It's a Go! by Susan L.

  As much as I trusted the Lord that He would make the Cape Breton bus tour happen, as much as I prayed it would be so, the temptation to check out the amount of seats sold proved too strong. Some things you just gotta know! There's only three seats left which means they've sold seven, well over their minimum requirement of four. There's a happy dance taking place in the kitchen right now!
  There was also a sale on at the local work/outdoor outfitters. I got my hikers at 60% off! Now it's simply a matter of breaking them in and being faithful to the walking. They also had seamless hiking socks that don't rub the toes. It might be worthwhile picking up a couple of pairs.
  I can't remember ever having been so excited about something. Maybe Christmas when I was little. Even the stuff that has gotten stirred up in art therapy hasn't affected me except to have me ponder the why's and how come's.
  The black box image has simmered away on the back burner for the last couple of weeks. While away camping, I left my mind open to discovering what was inside. I found a whole whack of shame as my two companions discussed dieting and losing weight. Having been so ill, the pounds have packed on since Christmas. Not that I needed more to be overweight, it sure hasn't helped.
  It's something we're bombarded with all the time, that being skinny is the only way to be socially acceptable or to be considered beautiful. TV, books, and billboards along the roadside all whisper the subtle message that unless you are tall, blond and leggy, or have tight skin with no wrinkles, feeds into low self-esteem. Or worse: into actual dislike of self.
  Let's look at this realistically. Two of the three meds I am on cause weight gain. Being over fifty causes weight gain. Genetics are part of it too. I've never been skinny. I've already mentioned being forced to be a couch potato. Sigh. There's also a huge part of me that views dieting as "why bother? You're going to be fat anyways."  Hmm, I need to investigate where that came from.
  Then there's the struggle to cook something decent for myself as opposed to munching down a couple of sandwiches. Somehow saving money seems to cut into the food budget. I wonder where that concept came from?
  Neither camping or the Nova Scotia trip would have happened unless there was the means to pay for it. Perhaps it's time to find another place for saving. That is if I want there to be future trips to lands unexplored.
 " "Am I a God near at hand," says the Lord, "And not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?" says the Lord, "Do I not fill heaven and earth?" says the Lord." Jer 23:23-24
 
 
 
 

Challenge by Susan L.

  One of the activities of the bus tour is a seven kilometer hike...oh, boy. I am definitely not in shape for that kind of physical activity so the task over the next month is to get walking. After doing a short three K hike up in Grundy, it took a couple of days to recover. Not a good sign even if it did involve a whole lot of climbing. Cape Breton is even more hilly.
  It has to do with my health being so poor since Christmas and spending most of the time on the couch. I am finally much better but find myself fatigued rather easily. Perhaps it's safe to say it takes time to recover from infection after infection.
  And I smile as yet another ghoul finds its way into my life.
  So. How do I make this happen?
  We're supposed to wear good shoes with plenty of ankle support. Those aren't in my wardrobe except for a pair of steel toed work boots that weigh a ton. Something lighter would probably be better. Breaking in a new pair of hiking boots would be a good plan. The last thing that's needed is blisters. (Note to self, pack a small first aid kit.)
  I was thinking, too, about taking some sort of walking stick. They cut the fatigue level in half when hiking by simply assisting balance or offering support when climbing. I wonder if there's a collapsible stick out there that would fit in a suitcase.
  I'll check out both these things after work today. The sooner I get walking, the better and if I walk every day, rain or shine, there should be a huge improvement by the end of August.
  "I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; moreover my flesh also will rest in hope." Acts 2:25-26
 

Finishing Touches by Susan L.

