Adventures in Eastern Canada

Adventure Day #0 - The day started in the garden; 

I gave Kate a 2nd lesson on how to prune trees then planted some Artemesia A3 and Papaya seedlings with some spinach all around. Packing went well and the trip to the San Jose Airport went without a glitch. I even had time to let John know I was at the gate waiting to board.

The flights went well - except for the now inevitable drama of getting pulled over at US Immigration. Supper at the Irish Pub in Miami Airport was my reward for my patience with bureaucracy.

Thursday, May 26, 2016 - 11:43 pm YUL - I landed in Montreal. I pick up the rental car and drove to Neil's place. Everything is so familiar! I believe I will sleep a bit in the morning (Friday) before hunting out an internet cafe. What will I be doing my first weekend?

Adventure Day #1 - I've been sitting at 2nd Cup doing internet work. Neil just joined me and we are now off and running; the Bank, groceries, Dad (GrandPa), then over to Hotel Dieu hospital to visit a burn victim and maybe supper out! Gotta go now! So Happy! 

My Dad and I

Neil prepared a delightful meal; pasta with vegetables and tofu sausages.

Thank you Neil!

Adventure Day #2 - Today we slept in! Did mundane things like shower, go to the gym and go to a book store and sit and check emails. It is now time to meet back at Neil's place and go shopping! He needs a few things and I need a few things and maybe we'll find a heavy duty laundry mat for our evening's entertainment! We found it and did the laundry. Huge Machines! Still it took about 3.5 hours! I love hanging with Neil. What a man! Tomorrow is for family! So pleased to see the blooms around the city!

At La Buanderie

My favorite since childhood
I dreamed of these in my wedding bouquet!

Not sure what these are. Anyone?

Adventure Day #3 - Laundry last evening took from 6 until about 11 pm. What a job! But everything smells better now although Neil is sneezing from the soap's perfume. Today I drove up to St-Columban to participate in a wonderful family time. My sister, several cousins and their families and babies shared a fantastic visit. What joy! Thank you Sarah!

The welcoming party at Sarah's home.

Neil missed it as he had a previous volunteer commitment. On the way home, I found a church not far from McGill University on Sherbrooke Street. There were people going in so I stopped and went in for a time of hymn singing and a really good sermon about being filled with the Joy of the Lord. The only sad thing is that I can't reach John on our phone: My calls keep being dropped! I miss that Man!

Adventure Day #4 - We left Montreal about 9 am. Saint Paulin is a beautiful little town in La Mauricie (https://www.google.com/#q=La+Mauricie+national+park) region at the edge of the Laurentian Mountains; farms, retirement homes, lakes and forests everywhere. Eddie and Elizabeth welcomed us with open arms. When you see someone often, you miss the wonder of seeing in them family from years long past. At times I saw Nanny, Uncle Charlie, GrandPa Blanchard, Ma Tante Gaby and even my own Dad in some saying or action of Eddie's. We met Elizabeth's parents who are the same age as mine; Beautiful country folk. We drove up into lake country near the Park (La Mauricie National Park). I collected 8-10 photos of forest flowers including this beautiful Lady's Slipper. Brochettes and grilled potatoe wedges for supper. What a beautiful day!

Sabot de la vierge

 Adventure Day #5 - WoW! Sailing on the Maurice River! We spent about 5 hours on the water under the sails with Captain Éddie at the helm. See how delighted he is to take us out? I think we were just an excuse to get out on the water! The wind got a bit gusty after lunch but we pulled in the jib sail and took it easy. Pure delight! Thank you Éddie. Our drive back to the city was filled with chatter about my past and how I happened to meet his Dad and marry him. Neil can sure cook up a mean dish of pasta, veggies and sausage! What a day!

Captain Eddie

And his Crew

Adventure Day #6 - A very FULL day! I awake about 7, shower, eat, pack and drive to Ottawa. How many times have I driven this road? I drove past the town of Hudson, where I'll never go again, as Mom and Dad aren't there anymore. Martin Skody, in Vars, did his treatment on me and already things work better in my body. I had a SWEET lunch rendezvous with Heide in Gatineau. She made wraps with eggs, lettuce from her garden and other goodies. We had apple pie with stevia as a sweetener. She's such a good cook and friend!

 

Next, I popped over to have a short, but sweet, visit with Esther and her girls. Last but not least, both being late, I met a good friend in Vernon for BBQ steak and potatoes with salad. We were truly spoiled by a pleasant visit and good food. Thank you, Mike. The drive home to Neil's place took a while as I needed to stop for a nap along the way. A satisfying and wonderful day!

Adventure Day #7 - At McGill University's Convocation of Engineers 2016 - My son Neil walked the platform, got smacked on the head with a hat and received his Bachelor of Software Engineering degree. Thanks for sharing my proud day Diane. This is the reason for this trip to Montreal.

A pile of formal wear in the midst of our chaos.

Gotta get the tie just right!

Bye MoM! See You later!

McGill University's Flag

There he is! Look at that building!

