The death of the Gaskin
Today seven of us planned to go diving after all the bailing was done 4 of us headed out to concur the might Gaskin Traverse. The water was cold and at first with initial reports of 100 feet of vis reported we figured a treat was to be had. After reaching the dive ontario warning sign we soon got into alga snot for lack of a better term. Big honking loads of it then the current hit.
We made it to the wreck and again surprise hit me as it’s been 2 years since my last dive on her and it was so disheartening to see the state of dismay she lay in. Anyone that is planning a trip off a boat in the river should ask for a different designation as the gaskin now needs to R.I.P.
More pics of the dive here.
Dumb Groundhog was wrong
In Kingston anyway, for the last week it’s been well over zero with today hitting 12 around one. It’s been busy all week and unfortunately a friend of mine lost his father as well. They went with a reception which I attended with little problems till it got noisy but I made it through for 1 1/2 hours.
Today Adam, Sean and I went out on a photo hunt after the daily workout and We found this little gem above and here is a description.
The Riley RM Series was the last automobile series developed independently by Riley. RM vehicles were produced from 1945, after WorldThe Riley RM Series was the last automobile series developed independently by Riley. RM vehicles were produced from 1945, after World War II, through the 1952 merger of the Riley’s Nuffield Organisation with Austin to form BMC. They were originally made in Coventry but in 1949 production moved to the MG works at Abingdon.
There were three types of RM vehicles produced: The RMA was a large saloon, and was replaced by the RME. The RMB was an even larger car, and was replaced by the RMF. The RMC and RMD were limited-production roadsters.
All of the RM vehicles featured the pre-war Riley designed 1.5 L (1496 cc) 12 hp (RAC Rating) or 16 hp (RAC Rating) 2.5 L “Big Four” straight-4 engines with twin camshafts mounted high at the sides of the cylinder block and hemispherical combustion chambers.War II, through the 1952 merger of the Riley’s Nuffield Organisation with Austin to form BMC. They were originally made in Coventry but in 1949 production moved to the MG works at Abingdon.
There were three types of RM vehicles produced: The RMA was a large saloon, and was replaced by the RME. The RMB was an even larger car, and was replaced by the RMF. The RMC and RMD were limited-production roadsters.
All of the RM vehicles featured the pre-war Riley designed 1.5 L (1496 cc) 12 hp (RAC Rating) or 16 hp (RAC Rating) 2.5 L “Big Four” straight-4 engines with twin camshafts mounted high at the sides of the cylinder block and hemispherical combustion chambers.
Tomorrow Diving finally
Out and about finally
It’s been kinda different lately, as I have had 2 colds and now am battling gout for the first time in 18 months so no gym or fun stuff, till today when Adam took me out for a photo shoot.
So we stopped off at an old abandoned car wreckers and spent some serious time taking photos, then off to the locks and finally into town to see if they moved the Alexander Henry yet. then off of to the Dr for my latest test results.
The day went well other then the pain from the gout but as we get closer to spring the more I will be out.
Making the grade to Inland Seas
So for the second time in a week, a magazine has contacted me for photos for up coming shoots. This one being the Inland Seas a boat watchers magazine. At first I thought it was for a freighter shot or so then to my surprise, Mr Palmer was doing a historical piece on the Olive Branch.
KEY STATS:
Ship Type: Schooner
Lifespan: Built 1871, Sunk 1880
Length: 92ft
Depths: 100ft
Location: Main Duck Island, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
GPS N43 55.906 W76 44.269
The Olive Branch was built by W Redmond of Picton Ontario, in 1871. Enroute to Portsmouth (Kingston) in 1880 with a load of coal the Olive Branch was caught in a storm and capsized drowning all five of her crew members. Located in 1888 efforts to raise her were abandoned and she was forgotten about till 1961, when Willis Metcalfe & Guenter Wernthaler relocated her.
I ventured outside today tending on visiting Adam but a flash flood on the 401 caught my attention so took some photos which got featured on the nightly news tonight.
