It is getting closer to Halloween and the true me coming out. This witch is another year old today. Yikes how much longer can I keep this up?

Our Cruise with Michael Ballam & Fall Foliage

Time Square a very busy area of New York


What more can one say?
While in New York we went to see Wicked on Broadway & to see "Hair" the next night. They were great.





Very tall buildings



Rockefeller Center Where the famous crowd-delighter tree has stood for over 75 years, and the city's most celebrated tradition of lacing your skates and swirling away at The Ice Skating Rink. Those of course were not there yet, but they are getting ready.

This is a beautiful site:




Saw the Statue of Liberty, what a site, and while the ship passed, everyone broke out in song "God Bless America" It was very touching.




Yes, those of you who know me and my American Flag love, this is just one of the 100's I photographed.


O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! The Star Spangled Banner







The Images taken here were with a heavy heart

This is ground Zero. It was a tour of much silence and respect.






Empire State Building

Another shot of the Empire State Building.

While in New York we also saw many sites, toured The World Financial Center, the "Top of the Rock" building where we were able to go to the roof and see the whole city. Amazing site, and it was a wonderful clear day. This is where we saw, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park just to name a few.







What makes a Church be called a Cathedral?
(little trivia)

We walked to St. Patrick's Cathedral, and saw the beautiful architecture of that gothic-style Catholic Cathedral, quite the story behind this monument.





Our trip began, and was so full, my photo album holds over 1800 pictures, I will share just a few, we had a wonderful time, and enjoyed so much, of our country.





Safety First

Before we could set sail, we had to have our safety drill. Boy I hope we don't have to use these things.




Now keep your head up and do you know where your whistle is?



Time to leave New York


This was taken on the ship as we got ready to leave New York City.


Fall Foliage across the States



Portland, Maine, we walked about 4 short blocks to get the trolley, and toured the Old Port, another lighthouse lovers cruise. Land and sea were the perks of this day. As well as the awesome Lobster lunch, Peaks Island where we noticed the leaves beginning to change and many very friendly people.






Lighthouse's are all different

When we were in Halifax, Nova Scotia we rented cars and drove to Lunenburg, NS, and Mahone Bay. Had a wonderful seafood lunch and enjoyed Peggy's Cove Light house.
This lighthouse and village are a photographer's paradise, it was really beautiful. The weather for most of the trip was raining with a chance of sunshine. We experienced both.





The colors where very beautiful









Beautiful fall foliage was to be seen along the way, Portland, Maine, we walked about 4 short blocks to get the trolley, and toured the Old Port, another lighthouse lovers cruise.



This is one way to get out of the rain!

While we were in St. John, New Brunswick we learned a lot about the Bay of Funday, the shores of the bay tell the story of the power of the tides. These great waters have an impact on the shores and on those that live between them. I left my footprints on the ocean floor. It was amazing. There was a lot to visit in this area, and going into the caves, was an experience of a lifetime.






St. John, New Brunswick
Also visiting the Reversing Falls, phenomenon of the tremendous rise and fall of the tides. AMAZING....



Boston Duck Tour

While in Boston, Massachusetts we took a "Duck Tours" which is a W.W. II style amphibious landing vehicle. You journey on land and then, a dramatic "Splashdown" into the bay. Lot's of sights to see here. We enjoyed the historical tidbits as well as the entertaining guide, and lots of "quacking". LaRae even won "Boston Beans" for the correct answer to one of his questions.!





Some nights on the ship were formal







We had a few formal nights on the Ship, and some casual, we all mostly ate every meal together in the dining room, and who should be sitting at the table just next to us? Well, what could be better, Michael, Laurie & Ben Ballam.


I have taken so many more photo's than this blog. I will put them in a picasa album for family to pull from if you wish. Enjoyed being with you all. Let's do it again real soon.

So the end has come and we are now home.

Enjoyed a most wonderful trip, we especially want to thank Mom for making it possible. Yet more memories to hold.


The ship at Sea was pretty smooth Sailing and really didn't feel much movement, so no sea sickness.

This blog wouldn't be complete without the last photo's we would like to share.

This experience with Michael Ballam, his wife Laurie, and son Ben were yet another wonderful time, we will always treasure.

On Sunday we had our own Sacrament meeting with speaker: Michael Ballam, it was wonderful he spoke about; trials, challenges, and how we learn from them. How the spirit can leave us so quickly if we are not careful, how our nation was founded on "In God we Trust" it was a very spiritual meeting. One we will not forget.


Ben Ballam, Valerie, and Michael Ballam



And the last picture I dedicate to my sister Cecily: You told me not to,.... but Michael's wife couldn't resist the statement when I told her the story, and said, "we need a picture of that".