This is compilation of individual posts which appeared on my main blog.

Day 1

Date: Friday, September 10, 2026

Note: No time to proof so likely lots of errors. Janet has taken of the role of proof reader so I’ll have them fixed eventually.

Today is the beginning of a Pilgrimage to Montreal with my three sons: Adam, Christopher, and Drew. Originally we were all flying on Flair Airlines on Friday, September 10th at 4:25 pm and returning to Halifax on Sunday, September 12th at 6:45 pm. `

Drew became concerned that flying now with the Delta virus might be more risk than necessary and suggested he drive to Montreal and meet us. His job at Shakespeare by the Sea is the Studio training program and if he came into contact with COVID, it would impact running the upcoming programs.

As well, my plan was to be Montreal for the weekend of September 10 -12, fly home, and head out by car on September 14th to make my way to Toronto over a couple of days. The folks I worked with back in the 1970s at Pinecrest Came gather every fall near the camp to reminisce. Even though I’ve always been welcome, I’ve never gone in the past. This seemed the right year to attend and reconnect with people I haven’t seen for over 45 years.

Although no one would stop me, the family was concerned about me making this long driving trip. Drew offered to go with me as an alternative driver. As we thought it through, it seemed more sensible that I drive with him from the get-go and we just continue on after Montreal. So our weekend pilgrimage took of a new itinerary.

• Sep 10 - Depart Halifax by car. Pick up Adam and Chris at the airport in Montreal around 6:00 pm.
• Sep 11 - Visit Saint Joseph’s Oratory in the morning and then enjoy Montreal.
• Sep 12 - Enjoy Montreal and drop Adam and Chris at the airport for a flight home. See Tanner Shantz in the evening.
• Sep 13 - Enjoy Montreal
• Sep 14 - Depart Montreal for Ottawa. Lunch in Byward Market. Family birthday party for Michael at Carolyn Leahy’s home where we’ll stay for the night. Meet Dyan Tufts for a catch-up around 8:00 pm in The Glebe at a craft brewery. The Leahys are Janet’s cousins on her Mother’s side and Dyan Tufts is a long-time friend and colleague from Dalhousie. She also purchased a Second Wind shirt so I’ll deliver that.
• Sep 15 - Depart Ottawa for Peterborough with a stop at the UA Outlet in Kanata. Connect with Owen Stan for the night in Peterborough.
• Sep 16 - Depart Peterborough for Toronto. I have an AirBnB booked for two days and plan to spend the time with Ryan Zaldin. Drew and I do have a reservation at the Barbarian Steak House at 5:00 pm which we’ve been to during his time time as the Etobicoke School for the Arts and then Ryerson. I met Ryan as a student at Dalhousie and we’ve had an important relationship since that time. I have a Second Wind shirt to deliver to him.
• Sep 17 - Enjoy Toronto with Ryan.
• Sep 18 - Depart Toronto for Torrance where I’ll meet my cohort from Pinecrest for a 12:30 lunch at the Clear Lake Brewing Company. We will look to head to Go Home Lake to boat out to the cottages at 4:30 pm. Dinner will be at around 8:00 pm.
• Sep 19 - Depart Go Home Lake to pick up Drew in Toronto and drive to Québec City to check into an AirBnB for Sunday and Monday nights.
• Sep 20 - Enjoy Québec City.
• Sep 21 - Depart Québec City for home in Halifax.

On Saturday, we plan to visit Saint Joseph’s Oratory and experience the spirituality of this remarkable basilica so I can thank God for holding my hand throughout the challenge of my cancer and filling me with the courage I needed to live every day to the fullest. All my important life decisions, and those I make today, are directed by the moral compass God blessed me with from day one. I expect this to be an emotional moving moment. Should it is God’s wish to extend my life, I will use this time to continue with my goal of making my cancer experience the most important “teachable moment” of my life.

Saint Joseph can be seen as the saint of everyday life, to whom one turns for help with both minor worries and at life-defining moments. Saint Brother André had boundless trust in Saint Joseph, his friend and guide. His dream was to build on Mount Royal a chapel dedicated to Saint Joseph — an oratory for prayer to him. Crowds soon flocked to the place.

Following Brother André’s recommendation, the great saint is invoked here because, according to him, “He lets no one fall by the wayside.” Traditionally, one confides to the care of Saint Joseph issues related to family, work, health, death and material needs. Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, founded in 1904, is the largest shrine in the world dedicated to him. (From the web site)

Drew and I departed Halifax around 4:00 am. Our goal was to be in Montreal in time to meet Adam and Chris at the airport when their flight arrives later in the afternoon. It was a good plan but we encountered a lot of rain in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. It cleared up around Edmundson so it was clear sailing after that. It did slow us down more than expected. There was also the little matter that their arrival was projected to be 17:10 and in my mind I translated that to 7:10 pm. Had I not made that mistake, we would have left Halifax around 2:00 am but that’s now water under the bridge.

Just before Woodstock, at Exit 191, we did make a stop at the ever-popular Murray’s for Brunch lunch and fuel. It was good to have a break from driving in the rain for a while. The English Muffin with an egg is a treat that is just the right size for me.

I planned to get setup in the AirBnB in Montreal first and then head to the airport. However, with the rain, the stop at Murray’s, and the traffic in Montreal, we went right to the airport. It was pretty crowded in the car with all our luggage and four adult bodies but it all worked out.

Like everywhere we are throughout Canada, there was a lot of construction in Montreal, so the route the GPS gave us to the AirBnB didn’t work out as we hoped. Chris and Drew decided to use Google maps as an alternative which worked out well so we eventually got to our destination, checked in, unloaded the car, and got some food. The boys headed to a Vietnamese restaurant for take-out. This was a first for me. I had a spring roll with a flavour of black liquorish. It was quite pleasant.

I needed to have a nap. The boys decided to go to a Comedy Show not far from the AirBnb. It was in a theatre located in the original Montreal Forum. That old rink has been converted to a Mall with many services, stores, and venues.

It was a good day and we all sleep well.

There are many adventures to come on this Pilgrimage/Road Trip.

As always, thanks for continuing as important support pillars in my life. I hope you enjoy my ramblings about this Pilgrimage to Montreal and road trip. It is really wonderful being with my sons. I thank God for helping me enjoy this precious moment. Once this road trip is in my six, I’ll have to start planning an event with my daughters Meredith and Melanie.

Peace, Love, and Laughter
Phil

Day 2

Date: Saturday, September 11, 2026

Note: No time to proof so likely lots of errors. Janet has taken of the role of proof reader so I’ll have them fixed eventually.

My day started around 5:00 am with my morning poached eggs. All three sons were still asleep of three fold-down futons in the living room. Their soft and shallow breathing rates were almost identical and I’m confident they were in fourth stage deep sleep. If you need a reminder, that’s REM sleep with it’s rapid iris movement. I wonder what’s in their dreams?

I made these three men. It brought a glow to my heart peering at the next generation and knowing I had a hand in getting them ready to face the challenges in their futures. It makes me so proud to have nurtured such talented, wonderful, directed, competent, and capable human beings. The fate of future generations is secure under their tutelage.

Although Adam is between positions, I’m confident that will soon change. He applies everywhere and is getting some call backs. We’re all rooting for him.

Funny, my emotional response looking at my three adult sons sleeping was close to identical when I used to check them at night in their cribs. At that time, their futures were a blank slate with is no longer the case. There are great things to come. There is such joy in parenthood.

I got out of bed around 8:00 an and coffee magically appeared to get things started. After a quick shower and shave, we booked an Uber to take us to Saint Josephs Oratory Basilica. There is a major construction project in progress as the base if the Oratory and the steps you see in the picture are difficult to access. I understand one of the spiritual events is to walk up these stairs with a stop on each step to say a prayer. I don’t know there are that many prayers in me but frankly I’ve come to understand that any communications I initiate with God are good and don’t have to be wrapped in the formality of a prayer. As the morning unfolded, I spoke with God many times and I felt his presence throughout my time at the Oratory. Actually, I think I’m feeling his presence regularly throughout every day. It is simply a matter of taking a moment to reflect on all the blessings I have in my life from one moment to the next.

Difficulty accessing the steps may be one of those blessings. I don’t know that I have the strength to do very many steps anywhere these days much less up the side of Mount Royal. Our Uber snaked up the roads on the property travelling through lush well cared for greenery. Eventually he arrived at the main entrance on the fourth floor of the Oratory. In the picture, that location is on the right but outside the boundary of this photo. It is on the level where you see the doors at the top of the stairs.

What follows are several pictures I took after we left our AirBnB and visited the Oratory.

I cannot find the words to describe my spiritual experience at Saint Joseph’s Oratory. It is a inspiration memory I will carry through the rest of my life but it is much more than that. I felt the presence of God with every step I took through the Basilica, Crypt, and outside. To have this occasion with my three sons accentuated how deeply this euphoric moment is etched into the fabric of my soul. I feel blessed to have my Catholic faith at the core of my daily existence. Today I feel a powerful sense of contentment, calmness, and pure joy and I reflect on how rewarded I am to have a devoted wife, wonderful children, a massive collection of loving friends, and a global crowd of support pillars who provide me with a continuous source of motivation to live every moment as a special instant. And to top it off, God continues to hold my hand and furnish me with the courage to keep the struggle going. I am at extreme and serene inner peace!

I am a big fan of the show You Gotta Eat Here on the Food Network. It highlighted a Montreal restaurant called L’Avenue which can be best described as a “funky diner known for gourmet brunch.”

We waited in line for about forty minutes. I played the cancer card asking for a chair during the wait. I hoped they might move us up in the line but that didn’t happen. Ah well, it was worth a shot.

I had the best French Toast to ever pass my lips. Everyone had meals that were mouth watering with every forkful and a source of joy. The vibe of the place was wonderful, the service outstanding, and the experience ten-plus. It surpassed every expectation I arrived with having seen it on the TV show.

