August 31- North Sydney, NS

Odometer - 23370.0

After a breakfast with wild blueberries on our cereal, we drove all of 5 minutes down the road to Fort Louisbourg, the national historic site. We were challenged by the guard at the gate about the purpose of our visit (like did we bring hom a bottle of wine) but after promising to follow the rules and be out of the town before 5 PM, we were allowed in. The morning was foggy, though apparently 20 min away the sun was shining- but you could see how the 1730's townfolk would have had their life ruled by the weather. Everyone dressed in period costume demonstrating making fishnets, tatting, knitting and gardening, etc. The fog lifted about 2 PM, we could see far out in the Atlantic, and really warmed up in the sun.

After a short side trip up to the Louisbourg lighthouse, the site of the first lighthouse in Canada, and second on the North American Atlantic coast, we then continued northward on the Marconi Trail toward Glacé Bay. There, we visited the site of the first North American to Europe wireless transmission by Marconi - the precursor of all our wireless communication today that all started in 1902.

Continued to North Sydney, which is the site of the Marine Atlantic Ferries terminal, where we are waiting to board the ferry for our 11:30 departure. All seems well, our room is reserved and we are to arrive in Argentia at 3 PM tomorrow.

August 30 - Louisbourg, NS

Odometer. - 23297.5

Woke up to bright sunny skies in Pictou, tested our oven on homemade cinnamon buns from a small grocery where we got gas yesterday. They were delicious. We decided to drive the east side of the Bras d'Or lakes leaving Port Hawksbury rather than the familiar Cabot Trail. Chedabucto Bay, which leads to the Atlantic, and the lakes on our left. Two lane, wooded highway up and down, round and round. We bypassed Sydney and drove southeast and drove to Louisbourg, and booked into one of the nicest campgrounds we've had. We found a local playhouse, with a musical revue on for the evening. We made reservations, and after dinner walked about 20 min to the theatre, checking out old houses and shards along the way. The production was excellent local talent, two hours long and at intermission they served tea and oatcakes. At 10:30 we walked to our campsite and have crawled in for the night.

August 29 - Pictou, NS

Odometer- 23112.7

Woke up at 2AM- Irene was calling. Gale winds were blowing the trees, but we were in a sheltered area, and watched the trees bend as we played scrabble. We lowered the top and hit Tim's for breakfast - didn't want to deal with PEI red mud on anything. Drove to Charlottetown, where the winds were high, but the sun was out. Toured the Confederation buildings, Governor's house and St. Duncan's cathedral before walking down to the boardwalk and wharf. Lots of nice boats in the harbor, staying out of the wind. Checked if the ferries were running and headed off to Wood Island's ferry- got there just in time to catch the 14:45 ferry without rushing, but we didn't wait either.

75 minutes later, we pulled into Nova Scotia at Caribou, which is a stone's throw from Pictou. Toured the good ship Hector, walked the boardwalk and headed for a campsite. Decided to grocery shop after dinner.

Since we have a full day, tomorrow we we headed to Fort Louisburg, easterly side of Cape Breton Island. Winds have calmed, and it is a beautiful starry night.

August 28 - Cavendish, PEI

Odometer - 23027.4

My brother and sister-in-law served coffee at 6 AM, and at 7:30 we were treated to breakfast with friends. We departed Fredericton for Moncton and Confederation Bridge to PEI before 9 AM. Rains have been from non-existent to torrential all day, however when we did the 12.9 KM on the bridge, it was clear. Had lunch on the PEI side at the visitor's center and took the shore route to Cavendish, stopping off to visit the Anne of Green Gables mansion. It continues to rain, but is supposed to let up in the morning. Lots of potatoes and vegetables growing in the fields.

We are tucked in a secure campground, very wooded to protect us as they are predicting the possibility of high winds tonight. Tomorrow, Charlottetown.

August 27 - Fredericton, NB

Odometer - 22698

We headed off in the morning through Edmundston, where we found that without meaning to, we had a late start, as we had moved into the Atlantic time zone. We are now 3 hours ahead of Calgary. We followed the St. John riv to Fredericton. Visited with friends and my other brother (Duane). Since the storm is coming and expected to head up towards New Brunswick, we decided to leave for PEI in the am.

