Caribbean Princess on the dock in Quebec City Our last update left off in the middle of our cruise to New England and Canada, as we left Boston harbor. The second week of the cruise brought some new ports of call and some cooler weather. Ater returning to Jacksonville, we found ourselves traveling north again, this time by car, only a day after our plane touched down upon our return from Canada. We were headed to Frederick MD, where Cathy will be receiving her infusions through year-end.
Twilight on promenade leaving Bar Harbor New England and Canada
The 2nd half of our cruise took us through Maine and into Canada. We anchored off Bar Harbor, traveled up the Bay of Fundy with its dramatic tides to St. John NB, back out to the Atlantic around the southern tip of Nova Scotia to Halifax and then around its northernmost Cape Breton Island to Sydney , before ending our sail up the St. Lawrence in Quebec City.
The 2nd half of our cruise took us through Maine and into Canada. We anchored off Bar Harbor, traveled up the Bay of Fundy with its dramatic tides to St. John NB, back out to the Atlantic around the southern tip of Nova Scotia to Halifax and then around its northernmost Cape Breton Island to Sydney , before ending our sail up the St. Lawrence in Quebec City.
Beef Wellington Life on Board
Well, if it’s not all about the food, it’s mostly about the food. Cruising is not for anyone looking to lose weight, unless they have a lot of willpower. We had dinner every evening with Lili and Eddie, a couple from California. She was originally from Taiwan and he from the Phillippines. We thoroughly enjoyed their company.
Well, if it’s not all about the food, it’s mostly about the food. Cruising is not for anyone looking to lose weight, unless they have a lot of willpower. We had dinner every evening with Lili and Eddie, a couple from California. She was originally from Taiwan and he from the Phillippines. We thoroughly enjoyed their company.
Born to Be Wild cast We spent a couple of evenings going to shows, but after struggling to find a seat and being turned away more often than not, we found other things to do. There was an excellent dance band that we enjoyed when we could. A few crew “games” were played that were fun as well. In one, the 3 participants were asked a question. One was lying and the others were telling the truth. We had to pick the one that was lying. We got it right once. We watched some movies on the deck of the ship, although after St. John, it was too damp and cold to make that attractive. We enjoyed some time in the pools as well, until the nights started cooling the water a little too much. With some coupons we received early on, we took a brief turn in the casino. Spending $20 of our money and $20 in coupons, we walked away with $25. Not our thing.
Executive Chef and the head Maitre 'd On our last day at sea, there was a culinary demonstration and a galley tour that was fun and interesting. The executive chef prepared some dishes that would have tasted great, except for the contributions of the head maitre’d who was “assisting” him. Afterward, we got to walk through one of the ship’s galleys. Dave took lots of pictures for our grandson who is interested in culinary as a career.
Lobsters! Bar Harbor
Our last trip to Bar Harbor had been close to 30 years earlier. And Dave had one thing at the top of his list – fresh Maine lobster, cooked in sea water. Once the ship’s tenders started running, we made our way to shore and were dropped off in downtown Bar Harbor. We wandered up the hill to an information center to get the details on the bus system. It is free, thanks to a grant from LL Bean, and runs from town to various points on and just off Mt Desert Island, where Bar Harbor and Acadia NP are located. We were headed to a point just off the island. After ensuring the lobster places were still where we remembered them, we found our bus and headed out. With almost 3000 people from the ship headed to shore, we were the only ones on our bus.
Our last trip to Bar Harbor had been close to 30 years earlier. And Dave had one thing at the top of his list – fresh Maine lobster, cooked in sea water. Once the ship’s tenders started running, we made our way to shore and were dropped off in downtown Bar Harbor. We wandered up the hill to an information center to get the details on the bus system. It is free, thanks to a grant from LL Bean, and runs from town to various points on and just off Mt Desert Island, where Bar Harbor and Acadia NP are located. We were headed to a point just off the island. After ensuring the lobster places were still where we remembered them, we found our bus and headed out. With almost 3000 people from the ship headed to shore, we were the only ones on our bus.
The Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound was our destination. We picked out 2 small lobsters and they were taken out to be cooked in the lobster pots outside. With bibs in place, we cracked and picked to get at all of the sweetest bits of meat. It was as good as we remembered.
Rocky shoreline in Acadia National Park Our return trip was going to take some time to get into town, catch a bus for the park and then another that would loop through the interior. As we waited on the side of the road, we flagged down a bus headed our way. However, its sign wasn’t quite right. We discovered we had chosen the Acadia NP loop bus heading from the garage to its first stop. So, we just stayed on, and took a tour of the park.