There were many other restaurants on the same block. None had a lineup to get in like L’Avenue so I guess that speaks volumes of how good a place it is to eat.

Like everywhere I go, the quantity of food is more than I can consume. At this location, there were three eating machines in the booth so nothing went to waste.

Mont-Royal Avenue East, where L’Avenue is located was closed of to traffic and it was lined with kiosks and street performers. The individual in the picture was so colorful that I just had to catch his image. His music was rather pleasant.

It is my normal practice to keep a pocket full of loonies and toonies when in the city. I failed to do so on this trip. I must correct that for the remainder of our time on this road trip. I like to reward people who use their creative juices to bring joy to my existence.

It is mid-afternoon by the time we start heading back to the AirBnB. We all agreed after our massive feed, it is right to have some rest time.

As “come-from-away” travelers, it seemed appropriate to include a ride on the subway. A unique feature of the subway trains in Montreal is that they have rubber wheels. This makes the ride exceptionally comfortable. In the beginning, disposal of the tires proved to be an environmental nightmare but my search about that issue surfaced nothing recent so it seems the problem was resolved. There have been many modern initiatives where repurposing of rubber is more viable that a few decades in the past.

The subway was a nice way to get back to our AirBnB which happens to be pretty close to a Metro Station. Regrettably the walk proved to be uphill climb in a tunnel. Towards the end of the climb I came close to asking Chris to take my arm as I was fading. And then we saw the light at the end of the tunnel and I knew I was good. I think this is the longest walk I’ve made for months and clearly I need to do more. I was not winded; I was just simply tired.

We all agreed a little rest time in the afternoon was a needed break and offered an opportunity to plan for the evening. I headed to the bedroom and put on some light and relaxing music. From that location I could eavesdrop on the deep conversations unfolding in the living room among my boys. These are three brilliant young man filled with extensive worldly knowledge on an unlimited number of topics. If they represent their cohort, our future is in good hands even though there are days when I see political driven decisions that make me wonder. From time to time, I interjected a fatherly thought.

We made a collective decision to go to a Jazz Club featuring Dave Turner who was a name known to Chris. Drew called for a reservation. The 7:00 pm performance was sold out but there is a table for four at the 9:30 pm show. Once the reservation was made, we decided to find a Pub for an adult refreshment or two before the show.

Our home base at 1430 Rue Saint-Marc is just a few steps up from Saint Catherine Street West which happens to be closed for a market festival of some nature. The nature of the celebration wasn’t clear to me but it was nice to walk up this usually very busy street void of traffic. There were numerous kiosks with a variety of food but we were looking for different fare. We were not looking to eat; we were still pretty full from L’Avenue but the idea of sharing some Pub Grub was an option. As we wandered east on Saint Catherine Street, it was clear there were plenty of watering holes. For no particular reason, we picked La Belle & La Boeuf which translates to “beauty and the ox.” For me that was close enough to Beauty and the Beast to catch my attention so that became our short term drinking dive in advance of the Jazz show.

At first we thought we understood the vibe in this Pub but as we looked around it became somewhat confusing. It is a smorgasbord of items which reminded me of the pre-school activity where you saw a collection of items and your task was to select which one didn’t fit.

There was a floor to ceiling wall of books which towered twenty feet or more where one would expect to find tuxedo dressed individuals reading and smoking Cuban Cigars. Next to that was a shelf along a forty foot wall holding fifty to sixty old black and while television sets and a selection of antique electronics. Then there was a wall with moose antlers and a full sized moose stature. In the ceiling there was a dance hall mirror ball. The bar “wall” there were hundreds of bottles on a set of shelves that went up about twenty feet and had the kind of ladder that slides in front of the shelves so the bar tender could climb and reach any product order by a customer. In our booth, there was a ships bell almost identical to the brass bell on our boat and other nautical memorabilia.

As hard as we tried, we just couldn’t figure out what theme this Pub had in mind. That aside, it was still an entertaining place to have an adult refreshment and we did order a plate of nachos. We headed out around 9:00 pm to locate the Jazz Club called Upstairs. We knew it was only a few blocks east just off Saint Catherine’s. As we made the walk, I was a little concerned there may be steps I would need to climb given it was called Upstairs.

As it turned out, there was no cause for concern; the club was just a few steps DOWN from street level and as you can see in the picture, there is an interesting orientation of its name.

The stage at the front was a perfect size for Dave Turner’s Quartet. Chris’ was in his element given he’s a Dalhousie Music graduate where his specialization was Jazz Sax. That was also Dave Turner’s instrument.

We were treated to the most wonder 90 minute concert and Chris educated me on how all Jazz music is performed. He was so impressed with how smooth Dave was on his Sax and enthralled by the piano player.

I closed my eyes through most of the selections in an effort to remove all sources of stimulation with the exception of the melodious sounds entering my ears. Although I don’t have Chris’ expertise, I do have a pretty good ear for music. I didn’t hear a single note I thought was out of place.

This is Dave Turner in the picture. Since our time at the club, I checked his recording online. His career spans many decades, many original numbers, and it appears he partnered with may Jazz notables throughout his career.

After the club we headed back to the AirBnB. It was a long day and everyone was tired. We packed a lot of living into today and I’m sure we’ll all sleep really well.

As always, I thank you for joining me on this journey as a support pillar. I hope you’re enjoying my road trip. I’m just at the beginning so there are plenty of moments to come over the next few days. I count on God continuing to hold my hand so I have the courage and strength to make it to through the rest of the trip. Although I miss my wife, girls, friends, and the many who support me and inspire me daily, I’m having a blast.

Peace, Love, and Laughter
Phil

Day 3

Date: Sunday, September 12, 2026 (Number of Steps according to Apple Health - 7,010)

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a pilgrimage is:

1. a journey of a pilgrim especially to a shrine or a sacred place or
2. the course of life on earth.

I can’t describe myself as a pilgrim so that definition is out but I think this road trip represents a part of the course of my life on earth so it is okay to continue to call my road trip a Pilgrimage of sorts.

Sunday started like most days at around 5:30 am in the dark. There was a strong call from nature and then I prepared my morning dose of poached eggs. With the boys sleeping the just around the corner from the galley kitchen, I take great care to work as quietly as I can so they can enjoy the comfort of a warm bed for a while longer. Don’t they look cute?

Every morning I have a small collection of drugs to consume; Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, Calcium and a blood thinner Fragmin I inject through a needle into my belly. Originally my blood thinner was a pill but my Hematologist switched me to daily injections. Apparently most of our drugs are absorbed in the stomach. Since I no longer enjoy the luxury of having one, my Doc has no way to know I’m getting the dosage I need for my a man of my size. The reliable alternative is an injection.

For the same reason I take my B12 under my tongue which is called sublingual. I just let the tablets lie there and they melt away. I’m looking for version of D3 that works the same way. They do exist but I haven’t found them yet.

Chris and I plan to go to 8:00 am Mass at Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral located at 1085 Cathedral Street. It is a scale model of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. It has a burial chapel which holds the remains of the Bishops of Montreal in crypts on the walls and the tomb of Mgr. Ignace Bourget. He was the second Bishop of Montreal and commissioned the construction of the cathedral to replace the former Saint-Jacques Cathedral which burned in 1852. Work began in 1875 and the new church was consecrated in 1894 as Saint James Cathedral. It was made a minor basilica in 1919 by Pope Benedict XV. It was rededicated in 1955 to Mary, Queen of the World. On March 28, 2000, the cathedral was designated a National Historic Site of Canada. (From Wikipedia)

The architecture is breath taking. The attention to detail in every corner and crevice is unbelievable. The task of cleaning and dusting must be monumental. The alter is magnificent.

When the organ plays, my entire body resonated with each note and in a building of this size, I believe that physical experience is the presence of God. Whether you are Catholic or follow a different faith, I encourage you to consider attending a Mass at the cathedral. It will stimulate your soul at its deepest core.

While I have your attention, please allow me a preach-able moment.

Until April of 2020, I was not committed to any church. Prior to learning about my cancer, I decided to be baptized as a Catholic. I was raised in a house hold which attended First Baptist Church in Halifax. The norm is to be baptized in Grade 9. That is a full on dunking in a tank at the front of the church. We went to church every Sunday and I attended Sunday school along with many friends. I was involved in active youth groups and occasionally the groups went away for weekend retreats.

When it came time to be baptized in Grade 9, I was unwilling to make the verbal declarations about a belief in God. I felt it was hypocritical to declare that I believed in things when it was not true.

My position was controversial with my cohort and the religious leaders in our church. It wasn’t a popular decision with my parents but they respected and supported my choice. For me, that was the right decision. As I have aged, my belief has changed and in 2019 I decided I wished to be baptized as a Catholic.

I agreed to raise all our children as Catholics and was present at all the important religious milestones. My wife Janet is a devote Catholica and even when we travel we make time to attend Mass. As an aside, if you are in Las Vegas on a Sunday, go to Mass as the music is as good as you’ll find in any casino show on the strip.

I have not lived a life connected as a parishioner to a church. However, I always believed the principles of how to live a Christine life. I truly believe it provides an ethical foundation on which to guide my behavior and make life decisions. I don’t think Christian values are particularly different that those found in every religious faith. However, I am not an expert.

For a long time I have held the opinion that our younger generations are not developing principle-based morality to serve as guideposts for how they interact with their peers. For example, bullying is an example of behavior without guilt or remorse and initiated by individuals where life-choices are made for self-gratification to fulfill as sense of entitlement and the need to prove they are better than members of their cohort.

I do not think this serves the future direction of society. We are meant to be social creatures where our love of one another drives the direction we point our moral compass. In my humble opinion, today’s youth do not know how to be genuinely loving and that is proving to be a character flaw. I find this to be sad and disturbing and it is getting worse than better.

