Celebrating a Special Birthday in Halifax, Nova Scotia

How exciting to be going somewhere...anywhere! Jim's first wife, Ilona, was celebrating her 80th birthday and we were invited along for the occasion. 

Our hotel in Halifax overlooked the Citadel...

It was a beautiful day for a day trip so everyone headed to Peggy's Cove. We hadn't been there in years...

So barren...

Damian and Dominic were glad to get out of the car and explore. They had been warned about the "black rocks."

Yay!!! Not too excited to be in a different location!

Nadine, Stephanie and me...

The boys were having fun exploring...

The boys and their mom...

Stephanie and me...technically her stepmother, but feel more like a sister.

Go, Nadine!

Nadine and the boys took the route over the rocks to the lighthouse, while Stephanie, Ilona and I walked and Jim and Jeff drove the cars over.

The iconic view of Peggy's Cove...

Love this old boat...

Love this family photo...making great memories. A rare weekend when the boys were not playing hockey somewhere.

Stephanie and her mom...

It was such a beautiful day...we took lots of photos!

The famous lighthouse with just the corner of the viewing platform that was recently built on the right. 

Sadly, people don't realize the power of the waves and get swept off the rocks.

Stephanie with her mom and dad...

Selfie time!

Look at that sky...it was a picture perfect day!

Damian with a successful photobomb!

The boys putting up with us taking yet another picture!

The black rocks...it was very calm and low tide. It would be fun to come back when the waves are bigger.

It's not an easy route to the lighthouse navigating over the rocks...

A family photo...love this 🧡

Jeff and Jim...

We had a wonderful lunch at the Sou'wester restaurant. They have a prime location and it could be one of those tourist traps, but the food was delicious.

On the way back to Halifax, we did a quick stop at the Swissair Memorial.

Damian peeking through...

Love the area...so many places to climb.

Way off in the distance you could see the lighthouse...

Jeff and Damian had a race back to the car. The path was narrow and Jeff made sure he took up most of it. No place for passing! I think a rematch is needed.

Stephanie and her dad...

We had time for a rest and then met at Le Bistro by Liz for a birthday celebration. This will remain in my mind as a wonderful night, but a challenge to get there as the area around the restaurant was under construction. We made it...better late than never!

Several of us had the Coquille St. Jacques...it was delicious!

Happy Birthday to Ilona! It was a great evening!

She had a dessert plate with her name on it. The restaurant did a wonderful job!

Back at the hotel, it was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoffs between Toronto and Tampa Bay. Damian and his dad are huge fans. Damian was stoked!

Stephanie is a Montreal fan and I am ambivalent, but we were both hoping the Leafs won to make the evening perfect!

The Leafs score and Damian was pumped!

However, it soon went downhill and Toronto lost. Dejected...

Except for that loss, it was a wonderful weekend! Looking forward to the family reunion in Bathurst at the end of July!