Tues Aug 12

Drove into Canada and talked to family on the phone for the last time until we leave Canada (unless it is an emergency.)  We can use text (if we are on WIFI) which means we can stay in contact but it has been a long time since I didn’t talk to the girls at least 4 or 5 days a week!  We have reservations in St. John, New Brunswick, so we are taking our time on the route going into St. John.  We noticed a sign about St. Charles being the “Chocolate capital of Canada.”  Naturally I had to stop.  As we drove into town we saw large signs about this being a "sweet place" and some with ? marks.  We eventually learned these signs mean “information center.”  

 

 

The flowers in town are beautiful.  As we talked to the folks at the information center we learned that the weather was warm but not hot and therefore flowers flourished. 

 

Naturally we had to tour the Ganong chocolate factory and the tour was great with FREE SAMPLES! 

 

 

 

We learned that the company was the first to introduce a heart-shaped box of chocolates in North America. The heart-shaped boxes were originally used for presents over the Christmas season before it became a real “hit” for Valentine.  The tour was really neat.  They now have a new, modern factory (meaning it is automated and uses less people) that is located on CHOCOLATE DRIVE!

When we got to St. John and our hotel, we were able to get text and read e-mail.  DeLyn has Riley packed for college.  He and Justin leave tomorrow.  Also, this is the last day of summer for Brooks and Ally.  They start to school tomorrow.  I miss talking to them already.