I am not preaching that young people need to become church-going zealots. My point is really about encouraging youth to explore faith options with a focus on the human principles in order to learn there are alternatives. The spread between the haves and have-nots combined with the emergence protecting ones’ heritage instead of embracing diversity will only lead to more societal dissention with no chance of a positive outcome. Racism, reconciliation, etc. are all part in parcel of the same problem. I can always say more of this topic but I think that’s enough for now.

In our household, I think we did a good joy of instilling Christian principles in the souls of all are children. Meredith and Chris continue to embrace their Catholicism, Adam and Chris do not, and Melanie would if the Catholic church was more tolerant of the Gay community. Regardless, they all are principled with a strong sense of right and wrong and I’m proud of how they care about other human beings. My wife and I are truly blessed to have such special offspring.

My faith and commitment to Catholicism is a source of great comfort and brings me extreme inner peace. I can feel the hand of God on my back infusing me with huge doses of courage as I wrestle with cancer.

And now back to Day 3…

The Mass was traditional and in English. I had my Missal so it was easy to follow. There weren’t that many people in attendance but it was 8:00 am and I suspect COVID is keeping people home. The alter-servers were also the readers and many parts of the Mass were sung which is not something I’m used to. It has been a long time since collection has been taken but I was ready with some cash. I found the homily to be all over the map but I often find that to true. At least I stayed awake throughout which is not always the case. As per usual, taking the host is most comforting for me.

After Mass Chris and I headed the Notre Dame Basilica. It was not open to the public and the Mass at the time only welcomed parishioners. Chris was a little upset as cannon law dictates that every church should be open to everyone wishing to enter. He got over it.

Our next task was to find a place to have some breakfast and advise Adam and Drew of our location. This proved to be more challenging than expected. Most of the places we passed didn’t open until later in the morning. After walking many blocks we did find a place called Allô Mon Coco and got a table. I discovered later this is a franchise chain. We had coffee and reviewed the menu while waiting for Adam and Drew. I had the Wild Berries Waffle which includes raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blueberries coulis, and whipped cream. It was served with two eggs, bacon, potatoes, and toast. I focused on eating all the berries, then the eggs, and bacon. It was scrumptious. Drew had a snack before coming so he didn’t get a meal but helped consume what I left behind.

After breakfast we headed in the direction of Old Montreal. Being so full from breakfast, it was a slow saunter. We came across a park which was the location of the first seat of government. There were numerous plaques to read and as you can see in the picture to the right, we look like a pretty happy crew.

We did pick up some souvenirs at a store near the river. There was an interesting collection of vender kiosks and food trucks which led to an adventure high ropes park and zip line on the river. Directly across was a massive Ferris wheel with gondolas. It seemed to be a great way to get an aerial view of Old Montreal and the river. It provided all of that and more during our three full rotations. That was about the right amount of time as after a while we stopped looking out and were just chatting. It was still a good “come-from-away” event for us as tourists.

By the time we disembarked from the Ferris Wheel, it was time to be thinking about lunch; not because we were hungry but I had Schwartz’s Deli as one of the You Gotta Eat Here destinations. In the picture to the right is the storefront sign above the sun canopy. This iconic deli is famous and we were all primed to have some smoked meat. If you don’t know, I think of Smoked Meat in Montreal as the way we think about a Donair in Halifax. It is the official dish in Halifax as voted on by city council.

There was a short wait in a lineup but after ten minutes we were ushered to our table.

Schwartz’s is a place you visit for smoked meat. There is nothing else you should get there even though there are other options on the menu. The sandwich in the picture, along with a pepper, pickle, and fries is a typical order and the sandwich will be piled high with smoked meat.

I advised our waiter that we were first time visitors and rather than place an order, we’d prefer he tell us what to order. I went a step further to let him know we wished to be educated by a pro so there was no need to leave any decision in our hands. We would joyfully consume anything he suggested in order to depart as genuine Schwartz’s patrons.

Instead of preparing sandwiches, he prepared a smorgasbord of plates so we could build our own. As you look at the table in the picture, here is what was was on the table:

• A plate loaded with sliced bread up front and a second in back.
• Two plates piled with smoked meat.
• There are medium and hot peppers.
• There are medium and hot pickles.
• There is a plate with a large pile of coleslaw.
• We also had a plate of fries we didn’t need.
• And there was mustard, ketchup, salt, and pepper.

Building our own sandwiches is a perfect solution for me as it put portion control in my hands.

My deli and smoked meat experience is limited but I what I can say is I’d return to this location in a heartbeat. Every mouthful was an explosion of joyful flavors. And our server educated us well on how to order and eat in a deli. It was an eventful culinary experience.

I did a quick lookup on the deli later in the day and found the following which I thought was interesting, “On 5 March 2012, Paul Nakis and the Angelil-Dion family purchased Schwartz’s, reportedly for $10 million.?” The Nakis are well know restaurateurs and Angelil-Dion is Celine Dion.

After leaving Schwartz’s we headed back to the AirBnB. Adam and Chris needed to get to the airport for their 6:10 pm flight. We had time for a short rest break before heading out. Drew decided to look for a barber and get a hair cut. He’d meet us back at the ranch.

Time passes so quickly sometimes. I did a little reading and writing, nodded off for a quick nap, and woke up to find it was 4:00 pm. Adam and Chris should be at the airport for 5:00 pm and we needed to find a gas station and fill up as the car was pretty much running on fumes. Drew decided to rent a Bixi bike as a way to get back and didn’t make it in time to join us for the drive to the airport.

We had a little hiccup finding the correct key to get the garage door to open but otherwise the drive for gas and to the airport was uneventful and we arrived in plenty of time for Adam and Chris to clear security and board their flight for home. I headed back with the GPS as my guide. I driven enough in Montreal now to be comfortable.

Drew arranged to meet a friend from school who just relocated from Berlin to Montreal. My friend Tanner Shantz and his girlfriend Katherine Abbass are dropping over around 8:00 pm for a visit and a catchup chat.

I’m looking forward to meeting Katherine for the first time. She has a cover photo in Facebook which displays a blank page in a book with the line “Now I am awake.” What a brilliant message to share with the world.

I met Tanner at the Steam Whistle Brewery where he had just started as a Tour Guide. He is articulate, witty, charismatic, brilliant, and a natural leader. He has a passion for being alive and I think extremely comfortable in his own skin. He is one cool dude. He and Drew are acquainted and fellow alumni at Ryerson. I haven’t seen Tanner for a couple of years but we keep in touch with an occasional online message.

His work at Steam Whistle allowed him many opportunities with the Marketing Team which ultimately resulted in a job with the company in Edmonton. He and Katherine met in a dog walking park and their relationship blossomed from their mutual interest in caring for the critters.

Katherine just moved to Montreal for Grad studies in English Literature at Concordia University. Like all smitten young men, Tanner decided to follow her and I think the writing is on the wall that they will be together for many years into the future.

It was another truly wonderful day on the Road Trip.

Once again I send my gratitude for you electing to stand as a support pillar. I hope my ramblings here convey how much I am a place of deep inner peace. I count my blessings over and over to have such a loving wife, supportive offspring, caring friends, and a global collection of kindred spirits motivating me to keep up a good fight. An above all, I thank God for keeping me in his wheelhouse. I feel his hand on me every waking moment providing the courage I need to live large.

Peace, Love, and Laughter

Phil XOXO

PS - My cousin Don Cameron’s daughter Joanna Goodine and her husband Jordon just readmitted their four month old daughter to the IWK Childrens Hospital in Halifax yesterday after a three week stay trying to find why this little baby is so ill. It seems to be a GI infection of some sort but still a mystery. Please add Millie to your prayers for a speedy recovery.

Day 4

Date: Monday, September 13, 2026 (Number of Steps according to Apple Health – 7,260)

Adam and Chris are home in Halifax. Drew and I remain in Montreal. Little changes with the start each day for me; poached eggs around 5:00 am and back to bed to read or write with some soft music in the background. As with most mornings, it is normal to fall back to sleep.

Our plan today starts with a city bus tour. I find these to be a great way to get to know a new city. I book the 11:00 am departure from Dorchester Square.

But before then, we found a quaint diner close to the departure point with wonderful breakfast choices. Neither Drew or I can remember the name. The meal we had was thin sliced roast potatoes with cheese loaded omelet on top and hollandaise sauce. I did a reduced size and could eat it all but it was delicious. We should have taken a picture. Darn!

Below is a list of the highlights of the tour. Our guide was knowledgeable and the driver was comical. They were a great team.

• Old Montreal
• Olympic Stadium
• Mount Royal Park Lookout
• St. Joseph’s Oratory
• Montreal Harbour
• Bonsecours Market Building
• Place Jacques Cartier
• Notre Dame Basilica
• City Hall
• Place Ville Marie
• Place des Arts
• Fine Arts Museum
• Habitat 67
• Saint Helen’s Island
• Our Lady Queen of the World Cathedral
• Golden Square Mile
• McGill University
• Chinatown
• The Universite de Montreal

Both Drew and I learned a lot about Montreal in a very short space of time. We passed sites we’d already seen but it was nice to understand more about the history. For example, the colour of the brick sidewalk in front of Notre Dame Basilica has a defined colour change. That is the border of an earlier version of the church.

One location which really caught my attention was a hotel in Old Montreal called Auberge du Vieux-Port. I’d love to stay there sometime in the future. It will have to keep until my pockets are a little deeper, I win the lottery, or a long-lost family member shows up with handfuls of cash.

A second location was the Olympic Museum. I think it looks fascinating. There is a statue in front that holds the name of every athlete who has ever won a medal from the beginning in 1896; a year which is interesting because Canada did not participate until the second Olympics and won its first medal in 1906.

