That's quite the specimen - lovely tree! Thanks for sharing. Being relatively slow growers, makes ya wonder how old they are. . . !? I've heard of some old growth northern white-cedar here in the Niagara gorge that are quite small due to harsh conditions. Fascinating stuff.

Well, whilst going thru the past messages, over the years, i felt i must join in the long ranging discussion. First, Ruth and i are still living! Not camping any more, but the motor home is ready to go at any time! Can't sell it, as gas cost is prohibitive. I remember when we went to Ipperwash Park, I had forgotten to buy my beer in the USA, and couldn't find the best hidden beer store in that area. I got to talking with a local feller, name of Charlie Miller. He said if we'd follow him to his place, he had some, and we could sit and talk for a spell. So, off we went, about ten miles, back in the sticks, and finally got to his home. He had two beers left, and sort of warm, but we sat and talked for 4 hours, and consumed his beer! What a wonderful experience, for a guy like me who likes to sit and talk to anybody! I offered to pay for the beer, but he wouldn't take any money for it! Said the fact of sitting and talking to nice folks was priceless! But, he did tell us how to find the beer store! Best example of hiding something in plain sight! Another time, we camped near Niagara Falls, in a nice camp on the Canadian side. Whilst eating lunch, a foursome came in and proceeded to try to set up one of those cheap blue dining fly's. The 4 post type. Well, after ten minutes of falling poles and twisted ropes, and lost patience, i went over to tell them i knew the secret of putting one of them up, and we'd help! I got the bum's rush, got told to mind my own business, and got fishy eyed stares from them! Well, another half-hour of trying to set it up--the poles and fabric were all stomped on, broken, and ripped and tossed into the trash! And, they left and didn't come back! One thing about Niagara Falls: Yes they are beautiful, but an hour of watching water run over a cliff, pales in comparison to the sights at the Welland Canal! Watching those ships cross a farmers field, then go into the lock, and sink out of sight--was a wonderful experience for my family, especially our two sons! We could talk to crew members as the ship was in the lock chamber and ask where they were from, or going! I always tell folks who are going to Niagara, to look for the Canal!

thyrkas, it was lucky you posted a copy of your telegram here as they are no longer used by the Royal Mail in the UK and Dido would have been shocked to find a barrel of small, very hungry dragons on her doorstep. FEDEX doesn't cross the Atlantic. In fact over here I think dragons might be an endangered species which will give them a higher priority over mere humans. I just read of a TRUE case in the local paper concerning the first cousin to the dragon, the Great Crested Newt. A family (human) had been flooded out of their home during the bad weather of last summer. Months of delays by builders followed and then the area flooded again, this time from a blocked stream. It has been discovered that among the detritus of the 'blockage' is a family of Great Crested Newts which cannot be disturbed because of their protected status. 'English Nature' also noted several birds nesting in the area. So the unfortunate family must stay in temporary accommodation until the birds have flown and the GC Newts have decided to move on "contra bonos mores" as the poet might have said.

Lisa.....That is a Starlette Asiatic lily....here's a link... http://www.edenbrothers.com/store/lily-bulbs-starlette.html?gclid=CO2tqonIvMYCFY81aQodIFAJ8Q