Out in The Boonies

We made our first visit of the season to The Boonies drive-in, on a cool Thursday night. They were offering a great Marvel double feature, with Avengers Infinity War followed by Black Panther. As usual, we also made it a dinner date to support the establishment, who BBQ up food to order, and enjoyed a good chat with the owners in the process.

Alas, we had to bail after the first movie as it was already after midnight by the time Avengers finished, and I had work the next morning!

Still, it was a great outing at this local family-run operation, one we plan to replicate several more times over the summer and fall. Support your local drive-in!

I also took advantage of a nice day with little wind to cut the power to the outbuildings, and get some maintenance out of the way. After climbing the big ladder and hammering down some loose tin over my head on the garage roof, very near to the power lines, I moved the (now very heavy) ladder over to the giant willow and trimmed some branches dangling onto the wires. Let's just say my arms were pretty dead by the time I was done!

All set up at The Boonies!

Pre-show music videos

Finally dusk

I feel Strange, Doctor

Avengers Ho!

Where there's a will, there's a willow.....

Branching out from my current career

Fish Fry!

Since we were already in the London area for RockinWheel, we got the entire gang together for an early Father's Day fish fry, our annual tradition.

We brought the bounty of Lake Erie - pickerel, perch and smelt - and some good Ontario potatoes. Soon the propane was lit and the canola oil was sizzlin' up a veritable feast. The frozen smelt gave us a few touch and go moments with the hot oil, but otherwise dinner was great out on the back patio, topped off with Jane's homemade coleslaw and a few beverages.

Dave got his hands dirty - literally - in a starring role as Chief Batterer of Fish.

Happy (early) Father's Day!

Fabulous outdoor living space!

Fire up the fryer!

Slice those taters!

Mmmm crispy golden fries

Pickerel, perch and smelt....oh my!

Caesar please....with a wooden straw!

A clear cut case of a salt and battering

Trew Story

Any excuse to see The Trews play in southwestern Ontario is good enough, but even better when the show supports a good cause. Our favourite band returned to play RockinWheel at the Mount Brydges arena in support of spinal cord research, started by a hockey player after he was checked into the boards from behind and paralyzed.

We were joined by John and Julie, who also graciously hosted us for the weekend for a visit and some gaming.

Opening acts Hybrid Monster and Basement Bound were good, as was the food served out back, courtesy of the local Lions Club. The small town crowd was eclectic and convivial, with everyone out for a good time without any drama. Even a sold-out show at the local arena left plenty of space for all, including buffer room for Jane and her borrowed walker. There may have even been some "walker dancing" at one point on the smooth rink floor.

The Trews were great, as always - what more can I say about these boys after my ninth time seeing them play?!?! I'll just let the pictures do the talking.....

We will also keep an eye on this annual event - well worth supporting!

Pre-Show at Mount Brydges Arena

Great rock for a great cause

Jane Rockin' the Wheels

Colin MacDonald works the crowd

Sing your heart out!

Hold Me....in yours arms!

Trew camaraderie

Jane's view from her safe vantage away from the jostling

Trews rockin' out

Enthusiastic locals!

The View from The Trews

Art in the Park

This year I took the Friday off work, to head into Windsor early and set up for the weekend of Art in the Park. We were one of the first booths in our area to set up, which made things easier, and we were in and out by early afternoon even with Jane somewhat hobbled by knee issues.

The weather was much more to our liking than last year - warm but not hot, hovering around 20 C without much humidity. Saturday was lovely and very busy, with few breaks in the action or anything.....though we did manage to slip in a few fattoush salads from Eastern Flavours, and the odd cold beer from Walkerville's booth.

The slate clocks made a great addition this year....and we always knew what time it was in the tent! We had bonus sounds and smells for atmosphere - the smell of fermenting grain from Hiram Walker, and the growling engines from the Detroit Indy on nearby Belle Isle.

Sunday began with a brief downpour just before opening - luckily Jane's wares can take some weather, but a lot of people had to frantically pull their stuff until the rains abated. Things tapered off other than some odd drizzle, but the crowds never fully returned, making for a steady but not truly busy day.

Overall sales were good for the long and tiring weekend....and more importantly, much less wood had to be loaded back into the van. 

See you next year, Willistead Manor!

Loading up Van Go(gh)....

Filled to the gills!

Hope the shocks hold!

Setting up....and giving the van's axles a break!

A gorgeous Friday and Saturday

Booth 219 - The Open Door....

....is open for business!

The rains came on Sunday morning....

....but the band played on!