Thanksgiving 2015

Family! We had 18 gather together. Brooks, at 13 months, was the star of the show. He was sooo cute and good natured. 

Other highlights included Kaedy and Beau sharing townhouse purchasing and wedding plans. 

The weather was nice so we were in and out. 

You won't see many pictures of Austin. He ate. He slept.

David and Penny stayed and we watched Alaska Railroad. It's a little addictive. We all had a good time.

Labor Day 2015

July 24 - August 1: Canada/New England Family Cruise - Part 2

Wednesday, July 29 - We are now in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Today is a bit dreary, but we are off. We have another rental car and we are headed out for a long drive.

 

The first thing you notice when you get off the ship is the world's largest fiddle!

We stopped on our drive for pictures along the coast.

We drove from Sydney to Cape Breton National Park and the beginning of the Cabot Trail.

Most of the views from Sydney to the coast were tree lined roads where you couldn't see very much. This view was fantastic.

There were a few people at this spot. They were watching sea otters or sea lions. We aren't sure if we saw them or not.

 

We stopped here twice - going to and coming back - mostly for the restroom break.

Austin said this was his favorite port. He ate. He slept.

This is what I saw for most of the day.

We had to take a ferry to get to the other side of the road.

This is one of the bridges we crossed. A clear day would have been better.

The elevators on the ship changed the rugs daily.

Austin and his dad. Austin is wearing his dad's shirt. He brought t-shirts and formal wear. Oops - the casual dress wear was not included in his packing. His dad saved him - - again.

Amanda and mom at dinner. Every meal has been wonderful.

Thursday, July 30 - The week is going way too fast. We have now arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Our morning started out cool, but quickly warmed up and was a gorgeous day. We disembarked and walked along the waterfront. We are at Pier 21, which is like America's Ellis Island. There is an immigration museum here, but we didn't go in.

  

Austin and Amanda with the Immigration mascot.

The beginning of the Harbourwalk - a very well maintained waterfront area.

There is a small island with a lighthouse in the middle of the waterway.

We found clean public restrooms and wifi.

 The Mexican food bus. It was adorable.

This is not our cruise ship. This is one of the boats tied up at the marina. Wow.

Family photo op.

Another shot of the Mexican food bus. It's a gecko. Love the lips!

 

After our walk along the water, we walked uphill to the Citadel. This is the Old Clock Tower.

 You can see a bridge and part of the city of Halifax in the background. You have a great view from the Citadel.

 

This is a view of a street from the harbor to the Citadel. It's uphill.

The day went from cloudy to clear and the jackets had to come off.

Pausing to rest and take in the view. It's a great day.

 

After leaving the Citadel, we walked through town. Alan is standing in front of one of their churches.

This is the next stop we made. A lady inside the cathedral was giving tours to individuals that came in, but we didn't stay for the tour.

 

Beautiful stained glass.

Our next stop.

While walking back to the ship, we passed the residence of the Lt. Gov. I love these old homes, churches, and even the burying grounds.

This is for Austin.

Beer and wifi.

Lobster at dinner!

Watching the sunset.

The end of another wonderful day.

 

 

Friday, July 31- We are back in the U.S. - Bar Harbor, Maine. Alan and I were here less than 2 months ago. It's wonderful. We visited Acadia before and we are going back again. There is a free shuttle that runs from Bar Harbor to Acadia - - so, of course, we were on it.

At the Thunder Hole stop. Beautiful scenery.

 Austin at Thunder Hole.

 

Alan had hiked to Bubble Rock when we visited before. Now, he had company on his hike.

Selfie!

 

Here are my little hiking adventurers returning to the shuttle stop.

Back on ship with little harbor islands in the background.

Back in the U.S. means cell phone time. Austin is moving out tomorrow. He has lots of coordinating to do.

Austin really had a hankering for a lobster roll, but we had lobster last night and we eat free on the ship. He didn't get his lobster roll.

Full moon. Blue moon. Last night of cruising.

 

Saturday, August 1 - Our cruise is over. Much sadness. We ate our last buffet breakfast and disembarked. We walked to a bus stop and rode to Logan Airport. Austin had a confirmed ticket and he made it home. The rest of us were on buddy passes and we were not going to get to Atlanta. SOOOOO . . . we got as close as we could = Raleigh, NC. We then rented a car and drove 6 hours home. We made it safely. On Sunday, we returned the car and picked up luggage. The vacation is truly over. Now the laundry begins.