Drydock Construction keeps moving
Once upon a time everyone that dove Kingston made a dive at the marine Museum. Before I stopped logging dives I had over 300 dives there. Bottle hunting got some good ones, training dives, checkout dives, ice dive, I learned how to scooter properly there, and even test ran almost every piece of gear I owned there.
New Years day dives netted 30 people and pizza and Hot Chocolate afterwards. We ran lines to the wreck, and naval anchors. One Year friends of mine raised an anchor and placed it into a car and thats when it all started to unfold. The community fell apart and went 5 different ways to sunday and now hardly anyone dives at the Marine Museum anymore. Now No one will see the ghastly appearance in March under a little of ice and all the chains hanging down from the boat markers, the big carp and pike that cruise the dock for easy pickings. And the easy in and out for those with handicaps. Tonight they drain her for the last time and the Alexander henry will be no longer in water and dry-docked.
Progress I guess, I will still have memories of diving under the ice for the first time, finding a rum jug, friends finding swords, rifles and many many bottles. Hopefully they will do something about shore access as for at least 5 years its been fenced off and only those illegally dumping garbage use the site. But there’s other sites to use and enjoy I guess and they will have to do. I will also look forward to the finish product and be one of those guys that say “remember when”
what do you mean there’s a 4 am
So today reaffirmed the belief that being a Canadian is a good thing even if we don’t toot our own horns. Andre and I headed to Ottawa yesterday shot some pics at night and then off to Montana’s for a steak dinner and a beer afterwards. In the morning we headed to the pickup spot which is in front of the Terry fox statue in front of Parliament.
Andre with a smile that was from ear to ear was runner 7 and number one was a injured vet whom had brought the MP that saved his life from overseas. He talked about the incident that took his leg, being a proud solider and a fellow Canadian. Even some tourist at 5 am snuggled up to him for some pics.
I waited for Andre at the second last checkpoint and watched to poor number 8 who was a model for the campaign and the school kids gathered for photo ops and question periods. Andre then treated me to Dunns for breakfast and we headed home.
Tonight the flame came to Kingston and the town was out in force celebrating it’s arrival. From the dance studio to Queen’s cheer squad everyone had the spirit. Even the native with the smudge pot burning some weed. So like I said another great day to be Canadian.
Time for the meds and some quiet time Good NIght.
Photos from Ottawa Here
Kingston will be here.
More divers diving in Kingston
Well after a month of training divers it just doesn’t seem to stop with 2 more OW courses, an Nitrox, AOW and rescue course all to be done by the end of Oct I guess I will be in the water more then I expected. I have already surpassed 200 dives this year and still counting.
This weekend due to winds we finished off in the quarry and ran drills for the AOW students, Search and recovery, Navigation and Peak Performance Buoyancy and 15 OW students from around town this week is enough for me to take a break, thanks to JJ whom came from out of town to assist me a few times in the last couple of weeks.
Photos from the Quarry here.
Three New Divesites in Kingston
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So this week has been good for the diving community at large. The first site is a coal barge in 20 feet of water on the north side of a hundred foot sunken dock. Located in Barrett’s bay on Wolfe Island this 5 min swim from shore from the boat launch. Lots of fish and fishing tackle litter the site.
The second site made open to the public was not my idea but that of the community at large Adam and his friends lined the Tinto and I-Ho sailboat on the south side of Cedar Island in 40 feet of water. The swim though is 20 mins between sites and quite uneventful I image with more exploration items around the dive will be added.
Now the latest find of course the old guard has stated they have been diving for years, even though they couldn’t find the site with Dan and I 7 years ago on Side Scan Sonar. This little gem is located 487 NNE from the Tug Johnson was brought to our attention again this weekend. Mistaken as a sub trainer it appears to be a lifting barrel for wreck recovery at the turn of the century. Now three new sites and 4 wrecks in all to see.
Photos from the Barrel
Fort Henry gets invaded
So every couple of years the marines come to town and put on a show, this is one of the only times that Polly goes out at night :p , So armed with cameras and off to the fort for a the sunset ceremony that most of Kingston’s residents have never taken in. 39 with the humidex and the Fort henry guard comes marching on to the parade square in their british made wool uniforms, all I can think is thank god I don’t that stuff anymore. The show was 3 hours long and well attended. The new parking tax was a bit of downer and I think that most locals won’t pay to park there so when the long weekend in Sept comes time will tell.
