Lynda L. Lock's Blog, page 7

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Medicine Hat and Vulcan, to Fernie BC)

August 21st: Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America from Medicine Hat, via Vulcan Alberta, to Fernie British Columbia.

Wikipedia:

Vulcan was named by a surveyor for the Canadian Pacific Railway after the Roman God of Fire – Vulcan. Originally, all the streets of Vulcan were named after gods and goddesses of the classical world such as Juno, Mars, and Jupiter. Now known a s the "Official Star Trek Capital of Canada", Vulcan has a tourism building made to look like a landed space station, a statue of the original series Enterprise, and other Star Trek themed attractions.

The town's name has brought some attention that has helped it become a tourist attraction. In the Star Trek television and feature film series it is the name of the homeworld of Mr. Spock and his fellow Vulcans. Capitalizing on this coincidence, the town has built a Star Trek–themed tourist station (the Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station), which provides tourist information, displays an extensive donated collection of Star Trek memorabilia. The Trek Station also offers unique photo opportunities and interactions with iconic Star Trek characters in their ever-evolving Cosplay Costume Collection. 

Nearby, a replica of the starship Enterprise from Star Trek V has been mounted on a pedestal which includes writing from Star Trek alien languages such as Klingon. In 2010 Leonard Nimoy visited the town and was honoured at the town centre with a bust and handprint. A transporter, Doctors Mural and other Star Trek attractions can be enjoyed throughout the town. The Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station has hosted an annual Star Trek Convention (held the last weekend in July) "VulCON" since 1993 where celebrity guests are beamed in to spend the weekend with attendees. It is a unique convention in that celebrity guests & Trekkies get to know each other during the Meet & Greet, Q&As and a banquet and dance. This convention attracts hundreds of Star Trek fans from around the world.

Cheers Lynda

Spaceship at Vulcan Alberta
Trekkie Kyla 
Vulcan Alberta  Vulcan Tourism and Trek Station Alberta
Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Nimoy's hand print
Vulcan Alberta

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Moose Jaw Saskatchewan to Medicine Hat Alberta)

August 20th: Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America. Moose Jaw Saskatchewan to Medicine Hat Alberta.

Downtown Moose Jaw is very interesting with a tourist attraction of the tunnels.

Cheers Lynda and The Fuzz-butt

Wikipedia: The Moose Jaw tunnels became a hub of activity in the 1920s for rum-running during Prohibition in the United States. They were reported to have warehoused illegal alcohol that was shipped to the U.S. via the Soo Line Railroad. The tunnels were also used for gambling and prostitution, all without interference from the corrupt police. There has long been anecdotal evidence that American mobster Al Capone visited Moose Jaw or had interests in the bootlegging operations. No written or photographic proof exists of Capone's presence, but several firsthand accounts from Moose Jaw residents who claim to have met him have been documented. Capone's grandniece also confirmed he had been in Moose Jaw before his 1931 conviction for tax evasion.

Max the Moose at Moose Jaw SK



Moose Jaw Saskatchewan 
Moose Jaw Saskatchewan

Playing on the presence of Capone in the 1920's
Playing on the presence of Capone in the 1920's


Playing on the presence of Capone in the 1920's
Moose Jaw Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan 
Maple Creek 

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Brandon Manitoba to Souris, Regina, and Moose Jaw Saskatchewan)

August 19th: Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America, Brandon Manitoba, and Souris, to Moose Jaw Saskatchewan.

It was an uneventful day of driving, and exploring a couple of the smaller towns. Mostly our thoughts were on our friends and family currently under evacuation orders in the wildfires of BC. A long period of drought, then dry lightning, and high winds created the perfect conditions for a firestorm.

Cheers Lynda and The Sparkinator

Souris Manitoba
Souris Manitoba

Kyla, co-pilot on swinging bridge

Swinging Bridge Souris Manitoba
Souris Manitoba
Queen Elizabeth Park Regina Queen Elizabeth Park Regina


Legislative building Regina
Statue of architect of building

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Kenora Ontario to Brandon Manitoba)

August 18th: Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America, Kenora Ontario to Brandon Manitoba.

Traveling with Sparky and Kyla Daman-Willems back to our homes in the south Okanagan. Unfortunately, the area we are returning to has been devastated by a monster wildfire that is currently burning out of control.

Cheers Lynda and The Sparkinator

Kyla, Longitudinal Centre of Canada - Tache
Longitudinal Centre of Canada Tache
Sunflowers and equipment
Sunflowers
Skinners, a favourite of my parents. Lockport Manitoba
Lockport Manitoba
Lockport Manitoba
Lockport Manitoba
Near Portage la Prairie Manitoba



Near Portage la Prairie Manitoba

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Lake of the Woods Ontario)

August 16th and 17th: Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America.

Hanging out with Kyla Daman-Willems and Michelle Bradet-Simpson near Kenora Ontario. Chilly wind blowing today but no rain.

Cheers Lynda and The Sparkinator.

