Adventures Index

Written by Harold McNeill on October 5th, 2014. Posted in Index to Posts


Adventures Index

This section covers a wide variety of stories.  The sections will divided according to type (e.g. Big Kinosoo, Family Events, etc.).  At the top of the page will appear links to the three most recent posts.  Where appropriate, posts in a section will be linked together so the reader can skip directly from one to the next or back to the index.

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Most Recent Posts

Big Kinosoo: Growing the Legend (November 2014):  The object this introduction is ways to help the Big Kinosoo Legend grow in stature by whatever means necessary.  Anecdotes, photographs, cover-us, conspiracies – they are all fair game.   Link to Big Kinosoo: Growing the Legend

RAWthentic Eatery: Royal Oak  (April 2014):   It is always a pleasure to promote local businesses who seek to provide the best in food.  While I am not always so disciplined as to stay away from other fast food, I do my best.  Link to RAWthentic

Victoria Morioka Friendship Society: A Visit to Victoria:  (February, 2014).  While meeting and greeting many friends we have made in Japan, a highlight of the visit was several concerts presented by Miss Misaki Usuzawa, winner the Japanese New Singer of the Year Contest in 2012. Miss Usuzawa was one of those whose family was hit by the 2011 Tsunami.  Link to Victoria Morioka Society

McNeill Solutions and Seaside Magazine (February 2014)  Sean McNeill has now been operating his new company for just over two years. His business, E-Marketing and Web Presence.   Link to the Seaside Article

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Big Kinosoo Series

Kinosoo Collage

7. Dangerous Waters Run Deep (July 2011):   When Sampi failed to heed the warning given by Frank and hit the waters early. He nearly ended up at he bottom of Davey Jones Locker.   Link here to Dangerous Waters Run Deep

6. Sampi Gets Hooked (July 2011):   We met Sampi and his daughters while camping in Kinosoo Park. They were planning on their first fishing trip to Cold Lake, so my bother-in-law Frank Yochim to Sampi aside and warned Sampi about the dangers posed by the Big Kinosoo.  Link to Sampi gets hooked

5. Airplane Down -Fish Attack (Summer c1960’s):  (August 2011):   The RCAF often landed their Otter on Cold Lake and moored it at the main dock.  One day on landing near French Bay, the plane flipped over.  The pilot claimed a large fish had swam directly in front of his craft, hit the floats and flipped the plane.   Link Here for Fish Attack.

4. The Rush is on: Legend Becomes Reality (March 2011):  A short history of fishing in Cold Lake including a section on my father who was an expert in that field and who always carried a rifle to protect himself from an attack by the Big Kinosoo.  Link to the Rush is on.

3. Monster Fresh Water Fish of Canada (January 2011):   While the Big Kinosoo is the King of the Big Fish, there are other monsters in Canada who seek to take his crown.  Link to Monster Fish

2. The Big Kinosoo: Origin of the Legend (Chapter 1):  (January, 201i):  The six part series begins with a short excerpt on the legend as told by J.B. Minoose, a Cree Elder, and good friend of Dad (Dave McNeill) and Mom (Laura) who first met J.B. when we moved to the Primrose Logging Camp.  The Minoose story was copied from a book, The Treasured Scales of the Kinosoo  Link to the Big Kinosoo

1. Big Kinosoo: Growing the Legend (November 2014):  The object this introduction is ways to help the Big Kinosoo Legend grow in stature by whatever means necessary.  Anecdotes, photographs, cover-us, conspiracies – they are all fair game.   Link to Big Kinosoo: Growing the Legend

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Family and Miscellaneous

RAWthentic Eatery: Royal Oak  (April 2014):   It is always a pleasure to promote local businesses who seek to provide the best in food.  While I am not always so disciplined as to stay away from other fast food, I do my best.  Link to RAWthentic

Victoria Morioka Friendship Society: A Visit to Victoria:  (February, 2014).  While meeting and greeting many friends we have made in Japan, a highlight of the visit was several concerts presented by Miss Misaki Usuzawa, winner the Japanese New Singer of the Year Contest in 2012. Miss Usuzawa was one of those whose family was hit by the 2011 Tsunami.  Link to Victoria Morioka Society

McNeill Solutions and Seaside Magazine (February 2014)  Sean McNeill has now been operating his new company for just over two years. His business, E-Marketing and Web Presence.   Link to the Seaside Article

New Years Eve 2013: Brentwood Inn:  (December, 2013):  Again Lynn, Esther, Garth and I attended this wonderful evening with family and friends.  Garth and I again assumed our roles as the Blues Brothers. With plenty of lively young people, great music by Lucas and Drew and food   Link to New Years Eve 2013

