Hey there folks!

Well.. Murray is on a brief stop over at home to do a bit of PR work and fill in the family on his travels. He even impressed the turkeys in the crowd! He showed them his impressive collection of Lapel Pins.

When Murray arrived he stopped in at the local newspaper office to tell them all about what he'd ben up to. They thought it was such a neet concept they are doing an article on him for next weeks paper!

Murray and the family took a drive up to Great Falls where Dan works. Here's the two of them in front of a Turbine blade used in a Hydro Generating station. We also stopped in at the Hydro Customer Service office where they were kind enough to give us a 50th anniversary hydro pin for Murray's collection.

We all headed up to Pine Falls where we saw the Abitibi Locomotive no. 30. It was built in 1922 and the last steam locomotive operated daily in western Canada. The kids and Murray climbed aboard to get a better look. It was quite a site to see. Just behind the train is the Pine Falls Paper company. Murray posed with Dan and then with the kids.

I'll have more pics up this weekend check back!

x Joy

Date: Thursday, Aug 16th, 2001
From: Joy
Subject: Murray Visit's Locally

Boy oh boy is this bird having a good time!! Today he hadda take the grand tour of town to see just what had changed since he'd been away. He made us stop and take a picture of him on the RM. Of Lac du Bonnet sign. He's sporting a lapel pin that looks the same btw. Then he noticed the new town signthey had just put up this spring after he left and he wanted to get on it too. Never seen such a hammy bird in my life! I think he's really enjoying all this attention.

I told Murray we couldn't hang around town all day because we were taking the kids into the city for eye doctors appointments. I told him I would put a link to the Town's Website up so you could learn more about where we live and he seemed happy about that. He hopped back in the van and we headed off. Now the city is about an hour from home and there are a few sites we wanted to take in along the way. Murray got excited when he saw the Grain Elevator in Libau. He hadn't seen many of them on his travels and was told that they are becoming a thing of the past in most places. So we hadda stop.. Murray also wanted everyone to see a bit of prairie so he jumped at the opportunity to get a picture with the kids in a baled alfalfa field. Then off they headed to Selkirk for a stop at uncle Frank's Upper Crust Bakery .

It was the bakeries 9th anniversary sale (hence the funny hats) and the place was so busy but, we managed to get a picture of Murray with the gals that work there. We then snuck in the back and got a picture of Frank with Murray and the kids. Might I add he's single available and has the best "buns" around? *s*

After we left the bakery we headed over to The Selkirk Marine Museum. I'll have more on this by Monday I'm just getting the pictures ready

Before we left Selkirk Murray just had to have his picture taken with Chuck the Channel Catfish. It was dedicated in honor of Chuck Norquay a fisherman on the Red River. You see the town of Selkirk was settled on the Red river and it's almost at the mouth of Lake Winnipeg the largest freshwater lake in the world. Here's a map of Manitoba for you to see what I mean. There are a great deal of Catfish in the Red and there is a very large fishing industry on lake Winnipeg. Murray would also like to encourage everyone out there to eat fish not chicken. We have yet to open our freezers while he is present. *s*.

Time was ticking away and we had to rush to get to our eye appointments but managed to make it just in time. We all were supposed to go grocery shopping before we left the city but it was a terribly hot day and we were all kind of tired so we just decided to head back home and see what other sites we might take in along the way.

As we were leaving the city we took a quick picture in front of the Royal Canadian Mint that is located on the outskirts of the City of Winnipeg. If you would like to read more on it you can visit the website.

Driving along the highway we saw a sign that we just had to get Murray in front of. This is Murray at the Center of Canada! The longitudinal center of course. Off we headed again trying to get in one more site before we stopped at Uncle Franks for a swim.

There is a little town in Manitoba called Cooks Creek and when I say little I mean little.. It's a bout a 2 minute drive through town and you better not blink. Thing about this town is..apart from the fact you barely know you are driving through a town, is that right smack dab in the middle of nowhere, you see this awesome Church! The Immaculate Conception and Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes is truly amazing and very beautiful. Building on the church started in 1930.

Murray isn't in all the photos here but he wanted me to post the pictures so you could see what an incredible site this is. Here is a side view of the church. They have been doing some restoration work on it for a few years now. Here is a photo of the kids and Murray at the main altar. A closer look . Looking up to the ceiling. To the left of the altar. To the right is the confessionals. I suggested Murray may want to visit the confessionals but he figured his confessions would make any priest blush so he decided against it. Here is a view of the pews

Now.. Murray wanted to go out to see the Bell Tower and the Grotto. There were some priests at the altar there preparing for a pilgrimage that is taking place there this weekend so we did not go into the main courtyard. WE did how ever climb up to the top of the Grotto. Where I got a good shot of Murray and the top of the Church. This last photo is taken of the center court. In it you can see all the little doorways leading inside the grotto where they have statues of all the stations of the cross. Again we didn't go in because of the preparations being made by the priests.

