To Everything there is a Season!

So after 12,610 km, 72 campgrounds, 54 cemeteries, 2 weeks with a dear friend, 6 visits with family I haven't seen in years, 3,260 new ancestors to document, 7 provinces going and coming back, 8 time zone changes, 21 beautiful beaches, umpteen lighthouses,5 days with my daughter and grand daughter, 1 plumbing mishap(which could have been a lot worse) and a million wonderful memories, I'm home. Oh, and I should add, no speeding tickets, no flat tires, no food poisoning, no swimmer's itch and the same 2 cats I started out with. Getting back to normal will be interesting because I think normal is going to be different now.

Today, Carolyn asked me what I've learned from this trip. I know I can tackle anything and make it work - somehow. I know not to anticipate the worst - because it probably isn't going to happen. I've learned that facing a tricky situation (like high bridges) that I can just tell myself to be brave and everything will either turn out OK or it won't. Whichever, there's no point in worrying about it.

I've also learned that two ladies "of a certain age" have quite a different travel experience than we would have had 20 years ago. There's the added bonus of false teeth, blood pressure medication, arthritic knees and the inability to remember "what's his name's" name. It's the ability to tell each other the same stories over and over and neither one remembers that we've already been there. It's also hitting the sack at 9:00 rather than painting the town red every night. Instead it's the ability to laugh ourselves silly over the most ridiculous things and to see the very funny side of things that would have been major traumas before.

All in all, it's been a wonderful trip - an adventure in the intricacies of operating a motorhome with all it's systems and setup. It was learning not to argue with Miss Hathaway, the GPS, because she usually knew better than I did where we were and where to go next. It has been enjoying the comments on the blog and the emails I've received and loved reading as I travelled along. It has been reconnecting with my roots in a big way and giving a lot of thought to those who came 1 or 10 generations before me. I'm so glad I went.

The End!

Last Day - Boo Hoo!!!

Who knew McDonalds had wifi – but here I am.
So yesterday we passed the longitudinal centre of Canada. I guess I've pretty much covered much of the eastern half – maybe it's time to cover the rest.
If you ever drive through Dryden Ontario, you may notice they have a peculiar penchant for weird coloured cars. We saw 2 pink cars, a turquoisy blue one and one that was lime green. These were older cars and I'm sure those colours were not on the paint chips when they were new.
We spent the last couple of days at Falcon Lake, Manitoba – a very beautiful place with a naked beach.. A naked beach differs from a nude beach because the latter is where you swim naked and the former is when there is no one on the beach at all. Hard to believe such a lovely place is not better used.
This afternoon we arrived in Winnipeg and had a great visit with Russell and Linda, Roan and Kieran and grandma and grandpa, Meah and Peter. Another encounter that wouldn't have happened if it weren't for this trip. They have a great house in an older neighbourhood close to downtown.
Tonight, we've stopped in Neepawa and this is the last night of my trip. We saw our first mileage sign to Saskatoon just before we stopped, so I guess it's home tomorrow.
I finally have my moose signs figured out. The Quebec moose looks like he's the king of the world, the one from Ontario looks like he is in a bad mood and you'd better stay out of his way and the one from New Brunswick looks like you just caught him doing something really naughty.
To be continued.....

This is a photo Megan took at a very pretty lake where we stopped yesterday at a little layby - it doesn't happen often that you get a place to capture some of the incredible sights you encounter along the way. This was near Kenora and shortly before we crossed the border.

Falcon Lake is a wonderful spot, just over the border in Manitoba. Looks a lot like Bragg Creek, except with a lake.

Last night we had a roaring campfire and roasted marshmallows - hoping to get a glimpse of Mars. Unfortunately, while the marshmallows were great (burnt on the outside and mushy on the inside) - it was overcast and nary a star to be seen.

One more province, one more change in time zones - closer to home.

We just finished a laundry run. You'd think there was some sort of prize for how much dirty laundry you can tote along in one poor little motorhome.

This afternoon we are off to Falcon Beach, paddle boating and kicking back. Tonight we will be heading towards Winnipeg and should get there early tomorrow. Russ, I'll call you tonight and we can see what's up tomorrow.

Picnic time!!!!!

to be continued.......

Let Sleeping Giants Like

This is the Sleeping Giant in Lake Superior near Thunder Bay. The girls arrived this afternoon and we are camped at Happyland. After a swim and hot tub, we barbequed some burgers, another swim and then a rousing game of scrabble from which I got thoroughly skunked by both of them. It's a beautiful evening and I am sitting at the picnic table while they get their stuff sorted out.

