Today, we went to Kings County Honda in Kentville. On the information panel for our 2021 HR-V we previously received a notice that we needed a B1 service. We made an appointment. It was three weeks away. Meanwhile the notice changed to a B13 service.
After arriving at 8 am, we were offered a shuttle ride to downtown Kentville. We declined hoping the service would only take 1-2 hours. In fact, it took three hours.
After we left Kentville, we noted the following message. Turn by Turn. Waiting for Smartphone Guidance.
By the time we arrived home for lunch , we were exhausted. What had started as a routine service at the Honda dealer, had turned into a confusing conversation with automobile technology.
Who had turned on the requirement for Smartphone Guidance ? Do we need to return to the dealer to answer the question? What happens, if you are not ‘smartphone savvy?’
Even though, we have owned the HR-V for almost a year, we still have problems with the START/STOP button. It can be far too easy to leave the car running. What used to be a satisfying/ personal visit to your friendly car dealer has turned into a marathon exposure to ‘controlling technology’.
On a very different note, yesterday, we walked the road to the communication tower above Valley View Park. En route, along the roadside, we noted a couple of patches of Agalinis neoscotica (see previous blog on this species).
Postscript
It really is time to thoroughly read the Owner’s Guide for Quick Reference 2021 HR-V.
On Tuesday, Heather and I took a drive up the Valley. The first stop was Tides Art Gallery in Kentville. Unfortunately, they are closed on Tuesday. Instead, We stopped in at Gaspereau Press.
Our final destination was the ArtCan Kitchen & Studios café for an early brunch. I remembered their excellent home made soup and bread. The cafe in Canning overlooks the Gaspereau River. Besides art books and supplies, they had for sale books by Dick Groot (Geographer) and Soren Bondrup- Nielsen (Ecologist).
On our return trip, we took the backroad (Hwy #221) through orchards and vineyards. On a blue sky day the fields which had been recently ploughed, were shining bright.
Last stop: Berwick, at North Mountain Fine Coffees, I refurbished our supply of ground, French Roast Dark beans.
Postscript
This weekend, I rediscovered Theodore Roszak in the bookcase and am re-reading The Making of an Elder Culture; very relevant today.
Friday, we decided it was time to return to Kejimkujik National Park and walk the Peter Point trail. It was a remarkable adventure.
The park remains closed and so the roads to Eel Weir and the trail were unoccupied. We only saw one couple from Maitland Bridge walking their dog.
What a splendid day ! No traffic on Highway #8 between Annapolis Royal and the Park. In the sky, we could see the con-trails of aircraft, flying between the Maritimes and New England.
After the exhilaration, we stopped at the Brown Dog Kitchen. It is operating under new management. We enjoyed a coffee and curry puffs. Two per serving.
In the Library, I found “Dropped Threads: What We Aren’t Told” edited by Carol Shields and Marjorie Anderson on the used bookshelf. For Heather, Spinach and Swiss Chard seeds.
Saturday, we returned to the Library to hear Claire Jimmison. It is part of the 2024 Speaker Series, sponsored by the Friends of the Annapolis Royal Library.
Acknowledgements
Heather shared the bliss of the Peter Point trail. Edward added the graphics and links.
Now, I’m not one to gloat but almost 25,000 map views are the latest counts on my interactive plein air art map at tinyurl.com/PleinAirMap.
Not bad for a niche map focused on Nova Scotia. I should see the numbers rise soon since I have recently posted this map link to several Facebook Groups in Canada, the USA, Europe and beyond. It’s also a great way, to attract visitors from away who are looking for activities to do in Nova Scotia. Artists as far away as New Zealand are sharing my map. Think experiential tourism! (see Preparing for Experiential Tourism, Rethinking Tourism, and A Question of Scale)
I’d love to attract a COGS student and challenge them to scale the map globally where there are hundreds of thousands of interested plein air artists, urban sketchers, art lovers and experiential tourists. Maybe I have yet to attract any because I want them to use the Google Suite of software and have COGS students working with Google Map developers.
I once emailed back and forth with Eric Rhoads, the publisher of Plein Air Magazine out of the USA. While he couldn’t spare his resources, he thought the map was a great idea.
I kicked off the day with the Senior Men’s Strength class at CORAH. Eighteen were in attendance.
Afterwards, Heather was up for a trip to Annapolis Royal (AR). The drive down Highway #1 was stunning: hoar frost on the trees, blue sky above.