I would also like to see the interior of Notre Dame Basilica which looks remarkable in pictures. It is not open to the public but runs a show you can pay to attend and at one point a wall is opened so you get a look inside. Only parishioners are able to attend Mass.

The tour lasted 3.5 hours and both Drew and I were getting tired during the last half hour. The guide and driver were gracious and dropped us off within a short walk of our AirBnB.

On the tour, we passed Saint Paul Street West in Old Montreal. It is a narrow, winding street loaded with restaurants. I wished to head there for supper. Drew picked a Mexican Restaurant called Escondite Vieux Port and made a 7:00 pm reservation. It is just a few blocks down from Notre Dame Basilica. The colourful walls decorated are with sugar skulls, luchadors, cacti and other images from the home region which all transport you to the streets of Mexico.

Escondite has become a recognizable brand due to everything from the Mexican pop culture references that adorn the walls as well as the
stylized menu filled with delicious food and drink options.

As it turned out, Rochelle Douris was in Montreal and the plan to was meet her, Jessie (Jade’s brother), and Elena (a niece) for dinner. Jessie decided he was too tired and stayed home, It was great catching up with Rochelle and updating her on the state of my health. I’m not sure how wise this was giving we were about to eat.

We had so many laughs and the food was terrific. The signature drinks were particularly enjoyable and I had two delicious Margaritas.

Rochelle and Elena headed out around 8:30, and kudos to Rochelle as she snuck up and took care of the bill. Drew and I took an Uber back to the AirBnB.

It was a full day and we shut ‘er down soon after.

As always, I thank you for being a support pillar and keeping me motivated to keep up a good fight. This Road Trip is proving to be engaging and I’m creating wonderful memories I will take to my grave. Moments like this are just so wonderful.

Kudos to my wife for supporting me to make this trip, my offspring for cheering me on, my friends for sending lots of suggestions on things I should do, and all those from different parts of the globe who keep giving me the thumbs up!

Peace, Love, and Laughter
Phil XOXO

Day 5

Date: Tuesday, September 14, 2026 (Number of Steps according to Apple Health – 1,495)

Today Drew and I depart Montreal for Ottawa. As per usual, I make a couple of poached eggs, head into the bedroom to listen to soft music, read, and work on my next blog. As per typical, I nod off and wake up around 8:00 am. There is no rush to scramble. It is a short two hour, 200 km drive to Ottawa. We’re not in any rush.

I had one quick stop I wished to make as we left Montreal to take a picture of this statue. It is outside the Olympic Museum at 500 René-Lévesque Blvd West. If you can’t tell, it is meant to look like the Olympic Flame.

With the road construction, it proved a challenge to get across town as many roads were closed which was unknown to the GPS. Once we did arrive, I jumped out and Drew drove around the block.

The metal is mirror like and inscribed with every Canadian Olympian who has ever won a medal. I was particularly interested in finding Mark de Jonge who is a paddler. In the 2012 London Olympics, he won a bronze medal in the Men’s K-1 200 metres.

He just finished his paddling career at the 2020 Olympics in the Men’s K4. The team was competitive in the preliminaries but did not reach the podium.

You can see his name etched in the polished surface of this statue for his medal in 2012. I’d like to visit this museum in the future. It looks spectacular in the promotional material.

We have an interesting personal connection. Outside his paddling life, where he continues to coach, Mark is a graphic designer. He created the Second Wind logo for our boat which I’ve branded on all kinds of swag including shirts, masks, mugs, etc.

With that quick stop completed, we headed to Ottawa. I learned something about the GPS in the car. When you set up a route with a waypoint, you need to get close to the waypoint to have it go away or remove it manually. For close to twenty minutes the GPS keep re-rerouting us back in the direction of the Olympic Museum. Once we figured out why, it was clear sailing to Ottawa.

About twenty kilometers after the Quebec/Ontario boarder inside Ontario, there is a diner at Herb’s Truck Plaza which I frequented over the years. The fuel here is usually cheaper than other gas stations and the food is always good. It made an excellent location for Drew and I to have lunch. We shared a Clubhouse Sandwich and I had a cup of home-made Cream of Asparagus soup.

The fare is diner food. I can’t guess how many meals I’ve had here but they have all been excellent. A few years back, I bought a branded mug for the house. It didn’t survive our dishwasher. On my next trip through I mentioned it to our server and she promptly game me one from the dinning room. I think we still have that and it as good today as when it was given.

We arrived in Ottawa about 1:30. I really like the vibe in the Byward Marker and given a lot of this road trip is about putting check marks next to items on a bucket list, we headed in that direction. We parked and picked the Brig Pub as a location for an adult refreshment and some Onion Rings to share. It didn’t disappoint although it turns out both Drew and I have been in this Pub before when the family was up for the Grey Cup weekend a few years ago.

Drew and I were slated to stay with Carolyn and Stephen Leahy Tuesday night. However, Drew had not got as much work done on the trip as he planned and wishes to have as much time as possible open when we get to Toronto. He decided to book a hotel so he could have the peace and quiet he needs to focus. It picked it on Hotwire and it turned out to be a Holiday Inn. After we left the Brig Pub, we headed there so he could get checked in.

It was just a quick stop to drop luggage and we were off to Orleans for a supper party at the Leahy’s. The plan for Drew was to meet people and after supper head back by Uber to the hotel. As you can see in the overhead Google Maps image, Carolyn and Stephen has a swimming pool in their backyard. It is a great place for a family party.

People started to arrive around 5:30 and Helen was among the first. Janet’s Mom Betty will enjoy seeing the picture of her sister-in-law.

There were too many names flashing by for me to remember them all but it was a good turnout.

Michael, the birthday boy and Eliza arrived early. It was good to meet Mike as we share a common crisis; he has colon cancer which metastasized in his liver. His treatment is underway and the prognosis to be cancer clear in the near future is good. You can see he has a Second Wind shirt. That was a gift from Marianne.

Kim, son Cory, wife Samantha, son Trevor, wife Erin were there. Of course Carolyn and Stephen who were the hosts and their son Bret along Catherine and partner Jake. Elaine and husband Jeff with their son Dexter attended. I know I’ve missed some people but I wasn’t taking notes.

Carolyn and Stephen laid out a spread of Corn-on-the-Cob, Shish Kabob, and Caesar Salad. I contributed Meat Balls. It was a good feed. And it finished with Birthday Cake.

People started heading out around 8:00 pm which was good from me as I was starting to tire. It was time to head to bed,

As always, thanks again for being a support pillar in my life.

Peace, Love, and Laughter
Phil XOXO

Day 6

Date: Wednesday, September 15, 2026 (Number of Steps according to Apple Health – 1,845)

I was up at around 4:30 am and quietly headed downstairs as I didn’t wish to wake Carolyn or Stephen. It took me a while to find everything but I got my poached eggs done. I couldn’t find salt and pepper so no seasoning as I use each morning. Then I headed back to bed to read, write, and a short nap. Opps … the short nap was longer than planned; I looked at the clock and it was close to 6:50 am. I planned to pick up Drew at 7:15 am as I was scheduled to meet Dyan Tufts for coffee at 8:00 am. No time to shower. Darn!

Carolyn was up and helped me carry stuff to the car. That was a great help. I got on the road so early that I had time to get a shower in Drew’s hotel room.

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8:00 am Coffee and Breakfast Snack in Findlay Creek

In the picture you can see Dyan. I have know her for many years. She was a contract instructor with the Computer Training Group at Dalhousie University in my Division.

Students loved taking courses with Dyan.

She was also fun loving. I doubt she missed a social event with the team during her time working with the group.

Dyan has three children; twin girls and a son. She and her husband separated a few years ago but continue to enjoy a positive friendship. He lives in the same community so with shared custody, the children can easily move between households.

Dyan’s parents live in the same Ottawa community so the family spends a lot of time together.

It was great to see her.

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10:00 am Coffee and a Pastry on Carp Road

Bob Richards and I worked together at Camp Pinecrest in the 1970s. He is part of the crew who assembles in Go Home Lake every fall but decided he would pass this year because of COVID. As with many of the people getting together on Saturday, September 18th. we were all very close back in the day.

When Bob saw my name on the list, he sent me email with an update on what he has been up to which included he lived near Ottawa. That was great to hear and our route from Ottawa to Peterborough took us near to his home. We agreed to have a catch-up coffee on Wednesday.

It was great to see him. We have all aged but Bob looks like the spry young man I remember as the Out-trip Director. Most of our conversation was around all the people we knew and the directions their lives took as the unfolded. Sadly, it included a few people who had died that were good friends and since I was so out of touch over the years, I didn’t know.

He reminded me of one funny moment. Bob and Mike Cummings were room mates at school. When they got back from doing laundry, the found a pair of panties in the basket. They packaged it up and mailed it to me in Halifax. I opened it at our kitchen table with my parents present. My parents were curious about the panties but I had no explanation to offer. I don’t even think there was a return address which made it a bigger mystery.

Recently Bob’s son Michael relocated to Dartmouth and works as a lawyer at McInnes-Cooper. I left him a voice message welcoming him to our community and inviting him for dinner in the future.

It was so special to have a chance to see Bob. I hope this happens again.

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12:00 pm Lunch in Charlton Place

Keven Quartermain came to Dalhousie around 1990 to study and play hockey. Brad was on the team and they became good friends. The team set him up in a small basement apartment in the west end of Halifax with very “odd” roommate so Brad asked us if we might billet him in our extra bedroom.

He proved to be a terrific young man to host such that we asked him to serve at Meredith’s Godfather (our oldest daughter).

Kevin became a standout player on the hockey team at Dalhousie, thrived as a student, and thoroughly enjoyed his time in Halifax. His son Skyler followed his Dad’s lead and recently graduated from Dalhousie.