This morning I stopped at the Terry Fox memorial again as I did on the way out but this time I have travelled almost his entire route and I cannot imagine how he did it. Just goes to show you that you REALLY can do anything you put your mind to.

Today, I almost stopped at a cemetery - out of habit. I must stop doing that or people will think I'm going a little batty.

Tomorrow we are driving to Falcon Lake which will take us out of Ontario and into Manitoba - a new time zone and one final province to go. I had planned to go to Newfoundland but the ferry from Sidney had a fire the day I planned to go and there were terrible lineups waiting for the remaining ship. Next trip.

Thunder Bay, which is half the size of Saskatoon is very pretty but I was surprised to find it has 3 Zellers stores - and a Walmart. They must enjoy their shopping here.

to be continued.......

And the Award Goes To.....

So, as my trip winds down I can look back at some of the Bests and Worsts along the way:

Best burger: Ney's Lunch and Campground, Marathon, Ontario

Best fish & chips: Shamrock Pub, Truro, Nova Scotia

Best lobster supper: St. Andrews United Church, Wallace Station, Nova Scotia

Best roads: New Brunswick

Worst roads: Quebec

Best Museum: Bass River Historical Museum, Bass River, Nova Scotia

Best travel food: Campbells Beef Cup of Noodles

Best Campground: Scotia Pines, Millbrook, Nova Scotia

Worst Campgrounds: Anywhere in Quebec – overpriced and crowded

Best Cemetery: Oxford Pioneer Cemetery, Oxford, Nova Scotia

Best Travel Buddy: Ann Taylor (the cats come second)

Worst weather: Goderich, Ontario – a tornado

Best weather: Goderich, Ontario – the day before

Best Beach: Buctouche, New Brunswick

Best Animal Sighting: Whales on the Bay of Fundy

Best Scenery: Toss up between Nova Scotia and Northern Ontario

Best Camping Deal: Walmart parking lots (free)

Best Event: Tall Ships in Halifax Harbour

Best Touristy thing: Magnetic Hill, New Brunswick

Best Camp Owners: The Jefferies – Algonquin Trails Campground – Dwight, Ontario

All in all, as you can see, there were far more bests than worsts.

to be continued......

Maybe Martha is Mother Nature!

I was obviously the only one who felt like using the TransCanada Highway between Elliot Lake and Marathon today. It gave me a chance sit back, relax and take a good look at the scenery. The last time I came through this way, I was about 4 or 5 days into my trip and still at that white knuckle stage where I felt like every transport truck was going to blow me into the ditch or over a big cliff.

I'm amazed at the rock formations along side the road. Huge rocks blasted apart to make the road bed resulting in the most colourful and beautiful geometric designs. From black through red to creamy white, it's like watching clouds and seeing pictures in them. Some of them sparkle in the sun and most are decorated by those audacious, gnarly little evergreens and spikey mosses that cling there - growing in thimblesful of dirt deep down in the cracks.

There are lakes that could have been hand-mirrored by Martha herself that are dotted with tiny islands with perfectly placed trees that reflect in the water and are surrounded with lilly pads that are in full bloom this time of year. Frog heaven, for sure!

It was like deja vue today as I passed Mom Lake and then Baby Lake, but I had to smile, cause just down the way was Dad Lake, as well - I missed that one on my way through the first time.

This morning, driving was more like flying. Several times I was above the clouds and descended into a lovely fog - which sat just on top of the little lakes - very lovely in the early morning light.

to be continued.....

Get Out and Walk!

So I'm driving along today and casually reading the roadside safety signs. “SEAT BELTS SAVE LIVES”, SPEED KILLS, SLOW DOWN”, “TAKE A BREAK, DROWSINESS CAUSES ACCIDENTS”, “BACK OFF, TAILGATING KILLS”. I was just waiting for the sign that said ”DRIVING KILLS, GET OUT AND WALK!”

I left Ann this morning and I can still see her and Clark waving goodbye in the driveway. I miss my co-pilot and I really needed someone to guide me into a very small space in the campground, here at Elliot Lake tonight. Not only that, but the Kitties are not happy that their “Catnip Lady” wasn't here to spoil them.

Once again Northern Ontario does not disappoint when it comes to great roads and awesome scenery. As I'm writing, I am watching the sun set over the lake – a really spectacular one. No mosquitoes here – got to love that.

