Fort Ticonderoga

Friday was cold and wet day in Canada. After waking up early, we headed out into a rainstorm to leave Quebec and return to the USA. It was raining solid all the way through Montreal and on to the border. There was a long line of cars to enter the USA where we did, mostly Canadians heading into the USA for the weekend. We made the border by Noon, but it was more than an hour to get across. But at least the rain stopped!

After a beautiful drive through the Adirondack Mountains in New York (our 8th state or province on this trek), we found our motel in Ticonderoga, New York. I've always wanted to see Fort Ticonderoga because of the remarkable military history of the area. Today was my chance!

Here is a picture of me on the lower wall at Fort Ticonderoga, looking south, getting ready to aim the cannon and fire on a sailboat anchored in the bay. This is Lake Champlain, near the inlet of La Chutes River from Lake George upstream.

This is a photo of a reenactment of the military parade grounds at Fort Ticonderoga. This is inside the fort looking toward the south barracks. As you can see, the actors were dressed in appropriate Continental dress.

Now the artillery regiment is taking aim at the sailboat! It looks like they may actually hit something! There were many cannons on the walls. After Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold took Fort Ticonderoga from the British in 1775 (first battle fought and won in the Revolutionary War), General Washington ordered 69 cannons moved from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, MA. There were still arms available in the fort to guard the way.

This is Fort Ticonderoga from the top of Mount Defiance, across the La Chutes River. The British put cannons on top of this mountain at one point to seige the fort. No one ever challenged the fort straight on, but it changed hands often during a 30 year period. Seige was the big enemy. I guess the soldiers never stored their year's supply of rations!

A Rainy Day in Quebec City

Thursday was a rainy, overcast day in the City of Quebec. Early morning found a thunderstorm right over the city, with lots of thunder, lightning, and moderate rain. We stayed in our room until almost Noon, munching on fruit, fresh rolls, and juice. Then the weather broke and we were rain-free for the remainder of the day! It was breezy and a little chilly at times, but other than a cloudy sky, everything else was fine!

We took many pictures today, so this just a sampling of our photography skills and exerpiences of the day. We took a couple of walking tours using a book on Quebec. We found some interesting things along the way, learned a bit about Canadian history, and saw some beautiful places in Quebec.

This is a picture of Rue du Petit-Champlain from above. This is part of the lower city, just outside the city wall along the river. It is a walking-only street, much as it would have appeared in 1750, lined with shops and eateries.

This is solid brick wall, painted in a style called trompel'oeil, meaning trick the eye. It is a fun representation of the history of Quebec, with 18th Century figures combined with people of today. Click on the image for a better view and examine this artistic style.

The City of Old Quebec is protected by a stone wall, and sits on top of a cliff. Between 1760-1800, the British conquered the French in North America and Canada became part of the British Empire. Since the Brits are better at building fortifications, they added these big guns, and many more like these, to protect the city and control the river. No trade ships could move up or down the river without passing the big guns! Interestingly, they later added a fortress within the city wall called La Citadelle, which still houses a regiment of Canadian troops today. That fortress had mounted guns facing in all directions, in case the rebellion came from within the city and the conquered French citizens.

This image was taken from La Citadelle looking east along the river. It is easy to see Hotel Frontenac, the tall building on the left, the lower city near the river, and the St. Lawrence River looking east toward the Atlantic Ocean. Years ago, Quebec was the largest North American seaport.

The city wall and an entry gate from the rest of Quebec City. It appears that Old Quebec once had about 5-6 gates in and out of the protected city. There are a few more today. This entry point faces west toward downtown Quebec and allows traffic through on Rue Saint Louis. By the standards of the day, Old Quebec was a strong fortification and a safe place to live.

Quebec City

Wednesday was a little more trying than some of the other days. We woke up in the Mount Washington Hotel to cloudy skies and rain, sometimes hard rain. We checked out of the hotel and headed north to Canada. It rained all the way to the border, then stopped and we had dry roads the rest of the way into Quebec City.