Like most catch-up conversations we chatted about our children and the direction of their lives, retirement plans, travel, etc.

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7:00 pm Supper in Peterborough at The Publican House Brewery

Owen Stahn and Drew were classmates in Theatre Studies at Ryerson. They became very good friends and Owen was one of the actors Drew included in all this productions in Ontario and when the company travelled to Halifax for a festival.

I like Owen from our first meeting. He is brilliant, articulate, a wonder actor, remarkable musician and song writer, and a deep thinker. Over the years he worked at the Steam Whistle Brewing Company in Toronto as did several of Drew’s Cohort giving tours.

My fondest memory was making the drive to Toronto alone to attend the release of an album he created. It was a surprise and when he saw me there, he went ballistic. Those kinds of surprises are very special ways to let people know how much you care and wish to make memories with for a lifetime.

Having this chance to meet long-time friends on this Road Trip is proving to fill my heart with joy. These are folks I love and live in a special place they carved in my heart.

Drew and I headed back to the Quality Inn where we were staying for the night. Odd to Toronto tomorrow.

As always, thanks for continuing as important support pillars in my life. I hope you enjoyed my ramblings about this part of the Road Trip to Peterborough. I thank God for helping me enjoy this precious moment.

Peace, Love, and Laughter
Phil

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Postscript

I saw this story in Facebook

The donkey told the tiger, “The grass is blue.”

The tiger replied, “No, the grass is green.”

The discussion became heated, and the two decided to submit the issue to arbitration, so they approached the lion.

As they approached the lion on his throne, the donkey started screaming: ′′Your Highness, isn’t it true that the grass is blue?”

The lion replied: “If you believe it is true, the grass is blue.”

The donkey rushed forward and continued: ′′The tiger disagrees with me, contradicts me and annoys me. Please punish him.”

The king then declared: ′′The tiger will be punished with 3 days of silence.” The donkey jumped with joy and went on his way, content and repeating ′′The grass is blue, the grass is blue…”

The tiger asked the lion, “Your Majesty, why have you punished me, after all, the grass is green?”

The lion replied, ′′You’ve known and seen the grass is green.”

The tiger asked, ′′So why do you punish me?”

The lion replied, “That has nothing to do with the question of whether the grass is blue or green. The punishment is because it is degrading for a brave, intelligent creature like you to waste time arguing with an ass, and on top of that, you came and bothered me with that question just to validate something you already knew was true!”

The biggest waste of time is arguing with the fool and fanatic who doesn’t care about truth or reality, but only the victory of his beliefs and illusions. Never waste time on discussions that make no sense. There are people who, for all the evidence presented to them, do not have the ability to understand. Others who are blinded by ego, hatred and resentment, and the only thing that they want is to be right even if they aren’t.

When IGNORANCE SCREAMS, intelligence moves on.

Day 7

Date: Thursday, September 16, 2026 (Number of Steps according to Apple Health – 5,097)

As you will see in this post, the common theme in this Road Trip is one of being a Food fest and Thursday was perhaps the most extreme to date. I am not complaining but without out a stomach it limits the quantity I can consume. I guest that’s okay as it means a little more for Drew.

We stayed in a “Quality” Inn last night in Peterborough. The room was okay but the rest of the facility was in extreme need of repair, renovation, and upgrading. There were baseboards missing in the hallways, cracks in the walls, paint chipped everywhere, stained carpets, etc. I booked through Hotwire and according to that site the hotel I selected was supposed to be at the level of a Holiday Inn. This came nowhere close. Our room was on the second floor and there was no elevator. I attempted to play the cancer card to get a room change on check-in but that would have involved a significant service fee. Also, I needed to run a $250 security deposit. I thought that was excessive but ah well. It was only one night. I don’t know Peterborough but it would have been nicer to be closer to the heart of the downtown. This is not a place I’d recommend.

We jumped in the car and it reported a low tire pressure. We stopped and topped all the tires. There might be a small tack in the tire so we’ll keep an eye on that. It didn’t present any problem on the drive from Peterborough to Toronto.

The reason for our stop in Peterborough was to spend time with Owen Stahn. It was so good to see him for supper on Wednesday night and we ate at a really nice pub called The Publican House Brewery. We sat on the deck under a heater and I work two jackets and gloves so I was plenty warm. It’s so nice to sit outside.

Owen and Drew have several common school/acting friends in Peterborough. One of them owns the Black Honey Café in downtown. We headed there for breakfast but to our disappointment discovered the kitchen staff hadn’t shown up for reasons unknown. Ah well; the best laid plans. It got us on the road that much earlier.

The drive to Toronto was uneventful and we arrived so far a head of schedule that Drew suggested we head to Parkdale for a late lunch at one of his favourite spots. The road construction on Queen Street West at the edge of Parkdale had all the roads ripped up where numerous street car routes enter the city. This must be brutal for the traffic flow and public transportation. On that note, a second common Road Trip theme would have to be road construction. It is in full swing everywhere.

The first place we checked out was shut down; likely a COVID victim. Just a couple of block west of Drew’s place in Parkdale is the Easy Restaurant. There was a minor problem which sent Drew back to car. All the seats were hard surfaced. My bony butt can’t survive that kind of seating. Once I had a cushion, all became right with the world.

Drew had Huevos Rancheros and I had Eggs Benedict. The Hollandaise is made in house and super fresh.

Every bite was delicious but with the quantity, I can consume I need to set my priorities. The eggs with the Hollandaise was at the top of the list. The potatoes dipped in ketchup came next. The bacon under the eggs was on the next but after about three bites I knew I was at the limit of my volume.

One good thing. I haven’t been doing the best job of taking the enzymes I need to given my pancreas is in a state of atrophy. That was not the case for this meal. I’m getting better.

Drew cleaned his plate and munched a little on what remained on mine. Another good meal in the books.

It was time to head to Etobicoke and get the keys to the house where Drew was staying. The people who usually occupy the space are currently in Halifax so that really worked out nicely for Drew. It is too early for me to check in so this was a perfect time to do some laundry. This is a lot more house than he needs but it doesn’t cost him anything. Another advantage is that he will keep the car as I don’t have any need for it and it won’t cost anything to park in Etobicoke.

While the laundry was in, I headed to the Under Armor Factory on Rodeo Drive in Mississauga. It was about a twenty minute drive from the house. I picked up a few sale items including a really nice green button up shirt. I love Under Armor and can easily go craze in a store. I restrained myself. One advantage of my size now is I can wear Boys XL with is not as expensive as the adult clothing. I have a pretty good wardrobe these days and most of it is Under Armor. That includes some pretty funky boys under ware. Ha Ha.

At shortly after 3:00 we headed into the city so I could check in at the AirBnB on Jarvis Street. Yes; that is the Gardner Expressway in the picture at 3:30 on a Thursday afternoon. Where have all the cars gone. It was busy going in the other direction but my guess is there are just so many people working from home that its reduced the number of cars on the road. Don’t misunderstand, there were plenty of cars everywhere but usually the Gardner is a parking lot this time of day in both directions.

The high rise where my AirBnB is located is a very new building. I’m guessing three years or so. My apartment is on the 18th floor. Everything is fob controlled so there is a record of coming through the entrance past security and when I use the elevator. I wonder if the people so opposed to COVID passports would get up in arms with the fob use in this building. Ha Ha.

It is in a really new building and on the 18th floor. It is a bachelor, well appointed, and nicely equipped with a good view. It is most comfortable.

After a quick change, Drew and I headed to dinner at a restaurant called Barbarians on Elm Street.

Over the last three decades I estimate I have eaten here a dozen time. Given I am putting check marks on a bucket list, this had to be a destination. Drew has been here twice before; once while at the Etobicoke School for the Arts and the other when in Theatre School at Ryerson.

It is a traditional old-school steak house. All the servers are male and uniformed. The wine list is a book and according to the web site holds more the 15,000 bottles.

Drew and I shared a Dry Aged Rib Steak 16 ounce. We were both satisfied with the quantity. The baked potatoes were perfect.

Drew reported that this was the best steak he has ever had in his life. I agree with him and I’ve had some pretty good steaks over my years.

Barbarians not only exceeded my expectations, putting another check on the bucket list can only be described as magical.

By the way, we both had one cocktail. Our bar bill was $44. This is not an inexpensive place to eat but in my humble opinion, worth every penny.

We planned to go to the Tiki room but couldn’t get a reservation. That was just as well as I was ready to shut it down for the night.

We walked back to the AirBnB. Drew retrieved the car as I headed up to relax. The curtains close on another great day.

As always, I think God for holding my hand and providing the courage I need to face this miserable disease. And I thank you for continuing to be wonderful support pillars you are and motivate me daily to keep up the battle.

Peace, Love, and Laughter
Phil XOXO

Day 8

Date: Friday, September 17, 2026 (Number of Steps according to Apple Health – 3,901)

I will skip the details of my start of day routine other than I made poached eggs, read a little, wrote a blog, napped, and put some thought into the day.

My AirBnB is absolutely spectacular other than it was a little cold. I asked my host if there is some trick to setting the temperature and his response was “Hey Phil! There is a problem with the buildings ac lines where they are stuck open it’s been a problem for this past month… sorry about that there are two extra blankets in the closet that you can use!” In addition to his extra blankets I have one in the car for tonight that Meredith (my oldest daughter) made me for Christmas. Drew brought it in when we connected for supper later in the day. I’m under it right now and I’m nice and toasty.

The plan for today is to hang out with Ryan Zaldin. We have been close friends from when he came to Dalhousie in the 1990s. He was a top notch student in the course I taught as a part time instructor and I invited him to work with my team in the Computer Training Group.

I loved him back then and I love him today. He lives and works in Toronto (Thornhill to be exact). He had work to do and we agreed to meet at Fran’s Restaurant on College Street for lunch at noon.