Tomorrow I'm off to Marathon and then an easy drive on Tuesday into Thunder Bay. I'm feeling a little sad today. Not only did I lose my traveling buddy, but I am seeing and hearing signs of fall and the end of my trip everywhere. While I still have things to look forward – seeing Carolyn and Megan in Thunder Bay and visiting with Russell in Winnipeg – the list is growing shorter. I have had so many wonderful adventures over the three months and I'm not sure I'm ready to settle into “normal” life just yet.

Well, tomorrow is another day and probably will contain some fresh wonders and a few surprises too. Ït ain't over 'til it's over” (Yogi Berra).

to be continued......

Everywhere the Wind Blows!

When all the planets are aligned, things just happen as they are supposed to. This photo is of the grave of David Daniel Harrigan of Cork Ireland - the original member of the Canadian branch of the clan who lived from 1787 - 1850. It was more by chance and good luck we found this tiny cemetery hidden away among the Albion Hills of southern Ontario. The fact that these tombstones are still in excellent shape and readable after 158 years astounds me.

On Thursday, several tornadoes touched down very close to where we were camping and although we got some wind and lots of rain, we had no idea what damage had occurred around us. An equestrian centre near Ann's had part of the roof overturned and 6 cars in the parking lot were overturned. In another town, close to Canada's Wonderland, more than 600 homes were damaged and many condemned right away. We were very lucky.

We're back at Ann's today and getting ready to make the long push to Thunder Bay where Carolyn and Megan are going to meet me to finish the trip. Clark (bless his heart) has just taken Nellie for an oil change and we are off to Port Perry for a bit of shopping and lunch.

Yesterday, in addition to finding David Harrigan's grave in Caledon, we drove through Mennonite country, where people still travel in horse and buggy and the girls all wear snug black bonnets. We saw them harvesting oats using teams of Belgians and saw fields dotted with old fashioned stooks of wheat. It was incredibly lush looking farm country and the produce available at the farm gates was beautiful. Each farm has a little table or cart by the gate filled with their day's pick and you just stop and leave the money in a jar for whatever you have purchased.

The area around Caledon has me a bit puzzled. This is where the Harrigan's settled when they came from Ireland, but it is very hilly and rocky - not at all the type of place you would expect a farming family to take root. Perhaps that's why, after 20 years or so they pulled up stakes and moved to the Stratford area around Kinkora. I have a photo of the original Harrigan family homestead which was in the family for 132 years.



to be continued...

I Spoke Too Soon

So, I guess I should keep my big mouth shut. No sooner than we got up this morning the rain storm of the year descended on us along with a wild thunder storm and (what we heard on the radio later) near tornado force winds. Nellie held up well and I managed to maintain my internet connection so we'll just call it a quiet day at home with the kitty litter).

I've been lucky enough to taste a fish chowder where the ingredients have been jumping in the bay that morning. And yesterday we stopped by and picked up corn that still thought it was on the stalk. Absolutely the best corn I've ever had.

Tomorrow, we head back to Ann's and then I'm off towards Lake Superior on Sunday.

to be continued......

Eat Your Hearts Out!!!

to be continued......

OH!!!! SCARY!

Having spent the better part of the morning outwaiting a torrential downpour - (yes, Nellie is very water proof) we headed off on another adventure and ended up in Lucan, Ontario - home of the Black Donnellys. It's a subject the whole town has made a tourist industry around and have done it pretty well.

I had always heard that one of the members of the vigilante group who murdered the Donnelly's was a Harrigan and so I wanted to do a little sleuthing around to see what I could find out. We went to the Lucan Museum and Archives and met a man who "Knew" the whole history of the Harrigans and their involvement.

He said that it was not something anyone wanted to talk about until fairly recently because everyone in the area was an aunt, a cousin or some sort of kin. He did say thought that it was rather ironic that a descendent of one of the vigilantes "the Harrigan" now owned most of the property in and around the Donnelly farm. He also said that these Harrigans were definitely connected to those ones over in Kinkora. I love a mystery, so it should be fun to unravel this one.

It was another lovely day and our bbq last night was the BEST! Heading to the beach tomorrow.

Tonight we are going to try making Blueberry Grunt which I think is a Nova Scotia pan bread, but I'm not sure so I'll have to let you know.

to be continued...

Digit on the Dash!

