Camping: Smithville Lake, MO

We spent the week-end camping!

This was our home for two nights

Neither of us wanted to travel very far, 

so I searched for campgrounds close to Kansas city.

I found Smithville lake, it is about 40min north east of Kansas city

Like many of the lakes in Missouri it is man-made.

Supported by the construction of a damn. 

This explains the odd, spindly shape of the lake 

and the large dead trees located in some areas.

Remaining evidence that this was not meant to be underwater

However, 

there were also many beautiful parts of the lake 

and it is very popular in the boating world.

Plus the highlight for us was the fantastic biking trails around the lake.

We biked 54 kilometers Saturday!

We had a great time camping!

Although, It wasn't exactly the forest (Nathan was hoping for)

The weather was perfect, the biking trails were great, and

we had a fantastic view of the lake and sunset.

Plus despite the drought we were still able to have campfires!

awe*

Nathan and I watching the sun go down or as he says:
 "Here you have to wait for it to rise in China"

Oh and of course 

we made good use of the BBQ Nathan's parents

gave us, while they were visiting.

Kansas city and the St.Onge Family

Well, 

I am back in

Kansas city!

Downtown Kansas City

And

It is HOT, HOT, HOT!

(about 40 degress C every day)

My first few days back in the Mid-West

have been filled with exploring, sightseeing, and shopping. 

As Nathan's parents were here for a visit.

Here is a quick look at our adventures:

We walked and shopped on the country club plaza:

Nathan and I with Cathy

Nathan and his parents Cathy and Mike

Walking on the Plaza

Cooling down by one of the city's many fountains

 We also explored downtown KC:

I finally got to see the Community Bookshelf!

These beautiful big books 

make up one wall of the downtown library's parking garage:

I heart Charlotte's Web!

It is the nicest most inspired parking garage I've ever seen!

We explored Union Station

A beautiful old train station:

Fun Fact: It was 10 years ago this week(ish)

Nathan and I met on a train :)

Captivated my model trains inside Union Station

And 

when you travel with a retired RCMP 

you can be sure to hunt down

a few criminals:

We visited historic sites related to Jessie James.

Jessie James was an infamous bank and train robber around the civil war period.

An icon of the wild west.

A sight of a bank heist by the Jessie James Gang

Liberty, Missouri

The Jessie James Farmhouse and Museum

 It was "Mikes" day

So we also explored the National World War I museum 

It is a beautiful building and offers a very interesting  history lesson.

Plus the location of the museum and the Liberty tower 

provide amazing views of Downtown Kansas city.

National World War I Museum

Even without going up the tower

(which is included in the museum fee)

you can see great views just by visiting the outside of the building!

Cathy and I

Cathy and Mike On top of the Liberty tower

View from the liberty tower

To complete their tour of Kansas city and the Mid-West

We topped off their visit with some infamous Kansas city BBQ

Getting hungry waiting in line at Oklahoma Joe's

We hope they had a fantastic time,

We sure did!

Good times in the Maritimes: Part 3

I had a Great trip home 

to Nova Scotia, Canada!

My Brother Chris and I 

The weather was fantastic!

I got to spend lots of quality time with family and friends.

Weddings, BBQs, long sunny days, Shopping with momma, 

walks with Riley dog, 

camping, and music festivals 

Filled my days:)

I had SO much fun I hardly took a photo...oops

However,

I have a few pictures of Halifax, Nova Scotia

which I would like to share to entice our friends, from afar,

 to come visit us 

(when we return, of course)

Halifax:

Citadel Hill and Town Clock

The Halifax Waterfront:

Tall Ships:

My favourite ship:

Theodore the Tug Boat!

Harbour Views:

Once again

It is Farewell to Nova Scotia.

This is bittersweet,

as I am sad to leave my family and friends 

(and the coast)

But very excited to be reunited with Nate-dogg!

Kansas city, here I come!

International Children's Heart Foundation Mission: Ecuador

I just got back from

my first medical mission.

I went as part of the

International Children's Heart Foundation 

(ICHF)

In Guayaquil, Ecuador

Guayaquil from the Hotel

It was more challenging
than I EVER could have imagined.

The Hospital 

The supplies...eek!

The OR where I spent most of my time

During one looooong case we improvised with an NG tube
and I drank some much needed sugar!

It was a lot to get used to:
 -working in a less-than, state-of-the-art facility
-working very, very, long hours
- in foreign language
-with people from around the world
-Including local people with varying amounts of knowledge and understanding.

Some of the ICHF Team!

The Canadian Nurses!

Despite these challenges,
 It was
also very rewarding.

Some of the kids and their parents at the Farewell party!

A very happy family!

Such a nice and happy patient!

Another happy patient!

Another happy patient and Momma!

It wasn't all work and no play either
As a team,
we made the most of our, limited, time off.

We even took a trip to the beach.
(Las Playas, Ecuador)
It wasn't very sunny but the southern pacific ocean was nice and warm!

Heading to the beach!

Coconuts for sale!:)

The Team chill axing!

Las Playas, Ecuador

Beach front walk, Las Playas, Ecuador

During our beach trip 

we had a beautiful, casual, seafood lunch:

Cheers to Ecuador!

So yummy!

We also saw an orchid garden/ green house

Beautiful Orchids!

One evening
we finished our day in the early evening and took advantage of this:
Sightseeing 

Downtown Guayaquil.

Compared to the area our hospital was located

It is very, very nice!

Downtown Guayaquil

The Riverfront walk is especially beautiful!

Monument on the riverfront walk

Me on the Riverfront walk, Guayaquil

The old hilly section of Guayaquil was my favourite!

I love the colourful houses and windy streets!

Me and two ICHF team members!

To get to the top of the hill

we had to climb many stairs...

Each corner was more beautiful than the next!

My lovely team members and tour partners

Yen, Angela, Louis, and Darby

On top of the hill 

was a lighthouse, a quaint church, and beautiful view of Guayaquil.

Hill top, Guayaquil, Ecuador

This mission was an experience!

It challenged me in many ways, but I feel better for it.

Seeing the kids feeling, oh so much, better was wonderful

And 

I was lucky to meet many wonderful team members 

whom I hope to work with again sometime soon!

Currently 

I am home in Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada

(For about two weeks)

And

Dorthy said it right

"There's no place like home"