My Oyster

All-American 4th in Upstate New York...

Today felt like the 4th of July should feel.  Friends, Food, Fun, Fireworks.  And all here in the Adirondacks on Lake George - which by the way is 32 miles long and a mile wide.

Jean and I had a BBQ lunch with Lori, Rob, Joanne, Larry and other family & friends in Glens Falls then had a BBQ dinner with Dana, Rob & family on Hiawatha Island.

We got to watch the fireworks from Dana's boat in the middle of the lake.  It was my first time doing that.  Watching the display while rocking gently on a boat was wonderful. 

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

Nature...

Sunset on Lake George.  The burgers and hot dogs were on the grill and dinner just about ready.     

Beauty...

I love boat houses and this one on the island always caught my eye.  I love the sparkle on the water and the shadows from the trees.

Fun...

At Larry & Joanne's BBQ - Jean taking a bite out of his first Maine "red snapper" hot dog.  Not sure if he liked it or not.  I do.    

Spirit...

We were definitely feeling the spirit of America while watching the fireworks from the boat.

Just liked it...

Dana teaching Jean how to drive the boat.  He loved it.  I was a little less confident.  Those pics (and more of Jean at the helm) are on flickr. 

And more photos here at my Flickr account.

Who Knew??

I had no expectations of Lake George before we arrived.  It really was meant to be only a pit stop to break up our drive back home from Montreal.  But Wow. 

It is beautiful here.  And the weather has been amazing.  And it is the 4th of July weekend - so very festive. 

The mix of color, breeze, water, beautiful Adirondack style is so relaxing and so very "vacation".  What a good decision it was to stop here for a few days.   

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

Nature...

We did a morning ride on a great trail from Lake George Village to Glens Falls.  There were picture perfect shots all along the way.     

Beauty...

As the sun started setting our friends Dana & Rob picked us up on their boat and took us here, to the Sagamore Resort, for drinks.  This was our view. 

Fun...

Adirondack chair.  Good friends and conversation.  Cool breeze.  Setting sun.  Great views.  Stoli Blueberry Lemonade.  Oh - and I get no cell phone reception here.  :-)    

Spirit...

This is Moo walking with us through the trees on Hiawatha Island.  Moo belongs to Rob and Dana.  The Island is Dana's family retreat.  You could sense how happy Moo was in this setting.

Just liked it...

Duck, Boat, Lake.  I thought it was cute. 

And more photos here at my Flickr account.

A La Prochain, Montreal...

"See you next time".  And we will.  Jean and I definitely want to return to Montreal.  Hopefully soon. 

Today we finished up this trip  and our stay in the Little Burgundy neighborhood of Montreal. We have really enjoyed the home exchange. It is a great location for tourists – easy access to nature, shopping, food, arts, culture and the city.

Before hitting the road for Lake George (more on that tomorrow), we did a hike around the Parc Mont-Royal - the beautiful "mountain" in the center of the city.  It was a perfect way to end this visit.   

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

Nature...

The Parc Mont-Royal is huge and very natural but with some more manicured spots - like this one.     

Beauty...

The skyline from the top of Mont-Royal.  I thought it was particularly beautiful as we were saying our goodbyes. 

Fun...

For the past couple of days our friends, DJ and Jermaine, have been staying with us too.  It has been great exploring Montreal with them .    

Spirit...

Near the top of the mountain is a cross that represents one placed there by the founder of Montreal.  We all thought it was interesting that the jets had made another cross there too. 

Just liked it...

This big, old lodge is at the top of the Mont-Royal.  I like the rustic feel, historic murals, but mostly the squirrel statues in all the eaves. 

And more photos here at my Flickr account.

Reconnecting in Montreal...

Today was a little different for us here in Montreal.  And special.  Jean was able to reconnect with his family in the area.  There is a large Haitian community in Montreal.  As a child he would spend summers up here with family, but he had not really been in touch for years.

We had lunch with one of his aunts, Sonya.  She owns a dress shop in one of the outer neighborhoods.  We actually had already eaten lunch, but somehow managed to eat a second one.  Very tasty Haitian food. 

After the first family visit we squeezed in a walking tour of the Outremont neighborhood and then met up with one of Jean's cousins, Isabel.  That visit was at a BBQ at one of her friends.  Lots of family, friends, French, Creole, and food.   

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

Nature...

Parc Outremont.  Another perfect Montreal park.  Very relaxing.  Surrounded by beautiful homes.   

Beauty...

In someone's front yard.  Couldn't resist. 

Fun...

Jean, his cousin Isabel and two of her (6) kids.  Christopher is less than a month old.  The second of two family reunions today for Jean.  He was loving it.  Me too.    

Spirit...

The Eglise St. Viateur.  Prime Minister Trudeau's funeral was held here. 

Just liked it...

Apparently, the Quebecois "celebrate" Canada Day by dumping all their trash on the sidewalk.  Seriously.  We saw piles everywhere. 

And more photos here at my Flickr account.