Tuesday, July 8, 2008

The Atlantic Ocean

Hi again
We (well, 3/4 of "we") swam in the Atlantic Ocean today. We cycled down to Old Orchard Beach (about 3 miles) and spent a couple of hours, where Dennis and the girls body-surfed. It was colder than Hawaii, that's for sure, but there were lots of people in the water. Beth says if we look to the east, we will be looking at Yarmouth, NS. Tomorrow we are doing the waterslides.

As I think about our trip, I keep forgetting to post things! Here are some bits and pieces I have forgotten to tell you:

1. Finding the public library in NY, a city block big with a wonderful park of trees and birds (!!) with lots and lots of free seating, and a trolley full of free kids books for parents to read with their kids!

1. Leaving NY on a Monday morning after a long weekend...there are traffic cops at many intersections, keeping traffic moving, regardless of the colour of the light...a very efficient but disconcerting experience. Right turn lights that operate independently of the straight lights, causing one traffic cop to yell at Dennis (in that great NY tradition) "Hey! Don't you know what a red light is for??!!" As we left the city, we counted (no exaggeration) over 150 busses lined up in traffic going into the city, filled with commuters. They were stopped dead in an express lane. I think I would go postal if I had to endure that every day.

2. Listening to people here talk about "cahs" and "Bah Hahbah" (cars and Bar Harbor). I LOVE the accents. I have been trying to figure out how to write the NY accent...but I don't think I quite have it, but one word would be "cawfee" for "coffee".

3. Poor old Ceilidh struggling on the bike ride, with a beet red face, and me thinking she was totally out of shape, until we discovered her front brake had been locked on the whole way.

4. The "Live Free or Die" license plate logo in New Hampshire. They also advertise liquor stores and lottery tickets sales (open on Sunday), so I guess living free means free access to alcohol and gambling. I much prefer Maine's "Vacationland" theme.

5. Someone at the KOA addressing Mhairi as "Ma'am"! We get ma'amed a lot here.

6. Mhairi says "hi" and Ceilidh says "hi".

Kerry

1 comment:

peppy62 said...

It seems like things have been working out so well for you. Glad to hear the "big Show" was worth it and memorable. By the way, my brother's visit went really well- I think everyone had at least some special time with him and my mother was really pleased. Sara is doing a bit more orientation, so I've been having sweet Victoria holiday times with R and T- bike riding, Centennial Park, ice cream cones, doing art on the deck, visiting the mini horses... what a great place we have here, waiting for your return!
Hope you get to see some humpback whales and puffins...Love, to all, Paul

Montmorency Falls

Montmorency Falls
the two white dots are the kids!

Danielle, Ceilidh and Mhairi

Danielle, Ceilidh and Mhairi

Moose and Baby

Moose and Baby

Funky Stores

Funky Stores
...and you can see our car and trailer

Cavendish Beach

Cavendish Beach

Confederation Bridge

Confederation Bridge

Parking in NYC

Parking in NYC

Empire State Building at Night

Empire State Building at Night

Cool Display on 5th Ave

Cool Display on 5th Ave

Maine beach

Maine beach

Hopewell Rocks New Brunswick

Hopewell Rocks New Brunswick

Mhairi vs. Polar Bear

Mhairi vs. Polar Bear
Mhairi was found at the museum, unaware of the fate awaiting her in the mammals display

The Canadian Tourist

The Canadian Tourist

"The Moment"

"The Moment"
I wish I had taken this picture!

Canada Day!

Canada Day!

RCMP Musical Ride

RCMP Musical Ride

The Ride begins

The Ride begins
Notice the maple leaf "stencil" on the horse's rump

Sir John A.

Sir John A.
For 10 points, what is significant about this man?

The Famous Five

The Famous Five
Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Louise McKinney, Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards

National War Monument

National War Monument