Once again we are venturing out to discover new places and have new experiences, all while escaping the hottest part of the summer in Florida. So, northward we go. The plan this year is to head NE into Canada's provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Although we lived our lives in Maine, we have never visited this part of Canada, even though it was relatively close by and The Cat was cruising out of Portland regularly on overnight trips to Halifax. We just never thought about doing it. So, there is no time like the present. Then we will head west in Canada and visit the two remaining southern provinces we have not been to, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Check, check. 

 As I do every year, I give myself a pep talk:

   * to keep my senses keen in seeking the new, the beautiful, the interesting and the unexpected;
  * to keep my mind open to learning and to having new experiences;
  * to remain relaxed and enjoy each day for what it brings;
  * to keep my emotions in check;
  * and to have a good time. 

And I pray that we will be safe, strong and healthy, and that we will return home smarter, wiser, more informed and satisfied that our trip was a success.

And so…off we went, with Poinciana in our rear-view mirror, once again. Our adventure began with the usual visits with family beginning in Raleigh. We spent our first weekend with Michelle and her family…time spent with our granddaughters Danielle and Natalie is always special. And an unexpected visit from our niece Noelle and her kids, Colby, Vitalik and Lera was a real bonus. On Monday we stopped in Sea Isle City, NJ to spend a day with Karen and Charlie. Then off to Chatham, MA for the rest of the week, where Steve played in a member/guest golf tournament with our son, Scott, at his country club. And of course I got to spend time with our grandson Max, who is about to turn 4. On Wednesday, Scott booked us all on a boat ride in Onset Bay that took us up the Cape Cod Canal where we sailed past the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and on Thursday Max, Lindsay and I went on a fabulous train ride out of Hyannus. Max LOVES trains and we all had a wonderful time.

On Sunday morning, we said good-bye to the family and headed to Maine where we spent the first 50 years of our lives. We visited with my brother Ron and his wife Cindy and with Steve’s Aunt Mary, and then we headed out to visit with old friends, Gloria and Bob, who generously offered to host our visit at their lakeside home. We spent Monday afternoon taking a boat ride and sitting by the lake and enjoying a get-together with Doris. I find it so comforting to touch base with people we have known most of our lives. We reconnected with them last year at our 50th high school class reunion and, as it often is with old friends, seeing them again is like putting on your favorite pair of old slippers…they feel so good. Thanks for the memories and for a wonderful visit to Maine.