Old Montreal

It is gorgeous here.
Walking through the old part of the city of Montreal, you could almost imagine you are in Europe.
Horse drawn carriages trot tourists through town. They make a pretty accent but I always feel sorry for these poor animals to have their hooves clatter on hard pavement all day.

Recognize this place? Even fast food is housed in glory. But who would eat at this place when there are so many wonderful cafes at such good prices? Maybe the ones with children who don't wish to try anything different?

Jacques Cartier Place was a pedestrian only area filled with cafes, terraces, entertainers and artists. Off the plaza is a street called Rue du Artistes where we bought a really interesting painting to take home.
There are many people out on all the streets here. The metro system is very good. Also there are bike rental stands all over the city. You can pay $5.00 for the day and pick up and drop off bikes at many locations through out the day , up to 26 times a day.

There are several hundred churches in Montreal. Many of them Cathedrals and Basilicas. Such magnificent architecture. There seemed to be soup kitchens and shelters in some of them.

The shops in Old Montreal looked very quaint on the outside, but most of them sold the same standard Canadiana souvenirs. This little plaza was selling original handmade jewelry, which was nice. It made me think of my sister who is making beautiful jewelry back home.

On the north of our hotel was St Josephs Basilica on Mount Royale. We hope to explore this place more when we get back from Quebec.

This smoking fountain is in the financial district. If you come here in the evening you will see fire come through the water too. However, we (I), like to be back to the hotel before dark.

Next stop Quebec City!

Happy 100th Birthday

Hailing from Esterhazy in Saskatchewan. One of those "blink and you miss it" towns.
The main event of this past weekend was Keiths family reunion. Here are the few of us who came out from B.C. to celebrate the 100th birthday party of Great Auntie Jessie. Here are Keiths mom and her twin Valerie, and their older siblings Stewart and Margaret, also twins. These are the children of Aunty Jessie's husbands brother Alfred (Keiths grandfather). Got that? and of course some of us younger family here too. In all there were almost 200 family gathered here. This lady is amazing. She was out all weekend at all the reunion festivities.
This was taken at her birthday tea. On either side of her are her younger sisters. Both well into their nineties. Of course my two little nieces in behind her.

At her birthday dance, she even got up and did a couple of dances. Lexi and Natasha looked like young ladies in their dresses. Posing here with Keiths cousin Amy.

The MC/DJ was great and he got every one up on the floor. He didnt forget to make it fun for the kids too. This little cousin danced with Aunties 100 Balloon.
This handsome fella saved the last dance for me!

The jive was a lot of fun!

Lexi and Natasha had a great time dancing.

Wide Open Spaces

This is a wildlife overpass. A safe place for animals to cross the trans Canada Highway as it heads towards Canmore Alberta. There is a high fence all along the roadside to deter them from running over the road. If you look closely, you will see the overpass is covered in grass and trees. No cars allowed.

After a few days in the magnificent Rocky Mountains, we headed east into a whole different world.

Onto the open Canadian Prairies. "The Breadbasket of the World". Wheat fields as far as the eye can see for hundreds of miles. Here a cargo train heads south.

This is the most beautiful place I have ever been. It is impossible to capture in photos, the vastness of the plains. It is so quiet out there. Just the sound of grasshoppers, birds, and the wind! Sorry this video colour is not quite right.

Next stop...Family Reunion.