Pictures are here.
Maine and Back
So like always 2 days before we got ready to head to North Carolina everyone bailed except for Vinnie but we had no reservations so off to Maine Dan and I headed. if you think that the recession is over don’t drive down the popular touristy routes in the US northeast. Motels and gas stations closed or empty. Those still open charging a premium even though there’s no one.
We got into Bath Maine to ride the coastal highway to Canada and like route 66 it’s glory days are long gone and replaced by bypasses off the new coastal highway 10 or more miles from the water. When we got to the border we got our last change cheap gas and there was no us customers at the gas bar only canadians. separated by a stream St Steven’s loses all their gas revenues across the border for a dollar a gallon cheaper.
Driving through New Brunswick down the trans canada you see nothing but warnings for Moose crossing even though not one moose choose to cross at the signs. The covered bridge was pretty neat in Hartford.
So into Quebec for the last day of travel and down route 132 this was the best kept secret in the biking world. Quebecors with their need for speed love the trans Canada and leave the senic routes to the tourists, and the roads were empty. Plenty of freshly paved roads, bikers almost every bike a Harley and lots to see from New Brunswick to Levis PQ. Well worth the ride.
Coming back in Ontario we dropped onto old Highway 2 to get home. Sunburnt, Windburnt and sore as my knee went out on Sunday and has yet to heal.
Most of my pics will be here.
Back into Teaching Mode
Woke up this morning and was able to get 30 km off on the stepper then off to the store to do some diving.
Unlike other scuba professionals I don’t mind teaching tweens/teenagers unfortunately I can’t do it full time but the look in their eyes when they can do it is worth all the time and effort. Today was no exception even though they don’t complete the task at hand and will more then likely not finish it tomorrow either I am prepared to spend more time doing so.
The good thing was my raging ear infection that has been raging for 4 days was little problem today. Then off to Raxx for 10.00 full rack of ribs so the day was a total gas.
Diving and More Diving
Kingston mills it’s hard to imagine some arab immigrant murdered his family in an Honor killing earlier month. RIP to the four woman that had to die for that. But I imagine that they will be waiting in KP for him and his son a skinny fit man. Payback is a bitch at times.
Lots of diving this week, scooting in the river to 5 foot vis to diving on the Douglas in an evening dive. This week is shaping up to be another full week of diving as well. Enjoy the pics and hopefully I can get more active here.
Ohh I like your pics can I have them for free I will give you credit
One thing that is rampaged between website owners and photographers since the invention of the net and digital camera is ownership rights. People constantly “borrow” photo their sites and pay only with a photocredit. Lots of them state we are not for profit sounds great the last not for profit website that used my pics crucified me to the cross after getting all of them. So no more for that line of not for profit sites. Business sites do the same and get pissy with asked where is my name on the pics, well we thought about it and decided that your in competition with us. But guess what my photos are still there. Thoughts on what to do?.
Hey I don’t mind helping people but it’s got to go both ways so if you see my pics out there let me know and we will starr posting links to the people that borrow and not do anything in return. Hell I will even post links to those that use my pics and credit me.
Canada Day and The Munson
Some immigrants and permanent residents don’t get it but yet again a little girl does. This girl marched down Princess Street giving the Town Crier a go for his money. Chris drives a kawasaki not like it’s a real bike :’-) 
Yet the permanent residents bash and complain about all the rights and freedoms Canada offers them in return. To hell with them with up and coming Canadians like this
Looks like the future maybe so bright we have to wear shades. Complete photos of Canada are here . So after riding and lots of sunshine on Canada day a few days of rain has made everything wet and my new to me Dodge Dokota has arrived. I bought a 249.99 sat ready, blue tooth radio and it only cost me 400.00 in free installation but parts were extra thanks Best Buy. To Steve’s credit he fixed the broken mic the next day with no argument.
So like most Fridays Dan was teaching so Harold and I joined him on the Munson.