St. John New Brunswick St. John, NB
Although we have traveled into New Brunswick and seen the amazing tide swings of the Bay of Fundy, we had never stopped in St. John. One of its more famous sites is the Reversing Falls just outside of town. At just the right time, you can view the tidal bore come in from sea and change the direction of the rapids. We weren’t in port at the right time, but we did see what to us was equally amazing. Upon our arrival at the bridge over the rapids, there were rocks exposed and just submerged, making this a very boat unfriendly section of the river. However, an hour later, we watched 2 sailboats and a trawler approach the bridge from upstream. Were they crazy? How could they keep away from the rocks? Well, the tide had risen enough that they could motor calmly under the bridge and out to sea.
Although we have traveled into New Brunswick and seen the amazing tide swings of the Bay of Fundy, we had never stopped in St. John. One of its more famous sites is the Reversing Falls just outside of town. At just the right time, you can view the tidal bore come in from sea and change the direction of the rapids. We weren’t in port at the right time, but we did see what to us was equally amazing. Upon our arrival at the bridge over the rapids, there were rocks exposed and just submerged, making this a very boat unfriendly section of the river. However, an hour later, we watched 2 sailboats and a trawler approach the bridge from upstream. Were they crazy? How could they keep away from the rocks? Well, the tide had risen enough that they could motor calmly under the bridge and out to sea.
Halifax, NS Halifax, NS
In Halifax, we spent most of our exploration along the harborwalk, which is relatively new and definitely did not exist during our last visit here several decades ago. It was a beautiful day, and we enjoyed exploring.
In Halifax, we spent most of our exploration along the harborwalk, which is relatively new and definitely did not exist during our last visit here several decades ago. It was a beautiful day, and we enjoyed exploring.
Cathy by the Giant Fiddle in Sydney Sydney, NS
Sydney was a new destination for us, sitting east of Prince Edward Island on Cape Breton Island, and jutting out into the Atlantic. It is a quaint small town, that surprisingly didn’t seem overwhelmed by having 2 ships in port that day. We walked its historic district and took pictures of the World’s Largest Fiddle and bow that greets cruise ship passengers and honors the area’s Scottish musical heritage.
Sydney was a new destination for us, sitting east of Prince Edward Island on Cape Breton Island, and jutting out into the Atlantic. It is a quaint small town, that surprisingly didn’t seem overwhelmed by having 2 ships in port that day. We walked its historic district and took pictures of the World’s Largest Fiddle and bow that greets cruise ship passengers and honors the area’s Scottish musical heritage.
Statue commemorating the role of the Merchant Navy in WWII. The town played a significant, though largely unsung, role in World War II, as the launching point for 177 convoys of “slow” ships of supplies to Europe. These were private vessels, deployed by a Merchant Navy, not designed for the ocean crossing and certainly not for defense. They were easy targets, and when torpedoed, sank quickly. The convoy could not stop to rescue the survivors. Those that were rescued by seamen from Sydney were brought to safety back in this harbor.
Quebec City, QB
The rain fell on and off all day during our last day on the ship. After watching the ship dock, spinning around in the St. Lawrence to be better positioned for its next departure, we made our way to town. In addition to checking out the historic district, just off the docks, we wanted to plan our travel to the hotel the next day. Climbing the hill to the town was a bit challenging. They don’t have many hills in Florida. But the view was impressive. Also, we were able to buy bus passes for the trip to our hotel the next day.
The rain fell on and off all day during our last day on the ship. After watching the ship dock, spinning around in the St. Lawrence to be better positioned for its next departure, we made our way to town. In addition to checking out the historic district, just off the docks, we wanted to plan our travel to the hotel the next day. Climbing the hill to the town was a bit challenging. They don’t have many hills in Florida. But the view was impressive. Also, we were able to buy bus passes for the trip to our hotel the next day.
After spending a short night in a local hotel, we made our way to the airport at 4am for our 6:00 am flight to Toronto. While waiting, Cathy checked the weather in Jacksonville. It was disconcerting to see that the 4am temperature of 80 degrees was higher than anything we’d seen in the last week of travel. Sigh. After clearing customs in Toronto, we boarded our flight to JFK. There was a 4 hour layover in a crowded terminal at JFK, but we departed on time and arrived early. By 7pm, we were back at Faith. But we had to scramble. We had less than 36 hours before we would be hitting the road again
Cathy at MD Anderson - Frederick MD Maryland – What’s that about?
Shortly before leaving on our cruise, we discovered a serious billing issue that seemed to be a result of our decision to go out of network on our insurance for Cathy’s care. While we were on the cruise, this issue was being researched by the provider, but we had no idea how that would play out. The biggest exposure by far was the on-going Herceptin infusions that will continue every 3 weeks until March. Since any delay longer than a week would require her to start over, we knew we needed to take some action. So, after a week with no definitive answer, we started contacting other facilities, determining their insurance status, whether they could do the infusion and what the lead time would be to make the transition. It was not encouraging. The biggest problem was trying to get the appointment with an oncologist and get the infusion scheduled within the tight timeframe. We weren’t getting back to Jacksonville until 3 days before next infusion was due.
