One hundred MicroSkills LINC participants, childminders, instructors, and guests--including a couple of spouses and alumni--crammed into two yellow schoolbuses for the field trip of the year. Thanks to Penny's organization, everything clicked, and we're sure to miss her when she leaves us tomorrow. Just like her to leave us on a very sweet note!
Tasked to take a random group on a nature's trail--without compass, chart, or rudder!--I brought these victims on a wild goose chase. Just when I was ready to turn around, Gary spots what we were looking for!
This is the mill, one locked-up dilapidated building. Been there, done that, it's time to head back to civilization and breakfast!
All smiles--but was it real maple syrup? Hmm, suspiciously gooey like Aunt Jemima's glorified corn syrup. But our guide swears it's genuine, although not from Bruce's Mill itself. Right. At three bucks per pancake, a paper vial of syrup, and a coffee, it had better be.
Arrgh, idiot caught with mouth open.
Waddaya see, ROC, PRC?
Terry and John guard a soggy playground.
Angel and Winnie claim the bench.
Finally, it's 11 a.m. Time for the guided tour!
And one night, the leprechauns came out to ...
Stay with black and sweet maple for the best results. Silver and red are not worth milking. You can just stick the red on a national flag.
This was before child labour laws were passed.
What else went into those buckets? Yum.
Leeching used to be popular in those days. It got rid of the vile humours in a body.
Hmm. Who's being punished?
Getting up close to look at the ...
Spile! Yeah, as in spare the rod and ___ the chile.
Tolja, it won't harm the tree. It grows right back over the spile hole.
Looks like they couldn't get a real tree to hold this sign up.
Spile, spile, spile, old and new.
How do you pronounce those big words?
Ah, and today we do it the clean way.
I see, this is where the dirt- and allergen-free BPA tubing ends.
OK, reading practice 1.
Reading practice 2.
Reading practice 3.
Optometrist's Eye chart 1.
Hay ride sans hay. But hey, Terry's just as much fun!
Bwahahaha! It's laughing at, not laughing with!
All right, whatever. Time to go home.
Final dance-off, by the Newcomer Indigenous People.
Don't miss the video clips below for a better impression!
All hyper on bus already, ca. 9:30 a.m.
Start of the guided tour
Tsap? Taste the sap.
Bird feed
Wigwam life and hollowed-out syrup troughs
Pioneer spiel and syrup sampling--hey, who took more than one swig?
Oooh, modern machinery
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow, boarding the wagon
Yay, a joy ride!
Why are we waiting ... waiting for the other bus to get there
Must be all the sugar ... leaving on a high
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