Quebec City to Green Gables

Sorry we are so far behind on this blog, but here is a quick update....

Quebec City was beautiful! We took a bus into town and jumped off in the centre of Old Quebec. After wandering about looking in the shops, we found our way to the Parks Canada guided tour booth at the foot of Chateau Frontenac. We gobbled a quick Subway lunch (very French!!) and took the 2hour walking tour. We learned alot of history and walked nearly the entire walled section of the city. The citadel (the highest point and most fortified) was quite facinating. The tour ended at the Artillery Museum where we watched a musket firing demo. At that point we were a great long way from the bus station and it began to pour rain. We got soaked, but we are getting used to that! We walked back to the Old City where coffee and souvenier shops dried us off. Shortly after that we caught the bus back and were once again treated to a thunderstorm.

The next morning we packed up and headed to New Brunswick. We stumbled upon a campground, just west of Fredericton, which was quite nice along a river and pulled in after dark. We made sloppy joes and went to bed. The next day we drove to Moncton where we stopped at Magnetic Hill. We paid our $5 and were magically pulled backwards up the hill! Yes, there was a souvenier shop and yes we spent more money. Seems to be some kind of trend here!

We carried on to the Confederation Bridge, which joins New Brunswick to PEI. It is 13 km long!

We followed Mr. Wood's directions to their home in Freetown and arrived around supper time. We enjoyed a spaghetti dinner together and had a grand visit. In the morning, Marlowe and Dave took the RV into get an oil change and run some errands, while Roz and I stayed home with the children. They had a fun time on the swings, in the sandbox and in the pool. When the men returned home, we had another yummy supper and set up to watch a movie. Calden made popcorn and we set up 'theatre seating' in their front room.

Today (Aug.7) we went to Anne of Green Gables house in Cavendish. It was a lovely drive. First, we went to the Green Gables House where L M Montgomery found the inspiration for the story. Ice cream cones were enjoyed by all...especially Nathan! And Dave had a lobster sandwich. We walked through the Haunted Wood trail to the house she grew up in with her grandparents. And yes there was another souvenier shop....and yes we spent money! We walked the trail back to the house, hit another souvenier shop and left. We stopped at the cemetary to see L M Montgomery's resting place.

Upon arrival at the Wood's, two bbqes were set up and we cooked a pile of assorted MEAT! We then proceeded to eat it. YUM! After dinner the boys played a game of Ultimate Frisbee, followed by an ice cream feast.

Now we are going to bed. Tomorrow we are off to see Avonlea and Charlottetown if time permits. Good night all.

Aug. 1 - Landon's B-day and the Paivas

Well today is actually Aug. 2, but I will start my blog with yesterday. Yesterday was Landon's 6th birthday, but we didn't actually do too much for it until we got to the Paiva's house. We started the morning by leaving our campsite just outside of Ottawa and heading into the heart of Ottawa to the Canadian War Museum. It is quite close to the Parliament Buildings. It is a fascinating place. We spent 5 hours there and still didn't read or see everything. Well worth the time and money.

After the War museum, we drove about 30 min. to the village of Bourget where the Paiva Family lives. We were greeted by a Welcome to our House sign and excited children. We enjoyed a lovely supper together and they took us to their back 40 (literally) and the children swam in their little lake and we roasted marshmellow over a fire. When we were all tired of the mosquitoes, we headed back to the house for some birthday cake and presents.

When the festivities were completed the children settled in for a movie. Most of the them, including John, fell asleep.

The next morning we were treated to crepes for breakfast and the children got in another swim at the lake. The Paiva's know hospitality! The children didn't want to leave. Thanks Susanne for letting me use your washer and dryer!!!! And I sooooo enjoyed the shower....Lifesaver!!

We left the Paiva's just after lunch (which they also fed us!) today, and we are now enjoying a brilliant thunderstorm here in Quebec City. The children are all sleeping and Dave and I are enjoying the sound of rain in our outside tent room.

Love and miss you all. God's blessings on you.

First Day in Ottawa

Well, today was the last day in July and our first day in Ottawa. We took the bus into Parliament Hill and had a tour of the Royal Canadian Mint first. There we all got to try and lift a real gold bar. It was chained and had an armed guard, so we had to leave it there! heehee

We did alot of walking today and it is now quite late so please forgive any spelling or grammar mistakes and for the rushed blog.

We saw the War Monument with the guards (pic) and the tomb of the unknown soldier. We also saw the Byward Market. It was packed with people and performers! We had lunch there. We saw the locks on the Rideau Canal, the Chateau Laurier, the Bank of Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada and of course the Parliament Buildings themselves. Like I said, we did a lot of walking. Thankfully the weather was beautiful.

After the sights we caught the bus back to the RV which was parked at a Walmart outside of the city. We went in and did some shopping. Tomorrow is Landon's 6th birthday, so we had to get a few things. Tomorrow we are going to see the War Museum and then head to Bourget where the Paiva family lives. We will be spending the night visiting and camping with them. I hope to post some pics of our time with the Paiva's and of Landon's birthday. Good night for now.