We opted to look for gear and ship parts to place in the wreck, I found 3 bottles, 3 wieght belts, 2 snorkels, Harold found a Lite, Mask and 2 pairs of sunglasses one of mine from last year. So back in and in the rain again. Hopefully tomorrow the sun will return.
Yesterday I started the Rider’s Edge Skilled Rider Instructor course at Motosport Plus in Kingston, this is a Harley Davidson sponsored program so thanks for asking me to participate
Top Charity Beggers Mistakes and a busy weekend kills my body and mind
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So this morning after a very busy weekend I dragged my ass out of bed and headed to they gym for a 10km workout. This weekend was busy for lots of reasons.
Friday Night – Kingstons Biggest Bike Night (MSBN)
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MSBN was a combined effort of several business and like minded persons headed by the Memorial Veterans Riders. The idea a non partisan night for all to enjoy in a public place. Any biker, fancy car or passerby is welcome to come and join in. No beefs about who’s badge is on your vest, no beefs about whos store you visit and so on. Since it’s inception it constantly has the highest turn out rate of any bike gathering in the area.
Dragonboat Races in the Morning and Diving in the Afternoon
This gathering there was a few hundred people attending and I was in took my pictures and got out just as I started to vibrate from the amount of people around. As I was packing my stuff up I got the chance to listen to an organizer talk to an other fundraiser on how to gain the status the dragonboaters got.
“Simple” he said.
1. Always send a leader with your group anytime they go fundraising, supporting someone else especially if the anyone in the group is associated with other organizations. That way you can be seen supporting the others.
2 If your organization is supporting a cause for a certian region be seen supporting and purchasing in the region this includes all your members. Don’t expect local coffiers to open up when your spending all your time and monies in another region.
3. Make sure all your members are respectfull of other agencies and groups in public Nothing will dwindle your donations and needs if you go banging on Ford’s door wearing a shirt from Toyota.
4. Don’t make rules that only you need to follow and not your supporters. like don’t tell people not to wear socks in sandels and your voluteer staff all wear socks in thiers at an event.
5. If you put all your eggs in one basket prepare to pay the price many business will not support you if you have a major sponser from out side the area and your asking them to pay the bills.
6. The coolest thing he said is that you and your representives are nothing more then buskers and in todays economy people want something in return. A simple thank you publically goes a long way, if you keep forgetting to thank the big guy on the block or pussy foot around thanking them and thier supporters, next time the pot will be empty or close to it.
7. If you and your supporters not buying locally and looking locally for funding, don’t even bother getting out of bed your wasting your time.
8. Always smile even if you don’t agree with the sponsors, your next group of sponsors are always watching.
Then some diving in the Afternoon to repair lines on the local wrecks got me thinking of this conversation this morning. Good and bad news I guess for some local agencies.
Sunday – Demo days for Harly Davidson
So I woke up vibrating and I wasn’t even going to get out of bed but I promised Jacqui that I would take some pictures for them. I grab my meds and noticed that I had indeed missed a day which now will take a couple of days for my body to forgive me on it. It was hot and busy lots of people, bikes and activities including a band for all to enjoy. Pictures from the day here.
Sean and Dan left early to go to the store when Sean lost control breaking a few ribs and pieces on his bike. Other then that he’s ok. Jamie and Fitz came up with a great idea and I have decided to throw my support behind it Kingston Area Motorcycle Association (KAMA)
Just a basic area on the web to host everyone’s rides, events and all other stuff bike related in the Kingston Area, not just the city itself. Good luck and I hope all groups will support it. The start up will be on Facebook under groups Kingston Area Motorcycle Association.
614 Km’s and a BBQ at Hog night
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So today i got on the bike, skipped the gym and headed west on a ride. First stop camp 30 in bowmanville. More on that later. Then north to Lakefield to see the old cement plant which will have to be a weekend or holiday ride to get the pics. I stopped for gas and headed east towards home after a few roundabout ways back to Lakefield i made it to cordva Mines and back on 7.
