ROAD TRIP - part 7

DAY 10 - OTTAWA, ONTARIO area

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

It was about midnight last night, when we decided to stop driving. There was a little motel with a light on, so I went in to inquire about a room. The first thing I saw was a sign: “SORRY, NO PETS”. I sighed and said, “no pets!” I must have look pitiful, because the man let us have a room anyway. Morning came too quick. We came across the newly discovered wonder… Tim Hortons. Jackie likes the muffins, and I had a delicious breakfast sandwich. Very good.

After our breakfast, we drove on over to see the boat. She is very nice, has a nice cabin. She does need cushions though. Easily taken care of. 

s/v Stella Maris

While Jackie and Jonas took care of business, Dickens and I retired to the backyard of the house. We both took a well deserved nap. After the business side of the trip was finished, Jackie and I had lunch at the neighborhood pub. As we were leaving, the Manager wanted us to taste a Butter Tart. We had seen the sign out front announcing their arrival. I took a bite, and told Jackie it tasted like a pecan pie without the pecans. The manager told us that they had some with pecans. I thought we were going to discover something new, but instead, not.

Next on the agenda was to find a pet friendly room for the night. The internet is very handy. We found one only 20 minutes from the boat. It turned out to be a Bed & Breakfast, without the breakfast… just the bed. That is fine with us, we know where there is a Tim Hortons! When we made the reservation over the phone, we didn't know the particulars of the room we were renting. We get there and it is a very nice place, but there is one king bed and the shower has glass walls. And there is a urinal in the toilet room. I later spoke with the owner of the home, and discovered this room used to be the master bedroom. It all made sense then.

"peek-a-boo"

Never seen one in a home.

Jackie’s Facebook friend, Gary Mussar, lives in the area and invited us to dinner. He and his wife took us to Fatboys in downtown Ottawa. This place has Bar-B-Que, Texas style with a little bit of Canada thrown in. I had the pulled pork poutine. It was very good, the gravy was very rich. I cleaned my plate!

The handle to the door is shaped like a gas pump.

No wine tonight. I’m full from dinner and it’s late. We leave early tomorrow morning with a 22’ boat in tow and long road ahead of us.

ROAD TRIP : part 6

DAY 9 - CANADA

TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2016

This has been a stressful day.

Everyone gave us a lot of advise on what you can and cannot take across the border to Canada. We were told that you cannot take fruit, vegetables, jelly, and limited wine….that they would confiscate it. So we counted our bottles of wine, gathered our fresh fruits together along with our jelly and was ready for the confrontation. At the booth we handed over our passports, driver’s license and the dog’s papers. All she was really interested in, was the relationship of Jackie and I, and how long we were going to be in their country. It was non-eventful. 

We quickly realized that our smart phones are stupid across the border. My phone didn’t work at all… nothing! Jackie’s phone was able to make phone calls, and her map came up, but not all the functions worked. No internet. The Garmin was useless. There was a lot of traffic, then suddenly the traffic stopped. And we stopped for about 2 hours. 

Having nothing else to do, I pulled out the crackers: Penguins and Goldfish. A taste test was conducted, and here are the final results: Penguins are more cheesy. Goldfish are more like a cracker. So, there you go.

We were told to take highway 7 at Toronto. We saw a sign that said 7 with an arrow, so we took the exit. That was a mistake. We ended up in rush hour traffic and a traffic light almost every block. We had a paper map, but it was a little confusing with Toronto at the edge to the page. I was navigating old school, and not doing a very good job of it. How did anyone ever get anywhere before smart phones!

I finally got us on the right road, and it was a scenic road, however, the sun was low in the sky, so we didn’t get to enjoy much of it. It was late, but we did get to Perth, Ontario for the night. Now I just need to figure out those stupid mileage signs!

ROAD TRIP : part 5

DAY 8 - MICHIGAN

MONDAY, JULY 11, 2016

Jackie and I awoke to clouds and rain. Yesterday, we booked a sail on s/v FRIENDS*GOOD*WILL in South Haven, MI and we were not sure if it would be rained out. I ate my pecan pie from the Farmer’s Market in Quincy, IL while I packed my bag. Yes, that was my breakfast! Don't judge! We drove down to South Haven and the sail was still scheduled… so we had a wonderful two hours on Lake Michigan. Captain let me take the tiller for awhile. I guess he was confident in my abilities, because he told me to hold that heading and then went forward for a few minutes. It was the biggest tiller I have ever seen.