Peterborough

We got to Peterborough on Thursday evening. We set up camp and Beavermead Campground. It was a beautiful campground right on the shore of Little Lake. The children were not happy that it was too late to swim, but they did wade around in the water for a while and play in the sand. We had a campfire and roasted marshmellows until it started to rain.

The next morning we went to see the Peterborough Lift Locks. They are the highest lift locks in the world, well I think it was the world, maybe it was just in Canada....oh well....they are quite high. (around 78feet) We got to see them in action. It was quite something. We ate a quick lunch in the parking lot and headed off to Ottawa.
See next post for Ottawa pics and info.

One More Day in Niagara

These are a few pics of our last day in Niagara Falls. We headed down to the Falls a little later in the day. The first thing we did was the White Water Walk. It is a boardwalk down by the whirlpool rapids. Truly amazing how much water is moving through there! While we were there a thunderstorm rolled in and we got drenched. We walked up Clifton Hill and went into the Wax Museum. We spent enough time in there to dry off and for the storm to blow by. From there we went to Kelsey's for supper.

After supper the sky was clear and it was a beautiful night. We went back down to see the Falls lit up and night and was surprised to see a firework display as well. We thought the fireworks over the Falls was only on Friday and Sunday nights, but I guess we were wrong. It was beautiful although Nathan didn't enjoy it as much as the rest of us.

The next morning we left for Peterborough. We drove through Toronto on the way and saw the CN Tower. I'll post this blog now and put on the Peterborough pics next.

Niagara Falls

Well we arrived in Niagara Falls on the 25th of July. We took the first day to relax and enjoy all the activities of the campground. We are at another KOA and they always have lots to do.

Today we caught the bus down to all the attractions. We went on the Maid of the Mist first. It is well worth the money. AWESOME!!! It is really beyond words. After the boat ride, we walked up Clifton Hill. That is where all the roadside attractions are. It is a little Las Vegasey. There was the Guiness Museum of World Records, Haunted Houses, MGM studios, WWF Pile Drive ride, the large ferris wheel (SkyWheel), Ripley's Believe it or Not, and countless other carnival like places. We went to Wendy's and had lunch and then caught the bus to Table Rock where you can go the the Journey Behind the Falls and see the 4D show called The Fury.

The Fury was quite something. The show was 360 around us and the wind blew, it snowed, it rained, the floor shook and dropped down. There was thunder and lightning....was very good. We all enjoyed it except Nathan. He was sleeping when we first got in there, but will all the noise and movement, he woke up and was scared. Poor guy.

The Journey Behind the Falls was excellent...again really beyond words. You can look through portals behind the actual Falls and then go down to an observation deck right beside the horsehoe falls. The size and power of it is really overwhelming.

After all the excitement, we walked back up Clifton Street and had our pic taken at the Guiness Museum next to the world's tallest man and his chair (see pic below) and headed to Dairy Queen for some ice cream. When we had devoured that we caught the bus back to the campground, exhausted and full.

Tomorrow we hope to see the Whirlpool Rapids, the wax museum (happy Dad?!) and the butterfly conservatory, oh and the Falls lit up at night. We were too tired to stay that long today. We will start later tomorrow. It's supposed to be hotter tomorrow, so a later start might be better anyway.

Well, I'm exhausted so good night for now and God bless.

Last Day in Essex

Well today started, surprise....hot and humid!!!! Yesterday was 111 F with the humidex!!!! I think today was 2 degrees less....whooppee!!! We have had very wild thunderstorms and wind. A tornado came down not far from here.

Today we went to see my friend (Kim)s horse. The kids really enjoyed brushing and riding her. They also got to feed Ginger some mints after the riding. After the barn Kim and her husband, Paul drove us all to the Dairy Freeze for some supper and icecream. It is quite a popular stop here. I think you can even find them on Facebook. We had a lovely visit and some great food. We also ate with Kim and her family yesterday at her house. They bbqed chicken and had corn on the cob....yum yum! The kids loved their basement because it was full of Wii games, DVD's and an air hockey table. They didn't want to leave the basement!!

When we got back to grandma's house, Gary and Linda Bellemore were there waiting for us. We saw pics of their vacation and Gary's wood carvings. We tried to Skype my parents, but they weren't home yet and the Bellemores had to leave. Oh well, they are in the pic below with all of us and grandma.

We would like to say a special hello and Happy Birthday to Hannah! We wish we could have been there, but we love and miss you Hannah!!!! HAPPY (LATE) BIRTHDAY!!!!

Well it is late and we have to pack up to leave for Niagara Falls in the morning. We are stopping in London, Ont. at my grandma Wuerch's for lunch and then on to the falls. Gotta run for now....lots to do. Hope to type at you all later. Miss you all!!!!!!