2021-07: Miles From Moose
My 2020 New Year's Resolution was to travel more... Well, that certainly didn't happen! For the first half of 2021 I excited myself for a trip, but not my own...
My sister and nephew came to visit, all the way from Moosomin, Saskatchewan. Before the pandemic we were spoiled in travel; now I can see how rare and special the chance to gather is.
My sister chose to begin her trip with a visit to my new apartment in Halifax. My parents were around, too, and we went for a stroll along the boardwalk. Miles enjoyed the statues.
Olympus E-PL9: f5, 1/250 sec, ISO 500
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
It's a bit of a pilgrimage for Nova Scotian parents to take their children to the Wave. Many kids are eager to clamber up the art piece, but Miles went straight for the barrel. All this time I've been trying to nudge him into a Ninja Warrior career, but perhaps he was born to be Saskatchewan's first pro surfer!
Olympus E-PL9: f4.5, 1/400 sec, ISO 200
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
Miles had great fun at the park beside the Wave... So did my sister! The centrepiece of the park is a structure which resembles a submarine. It is surrounded by ride-on sea-creatures and several single-occupancy submersibles. They're a hit with anyone, of any age!
Olympus E-PL9: f5.1, 1/320 sec, ISO 500
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
The waterfront is home to a sculpture called "Passage". I believe it's intended to be experienced as a visual framing device... In the spirit of the hands-on treatment of the Wave, however, Miles got right up into it.
Olympus E-PL9: f5, 1/400 sec, ISO 200
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
Miles and Kendra brought a heatwave with them (They managed to also leave some sweltering heat behind for Kendra's husband James, who had to remain home for work). That didn't deter us from seeking out another park, though! We met up with cousin Krista-Lee and little Theo (Also with K-L's husband, Wes, who is out of frame). Together we tried out the Commons Park, which was a hit with kids and adults alike. Afterwards Kendra, Miles, and I found a seller of shaved ice and enjoyed a refreshing treat.
Olympus E-PL9: f5, 1/500 sec, ISO 200
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
Kendra and Miles weren't the only ones to take a holiday. I booked a week off work and spent it with them in Antigonish County at my parents' home. As one might expect, we made a few trips to the local playground. I found my time with "Air Miles" rather rewarding.
Olympus E-PL9: f6.3, 1/500 sec, ISO 200
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
Photo Credit: Mom (Priscella Matheson)
In addition to a wide selection of playgrounds, Miles was treated to all sorts of tasty food, including pancake-mice.
Olympus E-PL9: f4, 1/250 sec, ISO 5000
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
Photo Credit: Mom (Priscella Matheson)
Leading up to the visit, my Dad did some special painting in his garage. Kendra and James (and Miles!) are keen on chess, so Dad made a size-large board. He and I both challenged Kendra to games... No surprise in how that turned out!
Olympus E-PL9: f3.5, 1/250 sec, ISO 1000
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
Argument #2 for Miles becoming a champion surfer: The kid loves the ocean. There were several trips to the beach.
Olympus E-PL9: f6.3, 1/640 sec, ISO 200
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
Humans are never the majority at Bayfield Beach: The place is full of tiny crabs. They can be observed in situ, or held up for a closer examination before being released back to their tidal home.
Olympus E-PL9: f5.8, 1/500 sec, ISO 250
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
Here's one last shot from the beach. Grandmother and grandson had a fine day! Someone, though, seems to be a bit of a happy towel-hog...
Olympus E-PL9: f6.3, 1/800 sec, ISO 200
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
Another highlight of the trip was a visit to the farm where cousin David and his partner, Meghan work. They supply the people of Antigonish with a wide variety of fresh vegetables. I took the opportunity to snap a few floral photos.
Olympus E-PL9: f6.3, 1/1250 sec, ISO 800
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
We also visited the Legion, which was having their annual barbecue. Miles got to check out the big chair in the building's forecourt. Some of the adults also visited the Legion for a trivia night - we came in second place.
Other highlights of the Antigonish leg of the trip were a visit to my Aunt and Uncle, and a night out for me and my sister to see a nifty Robin Hood play performed in several locations along the paths through a forest.
Olympus E-PL9: f5, 1/320 sec, ISO 640
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
Kendra and Miles' vacation continued for two weeks after my time off ended. They eventually travelled down to see my brother's family in the Annapolis Valley. I visited on the weekend. It was a great time for Miles to spend with his two Nova Scotian cousins.
Olympus E-PL9: f5, 1/200 sec, ISO 6400
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
Here are my three niblings, exploring a very small cave in a park. I like my niece's power pose as she leads the expedition. It's nicely typical that my nephew seems to have discovered something interesting - he is an expert treasure hunter - which he is sharing with Miles. It's tempting to think of all travel as being a treasure hunt of one kind or another. I hope, and indeed am confident, that Kendra and Miles found a few gems on their long-awaited trip home.
