A few pictures of our Canadian adventures.

CANADA

Friday, August 12 we made our way into Quebec City and parked across the river from the walled city. Our location provided us a view of Quebec City’s beautiful skyline from the St Lawrence, satisfied Ken’s need for his weekly boat ride and gave us many good photo “ops”. Quebec City provides an inspiring peek at beautiful European architecture , the old world charm and an unsteady walk on cobble stone streets of “yore”. It is a beautiful city, quaint, nostalgic and visually pleasing. However, within the walls, the city is more French than France itself. There are no signs in English and French is the dialogue, not of preference but, of necessity. This was our second visit to Quebec.

On our first visit in the late 90's we took a tour of Quebec City with an English speaking tour guide who pointed out the sights and provided us with a familiarization of the city and recommended good restaurants that were “English friendly”. Once our tour was completed we had lunch and went on our way. This time we wanted to experience the city on our own and the prevalent attitude on the street was disappointing. We simply did not feel welcome and did not have the impression that non French speaking tourists were either welcome or encouraged. We enjoyed dinner at a restaurant that we enjoyed on our previous trip to Quebec City and the management and staff not only spoke English, they were exceptionally friendly, the service excellent, the food good and the prices reasonable. Their cordial welcome and good service provided us with a reminder that not all French speaking people are jerks. As a matter of fact, our visit to French in 1993 was very pleasant. The next day we had lunch at another restaurant that was similarly congenial and the overall service of both restaurants was a notch above most restaurants in the States and the elegance of the ambiance outstanding. However, the common ordinary person that we encountered on the street left much to be desired insofar as friendliness and though there were exceptions, for the most part we felt no spirit of kinship with the masses. After two days, we were ready to flee the “city”. This commentary would probably not be rated as a positive dialogue on “political correctness”.

On Sunday, the 14th we “broke camp”, fired up the diesel and meandered down the road alongside the St Lawrence to Trois de Riviera where we stopped for the night. Ken did a drive about, but I preferred to use the afternoon for reading and relaxing without benefit of sights French. Monday we drove to our resort outside Montreal which turned out to be 50 miles south of Montreal. The facilities and amenities were pleasant, quiet and relaxing but the prospect of the long drive into the city was not encouraging.

Tuesday, the 16th, after breakfast prepared in honor of Ken’s 74th birthday we were off to Montreal. The drive into the city was along a nicely paved country road bordering beautiful, well manicured and maintained farms with large old country homes that reflected affluence and European charm at its best. If the people of Quebec were half as friendly or inviting as their countryside, the province would be a tourist haven. We found our way into down town Montreal, parked and found a tourist information center where we inquired about tours and places to see in the city. Of course, insofar as our interests, there was only one place of interest for the birthday boy, and that was the river and the docks. We found a place that seemed to offer a good lunch with English speaking translations and it turned out to be a good choice. After lunch, our orientation seemed improved so we went to reclaim our car and found that our one hour and a half of public parking was $13.00 and that discouraged our interest in further tourist activities in downtown Montreal. Ken wanted to visit the waterfront, but alas, parking was non existent and by now we had lost interest in either the city or the people of Quebec. Thus, we departed the city prior to “rush hour” in an effort to reduce our further frustrations with the Province of Quebec. I understand and to some extent encourage the need for people to maintain their cultural kinship but Quebec seems to me to reflect an independence that should be reserved for an independent nation. It is my understanding that Quebec depends mightily upon the rest of Canada for its support and maintenance and thus, it seems to me that it’s devotion to cultural sanctity is over done. I feel that every immigrant to a new country and a new life has a responsibility to meld into the community of his or her new homeland. Although they should be encouraged to maintain and protect their cultural heritage, their religious faith and their language,. However, they chose to emigrate and by doing so, I believe they have an obligation to accept an allegiance to their adopted country. I have no problem with France and its requirement that one speak French. It is their country. I have no problem with Quebec French Canadians preserving their French culture and language. I have a problem with their insistence that their French background “trumps” their patriotism of Canada. And with that you can put me down as a “maybe” insofar as my appreciation of Quebec’s French Canadian culture.

Thursday, we moved into Ontario and basked in our escape from the French influence and it was like moving into another country. We enjoyed a beautiful day on Lake Ontario in Toronto, had a good lunch on the waterfront and basked in the welcome comfort of our neighboring country of Canada. The highlight of our tour in Toronto was a sailing trip aboard the 165 foot schooner “KAJAMA” which Ken particularly enjoyed. He was able to help raise one of the four sails and reported that much to his surprise, he felt his age as he was pulling on the lines that raised the sail. He, of course, carefully examined everything on the boat and quietly commented to me that the crew was not as efficient as they should be in adjusting the sails to changing wind conditions. He later complained that he didn’t ask to take the helm for a chance at feeling first hand the thrill of handling the boat at sea. His afternoon aboard the KAJAMA seemed to compensate for our failed day in Montreal. We left Toronto feeling a closer kinship with the language, people and city of Toronto. Thumbs up for Ontario, down for Quebec.

