They're Here... and Here's to Them!

Mike and I had to go into town today. This is the last day we can do that by driving Hwy 60. Tomorrow the Security operation "goes Live". Highway 60 will be closed to through traffic, and anyone heading to Huntsville from Dwight will do so along South Portage Road, Brunel Road, or through Dorset and Baysville. It's a long way around, but on the other hand, the view is nicer.

The final touches were going onto the Security Fence. Crash barriers, cement bollards, check points. The whole enchilada... It's quite the sight.

Mike spotted a pair of tanks inside the fence, being covered with a camouflage tent. You don't want to argue with those puppies... He and Brian were flying last night -- last time they'll have the chance until after all the dust has settled -- and Mike reports that he knows where all the police cars in Ontario are currently parked. Not to mention an entire field full of buses, waiting for the delegations. From the air, there are military tents everywhere. There's even some kind of balloon at one of the staging areas, but we have no idea what it is doing. We considered flying one of our own, here, that reads GOOD LUCK!

It's not only Hwy 60 that will see traffic restrictions starting tomorrow. Peninsula Lake will be closed to all boat traffic. Brian's plane is grounded -- there is an 80 km. NO FLY zone, and since we've seen the F18's zipping overhead, he has no ambitions to take them on. As Mike said, "I don't want to get shot down. I want to have supper..."

Today there were big helicopters circling over Deerhurst. That resort has been in lock-down for almost a week now. There's a lot to prepare, and we know that Joseph Klein and his crew at Deerhurst will do us all proud.

We got a look at one of the Police Boats that are patrolling Pen Lake. Disappointing, really, since no-one was waterskiing behind it... now THAT would be our tax dollars in action!

I asked if it was alright to take a photo for the Blog, and the RCMP officer replied, with all courtesy, "It's a free country, and we're working hard to keep it that way."

Three cheers for him. And three cheers for all the men and women who are here, working long hard hours, doing their best to ensure that this is an uneventful three days for most of us. Let's hope that it's a productive meeting... that something good and lasting emerges from this. Let's hope that some of the beauty of this part of the world sticks in the minds of the leaders of the world, and reminds them that we are all part of this wonderful World. That we can't pull on one string in tapestry without affecting the entire weave. That we ARE the world. And the world is us. And wouldn't it be wonderful if we could get along, so that this massive security presence was not such a necessity.

Let's hope that the protests -- and there will be some, and they have a right to assembly, a right to object, a right to be heard -- will also be respectful of the rights that have been so hard earned for them in the first place.