If you would like to read more on this church please visit it's website.

Well that's it for now..we are taking Murray to a BBQ (BEEF) Saturday at Franks place. I told Murray he will NOT be our designated driver. Though he was a bit miffed at first he soon realized he could cut loose and have himself a grand old time. I'm sure we'll have lots of photos to show you. *s*. I will be posting the pictures of the Marine Museum tomorrow so keep checking back.

x Joy

Date: Sunday, Aug 19th, 2001
From: Joy
Subject: Murray trip to the Selkirk Marine Museum.

Our trip to the Marine Museum the first day was fairly brief because we had to get into the city for our appointments so we decided to go back the next day to see more of it. That and the fact I was horrified after coming home and telling Dan about our day..explaining what a neet place the museum was and that I had never thought to ask if there was an admission charge.. All this while he is processing the pictures from the camera and comes across this one of the 3 young gals who work there.. You'll notice a nice big sign that tells what all the fees are.. You wanna talk about feeling like a smuck.. *l*.. Sooo.. The next day we went back and I apologized profusely to the gals for not paying the fees.This time we payed for the family and took a much longer tour opf all the boats.

The girls were terribly polite but must have thought I was a nutcase running around the boat taking pictures with my chicken the day before and just laughed when I apologized for ignoring the fees. They knew I was in a rush and told me the previous visit was on the house. They were so sweet they even donated a Selkirk pin for Murray's collection! Thank-you Sarah, Tammy and Kristi!!!

The largest of the ships at the museum is the S.S.Keenora. It's Manitoba's oldest steamship built in 1897. The Keenora accommodated 65 passenger cabins in her 158 foot length and traveled up to 15 knots. Murray thought it was great and of course took every opportunity to ham it up. We dragged him away from there and went on a tour of the ship.

Murray was not the least bit impressed with the crew quarters down in the bottom of the ship. He said it was to dark and small and he thought it reminded him of the chicken coop back home. It's more than obvious this chicken is enjoying the good life. He was however really impressed by the old diving suit displays. Then he wanted a picture by the Lamp collection. Here's a bit better view.

We also were able to go on the other ships. To the left of the S.S Keenora was the Chickama II and the Northland Lady Canadian. The Chickama II was built in 1942. It was a passenger and freight vessel. The Lady Canadian was a fish freighter built in 1944. Originally she was owned by Canadian fish Products and also used by Manitoba Hydro as a survey ship. To the right of the Keenora was the C.G.S.Bradbury. This ship was prefabricated in Sorel Quebec and then assembles on the bank of the Selkirk Slough in 1915. She severed as the Federal government as a fisheries patrol vessel ,a light house tender and an icebreaker till she was forced to retire in 1973.

We had a wonderful time at the Marine museum there was just so much to see.. As we were leaving we got one more picture in front of the Black Bear Island lighthouse. This lighthouse was formerly located 160 miles north of Selkirk on Black Bear Island. It was established in 1898 by Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard. It was starting to get on in the day so we headed off home. Definitely a fun day.

X Joy

Date: Wed. Aug 22, 2001
From: Joy
Subject: Murray's week and Bon voyage Party. By gosh it's been a hectic time with this chicken!.. We have took a couple of days to recuperate from last week and the weekend and then Bill (the Cat) Murray's oldest bud, Decided he wanted to give his friend a send off party night before last. Well... Lemme tell ya.. it was a night to remember.. and then some.

This story was something that really needed to be told while viewing the pictures.. so I have made it a page unto it self. All the pictures and the details of Murray's last night home can be viewed here

Needless to say Murray was quiet yesterday when we drove him to Winnipeg. He was placed into the arms of Jacquie his new host. She was quite pleased to meet Murray but I think she's in for a bit of a surprise once he's rid of his hang over. He just curled up on a foot stool and went to sleep while we had a bit of a visit.

It's been a great week having Murray back home again. I've had some wonderful feedback about his travels. I've also had more than just a few people back away from me when I've approached them with my chicken in hand *l*. All in all it's been pretty positive vibes from folks.

I hope Jacquie and her family will enjoy Murray's stay as much as we have. I also hope you all will continue to follow his adventures. Thanks to everyone who allowed me photos of them with Murray!

Be good ya old bird and behave!

Love Joy, Dan, Graydon, Stephanie and Nathan.