It is in the same location and it has the same vibe today as when I ate there in the early 1970s while working at Camp Pinecrest. The camp was under the jurisdiction of the Toronto YMCA which back then was just a few doors down the street.

I make return visits to Fran’s frequently when in Toronto so here’s another check on the bucket list. The last time was about five years ago before I started on my lifestyle change campaign. Fran’s hasn’t changed but on that trip I was so obese that my belly was jammed up against the table in the booth. Today I’m so thin I have to stretch to reach the table; not in an uncomfortable way but it just so reminds me of how big I was at 280+ pounds.

The Simpsons store was across the street back in the day. Now there is a Winners. It is a beautiful day in Toronto but my hands still feel cold. I bought some gloves to take the edge off.

The only fixed plan we had was to meet Drew for supper at 5:00 pm. I love being on any waterfront so we headed downtown and ended up at the Amsterdam Brew House. The server taking information at the entrance had studied at Dalhousie around 2012 in Environmental Studies. I played the cancer card and we ended with a table right on the waterfront. It had an unobstructed view of all the boats going back and forth throughout the afternoon. It was the best seat in the house.

I had an Irish Coffee and followed up with a mixed creamy cocktail. We shared a small started snack, not that we were hungry but I need to eat continuously, and the afternoon just melted away. Ryan filled me on his children, business, and the status of his separation with his wife which clearly has complicated moments but they work them though. I shared what all our children were up to along with as much as he wanted to know about my cancer.

As a little side story, all the seats in the Amsterdam were hard and without cushions. With my bony butt, this puts way too much pressure on my tailbone. Our server found a beach towel in the office that when folded took care of the problem.

The Shameful Tiki Room is located in Parkdale almost directly under the apartment Jade and Drew and Josh Cruddus share. Currently they sublet Jade and Drew’s room and Josh uses it whenever he travels to Toronto for a show or other things he needs to be there for in person.

For some time after they moved in they didn’t know what was in the space below but they kept hearing explosions. It turns out that’s a routine that the severs perform when a table buys a drink called a Volcano.

Due to COVID, visits are limited to 1.5 hours and you get a 30 minute warning so you can prepare to depart at the appointed hour. They are fully booked every night so you’ve got to get a reservation in early to enjoy an adult refreshment or three at this entertaining establishment.

Drew and Josh headed up to the apartment above and Ryan and I headed back to the AirBnB. I needed a rest and invited him up to see if I might get a head of steam up so we could go back out. I didn’t but we had some great conversations till about 10:00 pm.

Ryan was one of the thirty folks who acquired a Second Wind shirt. I brought is along and we got a few pictures. I think we both look pretty good.

It was another good day with many excellent moments and the source of memories I’ll hold well into the future.

I am having such a special Road Trip. Kudos to my wife Janet for supporting me throughout this adventure. I love you more every day. Thanks to my children back home for taking care of Mom. A special shoutout to Drew for the continuous support since we left home. All those who follow my ramblings, I hope you find them instructive and entertaining. I love having you as support pillars cheering me on. And thanks to God for his constant presence in my life, I can feel his hand on my back providing me with courage to keep up the good fight.

Peace, Love, and Laughter
Phil

Days 9 and 10

Date: Saturday, September 18, 2026 & Sunday, September 19 (Number of Steps according to Apple Health – 3,885)

Saturday and Sunday was my time in the Muskoka region hanging out with my cohort from the early 1970s. It makes sense to stitch them day together as as most of the this blog is about that weekend experience.

Day 9, Saturday, September 18, 2026

As is usual, I got my day started with my standard poached eggs and orange juice in the Toronto AirBnB. Then I got packed in time to be ready when Drew arrived from Etobicoke with the car at 8:00 am. He came up to get all the kit and drag it down to the car. We put the key back in the lock box and headed to the Golden Diner for breakfast at 105 Carlton Street.

This was a regular destination for Drew when he was at university. It has large portions for low prices and the food is good. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed numerous breakfasts here and it had to be a destination on the bucket list. Drew had the big breakfast and I had Eggs Benny.

We were done. Drew had plans to see many of his friends while I was off to the Muskoka region to hang out with my cohort from Pinecrest in the 1970s. It was the start of a good day.

The last time I made the drive up to Pinecrest, I travelled just north of Barrie on Highway 400, Highway 11 to Gravenhurst, and then Highway 69 to Torrance (where Pinecrest is on Clear Lake). Highway 400 has been extended all the way to Georgian Bay so I took that and then headed east to Torrance.

The plan was to meet with my friends at 12:30 pm for lunch at Clear Lake Brewing Company. This brewery is new since my last visit. During my time, we had many adult refreshments at the Bala Bay Inn about 4 km from Torrance. It is still there but unavailable for our lunch.

I arrive on time and was ushered to one of the two picnic tables and soon after a half dozen growlers showed up on the tables followed by enough pizza for an army. It was a great way to reconnect with people I haven’t seen for the most part for over forty years. I knew many of the people but a few were before or after my years of 1973 to 1976. Even though outside of my time frame, their names were legendary as renowned program directors or guides.

Let me tell you a little about this cohort. It is quite large and benefits from the leadership of Ross McKerron. The Y has no other groups that have remained tight and connected after their time at the camp. There is magic in this group but it is Ross who is the glue to keep all these folks in touch with each other. I feel privileged to be included. I must admit, I allowed these important friendships to fade after leaving camp in 1976 and started my working life in Halifax. It was time for me to move on and too difficult to keep these distance friendships alive.

After lunch, most of us headed to the camp which is about three kilometers from the brewery. It is bright and sunny, the trees are lush and green as the leaves have yet to start turning to their fall colours, the smells from the woods and the lake are fresh and and the tickle my olfactory senses with a familiarity of my time on side in the 1970s. We’re driving down the road and my excitement is building, my heart is racing, I think I can feel my body temp increasing with anticipation, and no doubt my blood pressure is up. These are all good things.

We arrive at the camp and meet a program director at the office who advises it is pretty quiet on the camp. There is just one small leadership group preparing for a trip on the other side of the camp.

Like the CN Tower is an iconic structure in Toronto, the Boathouse is the iconic image for Pinecrest. From this side you see the hall upstairs. Long before my time it was the camp dining room. You can see the sparkle of Clear Lake and that stone is pretty typical Canadian Shield.

That rock is challenging for me giving my current stability but I planned to get down to the dock one way or another. With my cushion in hand, I carefully started my trek in the direction of the lake.

It took me about ten times longer to make it than was normal but it gets pretty steep to the right of the Boathouse. I discovered later, there was a much easier way but I feel more alive when I see a challenge and take it head on. Ideally I would have wandered around the property but that’s more physically demanding and needs strength than I can’t muster these days.

You can see the Boathouse with the sliding doors on the dock. It is stuffed full of canoes. I don’t know the current count but they are stored in various locations. I suspect the camp has over a hundred canoes. The ones at this location are for recreational activities on the lake.

Over my left shoulder, you can see the diving tower. That is part of the main swim area where thousands of children learned to swim since the camp opened in 1910. Pinecrest is surrounded by three beautiful lakes, and is nestled on 650 acres. It is a truly remarkable location.

I planted myself in one of the Muskoka chairs on a cushion I brought down. It was a great time to reflect on my time working at camp where I was a Counsellor and Section Director in 1973 and the Councilor-in-Training Director from 1974 to 1976. My time at camp started in May with Outdoor Ed programs, followed by three summer sessions in July and August, and then I would head to back to Halifax to resume my studies at Dalhousie University.

We all have defining moments in our lives. My time at Pinecrest shaped the man I became and influenced me throughout the rest of my life. My emotional high of the moment is of one returning home. It found myself sitting in this chair in a state of pure tranquility of mind. This was a joyful moment.

Cole Balmer joined me. He has been a good online friend for a number of years but this is the first time we’ve met in person. He is the current General Manager and one of the four full-time employees. The camp has not had regular campers since the start of COVID as normally there are ten full-time employees and during the summer 120 staff members at the camp. There is a lot of excitement that the camp will return to operation in 2022.

We chatted about all camp related matters, programs, current camp use, and ideas for the future. Cole follows me closely on this blog is was curious about my current health status and filled with questions.

It was a great hour of good conversation. I still had my frozen Shepherd’s Pie and Irish Stew in the cooler. With the time left on the trip, I’d never thaw them so I suggested Cole take them. He was glad to do so and later reported how well they were enjoyed.

Not bad eh? This is the first significant reference to food for a few paragraphs!

We headed out for Go Home Lake. Jeremy came with me to navigate. The only way to the cottage is by boat. Both Ross and Murray Huff keep their boats at Minors Bay Marina. I take my time on floating docks even though they don’t present any major challenge. However, a fall at this time would throw a damper into the weekend.

The ride to the cottage was about fifteen minutes and was like threading a needle through numerous channels. It was a glorious afternoon, clear skies, and sparkling blue waters.

The walk up to the cottage from the dock was over more Canadian Shield so I took an arm to ensure I was safe. This is not a place to take a fall as I suspect that would force a trip to Emergency. Up a short hill, then a few steps and I on the massive deck at the front of the cottage.

I understand that Ross bought this cottage in the early 1990s with a friend. Around 2000, his friend sold his half to Beth and Murray Huff.

The original cottage was in need of a lot of tender loving care. Not only did Ross make that happen but based on the original footprint, my guess is the square footage today is three times as much with the addition of a large Livingroom space, sun room on the lake side, three to four bedrooms behind that addition, and a new full bathroom. At the other end of the original cottage is a new wing that has Ross’ bedroom and a laundry room. In the original cottage is a kitchen, large dining space, a bath, and two bedrooms. I had one of those bedrooms which put me close to a bathroom. He has a large storage shed behind which I understand is full of canoes.