Santa Clause and Rudolf: New Plans and Directions (October 2013):   One day during the summer Santa and Rudolf dropped by our home on Leney Place, in Victoria, to discuss building a new shop in a warmer climate.  It was not long before construction was under way and by Christmas 2013 it was in full operation.   Link here to New Plans and Directions

Zajac Ranch: Four Days with Family and Friends (August 2013):   When friends from back East decided to have a second wedding party for their Wast Coast friends they did it up right by arranging to use the Zajac Ranch for four days.  Link to Zajac Ranch 

West Coast Fishing Adventure (July 2013):  Brother Barry, his wife and three grandchildren spent a couple of weeks out this way. During the holiday we managed to snag some pretty nice salmon and a half dozen Dungeness Crab. Link to West Coast Fishing Adventure.

Purple Day Plane Pull: In Praise of Volunteers (March 2013):  We head back to Sidney to watch Sean and his crew of plane pullers as they tackle a water bomber at the airport.  A lot of fun and even raised a fair amount of money for a good cause:  Link to Purple Day Plane Pull

The Roaming Riot Flash Mob (May 2012):  After being detoured through various airports, it is always fun to join in whatever party happens to be taking place wherever you land.  On this occasion it was a short early morning layover in Edmonton where we met a Groom and his Wedding Party heading to Mexico for a little celebration.  We helped celebrate their departure:   Link Here to the Roaming Riot Flash Mob

Canada Day Parade in Sidney (July 2012):  A wonderful little community only 30 minutes from Victoria.  Waterfront, marina, seaway walks, quaint little shop and resturants, Sidney has it all, including a great Canada Day Parade.  Link to Parade in Sidney

Hiking Mount Colonel Foster (September 2012):  My sister is never satisfied to tackle just one Mountain in a year, she has to tackle two.  It turns out the Mt. Colonel Foster was child’s play for her and Michel.  To bad I missed the trip.  Join Hiking Mount Colonel Foster

 Mount Albert Edward: An Adventure (September 2012): Coming close death in our Canoe Trip to hell,  Dianne decided to try again when she invited me to join her and Michel in tackling Mount Albert Edward.  I was in good shape, but this would prove to be another test of mmd over matter.  Link to Mount Albert Edward

West Coast Trail: Precious Memories:  (Posted 2016). This trek was a memorable moment in my life as it was completed with our oldest daughter (Kari McNeill Walker).  It was her helping hand and guidance that helped me to complete the trek with a minimum and pain and a maximum amount of pleasure. West Coast Trail: Precious Memories

Christmas Celebration on Leney Place (December 2011):  If not Halloween there is always another season to celebrate.  On Leney Place, that always includes Christmas with lots and lots of lights.   Link Here to Christmas on Leney Place.

Leif Erikson Day (October 2011):   With a solid history in the Norwegian Community and with a friend who hails from Norway, it is always fun celebrating the history of the famous Norwegian who discovered America well before Christopher Columbus even knew how to sail a ship.   Link here for Leif Erikson Day

The Pumpkin Family (October 2011):   When Halloween rolls around, the McNeill Family is usually out in force.  In 2011, we invited the entire family to share in our experience.  With lights shinning and candles glowing each member did their part: Link here to the Pumpkin Family

Corpuconia Traditions (April 2011):  When the daughter of our friends, Kia Simonsen, announced her marriage, Lynn volunteered to make the wedding cake.  It turned out to be something very special in the Norwegian tradition. Link her for Cornucopia Traditions

Fight for Survival – A Canoe Trip Turns Deadly (June 1997):  While on a holiday in Cold Lake and visiting mom, Lynn and Sean, along with my sister Dianne and her family started a trip along the calm wages of Marie Creek just north or our farm.  It turned out heavy summer rains had turned the creek into a deadly torrent that nearly took our lives:   Link here Fight for Survival

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Grayson Chronicles 

5. The Final Chapter of this Series is a work in process.

4. Jail Break, then off to the Rodeo (July 2012):   The Federal Penitentiary in Prince Albert proved to be a tough nut to crack. After being pulled over by the prison guards we would lucky to escape. We ran for the hills in southern Saskatchewan then snuck over the over the border heading towards Calgary.   Link to Prison Break

3. Heading to Saskatchewan: A Little Farm Time (July 2012): If we Alberta was tough, Saskatchewan proved to equally unforgiving of we tenderfoots from BC.  Not only did we get lost, Grayson had to go and fall in love.  Link to Falling in Love

2. Making our Way Across Alberta  (July 2012):  Things are different in Alberta.  All those big trucks make if more dangerous than  all the mountain passes in BC combined and not one of those trucks would give an inch of latitude.  Link to Part II: Alberta Bound

