Trip to Nova Scotia, Day 3

We crossed the 1000 mile mark today, having now traveled about 1300 miles from home to Moncton, New Brunswick. We’ve passed all sorts of interesting places we would love to explore if we weren’t already bound for Nova Scotia. Bummer. We’ll just have to come back some other time! The historical sites have a decidedly Loyalist, Québécois, or Acadian flavor, and we read in our guidebooks the rich history of the region from those perspectives. Particularly interesting is the history of the Republic of Madawaska, a formerly disputed area between the US and British North America from the Revolutionary War through the War of 1812 and on into the (undeclared) Aroostook War before the Webster-Ashburton treaty settled the issue (if you’re yawning, you’re missing out! Just consider the histories that might have been. After all, this chunk of New Brunswick might have been the US, or Maine might have been half its size, or we might have had the War of 1836 over this beautiful patch of rolling hills). Moving on. We stopped outside Perth-Andover along the St. John River and had a picnic lunch and travel break at a local rest stop. There we met a couple of local college age employees of the rest stop who were impressed with Landon’s mad soccer and basketball skillz. We made it to Moncton in the late afternoon/early evening and then stopped by the Roots Outlet and Costco, where we had dinner. Why Costco? Why, the Montreal Smoked meat sandwich and the poutine, of course! We did try asking a local at the Roots Outlet where she thought we might get a good bite to eat, and she thought Costco was as good a place as any (sorry, Moncton cuisine aficionados). Landon bounced off the walls in the hotel until way past his bedtime (considering we’re now on Atlantic Time, we all did). Happily, we had a suite and could let him sleep in his own room when he finally did crash.

Some pics of Landon and the rest stop in Perth-Andover. We were moving to quickly to manage any other photos!

Trip to Nova Scotia, Day 2

From Brockville, Ontario, we headed on to Québec City, Quebec, stopping in Montreal for lunch along the way. We stopped at the Montreal temple, and we met several members from a Spanish branch of the Church who happened at the meetinghouse on the same site. We drove through a wicked downpour on our way in to Québec, but the weather had improved by the time we got into the city. Once we got there, we walked around the Citadelle and drove around some sites in Vieux-Québec (the old part of the city), including the Château Frontenac and the many narrow stone houses and buildings. We let Landon blow off some steam in the swimming pool at the hotel. The kid has some incredible upper body strength! He kept wanting to have Mike hold him by the wrists as he jumped into the pool. He’s not real keen about putting his head under water, but he came close several times and had loads of fun.
Outside the Montreal Temple.
Mike and Landon with a sentinel at the Citadelle.
Landon trying his hand at being a soldier.
The Château Frontenac as seen from the Citadelle.

Hallie and Landon at the Citadelle.

Trip to Nova Scotia, Day 1

This year we have set out on a road trip to Atlantic Canada to revisit some of Hallie's old mission haunts and to relive cherished memories from our 2001 trip.

Bright and early, we set out from home to the US-Canadian border at Port Huron. We drove about 500 miles through southern Ontario to Brockville, where we spent the night at the entrance to the St. Lawrence Seaway. Landon was a real trooper in his cozy nest in the back seat. Of course, it helped that he had toys and books and a movie playing on the DVD player (Hallie got one cheap, and it seemed worth the investment). We packed materials to make lunches on the road, and we stopped at a lakeside park in Kingston, gateway to the Thousand Islands region. Landon climbed and slid on the playground equipment while we took in the views of Lake Eire. We traveled through the rolling farmlands along the transition from Lake Erie to the St. Lawrence Seaway. Once we reached Brockville and checked in, Landon splashed around in the pool. The water was a little chilly, but he didn’t seem to mind. Later, we dined at the 1000 Islands Restaurant, a local eatery. Mike got a chance to see the highlights of the US World Cup Soccer game in the evening. GO USA!

