Okay, this was a quick trip as far as our family excursions go. Yet we got in a very timely visit, after not touching base with some Mt A friends for a period far too long. Thought I'd leave just a couple of notes in this section that reflect on common themes during the trip.

... We probably had too many educators in the room!!! Man teachers can monopolize the "talk", and it's always about how "the man" is roughing us over, how policy sucks and how much we love our students (lol). All kidding aside, it was great to chat with Than about how things work in Maine. Teaching is an isolated profession sometimes... it's so important to share our experiences and find the positives wherever they may be!!!

... I'm thinking that the act of sharing a meal is something that deserves much more attention at our house. I fear we get caught in the month / day / moment far too often and don't take the real time we should when breaking bread. We sat, relaxed, ate, talked, drank and took our good old time (much in the way the French did while we were in Paris). In essence the act was more of enjoyment than sustenance!!!

... I've reasoned this before, but I can't say enough about how welcoming and hospitable our visits to the US have been. We north of the border often hold ourselves in much higher regard when comparing demeanour with our southern neighbours. I can quite honestly relate that in our travels we were treated most kindly, in city, town and village, and have no complaint. Even the border guards were great!

... I think we all had fun meeting each others kids! Some of the idiosyncracies that have woven their way through the children are uncanny. Not to dwell on it, but it's not difficult to tell where they came from!!!

... So much history to explore in the States! If you enjoy history, you are familiar with the thrill of seeing names and dates of people carved in stone for the ages. Miller Cemetery Road in Appleton is not likely on the top destination sites for many but we feel priveledged to have spent a lovely fall morning exploring the graves from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I & II eras. A very cool way to get 'in touch' with the impact of these globally significant events.

... as a matter of geography, Nova Scotia and Maine are very much alike. It was a color filled drive as we passed through the coniferous/deciduous mixed flora we passed on the highways. Even the realm of climate is only subtly different... it was like a trip around the corner in many ways.

... so interesting in many ways how friends made at university have hung in there for so long. Not sure if there is a lot of "reason" behind it or if it's a strictly emotional sort of attachment. One thing that came to bare though, in pondering it on the way home, is that it must be a period of extreme influence. I hope my kids will be lucky enough to manage a similar experience.