A boat moves through a lock along the Canal du Nivernais. If you ever get the opportunity to rent a boat and float one of the canals in France, we here at the Grind highly recommend it. Chatel-Censoir, Burgundy, France; September, 2009.

Peg Leg Pete's is a very interesting dining establishment, where one can drive up or float up to have a meal. It has at least one entire wall filled with license plates from all over the US and Canada. I do recommend the food. Pensacola Beach, Florida; April, 2014.

One of the greatest things about living near the Columbia River Gorge is that when you get the urge to see something beautiful, you need only hop in the car, drive there, and you're able to be back before dinner if you want. We here at The Grind enjoy the falls. Here's another shot of the lower Multnomah Falls, with the bottom of the upper falls in the background. (Click the photo to get a better view of the bridge). Rural Multnomah County, Oregon; April, 2014.

Don't shoot him, he's only the tuba player. We'll conclude our current infatuation with the UFO Festival with this shot. (Click on the photo for more detail) McMinnville, Oregon; May, 2014.

There were an assortment of Wookies, Troopers, and princesses who teleported in for the UFO Festival, too. McMinnville, Oregon; May, 2014.

The aliens at the UFO Festival  attempted to pass this being off as one of their offspring. It's obvious to anyone who paid attention that this was, in fact, their leader. We were able to clandestinely snag a photo of him and gave a copy to the authorities. Be on the look out and call 9-1-1 if you see it. McMinnvile, Oregon; May, 2014.

Of course, aliens can arrive in all shapes, sizes, and all 14 genders, such as this one attending the UFO Festival this past weekend. (Click on the photo for more detail) McMinnville, Oregon; May, 2014.

Some aliens tended to get a little out of hand and think that they'd take over at the UFO Festival. Thankfully, the military was around to disabuse them of that notion. (Click the photo to check out that dude's brains) McMinnville, Oregon; May, 2014.

Luckily, our allies the Vulcans, beamed down to give us a hand with all the aliens who attended the UFO festival. The people were happy. (Click the photo to check out those ears) McMinnville, Oregon; May, 2014.

Longtime Grinders know that we know no bounds in brining you material off the beaten path. This past weekend was the 15th annual UFO Festival and when we heard it was happening we were convinced species from all over the universe would congregate to celebrate themselves. We were not disappointed, and this week neither will you as we snuck up and were able to capture on digital some of the denizens who beamed in from other galaxies. In fact, we may have to go into next week here at the Grind, too. As you can see, this being was quite surprised to be discovered. McMinnville, Oregon; May, 2014.

One of the great things to occur during traveling is to unexpectedly run across unknown treasures. Like this shop, which was in the basement of a small  old chateau in a town square in the old city. I think it was called The Shop In The Basement, or something like that, and was completely filled with old knick knacks and antiques. Provins, France; September, 2013.

Sunrise from the deck of The Beach House, where we've been staying the night before our retreats for the past 9-10 years. Andy, the proprietor does a fantastic job with the place and makes a filling and incredibly delicious breakfast. Comox, BC, Canada; April, 2014.

A trellis covered with flora makes a nice walkway and also a nice place to sit on a bench. Empress Hotel, Victoria, BC, Canada; April, 2014

Hood canal is a fjord forming the western lobe and one of the four main basis, of Puget Sound in the state of Washington. Hood Canal is not a canal in the sense of being a made-made waterway--it is a natural waterway. And it's a totally gorgeous drive. Hoodsport, Washington; April, 2014.

We just returned from our semi-annual meditation retreat up in Canada and will be posting some photos of the trip here this week. This one was actually snagged by accident, as we had inadvertently taken a wrong turn and would up here. (Click on the photo for a better view) St. John the Baptist Columbia Coast Mission Anglican Church, Whaletown, Cortes Island, BC, Canada; May, 2014.

A king's hallway in the Royal Palace. Palace at Versailles, (Click on the photo for a better view) Versailles, France; September, 2014.

A shrimp boat docked in a safe harbor at the end of the day. Biloxi, Mississippi; April, 2014.

Wisteria cascades over a fence, a sure sign of Spring. Clackamas, Oregon; April, 2014.

Lounges in the sand along the beach just waiting for you! (Click the photo for a better view) Pensacola Beach, Florida; April, 2014.

Doing some sailing on the bay. Taken from Pier 39, San Francisco, California; May, 2009.

Sitting right smack dab in the largest roundabout on the planet is the famous Arc de Triumph. Paris, France; september, ,2013.

While walking around town on our lunch hour one day, we ran across these two alter boys hard at work. Alexandria, Virginia; March, 2014.