With the weather warming a little and sunny, Smallsteps and I headed into the city after lunch to wander around and see what we can see - and try raw tuna. Unexpectedly, they had released the dam in the city between the two lakes. As there is a height difference of about 18 metres, both ends have had hydro plants for over 100 years, powering a lot of the local industry in the past and still today.
They closed the dams a few weeks ago so they could build a temporary bridge, and now they are releasing the water. I should probably read up on what they are up to, but I just assume it is to flush the dead bodies out. That is not the real reason of course - because it would be a terribly open area to dump dead bodies, and there are many, many more far more secluded areas to do so.
There was a lot of water rushing out the gates and it was flowing fast, begging Smallsteps to question what would happen if someone fell in. That answer is easy, because they wouldn't flow to the other lake, because they would be caught in the turbines at the other end instead. In that way, it might be an okay place to dump a body.
As black as my humour might be, I just liked listening to the raging waters and watching the white caps as they churned. The only time the lakes here get white caps on them is when the weather is atrocious and it takes away anything nice about it. So, since I like the waves and the movement, it was a bit of a mental retreat for me.
While I love the still lakes in the summer with the evening light reflecting off them, there is something more calming about moving water for me. I used to sit for many hours on the shore of the beach at night, just listening to the waves and watching them break in the moonlight. Churning dam waters are not quite the same thing, but while watching and listening to the water rush over, I got a familiar sense and reminder of those times.
And then we went to the playground.
It is funny how Smallsteps is trying to hold onto some of the more childish things and she has them in her head as something special, but once actually doing it, she realises that she is too grown for it now. She still did things, but then I could see that she was getting bored, since the park is made for kids up to about seven or eight years of age, and now nothing challenges her. And then, even though she is small for her age, she looked around and realised that there was no one else around her age there. I am not sure if she will suggest going back there again, but I think it is a good lesson for us all to realise that everything has its time, and everything has its end.
And the tuna.
Smallsteps doesn't like canned tuna at all, even though I quite like it in a past sauce or in other ways. However, because we have had a discussion about the difference between canned and fresh tuna, she wanted to try it. The only problem is, most sushi places don't actually have it and only use salmon. However, there was one poke bowl place that has it, so I ordered the tuna, she the salmon, just in case she didn't like it.
The verdict?
Pretty good, but salmon is better.
Granted, the salmon here is pretty good too, but I like tuna a lot, if it is fresh enough - which is the main reason most sushi places don't use it, as it has to come in from somewhere else, and it is expensive. There is only one place in the city I know of where it is possible to actually buy some fresh tuna for home.
Smallsteps goes back to school next week, so our little excursions will end, but considering we haven't done anything that special this vacation other than a few nights at a friend's cottage, these interludes have been a welcome break. Once she is back at school, I will just dig into the basement work further, instead of doing it piecemeal. I would like to get it done before it gets too cool and wet, otherwise it will take many weeks for the floor paint to dry in the garage.
There are always bridges to cross.
Unless we keep burning them.
Taraz
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I don't think I have ever had fresh tuna, so I can't really say if I would like it. That is interesting about the dam. I remember when I was a kid we went to this place where the water was up to the side of the bridge and my dad said not to get too close because I might get sucked in. Now I'm curious if he was serious or he just didn't want me getting wet.
Frsh tuna is pretty good, raw or cooked like a steak.
I was reading about the dam after this and found out it is because there has been so much rain in July. I have said it has been wet :) The lake they are emptying was incredibly low after the winter due to hardly any snow, and now it is overflowing - and it is massive.
That is interesting. I actually looked up the bridge I was talking about too and it turns out my dad was probably right back then. These days the water levels are too low, but back then the way they built it the bridge acted like a siphon for the mill in town.
That would be a pretty horrible way to go I think
I don't think that I have ever eaten a fresh tuna. In my opinion canned tuna is quite good. But I prefer salmon. Either fillet to make sandwitches or bigger pieces that can be cooked. I don't buy salmon as often as I would like. But occacionally I go to the bigger shop and get salmon. Bigger pieces of salmon is one of my favorite festive dishes.
I am a fan of salmon too. A fillet with the skin on, baked with a little oil and salt and pepper.
We can say that a bridge symbolizes connection, progress, and the willingness to cross from the familiar into the unknown.
And a lack of them, disconnection from life :)
Great reflection! Sounds like a lovely outing with Smallsteps. It's fascinating how those century-old hydro plants are still powering the local industry. The engineering behind managing water levels and building temporary bridges is always interesting to see. Did you end up trying the raw tuna? 😃
Yes, I ate the raw tuna mostly, but Smallsteps gave it a go and liked it. Another thing on her menu.
It's always great when kids are willing to try new foods, especially something like raw tuna! Nice to see Smallsteps expanding her menu options."
Seeing that bridge made me think about how some things are 'connected' to certain places, and others aren't. For instance, here in Ontario, catching a fresh/natural tuna is pretty much impossible since we are landlocked, so it's not common at all. However, salmon is the king here! We have the salmon runs, and it’s everywhere. It’s funny how geography dictates what we consider 'common' on our tables. Do you have a preference between tuna and salmon?
I like how you and Smallsteps keep making time for these little trips. Sometimes simple moments like watching the rushing water or trying a new food become the best memories.
We are lucky to great salmon and pretty good tuna in Seattle, but tuna in Hawaii is a totally different level.
Our daughter went through the same thing with trying to hold on to the things she already grew out of like playgrounds and certain games.
Dams need dredging every few years
Would the body disrupt the turbine or would it get disintegrated and just make the water taste funny?
I remember Eldest playing in the playground with his younger siblings for a bit when he hit that age, and after a while he came over to me and said that playgrounds are really boring now. Unfortunately they didn't have the really cool big adventure playgrounds that even young adults (or old farts like me XD) enjoy in the area that they do now so we just found other things to do.
Honestly same I like salmon much better than tuna XD I don't actually like raw tuna and I will put up with canned if I have a real fish craving or it's flavoured like those tiny cans that have just enough for a couple of sandwiches or a salad. Will eat salmon any which way though.
*like a bridge over troubled waters..
the sound of splashing/fast running waters is so soothing somehow..