Camp 30 was a WW2 POW camp which housed high ranking nazi officers. During my exploration I couldn’t help but think just as Canadian as maple syrup they had it a lot better then our guys did in Europe. Snr Officers had individual rooms, a gym, rec center, soccer fields and basketball courts. even with all that the Nazi’s took over the camp and held the locals for 3 days before surrendering. The only enemy action in Ontario. In recent years the muslim community used it for a Islam University and when they left they left everything behind. the locals had a great time destroying it all as well.
when i got home it was off to the Hog meeting for a burger and chat. So all in all a good day and night. Pictures from the BBQ here.
Live to Ride – Ride to Live
The motto of the North American Biker. Today Sean and I went out looking for abandonments and on the way met two very different characters with the same love for riding.
The first guy was in Bedford Mills that was selling an old mill for 3/4 million dollars and is going to retire to a smaller place with room for his work shop. The guy rebuilds classic bikes and was working on his truck but took a few minutes out to tell us about his new bike a 1935 Indian.
We talk about driving sportsters around Ontario and how rough it was driving small bikes and old ones at that. He is a customer of Motosport Plus in town so I am sure we’ll met again.
The second guy was a retired gent that drove across Canada on his moped bragging about getting 130 km to the gallon and taking 3 months to do so. Ok my hat is off to him I spent my preteen years in Germany and rode a moped when I was 13 and found it small. I remember I guy from High School in Borden running away from home on his moped and drove down the 400 back to Toronto to his Moms.
So next time my back gets a little tired driving around on my Ultra Glide Classic with rubber mounts., shocks and a nice comfy seat. I will remember these two driving with one purpose in mind.
Just to ride. Now if only the local bike clubs could adapt that mentality.
So off to the US for some Exploration Day Trips
So like normal I had to drop everything and run out for a task. So off to Watertown, I only had the bike to use so I packed the camera and off I went.
The first thing that one notices when riding in the US is the amount of Patriotism compare to Canada. I think it’s a bylaw in many small towns to fly the flag. As a Vet many people thank you. The houses are a different story, many homes that would be condemned here in Canada actually have people living in them still.
I took 12 to Watertown and noticed just like route 66 the interstate has taken it’s toll on the small family motel business many lie ruins and abandoned some even have the decor of the day still in them as the owners just closed shop and left. Today Sean and I will head to the Upper New York Mental institute for a photo shoot and take the old Seaway trail to Watertown.
Finally a Dive
I love diving and photography especially when I can combine them. It took a long time this year to get going one of the reasons was the political climate of years gone by. I find it hard to get motivated and even harder to volunteer my time to be rewarded by nothing but slander and shit from the vocal minority.
People forget that volunteers do this for free and the only reward is a thank you. But in Kingston if your not doing it the way we did it in the old days you will pay dearly. The even sadder thing is when you give them everything and back off nothing happens cause the only work they can do is running off of the mouth.
Nuff of that back to the dive. First dive on the Munson the munson is always dark but today it was like being at 180 feet with no ambient light. Sean and I located the mooring raised it and checked the line. No problems so off the Comet.
The Comet was the opposite 70 feet of vis and a lot colder 41 on the bottom. Located the mooring line raised it and off for a photo shoot. the deck caved in a bit more over the winter but other then that a nice dive.
Mooring work done by the GLUE dive club as the others stayed home again. Saturday’s work will start on the Davie, I am on the afternoon run hopefully SM Douglas or Eccles.
Kingston Bike Night and a Rally for S&R
Chris Graham runs a bike night on Weds during riding season the cost. 1 can of vegetables for Martha’s table. The idea is to be non club affiliated and no politics. Sadly that doesn’t happen and the biggest group of charity riders “The Cav” is sadly represented. Now there are several veteran riding clubs in town, so imitation is the best form of flattery.
Tonight for I felt uncomfortable among old peers and promptly left for the rally downtown basically cause I don’t need the political bull that is starting to over take the local riding community. I did however purchase a shirt in support of the National Memorial Ride for Veterans. Complete photo galleries for bike night will be posted here
I took some photos of the S and R Rally tonight as well. Complete photos are here. It was my first rally I found it interesting to shoot but not well attended like the the bike night. It may be the weather.