 1. Grayson Chronicles: The Journey Begins  (July 2012)  For some months five-year-old Grayson Walker and his Grandpa McNeill had been planning a trek across the three western Canadian Prairie Provinces. Along the way they would fight threats from mosquitoes, flash floods, gravel roads in the wilderness and a hundred other dangers.  Link to Part I of The Grayson Chronicles

 

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Comments

  • Mike Fedorowich

    September 1, 2023 |

    I have gone through the above noted text and have found it quite informative.
    I am a former member with several law enforcement agencies from across Canada.
    I worked in the First Nations service under the authority of the RCMP with the over sight of the OPP. My law enforcement service was conducted under the authority of the Nishnawbe – Aski Police Service in North West Ontario the Louis Bull Police Sevice in Hobbema AB, the Kitasoo Xaixais Police Service in Northern in side passage on Swindle Island, the Lac Suel Police Service North West Ontario and the Vancouver Transit Authority Sky Train Police Service. I’m presently dealing with an RCMP member for falsifying a report against me for a road rage event. Court case is finished and the charge was dropped but I have an on going complaint with the member and have forwarded to the WATCH DOGS IN OTTAWA FOR the RCMP review and consideration. I believe the said officer is in violation of his oath of office and should be held accountable for falsifying his RTCC all the while dragging me through the court system here in Nanaimo. RCMP continue to stonewall the appeal but Ottawa and the crowns office are still looking into the matter. if your able and find the time or the interest in this very brief introduction, I would very much like to speak with you and would be grateful to hear any wisdom that may come across from your end. I served with First Nations Police Services for ten years in isolation and six years with Transit Police out of New West Minster. I do value and appreciate any time you could spare to chat for a bit on this particular subject matter. Respectfully with out anger but an open mind, Mike Fedorowich Nanaimo BC 250 667 0060

  • Harold McNeill

    February 28, 2022 |

    Hi Robert, I do remember some of those folks from my early years in Cold Lake (Hazel was my aunt and our family spent many fond times with Uncle Melvin, Aunt Hazel and Family. I knew Lawrence and Adrian. Having read a half dozen accounts it is clear their were many false narratives and, perhaps, a few truths along the way. I tried my best to provide an even account from what I read. Cheers, Harold. (email: Harold@mcneillifestories.com)

  • Robert Martineau

    February 25, 2022 |

    Its been a long time since any post here, but its worth a shot. My Grandfather was Hazel Wheelers brother Lawrence, and son to Maggie and Adrien. Maggie Martineau (nee Delaney) is my great grandmother. The books and articles to date are based on the white mans viewpoint and the real story as passed down by the Elders in my family is much more nefarious. Some of the white men were providing food for the Indians in exchange for sexual favors performed by the Squaws. Maggie was the product of one of those encounters. Although I am extremely proud of my family and family name, I am ashamed about this part of it.

  • Julue

    January 28, 2022 |

    Good morning Harold!
    Gosh darn it, you are such a good writer. I hope you have been writing a book about your life. It could be turned into a movie.
    Thanks for this edition to your blog.
    I pray that Canadians will keep their cool this weekend and next week in Ottawa. How do you see our PM handling it? He has to do something and quick!
    Xo Julie

  • Herb Craig

    December 14, 2021 |

    As always awesome job Harold. It seems whatever you do in life the end result is always the same professional, accurate, inclusive and entertaining. You have always been a class act and a great fellow policeman to work with. We had some awesome times together my friend. I will always hold you close as a true friend. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you this summer.
    Warm regards
    Herb Craig

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Hi Dorthy, So glad you found those stories and, yes, they hold many fond memories. Thanks to social media and the blog, I’ve been able to get in touch with many friends from back in the day. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Well, well. Pleased to see your name pop up. I’m in regular contact via FB with many ‘kids’ from back in our HS days (Guy, Dawna, Shirley and others). Also, a lot of Cold Lake friends through FB. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Oh, that is many years back and glad you found the story. I don’t have any recall of others in my class other than the Murphy sisters on whose farm my Dad and Mom worked.

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Pleased to hear from you Howie and trust all is going well. As with you, I have a couple of sad stories of times in my police career when I crossed paths with Ross Barrington Elworthy. Just haven’t had the time to write those stories.

  • Howie Siegel

    November 25, 2021 |

    My only fight at Pagliacci’s was a late Sunday night in 1980 (?) He ripped the towel machine off the bathroom wall which brought me running. He came after me, I grabbed a chair and cracked him on the head which split his skull and dropped him. I worried about the police finding him on the floor. I had just arrived from Lasqueti Island and wasn’t convinced the police were my friends. I dragged him out to Broad and Fort and left him on the sidewalk, called the cops. They picked him up and he never saw freedom again (as far as I know). I found out it was Ross Elworthy.