That's a big ass tiller!

Okay... the diet and exercise starts the minute I get back home!

We got a late start across Michigan, so we only made it to Romulus, just west of Detroit.

It was late when we got to the hotel, so we had a feast of our crackers, cheese, hummus, flatbreads... and of course I had my glass of wine... or two, or three. Oh, and, we stopped at a roadside stand and bought three slices of pie: cherry, plum and nectarine. And I wonder why my pants are fitting a little tighter!

ROAD TRIP - part 4

DAY 7- Holland, MI

SUNDAY, JULY 10, 2016

 Jackie and I got to the hotel in Holland very late, had not eaten dinner, were very hungry, and had a lot of cheese, crackers and wine. So, we did indulge. It was very, very late when I got to sleep. The curtains are obviously darkening, because when I woke up the room was very dark and I was surprise to find that it was after 10:00am. Jackie had heard there was a good restaurant for breakfast called The Biscuit. Off we went.

After a tasty breakfast, we rolled out of Biscuits and drove south toward South Haven, MI. We came upon a park that seemed to have a view of Lake Michigan, so we pulled in. I walked down to the beach to put my toes in the water. OMG it was cold! I don’t know how all these crazy people can put their whole body in that water. I picked up four pretty rocks and went back to the parking lot. 

It wasn’t a few miles down the road that we saw a sign advertising cherries. We turned around and drove up to the building in the field. Not only did they have fresh fruit and vegetables, they had a junk store. Since we didn’t have a good knife for our late night snacks, not a cork screw, nor a proper glass for our wine,  that was the first thing we looked for… and found!!

Farther down the road in South Haven, we toured the Michigan Maritime Museum. In the gift shop, I found a sailboat charm for my bracelet. Every charm I have, has meaning or significance. This charm symbolizes the trip I took with Jackie to pick up a sailboat.

This is the boat used in the movie "The Finest Hours".

Boatwerks in Holland was our choice for dinner, and it was delicious. Sitting on the edge of Macatawa River, with the boats racing up and down the river, was very relaxing. 

Back at the hotel, it was laundry time for me, then up to the room for a glass of wine. I think a hot bubble bath would go well with this wine!

ROAD TRIP: part 3

Day 5 - Quincy, IL

Friday, July 8, 2016

The day started late. I took Dickens, the Adventure Dog, out for his much needed morning walk. Jackie’s daughter made a delicious Caprese salad and fruit salad for lunch. After lunch, we loaded up in the car and took a tour of the historic district of Quincy, IL. I have never seen so many beautiful historic homes in one town. In order to get to one of the marinas here, you cross a one lane bridge. 

After the tour, we headed to Menards to pick up a couple of chairs for the concert that is held twice a month at the park. Washington Park has a lot of history, and tonight there was “Blues in the District” concert held there. We took our folding camp chairs, cheese and crackers… and the wine. To be honest, I couldn’t even tell the genre of music that was being played, because the sound system was not that good. All I heard was the rhythm and the bass, but I had an awesome time visiting with my new friends complete with background music. 

There are no pictures of me during this event, as I made Jackie delete the pictures of me. I enjoyed a little too much wine this evening and looked hammered. This is a look you will have to experience in person!!!

Day 6 - Quincy, IL

Saturday, July 9, 2016

The farmer’s market was held today at the town square. Jackie and her daughter can’t pass one of these up, so we got dressed and headed downtown. We picked up some peaches and mini pies. Then we had lunch in a little place across the street named Thyme Square. I had a wonderful burger complete with mushrooms and onions. Yummy!

Jackie and I packed up and headed up the road to Holland, Michigan. It was a drive mostly on the interstate, because we needed to make good time. Getting a late start, we arrived at the hotel at 11:00pm. Since we didn’t stop for dinner, we had a feast of sausage, cheese, flat bread, hummus and … wine, of course.

I'm beginning to think I might be a wino!