Digit's favorite place to spend time when we're not rolling is up on the dash, curled up by Miss Hathaway. She still rides under the covers on the bed when we're on the road.

Today is another scorching southern Ontario day. The temperature - with the humidex - is hovering around 37 degrees. However, down in our little river valley camp site, there is a lovely breeze and I'm writing this at the picnic table while Ann delves into her book.

This morning we went to Stratford, where I visited the Perth County Archives where I found a book on the Harrigan Clan - 100 pages of stories and genealogy. The archivist is going to copy it and I'll pick it up on Thursday, on the way back to Ann's. (SCORE!!!!). Then we stopped in Kinkora and (what else?) spent some time at St. Patrick's Church and cemetery taking photos of the Harrigan resting place. Inside the church are two beautiful stained glass windows dedicated to our great grandfather, David Harrigan and his wife Catherine Kennedy and we got photos of that as well.

Tonight we're going to barbeque and then sit and watch the river go by - just the perfect way to spend a summer evening!

Tomorrow we're off to explore the Black Donnelly's in Lucan and then Wednesday we plan to spend the day at the beach. Eat your hearts out, everyone.

to be continued.....

One more road trip

So, what's more fun than driving through Montreal in morning rush hour (6 lanes of traffic going 20k for over an hour and a half)? Absolutely everything? However, once past Montreal, the TransCanada spread out wide and beautiful all the way to Morrisburg. I got up early in the morning to try and make some miles before the heat of the day and also to get past the crossing of the St Lawrence. I don't like big, long, high bridges so I told myself to be brave and just go for it. Well, what a surprise – instead of a bridge, there was a lovely, bright, well lit tunnel. Bravery wasted!


I said I would open my mind about travelling in Quebec and I did. So here are the bests and the worsts. The best is that you can get through Quebec, from New Brunswick to Ontario in one fairly easy day. The worst is that everyone drives like they are in the Indie 500 and there is a death penalty for losing.

I have great respect for the rights of Quebecers to their language and all, but found that it isn't very tourist friendly. A good example are the construction zones. All the instructions are only in French so you have to take a good guess at what you're supposed to do.

However, Quebec is very beautiful and I did enjoy the bits I saw.


So the picture of the day is the Maitland River near Goderich Ontario and we are camped within feet of the riverbank. It makes a lovely sound since we are miles from any kind of noise polution. I picked up Ann on my way through Sharon and we are now going to explore the Lake Huron area. There are some incredible beaches in the area and being a week day, not too crowded.

Today, we're going to Kinkora where the other side of my family is from and once again, we'll be doing the cemetery tour.

As I am beginning to make my way back west, I'm still amazed at the beauty I've encountered along the way and I realize how lucky we are to live in such a rich and vibrant place.

to be continued....

Miss Hathaway has a nervous breakdown!

I just picked up one of those lovely little lunch packs (an egg salad sandwich, some cut up veggies and some mac salad) from le eee gee ah (that's right, I'm back in French New Brunswick) and have picked out a tree alongside the Madawaska River that looks like a nice place to picnic.

I'm about 15k from the Quebec border and my original thought was that I would get as closed as possible and then slingshot through La Belle Provence as quickly as possible. My experience on the way down wasn't that great and I didn't find people all that friendly. However, upon reflection, I realized I need to keep an open mind. So tomorrow I'm heading to Riviere du Loup on the south bank of the St. Lawrence to give it another try.

Poor Miss Hathaway had a pretty rough time today. I don't know how old her maps are, but she showed my driving cross country (which – if you've ever seen northern New Brunswick – would a complete impossibility) and kept “recalculating!!!, recalculating!!!!!” Fortunately, I could read the Trans Canada Highway signs, so, for once I knew where we were.

People who drive RV s like to wave at each other as we pass along the road. However, there seems to be a pecking order in play. You never wave at a vehicle smaller than yours – which is good for those folks who drive those Greyhound sized Big Rigs. Most of them are well past 70 and they need all their fingers and toes present to manage a monster that size. But for the rest of us, it's like belonging to a secret club, with our own rules and handshake. I saw a guy almost drive off the road waving at a motorhome that was exactly like his. And if you stop at a visitor information centre, everyone gathers in the parking lot to exchange bits of information about good campgrounds, road conditions and – of course – the weather.

Had to stop yesterday for a final “McLobster” and since lobster season just began today, I'm wondering what was in them.