Here is our only picture of the day, Hotel Frontenac, the landmark in Old Quebec. We are not staying in this hotel, because it runs about $350 per night and up. That is way out of our price range! We looked for a Motel 6 in a 200 year old building within the city wall, but no luck. We are staying at a smallish Hotel du Vieux Quebec, a mediocre hotel, but it is in a terrific location. We are within walking distance to everything!

We are planning to do some walking tours tomorrow, weather permitting, so hopefully we'll post more pictures tomorrow night. The weather forecast is poor, so we'll have to see what happens. We do have jackets and umbrellas, so we'll likely be out doing something!

White Mountains

Welcome to the White Mountains ... the Presidential Range in New Hampshire. This is the Mount Washington Cog Railway. It literally crawls right up the side of the mountain behind the station! Incredible!




These little guys were wandering around near the railway station. Three red foxes came out of the woods toward the road. I stopped the car, and as you can see, they weren't especially shy! These must be the party foxes of the area! Always looking for excitement and action!

Here is our room for the night! This is a majestic Mount Washington Hotel! Built in 1902, accessable only by rail or horse in the early days. Nestled at the foot of Mt. Washington in a small valley. I'm sure it was really the place to be 100 years ago! It is still pretty darn nice today!

Mount Desert Island, Maine

Another year older? Rob had a birthday on July 16, and wondered "which way to the beach?" all day ... despite sitting on it! This photo was taken near Sand Beach in Acadia National Park. Beautiful pink granite, lush forests, and the deep blue ocean!





Here is our "home" town for a couple of days, Bar Harbor, Maine. The photo was taken from the summit of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. As you can see, the views were incredible!






Where does lobster come from? From lobster fishermen just like the guys in this boat. If you click on the picture and enlarge it, you'll see them pulling in the lobster trap! Maine is famous for wonderful fresh lobster. So how is it you ask? I don't know ... since I'm allergic to lobster, I don't dare try it! This photo was taken near Seawall in Acadia National Park.



Here is a photo of the Bass Harbor Lighthouse on the southern tip of Mount Desert Island. This lighthouse is still in use today, in fact, it was blinking when we were there, even though there wasn't a cloud in the sky at the time! It was built in the late 1800's and has saved many ships over the past 100+ years!







Southwest Harbor, Maine. A beautiful little harbor town on Mount Desert Island, but on the opposite side of the island from Bar Harbor. On the south side, a natural harbor hosts the town, and a similar little town on the other side of the harbor, Northeast Harbor, Maine.

Ellie & Justin

Ellie & Justin at the rehearsal dinner on Friday night, the night before the big day! Don't they make a cute couple?

There they go! Mr. & Mrs. Justin Watson!








Here is the Greenwood Family, including their newest member, Justin. Claire and Lyn in the front. Ellie, Justin and Lee standing in the back.






A special appearance at the wedding from The Blues Brothers! Jake (Lee Greenwood) and Elwood (Charlie Greenwood) arrived just in time to perform a special version of Soul Man with lyrics specifically for Ellie and Justin!

Laurie & Rob Visit Connecticut!

Here is our home away from home, The Inn at Lafayette in Madison, CT. We arrived late on Thursday night, after a long travel day. It was wonderful to have a comfortable room and bed waiting for us!

Kenny & Marie joined Laurie & Rob for some sightseeing. One stop was the Whitfield House, or the Old Stone House, made entirely of stone in 1639. Wow! And I thought the house I grew up in was old!

Laurie & Rob are enjoying the summer sun on the Southern Connecticut coastline. This is the Guilford Marina, in Guilford, CT. Boats and sea captains were out in force on that beautiful Friday afternoon!

Here is Kenny, Rob and Justin Watson (Ellie's new fella!) discussing the tides and currents on the beach in Clinton, CT. This was the backyard setting for the rehearsal dinner held before the wedding on Friday night at the home of Justin's grandparents. What a spectacular setting for this event!

Grandma, Grandpa & the Baby

Here are Grandma & Grandpa Mays with their first grandchild, Olivia Isabelle Cardon. This was taken in April 2007, the day of her baby blessing in Orem, Utah. As you can see, she is relaxed and content with her Grandma & Grandpa ... and we are certainly content with her! We only wish we could be with her more often!