It’s time to go coastal! This will have to be a swift post, like my travels, and like the soundtrack in the car. Huh? Your soundtrack will be Swift? Taylor Swift? You don’t seem the type…
Well, really! Of course I like Taylor Swift songs. Just not so much when she’s singing them. I’ll be listening to 1989, but the reimagining or reworking created a couple of years ago by Ryan Adams. No, Ryan, not Bryan (Bryan, you are still loved in Canada, but not for that Robin Hood song…)
Ryan Adams put on his Bob Dylan/Bruce Springsteen/Roy Orbison hats for the vocals, got the guitars to sound a bit like Johnny Marr, and turned 1989 into something an old fart like me can enjoy. Full of space, drama and echo, with the highlight being Shake It Off – if you give it a go, you might like it.
I fell off trying to look up at a bald eagle just a few seconds later…but shook it offWhat else is on the soundtrack? Well, one singer parts of 1989 reminded me of (you wouldn’t necessarily think of her when listening to the Swift album) is Tracy Chapman. Her first album is as relevant today as it was 30 years ago, and that is both a good and bad thing if you are familiar with her themes on that record. We should be Talkin’ ’bout a Revolution – maybe November?
Finally, and for two reasons, virtually anything by AC/DC will also be playing. One, it’ll be a slight contrast to all the sensitivity of the other two artists, and two, Mrs. PlaidCamper won’t be in the car for this trip, so here’s my chance to play it loud. Maybe this one? Thunderstruck – turned up to 11. Oh dear…
Why are we paddling uphill?Oh no, where is Mrs. PC? She’ll be following on a little later, and also for two reasons. One, she is not quite finished teaching the academic year, and two, my brother is visiting us out on the coast for a couple of weeks, and she’s letting us get on with it for the first week. The “it” being falling off paddle boards, falling out of kayaks, falling over rocks and logs, playing anti-social music from the late 70s and early 80s, drinking a beer (or two), and staying up past our bedtime. Or that’s what we’ll say we did if our other two brothers ask. Might even find time to watch a game or two where England’s bid to win the World Cup is doomed yet again. We will tidy up before Mrs. PC arrives. Luckily, Scout is with us because we have to have a sensible member in the party.
Probably shouldn’t try to land a small plane hereMy main priority this week is to get to Tofino Airport in time to pick up my brother when his plane lands. It’ll take him almost as long to make his trip out from the DC area as my little road trip. He’s changing planes about a gazillion times, and he’s not too happy that each one is smaller than the last. For the short hop from Vancouver to the coast, I’ve told him to tie the straps on his hat tightly under his chin, and then his head will stay warm. He knows I’m going to write “LAND HERE” in the sand, so that’s also reassured him…
“Here I am, the sensible one!”If anything interesting occurs, it’ll make it onto here at some point, but two middle aged gentlemen falling over a few times isn’t all that exciting. I’ll write about it even if relatively little occurs. I know, I know, the suspense is too much…
Brief, as promised. Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
I am a would be outdoorsman - that is if I had more time, skills and knowledge. When I can, I love being outdoors, just camping, hiking, snowboarding, xc skiing, snowshoeing, paddling a canoe or trying something new. What I lack in ability, I make up for in enthusiasm and having a go. I'd never really survive for long out there in the wild, but I enjoy pretending I could if I had to...
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15 thoughts on “Going coastal…”
Smiling as usual, pc, after this fun post. Have fun falling over things with your brother and being happy. Good thing Scout is there, like you say. Cheers!
Thanks, Jet! He gets here on Tuesday, and we will try very hard not to trip over/fall out/off things in the next week or two. I’ve arrived to lovely weather here, warm and sunny, having told my brother to expect cold and rain – bonus!
Hope you’ve had a great weekend.
Just came back from a visit to Ontario and visited my brother for almost a week after 20 years. Did get up to his and his partner’s cottage and swam in the lake, which was a thrill plus had the ice cream stop on the way back. Lots of driving and talking, so enjoy! Hope you stay up on the boards and have a beer (or two).
Thanks, Jane. Time can really get away from us when it comes to keeping up with distant family. Sounds like you had a wonderful time catching up with your brother, and maybe the gap between visits won’t be as long next time!
Going coastal sounds a hoot, PC, and I wish you and bro and sensible Scout and Mrs. (eventually) have a great one out there. Can’t identify too closely with the given soundtrack but the spirit is right and the beer (or two) is sure to please. Be sure to get up if you fall, and be well!
Thanks, Walt! We’ll fall over and get up laughing, no doubt, so all will be well. The only concern is my brother’s fondness for cider over beer, but we will work on that…
Hope you’ve had a pleasant weekend!
I’ve been wanting to learn how to paddle board, but I suspect the my first several adventures will include spending much of time in the water. Have fun adventuring. I look forward to reading all about it.
Highly recommend having a go at paddle boarding – if you’ve a decent sense of balance, all will be well, and it is a pretty good workout if you want it to be (or very relaxing, if you’d rather!)
