The trip we kept secret.... sssshhhhhh!

In the previous posts we talked about our frequent travels over the last few months (Munich, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Berlin, Barcelona, North Bay, Toronto, etc.). One trip we didn't announce was a short trip to surprise my parents (who live in Manitoba) - this time to the east coast! We corralled both boys (not easy), got our carry-ons packed and off we went to Toronto airport. A short flight had us land in Halifax, a few hours before my (mostly) unsuspecting family arrived. After arranging rooms (all on the same floor), etc., we waited for my brother to announce their arrival at the hotel.

Once the 'eagle has landed' text came through my phone, we all snuck a few doors down and prepared for the surprise. I had bought a bottle of Scotch (since the liquor store would be closed when they arrived) and used it to cover the peep hole in the door. On opening the door, there was disbelief and (possibly) an aborted expletive from my mom. Video and more attached at the link below.

Mom still with a little disbelief

Sandra knew

Dave colluded

Adam was tired

My father catching up with Parker and Wendy

The Halifax crew!

After a good sleep and the free breakfast at the hotel, we tagged along with wherever my brother Dave had decided we would go. The first stop was the Halifax Citadel - a fort used to protect the harbour. The chilly wind was quite the change for me, particularly after New Orleans.

Halifax Citadel

Citadel

After a quick lunch, the next stop was the Alexander Keith's Brewery tour (only 10 feet from where we had lunch - small town, what can you say!). It was a great tour and you got to have a lot of beer (the non-drivers, that is).

We walked along the waterfront and were able to have some Cows ice cream. That was partly as a preview of the Cows Ice Cream in Charlottetown that my parents might go to later in their trip.

Had dinner at the hotel (pizza delivered to the main lounge) and had an early bedtime. 

The next day had us visit the Pier 21 Immigration Museum and Archives. My mom and I went to the archives to get some further genealogy information, then we all went to the museum and the shops (it is also a cruise ship terminal). Cool place!

After the museum, we headed out for a drive toward Peggy's Cove and had lunch at the restaurant there.

The sun came out after lunch and the scenery was breathtaking. Everyone climbed some rocks (not all successfully) to see different vantage points.

The rest of the day was scheduled for a drive to Lunenburg, after a short stop at a hard to find place called Oak Island where there is some treasure hunting going on.  I had not seen the TV shows about this, but will have to look them up.

I was struck by the signs posted next to the urinal at Oak Island. I think the one on the right is supposed to refer to the sink next to it... but the choice for placement was disconcerting either way.

Lunenburg was fantastic for the scenery, and one of the few things open was a boat tour company. We all decided to go on a private tour of the harbour for an hour. Great tour, perfect weather, and lots of sun to keep us warm.

Adam got to drive the boat for a while - almost smiling....

From my brother - the family shot.

After saying our goodbyes the next morning, we all went our separate ways. Wendy, I and the boys headed back to the airport while the rest drove up towards Cape Breton. Just next to the airport was the Atlantic Aviation Museum - couldn't pass up the chance to see that!

After a good lunch at the Stanstead airport (donairs - Halifax is the donair capital!), we flew back to Toronto and fought traffic all the way back home (took almost as long to get home as to fly from Halifax). 

Next trip? You may have to wait until August (hint: mountains near Canmore and a beach on the Bruce Penninsula are involved).

If you would like to see more images and videos, here is the link to the Google photos album.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/LEX4XvTk7ZBBVtmd6

Conference in NOLA!

I took a very quick trip to New Orleans for a teaching professor conference and was happy to be on the 49th (and top) floor of the hotel. Great view of the river where cruise ships come in.

The thing to do, no matter how hot (about 95F) was to walk along Bourbon St. - and that is what I did! You can drink openly on the streets in New Orleans and the bars apparently do not close at night. Maybe that is when it is the coolest out...?

This guy was selling for someone in a little closet next to the road. They sold beer in glass goldfish bowls... with a straw. 

Favourite view from my room!

 The conference was great and the people were interesting to talk with. Yes, it was called "The Teaching Professor Conference". Pretty clear and to the point, no?

