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Just before we left, family members persuaded me to apply for a handicapped sticker, after seeing me perform when we went to an outdoor concert with Krista and Matt and I had to carry picnic baskets over a mile. I didn't think I would ever use it...but, as usual, others knew better than I. In Halifax, which incidentally is all uphill, both ways, no matter where you are going, we stayed on the campus of Dalhousie University, chosen no doubt as an excellent example of hills and dale. Our residence hall has four stories and we were in the fourth floor (no elevator). Actually, the hall was named after either general or admiral Howe (brothers...but which one seems uncertain). The part we lived in was named Bronson hall (Lynda's maiden name) and no, we did not get a discount and no, we did not get an elevator and no, we did not get transportation to the hall where we ate, some six blocks away, uphill. This was Shireff Hall, named for a fellow who was a sheriff from those parts. Sheriff Shireff's hall was dedicated by HRH The Prime Minister. We dined on fried baloney and parsnips, among other things. There were some tastes we will always remember, but the people were endlessly friendly and helpful and the sights were interesting and we had a lot of fun. The building we had most meetings in was another six blocks, uphill, from the dining room. We returned to Sheriff Shireff's hall for lunch, six blocks, uphill. We returned for meetings and concerts six blocks, uphill and then went to visit Sheriff Shireff for dinner, six blocks, uphill. During the evenings we went to concerts and singalongs in area churches, as far away as 50 miles (all uphil). Did I mention that we were at the national Hymn Societ annual meeting, together with the Canadian, Great Britain, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and other hymn societies? Countries represented by people at the conference included the U.S., Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Romania, Germany, France, Netherlands, and Japan. Obviously, a great deal of interpretation was needed in speech and song, and it was supplied. Sitting down to dinner with many new acquaintances was an experience. However, we also found things in common with people from Wausau, Wisconsin and other Wisconsin sites, as well as people from Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, North Carolina, etc. Halifax and other Nova Scotia cities like Lunenburg and Mahone Bay were picturesque and fun to visit. I ate haddock in all of it's forms. For Tolkien lovers, in addition to Sheriff Shireff, Halifax had a middle and a lower Sackville, although no sign was seen of either Otho, or of Lobelia, or any other Bagginses, or Bracegirdles, Tooks, etc. In fact, although the countryside looked very promising, we never saw a single hobbit!
The Catamaran car ferry from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth, in Nova Scotia, is a great way to travel. It eliminates about 600 miles of driving and takes about three hours. We took the car with us. We ate a hot meal during the trip and I won $16.50 (U.S.) on the slots. The current rate of exchange is about $133 Canadian equals $100 U.SGetting used to $1.00 and $2.00 coins took awhile. In Canada, pedestrians have the right of way and drivers are unbelievable curteous. They waive you across and when you are driving they let you into line. When I told Lynda I was a dollar short for a parking maching and needed to go break a $20.00, the Canadian couple behind me just smiled. The man tapped me on the shoulder, dropped a $1.00 coin in my hand, grinned, and told me to have a nice evening!
We took, all told, two weeks to get back to Hamdedn. We returned happy and tired, but we had a great time and would certainly recommend Nova Scotia and Bar Harbor Maine to anyone who decides to do that way. Other than getting a bad cold from rain, mist, drizzle, showers, fog, etc. it was fun. Now we will take some time for Lynda to get ready for school and will look forward to some babysitting. Happy summer to everyone, and I will be sending some personal messages along the way as well. Time for a nap. Did I tell you that I am retired? What day is this? Does it matter?
Love, Dave