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.

Twin Mountain Day 20 Oct 6

We could see the front coming through and it did not disappoint. It rained for most of the day. Time to have another cup of coffee and settle in to read your book. But the first distraction was one of the KOA staff arriving to "clean up" the site just vacated. To set the scene, it is raining and those beautiful leaves I have been telling you about are coming down in bushels. But our man is not daunted. He goes through the ritual of cleaning the site even when the falling leaves cover the ground as fast as the dutiful staff member can clear. After the ritual he is heard to call on the radio "Site 123, all clear." Just when I got over this, Towel Tarzan came running down the road. Well maybe not Tarzan, but certainly the Towel. He must of just come from the shower and he was hanging on to the Towel for all the cover it could give. Strange It must be something in the Mountain water. How to enter and exit an RV. First make sure you have two pairs of shoes to complete this maneuver. To enter, you first shuffle you feet in pair no 1 on the outside mat. Then you place your foot onto the first or second step ( depending on your leg length) and carefully slip your left foot (depending on training - some people can actually use either foot) out of pair no 1 into pair no 2 ( left there by the previous exit) and step into the RV. Of course, if pair no 2 has not been left in place, you have to take s giant step to rung no 3 of the step and then hop out of pair no 2 to land on the RV floor, sometimes with devastating results,. But a clean RV floor must be preserved at all times and at any cost. Now to exit, the essential maneuver is to swing your body so that you are going out backwards and slip your clean left  (or right once again depending on training) foot into pair no 2. Then two or three backward steps and hopefully ( because you cannot see anything as you are going backwards) you step into pair no 1. Simple really. Tomorrow off to Montreal.

Twin Mountain NH Day 19 Oct 5

Another spectacular drive . The fall colors are quite incredible. Our stop is Twin Mountain, near to the White Mountains and well known Mount Washington.The trip was one of the slower as we wound our way through small towns and Villages. Throw in a few inevitable "Construction Ahead" events and it makes for a long day. The KOA Camp area is very nice although our site is a little noisy from the mountain road nearby. I am of course still on my mission to find a Conservative in New England. I must be getting close. The State motto of New Hampshire is "Live Free or Die". This is Conservative territory. Saw a permanent road sign along the way. "Fallen Rocks" . Does this mean they fell but were picked up, they fell were not picked up or it happened a long time ago so don't worry bout it, a historic marker as it were. We will spend a rest day here and leave for Montreal and $6.00 per gallon gas on Sunday.

Canaan, ME Day 18 Oct 4th.

Daybreak at Saint John.

Henry adds a flash of Fall colour to the Fall colours.

Great weather for the drive to Canaan, Maine. But first, the encounter with the US Border Control Agent at the US Canadian border. I am parked about 100 feet behind Dirk and I watch a long conversation take place. The Agent suddenly emerges from his ( medium sized) office and climbs aboard Dirks and Colleen's RV. Then out he comes with a packet. Could Dirk and Colleen be secretly carrying ( I did not inhale ) material. No, the agent does not return with handcuffs so it must be a lessor offense like smuggling SA chocolates to Dayton Ohio. No, Dirk is on the move, slowly so I know he is not escaping ( of course in an RV there is little difference between slow and escape speed.) Colleen sends a sneak message over the radio for us to declare all out fruit and vegetables. . We arrive at the agents drive through office. "What fruit and vegetables do you have". "A few apples and grapes" "Is that all?" "Yes I believe so" "Mind if I come on board" " No, just take off your shoes at the door" "Only kidding. On he comes, goes straight for the refrigerator and victoriously holds up a bag of oranges. " You could get a $300 fine for not declaring this" he declares. So off he went with our oranges and Colleen's tomatoes. I think they are short of these items at the Border Control canteen. The drive was spectacular. This was nature showing off its best with red, orange, yellow and green autumn leaves . Our timing for foliage change in this part of country was close to perfect. The Canaan KOA must be one of the best. It caters for children with bicycles, outdoor games , play ground items an indoor game room., a pool etc etc And to satisfy the four of us, there are hiking trails. A great place,One minor oddity. At all the other KOA's we have visited on this trip, an aged gentleman in a golf cart has normally shown us to our site. At this KOA a middle aged man walked Moses like in front of the two trailing RV's, leading them to the appointed camp site. There was a certain solemnness to the procession..Unfortunately it rained for most of the afternoon so those trails will have to wait. On to Twin Mountain New Hampshire tomorrow.