We started, as usual, at the bookstores, the Mad Hatter and Mare Gold. Geoff Butler was on duty at Mare Gold. Heather found a reference book, Butterflies of Maine and the Canadian Maritime Provinces: photographs, maps, and collection history. This will come in handy for Summer.
Next stop, was ARTSPLACE Gallery on George Street. We enjoyed Sandra Smirle’s exhibition, “Wrought”.
In the shop, we smiled at the garden ornament ‘Down Lost Memory Lane’. We were surprised that the trails had not been cleared. Next time, bring snowshoes or cross-country skis.
We headed home on Hwy #201. Stopping briefly in Bridgetown for a few grocery items. By this time, the hoar frost had melted off the trees. Exhilarated, we were keen to dig a path from the back door down to the greenhouse.
This was just a simple example of exploring local (see also, posts Hidden Treasures and For Viram). It motivates me to have that difficult conversation with the administration, faculty, and students at COGS on the need for a ‘Geography of Annapolis County’. Together, we can do it!
Edward continues to contribute both his artistic talent and links to relevant readings. Heather brings her natural history and enthusiasm for outdoor adventures.
Postscript
Recognizing that we were home, last Thursday we celebrated and had lunch at the Bee’s Knees; home-made soup, quiche, and coffee.
This week, we have been living in Rossland, BC. We have visited Trail and Nelson. The families have been enjoying the skiing on Red Mountain.
With the car rental, we have been introduced to the wonders of GoogleMaps, and the use of a cell phone to obtain shortest path and directions to these mountain communities.
Certainly, it feels as if I am operating in a different technological age. Wanting to stop at the gas station, to purchase a paper map.
The new technology offers three dimensional imagery of the mountain landscape (for skiing and mountain biking). It provides feedback on road conditions (e.g. congestion).
The end result is that my grandchildren have access to an online GIS/GPS, as we navigate the landscape.
When exactly did this happen?
How does someone who studied Geography in the 1960’s adapt to the technology of 2024? Slowly.
What is the impact of current technology on teaching GIS?
In our travels, I have checked out a couple of bookstores. At Otter Books, Nelson, I found Roger Lewis’, ‘Identity Matters’. At Gold Rush Bookstore, Rossland, I found Jane Goodall’s, ‘The Book of Hope’.
The new Geography is very ‘person-centric’.
Postscript.
This afternoon, we left Rossland early because of a pending snow storm. We enjoyed the drive through Grand Forks, Osoyoos, Penticton; finally, back to Kelowna. En route, we enjoyed the sight of the hoodoos, as well as, the orchards and vineyards throughout the Okanagan valley.
Acknowledgements
Andrew, my son, has been mentoring my learning on the iPhone, GoogleMaps and messaging. Heather is sharing the experience: ups and downs. Edward has added his original cartoons and links.
Saturday (December 30) we were up early to fly from Vancouver to Kelowna. The flight departed at 9:40 am. Once again, we checked in our carry-on bags at the gate.
Unfortunately, we could not land in Kelowna because of low cloud/fog. We were back in Vancouver by mid-morning.
The next challenge was to find out what had happened to our bags, and what was the plan. With help from Andrew, who was at Kelowna airport, we discovered that they would try again at 2 pm. Meanwhile, we searched for our bags on the carousel, and seeking new boarding passes.
The second time, we were successful. Andrew met us at Kelowna airport. We rented a car and he drove through the mountains to Rossland. There was snow, but the roads were clear. The bags were delivered in Kelowna.
Lessons learned.
While I use email on my iPad, I need to become more proficient with the messaging capability of my iPhone.
It was not clear whether Air Canada was using messaging on the iPhone to confirm the status of flights and bags.
If cell phone is the preferred device, then it is critical that seniors are familiar with the messaging functionality.
What happens if you do not use a cell phone, or are not proficient with the full functionality? This becomes a form of discrimination for elders.
Next weekend, we hope to navigate the roads through the mountains, back to Kelowna, followed by a flight to Toronto and then Halifax.
Postscript
Rossland is an awesome downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and mountain bike resort. It attracts a highly active, youthful clientele (link).
Acknowledgements.
Thanks to Andrew and Laurel for their help in navigating the cell phone/messaging environment. Edward added his graphics touch.
Ernest Blair Experiment 