December 3, 2004
Today was a school and relaxation day. Everyone did work – either school work, writing letters, etc. interspersed with games of mini-golf, etc.
Category: The Big Trip Page 3 of 4
We took the kids out of school and lived in a motor home for a year, here’s how it turned out.
November 26, 2004 –
We went into town to buy groceries in the early afternoon and to see the remnants of the day-after Thanksgiving shopping madness. Their were cars pulling out of the campground at 5:30 AM to be in line for when the stores opened – as many opened their doors early and had big sales promotions. The local Wal-Mart for example had cloths irons, hair driers, toasters and fondue kits on for 4.99 each, coffee makers, food processors for 10.00, etc.
November 19, 2004 –
Up this morning to an overcast but warm day. Took back roads into Gettysburg – and arrived just after the speech that was being given to commemorate the anniversary of Lincoln’s famous address.
November 12, 2004 –
It rained through out the night – and most of the day. Accumulation is said to have been greater than an inch over last night and today.
Decided that as a result – that we would go out for breakfast and do a bit of shopping – and see if we can find a repair center to get an oil change and replace the fan belt on the motor home which has been squealing for the past day. Found a great little repair place in town – and made arrangements to have the unit in early Tuesday morning on our way out of town.
November 5, 2004 –
The weather for the next couple of days is predicted to be rain with winds gust up to 100 – 120 km per hour. Took the Suzuki across the tall bridge to Portsmouth – and just about got blown off the road. Decided to stay close to home – do some grocery shopping and local exploring. While we were running around – the wind blew the Port-A-Bote up to the point where it snapped the wiring harness for the lights. It took some looking around to find some of the broken pieces so that they could be spliced in (due to the nearest auto supply store being up the valley about 25 miles).
October 29, 2004
Up today and off to Maritime Museum with Reed, Chelsea and the boys.
The museum has a number of great examples of different types of boats – including a “goose” boat; a self-bailing Sable Island Rescue Boat; and many models. There was also good information on the Nova Scotia wrecks, including the Atlantic (greatest loss of life prior to the Titanic) and a full display and historic film presentation on the Titanic. They also had the Acadia docked at the museum that you could walk through. The Acadia has the distinction of serving in both world wars in addition its regular duties as a seismology ship. They also had a comprehensive presentation on the Halifax explosion during the First World War.
October 22, 2004 –
We were up early and on the road to Nova Scotia. Stopped at the tourist information booth just across the border – to get some information and have a stretch. Right close by was a little market – that had fresh breads etc. Picked a few minor supplies and the shop keeper even put together a selection of different apples for free when he heard about Keelan’s enjoyment of the wild apples.
October 15, 2004
We managed to find a tire store – and through broken English and French determined that they could do the work at 8:00 AM on Saturday (ugh). Oh well, it will be an early start for tomorrow as well.
October 8, 2004 –
We travelled into Kingston today. The town was originally named King’s Town by the British Loyalists who fled the American Revolution. Deb went to a chiropractor to get her back adjusted as she had pulled it the other day and has not been able to get it back into place. After the treatment, Deb said it still wasn’t perfect – but much better than it had been.
October 1, 2004 –
Drove into Sudbury this morning and with some fancy navigating on Deb’s part found our way to Dynamic Earth (the Big Nickel). They were doing a lot of road construction, and the place was almost impossible to get to. The boys seemed to love their experience underground and seeing what mining was like. Being the only kids on the tour – they were able to help pack holes with dynamite for the explosion, and operate the remote controls on the automated mining equipment. The amount of re-vitalization of the vegetation that they have done around Sudbury is surprising (they have planted about 4 million trees). Sure looked different than the “moonscape” that Pat remembered as a kid. However, the big smoke stacks still stand out against the skyline.