  Everything is booked for the Nova Scotia trip. I found a couple of inexpensive motels to rest my head at. They're central to some wonderful places to visit such as Lunenburg, the home of the Bluenose II and the site of one of the oldest forts in Canada. It hadn't been on my original list of places to see but because of the amount of time I have and the fact everything is so small, it fits in nicely. There are also a couple of provincial parks near both locations: ideal places to put brush to paper or to exercise my photography skills. (Must refill my watercolour kit.)
  It also gives me an opportunity to putter along the coast road, stopping often to enjoy the scenery or maybe walk some off-the-beaten-track beach.
  I received a response email to all the questions I had for the tour company. They need a minimum of four people to run. So far there's only two signed up. Please pray that they get the needed numbers!
  When I signed up, there were nine spots to fill. I figured a bus load of at least thirty was taking part but it appears the bus is smaller if only ten go at a time. That's much nicer anyways. There wouldn't be as much noise or kafuffle each time we stop. I now understand their ability to organize cooking groups who can dine together and save some money. Hmmm, maybe they know where to get a fresh lobster...
  It's amazing how quickly this trip has come together seeing as it was only on Sunday when I found out plans had to be changed. I am happy that it's worked out all the same and full of gratitude that the Lord led me to the right places.
  All that's left is arranging airport transportation but there's still plenty of time for that.
  "Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage." Ps 84:5
 
 

Done and Done by Susan L.

  The flight's booked. The tour is booked. The car is rented. All that's left is to find places to stay the second half of the holiday. The plan is to stay a couple nights somewhere south of Peggy's cove to do some sight seeing. The route will then cut across to the Bay of Fundy for a couple more nights then drive back to Halifax to spend the last weekend with family.
  It's seems strange that getting from here to there are rather short drives. Here in Ontario, you can drive a full day, I mean 24 hours, and still be in the province. Nova Scotia is so much smaller that a couple hours is all that's needed to get to any destination. It's a good thing. It means the chance to take a puttering drive with frequent stops to enjoy the view, possibly paint, or simply do some beachcombing off the beaten track all makes for a relaxing drive.
  I'll have to check the tide charts to find the best time to witness the Bay of Fundy's incredible tides. Hopefully it isn't in the wee hours of the night.
  There aren't any hostels in the locations I decided to stop in so it will mean booking a Bed and Breakfast or a hotel/motel. Which is okay. It's only a place to rest my head for the night.
  At some point I'll have to find a lobster dinner; an iconic maritime feast.
  While doing all this research, plenty of childhood memories are being stirred up. The sound of fog horns on a Sunday's morning, fishing, going with my dad to liberate trees from the wilderness...I brought a baby spruce tree home one time and when we moved to Ontario, it came with us. Picking Mayflowers from a carpeted clearing in the woods and having their sweet fragrance fill the car on the drive home. I'll be interested to see exactly how big the hill is on the road where we used to live. When we were kids, it was huge!
  There's still some inquiries to make especially with the tour operators. I decided to go ahead and book it then ask the questions. It would have been devastating to have missed the opportunity and the tour was filling up. Besides, my trust is in the Lord that this is exactly where He wants me to be.
   "Then He said, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches."" Lk 13:18-19
 
 
 
 
 
 

Getting the Details by Susan L.

  Before finalizing my trip out east, there's a few details to be worked out. I've got a bunch of questions for the bus tour company. Because the accommodations are at hostels, is a sleeping bag or some form of bedding needed? Do we bring a cooler for food or are there opportunities to pick up groceries or go to a restaurant when we stop for the night or lunch?
  For my own peace of mind, it might be prudent to get a money belt seeing as I wouldn't have a car to lock up any valuables. Unless I upgraded to a single room instead of sleeping dorm style. (An option the tour company offers.) I wonder how much that would cost? I am not sure how comfortable the night would be sleeping in a room full of strangers.
  It might work to bring a backpack on the tour instead of hauling a suitcase full of the few clothes needed for the four days. The one I have isn't very big but a dry run of packing could see how much would fit. The suitcase could be left at my daughter's.
  The list of questions is growing but even so, they aren't changing my resolve to go. I think it will have to be booked soon before it's sold out. Thank You, Lord, that this is the direction You have pointed me in as a way to make a lifetime's dream come true.
  Also, thankfully, there's a toll free number to call so the answers to these and many other questions can be answered. I've a scratch pad and list beside me with other questions that came to mind while typing.
  Adventures await!
  "And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world." Jn 12:47
 
 
 

Plan Changes by Susan L.

