Aboriginal Day – June 21

Canada’s National Aboriginal Day celebration

https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/celebrate-canada-days/aboriginal-day.html

Celebrating indigenous culture and people

St. John’s, NL

Touring St. John’s was a delightful experience. The Rose Heritage Inn was comfortable with it’s B&B. We were fed a warm breakfast every morning. St. John’s was a bit on the cool side. I think the warmest it got was 15 degrees Celsius. Mind you it was the end of May. We ate fish everyday (didn’t check out the cod tongues).

A must see is Signal hill, Cape Spears lighthouse, Quidi Vidi and down town St. John’s. There is a memorial of Terry Fox where he started his run.

We walked George Street but we didn’t check out the bars. They say they have some true Celtic music.

Took a ferry to Bell Island

Trail tour

During a walk along the trails, camera on hand, this is what I spotted. Some natural beauty and some manmade beauty, old but full of detail.

   

Curling

Took some time off my unproductive day to go watch curling at the community sport centre.

The Discovery Zoo

I took my granddaughter to the zoo last year. On the way there I sang to her, “We’re going to the zoo, zoo, zoo, how about you, you, you”. Lois and Bram’s song always gets into my head when I think of the zoo.

It was quite a walk. However, I wished I was the one in a stroller. They did offer a tour guide but I thought we could tough it out since she had something to ride. Here are a few of the animals we saw.

 

Bear and crocodile.

Monkey and ostrich

Racoon and tiger.

After seeing everything we wanted to see, we headed out. It was a great day but I’m afraid I played out my granddaughter. She headed back to the vehicle without waiting for me or her stroller.

 

San Fransisco

July 19, 2014 – Headed out to San Francisco with my daughters and granddaughter.

Upon arrival, went to the rental house and dropped off our bags. We then headed out to Chloe’s for lunch. The rest of the day we stayed in the neighbourhood and got acquainted with the area.

July 20 – Took a boat cruise to Alcatraz, then toured Fishermen’s Wharf.

Got some great photos of trolley tour transportations.

Loved seeing the palm trees on Forbes and the seals near there. A seal sat posing so I just had to get a photo of the little guy.

Feet sore and getting tired of walking Fishermen’s Wharf, we decided to hop on one of these bike cabbies to Ghirardelli Square for chocolate. We then had supper at Scoma’s for my birthday dinner before heading back to the rental suite.

July 21 – Walked the Golden Gate Park. It was very lovely there. We also took in the science centre. I thought it was a bit pricey but it was a nice tour.

At the lake where the stone bridge is, you can rent paddle boats. Very nice, serene.

July 22 –  Went to see the famous winding road. There was a filming planned there. You can see the green screen at the top of the hill. Don’t know what kind of film was being produced. We didn’t stay there long because we had a cab to catch.

We went to Union Square and had lunch at the Cheese Factory. Very tasty food there.

That evening we had our last supper at Fresca’s , Peruvian food, close to the neighbourhood where we rented. The meals were very delicious. It was a nice finish to the trip.

Left early July 23

Capturing the Outdoors in Pictures

Bird on fence

Wire fence

New leaves

Bird landing near a puddle of water in a driveway

Bird bathing in the puddle

The outdoors in pictures. Love the different captures of life outside when weather is warm. These were taken near Red Deer, Alberta when I was visiting there.

Field Tour

A bench in the middle of nowhere. A trestle and an open field where sightings of wild may be seen up yonder.

I leave this little bench and travel along before pulling into an approach. Getting out of my car with camera in hand, I zoom in and find depleted, abandoned barns in open fields afar and beyond the slightly rolling hills.

I then spot something colourful near a tumbled building. The only stable dwelling painted a pretty blue.

Before I realize it seems I’ve strayed away from home too long for the setting sun tells me it’s time to go.

My little field tour of open valleys up yonder.

Winter Beauty in Photos

Touring near home, I walk along the path where sparkling snow covers it and frosted trees breathe down.

Farther, a bench awaits with open arms. Church bell rings. The winter scene is delightful. Where the heart is, home is near and if you look you will see you don’t have to go far to find sites as unique as any place can be.

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Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a nice place to visit. The neon lights and unique tourist attractions on Clifton Hill make a nice evening walk. We managed to stop and walk through the wax museum.

When we went they had fireworks once a week so we got to enjoy the fireworks from our room. The water falls were also a perfect view from our room.

We made plans to go on the Maid Of The Mist. That was one wet ride. Should you go on it, make sure you tie the blue, disposable raincoat you are given before getting on the boat. If wind gets a hold of it, it will lift over your head. Trust me! It happened to me.

All in all, it was a fun time.

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