trip | Change Is Hard

September 17, 2015
by dawnkinster 21 Comments

A little Montreal

Old City Montreal.

I’m getting behind again, I can just feel it. So many photos, so little time. Let me try to give you the abbreviated version of what we saw in Montreal. You already saw two places in yesterday’s Wordless Wednesday; the Notre Dame church and the City Hall, both lit up during the night.

We enjoyed walking around the old city in the lovely warm night air, listening to musicians singing and playing instruments, the notes echoing from the beautiful buildings up into the starlit night.

As we wandered the narrow streets many restaurant and bar windows were open, the customers turning into advertisements for the fare inside.

Waiting for a table or just enjoying a drink?

Evening darkened the square in front of Notre Dame; a horse and buggy team stopped for a rest and a chat.

Break time.

We had a wonderful dinner at this restaurant and I loved how the lights were glowing as we walked back out into the street.

Warm light on a warm evening.

Then we wandered down by the river, enjoying the lit buildings as we people watched the other tourists.

More lights.

In the morning we walked one last time through the narrow streets. There weren’t so many people out and about as the night before.

Out for a morning stroll…or on their way to work?

We stopped to see the inside of the Notre Dame Church. It’s spectacular.

Awe inspiring.

Then we headed over to the Biospehere, the old Expo 67 United States Pavalion which is now a museum discussing how humans have changed the world’s ecosystem.

Memories of 1967

It wasn’t all good news. There are several exhibits including one that snows and rains on you. Another one has designer clothes made out of material that had been headed for a landfill.

Wonder what’s in that purse?

For all my dog friends, this dress was made out of what appear to be doggie bags…and not the kind you get at a restaurant. If you know what I mean.

But the best part about visiting the Biosphere was sitting out on the deck up top and looking at the Montreal skyline through the structure of the sphere.

There’s a nice cool breeze up here.

The skyline was pretty….but soon enough we had to move on.

Quite the view.

Gotta get some sleep. Tomorrow is Quebec.

September 16, 2015
by dawnkinster 4 Comments

Wordless Wednesday – evenings.

Ottawa:

Montreal:

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

September 14, 2015
by dawnkinster 21 Comments

Catching up

Ready, aim, fire!

I am getting behind! Every day we are doing more things, exploring more places and by the time we get in at night I am so tired I can do nothing more than check emails for emergencies and fall into bed.

Getting wet at Cave of the Winds.

But today we got up extra special early and have already walked 7 miles (11.3K) and we’re back at the hotel taking a nap before heading out for the evening. So I’ll see if I can give you the short version of what we’ve seen. (Click on any photo to see more detail.)

Riding Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls.

Do you remember the trip we made last October where we saw all sorts of lighthouses? Well this trip, once we got past Niagara Falls, where we played under the American Falls and took the boat ride into Canada’s Horseshoe Falls, seems to be all about forts built in the early 1800’s.

Learning about family life at the fort, kids went to school until 14, then boys had to find a job in town or join the army. Girls had to get married.

Learning about family life at Fort Henry; kids went to school until 14, then boys had to find a job in town or join the army. Girls had to get married.

And about the war of 1812 where, according to the Canadian guides we’ve heard, America invaded and wasn’t very nice to Canadian villages.

Fort Wellington never saw a battle, but sent troops out to fight in other local villages.

We’ve been driving up the St. Lawrence River through Ontario, headed to Montreal and Quebec. We saw a couple of freighters on the river, and, near Kingston, lots of houses out on quite small, rocky islands. Seems a romantic way to live until winter arrives.

Headed west on the river.

But right now we’re in Ottawa, Canada’s capital. We toured the Parliament building this morning.

Parliament Hill, with Peace Tower.

It’s beautiful inside, designed much like the National Cathedral in Washington DC.

Stone arches everywhere.

And it has a library that reminds me somewhat of the Library of Congress in Washington DC as well. Absolutely stunning.

It was very quiet in the library. We were in awe.

After the Parliament building we walked a couple of miles to the Laurier House, where two Prime Ministers of Canada lived, Wilfred Laurier and William King, 12 years apart. Lots of history here too.

Prime Minister King ran the country during WWII from his office on the third floor, preferring it to his office in the Parliament building!

And after that…we sat on the house veranda for a spell, letting it all sink in. Then we wandered back to the hotel, noticing the beautiful buildings of a beautiful city.

Built in different centuries.

Many different cultures and influences are evident in this city.

And a river runs through it. Actually a canal.

And now it’s time for a nap.

Resting our feet.

September 10, 2015
by dawnkinster 16 Comments

Where are we now?

We started our trip near Niagara Falls, spending a lovely evening walking on the Canadian side of the river enjoying the falls, the lights, the beautiful night air.

Do you see the falls back there?

We even rode the giant ferris-wheel and got a fun view of the falls just as they were lit up for the evening.

Very large ride…and they sent us around 4 times!

