The Big 70

Larry celebrated his 70th birthday last week with not a lot of hoopla. We had a good day at work with the biggest surprise being some fun cupcakes delivered at the office from Kathy and Heather. It was a very nice surprise and Larry was really pleased.

We had a busy day. The President joined us for lunch and cupcakes at the office (oops! I forgot to take a picture of the cupcakes until we had already eaten 3) and the two of us made a not so successful attempt to sing Happy Birthday! After work Larry and I went and bought him a new purple tie and then went to a restaurant we have been wanting to try down by a small harbor. We had a fun fish dinner and then walked around the water awhile. It was a quiet way to slip into a new decade but then that is the way Larry wanted it. He did receive many birthday wishes over the phone but Canada postal workers have been on strike since the first part of June, so we have received no mail. He still has cards to look forward to.

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Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

47 Years and Counting

It is hard to believe that we have been married for 47 years, have 6 children, 20 grandchildren and one more on the way. It has been a wonderful 47 years albeit we have had our trials and sorrows but they are far outweighed by the joy and happiness. We have lived in many places, worked different jobs, met many wonderful people who have influenced our lives for good, and ended up back in Salt Lake in the stake where we grew up and met, in a house filled with precious memories of Larry's sweet parents and special occasions celebrated there with both of our families. Larry spent the last 17 years of his career working in a job that he loved at the Church Translation Department. We have spent anniversaries in many different places but this year we spent it here in Atlantic Canada by a beautiful lake.

Lake William

Lake William from Waverly Road

There are many beautiful lakes here in the Halifax area but one of our favorite drives is out Waverly Road, a road leading out of Dartmouth along beautiful Lake William. When we heard of an "Inn on the Lake" at the end of Waverly Road on Lake Thomas, we decided it would be a great place to spend our anniversary. Although our getaway was short, it was so lovely and relaxing. We are so blessed to have good health and to be able to get out and enjoy some of the beautiful creations of our loving Heavenly Father and to be serving Him in this wonderful part of the earth.

Inn on the Lake


Room complete with jacuzzi


Checking out the flora


Contemplation


Lake Thomas adjacent to the Inn on the Lake


Shoreline of Lake Thomas


Anyone for canoeing?

Bay of Fundy x 2

On two recent Saturdays we headed to different areas on the Bay of Fundy. Twice a day the tide comes in and the water level can rise as much as 50 feet. This is among the highest tides in the world. Unfortunately both times we visited the Bay, the tide was out, and because we were on day outings we had to return home before it returned. When it is out, you can see large muddy tidal plains that at other times are covered by water.

The tidal plain of the Bay of Fundy

The Bay of Fundy is very different from the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia. In contrast to the rugged, rocky shoreline of the Atlantic, the Bay of Fundy (pronounced Fun-day by the locals) is gentle and peaceful. There are many farms and pasture lands adjacent to the shore.

Idyllic coastal scene

One place of special interest was the lighthouse in Walton, Nova Scotia. It is a very small community which historically was the home of the Acadians before they and their cousins throughout Atlantic Canada were expelled in the 1700s to Quebec, England, France and Lousiana (to be known there as Cajuns).

Walton lighthouse

The Walton lighthouse was built in 1873 to aid the shipping industry in the area. It remained in use until the 1970s. Since then it has become a heritage landmark of Nova Scotia. It is a very peaceful and pleasant place to visit. One interesting fact is that the ships would come in when the tide was in and then settle on the tidal plain when it was out. The crews would load the ships before the tide returned. It is said that one ship could never be refloated and eventually had to be dismantled.

Bay of Fundy at Walton, Nova Scotia




More scenes along the Bay of Fundy

On a subsequent trip we went to the Annapolis Valley which is further to the southwest of Walton lighthouse along the Bay of Fundy. The Valley starts in the northeast at Wolfville which is the home of Acadia University. The town is quite quaint. Several Victorian homes, some of which are now bed and breakfast establishments, give a special air to the region. Wolfville is considered by many to be one of the most vibrant cultural centers of the province. Besides the university there is a musical festival, art gallery and museum which attracts people to the area.

Victorian homes in Wolfville, Nova Scotia


Church next to Acadia University in Wolfville

In May the Apple Blossom Festival is held in the Annapolis Valley. It is an annual agricultural and heritage celebration centered on the communities of Wolfville and neighboring Kentville. Community involvement in the festival is strong. We drove through Kentville on a Saturday afternoon just in time to watch the Apple Valley Grand Street Parade. It was interesting to watch the local effort and enthusiasm that went into it. It was complete with floats, bands and boy scouts. It was not like any parade that we have every seen but we have to admit that they put their heart into it and everyone seemed happy.

Apple blossoms and other blossoms in the Annapolis Valley

Locals celebrating the Apple Blossom Festival

We all love a parade!

After leaving Kentville we drove through Port Williams and up a beautiful windy road past lovely little homes and gardens to a "lookoff" overlooking the valley. Although the day was very overcast and at times quite foggy it was still worth the drive to see the view below.

A picturesque house near the lookoff

Elder Foley enjoying the view from the lookoff

The valley below