St John NB Day 17 Oct 3rd

Today a drive of 140 miles to take the Ferry from Digby NS to St John. But first a gas stop. I started filling up ( this baby takes gulps of $100) when I noticed a noise coming from inside the RV. I went inside to investigate and there was the noise, louder. Now when you hear a noise in an RV you start to worry. There is Gas, LP Gas, Water Pumps, Hydraulic pumps multiple batteries and multiple tanks - and thats before you get to the engine. I called Dirk over now convinced that something serious was afoot. We searched around, now becoming more concerned. For the second or third time I moved some stored bags around, and "ah ha" here was the source - Faye's battery powered lint remover. buzzing away. That is, Faye's former lint remover. Once again we were amazed to see how many vehicles were loaded on the Ferry. This time 5 or 6 18 Wheelers, a bus and many cars. For this crossing, we had great weather and could take our StarBucks away without threat of landing half the precious liquid on the floor. It was late when we got in so we had decided to "take away" rather than cook. The wonder of Marilyn the GPS. Searched for Subway and hey presto, after twists and turns landed right at the door. Tomorrow our stop will be Canaan , Maine.

Halifax NS Day 16 Oct 2nd

He prowls the campsites, day and night looking for those elusive lost decibels . Yes, its our own Dirk, determined to spare us and generations more that will visit this park from the scourge of poor internet service. Yesterday our man seemed to find a a repeater tower that previously did not exist. You can only marvel at his fortitude. Lessor men would have retired to do washing. Our cell phones, now with born again Canadian SIM cards were really short of minutes so we decided to take a walk to nearby gas station to purchase the phone equivalent of a "top up". We resembled some type of nomadic group walking down the road but we prided ourselves on the calorie burn that was taking place. We bought a few Apple Turnovers and Danish to have with our coffee when we got back. Today the Ferry back to St John.

Halifax NS Day 15 Oct 1

Well, I stand corrected. It does not continuously rain in Nova Scotia. Or yesterday was the exception. I believe the direct Nordic translation of Nova Scotia is Noah Arkia. We were headed from the most terrible camp ground in the world or at least the Northern Hemisphere to a KOA in Halifax. And what a difference it is. This is really a nice place with attractive sites and friendly, helpful staff. Of course, they have WiFi here. Every time I talk of WiFi , Faye thinks I am talking to her. I guess its close, WiFi, Wifey. Dirk thought he would return the hospitality by fixing the Wifey. He had determined through Hocus Pocus that the repeater station closest to our site was not working. Within minutes of letting them know, a sprightly 70 year old roared up in his golf cart to look at the problem. ( it seems that only 70 year olds are allowed to drive golf carts at KOA locations). ( see day 8). Dirk and the sprightly 70 year old swopped techno talk for a while and then he roared off again, cape flying in the air. The drive here was uneventful and uninteresting. Had we done some research(thanks to Pam Brown for the lead), we would have found that we were passing Lunenburg, home of Bluenose II schooner that had just been re-launched ( original in 1963 ) The schooner is found on the Canadian dime and achieved this status by beating those dreaded Americans at sea. Hockey and sailing. This is too much!.

Lockeport NS Day 14 Sept 30

And it rained and it rained. Today was supposed to be a scenic drive down the coast . We did manage to see a delightful church complete with its parishioners. Yes we arrived just as the Sunday morning service was about to start and caused some consternation as we maneuvered the white behemoths in the parking lot all the while dodging the incoming faithful. But everyone was very nice, if not curious. This church, St Bernard (named after the famous Swiss dog with the barrel under his chin - this however has not been confirmed ) took 32 years to build. I don't have an explanation for this impressive productivity, but as soon as I can access the Internet I will do some research. Which leads me to comment on the campsite we occupied last night, quite clearly the worst we have encountered. No WiFi, uneven sites, rundown buildings. Nova Scotia is clearly not the wealthiest of the Canadian Provinces but a little paint is surely not beyond the reach of management. To complete the day of "uglies", we visited a lighthouse that Colleen and Faye designated as the most unattractive we have seen. I am not sure what exactly constitutes an attractive lighthouse ( t think they all have a light ? ) but I'll go along with it. It was that type of day.