 The second night after the conference saw the city gear up for what appeared to be the second biggest parade of the year (after Mardi Gras). The annual Gay Pride parade was unbelievably fun, although it was about 96F at 8pm before the parade began. Everyone was having fun and the city was well prepared for the parade. Below are a few of the scenes from the street.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/sHK2Pzi4Puw8HSkG6 

I was melted...

I was so hot, I went to get a slushie prior to the first float (pina colada). And no, these were not your 7-Eleven slushies. One thing I can't figure out, though, is how I ended up getting glitter under my shirt when I took it off back at the hotel...

If the video doesn't work or you would like to see a few more pictures, click here for the Google Photos album from this quick trip.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/8BYWDNEmLUYjuuWD9

Hints of summer, a new resident at the Seidlitz bed and breakfast, and multiple short trips

Spring is sort of here... and is still here... and it is June already. Even with our chilly weather, we have still gone out to do a few things.

First off, we have a new person living with us! I know, eventually that statement is not going to surprise anyone... Staying with us this summer is Wendy's cousin's daughter (Christine). She volunteer's at the hospital with Wendy's manager. This opportunity for some healthcare system experience could prove useful for her future goals.

Hiking at one of Hamilton's many waterfalls

Although a month later than normal, our crabapple tree bloomed gloriously this May. It was so cold out that the blooms also lasted far longer than expected. Guess they were needed for insulation.

One day, Wendy was looking at a picture of her father (Ron) and his older brother (Roy) and decided to take a photo of their two grandchildren (Parker and Christine) holding the photo. This also gave me a chance to try out the portrait mode on my new phone (Google Pixel 3a, if you are interested).

We recently decided to go into Toronto to take in a Blue Jays game, stopping first at our niece's place nearby for lunch. Leanne, Scott, Elyse, and Brynn joined us at the game and sat in the next row from Wendy, myself, Ying, and Fanfan. The girls seemed to have a great time; the dads found the one discount beer stand on our level (hint, instead of buying an $11 beer, the same one costs $5 at the Dugout Deals stand on each level of the Rogers Centre).

Ying and Fanfan under the CN Tower

Scott photobombing our selfie

Elyse taking it all in

Brynn likes the camera

Fanfan also loves the camera

 Since the game was a "Junior Jays" event, the girls got to go onto the field after the game (the Jays won by a mile) and ran the bases. Fanfan wasn't completely sure what the big deal was, but she enjoyed it nonetheless.

On the field

Our spring flowers are in full swing now (yes, in JUNE), but they will soon wilt as the heat comes rushing in later in the month.

Last week Wendy took a trip with her manager to attend a conference in Detroit. It was purely a work trip, but she noted that her hotel was directly beside the border crossing as you come out of the bridge from Windsor. They decided to drive there, since it would be too much hassle to fly.

Another last minute trip was scheduled after Adam called us last week and asked if we could come up to North Bay on the weekend to attend the Annual Parade and Banquet for the Cadet Squadron where he is a civilian instructor. He acted as the MC for the parade, and this occurred in the hangar at his college. Over the course of the long day, we got the full tour (inside the aircraft as well - including the 727), and learned how he helped move all the aircraft around to accommodate the parade. We also got to meet many of the people that he has talked about over the last year.  If all works out, the next time we are up in North Bay, we may be able to get a guided tour of the NORAD facilities at 22 Wing, the air force base next to the college. Adam may  no longer be a civilian in the next few months, but that event may appear here in a later post.

The MC at work

The weekend ended with a nice breakfast at our hotel, where they said Adam could come to eat for free. Small towns are great!  Long drives home through Toronto cottage country traffic... not so much.

One last note, here is a photo to show Christine in her uniform at the hospital. Although we frequently drive in together to work, Wendy is the only one who see her 'at work'.

Coming up this week, I go to a conference in New Orleans that I stumbled upon only a few weeks ago. Wendy won't be able come along, as I will arrive Friday late afternoon and leave Sunday noon (I need to get back to teach on Monday). Too expensive for 1 day (while I am in conference). Looks like it will be a very interesting meeting (it is called the Teaching Professor Conference!), and the weather there is likely going to be very hot (30-35C, plus humidity).

Later this summer will see a short trip to Calgary and Banff, then a week at a rented cottage on Sauble Beach (Lake Huron). Glad I bought a new carry-on bag - it will likely pay for itself in the next several months!