My brother and I gossiped until midnight and headed to bed for an early start. It was a quiet day, with no real site seeing, other than the river valley.

August 26 - Degelis, QC

Odometer- 22591.9

With advice from the campground, we left at 9 AM and parked at a shuttle bus stop off our route. We took the shuttle bus to Vielle Quebec. We walked up to Chateau Frontineac, walked throughout the crooked streets where a bagpipe band was playing. We toured the lobby of the old hotel, then walked even more uphill to the Citadel walls. We fought the battle of 1812, and headed downhill to the Parliament buildings. All old town Quebec was well landscaped, maintained and there was an abundance of flowers in planters, around fountains and statues.

Getting hungry, we feasted on a Montreal smoked meat sandwich, with an excellent fresh cole slaw and freshly fried potato chips. Refreshed, we went to the Cathedral, also called Notre-Dame. We walked back to the Place d'Armes and caught the return bus (included in the price!) to the parking lot. At about 4:30, fortunately for us we were in the right area to catch the bridge without hitting too much traffic to head north-east.

We are at a small town just west of the New Brunswick border at a municipal camp site. A sunny, beautiful day about 24 oC.

August 25 - Quebec City, QC

Odometer - 22413.7

Woke up to rain showers, so pulled out the rain coats and headed to the metro across from the hotel. Out came the iPad and off we went to Cora's for breakfast- excellent, as usual. 5000 calories later, we walked to the Olympic Park from the 1976 Olympic stadium and plaza, and to the botanical gardens. Unusual gardens in that there are themed areas, for example we spent an hour doing Chinese calligraphy, Japanese gardens where we did some origami (we made a samurai hat). Beautiful landscaping, flowers, vegetable gardens and even a First Nations garden. We decided we didn't need to make a basket.

Back on the metro, we headed to the Biosphere (the environmental museum). The best part was the structure itself, but many interactive displays for children. The rain stopped, but overcast. Back on the metro to hotel and van, where we headed out of town. By 4 PM we were headed to Quebec City and we got a taste of the construction traffic around Montreal.

We are just out side of Quebec City and will head in tomorrow into for a walking tour. Will try Quebec City's transportation system tomorrow. Days are getting shorter, maples are turning quickly.

August 24 - Montreal, QC

Odometer - 22230.2

After a fantastic visit with my brother/uncle, we left Ottawa at noon, with wonderful directions out of town. We took 17 east instead of 417 as it followed the river. Stopping at the Quebec border, we had a delicious feast packed by my sister-in-law/aunt Penny. We pre-booked a hotel in Montreal, so after arriving at 3:30 we ditched everything and took the Metro to downtown Montreal. Weather is warm but windy.

After a visit to the tourist bureau, we walked to the Cathedral Marie-Renee du Monde, and then hoofed it through town to the Basilique Notre-Dame de Montreal for a light show. This included the history of the Basilique, music from the organ, and laser lights highlighting the features of the cathedral. The show lasted just over half-an-hour, after which we toured and photographed alters and windows. At 8PM we headed for the Metro and returned to the hotel. We are going downtown again in the morning.

I (Mom) keep looking for English, but can never find it. Andrea continues to get me here there and everywhere.

August 22&23 - Ottawa, ON

Odometer - 22102.7

Left Sudbury at 7:30 am and headed out on Highway 17, I have really enjoyed taking this route as we have seen hamlets, towns, cities and the variations across Canada. Being in the trees was a bit claustrophobic after being in the prairies. No specific tourist sites, but we enjoyed stopping for brunch at a picnic site above Algonquin park.With the help of the iPad we drove directly to my brother's in Ottawa, where he had a feast all prepared. We gossiped until midnight, and enjoyed the comfort of a hot tub and big beds.

Today we visited Canadian Tire for a check up, they asked if we had CAA and told us everything was fine, and they couldn't do anything even if we needed it. We did some housekeeping, ate more and figured out our route and timetable for Montreal. Another big dinner, hot tub and bed.

