our amazing trip: day 8 (and 9)

Yesterday we spent much of the day at The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Marys, Ontario.

Henry spent much of the day nursing.

St. Marys is a beautiful town that boasts the largest outdoor swimming pool in all of Canada. At first glance, it looks like a lake - but the "pool" consists of water filling a massive limestone quarry.

Ontario has some of the most beautiful farmland we've seen on this trip.

I love Canada.

Charlie loves Canada.

The children love Canada (although I think William will appreciate Miss Teen Canada more in 12 years).

They especially love the Canadian Jus.

I suspect even my friend Lorie would love Canada.

We could see living here.

Uncle Pete's induction in to the Hall of Fame and Museum was great. It was such an honor for us to be present and watch Charlie's cousin, Cindy, give a very moving speech on her father's behalf. Her dad would be so proud of all that she and her sister, Stacy, have done.

While we were at the induction, we saw a beautiful Monarch butterfly, circling around the tent where hundreds of people had gathered to celebrate the lifetime achievement of the four inductees. I like to think that the butterfly we saw yesterday, represented the spirit of Uncle Pete.

He was there, a part of everything.

Part of the joyful celebration.

Part of the wind that lifted our kite up in to the sky.

After the induction, we went back to Aunt Betty's house and spent the afternoon swimming in the pool...

... and then the children enjoyed a picnic in Aunt Betty's bedroom on a king-sized sheet with their second cousin, Jack while watching cartoons. (With the fabulous Bill, who is a great chap and fun guy to spend the day with. Come see us in California and let's go to Legoland. Eh?)

It was so awesome to be here, to be a part of the day.

It was so awesome that Elizabeth had the chance to meet one of her namesakes and receive a special locket that Aunt Betty had picked out for her when she was born.

It was so awesome to just spend time with our Canadian family that we haven't seen in several years - and to spend time with our immediate family that hadn't yet had the opportunity to meet baby Henry.

Even if they did get us lost in the Candian country-side, we were glad to see them.


And equally glad that our GPS has Canadian coverage.

Today, we are continuing our drive east to Massachusetts. All that remains is 450 miles before we have crossed the country, from coast to coast.

We just passed by Niagra Falls and in to New York.

We had no problem crossing back in to the United States, because we made some good friends in Canadian Law Enforcement that gave us some pointers for border crossings.

Tonight, we hope to arrive at my father's house in Concord. My mother, who had taken my sister Janet on a cruise to Bermuda for her 50th birthday, is currently staying AT MY FATHER'S HOUSE with her fiance, Jim, and my father's new friend, Mary. I cannot believe that my mother and father are staying under the same roof, in the very house my mother helped to build almost 30 years ago.

That to me, is more impressive than the greatest falls of North America.