On Saturday, we had an easy reentry into the US. A pleasant friendly border guard welcomed us back into the US with a smile and to our relief, did not subject us to a search of the coach. Perhaps two old folks who speak English, smile and appear happy to be home seem unlikely terrorists? We were grateful for his welcome and glad to be back home in the USA.

We spent Saturday night on Saginaw Bay in Michigan though we saw neither Saginaw or the bay. Sunday we drove into Gaylord Michigan where we spent our last night on the road before GOING into Mackinaw City for a five day Allegro rally. The week is filled with activities oriented to Allegro RV owners and club members.

So went another week on the road.

DOWN EAST

Monday we “folded our awnings” and took to the road “down east”. A stop over in Bath permitted Ken a visitation at the Maritime Museum. He pronounced the stop “worth it” and I enjoyed relaxing with a book while husband gazed upon the sailing vessels of “yore”. We decided to overnight at the Elks Club in Rockland which permitted Ken time to get the Vue serviced and broke up our trip to Baaar Haaaarbaaaa (the correct down East pronunciation, we understand). We decided on Route 1 as opposed to I-95 in order to enjoy the beautiful Maine coastline that is absolutely spectacular in its scenic beauty. Our friend Bruce told us that Maine has one month of summer. If that is true, we were treated to Maine’s best as the weather has been fantastic.

Tuesday, August 9, we were greeted by early morning fog that accompanied us into Bar Harbor and served as a reminder that all days are not perfect. However, once at our Camp site overlooking the islands off the coast, all seemed perfect and “life was good”. The weather holds in the high 80's and 90's but always a nice cool breeze brings comfort and perfection. Once “en residence” we did a “drive about” downtown Bar Harbor and concluded that we should extend our stay another day. Each day our enthusiasm for the East Coast, and Maine especially, grows.

We started Wednesday with a trip to Acadia National Park and a drive around with enough “hikes” to provide our exercise for the day. We traveled to the Southeast Harbor where we caught a “mail boat” (they use this term loosely in Maine) trip to Cranberry and Isladorah Islands. (Little Cranberry Island) Cranberry Island didn’t have much to keep our attention but Little Cranberry had a restaurant where we enjoyed lunch on the “terrace” (porch?). As we returned to Southeast Harbor a 150 - 200 ? foot private yacht came in behind us. I maintained it was a cruise boat of some sort while Ken was sure it was a private yacht. As usual, “he who knows everything” was right so we watched them try to bring the ship in bow first which didn’t work. They got it into the slip but some enlightened “yachtie aboard” discovered they couldn’t get on or off the boat so they had to back it in. Of course, all of this maneuvering drew a crowd and when it finally became obvious that they were docked, Ken started the car and I announced to those standing around our car that “we had done all that we could so we were moving on”. They seemed amused, Maine or no.

Thursday morning we did laundry, cleaned the coach and prepared for our entry into Canada and Quebec City. Thursday night, we stopped at a camp site in West Fork on the Kennebec River. After breakfast Friday morning, we hiked a long mile down to some falls that were, in my opinion, marginally interesting. However, the two mile hike was worth it inasmuch as it provided needed exercise.

After our hike through the woods, we returned to the coach and took to the road for Quebec City where we gained an introduction to the bizarre attitude of the residents of the Provence of Quebec. We visited Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Sudbury and Sault Ste Marie on a previous trip to Canada but we were, nevertheless, taken aback by what seemed a definite “elitist” and, perhaps, anti-American attitude. For a country where 2/3 of the people speak English, Quebec does not have any road or street signs in English and like France, if you don’t speak the language, “may the force be against you”. Hopefully, people did not understand English any better than they let on because I had some choice words for them that I expressed in English. If their understanding of English was greater than they let on, they got an ear full from one “ugly American”. I didn’t want to disappoint them and make them feel that their attitude against non French speaking people was inappropriate.

More about our visit to Quebec in my next posting.

THE GANG
It has been a wonderful week, one that has made our hearts overflow with special thanks for good friends, beautiful scenery, wonderful food and the rare blessing of being permitted to share time with good friends.