August 21 - Sudbury, ON

Odometer 21834.3

We stayed about 125 miles west of Sault Ste. Marie, and heading there we were traveling between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. After arriving in the town, we toured the US Sault Canal docks, walked the tourist district, and enjoyed a huge ice cream cone as we were leaving. Crossed the International Bridge to the Canadian Sault canals. We did a 1.5 km walk around St. Mary's Island, which they used to build the lock. The walk had beautiful wildflowers, walked under the International bridge, and by the last remaining Swinging Bridge Emergency Spillway Lock in the world ( and yes, they do swing it twice a year).

Left Sault Ste. Marie and hit our first rain. It continued most of the way to Sudbury, where we are spending the night. It is still sprinkling.

August 20 - Seming, MI

Odometer- 21514.5

Left the KOA at 8AM, much cooler today. Noticed maple trees are beginning to change color on highway 2, and after driving through Wisconsin, we switched to Michigan 28 heading across the upper Michigan peninsula. Great rest stop on the Minnesota side of the St. Louis river overlooking Deluth, where we had a nice brunch. Found most national, state and even city campgrounds full tonight - of course, we are traveling just south of Lake Superior. We cooked ourselves a delicious salmon dinner- with dill sauce even. Not much visiting today, much more driving.

August 19 - Bimidji, MN

Odometer 21052.5

We rolled out of the campground at 8 AM and headed for the big city of Winnipeg. We went directly to "The Forks", amazing- beautiful park, excellent walks and celebration circle (a star gazing sculpture/aid for identification). A few converted railway bridges for pedestrians over the Red and Assiniboine rivers. Markets, and a music festival was being set up. The high-water marks were astoundingly high and still prevalent all around the city.

Leaving, we went to the Royal Canadian Mint and took their tour. All the circulating coins in Canada are made there, and only 60% of the coins they make are Canadian- the other 40% were for over 44 different countries- they were making an Ethiopian 1 birr coin while we were there. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take any coins away with us.

Headed south from there, and crossed the border with no difficulties. We a spending the night at a beautiful KOA campground with a pool and showers.

August 18 - Portage la Prairie, SK

Odometer- 20721.2

After a hot shower and breakfast, left Ponderosa campground at 8 Am and proceeded eastward to Regina. In Regina, toured the RCMP Depot and Heritage Centre ( the museum). Watched our RCMP march and learned process of becoming an officer. Museum consisted of deeds done since their incorporation. [photo to follow when wi-fi access available].

Warm, sunny but really windy on the road 1 East - the wheel was turned left most of the route. Pulled into Miller's campground at 8 PM - pool and hot showers, ice cream stand at campground. Tomorrow Winnipeg, and a jog south to Minnesota to cross south of the lake.

August 16 - Swift Current, SK

We're on our way! Started this morning getting the van packed, and the house closed up. Took the photo in the driveway, but are saying that the odometer was at 20000 to start as we dropped off library books. Odometer currently sits at 20320.8.

Highlight of the day was the Saamis teepee in Medicine Hat, Alberta. It is a metal teepee that stands 20 stories high, and was moved there after the 1988 Olympics, and is located at the site of a 16th century buffalo camp.

Continued on to Swift Current, SK and are staying at the Ponderosa Campground just east of town. Planning on the RCMP museum in the morning.

Post Five

With the weather threatening to rain, we still decided it would be a good idea to head for a hike. Took the chair lift up the hill, but it was still a 3.5 or 4 mile walk down the hill before the afternoon poster session. It was quite pleasant, and will add to post later.

Post Four

Halfway through the conference - students dealt well with questions on their posters, now my turn starts tomorrow. Poster is up, but I don't present until Thursday. Had some massive thunderstorms roll through- looks like we brought some rain with us, but at least it didn't stick around. Met a few others from the Canadian side of the border, a group from Queens University and cleared up a lot of confusion that we are UNBC, not UBC.
Most seem interested in what the place is like, its size and what is in the area.

Have had some ideas that come directly from talking to folks at their posters, and Matt has had questions which should help him out as he works on his gene reference project so so far the conference has been productive from that end - we have two more full days, then breakfast to go.