Hope you’ve had a pleasant weekend!
Have a fantastic time on your coastal vacation with your brother and I’m so happy to read you have someone sensible along prior to Mrs. PC’s arrival! How do you like the paddle board compared to kayaking? I’ve stayed away from the paddle board out of fear of Gabby and I ending up in the water endlessly, but each year there are now more paddle boards than kayaks on the water. Another good day of World Cup soccer and I hope England wins on Monday. I certainly hope I did not cause Gabby’s hearing loss by playing Thunderstruck very loudly too many times in the Jeep. After another week of unbelievable political news I’m too depressed to comment on the Chapman song. I can’t believe I’m writing this and I hope this message is like Mission: Impossible and self destructs after five seconds, but I absolutely love Shake It Off by Taylor Swift. Wonderful photos (we are expecting shots of you falling) and have a wonderful vacation!
Thank you! Is it even possible to play Thunderstruck too loud?!
I like paddleboarding, and I’ve seen people manage with a dog on board, but I don’t think I’ll be trying with Scout. Life is easier in a kayak or canoe, but a paddleboard is a different kind of fun – too hard (for me) on rougher water where I’d still be happy enough in a kayak/canoe.
So Brazil didn’t exactly light up the stage. Fingers, arms, legs all crossed that England get a result tomorrow, and maybe in style…
Ha, you might be getting rather more sunshine in winter there, than my brother has experienced here at the start of summer. He’s a little disgruntled, but a glass or two of something good has worked wonders…
OldPlaidCamper 
Smiling as usual, pc, after this fun post. Have fun falling over things with your brother and being happy. Good thing Scout is there, like you say. Cheers!
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Thanks, Jet! He gets here on Tuesday, and we will try very hard not to trip over/fall out/off things in the next week or two. I’ve arrived to lovely weather here, warm and sunny, having told my brother to expect cold and rain – bonus!
Hope you’ve had a great weekend.
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Just came back from a visit to Ontario and visited my brother for almost a week after 20 years. Did get up to his and his partner’s cottage and swam in the lake, which was a thrill plus had the ice cream stop on the way back. Lots of driving and talking, so enjoy! Hope you stay up on the boards and have a beer (or two).
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Thanks, Jane. Time can really get away from us when it comes to keeping up with distant family. Sounds like you had a wonderful time catching up with your brother, and maybe the gap between visits won’t be as long next time!
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Going coastal sounds a hoot, PC, and I wish you and bro and sensible Scout and Mrs. (eventually) have a great one out there. Can’t identify too closely with the given soundtrack but the spirit is right and the beer (or two) is sure to please. Be sure to get up if you fall, and be well!
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Thanks, Walt! We’ll fall over and get up laughing, no doubt, so all will be well. The only concern is my brother’s fondness for cider over beer, but we will work on that…
Hope you’ve had a pleasant weekend!
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I’ve been wanting to learn how to paddle board, but I suspect the my first several adventures will include spending much of time in the water. Have fun adventuring. I look forward to reading all about it.
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Highly recommend having a go at paddle boarding – if you’ve a decent sense of balance, all will be well, and it is a pretty good workout if you want it to be (or very relaxing, if you’d rather!)
Hope you’ve had a pleasant weekend!
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Have a fantastic time on your coastal vacation with your brother and I’m so happy to read you have someone sensible along prior to Mrs. PC’s arrival! How do you like the paddle board compared to kayaking? I’ve stayed away from the paddle board out of fear of Gabby and I ending up in the water endlessly, but each year there are now more paddle boards than kayaks on the water. Another good day of World Cup soccer and I hope England wins on Monday. I certainly hope I did not cause Gabby’s hearing loss by playing Thunderstruck very loudly too many times in the Jeep. After another week of unbelievable political news I’m too depressed to comment on the Chapman song. I can’t believe I’m writing this and I hope this message is like Mission: Impossible and self destructs after five seconds, but I absolutely love Shake It Off by Taylor Swift. Wonderful photos (we are expecting shots of you falling) and have a wonderful vacation!
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Thank you! Is it even possible to play Thunderstruck too loud?!
I like paddleboarding, and I’ve seen people manage with a dog on board, but I don’t think I’ll be trying with Scout. Life is easier in a kayak or canoe, but a paddleboard is a different kind of fun – too hard (for me) on rougher water where I’d still be happy enough in a kayak/canoe.
So Brazil didn’t exactly light up the stage. Fingers, arms, legs all crossed that England get a result tomorrow, and maybe in style…
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Oh, we know a grand time will be had by all. How can you miss?
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We are having some fun – now he’s finally arrived (he missed two out of three flights!)
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Love the sound of going coastal. I could use a few sunny rays at the moment. Fun post PC. Enjoy the time with your brother. 🙂
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Ha, you might be getting rather more sunshine in winter there, than my brother has experienced here at the start of summer. He’s a little disgruntled, but a glass or two of something good has worked wonders…
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Good to know. Cheers!
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