Adventure 2006 was just that!

The PSA Adventure 2006, the second in the series-a cruise from Boston to Montreal--was another great time for Photographic Society of America (PSA) members! The classic amenities of cruises were in abundance, the ports along the way were enticing and full of interest, on-board activities were plentiful, and conversation with fellow photographers was an always special delight. Of course, the food was first class all the way.

A Seattle-to-Alaska roundtrip cruise (The PSA Adventure 2005) was such a success that the 2006 version out of the opposite side of the country was scheduled for the first week of October to take advantage of Fall color in Maine plus Fall colour in the Canadian ports of call! The timing of the changing leaf color is always a bit questionable and the arrival of PSA members was a "tad bit" early for the very best color. But Marcel Dierckx of Belgium caught a beautiful example of magnificent colors at the Sugar Shack at the Quebec City stop at the end of the week, while the group was in Quebec City. Marcel and Helene shared that they "especially enjoyed life on board ship and had looked forward to the dinner parties, which proved to provide very interesting and pleasant conversation with fellow PSA members."

Three tables of PSA cruisers at the Main dinner seating in the Rotterdam dining room enjoyed the choice menus as well as talking over photographic shots of the day's activities. And members were all supplied with PSA brochures to share with nonmembers. The desserts were extra special (such as the Watermelon Pie with dark chocolate crustnummmmm!).

Dick Frieders planned a spot near the dining room for all PSAers to get together before dinner which allowed the group a chance to meet those at the other two tables. Albertha "Bert" Abernathy from the Chicago area, plus Kathleen Sims also from Chicago usually popped in, as did Don and Marilyn Alton plus George and Diana Steward. Comparing notes was good fun--especially if checking digital views of the day. Marjorie Uhl and her husband Wyman from Orleans, Massachusetts and another Chicago-area traveler Joan Pulsinelli joined the group. Joan received a special award at a reception just before dinner one evening--she has been on cruises with more than 100 days aboard Holland America ships: a big medal was around her neck when she came to dinner one evening!

Kathy Sims described her feelings, "The food was great. I'm sure I now need to lose a few pounds. I enjoyed our evening meals together which gave us the opportunity to compare where we went and what we saw. My favorite port was Quebec City because of the diversity of the people and their friendly energy."

The Altons are also from Chicago area and had a great time, especially enjoyed the Bar Harbor stop.

President Richard M. (FPSA) and Judy Frieders had previously been on a cruise with the same routing in 2004 and knew of the possible photographic opportunities. Especially enjoyable this time was a personal "tour" conducted by Mr. (FPSA) and Mrs. John Fuller, who met the tender in Bar Harbor, Maine (the ms Maasdam's first stop) and showed the Frieders quaint bays with small boats, barnacle-encrusted stacked lobster traps with their colorful markers all the while with the cacophony of gulls chattering and screeching. They stopped at Bubble Pond in Acadia National Park and saw beginning autumn turning of leaves--and much more. A lunch in town and a visit to quaint shops, too---for the town of Bar Harbor is the quintessential New England port town. Soon it was time to get back on a tender for the trip out to the ship.

A little comic relief? Of course!

Cruising people know that Lido deck on virtually any cruise ship seems to be the popular and fastest food place on-board. Sure, people can go to the dining room but most took the elevator to the Lido for both breakfast and lunch. The food is in wide variety, the view from both Port and Starboard sides is always interesting--some mornings allowing people to watch the ship as it is maneuvered into the dock. An orchid plant is at every table and people-watching is at its best. For this voyage, the prize to watch??? Picture this: a seventy-ish guy "parading" past the tables each morning, several times, attired in the ship-issued white knee-length Turkish robe, black socks and black shoes (otherwise bare legs). A white t-shirt peeked out at the neck of the robe. Observers conjectured, "Is that guy wearing a "Speedo" under that robe?? Sorry no photo--no one ever guessed he would come a second time, never mind every day with several jaunts--almost prancing--through the Lido restautant, as though on parade! No one caught this "cruise clown" with a camera.

Halifax offered cruisers a chance to get out and see Peggy's Cove and many selected that trip. Even if the famous lighthouse wasn't in the best of light, the colorful fishing boats were a photogenic dream. A few took off in another direction for beautiful Mahone Bay and the colorful town of Lunenberg on the Lighthouse route on the coast of Nova Scotia. A downpour spoiled the arrival in Mahone Bay but waiting it out in one of Canada's favorite coffee shops (Tim Horton's) allowed weather to clear enough for a few good shots in the village before popping back in the bus for the drive to Lunenberg. Dull skies and a rainy day aren't the greatest but the bright red of the town buildings could still be recorded.

Sydney, Nova Scotia, offered travelers several choices including the museum honoring the famous inventor, Alexander Graham Bell or a choice of historic Louisbourg. The stop was a bit of a drab day for most on the cruise. The capitol of Canada's smallest province, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, was special for Jean Timmermeister, FPSA, where she met a friend who conducted a private tour for three cruisers, while others enjoyed the features of the attractive, compact city. Sharp Todd, APSA, and his wife Jan visited the fishing village of Rustico Harbour on Prince Edward Island and he caught Old Fisherman. Sharp and Jan "enjoyed the great service, food, company, and the chance to revisit some places and to see some new places ... we enjoyed Quebec City the most because of its European flavor."

Leaving Charlottetown, the ship went under the Confederation Bridge connecting Prince Edward Island with the mainland of Canada, then into the Saint Lawrence river, the Maasdam cruised into the Saguenay Fjord. The first cruise line to schedule its ships into the fjord meant that PSA cruisers had a chance to shoot the awesome scenery with the changing leaves, even though it wasn't quite the clearest afternoon. Standing on the forward deck was one mighty chilly (no, make that--one really cold) shooting situation but worth the try for gorgeous shots.

On down the St Lawrence River to Quebec City! Named the favorite port by Holland America Line cruisers, it seemed to be the ideal stop for the PSA cruisers as well! Good comments abound from those that went on the PSA Adventure 2006. Arriving in the city mere blocks from the ship's dock, it was a cinch to walk into town, view and shoot this attractive place, return to the ship for lunch after 2-3 hours of walking the friendly cobble-stoned streets and then back out for a tour bus for a shore excursion. Some duplication of city features meant different, often better lighting in the afternoon.

Mark Southard, APSA, says "The Crossing Sign just tickled my funny bone. I shot it in Quebec, of course."

The cruise terminated in Montreal--Ray and Pat Kammer stayed over and went to the Basilica of Notre Dame there and were awed by the world famous structure and Ray captured the lighting and colors. He commented that they both "enjoyed the cruise and the freedom to explore new worlds. The friendliness of the ship's crew always left us with a good feeling."

Another terrific cruise! What's next for a PSA Adventure?

Jean Timmermeister, FPSA