Cooling vacation

Tony and I, along with my sister Susan and her husbanc David, have just returned from a 5-day vacation in New Brunswick. We had originally intended that we'd be in Nova Scotia, but while driving through NB, we stopped off at a couple of different villages and towns. They were charming, and we ended up staying longer than we'd anticipated. Such leisure! Just go with the flow, and stop when we wanted to. The weather was wonderful...low 80s during the day with strong sea breezes.
We spent a day in Moncton to view the Tidal Bore. The natives call it the "Tidal Boring" and their description of the event reminds me of our own view of Plymouth Rock...it's just a rock! Anyway, we heard some natives describe what it 'used to be', with 10-12 foot waves bringing in the tide all at once. However, several years ago a causeway was built to connect 2 towns, and interrupted the natural flow of the river. Silt built up in the middle creating a much more shallow inlet and dramatically reducing the waves (down to 1-2 inches) and the visual phenomena that attracted world-wide attention.
From there we went on to Alma NB where we stayed at a motel right on the water-front. We watched the incredible highs and lows of the Bay of Fundy tides.
Then on to St. Andrews By-The-Sea where we stayed for 2 nights. Here we stayed in an old Victorian Inn on Water Street with a clear view of the Passamaquoddy Bay, Water Street activities and the Market Square. We took frequent walks around the area to check out shops, the tides, the comings and goings of the whale-watcher boats, the Farmer's market, and people watching. Sue, David, Tony and I played dominoes on the inn's 2nd floor porch, and strolled down to the ice-cream shop at least 3 times during the 2 days.
We left at 5:30 a.m. on Friday and pulled into Acton at 1 pm. Trip home included a 1-hr stop for breakfast and a couple more stretch stops.
Now, at home, I'm finishing up laundry, vacumming floors, baking cookies, and straightening out tables in anticipation of our yearly visit from the Herbert Clan (only 4 this year...Eric and Sarah are working, Alex is on the way to Texas) who all arrive on Sunday night. Yea! Our weather here is HOT (HHH high 90s) but cooler weather is promised for the clan's visit...just for you, Mark.

Sign of the Times

In what may be a sign of the times, Mendon lost all of its gasoline service last week. One station closed (Gaskell's); the other changed ownership and closed down its full-service pumps (XtraMart) while keeping its convenience store open. Gaskells told community that they pay $45,000 to fill their tank, they realize a $1500 per month profit after paying for the gas and credit card fees. Unfortunately, the higher the sale, the higher the credit card fee, so with the rising gas costs, the usual credit card charge is higher than normal. We've seen signs on some gas stations that offer one price for 'cash' and another for 'credit card'.
Our oil heating company has sent out letters to its customers warning of double costs this winter in comparison with last winter, and urging customers to pay monthly into an escrow fund to prepare. Fortunately, we've already been doing that.
Mendon's annual Horribles Parade was held on July 3...Adriana wore a "Mendon fireman's" costume in the parade. She felt a little uncomfortable since her neighborhood playmates didn't participate and she knew no one. I don't blame her...it's always more fun when you have lots of your friends with you. Our own children remember this yearly parade as another opportunity to see school friends during the summer. A quick moving thunderstorm forced the children and refreshments into the upper town hall...but we did get in the procession down Maple Street before the first roll of thunder.
Summer weather is coming back after a week of high 70s days and cool nights. 90s predicted for the coming week.