A long, “adventerous” travel day. Our 2023 Canadian excursion is at an end.
You name it, we had it! Mechanical delays! Customs!
(Image from Wunderground)
Weather delays!
(Image from Flightradar24)
After about a three-hour delay we were off and only about ten minutes from landing when those thunderstorms forced MSP to wave off all flights. We went into that paperclip-like holding pattern, then when there was a small gap between storm cells we did the “Rattler lift hill approach” (see Six Flags Fiesta in San Antonio for the reference).
Despite all of the adrenaline, we made it home, and on time to boot thanks to a couple of 4:30 layovers built into our schedule, of which we needed almost every minute.
The convention is winding down so I took a hike off between panels and concerts to find large government buildings, statues, parks, and critters.
Louis Riel got hanged for being a traitor back in the day, apparently for insisting that EVERYONE had rights instead of just the the white, male, French-Canadians of Ontario and Quebec. Today he’s a Founding Father out in Manitoba with a huge statue.
Plus ça change…
Soooooooooo many Canada Geese! There must have been 200-250 or more in this group, plus stragglers all over the grounds. They were calm, lots of signs warning folks against feeding them, so no expectations on their part. But watch where you step… IYKYK!!
Way up high, apparently 25’ tall, covered in a small fortune in gold, and anatomically correct, is Golden Boy. I have no idea who is represented by the four sets of figures on the corners beneath him. Perhaps I’ll check out the power of my Google-foo when I get home.
Which, with luck, will be tomorrow evening. Wish us luck!
Went on some sightseeing quests around the city today.
Found flocks and flocks of the dreaded Cobra Chickens!
Came outside after a wonderful anniversary dinner and found thunderheads punching their way toward the stratosphere. Five hours later (i.e., now) there are lightning bolts all over!
Trying to get over being jet lagged – that’s a young person’s game. Delays, trying to clear Customs after midnight and then funding a cab to the hotel didn’t help.
A couple of showers, a bit of sun, some convection, and overall a very pleasant day to try & get my circadian rhythms back on an even keel.
There’s a new volcanic eruption in Iceland, with webcams set up:
and drones overhead:
(Isak Finnbogason’s drone work is spectacular, I recommend following his work on YouTube!)
The views can be spectacular, and I’m sure seeing it in person is a life-changing experience, much like seeing a total solar eclipse or a spectacular aurora display.
(Image from RUV.is)
When this volcanic field erupted a couple of years ago it became a hugely popular tourist attraction.
(Image from RUV.is)
Not entirely safe, to be sure, but once the eruption became more stable and they were reasonably sure that there weren’t going to be any toxic gasses emitted, the tourists were allowed to make a hike of a few kilometers in from the coast.
This eruption is more gassy, judging by all of the warnings that you see from the Icelandic authorities on various feeds, and tourists are supposed to be forbidden still.
(Image from RUV.is)
Not that that stops folks from walking in anyway. About once an hour or so today we would see someone wandering by the camera.
Which is annoying. Half a world away we’re wanting to see the volcano erupt, not someone who’s foolish enough to ignore all of the warnings to be there. And if you’re there, fine, good for you, but get out of the way! Don’t block the view of the camera!
(Image from RUV.is)
And risking your own daredevil butt is one thing, but bringing your kids along? Are you kidding me? That seems … reckless.
Then I think of some of the Christmas card pictures that get sent out from certain right-wing 2nd Amendment cultists who have younger children toting high-powered automatic weapons – maybe going hiking into an active volcano isn’t all that bad in comparison.
I’ve mentioned in the past (here and here) that WordPress gives out a little “atta boy!” if you post daily on your site. That daily streak continues.
Again, there were two days prior to this where consecutive day streaks were “broken” because I posted a few minutes after midnight – but I did post. If those streaks are added here, I would currently be at 1,192 days. That’s over 3.27 years. Not bad!
The next week may be challenging to keep that streak going. But the adventures should be epic!
From the French, “vert” for green, “mont” for mountain, thus the Green Mountain State.
And when it’s not this green, it’s white, as in covered in snow and ice.
Except for a few weeks in between when it’s every color imaginable.
(We will not speak of the fifth season, “Mud.”)
I’ve been thinking a lot about Vermont in the last couple of days, and all of my friends from high school who still live there, as the state got inundated with monster storm. Some places got more rain in a couple of hours than they normally get in a year, and the flooding has been horrific. Check out the stuff I’ve been sharing on Facebook for examples.
I’ve also been amazed and gratified by the response of the people of Vermont. One store and restaurant after another is rushing free meals and aid to those who have been devastated, even those that have been devastated themselves. Farms and stores and whole villages that have been under 6′ or more of water, without power, without clean water, with bridges and roads wiped out, all are asking for help in cleaning up while also saying they’re not going to do a Go Fund Me or anything like that because there are so many others who need it more. They just need a little help from their friends.
If you get a chance to visit Vermont, take it. Every time. Hit me up, I’ll be glad to give you advice and suggestions on where to go and what to see. And while you’re cruising around, find a tiny restaurant that might actually be a world-class gem in hiding. (I know of a couple…) Stop at a farmer’s market or a roadside stand to get some real maple syrup. Hit up the Vermont Country Store (or one of its kin) and find things you haven’t seen since you were a kid. Find a field and just lay there on the grass and watch the red-winged blackbirds, maybe an eagle or hawk, and if you’re really still, maybe some deer or a moose will wander through.
Just don’t try to take any bad pictures! Can’t do it!
(Image from Wunderground)
(Image from Flightradar24)
We Love The Stars Too Fondly 