List of Bachelor of Software Engineering Graduates

Over 1,000 Engineering graduates receive a standing ovation! Congratulations to all.

MoM and Neil by McGill statue

Diane and I went to visit David in the hospital before heading up Highway 15 into the Laurentians. My sister Suzanne showed me around her beautiful, peaceful yet noisy (the river!) property and home; marvelous show of creative genius! We did a load of laundry, took a twenty minute soak in the hot tub and did some wonderful sister chatting; What a Great Day!

So proud of my little sister!

Adventure Day # 8 - With so much love and pride in my heart for my little sister and all she has come through and accomplished and for the amazing woman she is, I head back into Montreal to pick up Neil. We picked up Subway subs in Ste Anne-de-Bellevue before stopping in for a 15 minute visit with Dad. 

3 generations - Neil, Jackie and Larry

Then we hit the 401 highway heading for Peterborough. Not used to so much driving anymore, we stopped for a snack and ended up rescuing a Painted Turtle from sure death as it was crossing the gas station parking lot.

This Midland Painted Turtle didn't seem to appreciate being rescued!

We didn't get lost once! The "brush" fire was really burning good when we arrived at Mike and Lisa's new home. So restful to sit around a fire and chat with family! Thanks Mike for finding my glasses for me.

Sitting around with family in Peterborough, Ontario

Adventure Day #9 - We relaxed! It was so good to visit with Mike and Lisa and Jennifer. We joked and laughed and told stories. Mike showed photos of the house they built. Neil and I went shopping at Talize thrift store, CTC, Walmart Drug stores and A&W. There are not many items left on that list I brought from Central America! I finally managed to Skype with John before going to bed. How I miss that man!

We even found Peterborough's water tower! No! We weren't lost! :-)

Adventure Day #10 - On the road again! We stopped at Mark's to look for work pants but ended with buying gloves and a long desired glass water bottle. We stopped at a random exit for a picnic lunch then again at Iroquois Locks for a nap and Neil got a driving lesson. We both like that VW Golf!

Tailgate picnic lunches are the best!

A huge ship went through while I took a nap!

We stopped in for another short visit with GrandPa. Traffic was heavy but not impossible. It's been 4 years since last I drove. I really like driving! I really enjoy spending time with my son!

Adventure Day #11 - We relaxed this morning! I transplanted Neil's new houseplants, did some mending then went to 2nd Cup to check emails and make phone calls.

An Aluminum Pilea, a bunch of Pathos, a Dieffenbachia, and an English Ivy now grace Neil's window ledge.

I forgot my clipboard with my calendar and itinerary at Neil's home: without my "brain" I couldn't update about the last few days adventures. I'll be heading to Ottawa in a few moments - back on the road again - for my 2nd and last appointment with Martin Skody. (http://www.racetherapy.ca/) Have I mentioned that I love to drive? I was hoping for another visit with my friend Heide but had to get back to pick Neil up (Traffic was heavy!) and head over to Uncle Bern's for a delightful meal and evening. Neil and I were treated to a sampling of "Le kiosque de la Musique" which he and Natalie put on regularly for the folks in their complex. What fun! You can believe that I took my life-long stand at the piano to hear and "see" the music! We slept very well that night! One more sleep until I head home.

Uncle Bern, Neil and I enjoy the flowers, the view and each other. 

I stand by the piano to hear and "see" the music as Uncle Bern and Natalie give us a sample of their favorite songs.

Adventure Day #12 - Anyone else ever try running errands and getting around Montreal downtown on a weekday morning? It took all morning just to drop off Neil's recycling, check in for my flights, get my tickets printed out and drive Neil up to the Jewish General so he could arrange for an appointment (Apparently their phone answering skills need to be improved!). The afternoon was taken with getting a couple more loads of laundry done before heading out, in traffic, to Sahib's (http://www.sahib.ca/). 

Cousins / friends after a delicious meal and some much enjoyed conversation.

Later we drove out to visit GrandPa again on deserted highways. I had a difficult time controlling the tears when I left. I did get a nice hug from Neil! We spent the rest of the evening, into the night, sorting and packing for my trip home. No sleep for me tonight!

Neil;s apartment with my stuff ready to be packed.

Adventure Day #13 - It's a good thing I like driving and had plenty of time to waste!!! I found Air Canada on Cote Vertu, drove all over Cote de Liesse and the 40 and the 520 before finally finding a gas station to fill up the rental car! Driving Montreal in the very early morning hours is ... surreal? Leaving Neil was a bit tough! He looked so lonely!

Son and MoM saying "Au Revoir".

On the road again! Heading back to Costa Rica and John.

My emotions were a bit squed from tiredness! Even dropping the car was a sentimental journey! I drove 2,236 kilometers on this Adventure! Here is a Selfie of Mother and Son at the end of a wonderful Adventure. Thanks for sharing it with me Neil. Thank you everyone who took the time to host and spend time with me/us. 

I was greeted by a lovely bouquet of flowers and a "Welcome Back" card when I arrived home. Thanks guys!

Until the next adventure ...