HAL4NOW

Said goodbye to a number of passengers last night; glad we didn’t have to pack and leave our suitcases in the hallway. Walked into town this morning after breakfast in the MDR and went to church. Returned for the smoothest boarding ever to continue our B2B cruise. I like just being able to say the magic words “in transit” and bypassing all the lines. I think we will eat well for the next ten days judging from the amount of food being loaded onto the ship.

Ready to depart from Quebec City after a nice day of walking.

Inspired by Roy, I got up early and enjoyed the sunrise as we sail up the Saguenay fjord.

Enjoying a sea day.

Zuiderdam in port at PEI behind the Zaandam.

The Zuiderdam is right behind the Zaandam. It sure looks big in comparison. Attempt at a pano shot from the pier: A couple shots looking up at Zuiderdam from deck 2 aft on Zaandam.

It stopped raining and we were able to stay dry on our walks around Anne properties.

Raining in Charlottetown today. Sunset at sea last night:

Yes to the trail sinkhole being fixed. And I did enjoy dinner 🥘

Rain was predicted for today in Corner Brook but it turned out to be a lovely weather day: overcast and mid sixties. A few passengers were complaining about nothing to do, but I really enjoyed all of the trails I was able to walk: Corner Brook Stream Trail, Glynmill Inn Pond Trail, and Three Bears Mountain Trail. Walked a little over fourteen miles before returning to the ship for dinner.

Another bagpipe send off.

Wet day in Halifax but a good stop. We walked to the Maritime museum and then up the hill to the Citadel. After a few hours of walking in the rain it was nice getting back on the Zaandam. Hopefully Franklin misses the Maritime provinces. Seas have been quite smooth so far.

And a nice bagpipe send off from Saint John. The rain held off until the end.

Cool day in Saint John. Riding the HO HO pink bus.

The engines are fired up and we are preparing to depart Portland, ME. We had a beautiful day and a wonderful time with friends we hadn’t seen in 35 years. Got to go see our cabin on the lake in Limerick: our old church in South Parsonsfield: and a little light house where our friends courted:

Embarkation was quick and simple. Lunch at the MDR very enjoyable. Thanks to all our Daily friends for taking such good care of Zaandam for us.

Sunrise this morning in Revere, just north of Boston.

Thanks, Lenda. My name is Tony and my DW is Cathy. We are excited for what is in store for us over the next 21 days. Enjoyed walking the Freedom Trail yesterday; stopped at Scholar’s for a delicious lunch, took time to watch a street performer at Faneuil Hall, and just enjoyed wondering around Boston. It is often the unexpected surprises that make travel memorable.

Beautiful morning in Boston. Just two days before embarking.

Whenever I think of bad poetry I remember Henry Gibson walking out from the backstage with a large flower on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In. “My Potato is falling Off” is one example. A couple others are “Elements” and “A Poem” by Henry Gibson. There are plenty of videos of his Laugh-In poems online. His facial expressions and the flower must be part of the presentation; that is why I haven’t included any of the poetic lines in this post.

We fly from Seattle to Boston Sunday after church and don’t return to Skykomish until September 13th. That will be the longest time we have been away from Skykomish since moving here 12 years ago. Of all of the ports, Boston, MA, and Portland, ME, are the only ones we have been to (and not on ships), We are looking forward to experiencing five new provinces and a part of the world many will never see. here are the two legs of the B2B:

Roy, have you seen "The Empire Builder; James J. Hill and the great Northern Railway"? It is a four episode documentary series produced by Stephen Sadis and Kyle Kegley. It is available at Great Northern Filmworks: The Empire Builder: James J. Hill & The Great Northern Railway (greatnorthernfilmworks.com)

The time and table number should be on your key card when you receive it upon boarding.

Bon Voyage! @Crazy For Cats and @dfish, please take good care of the Zaandam. My DW and I will be boarding her on August 23 for a B2B.

I personally think that canoes are more forgiving than kayaks.