Landon enjoying the water in the pool before Papi let him go in.
Landon in front of the 1000 Islands Restaurant.
We stayed in a town named after a Canadian (British North American) hero of the War of 1812.
A local pipe band practicing in a parking lot.

Busy, Busy Weekend

Mike had a paper to present at a conference in Milwaukee. It turned out to be cheaper to drive, so we made the trip a dry run for our Nova Scotia trip. Good thing, too, because we forgot some vital items, including our cameras. Thankfully, we had our trusty cell phones (what did people do in the old days? ;) ). We had a very busy weekend! We trekked out on the 94 toward Chicago and Milwaukee. Along the way, we came across The Chocolate Garden with its decadent truffles in Michigan's wine country. Of course, we had to have a sample (of the chocolate). . . .
It so happened that the same weekend Mike's conference was being held in Milwaukee, another convention was being held in Chicago: Brickworld 2010!
Pictures don't do justice to the detail of many of the models on display.
Neuschwanstein Castle.
A Lego Victorian dollhouse.
Landon walked around with his eyes bugging out of his head. He kept talking about all the Lego displays and train sets.
This American flag was built using clear Lego bricks and had a light showing behind it.
The chess board and all the players are built with Lego bricks, and the players actually move by remote control.
People built detailed mosaics of scenes, people, and famous paintings.
All of these buildings were recreated in minute detail.
Mont Saint-Michel. OK, so Mike geeked out on the little brick works of art. But seriously, could you create this stuff?
After Brickworld, we went to a Chicagoland institution, Superdawg (Well, maybe "Just OK" Dawg. Apologies to die hard fans). Maybe we were just hot and tired, but the experience didn't live up to the hype. However, on our way back, we did go to two places whose hype was well deserved: Giordano's deep dish pizza and Garrett Popcorn. Oh, Chicago and your tempting gourmet treats!
So, you'd think we would feel Lego'd out after Brickworld, but no! Chicago also has a Legoland Discovery Center. It's kind of like Legoland, but smaller and indoors.
The Chicago skyline in Lego.
Landon having a blast riding with Papi on the flying bat-winged cars.
Building a micro version of the (former) Sears Tower with Mami.
"Ah, come on! There's more to see! Wake up!"
"Get me outta this lion!"
We finally did make it to Milwaukee, where we drove around looking at many fun and beautiful houses near the lake. We even made it to Northpoint Custard on Bradford Beach on Milwaukee's north side. It's about as close to Cali as we've seen in the Midwest.
Such a cute little man! Landon loved running along the beach kicking his ball and playing catch with us.
Looking at shells with Mami.
We finally had to head home. On the way we ended up near the Jelly Belly Factory in Pleasant Prairie, WI. We took the tour. After all, what's a road trip without wild side trips! We ended up back home around midnight Tuesday morning. Oh, yeah--and Mike did fine on his presentation. . . .

Happy Father's Day

Hallie got me a framed print of a beautiful painting by Greg Olsen for Father's Day. It depicts Jesus walking hand in hand with a little boy who looks quite familiar. . . . Thanks, Mami and Landon! I am a very fortunate dad and husband.

Don't Forget!

Father’s Day Frosty Weekend

Wendy’s restaurants donated 50 cents for every Frosty product purchased over the Father’s Day weekend to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s initiatives.

A Ton of Fun in Michigan

Mike has a fun new hobby. HATS! Here are two of his new hats. Great finds at T.J. Maxx. Below you will find pictures from our exciting Saturday out and about in Michigan.

Our day started out in Mexicantown where we went to the Honey Bee Market to buy Mate. Of course we bought a few more things than that. We then headed to Pottery Barn Kids to hear a reading of One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (50th Anniversary). Landon had a pretty good time. The three of us then headed out to a small area called Romeo where we spent the afternoon at Westview Orchards at their Community Celebration. (Photos below) Our day ended with a great birthday celebration for our friend Levi. We had fun swimming, chatting with friends, and Landon had a blast playing with the other kids. The day with topped off by chatting with our amazing next door neighbors.