We all settled in and there was ten of us. Ross prepared some Hors d’oeuvres for people to enjoy as dinner was getting ready. Some people headed to the dock, others on the deck, and I stayed in the Livingroom with Murray Huff. As nice as it was outside, my hands were cold which seems to be case most of the time these days. I forgot my gloves in the car but it was okay as Murray had a pair which became my constant companions through the rest of the weekend.

Murray was my best friends at camp and as soon as I saw him, we exchanged hugs, and good old pats on the back started the dialogue of catchup with news about our families. He has four grown-up children who live in various parts of the country with a variety of successful careers and good spouse/partner relations. I filled him in on what are five children are up to and their three spouses.

Once caught up on family news, we turned our conversation to our work lives and then we started to reminisce about our time at camp. This just got started when the word came through that dinner was ready so we headed to the table.

This was the main event. The dinner was fresh corn, tenderloin steak, a potato side dish, a mushroom side dish, several bottles of wine, and finished with a cheesecake desert. It was delicious.

The best part are the conversations which focus on camp memories, the camp as it was during our time, the camp as it has been to deal with COVID, and the camp of the future. Everyone at the table retains close ties with Pinecrest, most participate on volunteer boards of various types. It truly is a excellent group of camp ambassadors who contributed during their time as employees and continue to make an impact in a positive way to help secure the future of Pinecrest. As I mentioned earlier, there is no comparable group of this type across all the living generations which has stayed so connected to each other and the camp. Without question, Ross McKerron is the glue that keeps it together.

My heart was warmed listening to the conversations. I didn’t have much to contribute other than the occasional question. We remained at that table for a couple of hours. I learned volumes about Pinecrest I didn’t know before. Eventually though, I needed to lie down.

My bedroom was just off the kitchen. I got into my sleeping bag and zipped up but I didn’t close the door. I could hear everything. It reminded me of when I used to listen to my children playing years ago and the joyful sounds of their conversations. This was an evening of pure, unrestricted joy for everyone present.

I drifted off to sleep with an inner peace and a full appreciation that the experience of the weekend exceeded my expectations. My heart and soul are bursting with jubilation and I knew my night would be filled with sweet dreams. This is as good as life gets I think.

Day 10 Sunday, September 19, 2026

I woke early from a restful night with the same joy in my heart as I had when slipping into sleep the night before. It was quiet and serene but I knew someone was up as I could hear the coffee pot gurgling.

I got up, filled a bowl with some of the leftover potato dish, warmed it in the microwave, and poured a cup of coffee. Only then did I realized all my meds were in the car with the exception of my digestion enzymes. Ah well, missing a day of Fragmin won’t kill me.

As people started to wake, it was coffee and conversation time as breakfast was being prepared. Most of the dialogue centered around what this group could do to sustain the future of Pinecrest.

You might be inclined to think this is a small group given the numbers who assembled at the cottage. That is not the case. People are nervous about COVID. I think the hard-core is closer to twenty-five dedicated individuals.

Ross setup a presentation in the Livingroom. He found a number of books filled with pictures and documents about the original settlers of the land that eventually became Pinecrest. It started in the mid 1800s and spanned to the middle 1900s when the last bit was acquired by the camp.

In addition to the history lesson he had decks of scanned pictures recorded decade by decade. I think we all enjoyed them.

After the presentation, we moved outside when the deck was awash with warm morning sunlight. The conversations continued to be a mix of how to secure the future of Pinecrest and reminiscing the past. Hot dogs were served for lunch and a glance at my phone showed the time as 2:30 pm. I packed and along with a couple of others shuttled back to the marina. To my delight, Beth Huff was at the dock. I wasn’t expecting to see her so this encounter added one more special memory to my time at Go Home Lake. I got into the car and headed back to Toronto to meet Drew for supper.

From beginning to end, Highways 400 was busy and there were a few construction delays around Barrie. I arrived in the east end of Toronto where Drew was in the company Bailey and Jeff, friends of his I met at his wedding. Coincidentally he was just a few doors from Mezes which is known for its authentic Greek fare and one of the restaurants I had on my “You gotta eat here” list.

We asked the server for advice on what to order and ended up with Calamari, Melitzanosalata (which is roasted egg plant), a lamb chop, and a skewer of grilled chicken chunks. We were both full and headed back to Etobicoke for a great night’s sleep.

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As always, thank you for being at my side. A loving wife, wonderful children, tremendous friends, and supportive individuals from around the world keep my morale strong and the fight alive. And again thanks to God for being constant companion and holding my hand throughout this journey.

Peace, Love, and Laughter
Phil XOXO

Day 11

Date: Monday, September 20, 2026 (Number of Steps according to Apple Health – 1,083)

Same morning routine as everyday with poached eggs and orange juice. Drew and I were out in Etobicoke at Cynthia and Kam’s house while they coincidentally are in Halifax. I had a wonderful sleep and as one should do when vacationing, we left when we good and ready which was around 10:00 am. We made a first stop at En-Route to get coffee and something to eat to hold us over until a meal when near the border to Quebec City. The distance was about 760 km but with traffic we knew it would be longer than predicted by the GPS. That was okay because we really had no plans other than drive to our AirBnB.

I had a craving for Swiss Chalet but since we were in Quebec, it became St-Hubert BBQ on the west end outskirts of Montreal. We ordered a half-chicken to share and there was nothing left when we departed. I like Swiss Chalet but I think I like this gastronomic experience more. If given the option, I’ll pick St-Hubert BBQ first.

We arrived after dark and got settled into the AirBnB. It was a loft and as we discovered the next day, a short walk to Chateau Frontenac. The loft is about 500 square feet, my Queen Size bed is behind Drew’s pull out. It is well equipped with everything we need and decorated beautifully.

The wall behind where I was standing is made of stone and likely dates back to when many of the buildings around our location were erected in the 1670s; yes that’s right … the 1670s.

By the way, there are two remaining walled cities in North America, Mexico City and Quebec Cite. Our AirBnb is a short walk from the gates.

Drew went for a walk to stretch his legs and returned with reports of remarkably attractive streets lined with building similar to the one in which we were staying.

This is a great place to stay.

We watched election results come in until the Minority Government was announced and then we shut it down for the night to be well rested for tomorrow.

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As always, I thank you for being my support pillars as I continue my battle with cancer. I can’t win the war but I can put up a good fight in each battle. And although I know it’s not everyone’s thing my faith and belief that God is always present continues to provide me with the courage I need to do battle is as strong as ever.

Peace, Love, and Laughter
Phil XOXO

Day 12

Date: Tuesday, September 21, 2026 (Number of Steps according to Apple Health – 7,214)

I keep thinking each day on this Road Trip is as good as it gets and then the next day happens and it is on-par or better. That is what Day 12 in Québec City proved to be.

Like the start to every day, I was up around 4:30 am, made poached eggs without waking Drew, ate, worked on completing the weekend blog, and went back to sleep. I think we were both up around 10:00 am and ready to head out and explore the old part of Québec City. I’d like to show what the area looks like. Number 52 is the outside entrance and there are a few steps to navigate but well worth the climb.

Drew went for a walk last night and discovered there are Cafés and several Restaurants just steps away from our location. Before heading to the Café, we sauntered down the street to check on where we parked the car the last night. We wanted to make sure is was in a safe place. As it turned out, it was not. In fact we parked right under a “No Parking” sign and hadn’t noticed in the dark. There is free parking on this street provided you have a zone pass. I guess zone passes are for permanent residents. We don’t have one of those or is there any indication how one goes about getting one. We clearly dodged a bullet parking in this location. The car was still there; not towed and no boot. We drove to a nearby street where there is both daily and nightly parking for a fee. It was a little pricy but we knew the car will be there Wednesday morning when we retrieve it and start our journey home to Nova Scotia.

We picked Café de Paris as a breakfast destination. It has a huge menu including a number of Crêpe options. Clearly we’re back on track with the common thread thread through the Road Trip; another day starts with a Food fest.

I think the trigger that tipped the scales to pick this location is the sandwich board out front promoting a two Mimosas special for $10. Frankly, I didn’t know that a Mimosas is a delicious combination of sparkling wine and orange juice. Drew did and highly recommended it was a good start to our day. If you can’t trust your son, who can you trust? I’m in!

Drew had a huge breakfast which include poached eggs, baked beans, toast, a crêpe with maple sugar, and sausage. Clearly he was hungry as he wolfed it down and even finished the little bit left on my plate. It reminded me of watching a feeding frenzy on Shark Week or the supper table in the O’Hara household when the children were young and fighting to get their share of food to survive. Ha Ha.

My Crêpe was blueberries and strawberries loaded with vanilla ice cream. Wow was it good! I could eat this anytime.

It was three Crêpes layered to overlap on each other and left as open-faced with the berries and ice cream exposed. My job was to fold over the Crêpe from the outside to the inside as I saw fit and then lift a forkful to pass my lips. I savored each and every bite. If this was sound, I’d call it a cacophony just because I really like the way that word sounds. I can’t think of a comparable noun to describe the elegance of bringing all the sweet and pleasing flavours into my mouth and teasing my taste buds to be cast into a culinary dance.

Although not planned, I can’t think of a better theme for a Road Trip than a Food fest. We push back from the table after consuming a wonderful meal in a terrific restaurant with an inviting vibe. As an aside, I asked each of our servers to repeat every English-spoken question or comment en français so I could attempt to mimic and remember a few words.

By the way, back in the day it was normal to use Mademoiselle for a single woman and Madame for a married woman. Today it is more appropriate to address all women as Madame.

Is your mouth watering? If not, it should be. Both our breakfast choices were a source of culinary joy!

The walk from our AirBnB to the restaurant was about five minutes. To my surprise, when we stepped out onto the street and looked left, the red brick building in the background of the picture to the right is the Chateau Frontenac. I picked the Loft AirBnB because I knew it was close but I had no idea it was a stone-through away.

