Stuff to do near Montreal

Well, sort of near Montreal. Things are pretty far apart in that part of the world.
After talking with my Dad a bit, I've put together a list of potential destinations for Ron when he's done in Montreal. The map below shows most of the Great Lakes region, with various numbered locations which I will explain below. I'm not sure how you want to travel, but taking a rental car across the US/Canada border may be tricky, so if you plan to drive, keep this in mind. You can also always fly from Montreal to Chicago, Detroit, Grand Rapids, or Traverse City, and we'll figure out how to get you to your next destination.

One other general point to make is that there are likely to be some cold nights (close to freezing?) in October.

1 Montreal, the starting point. This is about a 10 hr drive from Blind River.
2 Adirondack Park: This is about 2 hrs from Montreal (requires crossing the U.S./Canada border). There are ~2000 miles of hiking, hundreds of lakes. I don't even know where to begin to say what there is to do here. You can find lots of info, including maps, on the link. Wikipedia also has a lot to say. The park is just north of Ben Burrington's hometown of Oneonta, New York. Also note that on the way to the park from Montreal, east of the road is Lake Champlain, which is scenic, but I don't think there is a lot of hiking trails. I haven't been able to contact Ben about the Adirondacks, but the mountains and the park are popular, so it could be that sections of the park are quite touristy, and others are more rustic.
3 Niagara Falls: I'm sure you've heard of this before. It's about 6.5 hrs from the Adirondacks. It's at the border of U.S./Canada as well. I don't think there's much hiking, camping etc., but it's worth seeing. The view from the U.S. side is pretty good, but the bigger falls are on the Canada side.
4 Algonquin Provinical Park: This should be pretty good for hiking and camping. My Dad recommends it. It might be late enough in September that the trees have begun to change color. It's about a 4 hr drive from Niagara to here, and 6 hours from Montreal. Look out for the bears.
5 Blind River: You're welcome to go there and stay at any time while you're here. Just let my parents know so that Dave can let you in. My parents will be there from Oct 4-12 (Dad can you confirm?), and Keren and I will try to be up there for at least a weekend during this time. Blind Rivver is about 5 hrs from Algonquin. Look out for the moose. They bite.
6 Lake Superior Provincial Park: My family went canoeing and camping here several years ago -- if you feel like canoeing hardcore, this probably the best place to go. It's about 3.5 hrs from Blind River. Interestingly, there's a train that runs along this route -- maybe my Dad can say a bit more about it...
7 Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: The best way to see the rocks is on a ferry, but if I remember, there are hiking trails and camping. Not a lot, but some. This is something to check out a bit more online. It's back in Michigan, so you'll need to cross the border at Sault Ste. Marie. This is about a 4 hr drive from Blind River.
8 Isle Royal National Park: I've never been there, but this could be amazing, and quite beautiful. Since it's hard to get to, it could be adventurous. It's an island out in Lake Superior, technically in the United States, but geographically closer to Canada (Canada could invade any day, so look out). Of course you have to take a ferry to get there. There's some discussion on it, and some links, on Wikipedia. The ferry in Houghton, MI is about 7.5 hrs from Blind River, and the ferry ride is probably ~3hrs. Look out for the wolves.
9 Cadillac: Just a point of reference. Look out for the mosquitoes.
10 Chicago: Another point of reference. Keren and I could potentially join you if you decide to go to the Pictured Rocks or Isle Royal. Both places are 6-8 hrs from Chicago. Look out for the drive-bys.

Well, that's it for now. Hopefully this is somewhat helpful. If you get an idea in mind of what you might want to do, let us know, and we can probably help with logisitics. If anybody else feels like chiming in, please do. And let me know if you have any quesitons, Ron. I hope to hear back from Ben Burrington about the Adirondacks. I'll update this when I do.

Mexico, Beliz, Guatamala

first round of photos..


















Isla Mujeres beach - most of what we did there for 3 days (that and vollyball)

















Me, in Tulum - most of what we did here also.

















Hagay in Tulum, playing the guitar


















The first Maya center visited, in Tulum. We got there late, at 17:15, and the place was closed. so, we went under the rope closing the site, and went for a lonely tour in the site.



















Leaving Kir Karker Island in Belize - slep there 1 night, and had a great italian dinner.



















One of many little friends in Belize









































Hagay and Dubi on one of the temples in Tikal























Our little friend in Tikal. Actually, the guide showed us the Tarantula, after he got a sting in his belly. he wasn´t realy afraid of it, for some resone, so i guess they are not as dangaruse as i tought.


Generaly speaking, we made 4 attempts to take some sunrize photos.. so far with not such luck. either we woke-up a bit late, or it was to clowdy for it.

About my spanish, it is better then thew one i left with, which did not exist. but my hebrew is getting much better - we are everywhere.

well, I was told not to spend all my time infront the computer..

So, have a good time.
See you soon in Canada.

Asta Luego

Good-bye to Mowing the Grass

Lat weekend Gary, Ben, Matt, Kevin, and Erin put a new roof on our house. It was a big job and they did great work. However, some of us (Keren, Megan, Me) were not needed on the roof so I arranged for a different activity for us. I had 1 ton (2000 pounds) of stepping stones delivered on Friday, and the three of us spent the weekend laying out paths in what will someday be my woodland garden. The picture below shows the large flat rocks leading out toward the opening in the fence. For each stone we had to outline it's shape, dig down about 3 inches into the soil, make sure there was an inch or so of sand at the bottom, drop in the stone, and then backfill around the stone. It was dirty, tiring and lots of fun. Between the mud and the mosquito spray, we all looked (and smelled) pretty bad by the end of the day.




The next picture shows how Keren and I laid out moss between the stones to make them look like they'd been there forever. Most of the moss was laid on Sunday with Keren's aid, but I've put in a bit more since then. The shredded leaves fill in other muddy areas to hold the soil in place until there's enough moss or groundcover to do the rest of the path. I suspect it won't all be done this summer, but I plan to recruit more free labor in the future to finish the job.






The last picture is another view showing how the path also comes down off the back steps to the deck. Try to imagine all those grassy and leafy areas filled with low growing ground covers.

Oh, and kudos to Grady for moving that big rock in the background for us.

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some more pictures from that weekend are here

UPDATED PALNS

Yep, can now update my plans for you (and me).

The begining stays the same - From Mexico to Guatamala.
From Guatamala I'm flying on the 13th of September to NY, until the 16th.
On the 16th i'm flying to Montreal, for an exhibition. It will be over on the 20th.
From there i plan to stay in the area, and aventually fly back on the 18th of October.

So, if you have any ideas for me on what to do from the 20th 'till i meet you guys in the cabbin, please let me know... Othewise i might go do the voyager from Montreal to the cabbin.... And even i don't think that's a good idea...

Love you all

Kisses and Hugs

Ron