Cute squirrel 

Rosa - an Isla Mujeres rescue 
Fungi
Lake of the Woods
Bear paw print
Lake life
Chilly day
Sparky, Newton, Jeep, Rosa
Princess Rosa, she's chilly

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Dryden to Lake of the Woods Kenora Ontario)

August 15th: Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America, Dryden to Kenora Ontario with my pal Kyla Daman-Willems and Sparky. We stayed with another friend Michelle Bradet-Simpson for two nights.

Cheers Lynda and The Sparkinator

Sparky, Jeep, and Newton
A smoky sunset
The co-pilot, chilly after a swim
Smoky sunset
Smoky sunset
Lake life

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Terrace Bay to Dryden Ontario)

Terry Fox Memorial

 August 14th: Miles and miles of forests and road construction, and we stopped at the Terry Fox Memorial overlooking Thunder Bay. 

Terrance Stanley Fox CC OD (July 28, 1958 – June 28, 1981) was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist. In 1980, with one leg having been amputated due to cancer, he embarked on an east-to-west cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research. 
Although the spread of his cancer eventually forced him to end his quest after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (3,339 mi), and ultimately cost him his life, his efforts resulted in a lasting, worldwide legacy. The annual Terry Fox Run, first held in 1981, has grown to involve millions of participants in over 60 countries and is now the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research; over C$850 million has been raised in his name as of September 2022.

View of Thunder Bay from memorial
Dryden Ontario 








Max the Moose Dryden Ontario
Dryden Ontario

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Sault Ste Marie to Terrace Bay Ontario)

August 13th: Driving across the endless expanse of Ontario. This day we traveled from Sault Ste Marie to Terrace Bay, stopping to see the biggest goose in Wawa, and Winnie the Pooh's hometown of White River Ontario. We stopped for the night in Terrace Bay.

Pancake Bay on Lake Superior Ontario












Sparky at Pancake Bay Lake Superior Awaga Trading post Lake Superior















Awaga Trading post Lake Superior
Largest goose Wawa Ontario
A stuffed moose on the veranda, Wawa Ontario





Where it all began…Winnie the Pooh

Over one hundred years ago, the community of White River, Ontario, Canada, bid farewell to a little black bear cub, not knowing at the time that this bear would become the inspiration of author A.A. Milne. This is her story.  Winnie was found by a trapper, and he brought her back to White River.

At this time World War I was taking young men from their homelands. White River was a half-way point between Winnipeg and Toronto, where trains and troops would stop to refuel. A soldier riding out of White River wrote in his journal the following passage: “August 24, 1914. Left Port Arthur 7A. In train all day. Bought bear. $20.” This young man was Harry Colebourn. He had purchased that small bear cub from the trapper and named it Winnie after his hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Lieutenant Colebourn’s destination was England. Winnie travelled with Colebourn and became a pet to the Second Canadian Infantry Brigade. In December 1914, Colebourn received news that he would soon be posted in France. He knew Winnie would not be able to accompany him, so he made arrangements to keep her in the London Zoo until he returned. Winnie soon became a favorite attraction for everyone.

Winnie captured the hearts of many visitors including A.A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin Milne. Milne’s first edition of Winnie the Pooh stories, illustrated by Ernest Shepard, came out in 1926.

Winnie lived a long life in the London Zoo. She died May 12, 1934 at the age of 20. The London newspaper ran her obituary as she was so loved by all. A bronze statue now stands at the London Zoo in her memory. It was unveiled in 1981. Part of the inscription reads “She gave her name to Winnie the Pooh, and A.A. Milne and Ernest Shepard gave Winnie the Pooh to the rest of the world.”

Winnie the Pooh White River Ontario

The story about Winnie the Pooh's history












Biker resting near Terrace Bay

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Parry Sound to Sault Ste Marie Ontario)

August 12th: We're still driving through the massive width of the province of Ontario (with more days to come). From Parry Sound, Sudbury, Bruce Mines, and into Sault Ste Marie the hometown of the first Canadian astronaut, Dr. Roberta Bondar. 

Dr. Roberta Bondar
Miniature version of the shuttle

Sault Ste Marie Ontario Sudbury Ontario












12-sided barn in Thessalon Ontario
Books and antiques Thessalon Ontario 
Info about 12-sided barn Thessalong

Bruce Mines Ontario
Antiques Bruce Mines Ontario

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Beaverton and Parry Sound Ontario)

August 11th: After battling through a torrential downpour yesterday afternoon, it was nice to turn in early for a good sleep. Today Sparky and I, along with my pal from Penticton BC, Kyla Damen-Willems, traveled from Kingston to Parry Sound Ontario. 

We had a few stops along the way to smell the sunflowers near Beaverton, and search for antiques in Orillia Ontario. We couldn't find an antique store that was open, on a Friday. That baffled me. A Friday in August and none of the antique stores were open.

We finished the day with a fun (pet-friendly) dinner at the Legend Distillery in Parry Sound.

Cheers Lynda and The Sparkinator

Bobby Orr Museum and Art Centre