August – Border Crossing

We Begin the long journey to the states

Poor Wanda with her broken leg, we hooked her up and began the trip to Michigan where Wanda will get her leg fixed and a few other things.

So once hooked up to the truck, not going to unhook so first night we made it to Moncton and spent night in a casino parking lot. Went in had a nice dinner, wandered around then went to bed.

Then onto Montreal Walmart for the next night. Again, uneventful, however, it did rain, lightening, thunder for a good hour with gusty wind. That was fun.

Mouse NO that’s a Rat!

Started off for Ottawa the next morning, after 3 hours it was time to stop for lunch in Mount Tremblant. As we were slowing down, something squeezed up from the hood of the car. At first, I thought it was a mouse, but after it ran back and forth a couple of times along the windshield it turned out to be a RAT! We were in such shock we did not even think to take a pic. It jumped off at the stop sign. Must have picked it up from Walmart.

FINALLY we arrive for visit with

Nephew Brian Ouellette and Ottawa Ontario

Just a wonderful, fun visit we had in Ottawa with Brian and his mate, Michael. Never hear much about Ottawa, even though it is the capital of Canada, but it is a beautiful, old, generified, mix of old and new city. And Michael was in his element as tour guide. B&M picked us up from campground around 10, we hit the city at 10:30 and did not stop walking until 4:45! At least 10 miles of seeing the sights: smoked meat for lunch; and my reputation for sweets has proceeded me as Brian and Michael couldn’t wait to stop at this special bakery that puts all other bakeries in their spot (brother Will was on a sugar high from just watching the video I sent); canal locks right in the city that are hand winched!; churches, of course, St. Patrick’s, the oldest church in Quebec Providence; old and new buildings, parks, and lastly one bubbly sangria later, Michael finally decided we had seen it all – we agreed.

Nephew Kevin and his bride Danielle

Off to Kitchener Canada to visit the last of the nieces and nephews on this Great Adventure. Did not see anything of Kitchener, rather spent some quality time with Kevin and Danielle and wee bit with their kids Owen and Lauren. It was good to just be the 4 of us, catching up and being able to just have Kevin and Danielle just to ourselves, see their lovely home and incredible back yard patio!

Border Crossing

Decided to take the Blue Water Bridge back into Canada. Border crossing make me nervous for some reason, and based on us getting pulled over last time for bear spray, which we still were carrying with us, my adrenaline picked up so I spent the hour and half ride getting prepared – how many days in Canada (65), bringing over and fresh meat, veggies, fruit, or plants – no. Any firearms – no, any instruments for self-defense – yes (damn bear spray), any alcohol – no we are dry. So we get to bridge and it is a 3 HOUR WAIT TO CROSS OVER!!!! And it was not pretty, people were out of cars, yelling at who knows who because no one is going anywhere once in line. It is hot, people need to potty – I am thankful we do not have Chet. So, we are inching along when Ty forgets that truck in front is pulling a trailer that is so low we can’t see it and he promptly rolls up onto the trailer. Now the guy in front of us is yelling “Buddy can’t you see I’m pulling a trailer? Get off of me!” Opsey

Bug Deflector

Michigan at Last! – 1250 miles to Michigan

We make it to Rush RV to drop off Wanda for repairs, head over to Lynn and Marks for an overnight and a quick game of Euchre. Next day we fly out to Colorado. No rust gonna gather on us!

Colorado – College move in and festival

Fly to Colorado to help Amy and Scott with the pups while they move Avery and Olivia to Colorado Mesa. Avery moved in over the weekend and Olivia the following Thursday. This means that the house was full of teenagers the entire time until the move(s).

Once everyone moved out, only Tyrus, Tessa, and Jaden remain. I got busy doing laundry cleaning up the heaps of clothes left behind. 13 loads! It is so nice and quiet here, once Amy and Scotty settle down from all that is going on, they will relish it. I so admire A&S for raising all these teenagers, taking on extras, and having their home the central meeting place for all – but it is a lot of work, a lot of food is ingested, and there are a lot of dishes, and lot of worry keeping track of everyone.

Vortex Meow Wolf Festival Time

Which means Ty and I work the festival again this year. Scott is the main producer of the event – which is huge. 3 nights, average attendance is 8,000 of crazy people all having fun. Over 500 staff people are required to put on such an event – I got to check in all these people 3 days in a row. Ty who worked the entire 7 days was a “runner” getting everything from carpet, screws, lunches, hammers, pallets. Kept him busy driving around Denver. It was exhausting work for both of us, but a lot of fun! Like seeing the younger generation have fun – reminds me of us and our times when.

Colorado Friends and Family

So good to see so many of our friends this trip – wish we could visit with everyone but time does not allow that luxury. And being with my family, seeing Avery and Olivia take the next steps, working with Scotty, it is all too good and all too short. If anything, this is the downside to our travels, not being with family as much as possible.

We get our pup, Chet, back so guess we will hit the road again.

September is Michigan