I'm trying to take a different route home as much as possible although it's tempting to go back and revisit places I enjoyed on the way out. This is still an adventure, and I have much more to experience.

This evening I have a family of Canada goslings poking around my campsite looking for a handout. I suspect they are pretty spoiled with all the kids and families here. They keep hopping up on my step to peer in the door, and, of course there is a very mystified Digit on the inside looking out. She doesn't seem too sure whether her role is prey or hunter – but since there's a layer of screen between them, it really doesn't matter.

To be continued....

Do I LOOK that crazy?

New Brunswick is known for its covered bridges - which is good because it is raining cats and dogs here today. I, however, decided that caution was the prudent thing to do, so I didn't cross - I went around.

Nova Scotia cried when I left this morning and it has been all I could do today not to turn around and take "just a couple more days". I didn't though since there really is so much more to see and experience before I get home.

I stopped at Pugwash on the way and picked up my books and just as I was leaving town I spotted a sign by the road that reduced me to uncontrollable giggles. As you know, much of this journey has been spent in cemeteries, so imagine my delight to see a beautifully groomed, very old cemetery with a YARD SALE sign right near the front entrance? I would have stopped but there didn't seem to be anyone above grass around who could tell me which ones were for sale.

Once again, I really have to hand it to New Brunswick highways - smooth and divided all the way from Truro.

I've talked before about men of a certain age and how they dress in campgrounds. The past 9 weeks has taught me that they have distinct personality types too (All seeming to require as little work out of them as possible).

First, there is the GENERAL. He arrives with a tent trailer, a van full of kids and a roof rack piled at least 6 feet high. Right out of the driver's seat he starts barking orders. He stalks around directing everyone's activities and they're so busy, they don't realize he hasn't lifted a finger. His wife usually looks like she'd rather be having a root canal. He has every camping gadget known to man, including a porta-biffy and a solar weather radio.

The second one is the TIM TAYLOR dude. He thinks he knows everything but every move he makes is wrong. Backwards, upside down, parked at an angle - Finally his family plunks him down in a lawn chair and has him change the batteries in the flashlight, while they set up camp.

The third guy is the GOOD OLD BOY. He isn't out of his vehicle 5 minutes when he's got the Alexander Keith's cracked and is having a long and stimulating conversation with his counterpart across the way. Pretty soon, both of them wander off - beers still in hand - to find some other good old boy to help solve the problems of the world. In the mean time, the families are left back at the campsite doing all the work.

Campin' is for the men. CAMPING takes a woman to manage.

Will Rogers said,

"Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip."

to be continued....

Farewell to Nova Scotia!

This little ship is called the Jerusha after our 5th great grandmother Jerusha Peers. She was built in Wallace, Nova Scotia and is in the process of being restored to sailing condition. Not the Queen Mary - but significant all the same.


Tomorrow, Nellie will turn her nose westward and begin the long trek home. Miss Hathaway will be back on duty and the cats will be back under the bedclothes. I will be feeling rather sad to leave a place I have come to love so much in such a short time. I've LOVED the ocean, the people and the interesting little places I have found myself.


I have to stop by Pugwash and pick up my copy of The Valley of the Remsheg - which outlines the arrival of our United Empire Loyalist ancestors to the area around Wentworth and Wallace and I may (just one last time) hop out and photograph some tombstones. I have so much work ahead of me, getting all this information sorted out and entered into my website. One of the documents I got is 347 pages of new genealogical information - so I know what my fall and winter will look like.

This trip has been all about family. Discovering family I didn't know about; reconnecting with family I haven't seen for a long time and then finally heading home to the family I miss a lot. Who knew there were so many of them?

I haven't seen a TV screen since June 4th and it is going to take forever to catch up on Coronation Street. I have, however, enjoyed the constant companionship of CBC radio. Stewart McLean sounds just the same in Shubenachedie, Ste Agathe, Thunder Bay and Saskatoon.


So, Ann - you'll probably see me some time around next weekend. Carolyn, I'll see you on the 26th. And Russell, we'll be along your way about the 29th.

9 weeks on the road and to be continued...

This - That and The Other.

Got my plumbing fixed to I can now shower onboard and do the dishes in the sink - small things but most important when you're on the road.

Just some thoughts as I enjoy my last few days in Nova Scotia.

Martha moment:

Dani and I spotted this creation in a beautiful garden in Truro and couldn't resist taking a picture. Cute, eh?

