Back in the City

The last week has been hectic and full of activity. Fortunately most of it has nothing to do with my illness. I did have my mammogram last week and I'm scheduled for an ultrasound at the end of the month. I had my test done at a different site than I've had it done previously and I have to say there is a world of difference in the set up and comfort level. To begin with this site has an actual waiting room, instead of sitting in an abandoned corridor in your hospital shirt waiting for your name to be called. Secondly, the machines are newer and digital versus the film technology used by the other site. And finally, the staff is much more friendly.

My visit with Ryan continued to be a lot of fun for both of us. When I returned from my appointment we went to a local beach and played in the waves. The fog rolled in while we were there so we didn't stay really long, but he did find some shells and a feather on the beach and he played along the waterline getting his feet wet. The waves were quite high and I wouldn't let him go too far out for fear of a rogue wave washing him out. It is the Atlantic ocean, and I don't swim well under normal circumstances. I think Wally and Jen would be upset if I lost their son.

On Tuesday Ryan and I went to the museum and looked at fossils, butterflies, bees and rocks. On our trip back to his home we stopped for ice cream and to explore a petting zoo. I think he had a good time; when we arrived he listed off for his mom all the activities we did, and when he was talking to his friends he kept mentioning things he had done in Halifax while he was away.

Tuesday night Rob and I joined Kelly and her sister for the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It was fun to be among the first to see the movie and watch all the people who came dressed as their favorite characters. Rob hasn't read the books, so for me it was nice to be able to discuss the movie/book comparison with Kelly and Andrea immediately following the film. I have to say getting home at 3 a.m. was tiring though, especially when I had to prepare for our camping trip.

We decided to take a couple of days last week and head for our favorite camping area -- Fundy National Park in New Brunswick. Rob had to work until 2 p.m. on Wednesday after which we drove to my parents' place for the night and left the dogs with Mom so we could enjoy a couple of days on our own. I fear this trip has spelled the end of our career as tent dwellers. The forecast for Thursday and Friday threatened only showers, but the reality was a thunderstorm and deluge. On Thursday night the campfire wood we bought at the park was wet and wouldn't burn properly (this was before the rain started), making it difficult to cook. We hiked two trails (both of which I found challenging even though they were easy trails). We enjoyed the evening program put on by park staff but finally decided Friday afternoon (when it was still misting and showing no signs of stopping) that we have become fair-weather campers, and we packed up our site.

In the end we decided to stop in Sackville, NB and in a wonderful twist of fate, ended up in the town during their Marsh Festival. We got to see a performance of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew and while not the best acting we've ever seen, the show was fun and wonderfully entertaining. The town has a beautiful trail system circling a Ducks Unlimited Waterfowl project. We walked around two different portions of trail during our stay and saw numerous species of birds including kingfishers, yellowlegs, Canada geese and tons of ducks neither of us could identify without the help of a field guide. We also saw a muskrat collecting grass and taking it to his den.

On the way home on Saturday we drove the coastal route and stopped in Malagash at the Jost Vineyard. Serendipitously, there was a festival taking place here too. As part of the events there was a band and a barbecue. We stayed awhile enjoying the beauty of the area and the live music. We stayed Saturday night with Mom and were back in the city by noon on Sunday. Rob and I wrapped up our mini-vacation by going out to supper at one of our favorite restaurants.

Of course today the sun is shining...couldn't have come out four days ago when we really wanted it. I have to drag the tent outside and set it up to let it dry out. I think it has seen the last camping trip with us. We used to make fun of the people who camped with their fancy trailers, but I think we've reached that point. We even stopped to look at some on Saturday to get an idea of what you get for your money -- a dry place to sleep and cook, even if it is raining.