Our Trip to Thunder Bay 2008

 

We covered over 3,300 km of road and have seen our share of Best Western hotels for a while. Weather at home was generally rainy but we managed to somehow stay in a bubble of sunshine everywhere we went. We found some great shopping deals in Michigan. One stop was the world's largest Christmas store. Yup they have every kind of ornament or doohicky you could think of for Christmas.
Allan found it a moving experience to revisit the location of the family cottage. We found a Bed and Breakfast place to stay just a few doors down from the old cottage. So Allan got up and took sunrise pictures.
Thunder Bay's famous attraction is the view of the Sleeping Giant. Also, we saw the Terry Fox Monument which is just 10 miles West of Allan's former cottage on the shores of Lake Superior.
The city has grown, childhood friends have moved away, old schools torn down but much of the old city's memories remain. I found out the two miles I walked to school turned out to be just one kilometre. It seemed much longer as a child. We had a great time and enjoyed the scenery and the time together. Click here to see the pictures.

Off the Diving Board

 

The boys are back with their swimming lessons this week. Aiden is now spending more time in the deep end and Quinten is working on his float and face in water routines.
We are leaving tomorrow morning on a voyage of discovery through South Westerly Ontario to Sarnia, Frankenmuth Michigan for some shopping then on to Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay where I grew up. Hopefully this route will dodge the rain clouds as we both really like the North shore of Superior.
I will post pictures of the trip en route. Click here to see the kids swimming.

Swimming Lessons Week

 

At the end of the week of swimming lessons, we managed this group photo of the kids. Aiden has not taken lessons for a year and a half, but this was Quinten's first time with lessons. You could tell as Quinten seemed to be more interested in playing in the water than following instructions. His instructors were persistent and used various toys to get him to engage in the program. Click here to see more pictures.

Construction Guys

 

The boys wanted a private area under the "Pirate Ship", soon Aiden was the 'Construction Boss' and we worked together to make one of the privacy walls. Quinten was helping to cut the wood and we had a work crew going.

We went to the Lindsey Classic Car display today. The entire downtown section was filled with classic cars. Ken liked the 'Brits in the Park' because he could see the Brittish bikes that he used to ride. I used to own an MG Midget, and a couple of Bug Eyed Sprites so it was a treat for me to see them too. Click on this link to see more pics.

Algonquin Park Adventure

 

I would like to introduce you to my new sister Janet Kirby. She is going through a divorce from my brother so I suppose the "in-law" part of our relationship departs and she now becomes my sister.
Wenda, Janet and I did a 535 km daytrip through Algonquin Park and visited the well hidden Egan Chute, where we were both attacked by mosquitoes and soaked by rain. In all, we saw three sets of waterfalls and toured a bit of Algonquin Park - Canada's first provincial park and the local of great lumber industry in the 19th century where half of all able bodied men in Canada worked in the 19th century.
We had a great time and look forward to more day trips this summer. Click here to see the pictures of this trip.

Cottage Life

 

Wenda's cousin Janice and her husband Greg invited us to spend Sunday at their cottage on an island of solid granite rock. The rock was smoothed by glacier action more than 14000 years ago leaving mostly flat surfaces with well rounded edges. Wenda's aunt and uncle along with Wenda's parents accompanied us to this island paradise. Lots of sun, swimming, a wonderful meal and great company as the families got together. Click here to see more pictures of our day at a cottage.

Standing at Window

 

All of our grandkids have started off standing at this window. First it was Amber, then Aiden, Quinten and now Lexy. She is just 10 months old and getting herself prepared for her first step. We took the kids to the park today and they had a great time. The weather was perfect for being outdoors. Click here to see more of the pictures.