Steve's Wonders

Just finished the Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson and I'd highly recommend it as a good read.  I haven't had much experience with Apple Computers except when the schools all purchased Apple II's back in the 1980's and I had to learn a few things about them!  My next experience was in the Isle of Man when I was given a laptop computer to use and it was made by Apple.  I found it a bit frustrating, but I knew that I'd never want to live without a laptop again (and I haven't).  It surprised me to realize how recently so much of Apple technology has taken over the world.  I still use a Windows computer, but I have to say that I absolutely love my ipod and I'm grateful that Jobs gave up enough control of that device to allow it to be sold to the entire world.  And yeah, the Shuffle feature is my favourite part of the whole thing.  Jobs was an amazing talent - I'd have hated to know him, I'm sure, but I like lots of things that he designed.  Thanks, Steve, for some of those brilliant devices you helped to develop and thanks to Walter Isaacson for a compelling read.

First Mother's Day as Grandma!

There seemed to be so many CBC programs about mothering this year as the Sunday of Mother's Day approached.  Since I've become reacquainted with motherhood by becoming a grandmother, I do reflect on some of the changes that have occurred in the past 30 years.  To my mind, babies have to be much more comfortable than back in the 70's and 80's.  The diapers absorb so much more liquid, the clothes are much warmer and the strollers, bedding, and chairs are all built for comfort!  I don't know why no one thought about those basic facts before.  But then the '80's were so much into "stuff", I guess it's not surprising that consumerism for babies won out.  So the comfort thing is a bit of a mixed blessing.  Enjoyed a 5 km run with my daughter and the boys - Andrea took the chariot and still managed to place second her age category.  I was the only entry in age 60 plus (women) so got another first place!  We had a lovely dinner out while Dad and Grampa looked after the boys.  Happy Mother's Day, Mums in my world!

Plastics!

  It doesn't show up too well in this photo, but the base of our new greenhouse is being protected by a variety of plastic bags!  This will, hopefully, keep the wood from rotting over the summer season. Too bad I don't have any more Manx Shop-Rite bags - that would win me an award for sure!

This is our first greenhouse, created by Dave.  We're going to try it out on a smallish size and see how well it works in our limited "good sun".  We went crazy and I seeded some more lettuce in a tray and Dave planted dozens of seeds to come up in pots.  It's gardening time and we're glad that it's finally here!

Liberty Auto

Readers will realize that we spent a few days in Page, AZ.  One place we did get to know was Liberty Auto, which we spied on our arrival and it was recommended to us by a guy Dave talked to on the street.  It sort of surprised me that we had to wait over 24 hours for a "new" (rebuilt) transmission to arrive from Phoenix (this is the USA after all) but the problem was quickly diagnosed and we were able to use our vehicle.  We would crawl from Page out to Wawheep to camp and didn't have to travel on major roads except to cross Glen Canyon Dam where the speed limit was 25 mph.  We could drive that fast and use reverse.  On Wednesday, the part arrived and our vehicle was out of use.  Unfortunately, part of the "new" transmission didn't work and they had told us we'd be on our way on Wed. p.m.  That didn't happen.  I can't think of many garages that would put you up in a motel for the night, but Liberty Auto did that.  It wasn't the greatest motel (right next door to the garage), but it was handy and we did have a chance to have a shower and watch TV (ugh!).  They'd come up with a plan for the van and said they'd try to have us moving by noon on Thursday and that deadline was met.  I have to say Thanks, Liberty Auto - you served us well.

Page Public Library

 We spent quite a bit of time using the internet and reading while we had time in Page.  This is the library and it's a gorgeous building and location.  It has a grand view of some of the Vermilion Cliffs and is situated close to a "ring trail" around the town of Page.  We walked (and I even ran) about half of this trail.  The library was a busy place - sometimes it was difficult to find a place to plug in for a long session on the computer.  And people are trying to say that libraries are becoming obsolete?!

Lake Powell

 I've always had a difficult time even thinking of Lake Powell, but after spending nearly a week in Page, AZ, I got used to it and enjoyed looking at the remaining visible rock formations.  This is "Castle Rock" near Wahweep.  We stayed out at Wahweep campground, about 5 km from Page, for 3 nights and I loved watching the light on the lake and the rock.  It's an okay place to visit in March when it's not busy.  It's impossible to take a picture without all the houseboats in the photo, but I only ever saw ONE active boat on the water during our 4 days there.  I guess I'd have to say I'm somewhat resigned to Lake Powell, partly through the help of one Gary Ladd who wrote a book called Lake Powell Unchained  that I discovered in the Page Library.  As he states, there would have been infrastructure built without the dam, although it's obvious the dam changed the environment more than a few roads and trails.  It does have a kind of beauty but that "bathtub ring" is always visible.  The things humans have done to the Colorado!

Glen Canyon

 We got to see more of Page, AZ and the Glen Canyon than we had planned during our March/April visit.  We had to limp into Page from Lee's Ferry because of transmission problems and spent the better part of a week in the area.  Our first visit was to the Glen Canyon Dam (top of it is visible in this photo) and we walked over the bridge which does give one a good view of a bit of the canyon.  Because of all the time we had, we did decide to do the smooth river raft down the Colorado from Page to Lee's Ferry.  It takes about 5 hours and it was  a fairly good river trip, although I was definitely ready for a little more action by the time is was over.  Our guide didn't have a really good understanding of the natural history in the area (her first official trip), but the sun was shining, the views impressive and we did manage to see a couple of golden eagles.