi@Disney - 2 points.
Self_resqing_princz - 2 points


Questions, next round:
1. What the heck. What time do we wake up?

2. We leave Jasper. What time?

3. What do we do before we leave... of course.

4. You might want to Google.
What do we do between Jasper and Banff?
(More than one answer possible.)

5. What time do we get into Banff?

6. Lefty or Righty?



Did you see it?




Coming up: Life is a Highway.

Chapter 14. Life is a Highway... Part I.​

 

[krysenchips]

Ruby really liked the fresh scones.

I started to laugh.
I pointed out that she was a woman sconed.

I love puns like this! They make me happy.

My roommates on the other hand, have limited me to 5 a day. They tell me that when I make the fifth pun someone explodes into confetti... I've not seen it yet, so I don't believe them.

Loving your trip report!