Being the boyscouts we are, or would it be girl scouts?...anyway, we figured out a way to cut the cheese and sausage without the knife we left in the truck. Take note of the fancy stemware... because we are sophisticated!

ROAD TRIP: part 2

DAY 3 - St. Louis
Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Last night, Jackie and I arrived at the hotel very late. With no alarm set, I slept right through breakfast this morning. We jumped up and went to Bella Milano, a wonderful Italian restaurant just around the corner and had lunch. Jackie raved about the toasted ravioli, so we started with that. And yes, it was delicious.  

Since I still don't have my luggage with all my clothes and toiletries, we stopped at Macy's and I bought a pair of jeans and a couple of shirts. My bag and I will be reunited tomorrow.

Jackie and I decided we needed to find a book that just came out. Barnes and Noble was around the corner, so we stopped in. We didn't find the particular book we were looking for, but Jackie couldn't resist a few others to add to her collection.

I had to see the famous Arch.

Looks like I've already had a few!!!

Everyone had to get out and relieve themselves at Forest Park.

Forest Park was very large and very green. It seems to be used by many, even on a Wednesday afternoon.

After a full day of sight seeing, and after the rowdy kids left the hotel pool, Jackie and I took a dip to wash away the miles.

REFRESHING!

Day 4 - St Louis

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Our day started out with a delicious breakfast and wonderful company. Jim Michalak met Jackie and I for breakfast at the Egg and I. I first met Jim in 2014 at Sail Oklahoma. It was good to see him again.

After breakfast, Dickens and I went back to the hotel to pack, while Jackie took the truck to the Ford place across the street for an oil change and rotate the tires. Once back in the truck, we headed to downtown St Louis. The Missouri History Museum located in the Forest Park had an exhibit on Route 66. We stopped and toured that.

Ted Drew’s concrete. I had never heard of it. Finding out that it was the original frozen custard with added ingredients, much like the Dairy Queen blizzard, I had to try it. It was awesome, and that was my lunch. All of you guys that constantly eat healthy are cringing right now… I see you!

With my mouth full!

Our plan was to make it to Quincy, IL where Jackie’s daughter lives. So, we took off and headed north. We traveled up 79, just west of the Mississippi River. 

We saw some beautiful rolling hills and pretty barns. These back roads take a lot longer to travel, but they are very picturesque. 

In the town of Louisiana, we stopped so I could put my feet in the Mississippi. 

MARK TWAIN STATUE

When we arrived at Jackie’s daughter’s home, there was my long lost bag. Oh how I’ve missed you!

ROAD TRIP TO CANADA: part 1

A friend of mine, Jackie Monies, asked if I had a passport. When I told her I did have one, she asked if I wanted to ride with her to Ottawa, Canada to pick up a boat she wanted to buy. I thought it would be nice to get away and see some country that I had not seen before, so I gladly accepted the invitation. Jackie lives in Oklahoma, and would pick me up in Tulsa. I booked a flight to Tulsa, OK. The best arrival time was 1:35pm on Monday, but the plane stopped in Denver first.

When we arrived in Denver, everybody got off the plane. That should have been my first clue, but I thought nothing of it. At the baggage claim in Tulsa, I stood there and watched bags being picked up one by one, until I was the only one standing there....and without a bag. Crap!!! I knew it!!! I should never check my bag. My bag is being sent to Quincy, IL, where we will pick it up on Thursday. 

Jackie picked me up at the Tulsa airport and we headed north. Our first night was spent at Boots Motel in Carthage, MO. When we arrived, the office was locked. Another guest walked around the corner and asked if we were checking in. They said to look in the mailbox for our key, that the owner had gone to dinner. Sure enough, the key was in the mailbox with a note. This motel is from the 1940s and was regularly visited by Clark Gable. The town is full of history and old majestic homes. The park had a wonderful fireworks display by both individuals and the commercial production.

After breakfast and a stroll around the town square, we headed back on the road. Instead of following the interstate, we took back roads and saw rolling hills with pristine homes. We were driving along and suddenly past a sign that said "CIRCUS". We had to stop and go back.

Another stop we made was to see some concrete statues. In the back of the lot were some life-size figures. When I got close, I noticed a close resemblance to myself. It was as if I had modeled for this statue! We could be twins!