in Kingston, Nov. 30

We have moved!  Carylanne helped us move from the hotel to a retirement residence (called Conservatory Pond) so the plan is that we will "sample the life style" for the next 2 weeks.

Conservatory Pond Retirement Residence
In our days in Kingston, there was a long abandoned stone quarry
in an open field.  When the quarry filled with water, some of the more
adventurous folks would go swimming there on a hot summer day.
Now we can look out on "the pond" from the dining room.

Dining Room at Conservatory Pond - it simplifies meal preparation (as long as you are punctual).

Dorothy on the tour of "some of the many amenities of retirement living".

Well, it's time to go for dinner, so will share more tomorrow.

in Kingston, Nov. 29

Today was Carylanne's 49th birthday - one of her celebrations was to attend her regular weekly workout with her personal trainer.  The trainer has a studio at Olympic Harbour in Kingston.

Olympic Harbour - the venue for all the sailing events during the 1976 Olympics
In the background, Kingston Penitentiary, a major prison since the days of John A. Macdonald
Kingston has five other prisons and a training centre for prison guards.

View from Olympic Harbour across the St. Lawrence River to Wolfe Island
now marred by a multitude of wind turbines

Training studio located in one of Kingston's many 150 year + buildings
made from the local limestone - Kingston is "The Limestone City"

Carylanne's good friend, Tammy, shares her workout

although she may have dressed
too quickly today

First, "the class" goes for an outdoor run ...

Then, the hard work begins

Tracy, keeps the girls working hard.

But, there was time for Tammy's birthday gift to Carylanne.

It's great to share your birthday with friends and family

in Kingston, Nov. 28

Two major adventures today - we were up early to attend church service at our former parish, St. Luke's Anglican.  It was here that Dorothy and I were married, January 20, 1979.

St. Luke's - est. 1890

We appreciated sharing communion, and thought of our friends back at St. Thomas, Sherwood Park

We assumed we probably would not know anyone but we soon met Lorraine, who had attended our wedding; and Ed, who managed a meat shop we used to shop at when we wanted that special roast for a big occasion.  He is an engaging character and told us stories about his new career in the scrap metal business.  We were also welcomed by many others, including the rector and the rector's wife.  It has been many years since we were members of a church in which the rector's spouse was actively involved.

Debra, the rector's spouse, is actively involved in church activities.
She is originally from Battleford, SK

Franklin, with the rector, Rev. Dr. Ian Ritchie

Paul, and our Grandson Andrew and his friend Mackenzie

The second big adventure started with Paul hosting the family to a sumptuous dinner at Aqua Terra, a fine dining restaurant at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Kingston, in honor of Carylanne's birthday tomorrow..

our Grand-daughter Kristen and our Grandson Brayden

And of course, the birthday girl and her mom

Then, it was off to Paul and Carylanne's home for cake and to see Andrew's impressive 180 gal. salt water aquarium

Dorothy considers fishing as a new career path

There's a lot more than fish in this complex and difficult to maintain environment.

Andrew enjoys his hobby and has become expert in marine ecology.

It might look like Puss 'n Boots but it's the house cat Charlie

AND, we got to present the scrapbook we made for Carylanne, documenting some of her highlights so far.

So, with full stomachs and warm hearts we completed another day of adventures.  Thanks to all for the encouraging comments.

in Kingston, Nov. 27

Bus waiting in the pre-dawn to take Dorothy, Carylanne and other ladies to Toronto
It seemed from the name that I should have gone but I had other plans.

Our adventures began early today.  We were up before 5:00 AM (3:00 AM Alberta time).  Carylanne and her friends had chartered a bus and organized a ladies shopping trip to Toronto.  There is a show there called "One of a kind" which seems along the lines of the pre-Christmas craft show at the Butterdome.  There would be time for a mall or two as well.  Dorothy was invited and had to be at Carylanne's by 6:45 AM.  It would give her a chance to get out and do some traveling :).  They would have a champagne breakfast on the bus, etc. 

Meanwhile, I was to be at the K-Rock Centre (formerly, the Memorial Centre) to watch Brayden in a hockey game that started at 7:00 AM.  Paul arranged ice-side seating for me, and Brayden played well and had fun.  After the game, Paul arranged for me to visit in the dressing room of Brayden's team - the Fort Henry Wings.

Brayden heads out to play left defense for the Fort Henry Wings

Brayden anticipates a break-out from the other team's end.

Paul assists an injured player to leave the ice 

Grandpa congratulates Brayden and shares hockey stories

Brayden with the coaching staff: (l-r) Coach, Jean-Marc;
Head Trainer, Paul; and Assistant Coach, Claude

So ends another Saturday morning for hockey dads and hockey sons across Canada.

in Kingston, Nov. 26

Our adventure today was dinner and a live play.  Carylanne and Paul met us at Minos Village (one of our favorite restaurants in Kingston).

Then, it was off to Kingston's downtown live theatre - the Grand Theatre, and within it a smaller stage called "The Baby Grand"

The play was a tour-de-force on sibling rivalry and how it changes (and stays the same) from childhood into adulthood.  It was performed by three women - one of whom was our grand-daughter Kristen.

After the play, we met the star and later went to a nearby restaurant for deserts.

Paul and daughter Kristen

Grandma congratulates Kristen

Even Grandpa got into the act.

Later, we all went for desert in Kingston's theatre district.  It was a sweet ending to a great day.

Point Edward, ON to Kingston, ON

Welcome to Ontario

Today was the shortest of our 3 long days to get to Kingston - only 560 km today.  We had light rain and +3C most of the way.   Thanks to state of the art highway engineering and 5 lanes of traffic we were able to average about 20 km/hr through much of Toronto.

Up close and personal with traffic on Hwy 401 in Toronto

We had lunch in Toronto and then Dorothy drove to Kingston.  As we came along, the sights started to become more and more familiar from our years of living in Kingston and often traveling the 401, esp. when Dorothy's brother lived in the Lake Simcoe, and later Oshawa areas.

After we reached Kingston, we arranged to meet Carylanne at a restaurant near where we used to live.

Carylanne seemed pleased to see us

Seeing Grandma and Grandpa again was a real treat for Brayden, too.

... and Grandma always enjoys a treat as well, 

Grandpa got into the act

and Paul came by a little later to welcome us.

Brayden, Paul and Carylanne - a big part of our destination.

Thanks for all the good wishes.  We have fared remarkably well on our journey, slipping between storms, and keeping to our demanding schedule.  We have  traveled 4,408 kms since leaving Sherwood Park.  Now it's time to slow down some and enjoy the activities ahead.