Back in Dayton, Day 27, Oct 13

Well we are home again safe and sound, Doris says she travelled 3620 miles,
well it didn't feel like it.
Good to get the rental back without a scratch and no "issues".

Planned Route.

Actual GPS tracks.

Thanks to all who helped to make this trip a success.
See you all next time.

Dayton Day 26, Oct 12

Just a short drive from Toledo to Wapakoneta ( near to Dayton). We have spent a night at this Camp Ground on a number of occasions. The owners are great and it is one of our favorites. Finding our way here is automatic - until yesterday. Dirk and Colleen have been in the lead for almost the entire trip, navigating the tough parts when Marylyn and Doris the GPS's may lead us astray. Only two wrong turns in over 3000 miles is not a bad record but yesterday was one of them. It should have been a left but we went straight. My GPS was complaining roundly but off we went into the farm lands on a small country road where turning was impossible But wait, what is this ? A building with a drive way. I am sure the owners wont mind us making a U turn in and out of their parking lot. We will be in and out so quickly that they may not notice. I wonder what they do here in the sticks. A lot of cars, many of them with blue lights on top. Too late. We have driven into a State Police facility. A quick trip around the parked cars and we were out, faster than you can say "what are we doing here". We hand back the Rental on Saturday and head for home . It has been a marvelous trip, enjoyable at every moment, shared with good friends. For those of you who followed our adventure, I hope you got some sense of the good time we had. Colleen, Dirk, Faye, and Henry

Toledo Day 25, Oct 11

After starting in incredible traffic for the first 30-40 miles, the rest of the drive to the US Canadian border went by quickly. The last time our encounter with the US customs officials was less then stellar so this time we were ready. Before you could say "border control agent I have a list" we produced our vegetable and fruit list. They seemed unimpressed and came on board to look anyway. They almost took Faye away with them as in the morning she had consumed all the remaining oranges and started to look like one. In all the confusion of the border, for the first time in over 3000 miles were were separated. Our radios have a maximum one mile range and we could not make contact. Our game plan in an event like this was to go either to the first rest area and wait or go to the next destination. With no rest areas around we headed for the Toledo Camp ground. As it happened, we arrived two minutes after Dirk and Colleen. Knowing he was ahead of us, Dirk had annoyed all the traffic on way with barely the minimum highway speed. Not the worst or the best KOA. Next A short ride of 90 miles to a Campground we will use to flush all the tanks and do some cleanup before dropping off Dirk's and Colleen's rental at Tom Rapers in Richmond on Saturday.

Toronto Canada Day 14, Oct 10

We literally had a bumpy start to this leg of the journey. But after 40 miles or so the dishes stopped clattering and my faith in Canadian roads was somewhat restored. Our stopover at a KOA (Kamp of America - now why did I not give you this explanation 24 days ago - thanks for pointing this out Hugh ). This was probably the worst of many good ones we have spent nights at. We like KOA's as they are generally the Mac Donald's of Camp Grounds - you always know what to expect. What did not help is that it was coooooooold. The wind was howling and it rained intermittently - this was an afternoon for hot chocolate and a good book. Next stop Toledo Ohio in the good old US of A. But first we have to get by those pesky customs officers/officerees (always Politically Correct). Out go the Oranges and Tomatoes.

Kingston Canada Day 23 Oct 9th

Hugh and Pam had invited us over for coffee and muffins ( more yummy) but I am not sure the neighbors expected two behemoths visiting such a nice neighborhood. We got going about 11 am and hit the road, More accurately the road hit us. Much bumpiness. Hockey Canada 1 US 0, Sailing Canada 1 US 0, Roads US 1 Canada 0 ( we will take it ) The Kingston Campground we stopped at has won many awards. They won another with us. Highest price so far .Toronto next.

Ottawa Canada Day 22 Oct 8

Returning from their secret meeting...

We were on our way to visit old friends, Hugh and Pam. We had expected the roads to be fairly quiet as it was the Canadian Thanksgiving (They can beat us at hockey and sailing but I draw the line at stealing our holiday. Is their no end to the abuse)

Proving that they do not deserve this holiday, our neighbors actually celebrate on Sunday so that they can return home on Monday. But given that lack of respect for our holiday the traffic was light for the most part.

Our Camp Ground was the Ottawa Municipal park, a really nice location. As is our habit, we went on a walk to explore the park. We came across a trail in the middle of the woods that had lighting. I have never in all my hiking life ever seen a lighted trail deep in the woods so we decide to investigate. Every 50 or 60 feet another lamp. This was spooky. Finally, an opening in the woods and what appeared to be an outdoor theater complete with benches and a stage. It was all run down but you could feel the ghosts of past. My best guess was a secret meeting place for the KKK. Yes, the Kouncil for the Kollection of Kollectables would meet here to hear about items that in the end would land up in their garage . What a place .

Pam and Hugh provided the wine and apple crisp (yummy) and we provided the fish and luxury RV dining locale and a great evening it was.

Montreal Canada Day 21 Oct 7th

We had a smooth ride from Twin Mountain to Montreal. The Camp Ground is officially closed for the winter ( many were closing right behind us as we travelled) but they allow campers to park and use all the facilities I am not sure how long this lasts as ultimately the temperature will force them to close ( Its the pipes you know!). But we were thankful that we did not have to park in Main street. Success at last. We have found the first Conservative. He was given away by his children who started a conversation with Colleen. In a serious breach of security (we will call him "Gary") the father came over to introduce himself to Dirk. From a secret handshake I was able to establish his bona fides. He said he had a large photograph of Ronald Reagan in his garage. In his garage! My goal was two but I will settle for one. Our encounter with Border Control was uneventful. This time instead of Oranges and Tomatoes they were after guns and rocket propelled grenades. I volunteered my nail clippers. They passed.