Sidney!!!!!!!:

How much insurance was required to take Sydney Crosby and the Stanley Cup for a ride in a Canadian forces Sea King helicopter over Halifax harbour this morning?

Got the blues:

Is there anything more beautiful than Cumberland County Nova Scotia blueberry fields?

8 Generations:

Goulish as it may sound (Carolyn) – Dani and I took Alex to the Old Oxford Anglican Cemetery the other day and above or below ground there were 8 generations of Bragg's present and accounted for. To the left of Dani, is the grave of Charles Bragg/Matilda Swallow and to the right is the graves of John Bragg/Jane Rogers.

Red Sky at Night:

Every evening, I go down to the shore to enjoy the sunset and so far it's true, “Red Sky at Night – Sailors delight; Red Sky in the morning, Sailor take warning”.

Loyalty?

Most of my family came here from England and Ireland but I have just found a whole branch who were United Empire Loyalists who came here in 1778 after the American Revolution from Duchess County, New York. - Very interesting!!!

to be continued.......

My plumbing fell out!

Before I left home, Bill told me to listen to the GPS – regardless. And for the most part, listening to Miss Hathaway has been the wise choice. However, yesterday we were in a great big argument about a short cut I wanted to take to get to the highway. I'm getting a little concerned because the road goes from paved with lines, to old blacktop, to gravel. Not only that but it's getting narrower and narrower and I am relieved when I came out into a clearing that looked much like a new construction site. Plenty of room to turn around and start listening to the old bag. As I start back, I notice wet spots on the road (and a peculiar odor in the air) and sure enough, right ahead it a familiar looking configuration of PVC pipe and connectors. My whole water tank control system was sitting in the road – fortunately all in one piece. So, listening to myself, I managed to dump my tanks way out in the middle of nowhere and was able to recover my plumbing, intact. Listening to Miss Hathaway, I would either been barreling down the highway and would have lost the whole shebang – or it could have fallen off in someone's yard or in the campground – either way – an embarrassing situation. The joys of camping!

Dani called to see if we could try the Wooden Dog – coffee and dessert place. - which, as it happens – was closed on a day when all the tourists are in town. So we found another place just up the block and decided to have lunch. I ordered a turkey panini and was offered 6 kinds of salad, grapes or potato chips as a side. I opted for the grapes. Pretty soon the young lady who looked a little like Joanie Cunningham came back to announce that there were no more grapes. OK so we go through the salads and opt for the Greek variety. Back comes Joanie to inform us that there were no olives. We said that was OK so she brought the salads which were bowls of chopped veggies with italian dressing – and not even a hint of feta. The veggies were nice and fresh.

We took a little tour of Truro and drove through the heritage section. Homes that meet some criterion, get a plaque to put by their front door. We saw some of the most magnificent examples of Victorian whimsy and attention to detail. The house pictured above is for sale for $429,000 and has 8 bedrooms, magnificent foyer with fireplace, a music room, a games room big enough for a full sized pool table, 5 bathrooms and a double lot. - It has a plaque.

To be continued.....

Kindred Spirits

So guess where I went today? I couldn't be this close and not go to see the setting of my favorite all time story, Anne of Green Gables. The whole time I was there I kept thinking about comedian, Ron James' routine about visiting Green Gables and asking the guide if "this room was where Anne wrote her stories?" "She isn't real, you know." said the guide "She's just a character in a novel." Well this morning she felt quite real.

On the way home I started thinking about Kindred Spirits and how that has pretty much summed up my trip so far. I have reconnected with many of the kindred spirits in my life, my best friend, Ann; Charlotte and Mary Lee, my cousins; My niece Dani and her wonderful family and hundreds of spirits from my family's history.

I have to talk about the people of Nova Scotia. I would love to bundle up the whole bunch and take them home with me. I stopped to ask for directions yesterday, and without a lie, the man said to me, "Go down the road about 2 miles until you come to a red barn on the right side of the road and if you get there you'll know you've gone too far. Turn around and take the first road on the left. You can't miss it" If he had said "recalculating" or "make a U turn", I would have thought I was talking to my GPS (Who, by the way, has no respect for authority - I still control the on/off switch). Anyway, I have found people here so warm and welcoming - ready to do anything for you.

It's August 1st today and I'm beginning to think it's about time I started heading - slowly - for home. I want to have enough time to see more good stuff on the way back but I can't help thinking about how beautiful Saskatoon is in the fall and how much I miss my kids and my grandkids.