Friday, July 29th, we rendezvoused with our friends, Bob and Kitty Van Horn at the new Tyler Lake home (near Goshen Connecticut) of mutual friends, Bob and Marvis Gersten.
We met the Gerstens and Van Horns on a Cruise from Barcelona Spain to Lisbon Portugal in 2000. We bonded in adventure, curiosity and interests in a willingness to explore strange places, sights and countries. From that trip, we have managed to coordinate a visit or trip together almost annually. These brief sojourns are always too short but as always, most enjoyable. The Gerstens just returned from a month long trip to China. Their trip included a week long side trip with local enterprising Chinese business men in which they were given a rare insight into the Chinese business model, their way of life and culture.

Kitty and Bob purchased a 40 foot RV in 2004 and shortly thereafter, Bob was diagnosed with cancer and is currently undergoing chemo therapy and radiation treatment. While he is on the medication related to his treatment, he is unable to drive a car or the rig and Kitty has become the “master” chauffeur of both the car and rig. She vows that she would rather drive the RV (with its “towed”) than their Chrysler minivan. As a “chicken” in the rig and a “turkey” on the road – I am impressed with her adept handling of the rig, awed by her courage and her spunk. She’s a keeper!!!

On Monday, we had a scenic drive through Connecticut into Massachusetts. We stopped in Boston for dinner at the “Commons” and a “walk about” downtown before “crashing” for the night at Walmart (our faithful overnight spot). On Tuesday we drove into Cape Ann and immediately struck out on a sight seeing trip to Gloucester where we enjoyed lunch and a whale watching trip.
Back at shore, we drove to Rockport, had dinner at Ellens on the wharf and did a drive around the charming bayside community of Rockport.

On Wednesday, we drove to Essex to attend the ships museum but it was closed. We then drove to Ipswich for lunch at the Clam Box, a recommendation of a friend and indeed, the clams, scallops and fish were “out of this world”.
We returned to Glocester for a visit to the Hammond Castle Museum, a replica of a Medieval Castle built by America’s second greatest inventor., Dr. Hammond. Dr Hammond and his wife lived in the “castle” until their deaths. Neither the decor or castle design appealed to my sense of taste but to each their own. After our “castle” visit, we drove through Long Beach to Pigeon Cove and then back to Rockport for Ken’s “lobster” fix. We both ordered one lobster but I ate only a small portion of mine and Ken was happily blessed with 1 ½ lobster. We capped our day off with a visit to Wingaersheek Beach, a beautiful white sand beach reminiscent of the beach at Siesta Key in Sarasota.

Thursday morning we “packed up camp” and took to the road through New Hampshire and into Old Orchard Beach just outside Portland Maine. Friday we did a drive to Kennebunk and Kennebunk Port, saw the Bush compound from afar and drove downtown Portland. After reviewing the mail boat schedule in anticipation of a trip to the islands, we took advantage of a few photo opportunities and had a nice visit with a couple transplanted from New York City. The couple briefed us on the Maine psyche and explained that they could never be true Mainelanders because they were not born here. They suggested places to visit, things to see and we enjoyed our brief exchange with them and their candid assessment of Maine life. Ken asked, “How do you like the winters?” The lady responded, “you don’t like winter, you do winter!”. She went on to say that the winters provide the people of Maine a common bond of survival. They retired to Maine after spending their summers here during their working career with the New York Public Schools. Their devotion, loyalty and pride in their adopted State was an inspirational tribute to the “spirit” of the State, the likes of Olympia Snow excepted. We were advised that the residents of Northern Maine look upon the Southern part of the State as “fureigners”. The East Coast psyche is truly an interesting study.

Saturday noon, our friends the Gerstens arrived from Connecticut to share our Portland weekend. They drove six hours and through four States to share the weekend with us and that, in our opinion, is friendship above and beyond Webster’s definition. They no more than arrived at the coach until we were in our car and en route down town for the “island” mail boat trip.
We had lunch at a local “wharf” restaurant with lots of character and salty charm before boarding the mail boat for a trip through the island chain and five stops to deliver people, mail, food and freight including a sofa set, some appliances and several dogs and two cats. It was a kick. We visited the Portland Headlight, one of the most photographed spots in Maine, according to our Maine informant at large and our day concluded with a lobster dinner all around.

Sunday morning we had breakfast with the Gerstens at Mims across from the wharf and spent the morning shopping in downtown Portland. We capped our short day off with a visit to the Public Market and bade the Gerstens goodbye with our sincere thanks for their company and friendship.









The Gerstems (lighthouse) The Van Horns (RV)

Tomorrow we are off to Bar Harbor and into Canada for a trek along the Saint Lawrence to Lake Ontario and back into the US at Sault Ste Marie.