We wandered in the direction of the Frontenac and found ourselves in an open plaza in front of the hotel with the Saint Lawrence Seaway behind.

There was a vocalist serenading passerby’s with an amp, recorded instrumentals, and a handheld mic. The vocals were superior so my guess is the performer was professionally trained. We decided we needed to get to an ATM or bank to get some cash in order to reward any street musician we encountered as we explored the Old City. That proved to be a challenge. We didn’t find one or did Google Search indicate there were any nearby. I will have to do better in the future to have a pocket full of tonnies or five dollar bills.

It was beautiful in front of the hotel and the plaza was spotless. Kudos to whoever cleans these spaces. They are earning their keep.

There is a Tram that runs from the Plaza down to the Old City below. Oddly when we asked a guide how to get down, the response was you can take the steps. Okay it is down steps but I am so fearful of turning an ankle leading to a fall that I am cautious on even a few steps both down and up. This conversation took place in front of the Tram station so perhaps our question was misunderstood. My preference is to give the guide the benefit of a doubt. With that said, there are moments when I’m clearly not the sharpest knife in the drawer so lets go with the response as a “language” anomaly.

The Tram is a smooth ride and only takes moments to make the descent. It is the best way to travel between the Plaza and the streets of Old Québec City below.

The streets are packed with a variety of interesting and eclectic stores featuring products of Québec. All the building had flower boxes hanging from windows which were clearly cared for as I didn’t see a single wilted flower. The streets were spotless and I didn’t see as much as a single paint chip on the outside of the buildings.

I was keen to have a cappuccino and a pastry and was willing to wait for an outside table at an engaging Café. The one in the central courtyard is called Café Maison Smith and although there were plenty of seats inside the was a wait for a table outside. It was well worth the wait. There was a performer on a keyboard playing popular tunes. People streamed by continuously and who doesn’t enjoy people watching? Eventually we got a table and spent a while having a nice break.

Can’t you just tell I am focused, and taking a moment to realize that I am focused on something other than myself? Can’t you see I’m having a Zen moment?

Drew and I always find lots to talk about and that was the case at this café. We stayed about a half hour. Taking short breaks like this guarantee I will have plenty of energy to continue to wander.

We passed by a shop filled to the brim with prints and picked out two that reflected the vibe of Old Québec City. Later we picked up some gifts for our wives and something for Jacob.

It was a good day so far and time passed quickly. All of a sudden we found ourselves in the middle of the afternoon.h We decided to head back to the AirBnB for some rest before heading to dinner at an Italian restaurant.

This is the lobby of the Chateau Frontenac. According to Drew, I have repeatedly commented on how wonderful the view is from the room my family occupied over fifty years ago. He decided to share that with the Concierge and the fact I had cancer and we were on this Road Trip so I could visit places and put checks on my bucket list. He asked if we might be allowed to one of the higher floors so I could relive this moment from my past.

The Concierge headed to the main desk to see if he could find someone to cover his duties so he could take us to the fourteenth floor, They call this their Gold Floor where VIP guests are whisked up to the expensive rooms where there is a dedicated check-in for the rich and famous. Behind the station is a common space used for early morning meals and other amenities available for the VIP guests.

We really didn’t expect to be taken to this floor which requires FOB access. I guess that this just proves if you are thinking about asking a question and don’t, obviously the answer in no, If you ask it might be no but it also might be yes. What follows is the view from the Gold Floor and the Concierge Phillippe who took us up.

After a rest in our Loft AirBnB we have lots of energy for one final great culinary episode at an Italian restaurant called Restaurant Parmesan which we passed earlier in the day.

It is about a block south of Chateau Frontenac on rue Saint-Louis. Drew checked online to make 6:00 pm reservations and discovered there were none available. He then phoned the restaurant and had no problem getting a booking. We also learned the chairs are not cushioned so we took our own to ensure my derriere was protected.

We arrived just before our appointed time to a short line where everyone had reservations. It moved quickly and we were seated on time. Almost instantly a server was at the table lighting a candle and ready to take a drink order. We decided to have cocktails and I’m not sure what we had but it was comparable to a tasty red lemonade.

Antipasto is the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal. Typical ingredients of a traditional antipasto include cured meats, olives, peperoncini, mushrooms, anchovies, artichoke hearts, various cheeses (such as provolone or mozzarella), pickled meats, and vegetables in oil or vinegar. I think what we were served had everything on that list.

It was a good starter. I took a lot of time eating in order to avoid becoming too full for the main course. Many of the tastes were new to me but quite enjoyable. On completion, Drew and I chatted and waited a long time before considering a main. Our server was aware we wished to drag out the meal.

By the way, as with many meals on this Road Trip we asked for advice from the server in regards to what we should select. That has not disappointed even once and that record stands after this Hors d’oeuvre.

For our main, we selected from the Plats Gratinés section of the menu. Gratin is a culinary technique in which an ingredient is topped with a browned crust, often using breadcrumbs, grated cheese, egg or butter. The dish we selected and planned to share is called Cannelloni à la viande et épiards which is baked large macaroni filled with meat. It was another delicious selection.

On the way to our table earlier, we passed this dessert tray. With our careful consumption of the meal spread over almost three hours, we had room and made a few selections. I neglected to make a note but both were quite light. I was good for a few bites and Drew made sure none went to waste.

I didn’t mention it earlier but there was live music throughout the night from an accordion player. He continuously roamed around the restaurant with a long playlist of popular tunes which spanned the generations.

Allow me to finish with a collection of pictures showing you the artifacts which populated shelves up high in every nook and cranny throughout the restaurant. Note the bobblehead facing backwards. They are notorious characters; for example, one is Hitler.

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As I normally finish a post, let me start with a shoutout to my wonderful wife. This may be the longest time we’ve ever been separated. This is the final day of the Road Trip. I look forward to seeing my other offspring and their spouses soon; Meredith, Adam, Chris (Becca), (Jade), Melanie (Marissa). Both Drew and I have more stories to share that didn’t make it into the blogs. I value the ongoing good wishes from all my friends and acquaintances from around the planet. Next week I start on a drug called Vinorelbine. My Oncologist reports some success with about 5% of his patients so I am hopeful it will extend my life but only time will tell. I will need all my support pillars as much as ever.

And finally I fully recognize that my faith s not for everyone. I believe God is with me all the time and provides me with the courage I need to keep up the battle.

Peace, Love, and Laughter
Phil XOXO

Day 13

Date: Wednesday, September 22, 2026 (Number of Steps according to Apple Health – 521)

Today was a driving day from Québec City to Halifax. Other than stops for fuel and lunch in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, it was uneventful.

The distance traveled from beginning to end was: 4,837 km (3,006 miles).

Summary

• Day 1 - Drive to Montreal, Pick Up Adam and Chris at Airport, Check into AirBnB
• Day 2 - Saint Josephs Oratory Basilica, L’Avenue Restaurant, Upstairs Jazz Club
• Day 3 - Mass at Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral, Visit to Old Montreal, Schwartz’s Deli (Smoked Meat), Adam Chris head home, Visit with Tanner Shantz and Katherine Abbass, Drew visited a friend from Theatre School
• Day 4 - Montreal Bus Tour, Dinner with Rochelle Douris at Escondite Vieux Port (Mexican)
• Day 5 - Drive to Ottawa, Herb’s Truck Stop, Brig Pub in the Market, Family/Birthday Party with the Leahy’s
• Day 6 - Drive to Peterborough, Visits with: Dyan Tufts, Bob Richards, Kevin Quartermain, and Owen Stahn
• Day 7 - Drive to Toronto, Easy Restaurant, Drew Setup in Etobicoke, Under Armor, 18th Floor AirBnB, Barbarians (Steak)
• Day 8 - Day with Ryan Zaldin, Fran’s Diner, Amsterdam Brew House, Shameful Tiki Room with Drew and Josh Cruddus
• Days 9 & 10 - Saturday: Golden Diner, Drive to Clear Lake Brewing Company for Lunch, Camp Pinecrest Tour, Visit with Cole Balmer, Drive to Go Home Lake and Boat Ride to Cottage, Supper with Jeremy, Sandy McNair, Ross McKerron. Tony Fry, Brian O’Donnell, Jeff Miller, Jeff Cowan, Murray Huff, and John Donald, Lots of Great Dialogue, Sunday: Breakfast with Cohorts, Presentation by Ross McKerron re Original Owners of the Land Where Pinecrest is Today, Lunch on the Deck, Drive to Toronto, Dinner with Drew at Mezes (Greek).
• Day 11 - Drive to Québec City, e St-Hubert BBQ, AirBnB Inside the Gates of Québec City
• Day 12 - Dodged a Bullet re Parking, Café de Paris, Chateau Frontenac Plaza, Tram to Lower City, Café Maison Smith, Chateau Frontenac View for the Gold Floor, Restaurant Parmesan (Italian)

This Road Trip exceeded every expectation I held over and over. It was wonderful having all three sons in Montreal, Drew is a tremendous travel partner and we always found lots to talk about, I got to see so many people from my past, having a party with the Leahy’s in Ottawa was over the top, the weekend with my 1970s cohort of staff from Camp Pinecrest took me to an emotional space of deep soulful peace, and we ate at remarkable establishments again and again. The best part is I was in near normal health throughout the trip.

So now I head back to normal life in Halifax and about to start a drug called Vinorelbine. I have no delusion about this drug. The odds of it extending my life is about 5% but we’ll know that in November.

As always, thanks for being a support pillar throughout my journey with cancer. It means a lot to have you at my side.

Peace, Love, and Laughter
Phil XOXO

P.S. And thanks to God for being always present in my life and being the support of courage I’ve needed to stay strong.