Haliburton/Muskoka/Algonquin by Motorcycle

On Saturday morning 5 of us left Goderich for a wee mid-northern Ontario adventure.  The weather was absolutely perfect and the driving conditions could not have been better.  I was on the road with my dad, Larry Swick, Darren Culbert & Matt Gascho.

We got through Huron County and up to Howick.  From there we were in Grey County and riding along the Agnes McPhail Memorial Hwy to Creemore.  Then we got on the 400 in Barrie and headed north for about 60 km past the famous Epps Sporting Goods Store and Weber's hamburger restaurant...  The fun began when we got off of the 400 and onto an amazing 70km stretch of twisty and winding roads called Southwood Rd 13.  It was very, very fun.  It basically took us to Bracebridge and then we were on 118 all the way to Haliburton.  It was about 500km or so for the day.  Not too much - but enough.  That was basically Saturday.  We got to our motel by 4:30, had some drinks and some snacks, ate dinner and called it a night. 

Today, on Sunday morning, 4 of us hit the road to make our way up to Algonquin Park to tour around.  My dad has been feeling a bit under the weather, so he stayed at the motel to rest and relax.  We got to Bancroft and had a breakfast scoff and then we went to their lockout area called Eagle's Nest I think.  It is an impressive lookout, other then the fact there is a Tim Horton's to gawk at centre view....   From there we went up to Barry's Bay and Whitney.....  Had some lunch at the Mad Mushers....  And it was straight into the east entrance of Algonquin. 

We only skidded through about 80 to 100km of the park.  We stopped at a lake/lookout for a bit to relax and then off again....  It wasn't 10km past this area where we stopped because there was a bull moose only about 30 feet from the shoulder of the road.  We took some pictures of the moose and it really didn't seem to mind all that much.  It was not camera shy.  But we only went through this small section of the park as we exited at the west entrance.

From that point we went south on 35 back to Canarvon.  We past through Dorsett, I remember.  Just before Canarvon we stopped at this neat dam and it was thunderously sending water through its channel.  I didn't have a picture, and forget the exact name of this place, but it was pretty neat. 

So we are just getting back and enjoying a beer and watching a bit of the golf.  It was a great day of riding.  Tomorrow we will get up and just leisurely make our way home.... 

A Real Horse's Ass!

Marsha, Loch, Alden and I went out for some fun and excitement to the Wright's.  I was on Alden duty while Marsha and Loch checked out the mare and the new colt which was born on May 13th.  It is really friendly and loves to be pet.  The mother's name is Sugar, but the colt is yet to be named, I think.  The Wright's grand-daughter Molly calls it Peanut.

We also checked out the chickens, gathered some eggs, minded the baby kittens, and saw the frogs and tadpoles in their pond - Which also has really colourful water lillies....  It is always lots of fun out at the Wright's!  Sorry we missed you Joel - See you out there next time buddy.

 And to remind everyone, and myself sometime, a great picture of my sweet baby Shelly with Copper the dog!

E-Tivity 3

3 Things I Will Do To Become a Better Leader of Technology

• Listen: I would listen carefully to my colleagues and hear their issues regarding this topic.  Listen to what their successes are, and failures too.  I would listen to their needs and concerns.
• Share:  I would share what I have learned in the first and second parts of this IICT course so far.  Perhaps some of the staff will know most of this content, maybe they haven't heard of any of it, and maybe some know just a bit of this.  But regardless, I would share the ideas and content I have learned.
• Experiment:  Too often I have not started or tried a task related to technology and computers because it has intimidated me.  However I think a good leader is someone who takes initiative and tries things no matter how (un)comfortable they feel with it.  I will experiment more with technology and be an example of how almost anyone can figure out these darn things! 

Philosophy of Using Technology in Education

It is becoming increasingly important that teachers need to integrate technology into the curriculum and instructional program in order to enhance student achievement.  Each student should be provided with equal access to technology in the school setting.  To ensure students are prepared for their future in the workplace, teachers need to provide students with the opportunity to experience a wide range of systems of technology, and computer programs.  Placing items of technology in the classroom is important as it allows students to use them as tools. Students need these tools to solve problems as part of the learning process.

3 Things I Have Learned So Far In The Course

• The types of technologies that are available for students in schools with special needs
• I have learned a great deal about computer software programs that can be used with students and in the classroom such as BitStrip Comic Creator, Skype, Coral Photo Paint, and Hyper Studio for example
• Elements of staff development and how it is conducted 

Education & Blogging

* A post I created for my course I am enrolled in at the moment = Perhaps some students in the class came and checked it out.  I promised them a picture of me in the class = This is an oldie. 

Blogs can be a useful tool for students and staff within a school.  The single most important aspect of it is being read (visited) by other people.  Secondly the content has to be decent to ensure returning visitors.  But these two things go hand in hand.  If the blog is visited by people who need to find information then it is a success.  I started a personal travel and adventure blog last September because I am on sabbatical this year, and I wanted to keep people posted about my whereabouts and activities.  It has been a huge success with nearly 4,000 views since September 2010.  Now it isn't an educational blog per se, (although I posted my comic and people thought it was hillarious), but I do have one started that I can adapt when I have to go back to work in September and perhap it will morph into that for a while. 