  My hoped for trip down to Nova Scotia this fall with a friend has ended up with the friend not able to go. I was terribly disappointed. The dream had been to rent an RV for a week, to visit Peggy's Cove, to cross over to the Bay of Fundy and spend a few days in Cape Breton.
  I thought to myself, "How can I do this trip solo?"
  The idea of doing all the navigating, driving and trying to see the beauty of the Cabot Trail seemed like a dangerous combination. Never mind the fact it's not much fun to do it on my own. So, I've found a four day bus tour of Cape Breton that includes opportunities for whale watching (something I wanted to do). There's also some hiking and the potential for a boat ride out to Bird Island.
  The price includes accommodations at hostels where there's a chance to cook meals. It'd save on the cost of dining out all the time although I hope there's an opportunity for fresh lobster! The whale watching costs extra as does the boat trip but, because I would be part of a tour, all of us get a discounted rate.
  It also provides companionship. There'd be someone to turn to and say, "Wow! Isn't this lovely!"
  Afterwards, I'd rent a car to travel down to Peggy's Cove and spend a couple days elsewhere at B&B's or perhaps even another hostel. They worked when I was in New Zealand travelling alone and they provided the chance to meet a whole raft of interesting people to chat with.
  Maybe this half of the trip could be an art tour so I'd spend some time painting whenever the urge strikes. It'd be more of a go-with-the-flow kind of travel.
  To finish the trip off I would spend a weekend visiting my daughter and future son-in-law and puttering around Halifax, seeing Citadel Hill, and a doing bit of shopping before flying home.
  I'd be gone a bit longer, eleven days, but I think this sounds like a really good plan. It's a trip I've waited a lifetime for. Since moving up from Nova Scotia to Ontario when I was eleven, I've never been back but have always wanted to go.
  Thank You, Lord, for providing the ways and means for me to do this trip. Thank You for guiding me to the idea of a bus tour.
  "Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young--Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they will still be praising You. Selah." Ps 84:3-4

 

Grundy Provincial Park by Susan L.

  It was with a great deal of sorrow we packed up yesterday from a wonderful vacation in a country of granite and water. The weather held for the most part only raining the first evening soon after we had everything set up. A heat induced thunderstorm rolled through later in the week. Otherwise, it was ideal for lazing at the beach, doing some painting or simply listening to the wind rustle through the trees.
 
We had a perfect site. There was a short path that lead to the water's edge of Gurd Lake.
  It was lovely to sit and watch the full moon creep its way across the sky. At night the water was as still as a mirror. A water beetle ballet was adorned with silver as they danced to the rhythmic strains of a bull frog's song.
  Our last night I saw a shooting star streak across the sky. (An answered prayer!)
  It appeared this area was a favorite place of a dinosaur-like snapping turtle. It was huge with a head the size of my fist and a shell the size of a turkey platter! Very accustomed to people, he (or she) let me get within a couple feet. It's not often you get to hear one of these rather shy amphibians breathe or watch them blow bubbles before they come up for air.
  We didn't see a bear even though there were bear advisory posters everywhere. There weren't many chipmunks either but perhaps that had to do with the fact there were numerous red squirrels swearing at everyone and everything. There were no racoons performing clandestine visits to the site. We were in a dog friendly area. They might have something to do with keeping the wildlife away. Although, if the wild things had taken a good look at my friends six pound silky terrier, they'd probably have laughed at her.
  There was a huge dock spider in the ladies washroom who came out at night. Her legs would have reached across the palm of my hand with no effort. I used the side where she wasn't. Even though my son has given me an appreciation of their hidden beauty some things never change.
  From the macro to the massive, everywhere was the opportunity to enjoy the incredible variety of God's creations.
  "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork." Ps 19:1-2