<
THE HOUSE WHERE I WAS BORN
INDIANA RETROSPECT

Our visit to my “Indiana roots” and with my kinfolk concluded with a rip roaring 4th of July weekend at the home of nephew, Steve, in Bedford. Most of the second generation nephews and nieces that were available (and even some 3rd) made an appearance for which I was grateful. On July 5, we departed Southern Indiana and after an overnight stop over in Greenwood, for dinner with niece Debbie and her family and saw their new home, we drove to Monticello, Indiana for a visit with my niece, Zoe and her family in their new home. The nephews and nieces all were most generous with their time, their hospitality and their affection for which I am very grateful. I am, indeed, blessed with a loving, caring and loyal family.

A sampling of the highlights of our family visits include breakfast at nephew David’s and wife Becky’s new Pinnick Store in Williams. Niece Katie, a third year bio-chemistry major at Ball State, prepared us an old fashioned down home breakfast. Should academia fail her, Katie has a backup career and a loyal clientele at the ready. After breakfast in Williams, we visited nephew J. D.’s house and “pole barn” that is under construction.
The pole barn is a concept that I am still trying to sort out but in spite of my learning disability related to pole barns, it seems to fulfill the needs of JD and wife Holly. We also enjoyed a visit with Tom and Shirley and admired the recently added new family room. And, of course, we enjoyed and are deeply grateful for the hospitality, patience and kindness of nephew Steve and wife Terri and grand nephew, Kyle. In Greenwood, we had a wonderful dinner and visit with Debbie, Scott and Erin in their new home and enjoyed a Sunday brunch with Zoe, John and their daughter, Rachel and fiancee, Nial. Food was not in short supply during our Indiana visit and every meal is prepared by outstanding cook.


During our visit in the Monticello area we visited the museum where my niece and nephew spend their “retirement” days. They along with others, have done a great job assembling memorabilia of the towns history. At the suggestion of my nephew we took a side trip to the site of the battle of Tippecanoe, which was just a few miles from Monticello. The term Tippecanoe immediately brings to mind the phrase “Tippecanoe and Tyler too” from our history lessons. However, seeing the site first hand was a reminder of the historical consequences of that battle so long ago and an interesting side trip.

On the 12th of July we reluctantly said goodbye to Marian, our “guest” of the past two weeks who was a good sport, first rate companion and wonderful guest. She returned to California with, hopefully, an understanding of the Pinnick pride, ego and character. Granted, there is a bit of “red neck” in many of them but hopefully, she recognized that there is also a loyalty, commitment and love that rises to the occasion and gives me a great appreciation for my family and what they mean to me.
A short three hour drive put us into Kalamazoo, Michigan where we visited with our friend “Corky”, the widow of our friend and Ken’s best man at our wedding, Ray Tripp. We had a wonderful visit with Corky. She joined us as we retraced our memories of Battle Creek and the outlying areas where we spent much of our time during our Battle Creek period. Our last night in Kalamazoo, we met Ray and Corky’s daughter, Susan, and family and shared a simple bbq at the RV resort and exchanged many wonderful memories of time spent with Ray and Corky. Ken and Ray served together in the Army and both were stationed in Battle Creek.

After Kalamazoo, we spent three days in Port Clinton, Ohio where Ken was able to get in a fishing trip He caught several but a walleye was our only dinner sacrifice. Port Clinton is near Cedar Point, Ohio, a major entertainment park where our friends, Bill and Helen Holzaepfel often spent their summers helping Bill’s mother with a cotton candy and candied apple stand. Bill and Helen were both from the general vicinity of nearby Sandusky and, after years of hearing stories of the area, we were delighted to finally get a first hand look at their old “stomping grounds”.

A brief stopover in Meadville, Pa provided Ken with some little known insight about the pioneer founder of that area, David Mead, who was the brother of a grandfather several times removed. Our brief period of acknowledging the location and details of Ken’s kinfolk has underscored the need for us to go back and read more carefully the history of the family, as it exists.


NIAGARA FALLS

Our next stop was in Niagara Falls and the Buffalo area where we were awed with the beauty and the power of the falls. A highlight of our brief visit to this area was attending an outside presentation of the Buffalo Symphony in which Ken’s first cousin, Bill Burns, performs as first chair in the string base section. It had been over 20 years since Ken last saw Bill and it was a wonderful visit and opportunity to reacquaint both cousins with what each have been doing during the interlude between visits.

Cousin Bill

At the conclusion of another week on the road we needed some r&r from all of our r&r. We selected a resort in the Alleghany Mountains of New York for our routine cleanup, cheerup and recharge of our personal psycho batteries. After our routine housecleaning, a few days of recoupment and rest, we spent one day in Warsaw, New York, where Ken’s father was born and did our best to retrace the Burns heritage. Another day was spent in Ellicotville, New York which provided us with a “flavor” of the area. Otherwise it was a laid back quiet week in preparation for our next round of travel and a much anticipated visit with our friends, the Gerstens and Van Horns. That will be included in my next posting.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer.