Late Night Dog Walk

The Canadian and his friends have a long standing winter tradition - late night dog walks.

He and most of his friends grew up in the same neighborhood and have all been buddies since first grade (pronounced: Grade 1). The neighborhood backs up to one of the city's parks that is full of trails, bike paths, creeks and other fun elements that little boys love to explore. Growing up with this for a back yard, they know every inch of it. Today, they still ride their mountain bikes through the trails and walk their dogs. And while most of them did not grow up with a family dog, they all have their own large canine now.

I think the walks started as an escape from their families. During the holidays, when they would all be back at the old stomping grounds having family dinners, they would congregate at night for walks in the woods. They would take the loop through the woods and reminisce of the old days and catch up with each other.

Nowadays, they bring the dogs, the wives and the girlfriends on these little excursions. But now it's not as an escape. It's just for fun.

I've been on a few of these late night walks (which by the way, aren't really late night anymore since they all have real jobs) but last night was the first of this season.

I know these trails are safe and I totally trust they know exactly where we are and how to get back home...but still. The suburban American in me can't help but look for the creepsters and psychos lurking in the bushes.

I know I was surrounded by four strong men and four large dogs weighing around 500 pounds...but still. Maybe I've seen one too many episodes of Criminal Minds.

But, as Jackson said, "It's way too cold for murders to be out here."

Good call, Jackson.

A Quick Trip to Maine

A quick trip to Maine...never thought those words would come out of my mouth. This weekend The Canadian and I had to make a quick trip to the States. We drove for three hours, stopped in the US customs building for about 4 minutes, went back to Canadian customs,where we stopped for 7 minutes, and then drove three hours back home. All that to get one little, tiny stamp on the title of my car. Who knew cars had to be exported? 

Driving through Canada is nothing like driving through eastern seaboard of the States. I would go as far as saying it is the exact opposite, actually. Maybe it's similar to the midwest, or Texas, or the Pacific northwest...but I wouldn't know anything about that.

Interestingly enough, Canada doesn't have an interstate system. I think this is due to their lack of states. Driving on an interprovince just doesn't have the same ring to it. There is one highway that spans the entire width of the country - The TransCanada 2. The 2 runs just above the Maine border and has an exit that conveniently directs traffic to the border crossing at Houlton, Maine.


Here's what we saw during the drive:

Plow trucks are everywhere this time of year. The 2 is immaculately kept during the winter months since it is heavily traveled.

Can't you tell?

You know how when you're going on a road trip to visit your Aunt you would say "It should take 5 hours if I don't hit any traffic." You would never have to say that here. There is no traffic, no wrecks, no cops, no billboards, no towns, no McDonalds, no rest areas, no nothing. It goes on like this forever.

Instead of traffic to watch out for, you keep an eye out for moose. I've never seen one here. Or in Maine. But I did see one in the middle of the road in Vermont once. They're not pretty.

There must really be moose somewhere because fences run along side the road to help keep the animals where they belong. Every so often there is a one-way gate to let any escapees back in. All I can ever think about is how much damn money it must cost to fence in an entire country.

I don't think I will ever get used to driving 110. I don't care if it's in kilometers. It just sounds fast. It's against everything I've ever been taught.

As we drove west the temperature started dropping. Several places along the road looked like this. That isn't a frozen waterfall, it's icicles. The kind that will puncture your brain and take you out.

As the temperature drops, weird things happen to your car. For example, your windows freeze closed. And your windshield wiper fluid freezes. This becomes a big problem when your window is so covered in salt that it is impossible to see. But Canadians are clever people and have a solution for this problem. Snow.

Throw some snow on the windshield. Give it a second. Turn on the wipers.

Viola!

With a clean windshield I was able to catch a glimpse of this bad boy - The World's Largest Axe. Don't be jealous. I sent you a postcard.

We finally made it to the border. Isn't this sign crazy? It's not everyday you get to see the beginning of an interstate. It's like seeing the puddle that starts the Nile - but in concrete.

Just seeing the red, white and blue of the sign gave me goosebumps...I never noticed the interstate sign's patriotism until then. I almost broke out in song. My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty...sing with me!

Then we turned right back around.

And saw this. I guess it's not too bad...if I had my sled with me.

But really...one billboard? That's all I'm askin'...


Land where my father's died, 
Land of the pilgrim's pride,
From every mountain side,
Let freedom ring.

I Heart Tacky Christmas Lights

I love people that decorate their house with Christmas lights, especially colored lights. White is all nice and elegant but color lights are fun and tacky...the way Christmas lights are meant to be. The Canadian and I don't have any lights on our house. No good reason, we just didn't put any up. Driving around town, I feel like the majority of houses don't have lights. It's a sad state of affairs. 

When I was little every single house had lights, wreaths and tacky figurines. It was glorious. We even had a specified night in our neighborhood when everyone lined their lawn with luminaries - streets and streets of bright luminaries. I miss those days.

But there are still plenty of people willing to shine their holiday cheer. I dragged The Canadian out of the house tonight to drive me across town to the greatest house of them all.

This guy knows what he's doing.

This ain't his first rodeo.

A path of hay led around all the scenes. First up were the Chipmunks. They were singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

The nativity scene was off in the corner playing O Holy Night.

There were carolers singing Here Comes Santa Claus.

Barney was just randomly chillin'.

Figurines were climbing every window with decorations.

A boy was loading a tree into really cool antique wagon.

 Santa's workshop was in full swing with elves making toys.

There were presents and Christmas trees everywhere.

The soldiers lined both sides of the driveway. They even had windup keys!

And right next to the pond was Santa and his reindeer getting ready to take off.

All of this was made possible by this contraption. It was The Canadian's favorite part.

(Note: When we left for this little field trip I had just gotten out of the shower and didn't bother drying my hair, I just threw on a beanie hat (translation: touk). By the time I made it back to the car after taking photos my hair was literally frozen. I could have snapped it in half.) (Please don't tell my mother I was out in public with wet hair. It was dark, no one could tell.)

No neighbors (translation: neighbours) within six houses had a single light, but props to the further away houses that gave it a shot.

It doesn't quite compare. You just can't compete.

'A' for effort.

I forgot about Minnie Mouse. She says Happy Holidays!