Honda Riders Plus day in Kingston
The gang over at Motosport Plus offered me a shot of trying out some of the new Honda small bikes so off I went. The instructors were all professional riders including one that did the Paris to Africa cross country race a few times. The idea was for new riders to get some free advice and experience whilst trying some of honda’s entry level bikes. The CBR 125, EL 230 and Rebel 250. So we went around and around in circles after a while I got bored and did the whole course going in and out of the pylons.
Fun day actually and Sean got some riding tips to boot. Don’t think I will run out and trade in the HD for a Honda but sometimes you need to ride something lessor to remind you how good you have it.
Pics for the ride are here.
Lax’d and paid the price.
I took it pretty easy on the weekend and missed a couple of workouts and then when I got Polly at work I had an axiety attack the first one in a while. So I have to get back on track even with my back screaming I guess. I spent most of the afternoon cruising the back roads looking for insperation and stopped at the Ole 41 Drive In, for some pics.
The Napanee Drive In aka The 41 Drive was one of approximently 300 drive-ins which was operating in Canada during the peak of the drive in era 1958. Now in Canada there are less then 75 still in Operation.
As a kid growing up in the 70’s the drive-in experience was on of the only places one could party and watch cult classics like Zeppelin’s “The Song Remains the Same” , The Ramones “Rock and Roll High School” and the Rocky Horror Picture Show all in one night.
The Napanee Drive-In was a staple in the area for 40 years before closing in 1995 losing out to the Home Movie Market of Video Rentals.
Then off to Marysville just because I had never been and found a great biking route to do later on this spring with the boys. I then went back to Westport and did a shoot at the old Wesport Auto Lot. I hope on the weekend the boys will want to go diving cause I really need a dive. 
Complete pics of the drive in here.
Enjoy
A ghost town and a 53 shovelhead
So my buddy Paul and I spent the afternoon trying to relocate a Shovelhead HD I found this winter in a basement of an abandonment. We first stopped at the Perth rd United Church where Paul’s wife was volunteering at the annual maple syrup pancake fundraiser. After seen the line out the door and many waiting to get in we decided to look for the place.
After about 5 hours of searching we relocated the place, on the way we found several abandonments and stopped at the Ghost town of Petworth Ontario. Things are quiet in Petworth now, very quiet. Not like in the 1870s, when a group of vigilante farmers from nearby Verona, upset about their flooded fields and ruined crops, crept down late one night and blew up Petworth’s dam. Petworth started out as a lumber town in the 1840s. By the 1890s, it was one lively place, boasting a blacksmith shop, cheese factory, general store, school and two churches. Two hotels were kept busy, quenching the thirst of the many loggers, who arrived every spring. By 1905, it was a very different story. Sixty years of steady logging had pretty much depleted the surrounding woods and the new railway took a turn eastward bypassing the tiny village. Petworth never recovered. Petworth is not completely deserted. A few older residents remain, along with a handful of newer residents who enjoy the peace and tranquility of rural living. The stone walls of the old Stephenson and Lott sawmill are still standing, along with the blacksmith shop, a barn, several original houses and the one room schoolhouse, closed since the 1960s. Newer houses stand amidst the ruins and other original buildings, some of which are still in use as sheds, storage buildings and the like. For now, the residents of Petworth refuse to give up their former ghosts and visitors can still get a sense of a mid 19th Ontario century mill town, as it once was.
Complete photo’s from Petworth are here.
Business down river and a side trip to Athens
Sean and I went to see Jeff in Rockport who wasn’t home btw, then headed to see Dan at Dive Tech to get Dan M a new computer. After catching up with the newest and greatest things in the community we headed home the very long way.
When we got to athens I was surprised to see Murals around town, Athens is very small and I came to find out that it was loaded with B and B’s so this was an addition to their tourist walk. I plan on return to finish a full photo shoot when bike weather is upon us.
This morning I made 2 and half hours on level 19 on the stair climber a personal best and hopefully more to come. The weather has to get better soon. BTW the remainder of the photos are here.