We expanded our search beyond Jacksonville to Virginia around Richmond. Then, we started looking at facilities that had a relationship with MD Anderson. That took us to Frederick and a Network Coordinator that was amazing. Within 24 hours, she had an appointment with an oncologist and an infusion scheduled. She had my records and knew my treatment plan. When our cell phones were out of service a whole day while we were at sea, she got the additional information from my insurance card from Jacksonville.
Shortly before leaving on our cruise, we discovered a serious billing issue that seemed to be a result of our decision to go out of network on our insurance for Cathy’s care. While we were on the cruise, this issue was being researched by the provider, but we had no idea how that would play out. The biggest exposure by far was the on-going Herceptin infusions that will continue every 3 weeks until March. Since any delay longer than a week would require her to start over, we knew we needed to take some action. So, after a week with no definitive answer, we started contacting other facilities, determining their insurance status, whether they could do the infusion and what the lead time would be to make the transition. It was not encouraging. The biggest problem was trying to get the appointment with an oncologist and get the infusion scheduled within the tight timeframe. We weren’t getting back to Jacksonville until 3 days before next infusion was due.
We expanded our search beyond Jacksonville to Virginia around Richmond. Then, we started looking at facilities that had a relationship with MD Anderson. That took us to Frederick and a Network Coordinator that was amazing. Within 24 hours, she had an appointment with an oncologist and an infusion scheduled. She had my records and knew my treatment plan. When our cell phones were out of service a whole day while we were at sea, she got the additional information from my insurance card from Jacksonville.
View of the Memorial Garden from the Infusion pod So, on Monday, August 12, we headed out for our 12 hours trip to Frederick, arriving the next morning in plenty of time for the appointment with the oncologist. The infusion the next day was uneventful, although the view is not quite as dramatic as Jacksonville. No complaints. Our plan is to move the RV to Pocahontas in time for the next infusion after Labor Day. Then the trip to Frederick will be a lot more manageable.
We were very pleased with the way the billing issue was resolved and the care taken to ease our concerns in Jacksonville. We have a lot of respect for MD Anderson in Jacksonville and Frederick. We plan to return to Jacksonville for the final treatments in January
We were very pleased with the way the billing issue was resolved and the care taken to ease our concerns in Jacksonville. We have a lot of respect for MD Anderson in Jacksonville and Frederick. We plan to return to Jacksonville for the final treatments in January
Grandpa shares pictures with Troy and Taylor Family and Friends
Despite our beeline trip north, we made some time to see family and friends. We had a brief visit with Bonnie, Troy and the kids on their 13th wedding anniversary. Apparently, that’s the one where you have Savoia rum cake. We were happy to share in the celebration. On Thursday, we met up with Droz to do some back-to-school shopping. It was fun helping him find out his size in dress shirts and pants.
Despite our beeline trip north, we made some time to see family and friends. We had a brief visit with Bonnie, Troy and the kids on their 13th wedding anniversary. Apparently, that’s the one where you have Savoia rum cake. We were happy to share in the celebration. On Thursday, we met up with Droz to do some back-to-school shopping. It was fun helping him find out his size in dress shirts and pants.
George and Gail at home in Leland That evening we met up with Steve and Linda and Sue and Steve in Hampton at Vancosta’s. Over some great food, we caught up with each other. After spending the night at Sue and Steve’s new home, we headed south through NC with a stop by George and Gail’s home south of Wilmington. Their daughter, Beth was visiting, as Gail recovered from her recent heart attack. All things considered, they were doing very well.
Parting Shots
The purchase had been made just before we left for the cruise and arrived while we were gone. Dave had been researching tonneau covers (truck bed covers) for the new truck for months. Deciding on a Truxedo version, we decided to install it ourselves. Unexpectedly, we had only one morning to get it done, since we couldn’t leave it in the office any longer, and we wanted to ensure all was well before the shipper’s warranty expired and we headed north to MD. Sure enough, it installed pretty quickly and looks great.
The purchase had been made just before we left for the cruise and arrived while we were gone. Dave had been researching tonneau covers (truck bed covers) for the new truck for months. Deciding on a Truxedo version, we decided to install it ourselves. Unexpectedly, we had only one morning to get it done, since we couldn’t leave it in the office any longer, and we wanted to ensure all was well before the shipper’s warranty expired and we headed north to MD. Sure enough, it installed pretty quickly and looks great.
