September 18, day 6 of our trip, Stewiacke Mastadon Ridge

This is the Mastadon replica which was dug up at the Gypsum mine near my elementary school of Dutch Settlement around 1991. I was wearing my combat gear as I had just moved most of my furniture out of storage to donate to the local United Church of Canada to a needy family.

About 1995, the businessman who had build the KFC in my hometown then expanded the area to include this attraction which has Mini-Golf, a gift shop as well as a Tim Horton's, Petro-Canada and a refurbished KFC/Taco Bell

This was the church my wife and I were married in, St. Andrews United Church, United Church of Canada. Originally it would have been a Presbeterian church but was merged in 1925 with several other smaller denominations to form the UCC.

Leena made her shot.

meeting up with my old friends Ross and Madeline MacInnis. Dr. MacInnis was the local family MD for many years and is a close personal friend of my familes, having served with my father in the Canadian militia, reserve army in the 1970s.

 

The Musquodoboit Valley, Nova Scotia Day 5

The Musquodoboit Valley is my Canadian families homestead. Our ancestors settled the area after the Napoleonic wars.

This is a shot of a painting of Moose River, Halifax Country, Nova Scotia where my ancestors live close by.

My grandfather nearly worked at this mine but was told by one of the workers not to as they were afraid something might happen.

driving back to my Dad's place, we stopped in Upper Musquodoboit at this wooden playground which was built about 10 years ago.

nice swing

cute little store.

 

My former teacher, Mr. Jim Poole who was the MRHS guidance counselor for many years. His farm is just down the hill from my families.

Prince Edward Island September 15, 16 2013

PEI or as my family used to call it, Spud Island, is one of the most beautiful places you can visit. It's a really nice place to visit with a family and our trip was a bit off beat as we went in September. This has the advantage of having less crowds to the places you want to see, but has the downside of having things closed, or running at reduced hours.
This posting will document our visit there.

Emi and I on the boat deck of the Holiday Island. We are enjoying President's choice Choclate Brownie cookies while crossing.

Ian is fighting off jetlag while Leena patiently lets him sleep on her shoulder. This could be like on any Japanese train.

Out on deck, Leena decided to strut her stuff.

We're arriving on PEI!

Ken enjoys the view of PEI from the sun roof of our Volvo rental car.

Lunch time was spent at this buffet restaurant. Food was good for the price we paid.

Ian tucks into mussels!

Leena tackles some fried stuff.

To keep me going, I got some energy drinks. I noted the sizes you could get. The can on the left is the only size you can buy in Japan. The can on the right is what you can get in Canada. I had bought 2 large cans of Monster energy drink from Atlantic Superstore in Elmsdale, Nova Scotia.

Inside the gift shop in North Rustico, PEI. I got myself a Sou'Wester, a fishermans rain hat, plus an insta kilt, a towel printed to look like a kilt!

Ian hangs out in the community park of North Rustico. This was a nice little park, great for the kids to run around in and burn off their energy from being inside the car.

 

Checking into Kindred Spirits. Our suite is just above Leena's head.

(note the Japanese script which reads yokoso, meaning welcome)

 

 The next morning we went to Anne of Green Gables National Historic Site.

Leena and Emi pose with Anne

Emi enjoys the foilage

Emi finds the red currant wine Anne gives to Diana thinking it was Rasberry cordial.

Ian and Leena in Matthew's buggy

my wife and kids at the entrance to Green gables.

Anne's room

Kindred Spirits Inn and Cottages lobby with the receptionist. A lovely place to stay. A free breakfast and just a short walk through a path to Anne of Green Gables National historic site.

Ian and Leena play in the toy section just off the breakfast room at the Inn.

An old style pump organ, the same my grandparents had in their house.

The entrance to the Inn

The swing set in the grouns

Jungle gym

Let's make sand castles!

 

 

Ian and I enjoy Lobster at the North Rustico Lobster Supper. It was good! Fresh salads, fresh breads, the lobsters were delicious, and the desserts were great. If you want to get a good stuffing, this is the place to go.

Great food Daddy!

 

 

 

 

 

September 16 Day 4 Truro

Monday we visited the graves of our grandparents who had passed away back in 2005 and 2009. We then went into Truro to see what we could see.

This restaurant in the food court was a small Chinese take away. Emi was so impressed with the place as she could remember her PIN number for her credit card. This is now an essential bit for any tourist from Japan. You cannot use a credit card simply by just swipping it. You must use the PIN number in order for the transaction to take place.

Seeing as portions are so big, we ordered just one combo and spit it. The kids also were not use to Canadian Chinese food. They quickly warmed up to it though. I was also able to get some new ROOTS CANADA clothes.

Leena about to sample a fried wonton.

After we did our shopping I took my family to the Migmaw Culture centre at the Treaty Power Centre. This was a very nice place explaining the history and culture of the Migmaw people.

Ian and Leena attempt to climb up Glooscap's legs.

These were our neighbors in Stewiacke ten years ago. Our older children used to play with the daughter as they were the same age.

 

 

September 15, 2013 Day 3 of our trip

Sunday we went to Middleton United Church in Middle Musquodoboit where I spoke to the congregation about having survived the 2011 Earthquake and my wish to donate furnature to needy families in the area.

We then went to Dartmouth Crossing to do some major shopping and meet our old friend Mark and his family. We had lunch at Boston Pizza and while the food was good, the service was not so good. The server forgot my friend's daughters order and for a little kid watching everyone else eating and they have nothing, it tends to upset them.

Afterwards, I met my Aunt and her boyfriend and we went back to her home. She was so happy to see us. We sat and talked having tea until I noticed that it was 8pm and I needed to get back out to my Dad's house.

September 14, day 2, Halifax Citadel, Discovery Centre.

I want you to visit the Halifax Citadel!

My family and I posing with the 12lb smooth bore gun I used to fire back in 1995-96.

Posing with a L/Cpl of the 78th Highlanders.

With my family in front of the cavilier building.

In the tailor shop, Ian got to try on a uniform coat, glengarry and hold one of the Synder-Enfield Rifles.

The school room in the Halifax Citadel where the soldiers of the garrison learned to read as did their children.

Ian and Leena posing on the walls.

Leena tries writing on the slate.

with one of the 78th pipers.

Ian tries out the mirrors.

Johnathon and Leena try floating balls with air.

the science of bridges

the bubble room

the amazing floating Leena!

I can do it!

 

I finally got a steak at Montanas. I tried their Mushroom peppercorn sirlion with gravy and mashed potatoes. I don't need ketchup Ian!

 

This was their cookhouse platter which was very good. Emi and I split it. The spinich dip was very good.

Ian got his ribs!

Emi attempts to tackle a "small" sized salad. The Japanese think all foreign food portions are always too big.

In Japan, this is a family size!