We started today at a town called Niagara on the Lake. It’s unbelievably beautiful, especially this time of year. They have flowers everywhere! And the annuals are at peak right now. They have huge gardens in the medians, and along all the store fronts.

Let’s sit a spell.

I could spend this entire blog just showing you photos of flowers. But we must move on. On to Fort George, on the Canadian side of the Niagara River.

Our guide Courtney explains about life at the fort.

There we learned about life in the fort, especially during the time of the 1812 war. Life wasn’t easy. And though this fort and the fort across the river on the American side started out friendly things got rough when the British and the Americans decided they both wanted Fort Niagara for all sorts of political reasons.

Ft George was built of wood, never meant for defense. It was burned and the entire town also burned by the Americans.

It was interesting to hear the story told from the British point of view. On our way over to visit the American’s Fort Niagra we stopped at a monument for General Brock. It has 235 steps to the top; a narrow winding spiral staircase.

This is in a beautiful park.

You know we had to do that. It was a bit like running a marathon without training. Now I know for sure I’ll never sign up for the race they do up the stairs at the empire state building. As if there was any thought of doing that. Which there has not been.

After we found our way back down we headed over to Fort Niagara to hear the American’s version of the war.

Standing on Canadian soil looking across the river at Ft Niagara.

Our guide there talked about how the fort was designed. It was built of stone, by the French as a fur trading operation, then taken over by the British to control traffic on the river.

Notice our American guide is more casual than the guide in Canada.

Fort Niagara is beautiful, especially the officers’ quarters. There’s a room there, up on the second floor with a view of Lake Ontario that was begging for me to stay the night.

Guest room with my name on it.

We had a wonderful day. We more than met our 10,000 steps and 10 flights of stairs. I think tomorrow will be more of the same. My heart says go for it. My feet say take a break!

Stunning stone building protected by cannons.

I hope you will enjoy this trip with us. I wish I could show you all the wonderful things we saw. But I guess for you to truly understand you’ll have to head on up here for yourself!

Pretty in blue.

September 10, 2015
by dawnkinster 12 Comments

Wordless Wednesday. It’s still Wednesday somewhere. Right?

September 8, 2015
by dawnkinster 8 Comments

Random leftovers

I’ve been home a couple of days now and I’m sorting through photos. There are so many that you didn’t get to see. If you follow me on Facebook you saw the daily good morning lake photos, and quite a few of food we ate. But there was more to my trip than just the lake or food, or even family. Though all of that was a huge part of a wonderful trip.

Last boat ride back to the house.

I drove down to Alabama, and there was plenty to see along the way. I’ll try to share a bit of the trip with you here.

Kentucky tobacco field.

I only saw one field of tobacco the whole trip. I happened to get off the freeway for something else, and noticed barns. Well. You know me and barns..and the next thing you know I’m driving out on a little two lane road that twists and turns through farmland.

Tobacco barn

Sure was pretty, as long as you ignored that it was tobacco. Soon enough though I needed to get back on the road. I could spend hours, probably days, wandering in the country looking at farms but I had to stop it and just move on.

These people at the Tennessee Welcome Center are sort of moving and stopping all at the same time too.

Frozen in time.

It’s an art installation and I thought it was kind of cool. So did lots of people; almost everyone stopped to have their picture taken, or to take their kids’ pictures, in part of the exhibit.

While I was in Alabama I visited my brother at another large lake. We watched an osprey sit on a high tension electrical tower and eat a huge fish.

Lunch

This photo kind of makes me think about Edgaer Allan Poe. Don’t know why…just does.

On my way back home this past weekend I happened on these two old trucks in Kentucky. It was another nice find while I was driving a two lane road between tiny little towns.

Resting

Two lane trips are just so much more photogenic than freeways. Especially when you have the time to wander. Right after I saw the photogenic trucks I ran across a swimming hole…

Summer swimming time

…for cows. I couldn’t believe I actually saw cows swimming. I had to turn around and go back. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised, it was really hot that day. The two cows in front were swimming across the pond so fast they actually had wakes behind them. Just like little motor boats.

And on the last day of the drive home I stopped for lunch at a truck stop that sold Subway sandwiches. After I got my sandwich I noticed this across the road:

Barbecue goodness

It’s a sign for a barbecue place. Probably should have gone there instead. I guess you can figure out what they serve. Can’t you?

Summer in the South. Somewhere there’s probably a good song or two about it. I hope you enjoyed a few of the sights. I know I did.

Floating

September 6, 2015
by dawnkinster 12 Comments

WordPress photo challenge: Connected

My mom’s been gone eleven years now. Sometimes I still feel very connected to her.

Peaches in my mom’s old yellow bowl.

Like when I’m standing in her kitchen preparing peaches for the freezer.

You can see other interpretations of “Connected” at the original post. Or check out a few of my favorites here, here and here.

What makes you feel connected?

