Made it as the sunrises
So the gang made it to Bonaire in one piece even with the madness of driving around in New Jersey If you haven’t been to New Jersey then think of it of a bunch of highways all coming together in one city and all coming out to the same location. Like most American cities directions are optional or it seems to be that way.
We got into the airport and like most islands the service was at the speed of an income tax return. then almost an hour to get the truck thank god Harold and Annie were second in line for a rental. Then getting the truck to turnabout in the airport was a treat as well, one way all the way around nice ramps over the sidewalks except for the last one where your own your on.
Then arrival at the Wannadive Hut to singing morning birds and barking dogs which are the norm at this time of the day and unlike other third world countries I have been to no-one shot any of them. Check in and we discovered that we left a bag at the airport, so the gang minus me headed back to the airport while I went looking for a diet coke/pepsi.
Off to Bonaire in the Morning
So tomorrow I will head to Bonaire once again this time to learn macro photography and do some relaxing and easy diving. I am bringing my wide angle lens as well for the few wrecks that are there.
In addition to underwater stuff I hope to get to play with my D300 and focus on some night and HDR stuff.
I spent the evening in the emergency with my little girl tonight and listened to a young couple with a baby in the next stall displaying massive amounts of concern and the Dr sort of telling them that it’s normal. What was really weird about this is that they had to go to KPH as there is no pediatric services at the Dieu so they had to head over to there. They mounted bicycles and drove over with jr in a backpack. i remember them telling the Dr they lived up in the Bayridge area so they had to bike at least 7 KM’s to get to the Hospital
So Stay tuned and the pics and stories will be coming.
The Marine Museum of the Great Lakes
When I first took up diving in Kingston almost daily someone would be diving down at the ole Marine Museum. We would dive weekly there as well as Members of the now defunct Down Under Club of Kingston. We even had a few area cleanups there with people coming from all over the province to participate then Dan and I opened NTD and everything changed. Many divers started diving in different circles and the Marine Museum dive site became a private dive site for NTD training. Which is OK.
In 2003 NTD hosted a NAS1 course which was run by Parks Canada and we even surveyed the barge just off the point. When we purchased scooters we found a steamer hull a couple of cars, a half of a schooner and cribs which were at the end of an intake pipe. In more recent years the Yacht club dropped a broken lazer sailboat for our pleasure.
The real point of this post other then remincing is the ever changing face of the waterfront from the point of the Marine Museum.
The first photo is from 2006 before the construction and moving of the CCGC Alexander Henry into berth.
Then when the Millennium fund dried up after a very expensive commerical diving operation that found out after the cleanup that the drydock was unusable. They removed all the boat buoys and rerouted the Garden Island Boat traffic to the Yacht club. They asked the diving community basically POW and NTD only to help bring the Alexander Henry into berth. I called on my motorcycle riding club the CAV to assist as well and together we moved her in to berth. This was the spring of 2007.
This year after uncertainly with the Federal government in renewing the lease and the city barricading most of the access to the water for safety reasons many people no longer visit this site and the museum as well. We had a dive show this summer as well and the museum was one of the venues which proved to be not as well as could be.
Today I went down and took this shot of the Museum and if you look at the three different shots it is quite noticeable that the waterfront in Kingston has changed to the modern way of life. The saddest part is that for years many a developer were turned down to build on the site as it was restricted to 6 floors and for some reason it slipped. In front of the construction of the highrises was some loft type townhomes in a limestone structure which is now empty.
Now the marine museum still a great training ground for diving, and an interesting place to visit and do some reearch in may be the site for a much needed deep water port in Kingston. Good Luck to those that are trying to get this done. We need it.
Want to dive this site contact the gang over at NTD and ask for directions.
The art of finding a subject
So now that i am back in the photography game it’s a struggle trying to find my niche so I end up taking shots of everything above and below the water. After which you have to take the ones you want to upload and the remainder you file away til a later date. I have started going through my old stuff and found this one from a trip to Edmonton for dreamscapes.
Tonight a night shoot around town as it has warmed up to minus 1 instead of the minus 10 of last nights Santa parade. We ventured over to City park and the lights were not on for some odd reason so another night shoot this week will be in order.
So I have lots of work over the winter that most likely may never get done and I have to pack for Bonaire this week so Stay tuned for daily photos and updates from Bonaire the shore diving Capital of the world.
Here in Kingston Just off Howe Island on the north side is a wreck from the civil war the CHICORA is sitting in 20 feet of water just off a little cove. The Chicora was purchased after the american civil war where she was used as a blockade runner. She ended her days in Kingston and was set adrift during an apparent fire. She sunk near Howe Island. Some books have the wreck as the Amherst Islander One which is incorrect.
Just a little deeper north of the wreck is a truck once owned by the Garret family who lost it during a ice road incident. Mr Garret has photos of the wheel house from the wreck as well being used as a Chicken Coop on the Island. So for those that want to try to dive her, don’t forget to get land owners permission first.
Another Weekend, Another OW course done
and a Santa parade, trip to the country for some pics and so on and so on. I had to run an ow course this weekend and the main guy decided that he couldn’t do this anymore and took a break. I also rein-juried my hand working with the students as well. So that is going to set me back bit. Good news is that my bike is finally going to start the long journey home just in time to store it.
I took a few minutes out of my teaching schedule to watch the Santa parade which in Kingston is held at night for the last 5 years. It is actually pretty neat this way as the lights and rides are well done. This year it was 8 below and the parade was the longest since they moved it to the night. Being so cold people started leaving half way through. I also had to go before the parade ended missing the CAV and Santa.
After the class Sean and I headed downtown to see the lite tree and home for some most needed sleep as the lack of sunshine is starting to wear on me. Good to see Chris in the water again today and I was very happy with the DMC’’s effort over the course.
Kelly even came in for Fri night and did some DM stuff with one of the students flawlessly. So a good couple of days and a week to go till Bonaire.
Looking for a spot to dive the BW Folger
BW Folger
The BW Folger burnt to the waterline just off Fish Point on Amherst Island on 11/24/1894 while loaded with a cargo of lumber for Oswego NY. Apparently a lantern fell over and caught fire.
Unfortunately following the advice of a local telling us not to go in any wooded area due to hunting and poaching at this time of year we then decided to cruise the Island.
As we were getting back on the ferry I took this shot.
And finally some exercise
So my workout buddy kicked my ass today and i got off 12 kms before my ipod died so off to the sauna for a good heating. So off to the Dr for my biweekly talk and no increase in drugs and still no word on the seeing the next physc but patience and time I have lots of this winter.
Over to Amherst Island to find the elusive Snowy Owl and no luck at the moment as the owl spot in the Owl wood was closed due to poaching. Kind of funny how they shut down the area to keep you safe during an illegal activity but when you live on an island thats the way they live, and you can;t fault them for living their lives.
So after seeing lots of Hawks, flying swans(a first) geese, ducks, doves and lots of deers we headed back to the ferry to catch it home and a sunset for the first time in days.
Tomorrow off to Watertown and back to teaching as I have an OW course running this weekend.
Sorry but the Isle of Amherst is closed today.
After seeing a few photos from an ole army buddy on flicker, newfoundlander1 of the return of the snowy owls on Amherst Isle and coupled with the brand change on my sleeping meds making down and driveless lately. Sean and I headed over to Amherst Island where upon arrival we found it closed for the Day.
So off to Wolfe Island where we saw red tailed hawks all over the place and took the time to see the placement of another power rotor on windmill number 8.
Other interesting shots of the day were a school bus, old ford and while sean was taking shots of an old house a deer watched carefully, I got a few shots of the deer but nothing i really liked I have kept them anyway.
for a really bad day waking up it turned out not to bad after all physically. For the rest of today a return to the gym, Dr’s appointment and hopefully Amherst Island will be open. :p
mooooose
Today Sean and I found some urban moose, they are very hard to find in the city and are so still that vandals actually use them for graffiti art. The big problem is then they go out to the country to visit relatives and are easily spotted.
When we happened on the four of them they stood very still for a photo shoot and totally ignored us. One had even lost one of his horns and was not bothered by it at all.
I am hoping they get back to the city soon as hunting season is soon upon us and knowing the locals they miss them.
Just sniffing around today before it rained.
When you have a rough night, you really feel it in the morning. I had one on Weds and last night i caught up with some very well received sleep. Matter of fact so deep that Polly had to leave the floor to get some sleep. Sean had his last night so when the smoked cleared a drive into the country after brunch at what is fast becoming our favorite diner. The Golden Rooster.
So with Polly in tow we decided to see the deers out on Florida road and on the way we saw the Llama’s these guys are fricken funny dudes, they come to check you out, smile and then leave when it’s discovered you ain’t got any food.
When we got to the deer farm it was closed and only open by appointment so a couple of telephoto shots, and a find of the blog addy we left. I didn’t see a donation box like they have at other farms around the world and personally don’t think people wouldn’t mind seeing one.
Then the rain came so back home where finally i got the site up almost the way i wanted. The only thing i didn’t get working was the gallery2 integration due to a bug in the software and the companies lackadaisical effort to fix it. When some people for a year are waiting for an answer then you lose customers.
So I am now using a product called zenphoto, free, easy and nice to work with. So hopefully we can start populating it now.
Discover Scuba at the Y
So another discover Scuba at the YMCA and this guy became the best DMC I had all year, no lip, no talking and just stood there and listened. But seriously it was great to be back in the pool and get a bit of shake out before next weekends course hopefully with Annie.
I still had some troubles with the hand and ankle but overall not to bad. After today’s workout Sean and i drove around town and enjoyed the the unseasonable weather of 15 and took some time to spend it with Ray at the Coast Guard station chewing the fat and getting a game plan for next year.
The big news of the day was unexpectedly Sean bought himself a 09 street glide which will be a big change from his little 500cc honda. I told him that he was now allowed to purchase and wear harley stuff and he wasn’t to become a dirtbag as well.
Rain, Rain and some Rain
It just rained for most of the day, last night i went to my group and like normal no sleep last night, nothing new but it just sux at times. I was so bagged out that i couldn’t go work out so I did my rounds.
First off to VA, drop off a prescription sent to the Hearing clinic and got my hearing aid fixed up for the winter, I know my friends will be happy not from me say what all the time but, from my mumbling which gets worse when i don’t wear the aid.
Then off to Altair for a little computer repair, not a big box place but the service is worth every moment in the place and my laptop is almost completely rebuilt. Then off to Sean’s Dr appointment and I got to catch up with some reading. Then off to get our winter coats which not ready.
Into Best buy where Sean for the second time today got the deal of the century and purchase a 42 inch LG plasma HDTV and a playstation so you know that he ain’t going to sleep for a while. If you haven’t gotten into the HDTV scene yet your missing out of a great visual and audio experience. Matter of fact my TV sounds so great I rarely turn on the stereo for movies anymore.
Got our jackets finally and then driving down Bath Rd, we spotted this hawk on a pole, we started taken shots in the truck then slowley cross the street and the hawk allowed me to stand right below the pole for a shot. Sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw as we had just left Henry’s where we saw a few shots of cardinals. Cardinals don’t like people and rarely are seen in the area except in the feeders in the Conservation areas mainly.
Picked up my laptop and started working on some pics right away so even though the rain made the day miserable we got alot done.
Today was Remembrance Day
For as long as I can remember Nov 11 was a day of Remembrance, from schools in Germany during the Cold War, to my involvement with the military it’;s always been a gloomy kind of day. Even in the desert of Iraq it was a cloudy grey day.