There are many ways a blog coud be used with students in a classroom:

• To post a monthly newsletter or calendar
• To post important upcoming dates, events, quizzes, field trips (still calendar stuff I suppose)
• To list homework (daily or weekly)
• To inform about expectations in the curriculum
• To highlight key successes in the class
• To inform students about school or board news and issues
• To put web site links to curriculum expectations

* I would never ever:

• post a picture of a student in the class on a blog
• post test results of students in the class on a blog
• write an ancedotal comment about a particular student on a blog

As far as using a blog with staff members in a school, many of the same things come to mind that I listed already.  However I would add:

• To post a school's mission statement and various policies (computer for example)
• To list or inform teachers about federation issues or collective bargening things
• To post the minutes of staff or division meetings for others to read if they were absent
• You can create a survey on a blog and staff could respond to a questionaire about a particular topic

Happy Birthday Trevor

June 1st is my brother's birthday.  He is 34 this year.  Happy Birthday you old dog! 

I haven't called him today or sent him anything - But I thought I would create a post (letter) is his honour as a gift.  A crap gift perhaps....  But I am thinking of him.

Trevor,

I wanted to send a few quick words let you know personally what a fantastic time I had out in Rossland with you and your family this winter.  It has been the highlight of my 8 month sabbatical so far, and I know it will still be the highlight after it is finished when I am back to work.
I really enjoyed playing on your hockey team and being an "Ice Hawk" with your friends.  I can't remember if we have ever played on the same hockey team together...  It was long overdue at any rate and I am thankful we got this chance.
I also really liked going skiing with you.  Meeting you at the hill on Tuesdays while you were patrolling was always a highlight for me.  I am really impressed by how well you handle yourself on the slopes.
Another highlight I can not, nor will I ever forget, is going for a run with you on Christmas morning in Vernon.  Unreal! 
Most of all I looked forward to the time I spent with Tara, Cole, Grayson and yourself.  The four of you are one hell of a smooth operating machine.  I loved taking the boys out on the GT SnowRacer, out for a walk, and even babysitting while you guys were out. 
Anyhow it'll be too late, as far as I am concerned, until the next time our paths cross.  Nevertheless take great care of yourself, that terrific family, and have a wonderful 34th year of your life.

Odds and Ends

I am just trying to do my bit in keeping this up-to-date and current with lots of interesting news and information.  All in all it has been quiet on the front, but I still try my best you know.

I have put together about 10 days straight of running.  That is my longest streak in one year easily.  I don't have an injuries or aches to note....  But I feel pretty beat up and out of shape.  I don't have any turn-over or kick in the legs.  It'll come together soon enough I hope.  Perhaps I'll get a few workouts in June and get up for a fall race or two.

Beaser and I hit the river on Sunday after our run for a paddle.  It wasn't supposed to be a nice day as the weather called for heavy rain.  But it wasn't rainning nor did it look like it was going to, so we said lets get out and enjoy ourselves.

And it was a nice day after-all.  Beaser was really interested in checking out the bald eagle's nest.  The last time I was out with Shelly we didn't see it as there was a lot of leaves growing on the trees which hides it from view.  We would have missed it, but after 30 minutes of paddling we saw an eagle flying and sure enough it went to its nest.  Then, we stopped a bit and saw another eagle poke its head out of the nest.  So it was a successful orinthology session for us.  We also spied a great number of geese, ducks and herons. 

I met up with Shelly afterwards and hung out with her at her parent's place.  It was the usual petting the dog, fixing some farm machinery, minding the horse, having dinner, and the like.  Regular farming stuff I suppose.  Shelly's brother Andrew and his wife Natalie had a baby about a month ago and her name is Erin.  So here are a few pictures of Granny and Erin.

Recap of the Long Weekend

It was Shelly's 32nd on Saturday.  She got a great day for it too.  It was a sunny and warm day, it was a long weekend, and she got to spend it with me!  How terrific is that.

We sussed around a bit in the morning as she went to the YMCA and I went for a run with Thuss.  We had a great birthday breakfast scoff, and then decided that since it was such a nice day, we'd best get out on the Maitland for a bit of a paddle.  We went from Ball's Bridge to Holmesville.  Nothing too far, but just right.

It was so fun out on the river.  There had been quite a lot of rain in the past 72 hrs, and the evidence of it was noticable on the river.  The only problem was it was pretty dirty and mirky, so we couldn't see the bottom.  The river was very busy.  We saw no less then a dozen boats in our 3 mile paddle.  Everyone was having as much fun as us.

We were done on the water by three and had a quick bite to eat.  Reg, Wes, and Peggy were going out for a quick spin on the bikes so Shelly and I joined them for more fresh air.  We ripped down to Bayfield, across to Varna, them through Holmesville and Benmiller to get home.  It was a bit later in the afternoon so there really wasn't too much traffic on the road and we scooted along without any problems.

For dinner Shelly wanted to go to Thyme on 21.  It really is a fantastic place to eat - albeit a bit pricey.  But happy wife = happy life and we went and had a fill of great food and drink.  (Brad - I prefer your cooking though anytime!  And also thanks for taking these pictures.)

And to finish off the night we went over to Julie and Joe's for their annual long weekend backyard campfire.  I brought the guitar and chorded along as Joe also played the guitar, harmonica and sang. 

That was just Saturday - It was quite the busy day.

The rest of the weekend was rather anti-climatic considering all we did on Saturday.  We picked away out at the new farm and went out to Shelly's folks house for dinner too.  Her dad and I put up about 40 feet of a rail fence....  Again, anti-climatic and not too worthy of pictures or a write-up.

We put Shelly's horse out in a different pasture and it went absolutely nuts!  It was running around like it was in trainning for The Derby.  Perhaps it won't be going to the glue factory anytime soon after all.  Some video would have been funny...

Anyhow that was most of the long weekend.  Every weekend is actually a long weekend for me lately.