THE HOLLYWOOD HAPPENING
Day One - July 3, 2015 - A Long Day!

We picked Reggie up at 5 a.m.

Then picked up Sarah-Jean.  David and Sue were driving us to Pearson, so they took Ewen along for the 3 person (HOV lane) ride home.  We had that lane all to ourselves on the way over and arrived at the airport ahead of our schedule.

 And said the goodbyes,

We skimmed through airport security and Homeland Security and thought we had a three hour wait for takeoff.  Turned out to be more than twice as long. We were 5th in line to be refueled but only one truck was operating and "work to rule" was the game of the day.  It took about five hours to get the job done.

Our 9:50 departure was pushed back to 12:50 and it was 1:20 before we hit the runway.

The flight was uneventful but by the time we got through baggage claim and obtained our rental car it was 8 p.m. Stoney Creek time before we got to our hotel room.  Twenty-ninth floor in the Skyrise Tower at Circus Circus gave us a great view.

Should be a fabulous fireworks show from the top of that Stratosphere tomorrow night!

The long day caused us to change our plans, so we ate at the hotel and spent a couple of hours at the Adventuredome.  Our young ladies were heartbroken to have to go on so many rides!

So, after a 21 hour day we have called it quits.

New River Gorge Bridge

On my golf trip with the guys to Davenport, Florida this year I intended to cross off one of my bucket list items - a walk across the New River Gorge, on the catwalk under the highway.

On the way down on March 6th the prospects didn't look too good.  West Virginia had just been hit by another snow storm as the following pictures will show.

However, by March 22nd the weather had improved, to above freezing.  But now our challenge was fog which had moved into the gorge.

Nevertheless, we were assured by the Bridgewalk folks that all would be well.  So we proceed, joined by Giselle from Oakville who had walked in just 15 minutes before our scheduled hike.

Doug, our guide, harnessed us up and took our pictures before and during the walk.

And off we went.

The passage of a train hauling West Virginia coal to Newport News for export to China for its coal fired plants started an energy discussion that predictably was steered by Roy to the subject of wind turbines.  Did I mention that the trip across the bridge took us an hour and a half?

Views were awesome.  

The only time I had vertigo was when I was looking through the camera lens at this shot, straight down.

If you think we were foolish, think about these folks running the rapids.

Challenge accomplished.  Now to add a replacement item to the bucket list.

Took My Kid To Legoland

January 22, 2015.

Jo-Ann's trip to Florida to celebrate her retirement has been busy and eventful.  We introduced her to the Morse Museum, Bok Tower Gardens, Bealls Department Store, Downtown Disney (a new addiction for her), and today we capped off her three weeks with a trip to Legoland.

First off was a ride on the Island in the Sky to see the scope of what used to be Cypress Gardens.

The water show was not on today, but from the air we got to see the new Legoland Hotel which is expected to open later this year.

What kid wouldn't want to ride on the merry-go-round?  Second floor too!

Next up, a trip through Miniland.

Seemed as if we had stumbled into Gulliver's Travels!  That's Bok Tower in the right foreground.

Watched a 4D movie at the Fun Town Theatre, then had an "all you can eat  pizza, salad and drink lunch" for $14.99.  Next, a ride on the Safari Trek, to see the life-size Lego animals.

Watched the Fire Department Rescue Academy train some "apprentices".  Next up, target practice on the Lost Kingdom adventure.

The pictures didn't pass muster though.

And finally, a couple of attempts to win a stuffed animal.

A trip through the Cypress Gardens section of the park was just great.

The big kid had a fine day!  HAPPY RETIREMENT JO-ANN!

Country Club of Crystal Coast

November 5/14 - We decided to try out a new course for our day at the coast.  The Country Club of Crystal Coast had been recommended by a sales person at Dick's.  Billed as a "placement" course, it lived up to its reputation.  At par 70, the 5,558 yard whites have a slope rating of 122 and the 4,816 yard reds are 120.

We will definitely be putting this on the "tour".  Take your camera and a disposable score card.

Beautiful old course with lots of water, trees in bad places, and challenging greens.

And views of Bogue Sound from six of the holes on the back nine.

Very pretty!

A very enjoyable day with Rose and Ed.