September 5, 2015
by dawnkinster 7 Comments

Sweet Southern Story

I was at the local grocery store in the small Alabama town where I’ve been hanging out for the past couple of weeks. An older man (probably about my age if I were truthful) is leaving the deli counter, a package in his hand, walking toward me.

He looks me in the eye and says “If I had any peanut brittle I’d give you some.”

I figure he’s talking to the women behind the counter, so I smile vaguely and turn my cart into an aisle, looking for something on my grocery list. He follows me and calls out. “Have you ever made peanut brittle?”

I respond that I had, but it was a long long time ago. He repeats the question. I repeat my answer. He comes closer and says he’s sorry he can’t hear me. So I say it again.

“Where’s that accent of yours from?” he asks.

“Michigan,” I say.

“Your team gonna do anything this year?” he asks.

I look at him blankly.

“You’ve got a good new coach.”

I figure out he’s talking about the University of Michigan, so I just nod in agreement…backing up down the aisle.

“You living here now?” he asks.

“No…just visiting.” I say.

“Well if you’re living around here you got to make a choice.” he says. “You got to choose either Alabama or Auburn. Doesn’t much matter which you choose but you got to make the choice.”

“You know this guy?” he asks, pointing to a store employee behind me shelving cans.

“No, I say.”

“Hey there!” says the clerk to the man.

“He’s rooting for the wrong team” says the man.

“I still pray for you every night.” says the young clerk smiling.

All three of us resume our business but the smiles stay with me as I drive back to the house. I’m still not sure what peanut brittle had to do with anything. But people sure are friendly down here in the South. Except on football weekends.

Just down the lake is a boat dock with a flag that flies. The homeowner has made his choice clear. For those of you not from around here that’s the Alabama A blowing in the breeze.

Football is huge down here.

Wonder what would happen if I were to hang Auburn’s flag at the end of our dock.

Go Tigers.

September 4, 2015
by dawnkinster 16 Comments

Black & white photo challenge: Shadows and reflections

Shadows and reflections. Having spent the better part of two weeks on the lake I’ve been struck by the many beautiful reflections I’ve seen, and I’ve used quite a few of them in the last few posts. Maybe, just maybe, there’s nothing new to show you.

Still. Cee’s black and white challenge is intriguing and I haven’t done enough of them. In fact, I had to go back and watch the you tube instructions again because I’d already forgotten how to convert a color photograph to black and white since I did my last black and white for Cee’s challenge a few weeks ago.

After I figured out how to do it, the question became what to use. I had a couple of ideas but what it came down to was the still water right in front of the lake house, and the reflection we look at in all different kinds of light whenever we’re here, of the house across the way.

Early morning stillness.

You can tell the weather just by the way the house reflects in the water. If it’s dimpled there is rain. If it’s ruffled there is wind. If it’s perfect it’s water-ski water!

So I guess you can tell what we did right after taking this picture earlier in the week.

Yep, it involved a boat.

September 3, 2015
by dawnkinster 21 Comments

Flying through clouds

Glassy water

I’m resting after more than a week at the lake house. A week filled with lots of water activities, lots of family, lots of sun, good food, laughter and quiet conversations.

Last night I randomly read blog entries from years past, blogs about hanging out at the lake. I came across this one written in 2010 that talked about being afraid to try water skiing after years of skiing only occasionally during summer visits.

It seemed appropriate because in the past couple days I’ve water skied twice. Neither time was for a very long distance, though I got up on the first try each time.

But it was still scary.

Scared

You think about how hard it’s going to be to get your heavier person up on that ski. How the boat will pull. Lots of water rushing over your head. Falling. You think maybe it’s best to retire from skiing. After all you’re older then you used to be. You’re no athlete. You might get hurt.

Then you think about your mom who was older than you are right now and still skied once a year just to prove she could. And you think about the fact the lake is absolutely still, the boat is running well, the sun is shining. There’s no one out there but your boat filed with your family.

Breathing relief

It will never be any better than this.

So you put on the life jacket and whine a bit about being scared. You slide into the water and put on the ski which feels unfamiliar and clunky.

You feel clunky and awkward and the ski rope is moving as the boat slowly moves away from you and you can’t remember which side of your ski it’s supposed to be on and you can’t remember if you normally put your back foot into the boot or trail it as you get up. And you’re wobbling back and forth in the water and the rope is tight and everyone is waiting for you to say “HIT IT!” and so you do.

And the boat surges ahead and the water rushes over you and you remind yourself to just hang on. HANG ON and it will all work out. Balance over that ski and hang on. Let the boat do the work. And soon you’re popping up out of the water. Not gracefully. But you can breath.

You’re no expert skier, not throwing big rooster tail spray, not preforming tricks. You’re just out there, but oh the water is glass, the clouds are reflected beneath you, the sun is shining, the lake is beautiful and soft.

Flying

And you are smiling, because you are skiing through the clouds, and because you didn’t give up on yourself.

Lesson learned. Again.

Summer fun

Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

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