Travel With Jo-Anne

20/11/2024

At least I am starting to think of what to pack for my next adventure! When do you start packing?

11/11/2024

01/11/2024

Let me see your "Treat or Treaters" costumes!

30/10/2024

A BIT OF BRITAIN
I thought I'd check out Kingston's new British Pride Bakery this afternoon. It just opened its doors in Kingston yesterday. Seems to be a great place for meat pies of all sorts, sausage rolls, pasties and popular British desserts. It is really more of a grocery store with a bakery. It has something for everyone. I am trying some of my favourites that bring back memories of past trips to the UK and to get excited for upcoming Scotland tour. It was also a nice touch for the opening to have the owner, Tony, welcome you at the door. I recommend you check it out!

20/10/2024

Spooky season is here! 🎃 I would love to know—what are you (or your little ghouls and goblins) dressing up as this Halloween? Whether it's a classic monster, a superhero, or something totally unique, share your costume magic with me!

14/10/2024

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

03/10/2024

Yep. Going in May with a small group of women. Love, love Scotland!

26/09/2024

MARKET DAY
What a great day to wonder St. Jacobs Farmers Market! A visit isn't complete without a stop at the stall of Spruce Ridge Farm. Paul and Elaine offer a huge select of peppers as well as tomatoes and eggplants.

18/09/2024

NEW TOUR!!
I am happy to be returning to Greece next September when I host two tours for Journeys by Maple Leaf Tours. Join me for the new "Iconic Greece" tour where we will explore Athens, Aafplio, Olympia, Kefalonia and Delphi from September 13 to 22.

Following the tour of mainland Greece, I will be staying behind to host the popular annual tour, "Girls to Greece" September 24 to October 9, exploring the islands of Rhodes, Crete, Santorini and Mykonos.

Join me for one or why not both to save one international airfare! Just a thought. For full information on both tours, click the links below. 👇👇👇👇
ICONIC GREECE - https://journeysbymapleleaftours.com/iconic-greece/
GIRLS TO GREECE - https://journeysbymapleleaftours.com/girls-to-greece/

07/09/2024

HISTORIC FORT SASKATCHEWAN
I enjoyed a visit to Legacy Park and to The Fort Heritage Precinct in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada. The city was founded as a North-West Mounted Police fort and later home to a large provincial jail. The original Fort was located across the river from the hamlet of Lamoureux, and Fort Saskatchewan opened a replica of the Fort next to its original site in 2011.

It was interesting for me to walk through the replica of the Fort as my Grandfather and Great Uncle were members of the NWMP but in a different area of the Praires.

The Fort was constructed in the spring of 1875 to serve as the northern headquarters of the North West Mounted Police. In 1885, following the Riel Rebellion, Fort Saskatchewan became the headquarters of the newly constituted 'G' Division of the NWMP but at the year end the headquarters were moved to Edmonton where they remained for only a few months. An average of twenty men were stationed at the Fort. This number was increased substantially during the Riel Rebellion, when 40 members of the 65th Montreal Rifles were sent to strengthen the Fort's guard.

In 1886, in preparation for the return to Fort Saskatchewan, the original buildings were removed for new construction, which served until 1908. The site was later leveled for the construction of the correctional institution and only a corner of the Fort grounds remains exposed.

A $200,000 provincial jail opened in 1915 on the site of the old fort, to replace the 34-cell guard house that had been used since the NWMP fort was constructed in 1875. This was necessary because by the early 1900s, the guard house was often filled beyond capacity; in August 1912, it held up to 71 prisoners at one time. In 1927, when the Fort was demolished after the opening of the gaol, the prison's warden unveiled a cairn on the site of the old guard room, made from stones taken from its foundation, to commemorate the old fort.

The Canadian Northern Railway (CNR) reached Fort Saskatchewan in 1905, eventually becoming a transcontinental rail line. The station is the only surviving model 100-19 railway station in Alberta.
The railway station and line through Fort Saskatchewan were in use until the late 1980s. Declining rail traffic and safety concerns regarding the transportation of dangerous goods prompted the Canadian National Railway to divert the line away from the city's non-industrial areas.

There is so much history associated with the development of the city of Fort Saskatchewan, the Northwest Mounted Police and the Railway in the area, but I will leave that up to you to explore!

07/09/2024

A visit to Fort Saskatchewan is not complete without having lunch at The Atlantic Kitchen. People from the East Coast have a deep love for their cultural cuisine, enjoying fish and chips, mussels, scallops and more. The Atlantic Kitchen offers traditional home cooked meals. Warm and friendly server. Delicious food. It's a little piece of home in the Prairies.

31/08/2024

It is always a wonderful experience seeing the aurora borealis no matter the intensity. I was so happy to see these last night north of Edmonton, Alberta.

27/08/2024

Be that last person to join me in Scotland in May!

20/08/2024

As my followers know, I always like checking out restaurants during my travels, whether it is abroad, domestically or in my hometown. Today I was in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta and we stopped in at Original Joe's. It had a nice atmosphere and friendly staff. The food was good too! Check it out if you are ever in the area.

15/08/2024

GOODBYE TO CALGARY, ALBERTA
For my final morning in Calgary, I was treated to breakfast at the Galaxie Diner in the Beltline neighbourhood of the city. It is a tiny, old-fashioned diner with retro flair and a classic menu of all-day breakfast, burgers & milkshakes.......and bottomless hashbrowns and toast. I enjoyed the very well prepared Classic Breakfast. The diner fills up fast especially on the weekends but it is worth the wait. II highly recommend checking it out.