This time it was a little different I didn’t have to be in uniform, as certain place and with a certain crowd. I took some pics and watched school children look at vets and the guns with big eyes. I got to see them jump out of their skins with the guns went off, and even see the crowd in a different lite, When your a soldier and do a parade it’s one direction you look and thats front unless your praying.
This year i took the extra step and went to the local Militia monument for the 21stt Battalion as well. Afterwards off to Wolfe Island to see the wind turbines these babies are huge and I mean huge.
Yesterday after running on the machine for 30km I had to go see the surgeon where he said all was fine for the time being with my hand and i should see great improvement for the next couple of months.
So now the winter starts to set in and everyone starts planning for some warm fun and winter shows. I have been invited to two diving shows so far and will be promoting Ontario diving. I also got a new text book and will start experimenting more in the photography world as well as joining the OD fitness challenge again this year.
Things to do while Retired
So after 3 days of 24km workouts, I went to the brewpub with Sean, Harold and Annie for lunch. Then Sean and I headed out to the backroads to take a few pics.
One of the problems we both suffer from is the late afternoon crash which you have to stay awake or there’s no sleep at night ad that is a bad thing for Polly as I keep her awake as well.
When the built the new fieldhouse and gym on the base 7 or 8 years ago I was not convinced that it would be used to its fullest proves me wrong almost every weekend. This weekend is the Kickboxer competition and the college cross country competition on Fort Henry so I am glad that on the weekends the place is well used.
The last couple of days the sun has been shining and above normal temps have kept most of the gang in good spirits as well, so life is good all around for most.
An afternoon on the Rideau
So after a so so workout only 10 kms today 
, Sean and I mert up with Ron. One of the weird things about depression is that you end up hanging with some others suffering from the same. So after timmie’s we decided to hit some of the locks for picture taking.
The first lock was Kingston Mill’s and Ron wanted to go to the top so still suffering a bit from gout in a toe I climbed the hill where we saw some climbers doing the rock face. Then over to the tracks to get some train shots no trains until we started to go. Life is just like that.
Next to the lower brewers and upper brewers for some shots and I found a cabin called the ARK, the cool thing about this ark is it is a canal boat pulled onto shore and converted to a cabin. Ron had to go so Sean and I headed to Barriefield for some sunset shots and home for dinner.
Perhaps tomorrow if the weather stays the same off in a different direction, I still want to hit Picton for some shots.
wreck in kingston harbour
In Kingston harbour there are around 8 hulls that were left over from the days of wooden steam. They have rotted to the water line through ice, time and even the poor using them as firewood. The ones that could have been raised were taken out to the graveyards for discarding, An added bonus for divers as we have lots of wrecks to choice from.
Today was day three in the run to become fitter and smaller, I am a little behind due to the great dive season, a couple week bike trip and the last 6 weeks in bed due to an accident and medical problems.
I also had gotten to the Dr today, I am grateful for my GP as she is on the ball and between us we chartered a new course of action for my heath problems and a drop in blood pressure meds which was a welcome sight to me as I take to many legal drugs now.
Sean and I did 3 hour on the stair climbers and another 45 mins in the sauna and hot tub, Sean is starting to like these high tension workouts so I hope we can keep it up to spring when he has to participate in the RTW program.
For lunch we went to the legion for group and was greeted by free food, cake and lots of pins which I gave to my GP, NP and the call staff.
I also got a head start and got the flu shot early this year so I am good to go. I took this shot from the city park on the rideau and got the Whig building and a hull that has become a haven for birds.
back to the Gym
So I finally made it back to the gym, even with having a bad day. So I am hoping to return in the am with Sean. All I could get out was 8 1/2 kms so i now have a start anyway.
Harold and the gang removed the rest of the moorings in the lake today despite high winds, it is funny how only the short hops get done by others and we do all the distance ones. But at least we got help this year so thats a great start in the right direction.
today other then being down quite considerably i still managed to work on my pics and get some more up for public viewing.
So over at the store the docks and boats are all out for the season and plans are being made for winter training.
